Delinquency research · dataset 2026.08
Shut-off and delinquency information for District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water)
Only provider-specific public findings are stated as policy. A missing field is not replaced with a rule borrowed from another utility.
Provider-specific findings
Delinquency research for this provider
The notes below may document a rule or explain a specific public-information limit. Any active notice and direct provider confirmation remain controlling.
- Grace period
- A current DC Water fee schedule applies the customer penalty late-payment charge after 30 days from the bill date, and the disconnection rules permit termination when charges remain delinquent for 30 days or more. A customer disputing the bill must submit the challenge within 20 calendar days of the bill date to suspend collection of the disputed amount; that 20-day dispute period is not a general grace period for an undisputed bill.
- Late-fee rules
- The current FY2026 miscellaneous-fee schedule applies a 10% customer penalty late-payment fee after 30 days and an additional 1% per month after 60 days, compounded monthly. A $35 bad-check fee, $45 declined-card fee, and any disconnection or reconnection fees are separate. Customers who comply with an approved payment plan can avoid late fees, interest, and penalties on the arranged balance under the plan terms.
- Shut-off timeline
- DC Water may disconnect a property when water charges remain unpaid for 30 days or more from the bill date. The official residential/commercial disconnection FAQ says DC Water issues written notice to the customer and/or property owner 15 days before the scheduled disconnection, identifying the balance, penalties, fees, and steps to avoid termination. Before the date, the customer can pay, make an installment arrangement, apply for assistance, or submit a timely bill dispute. After payment or an approved arrangement is verified, the current FAQ says service is restored within 24 hours; tenants can receive separate notice and protections under District rules.
- Warning and notice protocol
- The formal warning is a mailed written disconnection notice sent 15 days before the scheduled interruption, with the reason, outstanding balance, penalties, fees, and cure options. DC Water also provides account notices through paperless billing, portal messages, and customer-service contacts; assistance partners and DOEE can help vulnerable customers before disconnection. Customers should call 202-354-3600, apply for CAP/SPLASH, or establish a payment plan before the date on the notice. DC Water Alerts and high-usage texts are operational or leak notifications, not substitutes for the mailed delinquency notice.
- Reconnection costs
- The current FY2026 fee schedule lists a $60 disconnection fee and a $55 reconnection fee for residential customers; multi-family and non-residential reconnection is $110. DC Water's FAQ also describes the restoration workflow as requiring payment of outstanding water/sewer charges and verification with Customer Service, with service restored within 24 hours after payment is received and reconnection requested. No separate after-hours reconnection premium is published; payment and service-restoration requests should go through the 24-hour self-service system or 202-354-3600, with field timing subject to the account and dispatch status.
Documentation context
5 of 5 fields found
This is a record-completeness measure, not a customer-protection grade.
District of Columbia
67%
records with any shut-off detail
National
34%
records with any shut-off detail
Research record
Broad public detail found
5 of 5 fields in this section contain provider-specific public detail in dataset August 1, 2026.
Documented
100%
Primary verification routes
- District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) public website ↗
Provider-controlled destination used to confirm current customer instructions.
- EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System ↗
Federal background on public water-system records and their limitations.