The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) says it has approved applications from the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and National Water Commission (NWC) for the suspension of Quality of Service Standards in the aftermath of the passage of Hurricane Dean.

OUR Director General J. Paul Morgan, in correspondence with the utility companies, said the office was mindful that, "during force majeure conditions, it would be unreasonable to expect the agencies to be in compliance with the specified standards".

According to a statement from the OUR, the office subsequently granted a 30-day suspension, effective August 19, of the utility companies' obligations to comply with Guaranteed and Overall Standards and Quality of Service Standards as outlined in the All-Island Electric Licence, 2001 and Document No WAT 2004/01.1 for JPS and NWC, respectively.

"The utility companies have also been instructed to submit relevant information regarding the extent of damage to their infrastructure and restoration plans," the OUR statement said. "The office will, during the 30-day suspension, assess the extent of the damage and the restoration timeline and advise the companies, as well as the public, if an extension is necessary."

Included in the Quality of Service Standards are the Guaranteed Standards which, if breached by the companies, result in a liability for compensatory payments to affected customers.

The Guaranteed Standards outline the minimum service levels at which the companies are expected to perform and cover such areas as restoration of service after arrears have been cleared by customers and the number of estimated bills they may consecutively receive.

In the case of the JPS, this suspension does not apply to the standard for 'total system losses' which covers the difference between energy generated and energy for which revenue is received. In the case of NWC, this suspension does not apply to the water quality standards as set out by the Ministry of Health.

Both JPS and NWC are also still required to submit estimated bills based on an average of the last three actual readings.