Chapter 13.20
RATES AND CHARGES
Sections:
13.20.020 Water connection permit and repair and replacement fees.
13.20.040 Sewer connection fees.
13.20.060 Delinquent payments—Penalty—Collection.
13.20.010 Water user fees.*
A. In-City Service. Water user fees for properties located within city limits shall be in accordance with a sum derived from the following schedules and billed on a bimonthly basis:
1. A bimonthly “service charge” based upon the size of the domestic water tap according to the following schedule:
|
Domestic Water Tap Size |
Service Charge |
|---|---|
|
5/8 inch |
$54.94 |
|
3/4 inch |
$58.30 |
|
1 inch |
$62.88 |
|
1-1/4 inch |
$69.58 |
|
1-1/2 inch |
$76.16 |
|
2 inches |
$89.47 |
|
3 inches |
$148.07 |
|
4 inches |
$214.53 |
|
6 inches |
$370.15 |
2. A bimonthly “fire standby charge” based upon the size of the fire standby tap according to the following schedule:
|
Fire Standby Tap Size |
Fire Standby Charge |
|---|---|
|
4 inches |
$104.83 |
|
6 inches |
$197.39 |
|
8 inches |
$388.64 |
3. A charge of the actual amount of water used which is the sum of:
a. Charges for the first “block” of water, defined as water usage billed at the rate of seven dollars and seventy-six cents ($7.76) per thousand (1,000) gallons; and
b. Charges for the second “block” of water, defined as water usage billed at the rate of nine dollars and forty-one cents ($9.41) per thousand (1,000) gallons.
4. The “block breakpoint” which determines how much water will be billed at the lower rate (subsection (A)(3)(a) of this section) or the higher rate (subsection (A)(3)(b) of this section) is based upon the domestic water tap size and a corresponding “single-family equivalent.” Each “single-family equivalent” will be allowed forty thousand (40,000) gallons, bimonthly, at the lower rate (subsection (A)(3)(a) of this section). Water used by any water user above the single-family equivalents for the corresponding tap size will be billed at the higher rate (subsection (A)(3)(b) of this section).
|
Tap Size |
Single-Family Equivalent (SFE) |
Allowance |
|---|---|---|
|
5/8 inch |
1 |
40,000 gal. |
|
3/4 inch |
1 |
40,000 gal. |
|
1 inch |
3 |
120,000 gal. |
|
1-1/4 inch |
6 |
240,000 gal. |
|
1-1/2 inch |
6 |
240,000 gal. |
|
2 inches |
9 |
360,000 gal. |
|
3 inches |
17 |
680,000 gal. |
|
4 inches |
28 |
1,120,000 gal. |
|
6 inches |
49 |
1,960,000 gal. |
B. Out-of-City Service. For property located outside the boundary lines of the city seeking water service from the city, the bimonthly water user fees shall be one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the fee for service set forth in the schedule set forth in subsection (A)(1) of this section. The city may choose, in its sole discretion, to approve or deny such service.
C. Authority for Future Increases.
1. The city purchases its water from the Denver Water Board. Changes in the water fees charged by the Denver Water Board are not within the control of the city. Accordingly, the City Manager is hereby vested with the authority to change the water user fees set forth in this section if the following conditions are met:
a. The city receives notification from the Denver Water Board that the water fees charged to the city are to be changed; and
b. The sum of the increases in the individual water user fees delineated in subsection A of this section that are to be charged to the Glendale water users is sufficient to just match the projected increases in the cost of water supplied by Denver Water; and
c. The total water user fee increase shall include an increase above and beyond those presented above which shall not exceed two percent (2%) of the prior user fees as listed in subsection A of this section that will cover increases in the city’s cost to administer the water billing program.
2. In the event the conditions set forth in subsection (C)(1) of this section are met, the City Manager shall, at the subsequent Council meeting, notify the Council of such change and the effective date of such change. (Ord. 2023-9 § 1; Ord. 2022-8 § 1; Ord. 2021-7 § 1; Ord. 2019-8 § 1: Ord. 2016-5 § 1: Ord. 2015-10 § 1: Ord. 2014-15 § 1: Ord. 2013-19 § 1: Ord. 2013-1 § 1; Ord. 2012-11 § 1: Ord. 2011-13 § 1: Ord. 2011-1 § 1: Ord. 2010-1 § 1: Ord. 2009-1 § 1 (part): Ord. 2008-1 § 1 (part): Ord. 2007-1 § 1: Ord. 2005-17 § 1: Ord. 2004-17 § 1)
* Code reviser’s note: Section 2 of Ordinance 2023-9 provides, “This ordinance and the rates set forth herein shall be reflected on the March 2024 billing.”
13.20.020 Water connection permit and repair and replacement fees.*
A. For property located within the boundary limits of the city:
1. Water connection permit fees shall be calculated as sixty percent (60%) of the system development charges as adopted by the Denver Water Board, as amended from time to time. The water connection permit fees are in addition to the Denver Water System development charges and payment of the cost of a new meter and automatic meter-reading device.
2. For property located within the boundary limits of the city, fire standby connection permit fees shall be in accordance with the following schedule:
|
Fire Tap Size |
Fire Standby Connection Fee |
|---|---|
|
Fire taps less than 3" are not allowed |
N/A |
|
3" |
$1,000 |
|
4" |
$2,000 |
|
6" |
$5,000 |
|
8" |
$10,00 |
|
Other |
Established by negotiation with City Council, but in no case less than the 8-inch connection fee |
B. For property located outside the boundary limits of the city, seeking water service from the city, the water connection fee shall be one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the fee for connection as set forth in the schedule above.
C. In addition to the above fees, the customer is responsible for paying for the water supply license, system development charge (SDC), connection permit or tap fees required by the city and county of Denver to Denver Water. The customer is also responsible for tapping the main and installing water meters, meter pits, service lines, main extensions, appurtenances, and any other structures, lines or equipment, and any and all emergency or other repairs or replacements thereto or thereof, required to obtain or maintain water service. (Ord. 2023-2 § 1; Ord. 2009-1 § 1 (part); Ord. 2008-1 § 1 (part); Ord. 1998-11 § 3: Ord. 1996-15 § 2)
* Code reviser’s note: Section 2 of Ordinance 2023-2 provides, “This ordinance and the rates set forth herein shall be reflected on the May 2023 billing.”
13.20.030 Sewer user fees.*
A. In-City Sewer User Fees.
1. Each residential customer within the city shall be charged for sewer use at the rate of five dollars and eighty-eight cents ($5.88) per thousand (1,000) gallons of sewage contributed by the customer to the wastewater collection and treatment system.
2. Each nonresidential customer within the city shall be charged for sewer use in accordance with the following rate schedule:
a. Each retail sales business, restaurant, laundromat, car wash, tavern, brewpub and similar commercial customer shall pay six dollars and forty-two cents ($6.42) per thousand (1,000) gallons of sewage contributed by the customer to the wastewater collection and treatment system.
b. Each office building and similar commercial customer shall pay six dollars and eighty-two cents ($6.82) per thousand (1,000) gallons of sewage contributed by the customer to the wastewater collection and treatment system.
c. The sewer use fee for each customer whose use does not fall into any of the categories listed in this section, or whose uses may be a combination of the uses listed in this section, shall be set by the Public Works Director, but in no case shall such fee be less than that of the restaurant rate, nor greater than the office building rate.
B. Determination of Sewage Quantities.
1. The quantity of sewage on which to apply the sewer user fees will be the amount of domestic water delivered to the customer during the billing period as determined by water meter readings. Water meter readings will be obtained bimonthly by city employees or, if applicable, by employees of the Denver Water Department.
2. If the Public Works Director determines that a customer uses significant water for irrigation, evaporative cooling, or other purposes whereby that water does not enter the city’s wastewater collection system, the Director will remove the appropriate quantity of water from the calculation of the sewage bill. The quantity of such water will be determined by one (1) of the following methods, as selected by the Public Works Director:
a. Method 1—Sub-Metering. The customer may sub-meter those flows that will not enter the sewage system. The Public Works Director must approve the sub-meter location and the appropriateness of this method before installation of the meter. The customer will pay for the installation and maintenance of the meter. The meter will be read by city employees at the same time that the domestic meter is read.
b. Method 2—Using Winter Averages. The city will obtain an average winter usage by obtaining the total actual water usage, as measured by the water meter, for the period between the mid-October meter reading and the mid-April meter reading and dividing by three (3). This quantity will be the bimonthly “average winter usage.” This “average winter usage” will be the maximum amount of sewage flow for which the customer will be charged during the “summer” periods from mid-April through mid-October. If actual meter readings determine that the usage during the three (3) bimonthly “summer” periods is less than the “winter average,” the actual usage will be used to calculate the sewer user fee. If the actual meter readings indicate usage higher than the “average winter usage,” the “average winter usage” will be used to calculate the sewer user fee.
i. In cases where the Public Works Director determines that it is not possible to determine an “average winter usage” that is representative of the sewage contributed to sewage collection, Method 1, Sub-Metering, is the only method available to reduce the quantities indicated by the bimonthly domestic water meter readings.
C. Minimum Charges. Each sewer user customer shall be subject to a bimonthly minimum charge based upon the size of the domestic water tap, and in accordance with the following table:
|
Minimum Charge Schedule |
|
|---|---|
|
Tap Size (inches) |
Min. Charge |
|
5/8 |
$45.47 |
|
3/4 |
$48.28 |
|
1 |
$52.13 |
|
1-1/4 |
$57.59 |
|
1-1/2 |
$63.07 |
|
2 |
$74.07 |
|
3 |
$122.58 |
|
4 |
$177.66 |
|
6 |
$334.88 |
D. Out-of-City Sewer User Fees. For property located outside the boundary lines of the city of Glendale seeking sewer service from the city, the bimonthly sewer user fee shall be one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the fee for service that would be assessed if said property were within the city of Glendale. The city may choose, in its sole discretion, to approve or deny such service. (Ord. 2023-10 § 1; Ord. 2019-9 § 1: Ord. 2016-6 § 1: Ord. 2015-11 § 1: Ord. 2013-20 § 1: Ord. 2012-12 § 1: Ord. 2011-14 § 1: Ord. 2011-2 § 1: Ord. 2010-2 § 1; Ord. 2009-2 § 1 (part): Ord. 2008-2 § 1 (part): Ord. 2007-2 § 1: Ord. 2005-18 § 1: Ord. 2004-18 § 1)
* Code reviser’s note: The user rates set out in Ord. 2023-10 will be effective on the March 2024 billing.
13.20.040 Sewer connection fees.*
A. Sewer connection fees shall be the greater of the following per single-family residential equivalent (SFRE) as determined by Metro Water Recovery Rules and Regulations, as amended from time to time:
1. Two thousand six hundred eighty-seven dollars ($2,687); or
2. The SFRE connection fee as adopted by the Board of Directors of Metro Water Recovery, as amended from time to time, plus sixty percent (60%). (Ord. 2023-3 § 1; Ord. 2009-2 § 1 (part): Ord. 2008-2 § 1 (part): prior code § 18-59)
* Code reviser’s note: Section 2 of Ordinance 2023-3 provides, “This ordinance and the rates set forth herein shall be reflected on the May 2023 billing.”
13.20.050 Payment.
All water and/or sewer charges shall be due and payable to the city within thirty (30) days from the date of billing. (Prior code § 18-60)
13.20.060 Delinquent payments—Penalty—Collection.
A. In the event payment of a water and/or sewer bill is not timely received pursuant to Section 13.20.050, a penalty of twenty percent (20%) of the total outstanding amount due, or a minimum of twenty dollars ($20.00), shall be added to the unpaid balance.
B. The city, at its option, may also elect to terminate water and/or sewer service to any property where the water and/or sewer bill has not been paid, upon giving ten (10) days’ written notice by certified mail to the address listed on the billing. Should such service be reinstated upon payment of the delinquent amount due plus penalty, an additional fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be charged as a reinstatement fee.
C. All water and sewer charges, including charges for repair of public or private water or sewer lines which charges are properly the expense of the user, shall also constitute a lien upon any lots, lands, building or premises served by the water or sewer systems, and in the event said charges shall not be paid when due, in addition to disconnecting service, the City Clerk may certify the charge or charges to the County Treasurer of Arapahoe County, Colorado, and said charge or charges shall become a lien on the real property so served and shall be collected in the manner as though they were a part of the taxes assessed against said property together with the cost of collection. All laws of the state for the assessment and collection of general taxes and redemption of the same shall apply. (Ord. 1998-11 § 5; prior code § 18-61)