(a) A minimum quarterly charge shall be assessed against each premises connected to the water system by a service connection, if such premises is capable of receiving and using water provided by the City, regardless of actual consumption, regardless whether the premises is occupied and, except as provided in Section 925.21, regardless of whether the water service is "on" or "off" at the City's curb stop. In addition to the minimum quarterly charge, a quarterly consumption charge shall be assessed at any premises where water consumption is in excess of 1,000 cubic feet in the billing quarter.
(b) The Director shall ensure that water meters are installed at each premises identified in Section 925.10(c)(1) that is receiving water service. The Director shall determine and implement a policy governing the circumstances under which separate meters shall be permitted or required for apartment dwellings, mobile homes, divided commercial spaces, or other locations amenable to separate metering, but not recognized as separate parcels of property. Where metered service is provided to such locations, the connection will be fitted with a curb stop accessible to the Division of Water, and for purposes of water billings, the location may be considered a separate premises. However, no such arrangement shall affect the owner's primary liability for water charges incurred at that premises. Except as provided in this subsection, and except in the case of a fire suppression connection, no premises shall be served by more than one service connection. No water services except fire suppression connections shall be unmetered.
(c) Meters shall be read on at least a quarterly basis. Customers shall receive bills no less than quarterly, reporting actual water consumption at the premises. Where weather, mechanical malfunction, or other causes prevent the Director from providing quarterly bills based on actual consumption, estimated bills may be rendered. Estimated bills shall be trued-up at the next actual reading.
(d) The owner of each premises served is primarily liable for the water charges incurred at such premises. Water service accounts shall be established only in the name of the owner of the premises. Upon request, the Director shall provide or send duplicate bills to the service address, if different from the billing address, and/or to any person or entity that undertakes to pay the water charges incurred at a particular premises (e.g., tenant, guardian, management company, etc.), but the owner's primary liability for water service charges shall not be affected by such an arrangement. (Ord. 2017-131. Passed 11-13-17.)
(e) The minimum quarterly charge and the quarterly consumption charge shall be determined annually by the Finance Director effective January 1st of each year, in conformance with the requirements of Ord No. 1998-25, passed February 23, 1998, Ord. No. 2005-83, passed June 27, 2005, and Ord. No. 2021-155, passed November 8, 2021. Water rates determined by the Finance Director shall be certified to the Council prior to taking effect, and shall be kept publicly available on the City's website and at such other locations as determined by the Finance Director. (Ord. 2021-155. Passed 11-8-21.)
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (e) hereof, the minimum quarterly charge for any single-family detached dwelling shall be based upon the charge associated with a standard residential (nominal 5/8") meter, provided that no other buildings or premises are served by the water service line serving the home.
(Ord. 2017-131. Passed 11-13-17.)