Chapter 13.24
SEWER RATES
Sections:
13.24.020 Charges – When due – Delinquent charges.
13.24.010 Sewer rates.
Monthly charges, as set forth in the taxes, rates and fees schedule adopted by ordinance, shall apply to the following classifications of users of the city sewer system:
A. Each single-family residential unit inside the corporate limits of the city (including units in duplexes, triplexes, apartment houses, condominiums, trailer parks, and other multifamily dwellings), where each unit is supplied with a separate metered water service connection, shall pay the base sewer charge plus an additional charge per cubic meter of water consumed over an initial 10 cubic meters consumed that month as measured by the water meter.
B. Single-family residential units, duplexes, triplexes, apartment houses, condominiums, trailer courts, and other multifamily dwellings inside the corporate city limits that are serviced by only one metered water service connection shall pay the base charge for each residential unit plus an additional charge per cubic meter of water usage over the initial 10 cubic meters of water consumed that month as measured by the water meter.
C. Mixed-use buildings (those buildings consisting of any combination of residential and commercial uses) inside the city limits that are served by only one metered water service connection shall pay according to the following methodology:
1. One commercial base charge, regardless of the number of commercial businesses in the building;
2. A multifamily base charge for each residential unit in the building; and
3. An additional charge, at the commercial rate, for each cubic meter of water usage over the initial 20 cubic meters of water consumed that month for the entire building as measured by the water meter.
D. All other users inside the city limits shall pay the specified base charge plus an additional charge for each cubic meter of water consumed over the initial 10 cubic meters of water consumed that month as measured by the user’s water meter.
E. All users outside the city limits shall pay the base charge plus an additional charge for each cubic meter of water consumed over the initial 10 cubic meters of water consumed that month as measured by the user’s water meter.
F. In the event that any user of the sewage system, by reason of the user’s activities, is in two or more of the classifications set out in this section, the rate for such users shall be the highest rate established for any such classification.
G. In the event that a user of the sewage system obtains water from a water purveyor having a metered system other than the city’s water system, the charges for sewer system usage shall either be:
1. A base rate and a usage rate set forth in the taxes, rates and fees schedule based on the meter readings from the purveyor of the water supply if the purveyor has delivered such records to the city; or
2. A rate based upon the base rate plus the average water use for this class of customer over the prior two years plus a 10 percent administrative fee as determined by the city to cover its administration costs in calculating and billing this alternative base rate.
All water purveyors delivering service to customers within the city shall provide the city with water meter reading records for each separate water customer residing in the city in form and content acceptable to the city for each full or partial calendar month of water use. Such water meter reading records are deemed to be timely provided to the city if the water purveyor provides such records to the city by the fifteenth day of the calendar month for the preceding month’s water meter reading. Failure of the water purveyor to timely provide such records shall constitute a civil violation pursuant to Chapter 1.20 NBMC and shall subject the water purveyor to a daily penalty pursuant to NBMC 1.20.100 of up to $2,000 for each day that a violation exists; provided, however, that such penalty shall in no event be less than $500.00 for each day that a violation exists.
H. In the event the user of the sewage system obtains water from a private source that is not metered, the user shall pay the prescribed base fee for the associated uses in the building as set forth in the taxes, rates and fees schedule.
I. Property owners that have a city maintained grinder pump and a recorded grinder pump service agreement shall be assessed a monthly grinder pump service fee. If access is not maintained by the owner as described in the grinder pump service agreement, they shall be assessed a special access charge. Owner shall be assessed a minimum service fee as determined by the city for misuse, unauthorized use, damage, or tampering.
J. A user of the sewage system may apply in writing to the city administrator for a sewage charge adjustment. The burden is on the user to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence based on studies and other data that the water consumption used to calculate the sewage charge is greatly disproportionate to the user’s impact on the sewage system as compared to other users of the sewage system. Requesting such an adjustment does not extend the period for payment of the sewage charge. An adjustment on a delinquent account shall not be made until the account is paid in full. The city administrator shall establish processes and procedures for reviewing requests for adjustments and may revoke an adjustment at any time. The decision of the city administrator shall be final.
K. In addition to any applicable charges set forth in this section, all users responsible for payment of any such charges shall pay a monthly surcharge equal to six percent of the total monthly charges owed by such user to the city for sewer services. (Ord. 1742 § 2, 2021; Ord. 1729 § 1, 2020; Ord. 1622 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2017).
13.24.020 Charges – When due – Delinquent charges.
All invoices for sewer charges imposed pursuant to Chapter 13.20 NBMC and this chapter shall be due and payable upon receipt. All charges remaining unpaid shall be subject to the provisions of NBMC 13.40.070. All delinquent charges shall be a lien against the property served and shall be perfected and enforced as provided by the laws of the state governing municipal utility liens. (Ord. 1622 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2017).