Termination and Reconnection
Disconnection
We may terminate service for the following reasons:
- Nonpayment of utility bills or security deposit
- Failure to allow us to access our equipment
- Nonpayment of a special arrangement
- Tampering with utility lines, pipes or meters
- Any hazardous condition determined by Easton Utilities
We prefer not to disconnect service to a customer and will do everything possible to avoid disconnecting service. If you are having trouble paying your bills, please let us know. Payment arrangements may be made prior to service disconnection.
Usually, we give customers two weeks advance notice before we disconnect a utility service. However, if a customer fails to notify us of an address change or fraudulently obtains service, we will disconnect service in accordance with Maryland Public Service Commission regulations.
Disconnection Exceptions
Customers who are elderly, handicapped, seriously ill, rely on life support, or who have any existing condition for which a termination of service would be a threat to life, health or safety, must notify us of such conditions prior to termination. You will be required to provide proper certification of such condition. Between November 1 and March 31, we will only disconnect a service for non-payment of bills after we certify to the Maryland Public Service Commission a proposed cutoff does not threaten the health of the occupants.
Reconnection of Service
If service is terminated for non-payment, reconnection can be arranged with payment at the Customer Service Center during business hours. Upon payment of all charges and reconnection fees, service will be restored within 24 hours. Disconnection of service at the transformer will be up to $125. Customer may be required to re-establish credit by paying a deposit.
Reconnection Fees | |
Monday-Friday 8 am - 4 pm | $50 |
Monday-Friday 4 pm - 7 pm | $75 |
Weekends & Holidays 8am - 7 pm | $75 |
No reconnections performed 7 pm - 8 am |
Collection of Payments at the Premises:
At Easton Utilities' discretion, the Customer may avoid service termination for non-payment of bills by making a payment by check or money order for the past due balance due to a company representative at the customer's premises. In addition to the payment of the past due balance, there shall be a fee of $35 per trip to the premises for collection of payments. Installment payments or any other agreements shall be made through an authorized company representative.
If service is terminated for non-payment of bills, customers are required to pay all bills owed in addition to a reconnection charge of $35 per service. A field collection fee of $35 will be charged if an Easton Utilities representative collects a payment at your premises to avoid service disconnection. The fee is payable to the representative and due when the collection occurs. If a check used for payment of a service termination or reconnection is returned by the bank, the service is subject to disconnect without further notification. If you are on limited income and your service is terminated, you can reinstate service by applying for the MEAP or USSP and if you enter into a supplemental payment plan for outstanding arrearages of $400 or less. We can only advise you of the amount you must pay after you apply to MEAP. We will not charge you a security deposit or reconnection fee if you are an eligible MEAP customer.