[CC 1974 §27-101; Ord. No. 1481 Art. 1, 10-28-1992]
It is determined and declared to be necessary and conducive
to the protection of the public health, safety, welfare and convenience
of the City to collect rates, fees and charges for the use of and
services provided by the system. The proceeds of such charges so derived
will be used for the purpose of operating and maintaining the system,
paying the principal of and interest on all revenue bonds or other
obligations of the City now outstanding or hereinafter issued or incurred
("revenue bonds", as hereinafter defined) that are
payable solely from the revenues of the system (the "system
revenues", as hereinafter defined), and providing funds sufficient
to meet the requirements of the ordinances of the City authorizing
the issuance of the revenue bonds (the "bond ordinances", as hereinafter defined), including replacement of the system.
[CC 1974 §27-102; Ord. No. 1481 Art. 2, 10-28-1992]
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning
of terms used in this Chapter shall be as follows:
BOD (DENOTING BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND)
The quantity of oxygen utilized in the biochemical oxidation
of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five (5)
days at twenty degrees Centigrade (20° C) expressed in milligrams
per liter (mg/1).
BOND ORDINANCES
The ordinances duly adopted by the Governing Body of the
City which authorize the issuance of revenue bonds.
NON-RESIDENTIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Any contributor to or user of the system whose lot, parcel
of real estate or building is served by a water meter larger than
three-quarter (¾) inch.
NORMAL DOMESTIC WASTEWATER
Wastewater that has a BOD concentration of not more than
one hundred eighty-two (182) mg/l and a suspended solids concentration
of not more than one hundred seventy-two (172) mg/l.
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
All expenditures during the useful life of the system for
materials, labor, utilities and other items which are necessary for
managing and maintaining the system to achieve the capacity and performance
for which the system was designed and constructed; provided however,
that the terms "operation and maintenance" shall
also have the meaning given to them by the bond ordinances, and in
the event of any conflict in the meaning hereinabove prescribed and
the terms of the bond ordinances, the bond ordinances shall govern.
REPLACEMENT
Expenditures for obtaining and installing equipment, accessories
or appurtenances which are necessary during the useful life of the
system to maintain the capacity and performance for which the system
was designed and constructed; provided however, that the term "replacement" shall also have the meaning given to it by
the bond ordinances and in the event of any conflict in the meaning
hereinabove prescribed and the terms of the bond ordinances, the bond
ordinances shall govern.
RESIDENTIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Any contributor to or user of the system whose lot, parcel
of real estate or building is served by a three-quarter (¾)
inch water meter or less.
REVENUE BONDS
All bonds or other obligations of the City now outstanding
or hereinafter issued which are payable solely from system revenues.
SHALL
Is mandatory. MAY — Is permissive.
SYSTEM
The sewerage system of the City consisting of all properties
and assets, real and personal and tangible and intangible, of the
City, now or hereafter existing, which are held or used for the purpose
of collecting and treating sewerage, including, but not limited to,
the City's treatment facilities and all collection lines and equipment
connected therewith.
SYSTEM REVENUES
All income and revenues derived by the City from the operation
of the system.
TREATMENT FACILITIES
That part of the system consisting of any devices and systems
for the storage, treatment, recycling and reclamation of municipal
sewage, domestic sewage or liquid industrial wastes. These include
intercepting sewers, outfall sewers, sewage collection systems, individual
systems, pumping, power and other equipment and their appurtenances;
extensions improvement, remodeling, additions and alterations thereof;
elements essential to provide a reliable recycled supply such as standby
treatment units and clear well facilities; and any works, including
site acquisition of the land that will be an integral part of the
treatment process or is used for ultimate disposal of residues resulting
from such treatment (including land for composting sludge, temporary
storage of such compost, and land used for the storage of treated
wastewater in land treatment systems before land application); or
any other method or system for preventing, abating, reducing, storing,
treating, separating or disposing of municipal waste or industrial
waste, including waste in combined stormwater and sanitary sewer systems.
USEFUL LIFE
The estimated period during which the treatment facilities
will be operated.
USER CHARGE
That portion of the total system revenues which is levied
and collected in a proportional and adequate manner to pay the cost
of operation and maintenance, to pay the principal of and interest
on the revenue bonds, and to meet all requirements of the bond ordinances,
including the cost of replacement.
WATER METER
A water volume measuring and recording device furnished and/or
installed by the City or furnished and/or installed by a user and
approved by the City.
[CC 1974 §27-103; Ord. No. 1481 Art. 3, 10-28-1992]
A. Unless
otherwise provided by the bond ordinances, the user charges shall
be collected and disbursed as provided by this Section.
B. The
user charge system shall generate adequate annual system revenues
to pay costs of operation and maintenance, to pay principal of and
interest on the revenue bonds, and to provide funds to meet the requirements
of the bond ordinances, including replacement, which the City may
by ordinance designate or have designated to be paid by the user charge
system.
C. That
portion of the total user charge collected which is to be for operation
and maintenance and, after meeting the requirements of the bond ordinances,
for replacement shall be deposited in two (2) separate non-lapsing
funds and accounts as follows:
1. An account designated for the specific purpose of defraying operation
and maintenance costs (excluding replacement) of the system (operation
and maintenance account).
2. After making the deposits required by the bond ordinances, in an
account designated for the specific purpose of ensuring replacement
needs over the useful life of the system (replacement account), deposits
in the replacement account shall be made monthly in the amount of
seven hundred fifty-three dollars eight cents ($753.08) each month.
D. Fiscal
year-end balances in the operation and maintenance account and the
replacement account shall be carried over to the same accounts in
the subsequent fiscal year and shall be used for no other purpose
than those designated for these accounts. Monies which have been transferred
from other sources to meet temporary shortages in the operation and
maintenance account and the replacement account shall be returned
to their respective accounts upon appropriate adjustment of the user
charge rates for operation and maintenance and replacement. The user
charge rates shall be adjusted such that the transferred monies will
be returned to their respective accounts within the fiscal year following
the fiscal year in which the monies were borrowed.
[CC 1974 §27-104; Ord. No. 1481 Art. 4, 10-28-1992; Ord. No. 1701 §I, 3-8-2000]
A. This
Section will set the rates to be charged to users for the collection
and treatment of sewerage. Each user shall pay for the sewerage collection
and treatment services provided by the City based on his/her use of
the system as determined by water meters acceptable to the City.
1. Optional sewer billing rate. Residential customers
living in individually metered dwelling units may, at their option,
be billed for sewer usage beginning May first (1st) of each year and
for the succeeding twelve (12) months at an average monthly amount
established from the water metered in the previous October, November,
December, January and February. If any of these months are zero (0)
or minimal usage, then another proximate month shall be used. New
customers who did not have the water service at their current address
for the period of October through February will be billed based upon
the quantity of water metered during each.
2. Once a resident has opted for this method, the method cannot be changed
for twelve (12) months or until the following May.
B. For
residential contributors, monthly user charges for the collection
and treatment of sewage will be based on monthly water usage. For
industrial and commercial contributors, user charges for the collection
and treatment of sewerage shall be based on water used during the
current month. If a commercial or industrial contributor is a consumptive
user of water or in some other manner uses water which is not returned
to the wastewater collection system, the user charge for that contributor
may be based on a wastewater meter or separate water meters installed
and maintained at the contributor's expense and in a manner acceptable
to the City.
C. The
minimum charge per month for the collection and treatment of sewerage
shall be at the rates as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee
Schedule, held on file in the City offices.
[Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022]
D. For
those contributors who contribute wastewater, the strength of which
is greater than normal domestic sewage, a surcharge in addition to
the normal user charge will be collected. The surcharge shall be as
detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in
the City offices.
[Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022]
E. Any
user which discharges any toxic pollutants which cause an increase
in the cost of managing the effluent or the sludge from the City's
system or any water user which discharges any substances which singly
or by interaction with other substances causes identifiable increases
in the cost of operation, maintenance or replacement of the system
shall pay for such increased costs. The charge to each such user shall
be as determined by the treatment plant operator and approved by the
City Council.
F. The
user charge rates established in this Section apply to all users,
regardless of their location, of the City's system.
[CC 1974 §27-105; Ord. No. 1481 Art. 5, 10-28-1992]
User charges for water or water service will be as provided
in Ordinance No. 1315 of the City, dated December 16, 1987, and as
may be hereafter amended, revised or enacted.
[CC 1974 §27-106; Ord. No. 1481 Art. 6 10-28-1992]
A. All
users will be billed monthly with their water bill, and delinquency
will be in accordance with the policy established for non-payment
of water bills. In accordance with established City policy, non-payment
may result in the termination of water and sewer service until such
bill is paid.
B. It
shall be the duty of the City Clerk to notify the City Council of
all such delinquent accounts and said City Council shall proceed immediately
to cause sewer service to each customer to be discontinued.
[CC 1974 §27-107; Ord. No. 1481 Art. 7, 10-28-1992]
Application for sewerage services shall be made to the City
Clerk by the owner or occupant of the property to be served. All connections
must be made in accordance with the sewer use ordinance. By submittal
of said application, applicant agrees to be and to remain in compliance
with the City's duly adopted sewer use ordinance. Upon approval of
such application, the applicant shall have the right to connect with
sewerage collection facilities. The City Council may prescribe a connection
fee to be paid by such applicant at the time of application. The City
shall have the right to inspect all such connections and to reject
such connections due to poor workmanship or inadequate materials.
[CC 1974 §27-108; Ord. No. 1481 Art. 8, 10-28-1992]
A. It
shall be a misdemeanor for any person to tamper or destroy any portion
of the system or to make any connection without written permission
from the City Clerk or to reconnect service when service has been
disconnected for non-payment of bill. Upon conviction, there shall
be imposed a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more
than five hundred dollars ($500.00).
B. The
user of each premises receiving sewer service shall be held responsible
for the proper use of the system. Plumbing facilities that are to
be connected to the sewerage system shall be installed in accordance
with the National Plumbing Code and shall be inspected for compliance
by a designated representative of the City before any connection is
made. No grease, petroleum products, milk, whey, paints, acids, chemicals,
metals, animal wastes, food products or other materials detrimental
to the treatment facilities and process shall be discharged into the
system.
[CC 1974 §27-109; Ord. No. 1481 Art. 9, 10-28-1992]
A. The
City will review the user charge system each year and revise user
charge rates as necessary to ensure that the system generates adequate
revenues to pay the costs of operation and maintenance, to pay principal
of and interest on the revenue bonds, and to provide funds to meet
the requirements of the bond ordinances, including replacement, and
that the system continues to provide for the proportional distribution
of operation and maintenance and replacement costs among users and
user classes.
B. The
City will notify each user at least annually, in conjunction with
a regular bill, of the rate(s) being charged for water service and
for sewerage service.
[Ord. No. 1745 Art. I, 3-28-2001]
It is determined and declared to be necessary and conducive
to the protection of the public health, safety, welfare and convenience
of the City to collect charges from all users who use the City's water
system. The proceeds of such charges so derived will be used for the
purpose of operating, maintaining and retiring the debt for such public
water system.
[Ord. No. 1745 Art. II, 3-28-2001]
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning
of terms used in this Article shall be as follows:
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
All expenditures during the useful life of the system for
materials, labor, utilities and other items which are necessary for
managing and maintaining the system to achieve the capacity and performance
for which the system was designed and constructed.
REPLACEMENT
Expenditures for obtaining and installing equipment, accessories
or appurtenances which are necessary during the useful life of the
system to maintain the capacity and performance for which such works
were designed and constructed. The term "operation and maintenance" includes replacement.
RESIDENTIAL USER
Any user of the City's water system whose lot, parcel of
real estate or building is used for domestic dwelling purposes only.
SHALL
Is mandatory. MAY — Is permissive.
USEFUL LIFE
The estimated period during which the treatment works will
be operated.
USER CHARGE
That portion of the total water service charge which is levied
in proportional and adequate manner for the cost of operation, maintenance
and replacement of the water system.
WATER METER
A water volume measuring and recording device, furnished
and/or installed by the City of Richmond or furnished and/or installed
by a user and approved by the City of Richmond.
WATER SYSTEM
Any devices and systems for the storage, treatment, recycling,
transmission and distribution of water. These include transmission
and distribution lines, individual systems, pumping, power and other
equipment and their appurtenances; extensions, improvements, remodeling,
additions and alterations thereof; elements essential to provide a
reliable water supply such as standby treatment units and any works,
including site acquisition of land that will be part of the treatment
process.
[Ord. No. 1745 Art. III, 3-28-2001]
A. The
user charge system shall generate adequate annual revenues to pay
the costs of annual operation and maintenance including replacement
and cost associated with debt retirement of bonded capital associated
with financing the water system which the City may by ordinance designate
to be paid by the user charge system. That portion of the total user
charge which is designated for operation and maintenance including
replacement of the water system shall be established by this ordinance.
B. That
portion of the total user charge collected which is designated for
the operation and maintenance including replacement purposes as established
in Article IV, shall be deposited in a separate non-lapsing fund known
as the Operation, Maintenance, and Replacement Fund and will be kept
in two (2) primary accounts as follows:
1. The Operation and Maintenance Account shall be an account designated
for the specific purpose of defraying operation and maintenance costs
(excluding replacement) of the water system. Deposits in the Operation
and Maintenance Account shall be made daily from the operation and
maintenance revenue accumulating to an estimated eight hundred thirty-two
thousand five hundred thirty-two dollars ($832,532.00) or more annually.
2. The Replacement Account shall be an account designated for the purpose
of ensuring replacement needs over the useful life of the water system.
Deposits in the Replacement Account shall be made monthly from the
replacement revenue in the amount of two thousand one hundred twenty-nine
dollars seventy-eight cents ($2,129.78) monthly.
C. Fiscal
year-end balances in the Operation and Maintenance Account and the
Replacement Account shall be carried over to the same accounts in
each subsequent fiscal year, and shall be used for no other purposes
than those designated for these accounts. Monies which have been transferred
from other sources to meet temporary shortages in the Operation, Maintenance,
and Replacement Fund shall be returned to their respective accounts
upon appropriate adjustment of the user charge rates for operation,
maintenance, and replacement. The user charge rate(s) shall be adjusted
such that the transferred monies will be returned to their respective
accounts within the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which
the monies were borrowed.
[Ord. No. 1745 Art. V, 3-28-2001]
A. All
users shall be billed monthly. Payments are due by the tenth (10th)
day of the month. Any payment not received by the tenth (10th) day
of the month shall be delinquent.
B. A late
payment penalty as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule,
held on file in the City offices, will be added to each delinquent
bill that has not been paid by the tenth (10th) of the month. When
any bill is not paid in full by the twentieth (20th) day of the month,
the water service to such premises shall be discontinued until such
bill is paid. Reconnection fees shall be paid by the customer.
[Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022]
[Ord. No. 1745 Art. VI, 3-28-2001]
A. The
City shall review the user charge system annually and revise user
charge rates as necessary to ensure that the system generates adequate
revenues to pay the costs of operation and maintenance including replacement
and that the system continues to provide for the proportional distribution
of operation and maintenance including replacement costs among users
and user classes.
B. The
City will notify each user at least annually, in conjunction with
a regular bill, of the rate being charged for operation, and maintenance
including replacement of the treatment works.