AWWU is committed to safeguarding the health and welfare of the public and the environment. Part of that commitment is to ensure the Utility complies with all applicable regulations. State regulations require AWWU to maintain a tariff for each Utility. The tariff specifies the rates, rules, and terms and conditions of service. Tariffs are written rules which outline all Utility practices that impact its customers and the public. It is every employee’s responsibility to be knowledgeable of, and to act in compliance with AWWU's tariffs.

Anchorage Water Utility (AWU) & Anchorage Wastewater Utility (ASU) Are Regulated By 
Regulatory Commission of Alaska 

 The RCA regulates AWU and ASU by authority delegated by the State of Alaska.  One of the principal duties of the commission is to oversee the implementation of tariffs that affect a utility’s relations with its customers.  The RCA will also address complaints raised by individuals concerning interaction with a utility.  The RCA will review the facts associated with the complaint and determine if the utility’s actions were in keeping with the requirements of that utility’s approved tariff.

AWWU may be held responsible for its actions that conflict with its effective tariffs, and costly penalties may be applied for failure to abide by tariff.  Insofar as employees act on-behalf of AWWU, they are responsible for acting in accordance with tariff.  This responsibility underscores the necessity for each employee to have a knowledge of AWWU’s tariffs and willingness to comply with them.

Compliance With Tariff Strengthens AWWU’s Relationship With The Public

Tariff sets expectations for how AWWU will provide service, how much customers are charged for services, and how AWWU will interact with the public.  When employees comply with the tariffs, expectations are met, and trust is maintained.  Customers that do not receive predictable service may become frustrated and distrusting, which harms AWWU’s reputation. 

AWWU’s tariffs apply uniformly to all customers.  Alaska State Statute 42.05.391 strictly forbids discrimination in rates for customers under like circumstances. Uniform treatment within customer types with regard to rates is imperative.  The Utility does not set its own rates, nor does the Utility or any employee have discretion as to what charges apply or whether customers are billed for services.

Provisions in the tariffs cannot be waived, abandoned, or changed without prior approval of the RCA.  The Utility can propose a change, but it takes action by the commission to make a tariff update effective. Depending on the nature of the change, the RCA has a fixed timeline for action on a tariff change proposal. 

A simple adjustment may be implemented within 45 days following a filing by the Utility.  On the other hand, it’s not unusual for a rate case to be “suspended into a docket” which calls for an extensive legal proceeding that may extend to 450 days before the commission is required to issue a ruling.  The tariff approval process includes a process for public comment.  The comment period promotes fairness by allowing public participation in the development of the rules of the Utility.  

If you are unsure about whether an action you are about to take or a program you wish to implement is compliant with AWWU’s tariffs, ask the Regulatory Affairs section of the Finance Division before proceeding.

AWWU’s Tariff Documents Are Lengthy But Organized For Easy Referencing

AWU and ASU tariffs are of necessity large but not cumbersome.  AWU and ASU each has its own tariff.  The tariffs are separated into rules, each addressing a distinct topic.  An index is at the front of the tariff to ease research.  Additionally, each sheet is numbered for ease in referencing.  Changes in tariff are noted with a single letter in parenthesis to the right side of the page.  The effective date of an updated tariff sheet is indicated near the bottom right corner of the sheet.  To research the most recent change to a tariff sheet, reference the Tariff Advice No. near the bottom left corner of the sheet on the RCA website www.rca.alaska.gov using the “Find a Matter” query box.  Definitions are found in Rule 1 of each tariff, so that all utility specific terms and acronyms are identified and explained. 

AWWU’s tariffs provide rules concerning many topics, including but not limited to:

• Written legal descriptions and service area maps for AWU and ASU
• Application and approval of service procedures
• Billing Policies – rates, deposit requirements, billing methodology, delinquency, and customer responsibilities
• Billing dispute policies
• Terms and conditions of service
• Service discontinuance policies
• Policies for extending service
• Provisions for service connections and service extensions
• Provisions for septage hauler customers
• Provisions for bulk water customers
• Provisions for industrial permit customers
• Private development agreements
• Infrastructure coordination agreements
• Liability provisions
• Metering rules and requirements
• Water pressure standards
• Temporary service disruption notice requirements

See full tariffs at AWWU Water Tariff and AWWU Sewer Tariff. Alaska State regulation requires a copy of AWWU’s tariffs to be available for inspection during regular business hours.