PSC 185.11(1)(1) Chapter PSC 185 is part of the Wisconsin administrative code and constitutes a general order of the public service commission, the issuance of which is authorized by ss. 227.11 (2), 196.02, 196.06, 196.12, 196.15, 196.16, 196.19, and 196.37, Stats.

PSC 185.11(2)(2) Chapter PSC 185 is designed to effectuate and implement ss. 196.02, 196.03, 196.06, 196.12, 196.15, 196.16, and 196.17, Stats.

PSC 185.11(3)(3) The requirements of ch. PSC 185 shall be observed by all water public utilities, both privately and publicly owned, engaged in the pumping, purchasing, transmission, or distribution of water except that an exemption may be given by the public service commission.

PSC 185.11(4)(4) Nothing in this chapter shall preclude special and individual consideration being given to exceptional or unusual situations and, upon due investigation of the facts and circumstances involved, the adoption of requirements as to individual utilities or services which shall be lesser, greater, other, or different than those provided in this chapter.

PSC 185.11(5)(5) The manner of enforcing this chapter is prescribed in s. 196.66, Stats., and such other means as provided in statutory sections administered by the public service commission.

PSC 185.11(6)(6) In case of emergency, where public interest requires immediate action without waiting for compliance with the specific terms of this chapter, immediate corrective action shall be taken by the utility, which action, however, shall be subject to review by the public service commission.

PSC 185.12(1)(1) “Ability to pay” means a customer’s financial capacity to meet the customer’s utility service obligation;

PSC 185.12(2)(2) “Actual meter read” means a reading obtained by the utility or other party upon physical inspection of the meter or remote outside meter (ROM);

PSC 185.12(3)(3) “Automatic meter reading” (AMR) system means a system which provides digitally encoded information from an encoded meter register. The encoded information is transferred to the utility by means of remote receptacles, telephone lines, cable TV lines, power lines, or radio transmission;

PSC 185.12(3e)(3e) “Class AB utility” means a public utility that has more than 4,000 service connections.

PSC 185.12(3m)(3m) “Class C utility” means a public utility that has not fewer than 1,000 nor more than 4,000 service connections.

PSC 185.12(3s)(3s) “Class D utility” means a public utility that has less than 1,000 service connections.

PSC 185.12(3u)(3u) “Commercial customer” means a business, not-for-profit organization, or other institution that provides goods or services and that takes service for non-residential purposes.

PSC 185.12 NoteNote: Churches, private schools, private colleges and universities, co-ops, and associations are non-governmental entities and are considered commercial customers.

PSC 185.12(4)(4) “Commission” means public service commission of Wisconsin;

PSC 185.12(5)(5) “Complaint” means a statement or question by any person, whether a utility customer or not, concerning a wrong, grievance, injury, dissatisfaction, illegal action or procedure, dangerous condition or action committed or created by a utility, or failure of a utility to meet a utility obligation;

PSC 185.12(6)(6) “Customer” means any person, owner, occupant, firm, partnership, corporation, municipality, cooperative organization, governmental agency, political entity, etc., provided with water service by any water public utility and is the party billed for payment of bills issued for use of utility service at a given premises. This definition is intended to create billing and payment responsibilities, but does not limit the need to afford occupants other protection under this chapter (e.g., evictions, emergency);

PSC 185.12(7)(7) “Customer-requested termination” is cessation of service at the request of the customer;

PSC 185.12(8)(8) “Deferred payment agreement” means an arrangement between a utility and a customer for payment of a delinquent amount or deposit in installments;

PSC 185.12(9)(9) “Denied or refused service” means service that a utility has refused to provide to a present or future customer, occupant, or premises;

PSC 185.12(10)(10) “Disconnection” means an event or action taken by the utility to terminate or discontinue the provision of service, but does not include a customer-requested termination of service;

PSC 185.12(10e)(10e) “Industrial customer” means a customer who is engaged in the manufacture or production of goods.

PSC 185.12(10m)(10m) “Irrigation” means the use of water to sustain crops, lawns, or landscapes, including water used on athletic fields, parks, and golf courses.

PSC 185.12(10s)(10s) “Irrigation customer” means a customer who has water service provided primarily for irrigation and other outdoor uses.

PSC 185.12(11)(11) “Meter” means an instrument installed to measure the volume and/or rate of flow of water delivered through it;