OPC Ready to Take on New Role to Advocate for DC Water Consumers

For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 11, 2019

Contact: Doxie A. McCoy, Public Information Officer

OPC Ready to Take on New Role to Advocate for DC Water Consumers

Washington, D.C. – Now that the DC Water Consumer Protection Amendment Act of 2018 is officially enacted as a result of congressional approval, People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia Sandra Mattavous-Frye is eager to move forward.

“With the completion of the congressional review period for the DC Water Act today, the Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC) is now authorized to advocate for DC Water consumers and work to resolve their service and billing issues. We are honored that Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Council have entrusted OPC with this important responsibility and OPC is prepared to meet it head on. DC Water customers have called on OPC for years for help when they faced high water and sewer bills, service problems and disconnections.  Until now, we could only refer them to DC Water staff.  The new law now allows OPC to independently represent water consumers,” said People’s Counsel Mattavous-Frye.

“Since the Council passed the authorizing legislation on December 18, 2018, OPC has acted with the expectation of the law’s implementation. The Office set in motion the hiring of new staff to specifically handle water matters. We already have in place a comprehensive consumer complaint resolution process for electric, natural gas and telephone consumers that we will adapt and use to ensure that DC Water customers are adequately represented in their disputes with the water company. In addition, the Office will be educating water consumers about this process, and the ways we can fight for them.

“Over the past year, concerns have escalated over rising water and sewer bills, particularly with the Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (CRIAC). OPC has no authority to adjust water rates and charges. However, the Office will educate consumers about their legal rights and will represent individual consumers at formal complaint hearings, and at public hearings where DC Water sets its rates.

“Unlike Pepco, Washington Gas and local Verizon, DC Water is not regulated by the Public Service Commission, and water rates are not set by the PSC. This complex construct means that there are limits on OPC’s role.  Nonetheless, we are more than ready and able to provide high quality and effective service to DC Water customers.”

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