The Town of Wellington Municipal Utilities is pleased to announce the launch of its Equal Payment Program (EPP) for water volume usage charges, offering residents a more predictable and manageable utility billing experience.
The EPP is designed to reduce the burden of high seasonal water costs by spreading charges evenly across 12 monthly billing periods. While actual water usage is still tracked, participating residents will receive a consistent monthly bill, helping to eliminate the wide disparities that often occur between winter and summer billing, especially due to irrigation use.
The Town’s Board of Trustees created the program in direct response to community feedback requesting more billing stability. Town staff spent several months developing, programming, testing and implementing the new optional billing solution.
“The Equal Payment Program is a valuable tool for dealing with the cost of water and the challenges that burden creates,” said Wellington Mayor Calar Chaussee. “While there are no easy solutions for such a complex issue, this program will help make utility bills more manageable for some of our residents.”
Since early July, Wellington Municipal Utilities customers can enroll in the program. EPP calculates a customer’s historical yearly water volume usage charges—plus a small buffer—and divides that total into 12 equal monthly installments. This method helps minimize the impact of seasonal usage swings.
Payment calculations are based on:
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Actual water volume usage charges from April of the previous year to March of the current year
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Any outstanding balances as of the March 31 billing period
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Adjustments for any changes in utility rates approved by the Board of Trustees
Each April, accounts are “trued up” to reconcile any overpayment or underpayment. Customers who continue in the EPP will have those amounts factored into their new monthly payments starting in May. Those exiting the program will either receive a credit (for overpayment) or see the balance due reflected on their next bill (for underpayment).
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this option to eligible households in Wellington,” said Wellington Finance Director/Treasurer Nic Redavid. “Predictable utility bills make it much easier for our residents to create a budget that’s reliable and sustainable. We encourage Municipal Utility customers who qualify to consider enrolling in the program.”
EPP Eligibility Requirements:
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Must own and reside in the home (owner-occupied)
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Municipal utility account must have a connection date on or before March 31, 2024
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Must have 12 consecutive billing cycles of water volume usage charges on the account
Enrollment must be completed online through the Town’s website by the Municipal Utility account holder. Please allow one to two billing periods for activation. Once enrolled, billing statements will reflect the equal installment amount.
The program is not available for:
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Tenants/renters
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Commercial/business accounts
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Irrigation-only accounts
For more information and to enroll, visit: wellingtoncolorado.gov
