Water supplies and sewage disposal are provided on the basis of a contract for the supply of water and the discharge of waste water. The supplier is usually a waterworks, a municipality or a union of municipalities, the purchaser is usually the owner of the property. "The contract can also be concluded with the tenant, but the contractors usually hinder it with the fact that in the case of a customer's debt, it is better to have a directly-owned owner," says Lukáš Zelený, head of the Legal Department of the consumer organization dTest.
Payment for drinking water and the service associated with its supply, the so-called water, is usually composed of a fixed and moving component. While the obligation to pay the fixed component arises from the connection to the water main, the obligation to pay the floating component arises through the inflow of drinking water behind the water meter or into the connection.
The so-called standalone payment is for draining, cleaning or other waste water disposal. The obligation to pay the sewage occurs at the moment of the drainage and rainwater entering the drainage system. However, nothing is paid for the dump, but the household. When determining the sewage it is assumed that you take the same amount of water to the drain as you remove. "If you prove that you consume more than 30 m3 of water without draining into the sewer per year, you can request a reduction in sewage. Maybe when you drain water from the pool in the garden. However, you need to provide evidence, such as photo documentation, " says Lukáš Zelený.
Details of the price, billing and payment method for drinking water supplies and wastewater discharge are provided in the contract. Water and sewage are usually paid on a monthly basis in the form of advances, the amount of which is determined by previous consumption. Advance payments are then settled on an invoice, which is issued once a year.
The quantity of water supplied is currently measured by a water meter. Its installation, maintenance and replacement is carried out by the contractor and can also be assured against unauthorized manipulation. As a customer you must allow the supplier access to the water meter, you must not interfere with it and protect it from damage. The recorded value of the water meter serves as the basis for the bill. If you do not have a water meter, determine the quantity of water taken as a replacement by calculation according to a separate Decree. If a supplier can not find water meter readings because the customer is not cooperating, he or she may exit from the consumption for the same period in the previous year.
If you have any doubts about the accuracy of the measurements, you have the right to provide an independent metrological test at your own cost at your own cost. "In the supply contract, it may be stipulated that, on the basis of a customer's claim, the contractor shall ensure that the metrology test is carried out independently. The test is carried out by the Czech Metrology Institute with the help of an independent meter and in the presence of a representative of the supplier. If the installed water meter shows that it has more than a tolerance, the supplier will pay for the metrological test, " says Green, adding: " The amount of water collected is then determined by the previous consumption for the same period or assumed future consumption. Or by agreement. "
In the apartment house the supplier comes out from the data on the water meter. There is a two-thirds majority of tenants in the house, members of the community of owners or co-operatives. If such a decision is not accepted, the cost of water supply is disbursed in proportion to the measured water meter readings. The difference in the values measured on the ground water meter and the home water meters can be up to 25%, which may be caused by water leaks, water meter errors or illegal collection. In case of larger differences, it is recommended to perform a water meter test.
Source: tz, dTest.cz
