Chapter 13.05
WATER RATES AND CHARGES
Sections:
13.05.030 Water service charge.
13.05.040 Charges – Commencement.
13.05.045 Billing procedures – Termination of service – Disputes.
13.05.050 Reconnection charges.
13.05.060 Drought water rates.
13.05.010 Definitions.
A. “Base charge” means the monthly cost to provide services allocated to a particular class.
B. “Customer” means any person(s), firm, or corporation that is furnished drinking water through a legal service connection to the public drinking water system.
C. “Customer classes” means the various classes of customers that the domestic water system serves. These classes are distinguished both by their use classification and their location within or outside the town limits. They are as follows:
1. Class I – Single-Family Residential (SFR). A building within the town limits whose principal use is residential, designed for one family and connected to the town domestic water system. Buildings used for “transient accommodations,” as that term is defined in FHMC 17.08.620, are not classified as single-family residential.
2. Class I – Multifamily Residential (MFR). A building located within the town limits whose principal use is residential, designed for two or more families and connected to the town domestic water system. Buildings used for “transient accommodations,” as that term is defined in FHMC 17.08.620, are not classified as multifamily residential.
3. Class I – Commercial (COM). A building located within the town limits whose principal use is for the providing of goods or services for compensation and connected to the town domestic water system. Buildings used for “transient accommodations,” as that term is defined in FHMC 17.08.620, are classified as commercial.
4. Class I – Light Manufacturing (LMF). A building located within the town limits whose principal use is for research and development and light manufacturing not requiring outdoor storage and connected to the town domestic water system.
5. Class I – Industrial (IND). A building located within the town limits whose principal use is for manufacturing and/or uses requiring outdoor storage and connected to the town domestic water system.
6. Class I – Public Authority (PA). A building located within the town limits owned or operated by a public entity and connected to the town domestic water system.
7. Class II – Single-Family Residential (SFR). A building outside the town limits whose principal use is residential, designed for one family and connected to the town domestic water system. Buildings used for “transient accommodations,” as that term is defined in FHMC 17.08.620, are not classified as single-family residential.
8. Class II – Multifamily Residential (MFR). A building located outside the town limits whose principal use is residential, designed for two or more families and connected to the town domestic water system. Buildings used for “transient accommodations,” as that term is defined in FHMC 17.08.620, are not classified as multifamily residential.
9. Class II – Commercial (COM). A building located outside the town limits whose principal use is for the providing of goods or services for compensation and connected to the town domestic water system.
10. Class II – Light Manufacturing (LMF). A building located outside the town limits whose principal use is for research and development and light manufacturing not requiring outdoor storage and connected to the town domestic water system.
11. Class II – Industrial (IND). A building located outside the town limits whose principal use is for manufacturing and/or uses requiring outdoor storage and connected to the town domestic water system.
12. Class II – Public Authority (PA). A building located outside the town limits owned or operated by a public entity and connected to the town domestic water system.
These classes of customers are further distinguished by the size of their individual water meters. Currently these meter sizes range from five-eighths inch to four inches.
D. “Use charge” means the monthly charge for water delivered to an approved water service connection.
E. “Water service charge” means the combination of base charge and use charge. (Ord. 1597 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1084 § 1, 1998)
13.05.020 Connection charges.
A. Connection Charge.
1. The connection charge is comprised of two components: a general facilities charge (GFC) and a systems development charge (SDC).
a. A general facilities charge is hereby imposed in order that new users of the water system shall bear their equitable share of the cost of the system. The general facilities charge is the current “owner’s” net investment in the estimated original cost of nondonated system assets and all accumulated interest on the investment.
b. A systems development charge is hereby imposed in order that new users of the water system shall contribute their equitable share of the cost of planned improvements to the system that benefits all users of the system.
2. The connection charge varies based on water meter size, to reflect the capital costs associated with the higher potential peak demands of larger meter sizes on all capital facilities as provided for in the design of the water system. The required water meter size shall be determined by the building official.
3. The connection charge for all classes of use shall be as follows:
|
Meter Size |
Charge |
|---|---|
|
5/8" – 3/4" |
$15,210 |
|
1" |
$38,035 |
|
1.5" |
$76,065 |
|
2" |
$121,685 |
|
3" |
$243,385 |
|
4" |
$380,285 |
4. The connection charge shall automatically be adjusted annually each January 1st by the percentage increase or decrease of the Seattle-Bremerton Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) as reported for the previous June to June period.
5. The connection charge shall be adjusted by separate council action after review of the current adopted water rate study.
6. If the owner of any property that is connected to the town water system requests an increase in the size of the water meter serving the property, the town shall require the owner to first pay a fee in an amount that is the difference between the price then charged as a water connection fee for the meter size that is then serving the property and the price then charged as a water connection fee for the meter size being requested. In addition, the owner shall also be required to first pay the fee required by FHMC 13.21.020(A)(6), concerning sewer connection charges.
Under no circumstance shall a refund or a credit be given to any property owner who elects to decrease the size of the water meter serving his or her property.
B. Installation Charge.
1. In addition to the connection charge, an installation charge shall be assessed and paid at the time of application to recover costs associated with the physical installation of the water connection.
2. Installation charges for all classes of use shall be as follows:
|
Meter Size |
Charge |
|---|---|
|
5/8" – 3/4" |
$2,375 |
|
1" |
$2,735 |
|
1.5" |
$3,400 |
|
2" |
$4,790 |
|
3" |
$6,140 |
|
4" |
$7,665 |
|
Fire hydrants |
Labor and materials |
3. The installation charge shall include all labor and materials from the water main to and including the meter and stopcock on the customer’s property. The meter and stopcock shall be installed by the town, and shall be located as designated by the town and kept within the town’s exclusive control.
4. The installation charge shall automatically be adjusted annually each January 1st by the percentage increase or decrease of the Seattle-Bremerton Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) as reported for the previous June to June period.
5. The connection charge shall be adjusted by separate council action after review of the current adopted water rate study. (Ord. 1787 §§ 1, 2, 2023; Ord. 1762 §§ 1, 2, 2022; Ord. 1742 §§ 1, 2, 2021; Ord. 1701 §§ 1, 2, 2020; Ord. 1674 §§ 1, 2, 2019; Ord. 1652 §§ 1, 2, 2018; Ord. 1630 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1624 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1606 §§ 2, 3, 2016; Ord. 1582 §§ 2, 3, 2015; Ord. 1550 §§ 2 – 5, 2014; Ord. 1430 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1376 § 2, 2008; Ord. 1212 § 2, 2003; Ord. 1120 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1084 § 2, 1998)
13.05.030 Water service charge.
A. Water Charge Tables. The following tables shall be the charges for using the town water system:
1. Monthly Base Charges – Class I.
|
Meter Size |
SFR |
MFR |
COM |
LMF |
IND |
PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5/8" |
$60.75 |
$60.75 |
$60.75 |
$67.55 |
$67.55 |
$60.75 |
|
1" |
$136.75 |
$137.95 |
$137.95 |
$157.65 |
$157.65 |
$137.95 |
|
1.5" |
$264.40 |
$266.90 |
$266.90 |
$305.20 |
$305.20 |
$266.90 |
|
2" |
$415.80 |
$421.40 |
$421.40 |
$483.35 |
$483.35 |
$421.40 |
|
3" |
N/A |
$834.40 |
$834.40 |
$957.75 |
$957.75 |
$834.40 |
|
4" |
N/A |
$1,298.80 |
$1,298.80 |
$1,490.30 |
$1,490.30 |
$1,298.80 |
2. Monthly Base Charges – Class II.
|
Meter Size |
SFR |
MFR |
COM |
LMF |
IND |
PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5/8" |
$90.00 |
$91.85 |
$91.85 |
$103.40 |
$103.40 |
$91.85 |
|
1" |
$204.30 |
$208.05 |
$208.05 |
$235.45 |
$235.45 |
$208.05 |
|
1.5" |
$395.90 |
$399.60 |
$399.60 |
$457.90 |
$457.90 |
$399.60 |
|
2" |
$624.45 |
$632.85 |
$632.85 |
$724.80 |
$724.80 |
$632.85 |
|
3" |
N/A |
$1,251.45 |
$1,251.45 |
$1,436.75 |
$1,436.75 |
$1,251.45 |
|
4" |
N/A |
$1,948.20 |
$1,948.20 |
$2,236.00 |
$2,236.00 |
$1,948.20 |
B. Use Charge.
1. Use Charge – SFR – Class I and Class II.
|
Volume of Use |
Charge per 1,000 Gallons |
|---|---|
|
First 3,500 gallons |
$10.30 |
|
3,501 to 7,000 gallons |
$12.75 |
|
7,001 to 10,500 gallons |
$17.20 |
|
Over 10,501 gallons |
$21.20 |
2. Use Charge for All Other Uses – Class I and Class II.
|
October Bill Through May Billing |
June Bill Through September Billing |
|---|---|
|
$10.30 per 1,000 gallons |
$12.75 per 1,000 gallons |
C. Water Taken by Tank Load.
|
|
January Through December |
|---|---|
|
Base Charge |
$58.85 |
|
Charge per 1,000 Gallons |
$19.95 |
D. Charge for Public Entities in Container Not Exceeding 200 Gallons.
|
|
January Through December |
|---|---|
|
Charge per 200 gallons |
$14.70 |
E. Submeters.
|
|
January Through December |
|---|---|
|
Per Meter Reading |
$6.00 |
F. Water Supplied by Construction Water Meter.
1. The town is authorized to approve the installation of and connection to a meter located upon property that is under construction for a period not exceeding one year, subject to the approval of the town administrator. The sole purpose of a construction water meter is to supply water to a construction site during the construction process for the benefit of the developer and their contractors. The developer is responsible for all water consumed at the construction site. No property may be occupied, permanently or temporarily, while served with a construction meter.
2. Applicant for a construction water meter shall pay a nonrefundable administrative fee in the amount of $100.00. The meter installed shall at all times remain the property of the town of Friday Harbor. Applicant shall pay a refundable $500.00 deposit which shall be held by the finance director of the town to guaranty payment of any water charges. Meters shall be read and billed on a monthly basis. Any billing unpaid after 50 days from the date mailed will result in the immediate disconnection of water service and removal of the meter.
3. Developer shall execute a construction water meter rental agreement setting forth terms and conditions of the construction meter service. The developer shall be responsible for the time of town employees at their fully loaded salary rates plus the materials utilized for installation of the construction water meter. When the applicant pays for permanent water service, the costs charged for the installation of the meter shall be credited against the installation charge.
4. The monthly cost of water service by construction meter shall be the charge for water at the rate set forth in subsection C of this section per 1,000 gallons of water used plus 125 percent of the base rate for meters set forth in subsection A of this section for the zone and meter size installed.
5. The town may terminate the construction water meter rental at its sole discretion on 20 days’ notice unless earlier terminated by the developer per the construction water meter rental agreement.
G. The water service charges shall be adjusted by separate council action after review of the current adopted water rate study. (Ord. 1784 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1759 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1741 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1675 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1671 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1629 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1605 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1550 § 6, 2014; Ord. 1522 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1514 § 2, 2013; Ord. 1481 § 3, 2012; Ord. 1212 § 3, 2003; Ord. 1120 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1084 § 3, 1998)
13.05.040 Charges – Commencement.
Water service charges shall be assessed on the first of the month following the meter installation or in no case later than 30 days after receipt of payment of the connection charge and shall continue until a request for disconnection of service is received. (Ord. 1212 § 4, 2003; Ord. 1084 § 4, 1998)
13.05.045 Billing procedures – Termination of service – Disputes.
A. All monthly water service bills are due and payable by the tenth of the month following billing. If the tenth of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, the bills are due and payable the following business day.
B. If the town does not receive payment in full within 40 days of billing, a delinquency notice will be mailed to the occupant of the served property and to the property owner indicating that the water service will be terminated on the fiftieth day. If the fiftieth day falls on a weekend or holiday, the termination of service will take place on the following business day. A fee in the amount of $5.00 will be applied to the account at the time the delinquency notice is issued. This delinquency notice fee shall be in addition to the service, other shut-off notice fees and reconnection charges assessed in accordance with this chapter.
C. If the town does not receive payment in full by 12:00 p.m. on the forty-ninth day of billing, a shut-off warning (red tag) will be hand delivered and hung on the premises being served indicating the water service will be terminated on the following day. If the fiftieth day falls on a weekend or holiday the termination of service will take place on the following business day. A shut-off warning fee in the amount of $10.00 will be assessed against the account for hand delivering a red tag. This shut-off warning fee shall be in addition to the service, other delinquency notice fees and reconnection charges assessed in accordance with this chapter.
D. If the town does not receive payment in full on the fiftieth day by 9:00 a.m., bringing the account balance to zero, water service will be terminated.
E. A customer who wishes to dispute a notice of termination of service or the amount of the customer’s water utility bill shall use the following procedure:
1. Within 10 calendar days of receiving the water utility bill or the notice of termination of service, whichever is disputed, the customer must request in writing a meeting with the town administrator or his designee. An informal meeting with the town administrator or his designee shall be held no later than 10 business days after the town receives the customer’s request. The customer or his or her representative may attend the meeting and present any facts or evidence showing why utilities should not be terminated or why the amount of the bill is not correct, or both.
2. The meeting will be informal. The town administrator or his designee will make informal findings, including the date of the meeting, who was present, and the facts supporting whether or not the bill was correct or whether or not the utility service should be terminated. Within five business days after the meeting, the town will send the findings via U.S. mail or other requested delivery method to the customer, and shall file them with the finance officer.
3. If the customer disputes the town administrator’s findings, the customer may appeal the findings to the town council. Within 10 calendar days after receiving the town administrator’s findings, the customer must file with the town clerk a request for the mayor to place the complaint for hearing on the town council’s next regularly scheduled meeting agenda, or as soon as practicable.
4. The town council will hear the complaint at the date and time set by the mayor. The customer or his or her representative may attend the meeting and present any facts or evidence showing why utilities should not be terminated or why the amount of the bill is not correct, or both. The hearing will be conducted on an informal basis. The town council may ask the customer questions, and will make findings including the date of the hearing, the name of the customer who came before the council and presented evidence, and the evidence or facts supporting whether or not the utility service should be terminated or the bill was correct. The town council’s finding shall be final and not appealable.
5. The town may, at its sole discretion and at the request of the customer, extend any time periods set forth in this section. If the customer does not file a request within the prescribed or agreed upon time periods, the customer will waive his or her appeal rights under this section. (Ord. 1584 §§ 3, 4, 2015; Ord. 1481 § 2, 2012)
13.05.050 Reconnection charges.
When it is necessary for the town to shut off the water for nonpayment of a water, sewer, storm water or refuse bill, where water and sewer services are provided, a $45.00 charge shall be assessed and paid prior to restoring service. (Ord. 1212 § 5, 2003; Ord. 1084 § 5, 1998)
13.05.060 Drought water rates.
A. Upon passage of a resolution by the town council that a moderate drought condition exists, the use charge shall be increased as follows:
1. For Class I – single-family residential (SFR) and Class II – single-family residential (SFR), use of metered water that exceeds 7,000 gallons in two successive billing cycles shall be deemed nonessential use. Users shall be charged the published rate per 1,000 gallons used during the first billing cycle and in addition notified by letter of the excessive use over 7,000 gallons. Users shall be charged 200 percent of the published rate per 1,000 gallons used if during the second successive billing cycle they exceed 7,000 gallons used.
2. For Class I – multifamily residential (MFR) and Class II – multifamily residential (MFR), use of metered water that exceeds 7,000 gallons in two successive billing cycles for each multifamily dwelling unit shall be deemed nonessential use. Users shall be charged the published rate per 1,000 gallons used for each multifamily dwelling unit during the first billing cycle and in addition notified by letter of the excessive use over 7,000 gallons. Users shall be charged 200 percent of the published rate per 1,000 gallons used for each multifamily dwelling unit if during the second successive billing cycle they exceed 7,000 gallons used.
3. For Class I and II – commercial (COM), Class I and II – industrial (IND), and Class I and II – public authority (PA), users of metered water shall be charged 115 percent of the published rate per 1,000 gallons used during each billing cycle.
B. Upon passage of a resolution by the town council that a severe drought condition exists, the use charge shall be increased as follows:
1. For Class I – single-family residential (SFR) and Class II – single-family residential (SFR), use of metered water that exceeds 50 gallons per day per person residing within the dwelling unit in two successive billing cycles shall be deemed nonessential use. Users shall be charged the published rate per 1,000 gallons used during the first billing cycle and in addition notified by letter of the excessive use over the amount equal to 50 gallons per day per person. Users shall be charged 200 percent of the published rate per 1,000 gallons used if during the second successive billing cycle they exceed 50 gallons per day per person.
2. For Class I – multifamily residential (MFR) and Class II – multifamily residential (MFR), use of metered water that exceeds 50 gallons per day per person residing within the dwelling unit in two successive billing cycles for each multifamily dwelling unit shall be deemed nonessential use. Users shall be charged the published rate per 1,000 gallons used for each multifamily dwelling unit during the first billing cycle and in addition notified by letter of the excessive use over the amount equal to 50 gallons per day per person. Users shall be charged 200 percent of the published rate per 1,000 gallons used for each multifamily dwelling unit if during the second successive billing cycle they exceed 50 gallons per day per person.
3. For Class I and II – commercial (COM), Class I and II – Industrial (IND), and Class I and II – public authority (PA), users of metered water shall be charged 150 percent of the published rate per 1,000 gallons used during each billing cycle.
C. Upon passage of a resolution by the town council that a critical drought condition exists, all classes of users of metered water shall be charged 200 percent of the published rate per 1,000 gallons used during each billing cycle.
D. The council shall comprise a water review board whose purpose shall be to approve, modify, or deny requests for variances, presented to the town in writing, of the above stated conditions or rates being charged due to special circumstances or hardships unique to the individual user.
E. All other applicable terms and conditions of this chapter shall apply to these drought water rates. (Ord. 1084 § 6, 1998)