(A) Charges. Charges for use of the city water system shall be based upon the volume of water used by each water user or upon a minimum charge based upon the size of the water meter connecting that user to the city’s water system. These charges, to be billed monthly, shall be the greater of the charge based on water use, or the charge based upon water meter size.
(1) Charges based upon volume of water used shall be as follows:
Consumption Unit (Gallons Per Month) | Per 1,000 Gallons |
Consumption Unit (Gallons Per Month) | Per 1,000 Gallons |
First 10,000 gallons | $7.98 |
Next 25,000 gallons | 7.43 |
Next 65,000 gallons | 6.95 |
Next 100,000 gallons | 6.33 |
Next 300,000 gallons | 5.83 |
Next 500,000 gallons | 4.30 |
Next 9,000,000 gallons | 3.21 |
Over 10,000,000 gallons | 2.55 |
(2) Charges based upon water meter size shall be as follows:
Meter Size Charge per Month | Gallons | Rate |
Meter Size Charge per Month | Gallons | Rate |
5/8- or 3/4-inch meter or less | 2,500 | $19.95 |
1-inch meter | 4,200 | 33.52 |
1 ¼-inch meter | 6,700 | 53.47 |
1 ½-inch meter | 8,300 | 66.23 |
2-inch meter | 13,000 | 102.09 |
3-inch meter | 25,000 | 191.25 |
4-inch meter | 41,700 | 312.12 |
6-inch meter | 83,300 | 601.24 |
12-inch meter | 358,300 | 2,273.19 |
(3) Private fire protection. Water service (for use only in extinguishing fires), sprinkler connection and fire hydrants owned and maintained by the consumer:
(a) Automatic sprinkler, per head: $1.04 annually, billed quarterly.
(b) Fire hydrant, each: $1,061.37 annually, billed quarterly.
(4) Public fire protection water service. Municipal fire hydrants (billed quarterly, monthly and/or annually), each: $1,061.37 annually.
(5) For users as to lots, parcels of real estate and/or buildings located outside the corporate limits of the city, the rates and charges are increased by an additional 25% per month. Monthly bills for such users outside the city shall be computed by adding 25% to the charges computed according to division (A).
(B) Temporary service. Temporary service where metered shall be calculated upon the registration of meter or meters installed at the approved meter rates. In such cases as the utility may deem it impracticable to install a meter for temporary service, there shall be a minimum charge of $38. If the water consumption computed at the approved rates is known to be in excess of the $38 minimum charge, an authorized agent of the utility shall have the right to estimate the water consumption and the estimated consumption shall be billed at the approved meter rates.
(C) Collection or deferred payment charge. All bills for water services not paid within 30 days from the due date thereof as stated in the bills, shall be subject to a collection or deferred payment charge of 10%. For governmental entities and public school systems, the collection or deferred payment charge shall be assessed only if the payment is not paid within 60 days from the due date thereof.
(E) Time of payment of deposit.
(1) The water deposit shall be paid at the same time the lessee, user, or occupant contacts the city water utility, to receive water service. The water deposit must be paid prior to water service being given to the customer.
(2) At the time the lessee, user, or occupant requests water service, that customer must place the water meter and sewage service in the same name as shown on the lease, rent receipt, or contract. A copy of the lease, receipt, or contract shall be presented to the utility clerk for verification at the time of the request for services and must legibly identify the owner and the owner’s address of the real estate being leased or purchased. If municipal water or sewer service is requested to a mobile home or modular home, the lessee, user, or occupant shall also provide to the city water utility a copy of the current title for the mobile home or modular home in the name of the owner of the real estate being leased or purchased, or the name of the lessor or seller of the mobile home along with proof of sale or lease, or in the name of the lessee, user, or occupant. The water utility may also request written proof that property taxes on the mobile home or modular home are paid current and are in the same name as the title.
(3) Any owner requesting water utility services shall place the water meter in the same name as shown on the deed. If municipal water or sewer service is requested to a mobile home or modular home, the owner shall also provide to the city water utility a copy of the current title for the mobile home or modular home in the name of the owner of the real estate. The water utility may also request written proof that property taxes (real and/or personal) on the real estate, mobile home or modular home are paid current and are in the same name as the deed and/or title.
(F) Use and refund of deposit.
(1) The deposit, less any outstanding water, sanitary sewer and trash collection account balances, penalties, service fees, interest or other legitimate deductions, shall be refunded to the depositor. No interest shall be paid by the city on the deposit.
(2) The deposit shall be refunded upon the presentation of a notarized statement from the depositor that as of a certain date the property being served:
(a) Has been conveyed or transferred to another person. This statement must include the name and address of the person to whom the property is conveyed or transferred; or
(b) No longer uses or is connected with any part of the municipal water system.
(3) Application of the deposit to any fees listed in division (F)(1) above shall be made by the city immediately upon termination or transfer of service.
(4) Any excess fees and costs due from the depositor that remain outstanding after application of the forfeiture may be collected in any manner allowed by state law.
(5) A deposit may be used to satisfy all or part of any judgement awarded the municipality pursuant to I.C. 36-9-23-31.
(6) If a deposit has remained unclaimed by the depositor for more than seven years after the termination of the services for which the deposit was made, the deposit becomes the property of the city.
(Ord. 82-11, passed 4-26-82; Am. Ord. 92-26, passed 7-27-92; Am. Ord. 95-23, passed 10-9-95; Am. Ord. 97-27, passed 7-28-97; Am. Ord. 97-31, passed 8-11-97; Am. Ord. 97-44, passed 11-24-97; Am. Ord. 97-49, passed 12-8-97; Am. Ord. 00-04, passed 3-27-00; Am. Ord. 01-09, passed 4-9-01; Am. Ord. 05-02, passed 4-11-05; Am. Ord. 08-33, passed 11-24-08; Am. Ord. 09-32, passed 11-23-09; Am. Ord. 15-10, passed 4-2-15; Am. Ord. 2017-09, passed 5-11-17; Am. Ord. 2023-21, passed 9-20-23)