(A) For the use and service rendered by the sewage works, sewer charges shall be collected from the person who owns each and every parcel of real estate that is connected directly or indirectly to the city’s sewage system or otherwise discharges wastewater either directly or indirectly into the sewage system of the city, which sewer charges shall be payable as provided below:
(1) Monthly fee based on meter size.
Meter Size | Base Rate |
5/8 inch meter | $10.50 |
1 inch meter | 24.60 |
1¼ - 1½ inch meter | 48.10 |
2 inch meter | 95.10 |
3 inch meter | 217.30 |
4 inch meter | 377.10 |
6 inch meter | 856.50 |
8 inch meter | 1,523.90 |
10 inch meter | 2,379.30 |
(2) Plus, the following flow charges:
Consumption per Month | Rate per 1,000 Gallons | |
All users (other than Waupaca, Cannelton and Troy) | $8.95 | |
Phase I | Phase II | |
Waupaca | $5.00 | $3.65 |
Wholesale - Cannelton | $2.77 | $3.25 |
Wholesale - Troy | $2.77 | $3.25 |
Phase I rates shall become effective upon passage of this section. Phase II rates shall become effective and apply to usage in March of 2019 and appear in billings in April of 2019.
(B) There shall be and are hereby established for use of sewage treatment and collection services the following excessive strength surcharges:
(1) Excessive strength surcharges. Normal sewage domestic waste strength should not exceed a biochemical oxygen demand (“BOD”) of 275 milligrams per liter of fluid, chemical oxygen demand (“COD”), where BOD cannot be determined, of 550 milligrams per liter of fluid or suspended solids (“SS”) in excess of 275 milligrams per liter of fluid. Additional charges for treating stronger-than-normal domestic waste shall be made on the following basis:
Excess Strength Surcharges | Rate Per Pound |
BOD (in excess of 275 mg/l) | $0.28 |
COD where BOD cannot be determined (in excess of 550 mg/l) | 0.28 |
SS (in excess of 275 mg/l) | 0.28 |
(C) For all property outside the corporate limits of the city, the ratepayers for such property shall also pay a surcharge of 15% with the surcharge being applied to the total monthly bill of such ratepayer.
(D) In the event two or more dwelling units such as trailers, apartments or housekeeping rooms discharging sanitary sewage, water or other liquids into city’s sanitary sewage system, either directly or indirectly, are users of water and the quantity of water is measured by a single water meter, then in that case, for billing purposes, the quantity of water used shall be the total quantity of water measured by the meter. Separate bills will not be issued for each unit. (One bill per meter will be issued).
(E) (1) A Wastewater Adjustment Committee (“Committee”) shall be established with the following members: Mayor, Wastewater Representative and a Council Member who will review and make determinations on any wastewater adjustment request. The Mayor will designate the Wastewater Representative and the Council Member to serve on the Committee.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the “Summer Season” shall be defined as May 1 through August 31.
(3) A wastewater adjustment request may be submitted for the following occurrences:
(a) In the case of excessive water usage for filling swimming pools, one filling event per season, unless the user can prove the pool required draining for repair and was refilled during the summer season, may be granted an adjustment for the summer season if the usage is more than 20% above their average monthly usage based on the period of time from January through March of the current year. User must substantiate to the Committee that all or a portion of all excess water usage did not and cannot enter the wastewater system.
(b) In the case of excessive water usage for watering gardens, lawns, or irrigation/sprinkling systems, may be granted an adjustment for the summer season with one request if the usage is more than 20% above their average monthly usage based on the period of time from January through March of the current year. User must substantiate to the Committee that all or a portion of excess water usage did not and cannot enter the wastewater system.
(c) In the case of excessive water usage from a leak, an equipment malfunction or failure, or other extraordinary event, an adjustment may be granted if the usage is more than 20% above their average monthly usage, based on the immediate previous three month period of time. User must substantiate to the Committee that all or a portion of the excess water usage did not and cannot enter the wastewater system. The Committee shall determine the appropriate wastewater charge and may approve a payment plan and adjust penalties to assist in facilitating the payment of the usage.
(d) In the case of a commercial or industrial user, an adjustment may be granted only if flow- meter measurement equipment is utilized to substantiate to the Committee that all or a portion of the excess water usage did not and cannot enter the wastewater system.
(4) Flow-meter measurement equipment is required for commercial and industrial users, as set forth in division (E)(3)(d). It may be installed at the option of other users for the purpose of this section. The equipment must be maintained in serviceable condition at user’s expense. The city and Wastewater Department strongly recommend the equipment be installed by a licensed plumber. City Wastewater Department personnel shall have the right to access the flow-meter measurement equipment at all times in order to verify the accuracy of the equipment.
(5) A detailed report will be provided to the Board of Public Works and Safety, who shall retain the authority to recommend or modify any action deemed appropriate.
(6) Payment due dates and normal penalties still apply to the user. Any adjustment made to the billed amount will appear on a future billing cycle based on the Committee’s recommendation.
(F) The sewer charges may be billed to the tenants occupying the premises served, unless otherwise instructed in writing by the person who owns the premises. The billings shall in no way relieve the owner of liability in the event payment is not made as herein required. The owners of the premises served which are occupied by tenants shall have the right to examine the collection records of the city for the purpose of determining whether the sewer charges have been paid by the tenants; provided that the examination shall be made at the office at which the records are kept and during the hours that the office is open for business.
(G) For the service rendered to any department or agency of the city except the Sewer Department, the city shall be subject to the sewer charges provided herein.
(H) Such rates and charges shall be prepared, billed and collected by the city in the manner provided by law and ordinance.
(1) Sewer billings and invoices shall be rendered and collected monthly.
(2) The Board may, on proper cause being shown by the applicant that in a singular occurrence metered water did not reach the sewerage system, adjust the user’s sewer charge with respect to the occurrence.
(I) (1) The owner of any lot, parcel of real estate or building connecting to the sewage works shall, prior to being permitted to make a connection, pay a charge for connection known as the “Sewage Treatment Capacity Fee” as follows:
(a) Inside city corporate limits: $1,500
(b) Outside city corporate limits: $1,725
(2) The above Sewage Treatment Capacity Fees shall increase annually by 2%, beginning January 1, 2019 and thereafter on each January 1. In addition, each connection shall be subject to inspection and shall be charged an inspection fee of $15.
(J) As is provided by statute, all rates and charges not paid when due are hereby declared to be delinquent and a penalty of 10% of the amount of the rates or charges shall thereupon attach thereto. The time at which such rates shall be paid is now fixed at 15 days after the date of mailing of the bill.
(K) In the event that it is necessary to institute any proceedings to collect any past due amount, then the owner of the property shall be responsible for all collection costs, fees, reasonable attorney fees, court costs or other expenses incurred by the city.
(L) The fees for the services rendered by the said sewage works are hereby found to be just, equitable, and required to maintain the said sewage works in the sound physical and financial condition necessary to render adequate and efficient services, and based upon the rate study.
(M) In order that the rates and charges for sewage services may remain fair and equitable and be in proportion to the cost of providing services to the various users or user classes, the city shall cause a study to be made and presented to the Common Council so that the rates and charges of the city’s sewage works are reviewed and revised, if necessary. The city will cause such study to be made at least every three years.
(Ord. 1136, passed 2-19-2018; Am. Ord. 1145, passed 6-4-2018; Am. Ord. 1147, passed 8-6-2018)