Chapter 7.30
WATER RATES AND
SEWER CHARGES
Sections:
7.30.010 Definitions.
7.30.020 Separate single-family residence meters.
7.30.030 Water rates – Meter installation charges.
7.30.035 Water and sewer utility connection charges.
7.30.036 Sewer special connection districts.
7.30.040 Utility charges – Sanitary sewer.
7.30.045 Special connection charge.
7.30.050 Unauthorized use of water.
7.30.060 Severability.
7.30.070 Water, sewer and stormwater rate reductions for low income citizens.
7.30.080 Reserved.
7.30.090 Penalties.
7.30.010 Definitions.
A. “Dwelling unit” means a building or portion thereof providing complete housekeeping facilities for one family.
B. “Single-family residence” means a detached building containing one dwelling unit only.
C. “Duplex” means a building, occupying a lot, containing two dwelling units.
D. “Apartment houses” and other “multiple units” (except hotels, tourist courts, trailer parks, and motels) means a building or buildings used for and containing three or more dwelling units occupied on a weekly or monthly basis. Units rented on a weekly or monthly basis shall not be deemed to be tourist courts or motels.
E. “Hotels” means any place with individual rooms rented on a daily or weekly basis.
F. “Tourist courts” and “motels” means detached multiple units, occupied and paid for on a daily basis.
G. “Office buildings” includes all types of professional and business offices, including but not limited to architects, engineers, lawyers, doctors, dentists, real estate offices, etc.
H. “Commercial” and “retail buildings” mean all types of retail and commercial business establishments other than office buildings and other than industrial or manufacturing, and each such business shall be considered as a separate unit even though two or more may be in the same building.
I. In the event there is more than one type of operation in the same building, i.e., a professional office, a retail store, a restaurant, or an apartment, then in that case each separate category or type shall pay at the rate fixed under that particular category or type.
J. “Equivalent residential unit” or “ERU” means a sewer connection charge based upon the winter standard water consumption of a single-family residence of 7.07 per 100 cubic feet of water. [Ord. 3339 § 1, 2000; Ord. 786 § 1, 1959].
7.30.020 Separate single-family residence meters.
Each single-family residence building or structure served by water shall be provided with its own separate water meter. Prior to the time when such additional separate meters can be installed, water rates shall be applicable on the same basis as if the separate meters were actually installed. [Ord. 1449, 1969].
7.30.030 Water rates – Meter installation charges.
A. The bimonthly rates of water supplied through meters shall be fixed at the following levels:
|
|
Effective Dates |
||
|
|
Existing |
1/1/07 |
1/1/08 |
|
1. Single-family residence (per unit) |
$15.63 |
$16.10 |
$16.58 |
|
2. Duplex, apartment houses, condominiums and other multi-unit residences (per unit) |
$13.76 |
$14.17 |
$14.60 |
3. All other customers:
|
|
Existing |
1/1/2007 |
1/1/2008 |
|
3/4" |
$18.90 |
$19.47 |
$20.05 |
|
1" |
$38.48 |
$39.63 |
$40.82 |
|
1.5" |
$71.16 |
$73.29 |
$75.49 |
|
2" |
$108.48 |
$111.73 |
$115.09 |
|
3" |
$234.02 |
$241.04 |
$248.27 |
|
4" |
$331.49 |
$341.43 |
$351.68 |
|
6" |
$657.13 |
$676.84 |
$697.15 |
B. Variable Rate. In addition to the base rate set forth above, the customer shall be charged the following rate per 100 cubic feet of water consumed:
|
Existing |
1/1/07 |
1/1/08 |
|
$1.62 |
$1.67 |
$1.72 |
All water rate charges on water utility bills mailed between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, shall be based on rates as reflected in this section corresponding with said time period. Thereafter, all water rate charges on water utility bills mailed on or after January 1, 2008, shall be based on rates as reflected in this section corresponding with said time period until a new ordinance is adopted amending the same.
C. Meter Installation Charges.
1. New service line and meter installation charges are fixed as follows:
a. 3/4" $550.00
b. 1" $800.00
2. The actual cost of street restoration (with regard to all surface streets) shall be added to any meter installation charge, if applicable.
3. When approved by the city engineer, new service lines installed by a developer on a plat shall be credited as follows:
a. 3/4" $175.00
b. 1" $200.00
D. All rates set forth in this section shall be exclusive of any applicable taxes.
E. Repealed by Ord. 3618. [Ord. 3618 § 2, 2006; Ord. 3616 §§ 1 – 3, 2006; Ord. 3400 § 1, 2002; Ord. 3339 § 2, 2000; Ord. 2974 §§ 1 and 2, 1994; Ord. 2898 § 1, 1992; Ord. 2880 § 1, 1992; Ord. 2657 § 1, 1988; Ord. 2361 § 1, 1983; Ord. 2339 § 2, 1982; Ord. 2305 § 2, 1982; Ord. 2255 § 1, 1981; Ord. 2211 § 1, 1981; Ord. 2197 § 1, 1981; Ord. 2139, 1980; Ord. 1963 § 1, 1977; Ord. 1898 § 1, 1977; Ord. 1709 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1457 § 1, 1970; Ord. 1385 § 2, 1968; Ord. 1263 § 1, 1967; Ord. 901, 1961; Ord. 786 § 2, 1959].
7.30.035 Water and sewer utility connection charges.
A connection charge shall be paid by each new customer connecting to the city's water or sewer system in accordance with the following requirements:
A. Sewer System. The sanitary sewer connection charge shall be equivalent to $730.00 per ERU added as a result of the connection of the development.
A multifamily residential unit shall be considered equivalent to 0.67 of an ERU and the development services director shall estimate the average winter water consumption for connections of buildings, structures or uses other than residences and prorate the connection rate according to the equivalent number of ERUs such building, structure or use represents and establish an appropriate connection charge.
B. Water Connection Charge. The connection charge shall be based upon the size of the meter installed:
|
Meter Size (inches): |
Flow Factor |
Proposed Charge |
|
5/8 & 3/4" |
1 |
$908 |
|
1" |
2.5 |
$2,270 |
|
1.5" |
5 |
$4,540 |
|
2" |
8 |
$7,264 |
|
3" |
16 |
$14,528 |
|
4" |
25 |
$22,700 |
|
6" |
50 |
$45,400 |
|
8" |
80 |
$72,640 |
C. No water connection charge shall be levied for connections to water mains installed pursuant to Local Improvement District Nos. 115, 146 and 152 by properties which participated in the establishment of said local improvement districts. [Ord. 3339 § 3, 2000].
7.30.036 Sewer special connection districts.
A. A connection charge shall be paid by each new customer connecting to the city's sewer system within the following described district(s). This special connection charge is based upon the actual cost of constructing improvements which relate directly and exclusively to homes within the district(s) and which are, because of the special nature of the construction, separate and distinct from the overall costs of the system paid by a customer pursuant to ECC 7.30.035. These charges shall be in addition to the charges paid by a new customer pursuant to ECC 7.30.035 and do not duplicate any costs contained in the underlying sewer utility connection charge.
B. 88th Avenue West Sewer Special Connection District.
1. Properties addressed as 21903, 21904, and 21911 88th Avenue West shown on Exhibit A attached to the ordinance codified in this section maintained on file in the city clerk's office and any subdivision, lot line adjustment or reconfiguration of the lots or the property represented by such addresses shall pay a special connection fee, to be paid in full at the time of connection to the sewer system, of $2,941.39 per lot.
2. Due to the significant additional sewer system construction that will be required at the property owners' expense to connect these properties to the sewer system after completion of the sewer project by the city, these properties may defer connection and shall not be required to connect to the sewer system within the time limit requirements of ECDC 18.10.010 and ECC 7.30.040.
3. The owner of any of these properties that does not connect to the sewer system within the time limits in accordance with ECDC 18.10.010 shall, upon connection to the sewer system, pay the above established special connection fee, increased based upon the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for construction for the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett area from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section to the time of connection to the sewer system. [Ord. 3657 § 1, 2007].
7.30.040 Utility charges – Sanitary sewer.
The utility charges for sanitary sewer service set forth in this section shall be added to and made a part of the bimonthly or monthly rates for water supplied through the meters as set forth in ECC 7.30.030:
A. The following rates shall be charged on all billings after the effective date shown with respect to the following customers and/or service:
|
|
Effective Dates |
Connected |
Unconnected |
|
1. Single-family residences (bimonthly) |
|||
|
|
1/1/2004 |
$51.80 |
$8.35 |
|
|
1/1/2006 |
$50.64 |
$8.16 |
|
2. Duplexes, apartment houses, condominiums and other multi-unit residences (bimonthly) |
|||
|
|
1/1/2004 |
$41.62/unit |
$8.35/unit |
|
|
1/1/2006 |
$40.69/unit |
$8.16/unit |
|
3. Duplexes, apartment houses, condominiums and other multi-unit residences (monthly) |
|||
|
|
1/1/2004 |
$20.81/unit |
$4.18/unit |
|
|
1/1/2006 |
$20.34/unit |
$4.09/unit |
|
4. All other customers (monthly) |
|||
|
|
Fixed Rate: |
|
|
|
|
1/1/2004 |
$2.95 |
N/A |
|
|
1/1/2006 |
$2.88 |
N/A |
|
|
Volume Charge: |
|
|
|
|
1/1/2004 |
$3.34/ccf* |
N/A |
|
|
1/1/2006 |
$3.26/ccf* |
N/A |
|
*Per 100 cubic feet of metered water consumption. |
|||
B. For customers who are not served by city waterlines but who are connected to city sewers, the charges shall be the same as set forth in subsection A of this section and its subparagraphs.
C. These rates do not apply to industries or manufacturing concerns which have industrial wastes. These, together with other activities not covered in this chapter, shall be dealt with on a special basis and have special rates set for the particular business by the water/utility administrative staff, subject to review and approval by the city council.
D. All property owners within an area served by a sanitary sewer system in the city of Edmonds are hereby directed and compelled to connect their private drains and sewers to the city system. Failure to do so within 30 days of written notice to connect by the city shall subject the property owner to a monthly penalty equal to that charge imposed by subsections A, B, and/or C above. Said penalty shall be billed to the property owner, and they shall be subject to payment, collection and enforcement in all respects as though they were utility customers of the city. All penalties collected shall be considered revenues of the sewer utility system. [Ord. 3570 § 2, 2005; Ord. 3400 § 2, 2002; Ord. 3339 § 4, 2000; Ord. 3195 § 1, 1998; Ord. 2823, 1991; Ord. 2657 § 2, 1988; Ord. 2551, 1986; Ord. 2361 § 2, 1983; Ord. 2255 § 2, 1981; Ord. 2197 § 2, 1981; Ord. 2181 § 1, 1980; Ord. 2147, 1980; Ord. 2139, 1980; Ord. 1898 § 2, 1977; Ord. 1465, 1970; Ord. 1458 § 1, 1970; Ord. 1264 § 1, 1967; Ord. 1051, 1964; Ord. 786 § 3, 1959].
7.30.045 Special connection charge.
In addition to any other charges prescribed by this chapter, a special connection charge shall be paid by the owner of any property, residential dwelling unit, or other structure that may hereafter connect to the sanitary sewer improvements constructed by any local improvement district formed by the city and for which no assessment was imposed or charged under the said LID. The special connection charge for each property, residential dwelling unit, or other structure so connected shall be equal to the amount of the assessment that would have been levied against such property, residential dwelling unit, or structure under the final assessment roll of the appropriate LID if the said property, residential dwelling unit, or other structure had been so assessed, together with interest thereon at the rate established by the ordinance authorizing issuance of the bonds for said LID, from the time of such authorization until the time of connection. The special connection charge shall be paid in a lump sum prior to connection to the sanitary sewer. The special connection charge provided for in this section shall apply only where the debt used to finance the local improvements has not yet been fully retired through assessment payments. If such debt has been fully retired through payment of such assessments, the special connection charge shall not apply. [Ord. 3332 § 1, 2000].
7.30.050 Unauthorized use of water.
It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or other organization of any type whatsoever to take, or allow to be taken, water from the Edmonds water system without a valid per-
mit issued by the Edmonds water division. Any person, including the officers and/or directors of any firm, corporation or other organization of any type, who shall take water from the Edmonds water system without such permit shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties set forth in ECC 5.50.020. In addition to such penalties there shall be a charge by the water division for the taking of such water at a minimum of $100.00 plus $1.00 per 100 cubic feet of water taken. Said water charge may be charged against the premises from which the water was taken and enforced by available liens or, where applicable, against the individual, firm, corporation or other organization of any type, including the officers and directors thereof, who took or caused to be taken said unauthorized water. References herein to water permits shall include all permits required for water usage within the city of Edmonds, or from the Edmonds water system, as required by the Edmonds City Code. [Ord. 1562, 1971].
7.30.060 Severability.
Should any section, clause or provision of this chapter be declared by the courts to be invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the chapter as a whole or any part thereof, other than the part so declared to be invalid. [Ord. 786 § 6, 1959].
7.30.070 Water, sewer and stormwater rate reductions for low income citizens.
A. Definitions. For the purposes of implementing water, sewer and stormwater rate reductions under the provisions of this section, the following words or phrases shall have the following definitions:
1. “Low income citizen” shall mean a person who has established Edmonds as their residence and whose total disposable income including that of his or her spouse or cotenant does not exceed the amount specified in RCW 84.36.381(5)(b) as the same exists or is hereafter amended.
2. The definition of terms such as “residence,” “total disposable income,” “combined disposable income,” and other such terms used in this section shall be given those meanings established by RCW 84.36.383 as the same exists or is hereafter amended. In the event that any provision of the Revised Code of Washington incorporated by reference or implication in this definitional section shall be amended, such amendment shall be deemed to be incorporated within or utilized in interpretation of this section.
B. Low income citizens shall be given reductions in the water, sewer and stormwater rates as those rates are established from time to time by the city council:
1. A rate reduction of 30 percent shall be afforded those low income citizens who meet the qualifying income and asset levels established by RCW 84.36.381(5)(b)(i) as the same exists or shall hereafter be amended.
2. A 50 percent rate reduction shall be afforded those low income citizens qualifying under the provisions of RCW 84.36.381 (5)(b)(ii).
3. No rate reduction shall be afforded to any person shown as a dependent on the income tax return of any other individual, whether or not such person resides at the location for which the rate reduction is sought, unless the total combined disposable income of the applicant, along with their spouse, cotenant and all family members shown on the income tax return in which the applicant is shown as a dependent, meets the standards established by this section.
C. The administrative services director is authorized to establish an application for low income citizens rate reduction applications. The application shall be provided without cost by the utility billing division of the city and shall include such information as may reasonably be required by the administrative services director to verify eligibility. [Ord. 3629 § 9, 2007; Ord. 2807 § 1, 1990; Ord. 2805 § 2, 1990; Ord. 2777 § 1, 1990].
7.30.080 Reserved.
[Ord. 2777 § 2, 1990; Ord. 2773 § 1, 1990; Ord. 2440, 1984; Ord. 2198 § 2, 1981].
7.30.090 Penalties.
A. Any person knowingly making any false or misleading statement in any application and/or renewal for rate reduction to any city employee with intent to secure the rate reduction authorized herein shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished as set forth in ECC 5.50.020.
B. Further, in the event of any such misrepresentation, the water rate may be increased retroactively and assessed against the applicant and/or premises as may be allowable by law including but not limited to lien procedures. [Ord. 2198 § 3, 1981].