(A) General. This is a user charge system for a small community which follows model number one in Appendix B of the Federal Register dated September 27, 1978. This treatment works is primarily flow dependent and will utilize the equivalent user concept. The equivalent user system has been set up based on flow.
(B) Sewer user charge. A sewer user charge shall be levied on all users of the sewage collection and treatment facilities to cover the actual or estimated costs of operation, maintenance, replacement, and financing of this facility. The user charge system shall distribute these costs to each user or user class in approximate proportion to such user’s contribution to the total wastewater load of such facilities. By reference, the city’s sewer user charge system (on file in the office of the City Clerk) is hereby made a part of this code of ordinances. A copy of the current user charge system shall be mailed to each user with the first billing of each new fiscal year.
(C) Basis for rates. The sewer user rates for each user (or user class) shall be based on the user’s contribution to the total wastewater loading of the treatment facilities in comparison to a standard equivalent user as defined below. Each user (or user class) shall be assigned a number of equivalent users to be multiplied by a constant monthly cost factor to determine the basic user monthly rate. Special users contributing sewage of excessive flow and/or strength, for which the tabulated equivalent users below do not apply, shall be individually calculated as provided below. The constant monthly cost factor shall be set by Resolution of the City Council. In addition to the monthly rate computed for a user outside the city limits, such users shall pay an additional amount each month of 60% of the monthly fee. This additional amount shall be applied to bond repayment and the Reserve Capital Improvement Fund.
(D) Equivalent user. One equivalent user shall be defined as contributing 350 gallons per day of wastewater containing not more than 0.7 pounds of five-day BOD and 0.7 pounds of suspended solids. The equivalent user flow has been developed from population and sewer usage records, which indicate an average single dwelling unit has 3.5 people contributing 100 gallons per day, per person. Standard engineering data indicates 0.2 pounds of suspended solids respectively per person, per day. The basic equivalent user shall be subject to revision if population, water usage, sewage volume, and/or other information indicate flow and/or strength significantly different from that defined herein. Revisions of the base equivalent user criteria shall normally only be made upon the recommendation of a registered professional engineer and as approved and adopted by resolution of the City Council.
(E) Equivalent user schedule.
(1) The number of equivalent users to be assigned each user and/or user class shall be in accordance with the following equivalent user schedule. Assignment of equivalent users shall apply for one year until the next annual user charge review. Users so indicated, or not included in this schedule, shall be considered special users and shall be evaluated separately as provided below. The information indicates that if the strength of sewage contributed by any of the following users is in excess in comparison with the allowable limits listed above, then a surcharge shall be levied against such users as provided below. Any of the users in the following schedule may be classified as special users if information on their contribution flow and/or strength indicates a need to do so. A single user having more than one classification of use shall be the sum of the fees. The minimum monthly sewer user charge shall be one equivalent user. No quantity discounts will be allowed.
(2) The equivalent user schedule (1.0 minimum) and classification of equivalent users is as follows:
(a) Residential: 1.0;
(b) Commercial:
1. Small: 1.0; and
2. Large: 1.0.
(c) Industrial: 1.0; and
(d) Public building: 1.0.
(F) Surcharge for excessive strength.
(1) When any user contributes wastewater having an average BOD and/or suspended solids loading in excess of the designated allowable limits hereinafter designated, a surcharge shall be levied against such user. Said surcharge shall be based on the average degree of excess loading and applied as a percentage of the basic user charge as provided in the above schedule, or otherwise for special users. The BOD and suspended solids loading shall be determined from estimates or tests made by city officials or its engineer. The user’s monthly surcharge shall be computed by a use of the following equation:
US= [(b/B)-1)+(s/S)-1Ws/S)-1] x (U.C.)
(2) Where:
B. The allowable limit of BOD loading above which a user’s surcharge shall be levied, hereby designated as being 200 parts per million.
b. The average BOD loading above which is a user’s wastewater contribution expressed in parts per million.
b/B or s/S. Shall not be less than 1.0.
S. The allowable limit of suspended solids loading above which a user’s surcharge shall be levied, hereby designated as being 200 parts per million.
s. The average suspended solids loading of the user’s wastewater contributions, expressed in parts per million.
U.C. The basic user’s monthly charge (for treatment only) computed as provided above.
US. The user’s monthly surcharge to be added to the basic user’s monthly charge.
(3) A copy of the list of users surcharged, the characteristics of their sewage, and the surcharge for each shall be kept on file at all times in the office of the City Clerk.
(F) Special users. If, in addition to excessive strength, a user is determined to add flow to the lagoon in excess of 10,000 gallons per month, the above formula shall be multiplied by a factor of total flow divided by 10,000 gallons per month. In order to determine the flow of this special user, the city may monitor sewage and water flow in order to determine total flow. The value of U.C. used in the formula above will be the same value as assigned single dwelling units. A copy of the list of special users, the characteristics of their sewage, and the special user’s monthly charge shall be kept on file at all times in the office of the City Clerk. There shall be no discounts permitted for quantity flows.
(G) Review and revision of rates. The sewer user charges shall, as a minimum, be reviewed annually and updated by resolution of the Council to reflect actual costs of operation, maintenance, replacement, and financing of the sewage collection and treatment facilities. Any revisions of the user charges shall be based on actual operation, maintenance, replacement, financing expenses, and/or on significant changes in the total number of equivalent users, the total daily flow, the total daily BOD, and/or the total daily suspended solids. The city may install flow-measuring devices and/or collect wastewater samples at any time in any user’s service line to determine actual usage as a basis for revisions of the user’s charge. Revisions due only to changes in expenses and user class shall be made by the city. Revisions involving user’s flow, BOD and/or suspended solids shall normally only be made upon the recommendation of a registered professional engineer. All changes in user charges applicable to this subchapter shall be computed by the methods outlined herein.
(H) User request for rate change. Any sewer user who feels his or her user charge is unjust and inequitable as applied to his or her premises within the spirit and intent of the foregoing provisions may make written application to the City Council requesting a review of his or her user charge. Said written request shall, where necessary, show the actual or estimated average flow and strength of his or her wastewater in comparison with the values upon which the charge is based, including how the measurements or estimates were made. Any flow measurements and/or testing of wastewater shall be approved in detail, by the city and/or its engineer. Review of the request by the City Council shall determine if it is substantiated or not, including recommended further study of the matter for the city and/or user by a registered professional engineer.
(Ord. 50, passed 8-7-1997)