Frostburg details opt‑in water‑leak protection after council approves program

After the council approved the water‑leak protection program last month, residents asked questions during the public comment period about what the program covers and how it will appear on utility bills.

Resident Lisa Van Houghton said she received the notice and asked whether the monthly $1.70 charge would cover the homeowner’s responsibility from the curb stop to the home. City staff responded that the coverage applies to the parcel from the curb stop (shut‑off valve) to where the meter connects into the home and that it covers excess water and corresponding sewer charges billed as a result of a leak. Staff confirmed the item will appear as a separate line item on the utility bill and said the full program terms and restrictions are available in the agenda packet and that the city would post a direct link on the website.

Staff clarified that the program is intended to address excess billing caused by leaks where water is metered entering the home (and sewer is billed on assumed outflow), not failures of gravity sewer laterals between a home and a public manhole. Staff explained that combined billing logic means a large leak that increases metered water use will also produce a commensurate sewer charge, and the program covers adjustments for those excess amounts. The city also agreed to make the full terms and conditions more accessible on the website, and staff said they would post the proposal materials from the prior meeting.

The program was described as opt‑in; residents will see the charge as an individual line item on their bills.