Chapter 6.15 FEES AND CHARGES

A fee of $25.00 will be charged to establish a new account or transfer of ownership from one account to another. [Res. 10-01 Exh. A; amended during 2010 codification; Res. 05-04 § 1.0].

6.15.020 Guarantee deposit.

A. A guarantee deposit in the amount of:

1. Commercial: three months’ estimated bill;

2. Residential – red: $250.00;

3. Residential – yellow: $150.00;

will be required unless the applicant for service can demonstrate creditworthiness. If the applicant is a current customer of the district with a satisfactory payment history, the guarantee deposit will be waived.

B. The guarantee deposit will be refunded with interest based on the average interest rate received by the district in the prior fiscal year from the local agency investment fund (LAIF), if none of the following occurs within a 12-month period:

1. Three or more delinquency charges within 12 months.

2. A returned payment from the bank.

3. Service locked off for nonpayment.

4. If no Social Security number is provided, a $250.00 deposit will be required for the duration of the account.

The district may require a guarantee deposit, on an unsecured account, if one of the aforementioned items occurs during the duration of water service. [Res. 24-20, 2024; amended by district 10/2011; Res. 10-01 Exh. A; Res. 05-04 § 2.0].

6.15.030 Returned payment item.

A fee of $25.00 for each returned item from the bank. (See HDWDC 6.10.100.) [Res. 24-20, 2024; Res. 10-01 Exh. A; Res. 05-04 § 3.0].

6.15.040 Disconnection or reconnection for nonpayment.

These charges are as follows:

Disconnection	$40.00
Reconnection	$20.00

[Res. 10-01 Exh. A; Res. 05-04 § 4.0].

6.15.050 After-hours turn-on fee.

A fee of $80.00 will be assessed to a customer who requests that water service be turned on at a time that is not within the field crew’s regular work hours. [Res. 10-01 Exh. A; Res. 05-04 § 5.0].

6.15.055 Pulled meter charge.

A fee of $20.00 is charged to a customer whose meter is pulled by the district for unauthorized use. [Res. 10-01 Exh. A].

6.15.060 Pulled meter reinstallation charge.

A charge of $20.00 to reinstall a pulled meter. [Res. 10-01 Exh. A; Res. 05-04 § 6.0].

6.15.070 Delinquency charge.

A late charge of $10.00 or 10 percent of the unpaid bill, whichever is greater, will be levied if customer payment is not received within 30 days after mailing of customer invoice by the district. [Res. 05-04 § 7.0].

6.15.080 Water service charge.

The monthly water service charges shall be imposed by the district at the rates set forth herein on any customer as a condition of service. Any water customer of an undeveloped parcel may avoid such payment of such water service charges by withdrawing his or her request for service, disconnecting from district facilities by removing the water meter from his or her property, and otherwise terminating district service in accordance with the district’s rules and regulations. A water customer of an undeveloped parcel can disconnect from the water system if his or her water meter is removed by the district. The district will reimburse the amount of any acquisition of service charge previously paid by the customer to the district, less any administrative costs of the district associated with such reimbursement. Upon removal of the water meter, the customer shall be responsible for paying the district an annual standby charge at the rates then in effect. In the event the customer chooses to reconnect to the district’s water system at a later date, the customer shall pay the district an acquisition service charge at the rate then in effect.

The monthly water service charge shall be as follows:

Table 6.15.080

Rates for Monthly Fixed Charge per Meter Size
Meter Size	FY2024	FY2025	FY2026	FY2027	FY2028
Effective Date	Sept 1, 2024	July 1, 2025	July 1, 2026	July 1, 2027	July 1, 2028
5/8-inch	$25.22	$27.24	$29.42	$31.78	$34.33
1-inch	$53.39	$57.67	$62.29	$67.82	$72.67
1 1/2-inch	$100.35	$108.38	$117.06	$126.43	$136.55
2-inch	$156.70	$169.24	$182.78	$197.41	$213.21
3-inch	$306.97	$331.53	$358.06	$386.71	$417.65
4-inch	$476.02	$514.11	$555.24	$599.66	$647.64
6-inch	$945.61	$1,021.26	$1,102.97	$1,191.21	$1,286.51

[Ord. 90 § 2 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 89 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 84 § 2, 2012; Ord. 83 § 5, 2011; amended by district 10/2011; Ord. 79 §§ 3 (Exh. A), 6, 2009; Res. 07-19; Res. 05-04 § 8.0].

6.15.090 Encompass clause.

Any rates, fees, or charges made for fire protection service to residential properties shall be established at the same meter size required by the district for the property, regardless of fire department requirements. [Ord. 90 § 2 (Exh. A), 2024; Res. 10-18; Res. 10-06; Res. 10-01; Res. 05-04 § 30.0].

6.15.100 Water consumption charge.

The monthly water consumption charge per unit (100 cubic feet) shall be as follows:

Table 6.15.100

Volumetric Rates per Hundred Cubic Feet (hcf)*
Customer Class Tiers	FY 24/25 Sept 1, 2024	FY 25/26 July 1, 2025	FY 26/27 July 1, 2026	FY 27/28 July 1, 2027	FY 28/29 July 1, 2028
Residential (SFR, MFR, MHP)1
Tier 1: 0-4 units	$4.42	$4.78	$5.17	$5.59	$6.04
Tier 2: 5-11 units	$7.53	$8.14	$8.80	$9.51	$10.28
Tier 3: 12+ units	$8.53	$9.22	$9.96	$10.76	$11.63
Commercial (COM)
Tier 1: 0-4 units	$7.22	$7.80	$8.43	$9.11	$9.84
Tier 2: 5-11 units	$7.92	$8.56	$9.25	$9.99	$10.79
Tier 3: 12+ units	$7.92	$8.56	$9.25	$9.99	$10.79
Public (PBE)
Tier 1: 0-4 units	$7.22	$7.80	$8.43	$9.11	$9.84
Tier 2: 5-11 units	$8.10	$8.75	$9.45	$10.21	$11.03
Tier 3: 12+ units	$8.43	$9.11	$9.84	$10.63	$11.49
Irrigation (IRR)
Tier 1: 0-4 units	$7.47	$8.07	$8.72	$9.42	$10.18
Tier 2: 5-11 units	$8.30	$8.97	$9.69	$10.47	$11.31
Tier 3: 12+ units	$11.47	$12.39	$13.39	$14.47	$15.63
CIMIS (CIM)
Tier 1: 0-4 units	$7.47	$8.07	$8.72	$9.42	$10.18
Tier 2: 5-11 units	$8.19	$8.85	$9.56	$10.33	$11.16
Tier 3: 12+ units	$8.19	$8.85	$9.56	$10.33	$11.16
Bulk (BLK)
Tier 1: 0-4 units	$7.00	$7.56	$8.17	$8.83	$9.54
Tier 2: 5-11 units	$7.63	$8.25	$8.91	$9.63	$10.41
Tier 3: 12+ units	$7.92	$8.56	$9.25	$9.99	$10.79

* One hundred cubic feet is equivalent to 748 gallons of water.

1 MFR and MHP have revised tiers based on unit count. For example: An apartment with 6 dwelling units would have a Tier 1 threshold of 24 units of water (6 dwelling units x 4 units of water each).

Tier Thresholds
Tiers	Units
Tier 1	4 hcf
Tier 2	11 hcf
Tier3	12+ hcf

[Ord. 90 § 2 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 89 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020; amended by district 10/2011; Ord. 79 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Res. 07-19; Res. 05-04 § 9.0].

6.15.105 Drought rates.

Drought rates allow the district to recover fixed costs when customers curtail water use during a drought. The percent reduction in water demand during each water shortage emergency stage is defined in the district’s water shortage contingency plan, approved by the board as a part of the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and this code.

Volumetric Rate Increase by Stage of Shortage
Stages of Shortage	Description	Volumetric Rate Increase
Stage 1	Water Alert	7%
Stage 2	Moderate Water Shortage	15%
Stage 3	Severe Water Shortage	27%
Stage 4	Critical Water Shortage	43%
Stage 5	Water Shortage Crisis	68%
Stage 6	Emergency Water Shortage	100%

The board would adopt the drought rates separately from any other type of rate increase. For the duration of the rate proposal period (five years), the board will have the ability to adopt drought rates by increasing the then-current commodity rate without having to reissue the Proposition 218 notice if it provides the percentage increases in the public notice. [Ord. 90 § 2 (Exh. A), 2024].

6.15.110 Pipeline surcharge.

Repealed by Res. 24-20. [Ord. 79 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Res. 07-10; Res. 05-11; Res. 05-04 § 10.0].

6.15.120 Capital replacement charge.

Repealed by Ord. 90. [Ord. 83 § 2 (Exh. A), 2011; Ord. 81 § 2 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 80 § 2 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 79 § 3 (Exh. A), 2009; Res. 05-04 § 11.0].

6.15.130 Low-income credit program.

Repealed by Ord. 79. [Res. 05-04 § 12.0].

6.15.140 Broken locks.

The cost for replacement of broken locks will be charged at $20.00 plus cost of lock. [Res. 10-01 Exh. A; Res. 05-04 § 13.0].

6.15.150 No-show charge for appointments.

A no-show charge for 90-4 and HWAP appointments will be billed at $20.00 for a scheduled appointment which is not kept or cancelled in advance by the customer or a representative. [Res. 10-01 Exh. A; Res. 05-04 § 14.0].

6.15.160 Property tax recovery surcharge.

This surcharge to recover property tax revenues taken from the district by the state of California to balance its budget is eliminated effective December 1, 2007. [Res. 07-19; Res. 05-04 § 15.0].

6.15.170 Service installation charge.

The charge for a new service connection shall be the actual cost of service installation. An estimate of the installation cost will be provided to the applicant prior to installing the service. [Res. 05-04 § 16.0].

6.15.180 Water acquisition of service charge.

This charge shall be as follows:

Meter Size	Previous	Amended
5/8-inch	$7,668	$5,418
1-inch	19,170	10,836
1-1/2-inch	38,340	16,254
2-inch	61,344	27,090
3-inch	122,688	59,598
4-inch	191,700	92,106
6-inch	383,400	178,794

This acquisition of service charge must be paid prior to any water service connection and shall be in addition to all other charges imposed by the district. [Res. 10-18; Res. 10-06; Res. 07-11; Res. 05-04 § 17].

6.15.190 Preliminary design and plan check fee.

A deposit of $700.00 plus $20.00 per lot or parcel to be applied towards actual cost. Additional actual costs must be paid prior to connection to the district’s water system. [Res. 05-04 § 18.0].

6.15.195 Will serve letter – Single lot/service.

A fee of $40.00 is charged to the requestor of a standard will serve letter on single lots for a single service. Fees for will serve requests on land requiring in-depth review by district staff will be charged according to the actual cost to the district. [Res. 24-20, 2024; Res. 10-01 Exh. A].

6.15.200 Will serve letter – Subdivision.

This charge shall be as follows:

A. Minor Subdivision. As defined in the state Map Act (not to exceed five lots or parcels): $100.00.

B. Major Subdivision. Greater than five lots or parcels: $250.00 deposit towards actual costs. Any additional actual costs must be paid prior to issuance of the will serve letter. [Res. 24-20, 2024; Res. 05-04 § 19.0].

6.15.210 Inspection fees.

The charge shall be the actual cost to perform the inspection. A deposit equal to two percent of the construction costs, but not less than $500.00, shall be received by the district prior to performing the inspection. [Res. 05-04 § 20.0].

6.15.220 Water main construction charge.

This charge shall be the actual construction cost. A deposit equal to the estimated costs shall be received by the district prior to commencing work. [Res. 05-04 § 21.0].

6.15.230 Annexation fee.

An annexation fee of $787.00 per acre shall be collected by the district for property to be annexed into its service boundaries upon the property owners’ request. [Res. 05-04 § 22.0].

6.15.240 Bulk water meter deposit.

The meter deposit for the purpose of obtaining bulk water shall be at the then-current price of a meter to measure such bulk water. [Res. 05-04 § 23.0].

6.15.250 Bulk meter reading charge.

A charge of $20.00 will be added to the customer’s account when district personnel are required to read a bulk meter in the field. [Res. 10-01 Exh. A; Res. 05-04 § 24.0].

6.15.255 Bulk meter rental charge.

A monthly fee of $40.00 will be assessed to a customer who requests a bulk meter. [Res. 24-20, 2024; amended by district 10/2011; Res. 10-01 Exh. A].

6.15.260 Bulk water consumption rate.

The rate for bulk water shall equal the district’s Tier 4 consumption rate. [Ord. 79, 2009; Res. 06-03; Res. 05-04 § 25.0].

6.15.270 Irrigation water consumption rate.

Recreational irrigation accounts maintaining a separate irrigation meter and account in compliance with Ordinance 72, and having established an approved budget with the Hi-Desert Water District, the monthly irrigation water consumption rate shall be:

A. Base rate: $5.42.

B. Penalty rate: Tier 4. [Res. 11-14; Ord. 79, 2009; Ord. 78 §§ 3, 4, 2008; Res. 05-04 § 26.0].

6.15.280 Photocopies of public records.

A fee of $0.25 for the first copy and $0.10 for each additional copy shall be charged upon a request to obtain a copy or copies of public records from the district. [Res. 05-04 § 27.0].

6.15.285 DVD copy.

Repealed by Res. 24-20. [Res. 11-20; Res. 10-01 Exh. A].

6.15.290 Other services.

All services provided by the district not listed in Exhibit A attached to the resolution codified in this section shall be charged at the actual cost of performing the service. [Res. 10-06; Res. 10-01; Res. 05-04 § 28.0].

6.15.300 Severability.

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is for any reason said to be unconstitutional or invalid, such section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter. [Res. 10-18; Res. 10-06; Res. 10-01; Res. 05-04 § 29.0].

6.15.310 Credit card payments.

A. A fee of $2.95 will be assessed per transaction to a customer who pays by credit card via automated phone system.

B. A fee of $1.95 will be assessed to the customer per credit card transaction. [Res. 24-20, 2024; Res. 24-06; Res. 10-01 Exh. A].

6.15.320 Fire flow.

A fee of $200.00 will be charged prior to conducting the fire flow test to recover the cost the district incurs to conduct the fire flow test and prepare the fire flow letter. Tests for static pressure will be charged $85.00. The fee must be collected in full before a fire flow letter will be issued. [Res. 24-20, 2024; Res. 10-01 Exh. A].

6.15.330 Landscape plan check.

A fee of the actual cost to the district shall be charged to review landscape plans and perform on-site pre- and post- inspections to ensure compliance with the landscape ordinance. A deposit of $300.00 or the estimated cost of the landscape plan review, whichever is greater, shall be paid in advance of work being completed. [Res. 11-20; Res. 10-01 Exh. A].

6.15.340 Unauthorized use.

A fee of three months of the annual average usage, or a minimum of $500.00 plus additional costs as authorized by HDWDC 6.15.350 will be assessed to a customer who takes water consumption without approval from the district. [Res. 24-20, 2024; Res. 10-01 Exh. A].

6.15.350 Labor and materials charge.

The district shall recover the actual cost of any labor and materials charges resulting from a customer’s request for extraordinary services from the district. A deposit will be required prior to work performance for the estimated total cost of the work. [Res. 10-01 Exh. A].