(A) Usage rates and area connection charges shall be based on the water usage classification as outlined in Table 1 and which shall be established by the County Commissioners by resolution or ordinance:
(1) Non-functioning meters. Customers who do not have a functioning meter shall pay quarterly a ready-to-serve charge and a gallonage charge which shall be computed as follows:
(a) Effective with the customers' first full billing cycle after adoption of this subchapter, customers shall pay a ready-to-serve charge equal to the charge applicable to users having a three-inch meter. On the first billing period after each July 1, thereafter, the ready-to-serve charge shall increase to the charge for the next higher meter size. After a charge for the largest single meter has been applied to the user based upon this calculation, the previous year's ready-to-serve charge shall be doubled in each succeeding year.
(b) Customers shall pay a gallonage charge equal to their estimated use based on the meter size at which their ready-to-serve charge is calculated. The charge shall be determined in accordance with Table 1:
Meter Size | Estimated Consumption of Gallons per Day | Estimated Consumption of Gallons per Quarter |
Meter Size | Estimated Consumption of Gallons per Day | Estimated Consumption of Gallons per Quarter |
5/8 inch | 250 | 22,812.50 |
3/4 inch | 275 | 25,093.75 |
1 inch | 350 | 31,937.50 |
1-1/2 inch | 450 | 41,062.50 |
2 inch | 725 | 66,156.25 |
3 inch | 2,750 | 250,937.50 |
4 inch | 3,500 | 319,375.00 |
6 inch | 5,250 | 479,062.50 |
8 inch | 7,250 | 661,562.50 |
Rate | Estimated Consumption of Gallons per Day "Water Usage Classifications" | Estimated Consumption of Gallons per Quarter |
Rate | Estimated Consumption of Gallons per Day "Water Usage Classifications" | Estimated Consumption of Gallons per Quarter |
1 | 250 | 22,812 |
2 | 275 | 25,093 |
3 | 350 | 31,937 |
4 | 450 | 41,062 |
5 | 725 | 66,156 |
6 | 1,225 | 91,250 |
7 | 1,750 | 136,875 |
8 | 2,250 | 182,500 |
9 | 2,750 | 250,937 |
10 | 3,500 | 319,725 |
11 | 5,250 | 479,062 |
12 | 7,250 | 661,562 |
*An increased area connection charge shall apply to each additional l,000 gallons per day over Rate 12. **Exception: Age restricted communities (55 and older) receive a 60% reduction to Rate 1 of each rate schedule. To qualify, the property shall be deeded as age restricted. Any future change shall result in a reclassification of the property and a balance of the fee paid. | ||
(2) Front-foot maintenance fee.
(a) Effective July 1, 2001, the county shall establish an annual fee for upkeep of water and sewerage systems which shall be made upon such reasonable basis as the County Commissioners may determine. The fee shall be collected annually in the same manner as are front-foot benefit assessments against all properties having a connection to a water main or a sewer under the operation or ownership of the county and shall be a lien against the property.
(b) The fee shall be based on such classifications as the county may establish and shall be uniform throughout each system within each classification; provided, however, that no charge for upkeep of water and sewerage systems shall be made against any property in any year for which property is subject to a front-foot benefit assessment.
(B) Reduction in charges due to water loss.
(1) Within 30 days of an invoice for water and sewer service, a customer may apply for a reduction in the customer's water and sewer charges when the customer shows that the customer did not cause, either through intent or through negligence, a leak in the customer's water service line and presents evidence of the repair of a leak in the customer's water service line, where the leak existed between the customer's house or business and the meter serving the property, or when the customer presents evidence of a repair of a major break within the structure and associated with an insurance claim. A plumbing permit shall be required.
(2) The Comptroller, upon receipt of an application for a reduction in charges due to the loss of water as provided in division (B)(1) above, shall review the application and decide whether to grant the reduction in the charges.
(3) Where the leak spans more than one billing cycle, despite the best efforts of the customer to have it repaired, the Comptroller may adjust the bills.
(4) In determining the amount of the reduction, the Comptroller shall consider:
(a) The prior use of the customer during the whole period of service to the customer but for a period of no less than the two preceding quarters; or
(b) The use of similar customers if the customer has not used the system for at least two quarters.
(5) In determining whether to grant the reduction, the Comptroller shall determine if the customer knew or should have known about the leak and grant relief only in circumstances when the customer has acted reasonably. The decision of the Comptroller may be appealed to the County Commissioners or a Board of Appeals appointed by the County Commissioners, and its decision is final and not subject to further appeal. Credits shall only be considered and granted provided a plumbing permit is completed for the repair.
(6) Reductions in water usage shall not be granted for the filling of swimming pools, hot tubs, or other water storage components, including outdoor irrigation systems.
(C) Other charges.
(1) In cases where the owner requests the meter tested for accuracy, the owner shall pay the costs of a meter replacement should the result show that the existing meter was accurate. If the meter is shown to be inaccurate, the county shall replace the meter at no cost to the owner and shall adjust the billed invoice appropriately.
(2) Property transfer fee. A fee of $30 shall be charged for each final water reading related to the transfer of a property and paid as part of the recordation of the deed.
(D) Removal of meter. If a property owner requests removal of the meter because the property is vacant, condemned, or abandoned, or for any other reason, the charge for removal shall be $50 and the subsequent charge for reinstatement of the meter shall be $50 plus the cost of the new meter. During the time period that the meter is removed, the base charge will not be assessed. If the meter is not reinstated within 24 months, the property owner shall pay the current water area connection charge, less any connection charges previously paid when the meter is reinstalled.
(2004 Code, § 179-11) (Ord. 02-20, passed 11-21-2002; Ord. 03-13, passed 6-10-2003; Ord. 05-01, passed 1-25-2005; Ord. 06-10, passed 6-22-2006; Ord. 2021-09, passed 10-14-2021)