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 of Texas (PUCT) is responsible for the general supervision and oversight of water and sewer retail public utility regulation. This supervision and oversight includes processing applications for certified retail public water and sewer utility service areas. The PUCT also regulates retail water and sewer rates with original jurisdiction over certain rate functions and appellate jurisdiction over others. The PUCT is responsible for determining whether retail public utilities have the financial, managerial, and technical capability to provide continuous and adequate retail water or sewer service to the public. The PUCT offers assistance to consumers and retail public utilities and provides oversight of submetering and allocated utility billing practices. Tasks performed by the PUCT Assistance for Consumers and Utilities Assistance for Retail Public Utilities Financial, Managerial, and Technical Review and Assistance for Retail Public Water and Sewer Utilities Certificates of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) Establishing a New Water or Sewer Retail Public Utility Water and Sewer Submetering or Allocation Yearly Financial and Annual Reports Submitted by Investor or Privately Owned Utilities Cities That Have Surrendered Jurisdiction Staff Contact and Email for the Division of Utility Outreach Assistance for Consumers and Utilities For inquiries about customer service and protection rules please call 512-936-7405, or contact us by email at public@puc.texas.gov. The PUCT's Utili-Facts document titled, "Our Consumer Protection Team Can Help" provides information on how the PUCT may be able to assist consumers. Assistance for Retail Public Utilities For inquiries about retail public utility rules and regulations, please call 512-936-7405, or contact us by email at duo@puc.texas.gov. The PUCT's Utili-Facts document "Help is on the way!" provides information on how the PUCT may be able to assist retail public utilities. Financial, Managerial, and Technical Review and Assistance for Retail Public Water and Sewer Utilities The PUCT shall ensure that retail public 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 Retail 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 Retail Public Utility Please visit the Establishing a New Retail Public Water or Sewer Utility page detailing the basic steps required to determine whether there is a need to establish a new retail public 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 Reports Submitted by Investor or Privately Owned Utilities The PUCT 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, C or D These publications can also be found on our Forms page. The Annual Report for each Investor or Privately Owned Utility must be filed with PUCT by June 1 of each year. Cities That Have Surrendered Jurisdiction 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 PUCT 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 PUCT 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 PUCT. The following cities have relinquished jurisdiction over retail water and sewer utility 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; and Village of Jones Creek ‒ effective 12/04/2014; Staff Contact and Email for the Division of Utility Outreach For more information please email your questions or comments to DUO@puc.texas.gov, or call our Division of Utility Outreach at 512-936-7405. DUO is committed to help retail water and sewer public utilities to understand, navigate and achieve regulatory compliance with the PUCT. Visit FAUCET FACTS to learn about PUCT DUO!