Don't be alarmed if you see people in your back yard sporting white T-shirts and reflective vests while carrying iPads and peeking at your water meters.
Global Water, the company that will take over water, sewer, and refuse billing for the City of South Pasadena in January 2013, has assigned approximately 8-10 field technicians to locate each water meter and collect necessary information to verify the accuracy of water billing, according to a news release from the city.
Surveying has already started and will end in mid-December.
“One of the requirements in the process to transition to a new billing company is field work to verify the size and number of water meters,'' City Manager Sergio Gonzalez said in a prepared statement. Global Water staff has begun canvassing the city. They are wearing safety reflective vests and have been issued temporary contract badges.
The program is being coordinated by the City Finance Department in conjunction with the Police Department and Public Works Water Division.
In August 2012, the South Pasadena City Council approved a contract with Global Water, based in Arizona, to assume billing and customer care responsibilities.
According to Finance Director Chu Thai Global Water owns and operates 14 regulated private water and wastewater utilities in Arizona, and in California. The company services the cities of Covina, Torrance, Grass Valley, and Menlo Park. Global Water will provide a comprehensive service for $4/account per month; currently it is costing the City $5.46/account per month to provide this service inhouse, he said.
Thai added, “Global Water will enhance customer service, improve water conservation, and assist with the implementation of a water budget rate model that considers factors other than usage in water billing.”
For additional information, contact the Finance Department at 626-403-7250. For information on weekends or after business hours, contact the Police Department at 626-403-7297.
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