Chapter 5.25
ADMINISTRATION
Sections:
5.25.010 Billing procedures.
A. Water Charges. The water charge commences when the meter is set. The customer requesting service and whose name is on the water service account will be responsible for all water charges incurred by such service, regardless of circumstances, and delinquent charges may become a lien upon the property.
B. Tiered Water Use. The district charges for potable water use in five separate pricing tiers. The first two tiers, Tier 1 and Tier 2, are considered in-budget water use. Tier 3 represents water use greater than 100 percent but less than 125 percent of the customer’s individualized water budget. Tier 4 represents water use greater than 125 percent but less than 150 percent of the customer’s individualized water budget. Tier 5 represents water use in excess of 150 percent of the customer’s individualized water budget.
C. Water Budget. A water budget is defined as the quantity of water required for an efficient level of water use by an individual customer site. The district’s water budget calculation accounts for indoor, outdoor, and business process needs where applicable. Water budgets are determined by the individual needs of the customer using site-specific factors including, but not limited to, persons per household, irrigated area, weather (expressed as evapotranspiration rate), plant factor, days of service, etc. Water budgets are calculated differently for residential, dedicated irrigation (landscape), and commercial mixed-use (indoor and outdoor) water service accounts. Water budgets are considered the combination of Tier 1 and Tier 2 water use in all customer classes subject to water budget rates.
D. Evapotranspiration Rate. Evapotranspiration (ET) is a measure of water transpired through plant tissue and evaporated from the soil in the planted area over a period of time. The unit of measure is expressed in inches of ET. For example, 0.27 inches evapotranspired on July 15th. The district service area is divided into unique microzones. The district receives daily ET information from HydroPoint Data Systems, Incorporated’s Climate IQ Services for every microzone in the service area. The Climate IQ team uses computer generated climate models to deliver daily local weather data at a resolution accuracy of (0.01 degrees latitude and 0.01 degrees longitude) about one square kilometer. Near real-time weather data is gathered at regular intervals throughout the day from thousands of weather stations on government managed and private weather observation networks such as NOAA, as well as from other data sources including Doppler radar, atmospheric readings and satellite imagery. HydroPoint employs a team of climate scientists who validate and ensure that data is accurate, every day.
E. Monthly Plant Factor. The monthly plant factor is used to more clearly define the needs of plant materials. The district’s monthly plant factor comes from University of California – Riverside’s research on the water needs of cool-season turf grass lawn. The plant factors, when averaged over the entire calendar year, match the annual ET adjustment factors listed in the State of California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (AB 1881). Western’s plant factors are different for metered services installed prior to January 1, 2012 (row “A” in the following table) and on or after January 1, 2012 (row “B” in the following table). The monthly plant factors for special landscapes are shown in row “C” in the following table. Special landscapes include: registered historical sites, cemeteries, parks, golf courses, ball fields and edible landscapes.
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A. |
0.61 |
0.64 |
0.75 |
1.04 |
0.95 |
0.88 |
0.94 |
0.86 |
0.74 |
0.75 |
0.69 |
0.60 |
|
B. |
0.53 |
0.56 |
0.65 |
0.91 |
0.83 |
0.77 |
0.82 |
0.75 |
0.65 |
0.66 |
0.60 |
0.52 |
|
C. |
0.76 |
0.80 |
0.93 |
1.30 |
1.20 |
1.10 |
1.20 |
1.10 |
0.92 |
0.93 |
0.86 |
0.75 |
F. Residential Indoor Water Budget. A residential indoor water budget is calculated by multiplying the number of persons per household by 60 gallons for every day in a billing period. For example, if there are four persons in a residence the daily water budget would be 240 gallons (four persons times 60 gallons equals 240 gallons). If there are 28 days in a billing period the total indoor water budget would be 6,720 gallons (240 gallons/day times 28 days equals 6,720 gallons) or 8.98 billing units (748 gallons per billing unit).
G. Residential Outdoor Water Budget. A residential daily outdoor water budget is calculated by multiplying the irrigated square footage associated with the water service account by a monthly plant factor, the daily evapotranspiration rate and then dividing the product by 1,200 to arrive at the daily water budget in billing units: (irrigated square feet times monthly plant coefficient times daily evapotranspiration rate) divided by 1,200 equals daily billing units. The daily billing units are added together for the entire billing period to determine the total outdoor water budget.
H. Dedicated Landscape (Irrigation) Water Budget. Water budgets for dedicated irrigation accounts are calculated in the same manner as residential outdoor water budgets are calculated.
I. Commercial Mixed-Use Water Budgets. Commercial mixed-use water budgets are based on historic use. The district calculates an average water demand for each billing period based on the water demand of the same billing periods of the prior three years. The commercial water budget can be adjusted to accommodate changes in business processes or to allow for business growth.
J. Water Budget Adjustment. Water budgets can be adjusted when the needs of a customer change. One example is accommodating increases or decreases in persons per household or irrigated area. Adjustment forms are available on the district’s website or at the district office. Rules pertaining to water budget adjustments are outlined on the water budget adjustment form. Credits may not be available during water shortage or drought declarations.
1. Efficient Landscape Renovation Allowance. Customers installing water efficient landscape may apply for a one-time efficient landscape renovation allowance by completing a district-approved form. The allowance is a temporary increase in a customer’s outdoor water budget to facilitate the establishment of a newly planted drought-tolerant (water efficient) landscape. The temporary allowance is available for a minimum of 1,000 square feet of landscaped area and will be applied for a maximum of 60 calendar days. The temporary allowance will be applied to newly planted materials only, not the entire landscape area. An on-site inspection or photos of the newly planted landscape may be required. Planting of turf grasses for lawns or other areas does not qualify for this allowance.
2. Swimming Pool Maintenance Credit. A customer may apply for a swimming pool maintenance credit once every five years, regardless of ownership, by completing the district approved form, which is available on the district’s website. This credit can be used for a first-time filling or re-fill of a swimming pool following necessary maintenance. Aboveground pools are not eligible for this credit. Following submission of the appropriate form, the district will remove tiered water rate penalties for up to a maximum of 20 billing units (14,960 gallons). The tiered water rate penalties apply to billing Tiers 3, 4, and/or 5.
3. Leak Credit. In cases, for example, where a pipe break or sprinkler malfunction leads to water use in excess of an individual water budget within one or more billing periods, the district will remove tiered water rate penalties for up to a maximum of two concurrent billing periods ending in the billing period in which a verified repair or corrective measure was conducted if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
a. The customer’s water use was in excess of their water budget at the time of the repair;
b. The customer has completed a leak credit form with the required documentation showing a repair was performed;
c. The customer has returned to in-budget water use (Tier 1 and/or Tier 2) in the billing period immediately following the billing period during which the repair was completed;
d. The customer has not applied for a leak credit within the last 12 consecutive billing periods.
The district will remove the upper tier charges (Tiers 3, 4 and/or 5) by recalculating the impacted water bill(s) for all of the customer’s water use, including water use as a result of the leak or malfunction, at the applicable Tier 2 pricing. A leak credit form may be obtained on the district’s website, or by visiting the district’s administrative offices. This credit may not be available during water shortage or drought declarations.
4. Meter Reading, Billing Period and Due Date. The billings will be based on periodic meter readings which will normally range between 26 and 36 days apart. If a meter fails to register during any period or is known to register inaccurately, the customer shall be charged based on estimated usage. The billings for water service are mailed approximately five to 10 days after the meter readings. Current charges are due when mailed and become past due if not paid on or before the delinquent date.
The delinquent date shall be 10 days after the billing date. All billings are considered delivered upon mailing, and the district is not responsible for nonreceipt or nondelivery. Any payment envelope received by the district without a payment enclosed, or with an unsigned check, shall be considered as nonpayment.
Checks received in payment of accounts and later returned by the bank unpaid shall also be considered as nonpayment, and a returned check charge will be assessed. Accounts with one or more returned checks may be required to make future payments by cash, money order, or cashier’s check only.
K. Discontinuing Service. Customers discontinuing service shall give notice to the district. Unless discontinuance of service is requested, the customer shall be liable for normal monthly charges. Upon notice, the district will seal off the meter and take a closing meter reading.
L. Past Due Accounts. Rates and charges which are not paid on or before the due date shall be subject to interest charges. Interest will be calculated at a rate of one percent on all amounts that remain unpaid at each billing cycle. The district may secure unpaid charges by filing liens on real property, as provided by law or by any other method available to the district. In the event that legal action is brought to collect unpaid charges, the district shall be entitled to the payment of all costs, including attorney’s fees. Defendant shall pay all costs associated with litigation rendered in favor of the district.
M. Discontinuation of Residential Water Service for Nonpayment. These rules and regulations shall apply to all water service accounts of this district. In addition, the district has adopted a discontinuation of residential water service for nonpayment policy (Chapter 5.60 WMWDC), which shall, in addition to these rules and regulations, apply to all accounts for residential service, and may include specific provisions relating to notices, late fees, situations in which service will not be shut off, procedures to contest or appeal a bill, payment arrangements, special programs for low-income customers, and related subjects. To the extent such policy conflicts with these rules and regulations, the policy shall control.
N. Late Penalty and Shutoff Processing. A late penalty will be charged if the past due amount appearing on the customer’s delinquent bill notice is not paid by the due date stated on the bill notice. Prior to being scheduled for shutoff, as a courtesy, an attempt will be made to contact the customer with a second shutoff notice, either by phone or by mail. A shutoff processing fee will be charged once the customer is scheduled for shutoff.
O. Reactivation. If payment is not made, as stipulated above, and charges remain unpaid on the shutoff date stated on the delinquent billing notice, water service shall be discontinued, a reactivation fee assessed, and a deposit required. If it has become necessary to discontinue service, the bill, added penalties, and deposit amount must be paid before service will be reestablished. Payment for charges for an account with discontinued service must be made in cash, money order, debit card or credit card. (Ord. 392 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)
5.25.020 Billing policy.
All rates, charges, fees, penalties, fines, deposits, and other methods of assessments are set by the board. The current rates and charges are set forth in Chapter 7.05 WMWDC and may be revised from time to time pursuant to the district’s procedures and applicable law. The general manager, or an appointed designee, may approve adjustments to any charges, late penalties, past due account fees or service deposits pursuant to the district’s procedures and applicable law. (Ord. 392 § 2 (Exh. A), 2020)