(a) (1) The User Charge paid by all classes of users (based on each 100 cu. ft. of flow being discharged to the sanitary sewer system) shall increase on the effective date by the listed amount, which shall be added to the previous year's User Charge, and becomes the new User Charge:
Effective March 1, 2021: | $.74 |
Effective January 1, 2022: | $.84 |
Effective January 1, 2023 | $.97 |
(2) Council shall review the User Charge on an annual basis during the first regularly scheduled council meeting in November of each year.
(Ord. 2020-39. Passed 1-25-21.)
(b) Wastewater Service Availability Charge. (W.W.S.A.C.)
(1) This service charge shall apply to all customers having access to the City wastewater utility. This service charge shall include the first 400 cu. ft. of water usage as a minimum. The W.W.S.A.C. for all meter sizes shall change when there is an increase in the wastewater rate schedule and shall reflect the same amount of percent increase.
(2) Each meter size is assigned a capacity factor. The meter size and the capacity factors are shown in the following table:
METER SIZE (inches) | CAPACITY FACTOR |
5/8 & 3/4 | 1.00 |
1 | 1.35 |
1 ½ | 3.10 |
2 | 5.40 |
3 | 12.30 |
4 | 21.90 |
6 | 49.10 |
8 | 87.20 |
(3) These factors will be applied using the 5/8 and 3/4 inch meter size as the basis (1200 cu. ft. times the base wastewater rate).
(4) These service charges are in addition to the consumption charges based on the wastewater rate schedule.
(c) Minimum Charge Per Billing Period or Part Thereof.
(1) The minimum charge per single unit for any billing period or part thereof shall in no event be less than the wastewater service availability charge (W.W.S.A.C.) per billing cycle.
(2) When the City's sanitary sewer has been available for ninety days to improved lots, whether connected or not, the minimum charge shall apply and be due and payable each and every billing cycle.
(d) Multi-Units. The minimum charge for multi-units shall be based on the wastewater service availability charge for a 5/8"-3/4" meter, times the number of units.
(e) Multi-Unit Change. A unit change may be granted upon a written request to the Director, stating the changes that have been made to the multi-units served by the Utility. After an inspection by a representative of the Water and Wastewater Department the Director will make the decision upon the request for a unit change.
(f) Terms of Payment. The rates set forth are net and apply only in the event all accounts for water and wastewater service are paid on or before the date specified on the bill. If not paid, the gross rate shall apply, which is the net rate plus ten percent (10%).
(g) Responsibility of Payment of Bills. The property owner of record of the real estate to which wastewater service is furnished shall be responsible for the payment of all water and wastewater bills for such service regardless of when such bills were incurred, irrespective of who incurred such unpaid bills or who occupied the property at the time the bills were incurred. This does not include any bills incurred by a previous owner. All unpaid wastewater bills shall be assessed as a tax lien against the property involved, collectible according to law.
(h) Waiver of Minimum Charges. An owner may request the waiver of the minimum charges upon written request to the Director. The request may be granted provided the following requirements and conditions exist.
(1) An improved lot, that has been supplied with a sewer tap, must have been vacated and the structure removed.
(2) If an improved lot has more than one tap, the additional tap(s) must be discontinued.
In receiving a waiver of minimum charges, the owner of such property shall agree to relinquish any and all rights to the tap. If in the event the owner of the property would later request service to the discontinued tap, he shall be required to reapply for a new tap and be charged the current permit and tap charges. All cost will be borne by the owner of such property.
(i) Each industry discharging to the sanitary sewer system shall have completed and filed with the City an Industrial Waste Questionnaire containing pertinent information as to quality of flow, characteristics of discharged wastewater, etc., New Industries shall file a fully executed questionnaire with the City prior to being issued a sewer permit.
(j) When a premises is supplied either in whole or in part with water from wells or any source other than a public water supply, such well or source of supply shall be registered in writing with the Department. The owner of the premises shall install and maintain at his expense, a meter acceptable to the Department on all such supplies, and the quantity of water used to determine the service charges shall be the quantity as measured by the meter. If the meter is not installed within six months from the date of notification in writing by the Commission, the owner or other users of the premises shall be billed double the minimum charge.
(k) Where an auxiliary meter is required for the proper determination of water subject to the service charges, such meter shall be installed only after approval has been granted by the Director. Such meter shall be installed, owned and maintained by the property owner. Venturi meters, flumes, weirs and other methods of measuring flow shall be used only when authorized by the Director. Meters which will be approved are as follows:
(1) Meters purchased from the Department.
(2) Meters equal or similar to subsection (k)(1) hereof, purchased elsewhere and tested by the Department.
(3) Crest or turbine type meters of two-inch size and over, to be used where it is established the particular meter is under full head at all times; provided such meters are tested and approved for large constant flows by the Department.
(4) Existing private meters now in place, may be continued in use on a conditional basis. If such meters are suspected of faulty registration, they are subject to a test, when so ordered by the Director.
Other meters shall be tested by the manufacturer of the meter and a certificate of the test shall be furnished to the Director. Such meters shall not be used without the written approval of the Director.
It is understood that where an auxiliary meter has been installed, such meter shall not be removed without the approval of the Director.
(l) All meters shall be installed in accordance with the standards, rules and regulations of the Department.
Where private meters are used on wells, or in an industrial water distribution system, and such meters are set behind the primary water supply meter, the aforementioned standards, rules and regulations may be modified or waived by the Director.
(m) Fire protection service branches shall be exempt from all service charges except for water used for purposes other than fire protection and basic fireline service fees.
(n) Where a sanitary or combined sewer in the area served by the City is available to any lot, parcel of land, building or premises which is improved, it is a conclusive presumption that wastewater from such lot, parcel of land, building or premises which is improved is discharged into such sewer, and the owner shall be billed the service charges as provided herein. Any lot, parcel of land, building or premises abutting a street, alley or easement in which there is a public sanitary or combined sewer shall be deemed to have available access to a sanitary sewer, and the owner or other users of such real property shall connect to the sewer within six months from the date the owner is notified in writing by the Commission that the sewer is made available for use to their property. In the event the owner or other users of the real property are not connected on such date, the minimum charge specified under subsection (b) hereof shall be imposed upon the property.
(Ord. 2017-09. Passed 3-27-17.)