Utilities staff explain $1.50 service‑line repair charge, meter removal policy and road‑cut MOA progress

Pueblo West utilities staff summarized policies about discontinuing water service, a newly billed service‑line repair program, and efforts to coordinate road‑cut repairs with Pueblo County.

Director of Utilities Jim Blazing said property owners may elect to have their meter remain in the meter pit with service shut off (in which case readiness‑to‑serve charges continue) or request meter removal; meter removal and reinstallation fees are $100 each, per district fee schedule. Blazing said if a meter is removed there are no meter‑related monthly charges while the meter is out; in cases of house fire or total destruction the district will pull the meter at no charge and reinstall it when the residence is rebuilt.

Blazing explained the $1.50 line item that appeared on a recent bill is the service‑line repair program charge (staff said the printed bill initially labeled it “service line insurance” and that the next billing will correct the description). The $1.50 figure is an average based on a wide range of actual replacement costs, which staff said could run from about $8,000 in a straightforward case up to a higher figure depending on depth, pavement and traffic control needs. Staff said the program will be accounted for annually and the charge can be adjusted if actual repair costs differ from projections.

On road‑cut repairs, Blazing said staff are still negotiating a memorandum of agreement with Pueblo County; county staff described the county role as a backup to perform repairs if the district cannot, and the district has received inquiries from private asphalt contractors interested in bidding on repairs. Staff said they will work within the district’s purchasing policy to evaluate private contracting options and continue discussions with the county.