In AG Op. No. 14-0055, AG Op. No. 15-0057 & AG Op. No. 16-0013, the Attorney General (AG) opines that the water district/city may not forgive, set-aside or reduce a customer’s water bill due to leaks on the customer’s side of the meter as doing so would violate Article VII, §14 of the Louisiana Constitution.

In AG Op No. 11-0187, however, the AG opines that the water district/city may allow customers to enter into payment plans to repay abnormally high water bills over time.

Therefore, in this case, while the town may not reduce the water bill, it may allow the customer to enter into a payment plan for the unusually high water bill caused by the leak. This repayment plan should be in writing.

In addition to that question/answer and the AG opinions referred to therein, the City should also ensure that any policy it adopts for repayment plans treats everyone the same (i.e., if a customer qualifies for the repayment plan under the policy he/she should be provided with the opportunity so there is no question of favorable treatment, etc.).