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Below
is a list of Frequently Asked Questions from our customers. If your
question is not on the list or has not been answered appropriately,
please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department for
further enquiries.
Payments
towards your water bill can be made at the following establishments:
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National Commercial Banks (NCB) -
Georgetown, E.T Joshua Airport , and the three (3) Kingstown Banks. |
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National Commercial Banks (NCB) Agencies - Post Office
branch in Layou. |
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Marriaqua Co-operative Credit Union, Mesopotamia |
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First Caribbean
International Bank (FCIB) ATM Facility, Halifax Street |
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First St. Vincent Bank, Grandby Street |
Reminder:
-You MUST present a bill when
making payments.
- Customers paying
online bills at FCIB MUST have an account at the bank. |
Can a customer pay a
water/sewerage bill by cheque through mail?
Certainly!
The CWSA encourages payments by cheque through the mail. Just post the
bill and cheque to the CWSA - See address on the "Contact Us" page. We
will mail your receipt without delay.
How does a consumer request
changes to a mailing/ billing address?
The
CWSA
has a form prepared for this purpose. Just check with the Enquiries
Clerk
at out Montrose Office. The consumer may also submit the information
for
the required change in writing to the CWSA.
How can a metered consumer
check for leaks?
The
consumer
must make sure all taps are turned off, and toilets are not filling up,
then lift the lid on the meter and check the small red dial. If the dial is
revolving, then there is a leak. Leaks may be caused by broken pipes
underground,
overflowing toilet tanks, or leaking taps. Remember, leaks cost money.
Call
in your plumber as soon as you discover a leak. A leak fixed in time
saves
many a dime!
How are rates charged for
metered consumers?
There
is a monthly basic service charge of $11.00 and a monthly environmental
fee
of $5.00, which is applicable to all connections. Additional charges
are
as follows:
|
Water
Charges |
|
Consumption Bands |
Rates
Per Gal ($) |
|
0 |
2,500 |
0.0055 |
|
2,501 |
5,000 |
0.0065 |
|
5,001 |
10,000 |
0.0110 |
|
10,001 |
15,000 |
0.0150 |
| |
15,000+ |
0.0200 |
|
Basic Charges |
|
Domestic |
$12 |
|
Commercial |
$15 |
|
|
Environmental Fees - Mainland |
|
Domestic |
$8 |
|
Commercial |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
|
$20 |
$40 |
$70 |
|
Environmental Fees - Grenadines |
|
Domestic |
$5 |
|
Commercial |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
|
$10 |
$50 |
$300 |
|
Sewerage Charges |
|
Domestic |
$5 |
$15 |
$20 |
|
Commercial |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
|
$20 |
$40 |
$70 |
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Can a consumer request that a
meter be tested?
Yes.
The fee for testing meters is $100.00. If the meter is found to be
faulty, the consumer is refunded this fee. However, if there are signs
that the meter
has been tampered with, the CWSA will be forced to take other
action.
Sometimes my bill shows arrears even
though I know I have been paying all outstanding bills. Why is this?
This
happens if you paid after the current bill was printed. The amount
would therefore have been outstanding at the time of printing but would
have since
been credited to your account. Once you know that you have already
paid,
there is no need to worry about it.
How does water reach our homes
and businesses?
Water
arrives at our homes and businesses after being harnessed at our
source, usually a river or spring, treated and disinfected for
pollutants at a water treatment plant and is then conveyed through
storage tanks and a network of pipes of decreasing
sizes.
Where does water go after we have used it?
Wastewater,
as it would be known then, is discharged into drains, septic and
sewerage systems where it may be further treated before disposal.
What is potable water?
Potable
Water is water that is safe for human consumption, free from harmful or
objectionable materials.
How much water does the average
person use per day in SVG?
Water
usage varies significantly depending on several factors such as
customers' affluence, availability of a potable supply and cost. In St.
Vincent we use
an average of 30 (imperial) gallons per person per day.
Why does drinking water sometimes
look cloudy when first taken from the tap?
This is the effect of many tiny air bubbles trapped in the water. This
occurs when empty pipe lines have to be filled at a rate much higher
than the rate of removal of the air. The air is then forced to be mixed
with the water in the pipes producing many tiny bubbles and giving the
cloudy appearance. If left standing, the bubbles eventually disappear
leaving a clear liquid.
Why does my water sometimes
have a chlorine taste or smell?
Chlorine is used as the disinfectant and residual chlorine is an
indication of safe drinking water. Please however report any incidents
of excessive odors to the CWSA.
What causes water mains to
break?
A
number of reasons exist for causes of water main damage. Some of these
include aging pipes, corrosion, high pressure, passage of heavy objects
and vehicles and improper installation.
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