Utilities surcharge

If I have understood his concerns correctly, Stephanio Zahra (May 30) complained that consumers may be charged at a higher surcharge rate for consumption not actually availed of during a lower surcharge period.

I would like to assure consumers that all bills are "split" into different surcharge rate periods. Therefore, for example, all last year's consumption up till October 31 was charged at 17 per cent surcharge. Only consumption from November 1 onwards was charged at a higher rate according to the period in question. This is done by calculating the consumption on a per diem basis and the surcharge is charged pro rata for the number of days before and after any surcharge "changeover date".

All estimates are computer-generated and based on the average consumption of the last three actual readings or on an established "benchmark" (for example an average family of four, or an average single pensioner, etc) when such a computation is not possible. The Water Services Corporation does not carry out any "rough estimates" as implied by the correspondent.

In any case, all estimated bills are reconciled when a bill based on actual readings is issued.