WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

PR 26-0279

DC Water Disconnection and Billing Clarification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Charles Allen

Emergency resolution clarifies DC Water's disconnection and billing procedures while establishing customer protections for service termination disputes.

Resolution R26-0178, Effective from Jul 14, 2025 Published in DC Register Vol 72 and Page 008188
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · PR 26-0279

Legislative bill overview

This emergency resolution clarifies DC Water's authority regarding customer disconnections and billing practices, and establishes procedural protections for residents facing service termination. The measure became effective immediately upon Council approval on July 14, 2025, indicating urgent legislative action on water service accessibility.

Why is this important

Water disconnection directly affects public health, hygiene, and basic living conditions for DC residents. This resolution addresses a critical infrastructure service by establishing clearer rules around when and how DC Water can disconnect customers, potentially protecting vulnerable populations from losing essential service due to billing disputes or procedural errors.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of disconnection authority – Disagreement likely exists over how many safeguards to require before disconnection versus DC Water's operational efficiency and debt collection needs
  • Billing dispute resolution – The balance between protecting customers disputing charges versus ensuring DC Water's revenue collection and financial sustainability
  • Emergency declaration justification – Questions about whether the issue warranted emergency procedures that bypass standard legislative review timelines, or if standard resolution processes would have sufficed

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.