3.46.010 CAP leak repair program.
(a) Definitions.
(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “CAP leak repair program” or “program” means the customer assistance program leak repair program.
(3) “CAP partner agency” means the agency that partners with WSSC to certify WSSC customers for assistance for the CAP program using income guidelines.
(4) “Customer assistance program” or “CAP” means a financial assistance program for eligible, low-income residential households served by WSSC established in WSSC Chapter 3.45 of this Code.
(5) “CAP participant, ratepayer or customer” means a person deemed eligible for financial assistance based on eligibility criteria as established by the WSSC or any associated CAP partner agency.
(6) “Eligible inspections” means inspections that are necessary to identify the source of a leak.
(7) “Eligible repairs” means repairs to water pipes and fixtures that are:
(i) Located on a customer’s private property; and
(ii) Determined by WSSC or a registered plumber to be necessary to repair a water leak.
(8) “Third-party administrator” means a nonprofit entity that will administer the CAP leak repair program for WSSC.
(b) Program Established. There is a CAP leak repair program.
(c) Purpose of Program. The purpose of the program is to:
(1) Provide assistance to CAP customers for eligible inspections and repairs to water pipes and fixtures; and
(2) Further water conservation by ensuring that leaks causing excess water usage are repaired in a timely manner.
(d) Qualifications for Program. In order to qualify for assistance under the program, a customer shall:
(1) Own and reside at the property;
(2) Be enrolled as a CAP participant on the date of application for assistance under the program;
(3) Have received an inspection report from WSSC stating that there is a leaking water pipe or fixture on the customer’s property that is causing or contributing to a high bill.
(e) Customers Not Eligible. If a property owned by an eligible customer is under contract for sale, then the customer is not eligible for assistance under the program.
(f) Reimbursement Requirements. An inspection or repair reimbursement for a property may not exceed $9,000.
(g) Procurement of Third-Party Administrator.
(1) WSSC shall issue a request for proposals for a third-party administrator for the program.
(2) The third-party administrator shall:
(i) Be a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity;
(ii) Administer the program in accordance with the regulations set forth in this chapter;
(iii) Administer the terms in an operating agreement; and
(iv) Secure plumbing services through an open procurement process from registered plumbers who are licensed by WSSC to work in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties.
(3) The request for proposals shall state that WSSC will not be involved in the selection of plumbers for the program.
(h) Agreement With Third-Party Administrator.
(1) WSSC shall enter into an operating agreement with the third-party administrator selected under subsection (g) of this section to administer the program.
(2) At a minimum, the agreement shall:
(i) Set forth the method to be used by the third-party administrator to verify a participant’s eligibility for the program as defined in this chapter;
(ii) Set forth the types of repairs that are eligible for reimbursement;
(iii) Mandate that the third-party administrator utilize an open procurement process to retain plumbers to make repairs under the program;
(iv) Set forth the method for how WSSC will reimburse the third-party administrator for plumbing repairs, including establishing the administrative fee;
(v) Set forth reporting requirements for expenditures and reimbursements; and
(vi) Set forth the total amount of funding per year for the program. (Res. 2023-2351)