(A) General.
(1) 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 (43 FR 44022). The treatment works is primarily dependent and will utilize the equivalent use concept. The equivalent use system has been set up based on flow.
(2) A sewer user charge shall be levied on all users of the sewage collection and treatment facilities to cover the actual or estimated cost 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 portion to such user’s contribution to the total wastewater load of such facilities.
(B) 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 to be multiplied by a constant 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.
(C) Equivalent user. For the purpose of this section, ONE EQUIVALENT USER means contributing 210 gallons per day of wastewater containing not more than seven-tenths of a pound of five-day BOD and five-tenths of a pound of suspended solids. The equivalent user flow has been developed from population and sewer usage records which indicate an average single dwelling unit has three and one-half people contributing 70 gallons per day per person. Standard engineering data indicates two-tenths of a pound of five-day BOD and fourteen-hundredths of a pound 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 indicates flow and/or strength significantly different from that defined herein. Revisions of the basic equivalent user criteria shall normally only be made upon the recommendation of a registered professional engineer.
(D) Equivalent user schedule. 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. If the information indicates that 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. Equivalent user schedule (one minimum), see Addendum 1, attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter.
(E) 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 the City Engineer.
(2) The user’s monthly surcharge shall be computed by the user of the following equation, where “US” represents the user’s monthly surcharge to be added to the basic user’s monthly charge, “UMC” represents the basic user’s monthly charge (for treatment only) and shall not be less than one, “b” represents the average BOD loading above which is a user’s wastewater contribution, expressed in parts per million, “B” represents the allowable limit of BOD loading above which a user’s surcharge shall be levied, designated as being 200 parts per million, “s” represents the average suspended solids loading of the user’s wastewater contribution, expressed in parts per million, and “S” represents the allowable limit of suspended solids loading above which a user’s surcharge shall be levied, designated as being 140 parts per million.
(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.
(1) If, in addition to excessive strength, a user is determined to add flow to the wastewater treatment facilities in excess of 6,500 gallons per month, the above formula shall be increased by a factor of total flow divided by 6,500 gallons per month multiplied by one equivalent user. 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 UMC used in the formula above will be the same value as assigned single dwelling units.
(2) 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.
(G) Review and revision of rates. The sewer user charges shall, as a minimum, be reviewed annually and updated by resolution of the city 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 and 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 users 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 chapter 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 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 value 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 the City Engineer. Review of the request by the city 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.
(I) Monthly rate. City sewer rates shall be $39.90 per month.
(J) Connection. Any person or entity desiring to connect to the city sewer shall pay a fee to the city prior to connection in the sum of $5,000.
(1) The rates and fees set forth above may be changed from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
(2) Any fees or rates previously adopted and approved by the city which vary from the rates set forth in this division (J) shall remain in full force and effect if not altered herein.
(Prior Code, § 13.08.320) (Ord. 532, passed 5-18-1993; Ord. 675, passed 10-4-2023; Ord. 676, passed 10-4-2023)