Hawaii Administrative Rules
Title 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS
Chapter 4.1 - MANAGEMENT OF WATER SYSTEMS
Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 10-4.1-10 - Discontinuation of service
Current through February, 2024
(a) The department may refuse or discontinue water service for any of the following reasons:
(b) Where discontinuation of water service for any of the above reasons is proposed, the department shall, prior to the proposed shut off, give the consumer written notice at least five business days before shut off. The notice shall specify the reasons for the proposed shut off as well as inform the consumer of the right to dispute the shut off by making appropriate request to the department at the address or phone number provided on the notice. The notice shall further inform the consumer that once water service has been discontinued, water service may be restored but only in accordance with section 104.1-11.
(c) If the consumer wishes to dispute the shut off, the consumer shall within five business days from the date of the notice of shut off, request a billing conference. Once requested, the billing conference shall be scheduled at the earliest reasonable opportunity for the consumer and in no case more than ten days from the request and the consumer shall be given the option of having the conference over the phone or in person with a district office supervisor from another district office that manages a department water system. If an in person conference is requested, the district office supervisor shall travel to meet with the consumer on the consumer's island. The district office supervisor conducting the billing conference shall not have previously been involved in the case, shall objectively review the basis for water shut off, shall be subject to all state ethics rules on conflicts of interest, and shall exercise impartial judgment in deciding the merits of the consumer's request for reinstatement of water service.
(d) A charge of $150 shall be added to each account in which service is discontinued if the consumer or other party cuts the lock and turns the meter on without prior approval of the department. The meter shall be removed and the water service capped off. Water service shall not be reconnected until the consumer has paid the past due water charges, water disconnection charges, and the meter disconnection and reconnection charges.
(e) An account that remains disconnected or suspended because of delinquent payment shall continue to accrue monthly base rate service charges as well as late fees.
(f) A consumer about to vacate any premises supplied with water by the department shall give written notice of their intention to vacate, specifying the date service should be discontinued. If the consumer fails to give such notice, the consumer shall be responsible for all water service furnished to such premises until the department has received a notice of discontinuance. Before buildings with water service are demolished, the department shall be notified so the water service can be shut off.
(g) The department may remove a meter for nonuse after one year of non-use. A consumer whose meter is removed for non-use forfeits all previous fees and reapplication shall be treated as a new service connection with applicable costs.