The following schedules of rates, charges and fees are hereby fixed and determined as the Rates, charges and fees to be charged to customers of the System throughout the entire territory served.
(a) Establishing and Fixing Rates. Charges and delayed Penalty Charges. The following schedules of rates, charges and delayed penalty charges are hereby fixed and determined as the rates, charges and delayed penalty charges to be billed to consumers of the water works system of the City throughout the entire territory served.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Rules and Regulations for the Government of Water Utilities, adopted by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia, and now in effect, and all amendments thereto and modifications thereof hereafter made by said Commission.
SCHEDULE 1
APPLICABILITY
Service in entire territory.
AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE
Available for general domestic, commercial and industrial service.
RATES
Minimum Customer Charge
No bill will be rendered for less than the following amounts, according to the size of meter installed:
**Effective July 1, 2022**
Meter Size (inches) Charge Per Month 5/8 and 3/4 $10.75 1 $20.00 1 - 1/2 $25.00 2 $35.00 3 $55.00 4 $80.00 6 $150.00 |
**Effective July 1, 2023**
Meter Size (inches) Charge Per Month 5/8 and 3/4 $11.00 1 $20.00 1 - 1/2 $25.00 2 $35.00 3 $55.00 4 $80.00 6 $150.00 |
**Effective July 1, 2024**
Meter Size (inches) Charge Per Month 5/8 and 3/4 $11.25 1 $20.00 1 - 1/2 $25.00 2 $35.00 3 $55.00 4 $80.00 6 $150.00 |
Volume Charge (in addition to the Minimum Charge)
In addition to the Minimum Customer Charge, each customer shall pay, for all gallons used per month, as follows:
Volume Charge Effective Date $5.57 per 1,000 gallons July 1, 2022 $5.70 per 1,000 gallons July 1, 2023 $5.82 per 1,000 gallons July 1, 2024 |
DELAYED PAYMENT PENALTY
The above schedule is net. On all accounts not paid on or before the twentieth (20th) day after the billing date, ten percent (10%) shall be added to the net amount shown. This delayed payment penalty is not interest and will only be collected once for each bill where it is appropriate.
SCHEDULE 2
**Effective July 1, 2022**
APPLICABILITY
Service in entire area.
AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE
Available for private fire protection water supply.
RATES
Hydrants (service connection Size in inches) Charge Per Month (each) 4 $13.00 6 $30.00 8 or larger $53.00 Sprinkler Systems (service connection Size in inches) Charge Per Month (each) 4 or smaller $21.00 6 $47.00 8 or larger $84.00 |
DELAYED PAYMENT PENALTY
The above schedule is net. On all current usage billings not paid in full by the latest pay date, which shall be no sooner than the twentieth day following the date Utility Board mails the bill, ten percent (10% ) shall be added to the net current amount unpaid. This delayed payment penalty is not interest and is to be collected only once for each bill where it is appropriate.
SCHEDULE 3
**Effective July 1, 2022**
APPLICABILITY
Applicable in entire territory served.
AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE
Available for general domestic, commercial and industrial service.
FEES AND OTHER RATES
Connection Fee
One inch and smaller
The connection fee shall be three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) for each new water service line one inch and smaller, and shall include the tap of the main line, the service line from the main to the property line or curb stop and the meter installation including the meter pit or vault.
Connection Fee
Larger than one inch
For service lines larger than one inch, the fee shall be the actual cost of the installation, and shall include the tap of the main, the service line from the main to the property line and the meter installation including the meter pit or vault. Upon receipt of an application for a service connection larger than one inch, the utility will provide an estimate of actual cost, which amount must be deposited by the applicant in advance of the installation, a final settlement of the actual installation cost will be prepared and submitted for payment to the applicant. The amount of payment due will be reduced by the amount of the advance deposit. In the event of an excess in the amount deposited over the actual installation cost, the amount of excess will be promptly refunded to the applicant.
Reconnection Fee
Whenever the supply of water to any customer is turned off for violation of rules and regulations, nonpayment of bill or fraudulent use of water, there shall be a twenty five dollar ($25.00) charge for re-established service.
Administrative Fee
Whenever the supply of water to any customer is scheduled to be turned off for nonpayment of bill and such customer chooses to make payment in the field, instead of by the proper methods of payment, that customer shall be assessed a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) charge.
Returned Check Fee
A service fee of twenty-four dollars ($24.00) shall be charged for each check returned for insufficient funds.
Damaged Meter Fee
Whenever a meter is damaged due to inclement weather and the customer has been negligent in maintaining adequate temperatures to prevent the meter from freezing the customer shall be assessed a fee no less than the cost of said meter such fee is to be paid prior to service being restored.
Water Theft and Property Damage
No person, other than Board personnel, shall enter into a meter pit, turn water service on or off, break seals or locks, or disconnect meters, unless the Board has specifically authorized that person in writing to do so. If any person takes such action without Board authorization, that person will be liable for any damages that may result from that action.
State law prohibits the unauthorized use of water and tampering with or damaging of utility facilities/property. Accordingly, the Board reserves the right to notify local law enforcement and/or the prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction of any instance of unauthorized use of water or tampering with or damaging utility property.
Cost and charges, including estimates of usage stolen, will be assessed to persons who engage in water theft. The Board may pursue remedies available at law. Water theft may also result in the immediate termination of service.
Leak Adjustment Rate
An incremental charge of seventy-one cents ($0. 71) per 1,000 gallons shall be charged for water usage if the water leak is eligible under the (i) Public Service Commission's rules for leaks on the customer's side of the meter, and (ii) Board's water leak adjustment policy.
Hydrant Meter Deposit
A deposit of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) shall be charged for each water meter provided a customer requesting temporary water service from a fire hydrant for construction or other use approved by the Utility Board staff. Following the return of the hydrant meter, all final charges for water usage and any meter damage will be deducted from the deposit amount and the balance refunded to the customer. If charges exceed the amount deposited, the customer will be billed for the remaining balance.
Customer Deposit
All new applicants for residential or other water service may be required to deposit (i) a minimum of fifty dollars ($50.00), or (ii) two-twelfths (2/12) of the annual estimated charge for water service, whichever is greater.
All new applicants for residential or other combined water and sewer service may be required to deposit (i) a minimum of one hundred dollars ($100.00), or (ii) two-twelfths (2/12) of the annual estimated charge for each service, whichever is greater. (Ord. O-1696. Passed 11-9-21.)
CHAPTER FIVE - Additional Public Services