Information Collection
The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DCWASA) is the sole owner of the information collected on DCWASA.COM. DCWASA collects information from our users at several different points on our Web site.
Registration
In order to make full use of the customer service section of this Web site, a user must first complete the registration form. During registration a user is required to give contact information (such as name and email address and password). DCWASA will use this information to contact the user about services on our site for which he or she has expressed interest.
Information Use
Profile
DCWASA stores information that it collects through cookies and log files. A profile is stored information that DCWASA keeps on individual users viewing preferences. The information that is collected information is tied to the users' personally identifiable information to improve the content of the site for the user. DCWASA does not share your profile with anyone else.
Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user's computer tied to information about the user. DCWASA uses session ID cookies. For the session ID cookie, once users close the browser, the cookie simply terminates.
By setting a cookie on our site, users would not have to log in a password more than once, thereby saving time while on our site. If users reject the cookie, they may still use our site. The only drawback to this is that the user will be limited in some areas of our site.
Log Files
Like most standard Web site servers DCWASA uses log files. This includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track the user's movement in the aggregate, and gather broad demographic information. IP addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information.
Communications from the Site
Newsletters/Email Alerts
If a user wishes to subscribe to our newsletter or email alerts, DCWASA will ask for contact information such as name and email address.
Service Announcements
On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if DCWASA's service is temporarily suspended for maintenance DCWASA might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.
Customer Service
DCWASA communicates with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regards to issues relating to their account DCWASA will reply via email or phone, in accordance with the users wishes.
Sharing
Protection of User Privacy
DCWASA will make every effort to preserve a user's privacy however DCWASA may be compelled to disclose personal information when required legal or judicial process. DCWASA will not sell user's personally identifiable information.
Third Party Intermediaries
DCWASA uses an outside credit card processing company to bill users for goods and services. These companies do not retain, share, store or use personally identifiable information for any secondary purposes.
Links
This Web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that DCWASA is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. DCWASA encourages our users to b on alert when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of every web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies only to information collected by this Web site.
Surveys
From time-to-time requests information from users via surveys or contests. Participation in these surveys or contests is voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose this information. The requested information typically includes contact information (such as name and email address), and demographic information (such as zip code). Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the use and satisfaction of this site. Users' personally identifiable information will not be voluntarily shared with third parties unless DCWASA is given prior notice and provide the customer a choice. Though DCWASA may use an intermediary to conduct these surveys or contests, they may not use users' personally identifiable information for any secondary purposes.
Security
This web site takes every precaution to protect our users' information. When users submit sensitive information via the Web site, their information is protected both online and off-line.
When our registration/login forms ask users to enter sensitive information (such as credit card number and/or social security number), that information is encrypted and is protected with SSL, the encryption software. While on a secure page, such a submission form, the lock icon on the bottom of Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer becomes locked, as opposed to un-locked, or open, when users are just 'surfing'.
While DCWASA uses SSL encryption to protect sensitive information online, DCWASA also employs rigorous procedures and safeguards to protect user-information off-line. All of our users' information, not just the sensitive information mentioned above, is restricted in our offices. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, our billing clerk or a customer service representative) are granted access to personally identifiable information.
If users have any questions about the security at our Web site, users can send an email to webmaster@dcwasa.com.
Correcting/Updating/Deleting/Deactivating Personal Information
If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as zip code, phone, email or postal address), or if a user no longer desires our service, DCWASA provides a way to correct, update or delete/deactivate users' personally identifiable information. This can usually be done at the My Account section of our website or by emailing our Customer Service at custserv@dcwasa.com. Or, contact us by telephone or postal mail at the contact information listed below.
Notification of Changes
If DCWASA decides to change how it manages the protection of privacy on our website DCWASA will post those changes on the homepage and at other places DCWASA deems appropriate so that users will be aware of what information DCWASA collects and how DCWASA uses it.
Contact Information
If users have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at:
5000 Overlook Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20032
Phone: 202.787.2000
Fax: 202.787.2333
Email: info@dcwasa.com
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© DC Water and Sewer Authority
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