High Knob Utilities, Incorporated (HKUI) is a nonprofit public utility established to provide water to the High Knob community. HKUI is licensed by the Virginia Department of Health.
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Rate Schedule
Water Rates
Water bills are rendered on a quarterly basis, in arrears. The rates for water service are as follows: (effective 04/01/2023)
Minimum quarterly charge:* $114.18 base rate
$ 12.50 capital recovery fee
Total: $126.68 minimum quarterly charge
Water Usage (per billing):
1-13,500 gallons $0.00864 per gallon
13,501-20,000 gallons $0.01068 per gallon
20,000 gallons and over $0.01334 per gallon
* A minimum charge per quarter for water service. This minimum quarterly charge applies to all accounts, and becomes effective when the water meter is installed or when a water service account is established. Actual water usage is billed at the rates shown above in addition to the minimum quarterly charge.
Estimated Bills
If the meter should fail to register for any reason, or if the meter reader should be unable to read the meter at the regularly scheduled date, an estimated bill will be rendered.
The estimated bill will be an average of the water bills for the past three quarters. If the customer's premises were unoccupied during any portion of this time, the company may base its estimate on the customer's available usage information plus the standard per-person usage rates established by the Virginia Department of Health.
The customer's account shall be credited or debited for any overpayments or underpayments when the next actual meter reading is obtained.
New Construction Fees
New homes constructed on High Knob must pay a service connection fee (also referred to as a tap fee) to connect to the HKUI water system. This fee includes a water meter, and excavation and backfilling for connection of the meter to the customer’s water supply line. The meter remains the property of HKUI.
All service connections are $5,000.00 each.
Temporary Discontinuation of Service Fee
Seasonal residents of High Knob, or residents leaving their homes unattended for an extended period of time, may request a water shutoff at the meter.
A fee of $25.00 covers both the shutoff and restoration of water service. Contact the HKUI office to make arrangements - please be sure to schedule several days in advance of the desired shotoff. This service is highly recommended to prevent damage and loss caused by leaks during the homeowner's absence.
The minimum quarterly charge continues to apply during the period of temporary discontinuation of service.
Restoration of Deliquent Account Fee
As defined in its operating tariff, HKUI is authorized to discontinue service to delinquent accounts. A fee of $45.00 applies to restore service to a delinquent account that has been brought up to date.
Returned Check Fee
A returned check fee of $35.00 for insufficient funds will be applied to the customer’s account for each returned check.
Meter Test Fee
All HKUI meters are thoroughly tested for accuracy at the time of installation. Customers may request a meter accuracy test at no charge, and written results will be provided to the customer.
However, if the customer requests more than one meter test in a 24 month period, a fee of $42.00 applies to the second and all subsequent tests performed in a 24 month period. If a meter error greater than two percent is found, the meter test fee is waived, and the bills for the previous six months will be adjusted.
Meter Installation Fee
In such cases where a water meter has been removed at the request of the customer, a meter installation fee equal to 50% of the service connection fee will apply when a new meter is installed.
Meter Reading Fee
There is no charge for regular meter readings for billing purposes, or when an account is closed and a final meter reading is needed. A $45.00 charge applies for an extra meter reading requested between billing periods for the purpose of property transfers or rental property turn over.