Chapter 13.20
SEWER RATES

Sections:

13.20.010    General requirements.

13.20.020    Definitions.

13.20.030    Rate analysis.

13.20.040    Monthly sewer service rates.

13.20.050    Customers not connected to the sewer system.

13.20.060    Billing adjustments due to water leaks.

13.20.070    Protest to rates and charges.

13.20.080    ERU adjustments.

13.20.090    Special requirements for industrial users.

13.20.100    Discontinuance of service.

13.20.110    Failure to pay.

13.20.120    Enforcement of collections.

13.20.010 General requirements.

The following schedule of rates for the sanitary sewer facilities and service furnished by and through, or for the use of, the city sanitary sewer system, which rates are found and declared to be reasonable and just, taking into account and consideration the cost and value of the system and cost of maintaining and operating the system, and the proper and necessary allowances for the depreciation thereof and the amount necessary for the retirement of all bonds and other securities payable from revenues of the system, the accruing interest on all such securities, and reserves thereof, are fixed, established, levied, imposed, and otherwise prescribed in this chapter. (Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002)

13.20.020 Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the words or phrases shall have the meanings as defined in SMC 13.16.020, Definitions. (Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002)

13.20.030 Rate analysis.

The city of Sumner prepared a financial analysis of the sewer utility’s expenditures and needed revenues for years 2003, 2004 and 2005 based on historical data, the capital facilities program, cost of proposed improvements to the wastewater treatment plant, operations and maintenance needs and debt service as outlined in the 2000 Sewer Comprehensive Plan. In addition, the rate structure of all classifications of users was reviewed for fairness for use of the facilities of the utility and are the basis of the rate structure contained in this chapter. (Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002)

13.20.040 Monthly sewer service rates.

The monthly rate for each property/building connected to the city’s sewer system shall be computed as follows, unless otherwise required by this chapter:

Minimum Monthly Rate

Volume Charge Per 100 Cu. Ft. of Water Consumption Above Minimum

Classification

Year

2003

2004

2005

2003

2004

2005

Single-family residence

$28.36

$33.47

$34.48

$4.17/ccf

$4.92/ccf

$5.07/ccf

Multifamily (per dwelling unit)

$24.19

$28.55

$29.41

$4.17/ccf

$4.92/ccf

$5.07/ccf

All other customers (per ERU)

$28.36

$33.47

$34.48

$4.17/ccf

$4.92/ccf

$5.07/ccf

A. Each single-family residence connected to the sewer system shall pay the minimum monthly rate plus the volume charge for each 100 cubic feet of water used each month above 500 cubic feet as measured by the water meter. Except for 2003, the monthly rate shall be based on the average winter usage using the months of mid-November through mid-May. The May billing will be based on this average winter usage and will remain the amount billed until the following May when it will be recalculated based on the previous six-month average. For the first year, 2003, the winter averaging will be based on only five months: December through April. The billing for January, February, March and April of 2003 will be based on the previous four-month winter average of December of 2001 through March of 2002.

B. Each multifamily building (e.g., duplexes, accessory dwelling units, multi-unit apartment buildings, etc.) connected to the sewer system shall pay the minimum monthly rate per each dwelling unit plus the volume charge for each 100 cubic feet of water used each month above 400 cubic feet times the number of dwelling units as measured by the water meter. Except for 2003, the monthly rate shall be based on the average winter usage using the months of mid-November through mid-May. The May billing will be based on this average winter usage and will remain the amount billed until the following May when it will be recalculated based on the previous six-month average. For the first year, 2003, the winter averaging will be based on only five months: December through April. The billing for January, February, March and April of 2003 will be based on the previous four-month winter average of December of 2001 through March of 2002.

C. All nonresidential customers (commercial, industrial, institutional, etc.) connected to the sewer system shall pay the minimum monthly rate per each equivalent residential unit (ERU), as defined in SMC 13.16.020, assigned to it plus the volume charge for each 100 cubic feet of water used each month above 500 cubic feet times the number of ERUs as measured by the water meter. There will be no winter averaging for these customers.

D. Rates for sewer service outside the city limits shall be the above rates for service within the city limits, plus an additional 25 percent.

E. Where a customer is connected to the sewer system but is connected to a water system not operated by the city of Sumner, the water system administrator shall deliver copies of billings or meter readings showing water consumption and the consumption period to the city of Sumner utilities billing clerk at such intervals as to allow proper and timely billing by the city of Sumner for sewer charges as set forth herein.

F. If a single-family residential customer relocates to a new single-family house inside the city sewer service area, the previously established consumption average will be applied to the new address until the average is recalculated. A residential customer (either single-family or multifamily) who does not have three complete, consecutive bills at the time of recalculation of the consumption average will be assigned the system average for their classification. Closing or partial bills will not be included in the calculation of the consumption average.

G. There will be no adjustments to residential sewer bills using the winter averaging for the intentional use of water such as irrigation, the filling of swimming pools, ponds, hot tubs or similar activities during the winter months of mid-November through mid-May when the averaging is determined.

H. Effective January 1st of each year, the rates established in this section shall be adjusted as set forth in the All Urban Consumers Index (CPI-U) for the Seattle/Tacoma/Bremerton area for the period June to June of the previous year, specified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. (Ord. 2234 § 1, 2007; Ord. 2048 § 1, 2003: Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002)

13.20.050 Customers not connected to the sewer system.

A. When a customer is not connected to the sewer system and has a working septic system, such customer will not be required to pay the monthly service charges. Until such time as the septic system fails and or the Tacoma-Pierce County health department deems the septic system as environmentally unsound, then the customer shall be required to connect to the sewer system where is accessible and follow associated connection procedures. A city sewer main located within 200 feet of the property is considered accessible. All costs for extension of the sewer main and installation of a side sewer shall be borne by the customer, except that the customer may request a latecomers agreement if there are adjacent property owners that may be benefited in the future and in accordance with the requirements of chapter 13.40 SMC.

B. Where a customer is served by a usable septic system and has a stub available such customer is not required to pay associated monthly service charges until such time as the septic system is unworkable or the Tacoma-Pierce health department deems the septic system environmentally unsound. At such time the customer will be required to hook-up to the city sewer system at the customer’s cost, pay system development costs, permit and other fees in effect at the time of connection and pay the monthly sewer service charges from that point forward. (Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002)

13.20.060 Billing adjustments due to water leaks.

A. To apply for a billing adjustment due to a water leak, a customer shall submit a written request to the utilities clerk of the finance department. The request shall include the date the leak was repaired and copies of the repair bills or materials’ receipts. Upon receipt of the request, the public works water division shall check the meter to ensure that the leak is fixed. After receiving confirmation that the leak has been fixed, the utilities clerk shall analyze the utility account. If the water consumption for the same billing period in the previous year was greater than the consumption for the period in which the leak occurred, no adjustment will be made. For new owners or renters occupying the premises for less than one year, the consumption used to determine the adjustment amount will be based on the average usage for that classification of customer for that time period in the previous year.

B. If the total dollar amount of the adjustment for both water and sewer is greater than $10.00, the customer will be eligible for an adjustment. The maximum number of billing adjustments as a result of leaks is one per 12-month period unless there are unusual circumstances and the director of finance waives this requirement.

C. The monetary adjustment shall be made on the bill following the adjustment request. An adjustment will also be made to the water consumption amount so that the consumption average will be calculated based on the adjusted usage.

D. Payment of the bill that includes the leak is due on the date stated on the bill. If the customer is unable to pay the entire bill as a result of the leak, the customer shall pay the amount of the previous bill until the billing adjustment has been processed. If the customer pays the full amount of the previous bill by the due date stated on the current bill, the outstanding balance on the current bill will not be penalized and the service to that account will continue. Once the adjustment has been processed, any amounts owed will be due on the date stated on the adjustment letter. A credit to the account will be made on the date stated on the adjustment letter. (Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002)

13.20.070 Protest to rates and charges.

If any customer shall be dissatisfied with any sewer charge imposed, the customer may file a written protest with the director of finance setting forth their objections, provided such protest is filed within 15 days of receipt of the bill being protested. Upon receipt of any such protest, the city shall, within 15 days, make a determination in writing as to the correctness of the bill. (Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002)

13.20.080 ERU adjustments.

A. Sewer service charges for all customers other than residential are based on ERUs. An ERU is defined as 200 gallons per day (gpd) as measured at the point of discharge from the building/facility of normal domestic sewage. The methodology set forth in chapter 13.16 SMC for calculating the number of ERUs for various type of building occupancy uses is based on this definition derived from studies of waste generated from similar facilities. The public works department has done a study and determined the number of ERUs for each customer. The determination of the number of ERUs for each customer is based on the intended use of the building/facility at full capacity. The public works department has planned, designed and constructed the necessary facilities to convey and treat this amount of waste. The sewer service rate structure set forth in this chapter acknowledges the fixed costs of the sewer system and the volume charge reflects the variable costs of operating that system.

B. Any customer who disputes the assigned number of ERUs for determining their monthly sewer service charge may request a reevaluation of their ERUs. The request shall be in writing and addressed to the public works director. Accompanying the request shall be payment to offset the labor costs to do the evaluation. The payment shall be $50.00 plus $10.00 for each ERU over five ERUs assigned to that account. The director or his/her designee shall prepare such evaluation and make a report in writing to the customer within 20 work days of the request. If an adjustment is appropriate, the public works director shall notify the finance director and utilities clerk and direct them to make the changes. There will be no adjustment credits or debits for past charges due to any adjustment under this section. (Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002)

13.20.090 Special requirements for industrial users.

A. Industrial firms, where the water used does not fully return to the sanitary sewer system, because it is incorporated into the product, evaporates or is used for wash water that is approved for discharge to some other location than the sanitary sewer system, shall meet with the public works director or his/her designee and mutually agree to an equitable method of determining the customer’s use of the city’s sewerage system. Said agreement shall be in writing and signed by both parties. The city shall file a copy with the customer’s account. The installation of extra water meters internally to measure only that portion of the water that returns to the sewer system or to deduct that portion not returned to the system or by using a flat rate of $3.50 per month per employee if no other means is available are methods that may be used as determined by the public works director.

B. Industrial firms, where all or a part of the consumption of water comes from privately owned wells or other sources which discharge wastewater into the sanitary sewer shall, at their expense, meter such sources and make meter readings available to the sewer utilities clerk for the proper determination of sewer service charges.

C. Prior to discharging any industrial waste, other than normal domestic waste, by an industry, full analytical test reports of the constituents of the waste shall be submitted to the superintendent of the wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) for his determination whether they are compatible with the treatment process and whether the WWTF has capacity to treat the waste. The public works director, in consultation with the superintendent, shall determine if pretreatment is required and whether the city is willing to accept the waste. If the city determines that it can process the waste, the customer shall make application for the appropriate permits. In addition to permits to receive sewer service for industrial wastes, the customer shall enter into an industrial discharge agreement with the city that will set forth the conditions of service, means of measurement and determination of the amount and method of determining monthly service charges that represent the fair share of the use of the sanitary sewer system. (Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002)

13.20.100 Discontinuance of service.

Any facility/building that is connected to the sanitary sewer system and is habitable, whether occupied or not, and whether the water service is on or off, shall pay the minimum monthly service charge as set forth herein. (Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002)

13.20.110 Failure to pay.

Water, sewer and storm drainage bills shall be considered as one bill and upon failure to make payment of the consolidated bill, the city shall enforce failures to pay in accordance with SMC 13.24.050. (Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002)

13.20.120 Enforcement of collections.

For the sewer system of the city having been by Ordinance No. 537 incorporated into and made a part of the water system of the city, the enforcement of collections of all rates and charges set forth in this chapter is the same as for the rates and charges for water consumption including application of the lien law; and the cutting off of water service to force payment of sewerage charges as provided by the laws of the state. (Ord. 2032 § 1 (part), 2002: Ord. 597 § 3, 1956. Prior code § 10.10.030. Formerly 13.20.020)