Customers are billed monthly, and payment is expected by the date noted on your electric bill.
In the case of residential service to seasonal customers, consumption is estimated at zero for the months in which meters cannot be read.
An estimated bill may be issued for any billing period in which any of the following has occurred:
- The City has taken appropriate and reasonable measures to read a Customer’s meter but cannot gain access to read the meter;
- The Customer has denied acceptable access to the City’s representative to read the meter;
- Circumstances beyond the City’s control make an actual meter reading very difficult.
Estimated bills are payable in all respects as if they were based on actual meter readings.
Utility Collection Process
Summerside Electric has a collections policy in place to ensure timely collection of the City's outstanding accounts.
The City appreciates that by far, the vast majority of residents pay their accounts on time, and in full. However, in cases whereby payment obligations are not fulfilled, the City may disconnect services.
The following timeline and notifications will be followed prior to disconnection. This timeline is also listed in the application form when signing up for a utility account:
- For accounts with a past due amount greater than 10 days, the customer is notified in writing that they have 14 days to either make a payment in full, or to make payment arrangements.
- If after the 14 days have expired and no payment or payment arrangement has been made, the customer is again notified in writing that their account has been classified Disconnection Pending. A payment or payment arrangements must be made within 14 days.
- If after the second notice period elapses and there is still no payment or payment arrangement made, the account will be scheduled for immediate disconnection.
If customers are not able to make payment in full, they will be expected to comply with a payment arrangement, the terms of which will be approved by the City’s Financial Services Department. An arrangement may include an obligation to prepay an amount in advance, for anticipated service costs in the immediate future, for example up to 15-30 days.
If a payment arrangement is not adhered to and the Department of Financial Services has not been notified of a payment being made, disconnection will take place without further notice.
For customers who are tenants of a property and are responsible to have the utilities in their name, please be advised that the landlord may be notified if your account becomes in arrears.
While the City strives to make every reasonable effort to deliver such notice (including registered mail), non-receipt of such notice will not cause deferral of the scheduled cut-off.
We thank you for your cooperation.
If you have any questions concerning this policy, please contact the Financial Services Department at 902-432-1230.
For more information, contact:
902-432-1230: General Inquiries
902-432-1235: Customer Service (New Accounts and Account Inquiries)
902-432-1266: Billing Inquiries
902-432-1268: Report Service Issues (Emergency & Non-Emergency - 24/7)
City of Summerside, 275 Fitzroy Street, Summerside, PE C1N 1H9
Related City Documents:
Electric Rates, Schedule & Policy Manual
How to Read Your Electric Bill