(a) Fees. Rates and tap fees are set by the Safety-Service Director.
(b) Billing. The City will bill for water and wastewater service monthly.
(c) Water Service Availability Charge (W.S.A.C.). This service charge shall apply to all customers having access to the City water utility. This service charge shall include the first 400 cu.ft. of water as a minimum. The W.S.A.C. for all meter sizes shall change when there is an increase in the block rate schedule and shall reflect the same amount of percent increase.
Each meter size is assigned a capacity factor based on the American Water Works Association's maximum flow criteria. The meter size and the capacity factors are shown in the following table:
METER SIZE | CAPACITY FACTOR |
5/8" & 3/4" | 1.00 |
1" | 2.50 |
1 ½" | 5.00 |
2" | 8.00 |
3" | 16.75 |
4" | 27.50 |
6" | 56.25 |
8" | 85.00 |
10" | 130.00 |
These factors will be applied using the 5/8 and 3/4 inch meter size as the basis. (400 cu.ft. times the base block water rate).
These service charges are in addition to the consumption charges based on the block rate schedule.
(d) Minimum Charge Per Billing Period or Part Thereof. The minimum charge per single unit for any billing period or part thereof shall in no event be less than the water service availability charge (WSAC) per billing cycle.
When the City's water supply 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.
(e) Multi-units. The minimum charge for multi-units shall be based on the water service availability charge for a 5/8" - 3/4" meter, times the number of units.
(f) 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.
(g) 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%).
(h) Responsibility of Payment of Bills. The property owner of record of the real estate to which water 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 water bills shall be assessed as a tax lien against the property involved, collectible according to law.
(Ord. 2017-09. Passed 3-27-17.)
(i) Waiver of Minimum Charges. An owner may request a waiver of the minimum charges upon written request to the Director. The request may be granted on unimproved lots and lots with vacant buildings where no consumption or availability for consumption exists.
(1) Any consumption within a billing period will establish the need to charge the account the minimum of the W.S.A.C. which is currently in effect.
(2) Where there has been no consumption, the meter removed and the owner or person in control of the property has requested a waiver, the W.S.A.C. will be waived. In effect access to the City water and wastewater service is discontinued and no charge will be levied against the account. A one-time fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) will be charged prior to disconnection which covers removing the meter and reinstalling the meter when water and wastewater service is resumed.
(3) In the event that access to the City utilities are requested and an increased service tap is required, the current tap fee for the requested service will be administered.
(Ord. 2023-25. Passed 6-26-23.)
(j) Fire Protection. For all premises that are required to have a fire system that system will be supplied with water through a dedicated separate fire line from the City main line to the premises. The consumer shall install at his expense subject to the City's inspection and approval, all of the required piping system and backflow equipment.
(1) All separate fire service lines shall be required to install all backflow equipment in an approved vault within public right-of-way or as directed by the Director. Fire line backflow equipment (D.C.D.A.) shall be equipped with a by pass meter that is plumbed to detect any loss or usage of water from the fire system.
(2) There will be no charge for water that has been used for fire fighting purposes.
(3) Combination fire and domestic water systems are prohibited by the City of Mount Vernon with the following exception:
If the size of the combined lines is to be 2" (inches) in diameter or less and serves three (3) or fewer fire suppression outlets.
(4) A fire protection system shall be defined as a separate piping system to which are connected one or more of the following fire protection devices or equipment; including but not limited to fire hose, hydrants, sprinklers, fire or booster pumps, elevated storage tanks or other equipment or devices usually considered as fire protective equipment.
(k) Direct Sales to Tank Trucks. Direct metered sales from Utility water main will be made to tank trucks; the location, time and hour to be specified by the Water Department.
(Ord. 2017-09. Passed 3-27-17.)