The Portland Water Bureau has announced that it will be eliminating a controversial returned payment fee that has been a subject of contention among its customers. This move comes after an investigation by the city's Ombudsman, which found the fee to be unfair and detrimental to certain groups of customers.
The returned payment fee, which was previously charged to customers whose payments were returned due to insufficient funds or other issues, has been criticized for being excessive and punitive. Many customers who were charged the fee reported feeling frustrated and unfairly targeted, particularly those who were already struggling to pay their water bills.
According to the Ombudsman's investigation, the fee was not only unfair but also had a disproportionate impact on low-income households and other vulnerable groups. The investigation found that these groups were more likely to be charged the fee, which further exacerbated their financial difficulties.
In response to the Ombudsman's findings, the Portland Water Bureau has agreed to eliminate the returned payment fee and provide reimbursements to customers who were previously charged the fee. The bureau has stated that it will be reviewing its billing practices and working to implement more customer-friendly policies in the future.
This decision has been welcomed by customer advocates and community groups, who have long argued that the returned payment fee was unfair and punitive. The elimination of the fee is seen as a major victory for customers and a step in the right direction for the Portland Water Bureau.
The Portland Water Bureau has stated that it is committed to providing affordable and reliable water services to all its customers, regardless of their income or financial situation. The bureau has promised to work with customer advocates and community groups to develop more equitable and customer-friendly billing practices.
The reimbursement process for customers who were previously charged the returned payment fee is expected to begin shortly. Customers who were charged the fee will be notified by the Portland Water Bureau and provided with instructions on how to receive their reimbursement.
This move by the Portland Water Bureau is a positive step towards creating a more just and equitable water billing system. It is hoped that other water utilities will follow suit and review their own billing practices to ensure that they are fair and customer-friendly.