No abrupt disconnection of water supply
Published: 05:04 PM,Apr 03,2023 | EDITED : 09:04 PM,Apr 03,2023
Muscat: All utility service providers in the Sultanate of Oman have been told not to indulge in the abrupt disconnection of the water supply at all times, especially during Ramadhan.
The chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) issued a decision on 8/2023 on Sunday with regard to the water supply, treated water, and wastewater collection and transportation services.
As per the decision, the service provider is obligated to prepare specific forms for each type of common complaint and to make them available to subscribers. Subscribers may file a complaint against the service provider in the event of a dispute, malfunction, damage, or dissatisfaction, and the service provider must register any complaint it receives.
The service provider may not terminate or close the subject of the complaint except after submitting a written response to the complainant by any means. In the event of an error in reading the metre or calculating the bills, the service provider is obligated to correct the error and recalculate the bills correctly.
The decision specified the details of the service cut-off procedures, which include submitting a notice to cut off the service at least 10 days before the date of the plan, and the cut-off takes place according to five cases, including the subscriber’s failure to pay financial dues, late financial dues, or using the service for a purpose other than that indicated in the connection request.
The decision also included taking into account not to cut off the service on the last day before the weekend and official holidays, that the service be cut off between 7 am and 5 pm, and it is not permissible to cut off the service for the subscriber from the residential category during the month of Ramadhan.
The decision also specified cases of returning the service to the subscriber from the residential category for the metre that has the smart valve feature within three hours, and 6 hours for subscribers who do not have the smart valve feature in the metre, in the case of paying a quarter or half of the amount and paying it in instalments over specific periods. in resolution.
The decision stipulates that it is not permitted to issue an invoice with an estimated reading for more than two consecutive months. Estimated invoices can be issued if there is an obstacle that prevents the service provider from taking the actual reading.
The chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) issued a decision on 8/2023 on Sunday with regard to the water supply, treated water, and wastewater collection and transportation services.
As per the decision, the service provider is obligated to prepare specific forms for each type of common complaint and to make them available to subscribers. Subscribers may file a complaint against the service provider in the event of a dispute, malfunction, damage, or dissatisfaction, and the service provider must register any complaint it receives.
The service provider may not terminate or close the subject of the complaint except after submitting a written response to the complainant by any means. In the event of an error in reading the metre or calculating the bills, the service provider is obligated to correct the error and recalculate the bills correctly.
The decision specified the details of the service cut-off procedures, which include submitting a notice to cut off the service at least 10 days before the date of the plan, and the cut-off takes place according to five cases, including the subscriber’s failure to pay financial dues, late financial dues, or using the service for a purpose other than that indicated in the connection request.
The decision also included taking into account not to cut off the service on the last day before the weekend and official holidays, that the service be cut off between 7 am and 5 pm, and it is not permissible to cut off the service for the subscriber from the residential category during the month of Ramadhan.
The decision also specified cases of returning the service to the subscriber from the residential category for the metre that has the smart valve feature within three hours, and 6 hours for subscribers who do not have the smart valve feature in the metre, in the case of paying a quarter or half of the amount and paying it in instalments over specific periods. in resolution.
The decision stipulates that it is not permitted to issue an invoice with an estimated reading for more than two consecutive months. Estimated invoices can be issued if there is an obstacle that prevents the service provider from taking the actual reading.