Policies

METER MARKER

METER VALVE ACCESS

ONLY PONDEROSA UTILITY CORPORATION EMPLOYEES ARE AUTHORIZED TO ACCESS THE METER BOX AND OPERATE THE VALVE WITHIN TO TURN OFF OR ON THE WATER.

The meter lid, boxes, meter and valve located within the meter box are the sole property of the utility company. This policy is strictly enforced and protects the aging infrastructure of the water distribution system. It also protects the customer from being responsible for the cost of any damages that may occur.

All residents of Mountainaire are encouraged to have a personal shut-off valve. If you do not have a shut-off, please call us to schedule a turn on/off during regular business hours. There is no charge for this service.

Please inform all plumbers, contractors, landscapers, or anyone else scheduled to perform work at your property, of this policy. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in legal action.

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SHUT OFFS

Payment is due in full by the 15th of each month, and any payments not received by the due date are considered delinquent. If your payment is not received by the due date, a late payment penalty of $5.00 or 1.5% (whichever is greater) will be applied to your account.

Ponderosa Utility strictly enforces it shut-off policy set forth by the Arizona Corporation Commission. If payment is not received on the shut-off date before 10:00 a.m., your water service will be TURNED OFF. You will then have to pay your delinquent bill and a re-connection fee up to $35.00 before your service will be restored.  

If your water is shut off for non-payment, DO NOT use the meter valve to turn your water back on. If we find that you have accessed the meter valve, we will file a report with the Coconino County Sheriff’s office.

All bills for utility services are due and payable when rendered. Any payment not received within 15 days from the date the bill was rendered shall be considered delinquent. (R14-2-409 C per AZCC Water Rules)

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BACK FLOW PREVENTION

WHAT IS BACK FLOW? Back flow is the undesirable reversal of the flow of water from its intended direction in any pipeline or plumbing system. Back flow is dangerous because it can allow drinking water in plumbing systems to become contaminated and unusable, and is a public safety hazard.

WHAT IS A BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICE? Back flow preventers are mechanical plumbing devices installed in a plumbing system to prevent water from flowing backward into the water distribution system.

All new construction must install a back flow prevention device (i.e. a check valve) on the customer’s side of the meter before the shut off valve, and have both components inspected and approved by a water utility employee in order to have the water turned on at that location. It is important in our community that the back flow prevention device works properly, and if there is no back flow prevention device, that one needs to be installed. This device prevents possible contaminants on your property from entering the water distribution system.

These are the requirements of Ponderosa Utility Corporation, as set forth by the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Rule R14-2-405(B)(3): Where service is being provided for the first time, the customer shall provide and maintain a private cutoff valve within 18 inches of the meter on the customer’s side of the meter, and the utility shall provide a like valve on the utility’s side of such meter.

Rule R14-2-405(B)(6): The customer’s lines or piping must be installed in such a manner as to prevent cross-connection or back flow.

These are Arizona Corporation Commission regulations as well as P.U.C policies

R14-2-407 Provision of service B: Customer responsibility

1. Each customer shall be responsible for maintaining all facilities on the customer’s side of the point of delivery in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with the rules of the state Department of Health.
2. Each Customer shall be responsible for safeguarding all utility property installed in or on the customer’s premises for the purpose of supplying water to that customer.
3. Each customer shall exercise all reasonable care to prevent loss or damage to utility property, excluding ordinary wear and tear. The customer shall be responsible for loss of or damage to utility property on the customer’s premises arising from neglect, carelessness, or misuse and shall reimburse the utility for the cost of necessary repairs or replacements.

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R14-2-405 Service connections and establishments C: Easements and rights-of-way

1. Each customer shall grant adequate easement and right-of-way satisfactory to the utility to ensure that customers proper service connection. Failure on the part of the customer to grant adequate easement and right-of-way shall be grounds for the utility to refuse service.
2. When a utility discovers that a customer or his agent is performing work or has constructed facilities adjacent to or within an easement or right-of-way and such work, construction or facility poses a hazard or is in violation of federal, state or local laws, ordinances, statutes, rules or regulation, or significantly interferes with the utility’s access to equipment, the utility shall notify the customer or his agent and shall take whatever actions are necessary to eliminate the hazard, obstruction or violation at the customer’s expense.

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R14-2-408 Meter Reading D: Access to customer premises

Each utility shall have the right to safe ingress to and egress from the customer’s premises at all reasonable hours for any purpose reasonably connected with the utility’s property used in furnishing service and the exercise of any and all rights secured to it by law or these rules.