Chapter 11.20
SANITARY SEWER UTILITY
Sections:
11.20.040 Sewer utility creation policies.
11.20.010 Utility created.
Pursuant to the authority contained in RCW 35.21.210 and 35.67.030, the city of Edgewood does hereby establish a sanitary sewer utility. (Ord. 06-271 § 1).
11.20.020 Fund created.
There is hereby created a sewer utility operating fund. All fees and charges related to the operation of the sewer utility shall be placed into this fund. (Ord. 06-271 § 1).
11.20.030 Authority.
The sewer utility shall be under the direction and control of the mayor. The mayor is authorized to delegate responsibilities for administration of the sanitary sewer utility to such other city employees as the mayor may from time to time direct. (Ord. 15-447 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 06-271 § 1).
11.20.040 Sewer utility creation policies.
Policies guiding the creation of the sewer utility are hereby established as follows:
A. Growth and development shall be focused along the Meridian corridor. To help meet this policy, “sewer availability” shall mean, for those areas in Phase I (See Figure ES-1, general sewer plan), sewer is available from the date of the city council adoption of the general sewer plan. For those areas in Phase II, sewer is available 20 years after the date of the city council adoption of the general sewer plan. For those areas in Phase III, sewer service is available 50 years after the date of the city council adoption of the general sewer plan.
B. System extensions shall be paid for by the benefited parties. May be done through developer extension or formation of a local improvement district.
1. Developer Extensions.
a. Shall be paid for by the developer.
b. Are subject to approval by the city council and require execution of a system extension agreement with the city.
c. Reimbursement from other properties that later connect to and benefit from such extensions and/or improvements may be made at the sole discretion of the city, pursuant to Chapter 35.91 RCW and Chapter 11.36 EMC.
2. Local Improvement Districts.
a. The initial 50 percent of estimated LID preformation costs shall be advanced by the proponents of the project. The remaining 50 percent of LID preformation costs shall be advanced by the city. The source of funds shall be the sewer utility fund via an interfund loan from the general fund.
b. The proponents shall provide a petition requesting that the city council initiate the LID process by resolution.
c. To assess support of the project, the petition must be signed by the owners of property aggregating a majority of the area within the proposed district.
d. The formation of a local improvement district shall be pursuant to Chapters 35.43 through 35.54 RCW and subject to approval by the city council.
C. Sewer System Improvements Made by the City.
1. When the city elects to make general improvements to the city’s sanitary sewer system, such improvements shall be paid for with connection and/or rate charges collected from users of the system.
2. When the city elects to make improvements to the city’s sanitary sewer system that create a special benefit to properties, the city shall require the owners of those properties to pay for such improvements as a part of and in addition to normal connection charges and/or rate surcharges.
D. Connection Required.
1. Property Adjacent to a Developer Extension. When a sanitary sewer is extended, by a developer, to or past property not owned by said developer, the owner of such property shall not be required to connect to the sewer so extended.
2. Property within an LID. Buildings on property within a local improvement district are required to be connected to the city’s sewer system and the property owner shall be required to pay all charges associated with such connection.
3. Health Department Exception. An existing structure on property with sewer availability, fronted by the city’s sanitary sewer system, whose on-site sewage disposal system has failed and cannot be acceptably corrected or repaired, as determined by the Tacoma-Pierce County health department, shall be required to connect to said sewer system and the property owner shall be required to pay all charges associated with such connection.
E. Side Sewers – Responsibility to Construct. Except as otherwise provided by this title, a new side sewer, from the right-of-way line or easement to the sewer main or submain, shall be constructed and paid for by the owner of the property on which the structure is served by the side sewer.
F. Private Disposal System.
1. Residential structures may connect to a private sewage disposal system; provided, that both of the following conditions must be met:
a. A valid permit from the Tacoma-Pierce County health department is obtained; and
b. The property is not located within the boundaries of a local improvement district.
2. A new commercial, industrial, institutional or multifamily structure may connect to a private sewage disposal system; provided, that all of the following conditions must be met:
a. A valid permit from the Tacoma-Pierce County health department is obtained;
b. The property is not located within the boundaries of a local improvement district; and
c. The property owner must agree in writing, as a condition to the issuance of the building permit, to disconnect from and remove said private sewage disposal system and connect to the city sanitary sewer system when it becomes available. (Ord. 19-542 § 3; Ord. 10-333 § 2; Ord. 06-271 § 1).