DC Water and Sewer Authority Billing and Disconnection Clarification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026
This resolution declares an emergency to make permanent changes to laws governing the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) regarding billing, late fees, and service disconnections. It clarifies that DC Water has the authority to charge late fees on unpaid water bills, ensuring these fees are treated the same as those for sewer services. The bill also requires DC Water to submit monthly reports to city officials and advocates about when and why water service is being cut off. Additionally, it updates rules to improve notice requirements for building occupants before a disconnection occurs. These measures aim to provide greater transparency and legal stability for residents facing potential water shutoffs.
Bill status
signed
all 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2026
Committee Review
Council Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced May 4, 2026
Signed May 5, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduction
→
Enrollment
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The document changed from a draft bill introduction to an enrolled, final version. The primary substantive change is the addition of a new section (Section 3) that formally declares the bill's circumstances as an emergency, allowing it to pass with a single reading. The text of the resolution and the background facts regarding DC Water's billing authority and disconnection notices remained substantively unchanged, though some dates and section numbers were updated to reflect the final enactment.
TIMELINE
Added Section 3 to formally declare the bill's circumstances as an emergency, enabling adoption after a single reading.
Adjusted the date of the Council meeting from an unspecified introduction date to May 5, 2026.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill number to 26-399 and changed the document title from 'Proposed Resolution' to 'Enrolled Original' to indicate final passage.
Corrected the date of the referenced emergency act from June 14, 2025, to July 14, 2025, in the background narrative.
Floor votes · Council May 5, 2026
How they voted
13–0
Passed
Total votes 13
May 5, 2026
D
Democratic11
100% Yea
I
Independent2
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
0
May 5, 2026
Council · Passed
Council Vote: pass (13-0)
council
May 4, 2026
Introduced
PR26-0684 Introduced by Councilmember Allen at Office of the Secretary
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Charles Allen
DDemocratic
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