About 20 Berlin property owners will receive letters soon notifying them that their water consumption exceeds the amount allocated to them by the town.
The town, however, will give these property owners a way to come into compliance without paying the full cost for the amount used.
Water allocations are measured in “Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs),” which are based on the average water use of a single-family household. One EDU represents an average of 250 gallons per day of usage. When new businesses, specifically, open in Berlin, the town code says there will be a 24-month monitoring period to determine if additional EDUs are required. A two-year review of multiple businesses found around 20 businesses will need to buy additional capacity to continue to operate at current levels.
Under the policy discussed by the mayor and Town Council Monday night, property owners who need to buy additional EDUs will have the option to pay 10% up front, along with a 5% administrative fee, and finance the remaining cost over 24 months for one to three new EDUs or up to 60 months for four or more EDUs.