[Adopted 6-3-1975 by Doc. 138 (Ch. 249, Art. I, of the 1980 Code)]
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Doc. 76]
The City of Haverhill shall, from time to time,
establish rates for the use of the wastewater treatment facility,
to be recommended by the Superintendent/Engineer and approved by the
City Council and Mayor, to be billed quarterly.[1]
Should the operational, maintenance and capital
costs of the wastewater treatment facility exceed the sums collected,
then in such event, the charges of the use of the wastewater treatment
facility shall be adjusted accordingly.
The City shall comply in all respects to the
rules and regulations governing user charges and industrial cost recovery
for federally assisted projects as set forth in Appendix B.
The surcharge for high concentration wastes
shall be established in accordance with Appendix C.
[Added 10-11-1988 by Doc. 205; amended 2-14-1989 by Doc. 33; 7-25-1989 by Doc. 130; 9-16-2003 by Doc. 135; 1-13-2009 by Doc. 140/08]
A.
A fee of $400 per unit will be charged to connect
to the municipal sewerage system. This charge will apply to renovations
and new services.
B.
For nonresidential users and multifamily dwellings,
the number of units shall be calculated by dividing the design flow
by 330 gallons per day (gpd), which is the flow generated by a hypothetical
threebedroom single-family residence. The design flow for nonresidential
and multifamily dwellings shall be determined using the sewer system
flow design values found in the most current version of Title IV of
the State Environmental Code (310 CMR 15.000).
[Amended 9-8-2015 by Doc.
109]
A.
Pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Amendments of 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency has established
rules and regulations governing user charges and industrial cost recovery
for federally assisted projects. There are two sets of regulations
for industrial cost recovery. The first set of regulations applies
to federal funds awarded before March 2, 1973. These regulations control
the funding of the Bradford Interceptor, pumping station, force main
and the treatment facility. Under these regulations all industry is
required to pay its share of the local cost of construction (total
cost less federal and state grants).
B.
The regulations governing grants awarded since March
1, 1973, apply to the north bank interceptors and the river crossing
projects. These regulations stipulate that, in addition to instituting
user charges, the City will be required to recover from each industry
that discharges industrial wastewater (i.e., wastes other than domestic
wastewater) to any of the north bank interceptors an amount equal
to the industry's proportional share of the federal grant (75% of
the eligible project cost). The Environmental Protection Agency further
requires that this amount be recovered over a period equal to 30 years
or the useful life of the project, whichever is less, through a series
of payments made at least annually. The regulations stipulate that
50% of the recovered revenue may be retained by the City, with the
remainder refunded to the United States Treasury. Of the retained
amounts, the Environmental Protection Agency requires that at least
80% be used solely for the eligible costs of reconstruction or expansion
of the interceptors and river crossings. The remaining 20% may be
put to other use.
C.
The final and largest source of sewerage system revenue
is the other domestic, commercial and industrial users of the system.
Our detailed recommendations for an equitable system of cost recovery
are presented in a later section of this report.
D.
We have estimated the wastewater flows from those
industries served by the north bank projects and have developed a
recommended system of industrial cost recovery that meets the requirements
of the Environmental Protection Agency. The total estimated amount
of the Environmental Protection Agency grant for the north bank interceptors
and river crossings is $6,309,000, of which approximately $1,549,000
can be apportioned to the river crossings and $4,760,000 can be apportioned
to the interceptors. In the design of these facilities, a total capacity
of 18.38 million gallons per day (mgd) in terms of average daily flow
has been provided for users of the facilities. However, additional
capacity has been provided in the interceptors for stormwater flows.
As a result, a maximum of 16.9% of the capacity of the interceptors
is available for industrial use. Therefore, 16.9% of the grant amount
apportioned to the interceptors and 100% of the amount apportioned
to the river crossings is to be used in calculations of industrial
cost recovery. This yields a total of $2,353,000. Using this information
and a recovery period of 30 years, the estimated unit cost to industries
of Environmental Protection Agency grant recovery is $11.70 per million
gallons per year or $0.009 per 100 cubic feet per year. We estimate
that the total annual industrial flow in these projects will be approximately
200 million gallons. Therefore, the total amount of the grant recovery
for 1975 would be approximately $2,340. Since this amount is small
and its use is restricted, it has not been included in our calculations
of anticipated revenues. However, to meet Environmental Protection
Agency requirements, this sum must be recovered. We recommend that
a separate billing account be set up for all north bank industrial
customers. These customers would be billed at the end of each year
for their share of the federal grant on the basis of their total annual
flow times the unit rate indicated above.
A.
When all customers contribute wastewater of comparable
strength, a simple charge based on flow will result in equitable cost
recovery. However, if a customer discharges a waste which, because
of its characteristics, requires treatment which is more costly than
that required by normal strength wastes, then that customer should
bear the extra cost. For the purpose of this study, a normal strength
waste is one which has the general characteristics of domestic wastewater.
B.
There are several measurable parameters of wastewater
quality which may require provisions for a surcharge. The parameters
which are relevant are those which directly affect the design and
operation of the treatment facility. In Haverhill, the relevant parameters
for surcharge determination are biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and
suspended solids (SS). BOD may be defined as the quantity of oxygen
utilized in the biochemical oxidation of organic matter. SS may be
defined as solids that either float on the surface or are in suspension
in the wastewater and which are removable by laboratory filtering.
C.
The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control
Commission (NEIWPCC) states that the average concentrations of BOD
and SS in domestic wastewater are approximately 250 milligrams per
liter (mg/l) and 300 mg/l, respectively. Therefore, we recommend that
customers who discharge a wastewater whose characteristics exceed
these limits be subject to a surcharge on the excess BOD and SS. To
calculate the surcharge for either parameter, one must multiply the
difference between the actual average concentration in the wastewater
and the limiting concentration by the total volume of flow for the
billing period, then by the conversion factor 8.34 pounds per million
gallons per mg/l, and finally by the cost, in dollars, of treating
each pound of excess BOD or SS, as appropriate. These formulas may
be written as follows:
|
Surcharge for BOD
|
=
|
(C1 - 250) x Q x 8.34
x S1
| ||
|
Where
| ||||
|
C1
|
=
|
The average concentration of BOD in milligrams
per liter.
| ||
|
Q
|
=
|
The total volume of wastewater contributed during
the billing period, in millions of gallons.
| ||
|
S1
|
=
|
The surcharge for each pound of BOD, in dollars.
| ||
|
Surcharge for SS
|
=
|
(C2 - 300) x Q x 8.34
x S2
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Where
| ||||
|
C2
|
=
|
The average concentration of SS in milligrams
per liter.
| ||
|
Q
|
=
|
The total volume of wastewater contributed during
the billing period, in millions of gallons.
| ||
|
S2
|
=
|
The surcharge for each pound of SS, in dollars.
| ||
D.
In the table below, we present data which may be used
to calculate the portion of each of the treatment plant operating
cost categories which may be applied to flow, BOD and SS in order
to obtain the unit cost of treatment. For example, if yearly operation
and maintenance costs of the treatment facility are known, or estimated,
the table can be used to determine the total annual operation and
maintenance costs attributable to BOD removal. This total when divided
by the yearly BOD loading at the plant determines the treatment cost
per pound of BOD (S1 in the surcharge formula).
A similar calculation can be performed to determine S2, the unit cost of treating suspended solids. Utilizing our estimates
of operation and maintenance of the treatment facility and the information
in the table, we estimate that initially the values of S1 and S2 will be $0.022 and $0.023,
respectively. However, these surcharges should be reviewed annually
after the treatment facility is placed in operation so that cost changes
can be accurately reflected by the surcharge.
|
Cost Allocation for Surcharge Determination
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Operation and Maintenance Costs of Treatment
Facility
|
Percentage Allocation
| ||||
|
Flow
|
BOD
|
SS
| |||
|
Supervision and labor
|
70
|
15
|
15
| ||
|
Power
|
50
|
25
|
25
| ||
|
Chlorine and miscellaneous chemicals
|
100
|
--
|
--
| ||
|
Sludge-conditioning chemicals
|
--
|
50
|
50
| ||
|
Heat
| |||||
|
Buildings
|
100
|
--
|
--
| ||
|
Sludge conditioning
|
--
|
50
|
50
| ||
|
Maintenance and supplies
|
100
|
--
|
--
| ||
E.
As discussed previously, this study included industrial
interviewing and sampling to determine wastewater volumes and quality.
It appears that at least five of Haverhill's industries are presently
discharging wastewaters of sufficient strength to require a surcharge.
Our analyses indicate that samples of wastewaters from the following
industries exceed either or both of the BOD and SS concentration limitations:
Foss Manufacturing Co.; Cowan and Shain, Inc.; J.P. Tanning Co.; Hoyt
and Worthen Tanning Corp.; and Essex Shoe Trimming Co.
F.
We recommend that the City conduct industrial waste
surveys and sampling programs periodically to analyze the wastewater
characteristics of large-volume users to determine if a surcharge
is indicated. When it has been determined that an industry is subject
to a surcharge, the City should sample a minimum of seven days during
each billing period and each sample should represent a different day
of the week. These samples should be analyzed for all relevant parameters
of wastewater quality. The cost of this sampling program should be
borne by the City. If the users desire further sampling, they should
bear the cost and submit the results to the City for consideration.
G.
As a practical matter, it may not be desirable to
surcharge the very small industries, i.e., those industries whose
surcharge revenue would not cover the cost of an adequate waste monitoring
and sampling program. There are substantial costs involved in sampling
and analyzing an industry's wastes, and it simply may not be economical
for the City to perform the work required to establish the necessity
of a surcharge for small waste flows.
[Added 9-7-1976 by Doc. 148; Amended 10-5-1976 by Doc. 165; 5-26-1981 by Doc. 103; 9-29-1981 by Doc. 168-B; 6-26-2001 by Doc. 86-J; 8-27-2002 by Doc. 134-B; 9-16-2003 by Doc. 140]
A.
Due dates; late charge.
(1)
Domestic accounts: Effective July 1, 2001, the domestic
wastewater accounts will be billed on a quarterly basis commencing
February 1, 2002. Effective October 1, 2003, all bills are due within
30 days of the billing date. After 30 days, account will begin to
accrue 14% interest from the billing date. The billing period for
domestic bills will be August 1, November 1, February 1 and May 1.
NOTE: The August and February bills will be estimated whereas the
November and May will be actual reading.
(2)
Quarterly accounts: Effective October 1, 2003, the
quarterly wastewater accounts will be due within 30 days of the billing
date. After 30 days, account will begin to accrue 14% interest from
the billing date. The billing period for quarterly bills will be July
1, October 1, January 1 and April 1.
