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Andrew Canon, Corporate Public Relations Manager at the NWC
The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has been criticized by the Parliamentary Opposition for suspending some of the guaranteed standards of the National Water Commission (NWC).
The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) on Monday announced that it granted a request from the NWC to suspend four of its seventeen guaranteed standards for three months in the wake of guidelines imposed by the Government to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The NWC said the guidelines have impaired its ability to meet the standards including the installation of meters and not issuing more than two consecutive estimated bills when it has access to the meter.
But in a news release Tuesday, Opposition Spokesman on Water, Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said the OUR blundered in making the decision.
He said it could lead to poor service at the NWC.
Dr. Ferguson said the NWC is a monopoly and the guaranteed standards were set after years of complaints from consumers about the NWC's performance, particularly meter reading and reconnection of supply.
NWC
The NWC responded Tuesday afternoon to the concerns that the suspension of the guaranteed standard for estimated bills will lead to higher charges for its customers.
Andrew Canon, Corporate Public Relations Manager at the NWC, said there is a mechanism to calculate estimated bills which reduces the likelihood of discrepancies.
He said the estimated bill is the average of the consumer's last three bills.
He added that customers may also call or write to the NWC if they have a concern or query about a bill.
Mr. Canon disclosed that despite the relaxation of some of the NWC's guaranteed standards, its teams will continue to read meters where possible but will take into consideration physical distancing and other guidelines set out by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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