Chapter 13.16
CHARGES, RATES AND FEES FOR SEWER SYSTEM
Sections:
13.16.020 Wastewater service capital facilities charges.
13.16.030 Temporary sewer connection fee.
13.16.040 Residential sewer charges.
13.16.050 Commercial, industrial, and temporary sewer charges.
13.16.070 Wastewater customers.
13.16.080 Rates for low-income senior citizen customers and low-income totally disabled customers.
13.16.085 Upon retirement of loans.
13.16.090 Wastewater surcharge fees (latecomer fees).
13.16.010 Definitions.
The following words or phrases shall have the meanings set forth for the purposes of this chapter:
“BOD equivalent residential unit” means actual quantity of pounds of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of wastewater usage and sewage discharge to the sanitary sewage collection system of the city or potential quantity of pounds of BOD of wastewater usage and sewage discharge to the sanitary sewage collection system of the city of one-half pound per day or fraction thereof.
“Equivalent residential unit (ERU)” means or refers to a unit of sewer capacity determined by the city to be equivalent to the capacity (or average capacity) typically used by, or allocated to, a single-family residential dwelling unit. For the purposes of this chapter, an ERU of sewer capacity shall be equal to 250 gallons per day of sewer use as determined through the standard sewer billing process.
“Flow equivalent residential unit” or “ERU” means the actual quantity in gallons of wastewater usage and sewage discharge to the sanitary sewage collection system of the city or potential quantity in gallons of wastewater usage and sewage discharge to the sanitary sewage collection system of the city of 250 gallons per day or fraction thereof. For the purposes of this chapter, references to ERU, without further description or designation (such as BOD ERU or suspended solids ERU), shall mean flow ERU.
“Income” means gross income as defined in Section 61(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as now in effect or hereafter amended, plus any and all Social Security retirement and/or disability payments, Veterans Administration retirement and/or disability payments, Railroad Retirement Board pension and/or disability payments, and payment received from any other public or private pension, retirement, profit-sharing and disability plans, unemployment compensation, and income from any other source.
“Low-income senior citizen customer” means a person who is 62 years of age or older and whose total income, including that of his or her spouse or co-tenant, does not exceed the sum of the existing State of Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development low household income figure for community development block grant (CDBG) projects.
“Multiple-dwelling unit” means any apartment building, condominium, mobile home park, trailer court, or other multiple structure or building, where the building or complex may be served by a shared or common private sanitary sewer line(s), side sewer, or other joint sewer facilities.
“Single-family dwelling unit” means a residence or unit where one family lives.
“Suspended solids equivalent residential unit” means actual quantity of pounds of suspended solids of wastewater usage and sewage discharge to the sanitary sewage collection system of the city or potential quantity of pounds of suspended solids of wastewater usage and sewage discharge to the sanitary sewage collection system of the city of one-half pound per day or fraction thereof.
“Totally disabled customer” means any person who has been classified as totally disabled by the Social Security Administration and whose total income does not exceed the amount provided for low-income senior citizen customers. [Ord. 757B, 2003; Ord. 729B, 2002.]
13.16.020 Wastewater service capital facilities charges.
A. Wastewater service capital facilities charges shall be, and the same hereby are, imposed for connections to the sanitary sewage collection system of the city, which wastewater capital facilities charges shall be paid for each ERU as follows: $3,030 per ERU.
B. The number of ERUs used to determine the wastewater capital facilities charges shall be based on actual wastewater usage if such usage history is available. If no wastewater usage history or information is available, the number of ERUs used to determine the wastewater capital facilities charges shall be based on the estimated usage, as determined by the public works director.
C. In the cases where estimates of wastewater usage are used to determine the number of ERUs for wastewater capital facilities charges, an evaluation of usage shall occur after the connection is in use, when sufficient wastewater usage history or information is available to determine the actual wastewater usage and number of ERUs. If, after an evaluation has been made, the actual determined number of ERUs is greater than the estimated number of ERUs, additional charges for wastewater connection shall be required and levied against the owner or person responsible for the connection. If any such additional charges are not paid, the water and wastewater service shall be subject to disconnection. If, after an evaluation has been made, the actual determined number of ERUs is less than the estimated number of ERUs, a reimbursement equal to the difference in charges for the estimated number of ERUs and the actual number of ERUs shall be made to the owner or person responsible for the connection. [Ord. 774B, 2004; Ord. 757B, 2003; Ord. 729B, 2002.]
13.16.030 Temporary sewer connection fee.
Temporary connections to the city’s sewer system may be allowed under certain circumstances (such as ground water remediation sites) and must be approved by the public works director. They may be permitted for a period of up to five years. Wastewater service capacity fees will be charged at the rate of 0.025 of the standard ERU connection fee in place at the time of payment, per year of discharge, payable prior to each year of discharge. This fee will not be prorated in increments of less than one year and is nonrefundable. Monthly sewer charges will be assessed as already established, based on wastewater strength and flow characteristics. [Ord. 757B, 2003; Ord. 729B, 2002.]
13.16.040 Residential sewer charges.
A. Single-family residential sewer charges shall include a fixed rate charge and a usage charge. Sewer usage charges shall be based on the volume of water used during the winter months and averaged for summer month calculations. The monthly charges for single-family unit sewer service shall be as follows:
1. Residential Fixed Rate.
|
Year |
Inside City Limits |
Outside City Limits |
|---|---|---|
|
2012 |
$ 44.91 |
$ 67.35 |
|
2013 |
47.61 |
71.39 |
|
2014 |
50.46 |
75.67 |
|
2015 |
53.49 |
80.21 |
2. Residential Usage Charge (Per Unit of 100 Cubic Feet).
|
Year |
Inside City Limits |
Outside City Limits |
|---|---|---|
|
2012 |
$ 5.40 |
$ 5.79 |
|
2013 |
5.72 |
6.13 |
|
2014 |
6.07 |
6.50 |
|
2015 |
6.43 |
6.89 |
B. Monthly or bimonthly sewer usage for each account shall be calculated during the winter billing periods of October through March, or November through April, by using the actual total water usage for each account. Charges shall be calculated during the summer billing periods of April through September, or May through October, by using the lesser of the actual water usage during those periods, or the average of the actual water usage for the winter billing periods of October through March, or November through April, unless it can be demonstrated that another quantity of usage is actually used, or another method of calculating sewer usage charges is more accurate. In such cases, the demonstrated actual quantity of usage or more accurate method shall be used in computing the monthly sewer usage charges. The monthly sewer usage or averaged usage shall be added to the fixed rate charge.
C. For new sewer customers connecting or opening a utility account during the summer months, or where there is no history of winter water usage for an account, the lesser of the actual usage by the new customer or an average usage quantity for all residential customers, as determined by the finance director, shall be used to calculate the summer sewer usage charge, unless it can be demonstrated that another quantity of usage is actually used. In such cases, the demonstrated actual quantity of usage shall be used in computing the monthly sewer charges. The monthly sewer usage or average usage charge shall be added to the fixed rate charge.
D. Sewer rates for residential customers inside and outside the city limits shall be as stated for the years 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, as outlined in subsections (A), (B), and (C) of this section, and shall remain in effect for 12-month periods from the effective date of Ordinance No. 901B, codified in this subsection. In all other respects, the terms and conditions of this section shall remain in full force and effect. [Ord. 901B § 1, 2012; Ord. 833B § 1, 2008; Ord. 831B, 2007; Ord. 773B, 2004; Ord. 757B, 2003; Ord. 729B, 2002.]
13.16.045 Effective date.
The effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be the first day of November, 2012. [Ord. 901B § 2, 2012.]
13.16.050 Commercial, industrial, and temporary sewer charges.
Commercial, industrial, and temporary sewer charges shall include a fixed rate charge and a usage charge. Sewer usage charges shall be based on volume of water used unless it can be demonstrated that another quantity of usage is actually used, or another method of calculating sewer usage charges is more accurate. In such cases, the demonstrated actual quantity of usage or more accurate method shall be used in computing the monthly sewer usage charges. The monthly charges for commercial sewer service shall be as follows:
A. Commercial, Industrial, and Temporary Fixed Rate Inside the City Limits.
|
Size of Water Meter Service |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5/8" x 3/4" |
$ 61.43 |
$ 65.11 |
$ 69.02 |
|
1" |
109.44 |
116.00 |
122.96 |
|
1-1/2" and 2" |
151.35 |
160.43 |
170.06 |
|
3" and 4" |
286.41 |
303.60 |
321.81 |
|
6" |
648.60 |
687.52 |
728.77 |
|
8" |
972.91 |
1,031.29 |
1,093.16 |
|
Size of Water Meter Service |
2015 |
|---|---|
|
5/8" x 3/4" |
$ 73.16 |
|
1" |
130.34 |
|
1-1/2" and 2" |
180.26 |
|
3" and 4" |
341.12 |
|
6" |
772.49 |
|
8" |
1,158.75 |
B. Commercial, Industrial, and Temporary Fixed Rate Outside the City Limits.
|
Size of Water Meter Service |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5/8" x 3/4" |
$ 92.14 |
$ 97.67 |
$ 103.53 |
|
1" |
164.16 |
174.01 |
184.45 |
|
1-1/2" and 2" |
227.04 |
240.66 |
255.10 |
|
3" and 4" |
429.63 |
455.40 |
482.73 |
|
6" |
972.90 |
1,031.27 |
1,093.15 |
|
8" |
1,459.31 |
1,546.87 |
1,639.68 |
|
Size of Water Meter Service |
2015 |
|---|---|
|
5/8" x 3/4" |
$ 109.74 |
|
1" |
195.52 |
|
1-1/2" and 2" |
270.41 |
|
3" and 4" |
511.69 |
|
6" |
1,158.74 |
|
8" |
1,738.06 |
C. Commercial, Industrial, and Temporary Usage Charge (Per Unit of 100 Cubic Feet).
|
Year |
Inside City Limits |
Outside City Limits |
|---|---|---|
|
2012 |
$ 5.40 |
$ 5.79 |
|
2013 |
5.72 |
6.13 |
|
2014 |
6.07 |
6.50 |
|
2015 |
6.43 |
6.89 |
D. Sewer rates for commercial, industrial and temporary usage customers inside and outside the city limits shall be as stated for the years 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, as outlined in subsections (A), (B), and (C) of this section, and shall remain in effect for 12-month periods from the effective date of Ordinance No. 901B, codified in this subsection. In all other respects, the terms and conditions of this section shall remain in full force and effect. [Ord. 901B § 1, 2012; Ord. 827B §§ 2, 3, 2007; Ord. 773B, 2004; Ord. 757B, 2003; Ord. 729B, 2002.]
13.16.070 Wastewater customers.
A. Rates charged to the city of Napavine and Lewis County Water and Sewer District No. 4 for the operation and maintenance of the interceptor and related facilities shared with the city and for the treatment of sewage by the city are as follows:
|
Monthly Wholesale Rates |
July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2020 |
|---|---|
|
Napavine |
$14,043/month |
|
LCSD No. 4 |
$5,178/month |
B. These rates shall be recalculated every five years and subject to negotiation per terms of the interlocal agreement between the city of Chehalis, city of Napavine, and Lewis County Water and Sewer District No. 4 regarding the sewer rates to be charged for monthly sewage treatment services. [Ord. 942B § 1, 2015; Ord. 919B § 1, 2013; Ord. 903B § 1, 2012; Ord. 881B § 1, 2011; Ord. 860B § 1, 2011; Ord. 853B § 1, 2009; Ord. 837B § 1, 2008; Ord. 830B § 1, 2008; Ord. 816B § 1, 2007; Ord. 796B, 2005; Ord. 778B, 2004; Ord. 759B, 2003; Ord. 757B, 2003; Ord. 729B, 2002.]
13.16.080 Rates for low-income senior citizen customers and low-income totally disabled customers.
A. The fixed rates for low-income senior citizen residential customers and low-income totally disabled residential customers inside and outside the city limits shall be 50 percent of the residential fixed rates that would otherwise apply. The regular residential customer usage charges shall apply, whether inside or outside the city limits, whichever is applicable, in all other respects.
B. All low-income senior citizen residential customers and low-income totally disabled residential customers applying for low-income senior citizen customer or totally disabled residential customer rates herein provided shall furnish a claim for exemption in such affidavit form as shall be prescribed by the city manager. Such form shall be furnished on or before the thirtieth day of June of each year or within 30 days from the date of account opening or unexpected sudden change of income status. The city will consider applications furnished outside of this period.
C. Those customers applying for the low-income totally disabled customer rate must furnish proof of such disability from the Social Security Administration. [Ord. 795B, 2005; Ord. 773B, 2004; Ord. 757B, 2003; Ord. 729B, 2002.]
13.16.085 Upon retirement of loans.
Upon retirement of the loans incurred beginning in 2003 to help pay for the acquisition of land for and construction of the wastewater treatment plant, associated facilities, and upgrades of the Prindle and Riverside pump stations, the amount of money then going toward that debt service shall be removed from the rate structure in effect at that time. [Ord. 757B, 2003; Ord. 729B, 2002.]
13.16.090 Wastewater surcharge fees (latecomer fees).
A. The public works director may, at his discretion, establish and adopt wastewater surcharge fees that, after their establishment, shall be imposed upon customers connecting to specifically designated wastewater utility extension(s) and/or wastewater system improvements in defined areas.
B. Such surcharge fees shall be based on criteria established within the standard latecomer agreement form created by the development review committee.
C. In order for a wastewater surcharge fee to be established, in addition to or separately from a request approving and authorizing the installation and/or construction of a wastewater utility extension(s) or wastewater system improvements, the developer, property owner, or other entity that installed and/or constructed such wastewater utility extension(s) or wastewater system improvements, or proposes to install and/or construct wastewater utility extension(s) or wastewater system improvements, shall submit to the public works director a specific request (a latecomer agreement form created by the development review committee) to establish a wastewater surcharge fee.
D. The public works director may require additional information from the developer, property owner, or other entity requesting the establishment of such wastewater surcharge fee. The director may also deny the request to establish the wastewater surcharge fee, or establish a different amount of wastewater surcharge fee, other than the fee calculated in the standard latecomer agreement form. If a wastewater surcharge fee is approved, the director may impose other conditions, limitations, and/or a duration for said wastewater surcharge fee.
E. The purpose of establishing such wastewater surcharge fees is to reimburse developers, property owners, or other entities that installed and/or constructed wastewater utility extension(s) or wastewater system improvements for a portion of their costs for the installation and/or construction of wastewater utility extension(s) or wastewater system improvements, for which subsequent, nonparticipating future customers benefit. The city shall collect established surcharges, from such nonparticipating future customers, at the time wastewater capacity charges are paid, and then reimburse the surcharge(s) to the developer, property owner or other entity that installed and/or constructed such wastewater utility extension(s) or wastewater system improvements, for which such surcharge(s) was established.
F. Such wastewater surcharge fees shall be in addition to any other charges that may be applicable. [Ord. 847B § 6, 2009; Ord. 757B, 2003; Ord. 729B, 2002.]
13.16.100 Delinquency charge.
A delinquency charge equal to 10 percent of the total service charge shall be added to each unpaid bill. [Ord. 777B, 2004.]
13.16.110 Annual review.
The revenue generated as a result of this chapter shall be reviewed annually and compared to expectations and sufficiency, with a report to the city council. [Ord. 757B, 2003; Ord. 729B, 2002.]