Bellaire residents can apply for winter storm utility bill reduction

Bellaire residents with unusually high water bills caused by Winter Storm Uri can turn to the city for some relief.

The 2021 Utility Billing Winter Storm Leak Adjustment Program, approved by City Council on March 15, allows residents to apply for an adjustment to their utility account to reduce their volumetric charges for water consumption, according to a March 26 news release.

To do so, the city of Bellaire will replace the actual February 2021 consumption with the average of the November, December and January consumptions.

Customers must apply for the adjustment before April 30. To estimate the savings before applying, call the city’s Utility Billing Customer Service at 713-662-8253.

Adjustment applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Eligible customers must provide proof of one or more of the following: evidence of a plumbing repair permit issued by the city of Bellaire on or after Feb. 15, a receipt dated Feb. 15 or later for plumbing repairs or evidence of unusually high water consumption.

Residents applying for an adjustment are not exempt from payment, however, and are still required to pay their water bill by the due date.