Pursuant to § 7-246 of the General Statutes, the PUC
is designated the Water Pollution Control Authority for the City.
The Water Pollution Control Authority shall have all the powers
conferred on such authority under the provisions of §§ 7-245
and 7-273 of the General Statutes and all the powers and duties granted
it by the Charter and ordinances of the City. It shall exercise such
powers in such manner as it shall deem for the best interest of the
City.
A.
Establishment of sewer charges.
(1)
The Water Pollution Control Authority may establish and revise fair
and reasonable charges for connection with and for the use of a sewerage
system pursuant to § 7-255 of the General Statutes.
(2)
The Water Pollution Control Authority shall secure the approval of
the City Council of the proposed charges.
B.
Sewer rates for metered service:
(1)
The sanitary sewer rents and rates for metered service and fixed
user charges for the City shall consist of a flat basic service charge
based on water meter size plus a commodity charge based on consumption.
(3)
Basic service charge (local service customers): See Fee Schedule
online at www.meridenct.gov.
(4)
Customers outside City limits. The rates and charges for users of
property located outside the territorial limits of the City shall
be 50% higher than the rates and charges above for the users located
within the City except where specifically prohibited by prior contract
agreement or as legally amended by the PUC.
(5)
Private wellwater discharges into City sanitary sewers. The type
and location of meters shall be determined by the City. Metering of
the supply sources is generally preferred due to the improved meter
accuracy over discharge meters. However, at the discretion of the
City, discharge meters may be required in certain situations. Generally,
for new construction projects served by private wells only or private
wells and water supplied by City water mains, a water meter shall
be provided according to City standards for each supply to ensure
proper billing for discharge into City sewers. The requirements for
a water meter may be waived by the Engineering Division. For existing
buildings or facilities served by private wells only or private wells
and water supplied from City water mains, alternatives, including
but not limited to the following, may be required at the discretion
of the City.
(a)
The Director of Public Utilities, the PUC, or authorized agent
may order that a water meter be required according to City standards
for each supply to ensure proper billing for discharge into City sanitary
sewers. This is the preferred alternative for all existing and proposed
facilities.
(b)
An estimate of usage will be made based on industry standards
for the type of use and other applicable factors. The City may require
that the customer provide an estimate of use, supported by detailed
calculations, or the City may provide the estimate. If the customer
disagrees with the estimate of usage, the City billing review officer
shall be contacted. In the event that there is still a dispute over
the estimated usage, the matter may be referred to the PUC.
(6)
Determination of charges when meter is defective.
(a)
Where a water meter is operating incorrectly and a test of the
meter results in an accurate determination of the percentages of error
exceeding 2%, the consumer shall be allowed a credit for the amount
overpaid.
(b)
Where a water meter is operating incorrectly and it is not possible
to accurately determine consumption during any billing period, the
sewer use charge for that period shall be in proportion to previous
charges for similar periods when the meter was operating correctly.
(7)
When rents are due; penalty. Sanitary sewer rents shall be due and
payable at the office of the Tax Collector quarterly on the first
day of March, June, September, and December. Interest charges at a
rate prescribed by the City Tax Collector and not exceeding the maximum
amount allowed by Connecticut General Statues shall be added as a
penalty to all sewer rates, fees, and fines remaining unpaid one month
after their due date. The charges, if applicable, shall be calculated
from the payment date.
(8)
Abatements for vacancy. Any consumer to whom water is furnished through
an unmetered service may claim a sewer bill abatement for partial
or complete vacancy of his premises by filing the proper notice at
the office of the Water Division at the beginning and termination
of such vacancy, provided that no abatement shall be allowed for a
vacancy of less than two months' duration, and provided further
that no abatement may be claimed for any period prior to the date
of filing such notice. The right to claim an abatement shall be forfeited
if the consumer fails to give proper notice of the termination of
the vacancy.
C.
Septic waste discharge fees.
(1)
A fee (see Fee Schedule online at www.meridenct.gov) shall be levied
against private septic waste haulers who discharge septic waste at
the WPCF. This fee shall be paid in full to the WPCF prior to acceptance
of septic waste.
(2)
The Director of Public Utilities or designee may prohibit a private
septic waste hauler from discharging at the WPCF if it is deemed that
the septic waste may be harmful to the plant.
D.
FOG fees and billing.
(1)
The PUC shall set separate fees and fines for unauthorized discharge
of wastewater from a FPE and the discharge of FOG or failure to follow
best management practices as included in this chapter. Fines shall
fall into two classifications; BMP violation, and equipment installation
violation.
(2)
A copy of the FOG Program fees applicable to FOG applications, permits,
and notice-of-violation fines pursuant to this section are on file
at the WPCF.
E.
Special connection charges.
(1)
A special connection charge shall be paid for each connection made
to the municipal sanitary sewer system. This special connection charge
shall be used as the basis for assessing properties unassessed for
their share of benefits derived from the construction of local sewers,
and for apportionment of sanitary sewers built by developers, and
for properties previously assessed which have or will have a greater
intensity of use.
(2)
Special connection charges shall be paid in full prior to connection
unless otherwise approved by the PUC.
(3)
Special connection charge rates are pursuant to the authority granted
in § 7-255 of the General Statutes and are outlined in the
City of Meriden Residential and Nonresidential Special Connection
Charge Policies and the General Policy for Layout and Assessment of
Sanitary Sewers adopted by the PUC.
The Tax Collector shall be the collector of all sewerage system
connection and use charges, betterment charges (assessments), liens
and violations levied by the WPCA under the provisions of this chapter,
and such officer shall collect such charges in accordance with the
provisions of the General Statutes for the collection of property
taxes.
