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(A) Within the city limits. Water main extensions to areas within the city limits not presently served with water shall be installed under procedures to be established by the City Council. Subdividers for newly partitioned properties will assume all costs of main extensions with the approval of the City Council.
(B) Outside the city limits. Water mains outside the city limits shall be extended only at the expense of the customers served. The main extensions shall become the property of the Water Department at the time installed. The City Council shall determine the size of the main extensions and all extensions shall be of a suitable material approved by the City Council. Extensions outside the city limits shall be installed by the Water Department or by contractors approved by the Water Department. The installation procedures and materials used shall be in accordance with the city and the State of Oregon standards.
(C) Locations of extensions. The Water Department will make water main extensions only on rights-of-way, easements or publicly-owned property. Easements or permits secured for main extensions shall be obtained in the name of the City of Union, along with all rights and title to the main at the time the service is provided to the customers paying for the extension.
(Ord. 421, passed 5-30-1990)
(A) Definition. The SERVICE CONNECTION shall be that part of the water distribution system which connects the meter to the main and shall normally consist of corporation stop, service pipe, curb stop and box, meter, meter yoke and meter box. The CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE shall be that part of the piping on the customer’s property that connects the service to the customer’s distribution system.
(B) Ownership, installation and maintenance. The Water Department shall own, install and maintain all services and installation and maintenance shall only be performed by authorized employees of the Water Department. The customer shall own, install and maintain the customer service line.
(C) Service connection charge. At the time the applicant files for service where no service previously existed, or if he or she is filing for a change in service size or location, he or she shall submit with his or her application the service connection charge. This charge shall be in addition to the actual cost to the Water Department for installing the service from the main to, and including, the meter and the meter housing. The service connection charge shall be as determined by the City Council in the current published water rate schedule.
(D) Size of service. The Water Department will furnish and install a service of such size and at the locations as the applicant requests, provided the requests are reasonable and that the size requested is one that is listed by the Water Department. The minimum size of service shall be three-fourths inch. The Water Department may refuse to install a service line which is undersized or oversized as determined by a study and report of the Administrator to the City Council.
(E) Changes in service size. Permanent changes in the size of the service line requested by the customer shall be paid by the customer on the basis of actual cost to the Water Department for making the change.
(F) Length of service. Where the main is in a public right-of-way, the meter will be placed at the right-of-way line nearest the property to be served provided the length of service line does not exceed the width of the right-of-way. Where the main is on an easement of publicly-owned property other than designated rights-of-way, the services shall be installed to the boundary of the easement or public property by the Water Department.
(G) Joint service connections. The Water Department may, at its option, serve two or more premises with one connection. On new service connections, the inside diameter of the joint lines shall be sufficient to provide a carrying capacity of not less than the combined capacity of individual service lines of the same size as the meters installed. Service extensions from an existing service to other occupancies or ownerships than that for which the existing service was intended shall not be permitted nor shall separate residences be permitted to receive service through one meter except under special considerations approved by the City Council.
(H) Number of service connections on premises. The owner of a single parcel of property may apply for and receive as many services as he or she and his or her tenants may require, provided his or her application or applications meet the requirements of the policies, rules and regulations.
(I) Standby fire protection service connections.
(1) Purpose. Standby fire protection service connections of two-inch size and larger will be installed only if adequate provisions are made to prevent the use of water from the services for purposes other than fire extinguishing. Sealed fire sprinkler systems with water-operated alarms shall be considered as having the provisions. The Water Department may require that a suitable detector check meter be installed in the standby fire protection service connections, to which hose lines or hydrants are connected. All piping on the customer’s premises shall be installed in accordance with the Plumbing Code of the State of Oregon.
(2) Charges for service. Charges for standby fire protection service will be stated in the published water rate schedule. No charge will be made for water used in the standby fire protection services to extinguish accidental fires or for routine testing of the fire protection system. The customers shall pay the full cost of the standby protection service connection, any required detector check meters and any required special water meter installed for the service to the standby connection.
(3) Violations of regulations. If water is used from a standby pipe connection service in violation of these regulations, an estimate of the amount used will be computed by the Water Department. The customer shall pay for the water used at the regular rates, including the minimum charge based on the size of the service connection and subsequent bills rendered on the basis of the regular water rates.
(J) Fire service connections other than standby. A service having fire protection facilities on the premises and water for other purposes flowing through the same service connection shall be considered as an ordinary service and metered as such. All water used through that service, regardless of its use, will be charged at the regular rates.
(K) Temporary service connections. For water service of a temporary nature, applicants shall be required to pay in advance the estimated cost of installation and removal of metering equipment and materials, plus a reasonable depreciation charge for the use of equipment and material furnished by the Water Department. The applicant shall also pay his or her water bill in advance and based on an estimate of the quantity to be used, or he or she shall otherwise establish satisfactory credit.
(1) Time limit. Temporary service connections shall be disconnected and terminated within six months after installation unless an extension of time is granted in writing by the Water Department.
(2) Charge for water served. Charges for water furnished through a temporary service connection shall be at the established rates set forth in the current water rate schedule.
(3) Installation charge and deposits. The applicant for temporary service will be required:
(a) To pay the Water Department, in advance, the estimated cost of installing and removing all facilities necessary to furnish each service;
(b) To deposit an amount sufficient to cover bills for water during the entire period the temporary service may be used, or to otherwise establish credit approved by the Water Department; and
(c) To deposit, with the utility, an amount equal to the value of any equipment loaned by the Water Department to the applicant under the terms of division (K)(4) below.
(4) Responsibility for meters and installation. The customer shall use all possible care to prevent damage to the meter or to any other loaned facilities of the Water Department. If the meter or other facilities are damaged, the cost of making repairs shall be deducted from the deposit fund. If the loaned materials are returned in satisfactory condition and all bills paid, the full amount of the equipment deposit will be returned to the temporary customer at the termination of service.
(L) Customer’s plumbing.
(1) Plumbing Code. The customer’s plumbing, which shall include the customer’s service line and all plumbing, piping, fixtures and other appurtenances carrying or intended to carry water, sewer or drainage, shall comply with the Plumbing Code of the State of Oregon.
(2) Control valves. Customers shall install a suitable control valve in the customer service line as close to the meter as possible, the operation of which will control the entire water supply to the premises served. In the event a customer’s service is discontinued for any reason, a control valve must be installed, if none exists, as provided by this section. It shall be a violation of these rules and regulations for the customer to operate, cause or permit unauthorized operation of the meter stop or any appurtenances on the service connection.
(Ord. 421, passed 5-30-1990) Penalty, see § 50.999
(A) Ownership. The Water Department will own and maintain all water meters. The Water Department will not pay rent or any other charge for a meter or other water facilities, including housing and connections on a customer’s premises.
(B) Installation. Installation of water meters shall be performed only by authorized employees of the Water Department. All meters shall be sealed by the Water Department at the time of installation, and no seal shall be altered or broken except by one of its authorized employees.
(C) The size and type of meter. Applicant may request and receive any size meter regularly stocked or furnished by the Water Department, provided the request is reasonable and further provided that the meter is not greatly oversized or undersized, as determined by the Water Superintendent. The Water Department reserves the right to determine the type of meter to be installed.
(D) Location of meters. Meters shall normally be placed at the curb or property lines. The meter will be installed wherever the applicant desires within reason, but the location must be approved by the Water Department. The meters will not be located in driveways or other locations where damage to the meter or its related parts may occur unless protective measures are undertaken.
(E) Joint use of meters. The joining of several customers to take advantage of the single minimum charges and large quantity rates shall be prohibited, except under special contract, in writing, with the City Council.
(F) Charges.
(1) Funds in excess of utility expenses. If revenues received from the imposition of water and sewer rates exceed expenses of the current operation, capital improvement costs and debt service for the water and sewer systems, the excess water and sewer revenues shall be held, respectively in the Water Reserve Fund and Sewer Reserve Fund, and the use of those funds shall be limited to the future maintenance, improvement and debt payment for the water and sewer systems, respectively.
(2) Water; residential equivalent unit.
(a) Except as provided following the chart below, the number of residential equivalent units (REUs) shall be determined by meter size, as follows:
Water Meter Size | Number of REUs | Allowable Consumption Included in Base Rate (Cubic Feet) | Base Water Rate Per Month | Base Sewer Rate Per Month |
¾-inch | 1 | 0 | $33 | $50 |
1-inch | 2 | 0 | $75 | $100 |
1½-inch | 4 | 0 | $150 | $200 |
2-inch | 8 | 0 | $250 | $400 |
3-inch | 16 | 0 | $400 | $800 |
(b) The number of residential equivalent units (REUs) for duplexes, triplexes, manufactured dwelling parks, multi-family dwelling and businesses with apartment where two or more dwelling units are served by a single meter, shall be the sum of the dwelling units served by that meter, irrespective of meter size.
(3) Water rates.
(a) All dwellings (REUs) using water from the City of Union will be required to have a three-fourths inch meter (or larger if required by special circumstances e.g., fire suppression system). The base rate water for residential service shall be $33 per month per residential equivalent unit (REU) as defined in this section, which base rate does not include charges for water usage.
(b) In addition to the base fee set forth in division (F)(3)(a), the first 1,000 cubic feet of water used per billing cycle shall be subject to a charge of $0.005 per cubic foot. Thereafter, water usage in excess of 1,000 cubic feet shall be charged at the rate of $0.0125 per cubic foot, except during the time frame from June 1 to October 1, during which time the first 2,000 cubic feet of water usage per billing cycle shall be charged $0.005 per cubic foot, and shall be charged $0.0125 per cubic foot used thereafter.
(4) Sewer rates.
(a) The residential equivalent unit (REU) for sewer is 725 cubic feet of effluent. Each additional REU used, such as by heavy industrial or commercial laundry use, for example, will be multiples of the REU rate similar to the water chart (division (F)(2)(a) above).
(b) The base rate for sewer service from the City of Union shall be $50 per month per residential equivalent unit (REU).
(c) Hotels, motels and RV parks will be charged one base rate for the business and pro-rated one-thirtieth per use day of rooms or hookups.
(5) Rates following disconnection.
(a) When water service to a lot, parcel, or unit has been disconnected, the account shall no longer be subject to the base rate, or to any maintenance or usage charges. Users disconnecting services will be responsible only for paying a disconnect fee (turn off) and for any water usage that has occurred since the last meter reading.
(b) Water or sewer service shall not be resumed without authorization from the City of Union, and the payment of any fees that may be due and owing, including a fee for resumption of service or re-connection.
(c) Any property with water and sewer services that has been disconnected for a period greater than or equal to three years, shall pay system development charges, if any such charges are enacted in the interim, to reconnect service to the system.
(6) Rates: use of water no sewer or sewer no water.
(a) Those accounts receiving city water service but no sewer service will pay the amounts owed for water service as set forth in division (F)(3) above.
(b) Those accounts receiving city sewer service will pay full rates for sewer service.
(7) Adjustments. For the purposes of this section, a 0% - 3.0% increase in the above rates in divisions (F)(3), (4), (5) and (6) above will be made yearly to keep the water and sewer rates current with the increased cost of living.
(a) A 1.5% increase will automatically go into effect on April 1 annually should Council fail to address the rates as set forth in division (F)(7)(b) below.
(b) The City Council shall review the current rate annually in January (but no later than March) and may increase rates as determined to be appropriate, but not to exceed 3.0%.
(c) In the event of an EMERGENCY, defined as a major loss to the water or sewer system, the need to respond to an unfunded mandate of the state or the federal government, an act of God, terrorism or vandalism, Council may adjust the rates appropriately.
(d) The City Council is further authorized to decrease sewer rates, water rates, or both, in the event the Council determines that such decrease will not reduce the current acceptable level of services.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, or any provision of any ordinance of the City of Union, the City Council is hereby authorized to set or amend all water and sewer rates, and system development charges, by resolution.
(8) Special circumstances and requirements. For any utility rates not expressly provided for in this section, including, but not limited to, utility hookup charges, standby fire rates and contract rates, the City Council retains the authority to set rates by resolution.
(G) Effective date of metered rates. The rates herein provided to be paid and collected shall be effective for all collection periods beginning on and after the date on which the City Council, by resolution, established the beginning of metered charges.
(Ord. 421, passed 5-30-1990; Ord. 508, passed 6-28-2007; Ord. 545, passed 11-10-2014; Ord. 563, passed 9-13-2021)
(A) Notices to customers. Notices from the Water Department to the customer will normally be given in writing and either mailed to or delivered to him or her at his or her last known address. Where conditions warrant and in emergencies, the Water Department may notify either by telephone or messenger.
(B) Notices from customers. Notices from the customer to the Water Department may be given by the customer or his or her authorized representative orally or in writing at the office of the Water Department in the City Hall or to an agent of the Water Department duly authorized to receive notices or complaints.
(Ord. 421, passed 5-30-1990)
(A) Meter readings. Meters will be read and customers billed on the basis of the meter reading to the nearest cubic foot. The Water Department will keep an accurate account on its books of all readings of meters and the account so kept shall be offered at all times, places and courts as prima facie evidence of the use of water service by the customer.
(B) Rendering of bills.
(1) Billing period. All meters shall be read and bills rendered therefore monthly, except during winter months as determined by the City Council.
(2) Bills for other than normal billing period. Opening or closing bills, or bills that for any other reason cover a period containing 10% more days or 10%less days than in the normal billing period shall be prorated.
(3) Bills for more than one meter. All meters supplying a customer’s premises shall be billed separately, except that where the Water Department has for operating purposes installed two or more meters in place of one, the reading may be combined for billing.
(C) Disputed bills. When a customer disputes the correctness of a bill, he or she shall deposit the amount of the disputed bill at the time the complaint is lodged, to preclude discontinuance of service pending final settlement of the bill or bills. Subsequent bills shall be paid or placed on deposit in a similar manner. Failure of the customer to make a deposit shall warrant discontinuance of service as provided under division (F) below.
(D) Failure to read meters. In the event that it shall be impossible or impractical to read a meter on the regular reading date, the water consumption shall be prorated on the basis of 30 days per month and the total water consumption for billing purposes for that period shall be estimated.
(E) Payment of bills. Water bills shall be due and payable when rendered. Any account for which the bill is not paid is full during the month shall be considered delinquent.
(F) Delinquent accounts.
(1) Past due billing. Any amount due on a delinquent account shall be listed as “Previous Balance” on the next month’s billing statement.
(2) Turn-off notice. About a week before the due date, a turn-off notice will be sent to any customer who has not paid the “Previous Balance” listed on the billing statement. The notice shall state a date on which water will be turned off if delinquent account is not paid in full prior thereto.
(3) Service turn-off. On the turn-off date, the meter reader or other agent of the City of Union shall deliver a written notice to the customer stating that the water service is being turned off until all current and delinquent amounts have been paid. The meter reader or other agent of the city shall immediately thereafter turn-off the service. A delivery to the premises served by the meter shall be considered a delivery to the customer.
(4) Service charge. In all instances where water has been turned off because of delinquent accounts, a $10 service charge shall be made for the restoration of services and replacement of cash deposit as stated in division (F)(2) above, will be required.
(G) Installment payments of delinquent accounts. In cases of extreme hardship, the City Recorder shall have the discretion of renewing service to a delinquent account upon receipt of a satisfactory installment plan for the payment of the overdue amount. The plan shall be in writing and the installment period shall not exceed the period of time the account was delinquent.
(H) Water charge liens. Water service charges shall be a lien against the premises served from and after the date of billing and entry on the ledger or other records of the city pertaining to its water system, and the ledger, records or other records shall remain accessible for inspection by anyone interested in ascertaining the amount of the charges against the property. Whenever a bill for water service remains unpaid 90 days after it has been rendered, the lien thereby created may be foreclosed in the manner provided for by Oregon Revised Statutes, or in any other manner provided for by law or city ordinance.
(Ord. 421, passed 5-30-1990)
(A) Meter accuracy. All meters will be tested prior to installation. No meter will be placed in service or allowed to remain in service which is known to have an error in registration in excess of 2% under conditions of normal operation.
(B) Meter test.
(1) Standard test. Meter tests will be conducted in accordance with standards of practice established by the American Water Works Association.
(2) On customer request. A customer may, giving not less than seven days’ notice, request the Water Department to test the meter servicing his or her premises. The Water Department will require the customer to deposit the testing fee. This fee shall be $10 for meters three-fourths inch and smaller, and for meters larger than three-fourths inch shall be an estimate of the cost of testing the meter as determined by the Water Superintendent. The deposit will be returned to the customer if the test reveals the meter to over-register more than 2% under the standard test conditions; otherwise, the deposit shall be retained by the Water Department. Customers may, at their option, witness any meter tests which they request.
(3) On Water Department request. If, upon comparison with past water usage, it appears that a meter is not registering properly, the Water Department may, at its option, test the meter and adjust the charges accordingly if the meter either over-registers or under-registers. No charge for meter testing will be made to the customer for the meter test under these conditions.
(C) Adjustments of bill for meter error.
(1) No credits or debits. No credits or debits will be borne by the city or the customer should the tested meter show variance high or low, from the accuracy defined in § 50.072(A).
(2) Non-registering meters. The Water Department will bill the customer for water consumed while the meter was not registering. The bill will be computed upon an estimate of consumption based either upon the customer’s prior use during the same season of the year, or upon a reasonable comparison with the use of other customers receiving the same class of service during the same season and under similar circumstances and conditions.
(Ord. 421, passed 5-30-1990) Penalty, see § 50.999
(A) On customer request. Each customer about to vacate any premises supplied with water service by the Water Department shall give the Water Department written notice of his or her intentions at least two days prior thereto, specifying the date service is to be discontinued; otherwise, he or she will be responsible for all water supplied to the premises until the Water Department shall receive notice of the removal. At the time specified by the customer that he or she expects to vacate the premises where service is supplied or that he or she desires to be discontinued, the meter will be read and a bill rendered which is payable immediately. In no case will the bill be less than the monthly minimum specified in the schedule applying to the class or classes of service furnished.
(B) Nonpayment of bills. A customer’s water service may be discontinued if the water bill is not paid in accordance with the procedures listed in § 50.071.
(C) Nonpayment of sewer service charges. The charges for sewer service are authorized by Chapter 51 and set by resolution of the City Council. If the sewer service charges are not paid when due by any person, firm or corporation whose premises are served or who are subject to the charges herein provided, water service provided to that customer by the City of Union Water Department may be discontinued because of the default in the payment of the sewer service charges. As an additional alternative method, if the rates and charges are not paid when due by any person, firm or corporation, the amounts so unpaid may be certified by the City Recorder to the County Assessor of Union County, Oregon, and shall be by him or her assessed against the premises served as provided by law and shall be collected and paid over to the city in the same manner as other taxes are assessed, collected and paid over, with interest. Interest on unpaid bills shall run from the due date thereof at a rate to be set by resolution of the City Council. The unpaid charges may also be recovered in an action at law in the name of the city, with interest as aforesaid.
(D) Improper customer facilities.
(1) Unsafe facilities. The Water Department may refuse to furnish water and may discontinue services to any premises without prior notice where plumbing facilities, appliances or equipment using water are dangerous, unsafe or not in conformity with the Plumbing Code of the State of Oregon.
(2) Cross-connections. A cross-connection is defined as any physical connection between the Water Department’s system and another water supply. The Oregon State Health Division and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prohibit cross-connections. The Water Department will not permit any cross-connection and will discontinue service to any persons or premises where a cross-connection exists. Service will not be restored until the cross-connection is eliminated. Customers using water from one or more sources in addition to receiving water from the Water Department on the same premises shall maintain separate systems for each; and the Water Department’s water supply facilities shall be separated from any and all other systems by an air gap of not less than one foot, or if in the ground, by not less than five feet.
(E) Water waste. Where water is wastefully or negligently used on a customer’s premises, seriously affecting the general service, the Water Department may discontinue service if the conditions are not corrected after due notice by the Water Department.
(F) Service detrimental to others. The Water Department may refuse to furnish water and may discontinue service to any premises where excessive demands by one customer will result in inadequate service to others.
(G) Fraud or abuse. The Water Department will refuse or discontinue service to any premises where it is deemed necessary to protect the Water Department from fraud or abuse. Discontinuance of service from one or both of these causes will be made immediately upon receipt of knowledge by the Water Department that the condition or conditions exist.
(H) Unauthorized turn-on. Where water service has been discontinued for any reason and the water is turned on by the customer or other unauthorized person, the water may then be shut off at the main or the meter removed. The charges for shutting off the water at the main or removing the meter shall be computed at actual cost to the Water Department plus 15% overhead, but not less than $75. These charges shall be billed to the offending customer and water shall not be furnished to the premises or customer until the charges are paid and the Water Department had reasonable assurance that the violation will not reoccur.
(I) Noncompliance with regulations. The Water Department may, upon five days’ notice, discontinue service to a customer’s premises for failure to comply with any of the provisions of these regulations.
(Ord. 421, passed 5-30-1990)
(A) Restoration of service after discontinuance for nonpayment of bills shall be made after payment of current and past due charges, plus $10 for restoration charge and posting a deposit as hereinbefore provided.
(B) Restoration of service after discontinuance of service for unsafe facilities, water waste, fraud, abuse or for noncompliance with any of the policies, rules and regulations will only be made after the irregularity has been corrected and the Water Department has been assured that the irregularity will not reoccur. The restoration charge shall be $50 plus any other charges due or past due that the Water Department may have incurred to correct the irregularity.
(Ord. 421, passed 5-30-1990)
(A) When an abnormally large quantity of water is desired for filling a swimming pool, log pond or for other purposes, arrangements must be made with the Water Department prior to taking the water.
(B) Permission to take water in unusual quantities will be given only if the Water Department facilities and other consumers are not inconvenienced.
(Ord. 421, passed 5-30-1990)
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