(A) For the purpose of providing funds for the city’s wells, water treatment, water storage and water distribution systems, and the plant and facilities connected therewith, and the payment of capital charges represented by bonds, certificates of indebtedness or otherwise, which may be used to finance the costs of additions or expansions to the facilities and the payment of reasonable requirements or reserves for replacement in obsolescence thereof, there is hereby imposed upon each lot, parcel of land, building or premises having any connection with the city’s water system, a water availability charge (WAC), as hereinafter provided.
(B) Properties in the city that are improved and have water-consuming plumbing facilities and that abut upon streets or other places where water mains are located are subject to the water availability charge provided for in this section. The water availability charge shall be imposed in addition to the user charges for water service and shall be determined and administered as follows.
(1) The water availability charge must be paid prior to the issuance of an applicable permit and before connecting to the city’s water system.
(2) If, after the initial water availability charge is paid, an additional building permit is issued, the use of the property changes or a new water connection is made, the water availability charge will be recalculated and any additional charges must be paid.
(3) The unit charge multiplier for the water availability charge shall be set forth from time to time by resolution of the City Council.
(C) The amount of the water availability charge for a particular property shall be calculated by first determining the number of equivalent residential connections (ERCs) applicable to the property. The number of ERCs shall be determined by using the most current Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Sewer Availability Procedure Manual. The number of ERCs for a use not represented in the procedure manual shall be decided by the city engineer based on estimated flows. Once the number of ERCs are determined, the water availability charge for the property shall be calculated by multiplying the number of ERCs for the property by the water availability unit charge.
(D) Accounts will be kept, bills will be rendered and collected, and charges will be made for delinquent accounts in accordance with the procedures applicable to charges for municipal water.
(Prior Code, § 715.61) (Ord. 2008-09, passed 8-6-2008)