(a) Cubic Foot Rates. The minimum charge for water services supplied by the City within the City limits shall be for 0 - 1000 cubic feet per quarter or 0 - 300 cubic feet per month. Each 100 cubic feet after the minimum will be billed according to Ordinance No. 20-1992.
(b) Payment; Computation. When there is a rate increase, quarterly bills shall be equitably calculated on the basis of two-thirds at the old rates and one-third at the new rates; next quarterly bills shall be calculated at two-thirds new rates, one-third old rates. Quarterly bills thereafter shall be calculated at the new rates. Monthly bills shall be billed at the new rates.
(c) Minimum Charges. Minimum charges for water service supplied by the City within the City limits shall be based on the size of the meter used:
Meter Size (Inches) |
5/8 |
3/4 |
1 and 1 1/4 |
1 ½ |
2 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
(d) Billing; Payment. Water bills shall ordinarily be payable at intervals of three months, but the Director of Public Service shall be authorized to provide, in special cases or in certain classes of accounts, for payment for shorter intervals. Water bills shall be paid on or before the dates stated on the bill. The Director may grant an extension of time for payment not to exceed forty-five days from the due date without penalty in cases of indigency, relief and similar conditions after investigation. Partial payments may be accepted but bills shall be paid in full before the expiration of the forty-five day period.
(e) Delinquent Payments. When a water bill has not been paid by the date stated on the original bill, a delinquent notice shall be sent adding a penalty of ten percent (10%) to the water charge. If payment is not made, a shut off bill shall be prepared. If the same is not paid within the time stated on the bill, a shut off notice will be delivered to the address with an additional fee set by the Director of Service. If the bill is not paid in full at City Hall on or before the shut off date, water shall be shut off immediately with the additional shut off fee set by the Director of Service and added to the bill. It shall not be turned on again until all charges due and payable including advance charges, if any, are fully paid. This section shall apply whether or not there has been in the meantime a change of ownership or possession of the premises supplied.
(f) Owner’s Liability for Charges. Any owner of real estate premises installing or maintaining water service connections shall be considered as accepting the provisions of all lawful rules and regulations of the Water Department and as agreeing, in particular, to be liable for all water and service charges for such premises whether the accounts for such premises are carried in the name of tenants or other persons.
(g) Fire Services Branches for Private Premises; Charges. A quarterly charge shall be made for each fire service branch servicing private premises within or outside of the City, based on the size at the main. These charges shall apply in all cases where water is available at the intake cock. There shall be no charge for water used from a fire service branch for fire protection.
(h) Seal; Charges. When a fire service branch has outlets, such as fire hydrants or fire hose outlets, not on an alarm system, the outlet shall be sealed. The seal shall not be broken except when necessary for fire protection, fire prevention or firefighting purposes. When such a seal is found to have been broken, otherwise than for any fire protection, fire prevention or firefighting purpose, a charge of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall be made for resealing, and such charge shall be collected by the Water Department by placing same on the regular water bills.
(i) Water Service Deposit. A deposit for water service shall be required from owners of restaurants, laundromats, car washes, and other businesses and residences.
(j) Service Charges. The following rates for isolated water use shall be as follows:
(1) Frozen or damaged meter.
Meter Size (Inches) | |
5/8 | $70.00 |
3/4 | 105.00 |
1 | 125.00 |
(k) Payments Required for Service Initiation or Repair. The charges contained in subsections (i) and (j) shall be paid prior to the initiation and/or repair of any water service.
(Ord. 4-1999. Passed 1-12-99.)