General Information
Meter Reading
Meter Reading Date
Your meter is read on a monthly basis on a pre-determined route by a Meter Reading employee. Your service address determines the Date the Meter is Read , billed, and become payable. Your electric and water bill is calculated bases on what is used in a monthly billing cycle.
- The meter is read from month to month, the difference in these readings accounts for your consumption.
- Due to weekends, holidays, or the length of the month, the total days between each meter reading may vary.
- Request for specific read dates cannot be accommodated .
Electric Reading
In general, this division of Customer Service is responsible for accurately reading and inspecting all electric meters within the City of Dover electric service district on a monthly basis. It is responsible for the following tasks:
- Reads and inspects approximately 19,900 meters monthly.
- Connect and disconnect services as needed.
- Manages meter tampering, removes meter locks, sockets, or pedestals, obtains evidence, and makes court appearances.
- Coordinates remote metering installation.
Water Reading
In general, this division of Customer Service is responsible for accurately reading and inspecting all water meters within the City of Dover water service district on a monthly basis. It is responsible for the following tasks:
- Reads and inspects 11,000 water meters on a monthly basis.
- Completes service orders upon request.
Water meter purchase or replacement inquires can be directed to the Public Works department at 302-736-7025 .
- Water Meter Purchase
- The City will not give reimbursements for water costs accrued due to broken pipes!
- For current Water utility Water Waste Rates
How to Read Your Meter
When you are away for a couple of days or for several weeks, the use of energy does not stop. Unless all your utilities are disconnected, energy is being used in your home or business when you are not there. Your freezer, water heater, and air-conditioning system will automatically come on when the temperature gets high or low enough, consuming energy while you are gone.
- Read your meter just before you leave and immediately when you return.
- This will help pinpoint the exact amount used even though no one was there.
Electric Safety
Electric Service Guidelines - the customer shall be responsible for all wire ways, weather heads, disconnects, entrance cable, conductors, meter sockets, enclosures, connectors, conduits, and all associated equipment.
- The customer must allow access to any City property at any and all times.
- In no case, will a locking device be installed by the customer to prevent access to meter sockets or City-owned equipment.
- The use of jumpers is forbidden.
- A minimum horizontal clearance of three feet must be provided in front of the meter socket/enclosure
City Ordinance:
TAMPERING PROHIBITED
- It shall be unlawful for any person, except a duly authorized representative of the City, to make any temporary or permanent connection or disconnection of the City’s meter, other property or wiring.
- In the event that the City’s meters or other property are tampered or interfered with, the customer being supplied through that equipment shall pay the amount which the City shall estimate is due for electric service used but not registered on the City’s meter, for any repairs or replacements required and for changes in the customer’s installation that the City shall require.
View these and other helpful informational material:
DISCLAIMER: The information is prepared for you as a general guide to our utility policy. Please understand that it does not cover all circumstances and that it might not include specific details on a subject which interests you. If you have questions that are not covered here or want information on any subject, please give us a call. We are here to serve you!