| Can
I have a payment extension?
Payment extensions and payment arrangements are made on a case-by-case
basis. Outstanding balance, number of days past due and number of times
past due will influence the extension arrangement.
For
payment arrangements/extensions, please call 983-6121.
What
do I do if I am interested in transferring service?
For electric and water service, the charge would be $50.00. For one service
only, the charge would be $25.00. The deposit existing on the old account
will be transferred to the new account.
I
am planning to move to Brownsville. How can I get my service transferred
to my new address?
Call or come by the BPUB Administrative Office. The transfer request can
be made with proper identification, social security verification and date
requested. Please give us at least 24 hours to complete the request.
I
will be out of town for a few weeks. Do you schedule temporary disconnects?
At this time, we do not schedule temporary disconnects. To minimize charges,
it is recommended that air conditioners be turned up and water heaters
be turned down while out of town. Another suggestion would be to take
readings on both the electric and water meters to record how much consumption
occurs when out of town.
How
do I go about having my meter re-read?
You can request a re-read of your meter by calling our office with the
specific reason why you believe you need a re-read.
Do
you allow credit extensions if I can't pay my bill on time?
All extensions are based on previous financial history and current account
balance and number of days past due. For more information, call one of
our Customer Service Representatives at 983-6121.
Can
I get my bill in Spanish?
You can receive your bill in Spanish, as well as any other standard communication,
by calling 983-6118 and leaving a message with your name and account number.
You can also contact Susan
Walker, Customer Service Manager. For more information, call 983-6121.
Who
should I contact if I have questions regarding garbage service?
BFI is the residential service provider while GMS is the apartment and
commercial service provider. If you want to establish garbage service,
you should contact BFI at 838-0000 or GMS at 544-2100. The Brownsville
PUB only bills for the garbage service provided through contract with
these companies and does not handle concerns associated with the charges.
If you have questions related to the charges, you should contact the City
of Brownsville Public Works Department at 838-6348.
WATER
I
just saw a sprinkler system running and I know it's not their day to water.
Who do I call?
When observing off-hour water use, call the Water Hotline at 983-6290.
The Brownsville PUB is responsible for monitoring water use restrictions.
Who
is responsible for enforcing water use restriction?
The Brownsville PUB will issue warnings for violations. The City of Brownsville
is responsible for enforcing the restrictions and issuing citations.
What
do I do if my bill is higher than usual due to a water leak?
Contact one of our Customer Service Representatives at 983-6100. You may
be eligible for a small adjustment to wastewater charges depending on
normal consumption.
What
should I do if I think I have a leak?
Checking for leaks can be done by following the steps set below:
- Turn
off all water devices in the residence.
-
Check the water meter for movement on the dial or leak indicator,
also do a visual check of the connections at the water meter.
-
If the dial or leak indicator shows movement, then shut off the main
cutoff valve going into the residence (usually located right outside
the house), leaving the water meter on.
-
If the dial, or leak indicator still shows movement, the leak is outside
the residence but on the owner side of the meter.
EMERGENCIES
Who
should I call if I have a utility emergency?
Call the Brownsville Public Utilities
Board emergency number and trouble calls at 983-6300.
What
do I do if I see a downed power line?
Stay away from the downed power line.
It can be energized and extremely dangerous. Call the BPUB emergency number
at 983-6300.
DEREGULATION
What
is deregulation and will I be affected by it?
On Jan. 1, 2002, Texas' investor-owned utilities, like AEP/CPL, began
competing in an open retail electric market, for electric customers. Senate
Bill 7, signed into law in 1999, allows for exemptions for municipalities
like Brownsville PUB and cooperatives like Magic Valley Electric Coop.
Customers of municipal utilities have control over the management of their
utility because the decisions have always been made by their local boards
or commissions. In the case of Brownsville PUB, its customers elect their
city commissioners, who in turn appoint a board of directors for the utility
company.
Therefore,
the board is held accountable by citizens to do what is in their best
interest. Traditionally, municipals, like BPUB have lower utility rates
than investor-owned utilities. Brownsville PUB can make a decision to
jump into deregulation. But once it decides to opt into the retail competition,
the decision cannot be reversed. Therefore, the board of directors is
weighing all options at this time.
Customers
will continue to receive electricity from Brownsville PUB. However, customers
who live in a dual-certified area may have an option if another electric
provider has the necessary infrastructure in place. For more information
about dual-certified areas, contact a BPUB Customer Service Representative
at
983-6100.
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