Chapter 13.32
SEWER RATES AND CHARGES

Sections:

13.32.010    Sewer rates.

13.32.015    Sewer rates – Community systems.

13.32.020    Nonmetered uses.

13.32.025    Sewer rates – Community systems using flow meters.

13.32.030    Outside sewer service.

13.32.040    Repealed.

13.32.050    Billings – Delinquencies – Liens.

13.32.060    Sewer general facilities charges.

13.32.065    Connection fees – Changes in class of service or ERU assignment.

13.32.070    Sewer connection agreement.

13.32.010 Sewer rates.

A. Effective January 1, 2010, the monthly sewer service rate shall be set at the following amounts:

Customer Class

Customer Base Charge (per month)

Commodity Charge  (per ccf)

Residential

$27.17

$3.34

Multifamily residential (per living unit)

20.91

3.34

Commercial/School

63.42

5.89

Dept. of Corrections

8,379.00

3.34

B. Effective January 1, 2011, the monthly sewer service rate shall be set at the following amounts:

Customer Class

Customer Base Charge (per month)

Commodity Charge  (per ccf)

Residential

$31.79

$3.91

Multifamily residential (per living unit)

24.46

3.91

Commercial/School

74.20

6.89

Dept. of Corrections

9,803.00

3.91

C. Effective January 1, 2012, the monthly sewer service rate shall be set at the following amounts:

Customer Class

Customer Base Charge (per month)

Commodity Charge  (per ccf)

Residential

$34.97

$4.30

Multifamily residential (per living unit)

26.91

4.30

Commercial/School

81.62

7.58

Dept. of Corrections

10,783.00

4.30

D. The commodity charge shall be based upon using the winter months (November through March) as a maximum base usage for billing purposes for the entire year. (Ord. 1179 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1134 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1120 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1063 § 1, 2006; Ord. 1025 § 1, 2005; Ord. 935 § 1, 2003; Ord. 900 § 1, 2002; Ord. 812 § 1, 1999; Ord. 748 § 1, 1997; Ord. 661 § 1, 1994; Ord. 637 § 1, 1992; Ord. 552 § 1, 1989; Ord. 548 § 1, 1988; Ord. 527 § 1, 1987; Ord. 508 § 1, 1987; Ord. 499 § 2, 1986).

13.32.015 Sewer rates – Community systems.

A. Effective January 1, 2010, the monthly sewer service rates for community systems shall be set at the following amounts:

Customer Class

Monthly Charge

Shore Crest System

$8.41 plus $41.40/living unit

B. Effective January 1, 2011, the monthly sewer service rates for community systems shall be set at the following amounts:

Customer Class

Monthly Charge

Shore Crest System

$9.84 plus $48.44/living unit

C. Effective January 1, 2012, the monthly sewer service rates for community systems shall be set at the following amounts:

Customer Class

Monthly Charge

Shore Crest System

$10.82 plus $53.28/living unit

(Ord. 1179 § 2, 2009; Ord. 1134 § 2, 2008; Ord. 1120 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1063 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1025 § 2, 2005; Ord. 935 § 2, 2003; Ord. 900 § 2, 2002; Ord. 812 § 2, 1999; Ord. 748 § 2, 1997; Ord. 661 § 2, 1994; Ord. 637 § 2, 1992; Ord. 548 § 3, 1988).

13.32.020 Nonmetered uses.

A. Effective January 1, 2010, the sewer service charge for each unmetered residential, multiresidential, or commercial facility shall be as follows:

Nonmetered Customer Class

Monthly Charge

Residential

$49.78/unit

Multifamily residential

35.70/living unit

Commercial

122.23/billing unit

B. Effective January 1, 2011, the sewer service charge for each unmetered residential, multiresidential, or commercial facility shall be as follows:

Nonmetered Customer Class

Monthly Charge

Residential

$58.24/unit

Multifamily residential

41.77/living unit

Commercial

143.01/billing unit

C. Effective January 1, 2012, the sewer service charge for each unmetered residential, multiresidential, or commercial facility shall be as follows:

Nonmetered Customer Class

Monthly Charge

Residential

$64.06/unit

Multifamily residential

45.95/living unit

Commercial

157.31/billing unit

(Ord. 1179 § 3, 2009; Ord. 1134 § 3, 2008; Ord. 1120 § 3, 2007; Ord. 1063 § 3, 2006; Ord. 1025 § 3, 2005; Ord. 935 § 3, 2003; Ord. 900 § 3, 2002; Ord. 812 § 3, 1999; Ord. 748 § 3, 1997; Ord. 720 § 3, 1996; Ord. 661 § 3, 1994; Ord. 637 § 3, 1992; Ord. 548 § 2, 1988; Ord. 527 § 2, 1987; Ord. 499 § 3, 1986).

13.32.025 Sewer rates – Community systems using flow meters.

A. Effective January 1, 2010, the monthly sewer service rates for community systems basing billing on sewer flow meters shall be set at the following amounts:

Customer Class

Customer Base Charge (per month)

Commodity Charge  (per ccf)

Residential

$8.41 + $18.77/unit

$3.34

Multifamily residential

$8.41 + $12.50/unit

3.34

Commercial

$8.41 + $55.03/unit

5.89

B. Effective January 1, 2011, the monthly sewer service rates for community systems basing billing on sewer flow meters shall be set at the following amounts:

Customer Class

Customer Base Charge (per month)

Commodity Charge  (per ccf)

Residential

$9.84 + $21.96/unit

$3.91

Multifamily residential

$9.84 + $14.63/unit

3.91

Commercial

$9.84 + $64.39/unit

6.89

C. Effective January 1, 2012, the monthly sewer service rates for community systems basing billing on sewer flow meters shall be set at the following amounts:

Customer Class

Customer Base Charge (per month)

Commodity Charge  (per ccf)

Residential

$10.82 + $24.16/unit

$4.30

Multifamily residential

$10.82 + $16.09/unit

4.30

Commercial

$10.82 + $70.83/unit

7.58

(Ord. 1179 § 4, 2009; Ord. 1134 § 4, 2008; Ord. 1120 § 4, 2007; Ord. 1063 § 4, 2006; Ord. 1025 § 4, 2005; Ord. 935 § 4, 2003; Ord. 900 § 4, 2002; Ord. 812 § 4, 1999; Ord. 748 § 4, 1997; Ord. 720 § 1, 1996).

13.32.030 Outside sewer service.

Sewer service extended outside the city limits shall be charged at 1.5 times the city rates established in this chapter. (Ord. 748 § 5, 1997; Ord. 720 § 2, 1996; Ord. 499 § 4, 1986).

13.32.040 Utility taxes by state and city excluded.

Repealed by Ord. 935. (Ord. 748 § 6, 1997; Ord. 499 § 5, 1986).

13.32.050 Billings – Delinquencies – Liens.

The billing process, delinquent account enforcement and lien provisions used for sewer service accounts shall be as provided under GHMC 13.04.050. (Ord. 499 § 6, 1986).

13.32.060 Sewer general facilities charges.

A. The city shall impose a sewer general facilities charge of $8,540 per equivalent residential unit to connect to the sewer system.

B. The method/formula for determining the basic general facilities charge adjustment shall be: (basic GFC/ERU) (number of ERUs) = total GFC. The below assignment of equivalent residential units (ERUs) to classes of service shall be used. The ERU assignment shall be applied on a proportionate basis.

Class of Service

ERU Assignment

Residential

1. Single-family dwelling

1 ERU

2. Multifamily dwelling

1 ERU per dwelling

3. Trailer courts

 

a) permanent mobile home parks

1 ERU per rental space provided sewer service

b) transient RV parks

0.33 ERU per RV site provided sewer service

4. Bed and breakfast

1 ERU, plus 1 ERU per 5 rental rooms

5. Home business (residential primary use)

1 ERU

Nonresidential

6. High schools, junior high schools and community colleges

1 ERU per 24 students

7. Elementary schools, preschools, day care

1 ERU per 54 students

8. Churches

1 ERU per 150 seats

if parsonage

1 ERU additional

if weekday child care or church school

1 ERU per 54 students additional

9. Hospitals General

1 ERU per bed

10. Convalescent/rest homes

1 ERU per 2 beds

11. Hotels, motels

1 ERU per 2 rooms

if quality restaurant

1 ERU per 8 seats additional

12. Quality restaurants

1 ERU per 8 seats

13. Fast food

1 ERU per 9 seats

14. Tavern

1 ERU per 15 seats

15. Service stations (without car wash)

2 ERUs

16. Car wash

 

Wand

1.5 ERUs per stall

Rollover

7.0 ERUs

Tunnel

7.5 ERUs

17. Laundromats

1 ERU per machine or actual or projected flow calculations approved by the city engineer. See subsection D of this section for more information about actual and projected flows.

18. Commercial (commercial shall include all classes not otherwise included in this table)

1 ERU per 1,600 sq. ft. or less of interior floor space. For commercial establishments in excess of 1,600 sq. ft. of interior floor space, the city may use actual or projected flow calculations approved by the city engineer. See subsection D of this section for more information about actual and projected flows.

(Commercial shall include all classes not otherwise included on this table.)

For commercial establishments in excess of 1,600 square feet of interior floor space, the city may use actual or projected flow calculations approved by the city engineer; provided, however, the minimum general facilities charge shall not be less than one equivalent residential unit. If projected flow calculations are used, the general facilities charge shall be adjusted after the first year of operation of the establishment to reflect actual flow usage in the event the flows were underestimated.

19.

Light industrial waste with

a) 30 lbs to 200 lbs of S.S. per day, or

b) 30 lbs to 200 lbs of BOD per day, and

c) less than 10,000 gallons per day

Based on projected average monthly flows during peak season 700 cu. ft. If projected flows are unknown then basis is same as Class 16.

20.

Heavy industrial waste

with more than

a) 200 lbs of BOD per day, or

b) 200 lbs of S.S. per day, or

c) 10,000 gallons or more per day

Same as Class 17 – 1 ERU per machine.

C. Where seating is on benches or pews, the number of seats shall be computed on the basis of one seat for each 18 inches of bench or pew length.

D. Where actual or projected flows are used, the minimum general facilities charge shall not be less than one equivalent residential unit. If projected flow calculations are used, the general facilities charge shall be adjusted after the first year of operation of the establishment to reflect actual flow usage in the event the flows were underestimated. If projected flow calculations are proposed, it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to provide the engineered water consumption or other information necessary to determine the sewer flow, expressed in gallons per day (GPD). (Ord. 1124 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1012 § 1, 2005; Ord. 909 § 1, 2002; Ord. 681 § 1, 1994; Ord. 674 § 1, 1994; Ord. 560 § 1, 1989; Ord. 552 § 2, 1989; Ord. 538 § 1, 1988; Ord. 499 § 7, 1986).

13.32.065 Connection fees – Changes in class of service or ERU assignment.

When a change occurs which would place the customer in a different class of service or change the ERU assignment from that on which connection fees have been paid, an additional connection fee shall be charged. The additional fee shall be the difference between the connection fee, calculated at the current rates, based on the current class of service and ERU assignment, at the current rates, and the connection fee, calculated at the current rates, based on the class of service and ERU assignment on which connection fees have already been paid. The following examples illustrate changes in class of service or ERU assignment:

A. A residence adding an additional dwelling unit would change from the single-family dwelling class with one ERU to the multifamily dwelling class with two ERUs;

B. An elementary school’s population increasing by 54 students would increase its ERU assignment by one;

C. A “quality restaurant” adding 16 additional seats would increase its ERU assignment by two;

D. A commercial property adding 4,800 square feet additional floor space would increase its ERU assignment by three. (Ord. 720 § 4, 1996).

13.32.070 Sewer connection agreement.

A sewer connection agreement may be executed between the city of Gig Harbor and a user who desires to obtain sewer service for an existing residential or nonresidential structure connected to a septic system. The sewer connection agreement will allow the user to make payments on any connection fee in excess of $5,000 over a period of time ranging from three to 10 years. (Ord. 548 § 4, 1988).