Wisconsin Administrative Code
Public Service Commission
Chapter PSC 185 - Standards For Water Public Utility Service
Subchapter III - Service and Billing
Section PSC 185.305 - Application for nonresidential service
Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง PSC 185.305
Current through August 26, 2024
(1) For purposes of this section, "written" or "in writing" means legibly printed on paper or, with the intended recipient's permission, legibly printed in an electronic form that the recipient can electronically store and retrieve for future reference.
(2)
(a) If a utility requires an application, a
user of water service shall apply for service in a form specified by the
utility.
(b) A utility may require
a verbal or written application for nonresidential service. The utility shall
establish a written policy for when a written application is required. A
utility may accept an application for service from a person other than the user
or potential user of service
(c)
The utility may only require that an applicant provide the following
information in an application:
1. Legal name
of the user of service and the person responsible for bill payment, if
different than the user.
2.
Telephone number of the user of service and the person responsible for bill
payment, if different than the user.
3. Address where service is to be
provided.
4. Mailing address if
different from service address.
5.
Date requested for service to begin.
6. The most recent previous address of the
person responsible for bill payment.
7. Credit information under par.
(e).
8. Initial identification data
under par. (f).
(d) A
utility may request information other than that listed in par. (c), but before
requesting it the utility shall inform the applicant that providing that
information is optional.
(e) A
utility may request reasonable credit information from a nonresidential
applicant as part of its application for service. A utility shall establish a
written policy about when it will request credit information and what credit
information it will request.
(f) A
utility shall accept any of the following items as adequate initial
identification data, although it may accept other forms of identification:
1. Federal employer identification number or
proof that it has been applied for but not yet granted.
2. Wisconsin department of financial
institutions identification number.
3. Wisconsin seller's permit identification
number.
(g) A utility
may refuse or disconnect service for failure to provide any information
specified in pars. (c) 1. to 7. or (f).
Note: See sub. (3) (a) about what can be required if an applicant refuses to provide the initial identification data under par. (c) 8.
(3) IDENTITY VERIFICATION.
(a) A utility may require verification of the
initial identification data of an applicant for nonresidential service under
any of the following circumstances:
1. An
applicant refuses to provide the information under sub. (2) (c), (e), or
(f).
2. The utility finds, with
reasonable certainty, that the information provided under sub. (2) (c), (e) or
(f) is falsified.
(b) A
utility shall establish a written policy for when it will require verification
of identity under this subsection.
(c) A utility shall accept any of the
following items as adequate verification of identity, although it may accept
other forms of verification:
1. State or
federal income tax returns.
2.
Internal Revenue Service letter assigning federal employer identification
number.
3. Wisconsin seller's
permit or department of revenue letter assigning a Wisconsin seller's permit
identification number.
4. Business
articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, limited liability company
articles of organization, or similar organizational documents.
(d) A utility may refuse or
disconnect service if it does not obtain adequate verification of
identity.
(4) PROCESSING APPLICATIONS AND PROVIDING NOTICE.
(a) Except
under exceptional circumstances, a utility shall approve or deny an application
for service no later than 10 calendar days after receipt of the information
required under this section. An expected high volume of requests for service
shall not constitute exceptional circumstances.
(b) A utility shall notify the applicant in
writing within 5 days of the denial of application. A utility may notify an
applicant verbally before written notification is sent. An application shall be
considered denied when a service refusal has been finalized and no immediate
conditions that could change that refusal remain. The notification shall
include all of the following:
1. An
explanation of why service is being refused.
2. The applicant's right to ask commission
staff to review the refusal.
3. The
commission's address, telephone number and web site.
Note: For example, if a utility has told a customer that it would supply service if the customer makes a payment, enters a deferred payment agreement or provides additional identity information under sub. (3), the refusal is still conditional and has not been finalized.
(c) If a third party
applies for service, a utility shall send written notification of the
application to the potential user's mailing address and the address for which
service has been requested.
(d) If
an applicant indicates that a third party is responsible for payment, a utility
shall send written notification of the approval or denial of an application to
both the third party and the applicant within 5 days of the application's
approval or denial, although a utility may notify the third party and applicant
before written confirmation is sent. If service is refused, the written
notification shall include the information in par. (b) 1. to 3.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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