Water and Sewer Utilities

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The Public Utility Commission of Texas regulates the state's electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implements respective legislation, and provides customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints.

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Water and Sewer Utilities PLACEHOLDER H2 TO MEET WCAG REQUIREMENT The Public Utility Commission (PUC) is responsible for the general supervision and oversight of water and sewer utility regulation. This supervision and oversight includes processing applications for certified retail water and sewer utility service areas. The PUC also regulates retail water and sewer rates with original jurisdiction over certain rate functions and appellate jurisdiction over others. The PUC is also responsible for determining whether utilities have the financial and managerial capability to provide continuous and adequate water or sewer service to the public. The PUC also offers assistance to consumers and provides oversight of submetering and allocated utility billing practices. Tasks performed by the PUC Assistance for Consumers and Utilities Financial and Managerial Review and Assistance for Retail Water and Sewer Utilities Certificates of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) Establishing a New Water or Sewer Utility Water and Sewer Submetering or Allocation Yearly Financial and Annual Reporting Submitted by Investor or Privately Owned Utilities Staff Contact and E-mail for the Water Supply Division Cities That Have Surrendered Jurisdiction Assistance for Consumers and Utilities For inquiries about customer service and protection rules please call 512-936-7405, or contact us by E-mail at water@puc.texas.gov. The PUC's Utili-Facts document titled, "Our Consumer Protection Team Can Help" provides information on how the PUC may be able to assist various water or sewer utilities and their customers. Financial and Managerial Review and Assistance for Retail Water and Sewer Utilities The PUC shall ensure that retail water or sewer utilities possess the financial, managerial and technical capability to provide continuous and adequate service and that they comply with Commission regulations. Please visit the Assistance for Public Water and Sewer Utilities page for detailed information. Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) Service Areas A CCN authorizes and requires utilities to provide continuous and adequate service to every customer who requests service in a certificated area. View the Rules and Guidance document for detailed information, forms and FAQs. Establishing a New Water or Sewer Utility Please visit the Establishing a New Water or Sewer Utility page detailing the basic steps required to determine whether there is a need to establish a new water or sewer utility. Water and Sewer Submetering or Allocation The Submetering or Allocation section provides a description and explanation of submetered and allocated utility billing. Yearly Financial and Annual Reporting Requirements Submitted by Investor or Privately Owned Utilities The PUC is responsible for reviewing audits, financials and revenue reports submitted by investor or privately owned utilities. The following publications and forms contain information on reporting requirements: Water and Wastewater Utilities Annual Report Forms for Class A, B or C These publications can also be found on our Forms page. The Annual Report for each Investor or Privately Owned Utility must be filed with PUC before June 1 of each year. Cities That Have Surrendered Jurisdiction The Texas Water Code (TWC) §13.042(b) allows the governing body of a municipality by ordinance to elect to have the PUC exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over the utility rates, operation, and services of utilities, within the incorporated limits of the municipality. Under TWC §13.042(c), a municipality that surrenders its jurisdiction to the PUC may reinstate its jurisdiction by ordinance at any time after the second anniversary of the date on which the municipality surrendered its jurisdiction to the PUC. The following cities have relinquished jurisdiction over rates: City of Coffee City - effective 12/4/1993 City of Nolanville - effective 04/18/1996 City of Aurora - effective 04/04/1997 City of Arcola - effective 05/05/1998 City of Waco - effective 02/07/2012 City of San Antonio - effective 01/30/2014 Village of Jones Creek - effective 12/04/2014 Contact Us For more information please E-mail your questions or comments to DUO@puc.texas.gov, or call our Division of Utility Outreach at 512-936-7405.