Regulator to monitor utility billing relief measures for hurricane victims
Published:Tuesday | December 2, 2025 | 1:31 PM
The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) says it will be monitoring the temporary customer billing relief measures announced by major utility providers in response to Hurricane Melissa.
The OUR said within a week after the hurricane hit Jamaica on October 28, it wrote to the major utility providers requesting details on how they planned to address customers’ billing in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane and in the months ahead.
It said similar letters were sent to private operators supplying water and/or sewerage services to small customer bases.
The regulator said the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) advised that it will suspend service disconnections and late-payment fees until 2025 December 15, while offering flexible payment arrangements for its Rate 10 (residential) and Rate 20 (general service) customers requiring additional support.
The National Water Commission (NWC) said it will cease billing in the hardest-hit communities starting in December until service is restored.
Additionally, NWC will review November’s estimated bills for customers who have been without service since the Hurricane and extend its Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Amnesty Programme until December 31.
The OUR said telecoms providers, Digicel and FLOW, have also announced relief measures for their customers, including a pause in disconnections, waiving of late fees, and offering rebates where applicable.
"The OUR commends these efforts and continues to engage and encourage all utility service providers to apply reasonable consideration when billing," the regulator said in statement on Tuesday. "They are also being encouraged to keep customers informed about any additional measures being implemented as they work toward full restoration of services."
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