(A) Surface or ground water surcharge over and above the tariff charges for sanitary sewer discharge. Upon the utility having determined by smoke testing, dye testing or on-site inspection that rain or surface water is being introduced into the sanitary sewer system at the customer’s location, the utility shall send a letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by hand delivery, advising the customer that the rain or surface water must be removed from the sanitary sewer system within 90 days of receipt of the letter. An additional amount shall be charged where surface or ground water is introduced into the sanitary system where evidence of a violation exists. Said surcharge is applicable only when said letter was received no later than 90 days prior to December 1 of each year due to the inclement weather during the months between December and March. The surcharge formula is to be applied in cases where surface drainage is connected to the utility’s sanitary sewer system.
(B) Applicability.
(1) Whenever the utility has discovered that a customer’s roof drain, downspout, storm sewer or similar facilities conducting surface water have been connected to the utility’s sewer system, and such customer has failed to take appropriate action, within 90 days of receipt of a demand by the utility in accordance with the rules of the Public Service Commission to eliminate such connection, a surcharge will be imposed upon the customer calculated on the basis of the following formula:
S = A x R x .0006233 x C |
S = The surcharge in dollars |
A = The area under roof and/or the area of any other water collection surface connected to the sanitary sewer, in square feet |
R = The measured monthly rainfall, in inches |
.0006233 = A conversion factor to change inches of rain x square feet of surface water to thousands of gallons of water |
.0008333 = A conversion factor to change inches of rain x square feet of surface water to $ (dollar) per 100 cubic feet |
C = The utility’s approved rate per thousand gallons of metered water usage |
(2) The utility shall not impose the surcharge unless and until the customer has been notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by hand delivery, that it has been established by smoke
testing, dye testing or on-site inspection that rain or surface water is being introduced into the sanitary sewer system at the customers location, and that the customer has not acted within 90 days from receipt of such notice to divert the water from the sanitary sewer system.
(3) Said surcharge shall be calculated and imposed for each month that said condition continues to exist. Failure to pay the surcharge and/or correct the situation shall give rise to the possible termination of water service in accordance with the rules of the Public Service Commission of the state.
(Ord. passed 2-12-2019; Ord. passed 12-13-2022)