DC Water and Sewer Authority Billing and Disconnection Clarification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026
Impact
This bill is poised to amend existing laws, including the District of Columbia Public Works Act and the Water and Sewer Authority Establishment Act, to provide clearer guidelines on the imposition of late fees and penalties. Moreover, it mandates that DC Water provide regular updates on its disconnection activities to various governmental offices, including the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Tenant Advocate. These changes are intended to enhance transparency and allow for better assistance to residents facing disconnection.
Summary
PR26-0684 is a resolution aimed at addressing and clarifying the processes related to billing and disconnection of water services by the DC Water and Sewer Authority. This emergency legislation arises from ongoing challenges faced by tenants in multifamily apartment buildings who are subjected to water service disconnections due to non-payment issues often caused by their landlords. The bill seeks to ensure that tenants, especially vulnerable populations like seniors and those with disabilities, are not punished unjustly for the financial practices of their building owners.
Contention
Notably, the bill addresses a legal dispute regarding whether DC Water has the authority to implement certain changes related to billing and late fee structures. Discussions highlight the urgency of this resolution, as existing emergency measures are set to expire soon. Some legislators have expressed concerns that without this amendment, tenants could continue to experience unjust disconnections, especially given the lack of communication between DC Water and individual occupants regarding outstanding bills. The overall sentiment is one of necessity to protect tenants from punitive measures driven by external factors beyond their control.