Rates charged shall be as follows.
(A) The charges for basic service, new connections to and increased utilization of existing connections shall all be based upon a unit of service which shall be termed a residential equivalent. For the purpose of this chapter the residential equivalent shall be defined as that service necessary to transport, treat and dispose of an amount of wastewater equal in quantity and quality to the daily amount which can be expected to be discharged from an average single-family residence in the area. In terms of quantity, a residential equivalent shall be any amount from a single connection up to a maximum of 415 gallons per day. In terms of quality, a residential equivalent shall be wastewater which shall not require more treatment than is required for ordinary domestic sewage with a BOD5 equal to 250 mg/l. In the event that the discharge of wastewater through any connection exceeds the above definition of a residential equivalent in either quantity or quality, then the connection shall be charged a basic service charge equal to the established basic charge for a single residential equivalent times the number of residential equivalents contained in the discharge. The Superintendent shall determine the number of residential equivalents for each connection. In the event that the discharger has reason to believe that the number of residential equivalents calculated by the Superintendent are not accurate, the Superintendent shall investigate the connection and make a separate determination of the number of residential equivalents contained in the discharge and report to the City Council who will set the service charge accordingly.
(B) The charge for basic service shall be $4.50 per month for each residential equivalent or portion thereof except that mobile homes shall be charged $3.60 per month.
(C) In the event that a connection shall discharge wastewater to the system in amounts that vary substantially from season to season, then the connection shall pay a basic service charge for the entire year based upon the period of greatest discharge and no reduction shall be allowed for periods of decreased flow.
(D) The minimum service charge shall be that amount established for a residential equivalent in division (B) of this section, except in the case of mobile homes which may be charged an amount less than the basic charge.
(E) Any new connection to the sewer system of the city shall pay a connection charge as set forth in division (F) of this section, plus actual cost to the city for any construction work, materials, meter or other appurtenances furnished by the city in making the connection.
(F) The connection charge which shall be considered to be a partial payment for a proportionate part of the existing facilities shall be according to the following schedule:
(1) Single-family residence: $200 per connection;
(2) Multiple-family residence consisting of two units: $175 per unit;
(3) Multiple-family residence consisting of three or more units: $150 per unit; and
(4) Commercial or industrial connection: The charge shall he or she determined by the future resolution of the City Council acting on the written report and recommendation of the Superintendent. The basic factor to be considered shall be the proportionate contribution that the subject connection will discharge to the sewer facilities in terms of flow and BOD. However, in no event shall the connection charge be less than $200.
(G) Whenever any user already connected to the sewer system of the city shall make a change in the operations conducted on the property, which will result in a significant increase in the amount of capacity required to service the connection, the monthly charge shall be equal to the then current basic service charge times the number of residential equivalents of increased use.
(H) In any case where the volume and/or quality of flow may be in doubt, the city may require that the flow be metered to determine volume and/or sampled from time to time to determine quality.
(I) The rates fixed by this chapter may, from time to time, be modified by resolution of the City Council.
(1994 Code, § 13.20.130) (Ord. 78-105, passed - -1978)
Editor's note:
This section is currently undergoing review and revision by the city