A. 
Sewer service charge recipient. The sewer service charges provided for in this article are hereby levied and assessed upon each lodge, dwelling unit, parcel of land, building or premises having any connection with or discharging either directly or indirectly into the sewer system.
B. 
Annually determined charges. The City shall annually audit the system to determine and fix the unit costs for use of the wastewater facilities on the basis of a flat rate and flow charge and determine surcharge unit costs for BOD, suspended solids, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen and any other pollutant, taking into consideration the cost of treatment of such wastewater, and may increase or decrease such unit cost as often and in such amounts as may reasonably be required to accomplish the purposes of this article.
[Amended by Ord. No. 12-14]
C. 
Billing. The City shall compute the amounts due the City for sewer service charges and render a statement thereof, at periodic intervals, to the owner or occupant of any premises using the wastewater facilities. All amounts due hereunder shall be payable at the office of the City Treasurer.
[Amended 7-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-63]
A. 
Additional charges. If sewer service charges are not paid in full on the due date, a charge shall be made on the balance as set forth in the fee schedule set by Common Council.
[Amended by Ord. No. 85-31; 4-6-2020 by Ord. No. 20-12]
B. 
Effect of failure to receive bill. Failure to receive a bill does not relieve a party of his/her obligation, nor relieve him/her of payment of the penalty if not paid before the due date. Claims or complaints must be made within five days from due date of bill.
[Amended by Ord. No. 10-29]
C. 
Failure to receive bills. A nonresident owner of each lot or parcel of real estate with a building located thereon in the City of Watertown, Wisconsin, and which is subject to a sewer service charge shall notify the Water Department of the City of Watertown, Wisconsin, of his present address. Failure of any person to receive bills for sewer service charges shall not be considered an excuse for nonpayment nor shall such failure result in an extension of the period of time during which the net bill should have been paid.
[Amended by Ord. No. 10-29]
The funds received from the collection of the charges authorized by this chapter shall be deposited as collected. The user charge portion shall be used for operation, maintenance and replacement costs and the debt service portion shall be used for debt service, including all reserves and other funds required to be established and maintained under authorized bonds and improvements of the wastewater facilities, except that the portion of any such funds which is limited to a particular use by applicable state or federal rules or regulations shall be used in compliance with such restrictions.
The cost to be recovered pursuant to this chapter and the cost to be fixed by the City in § 508-11B shall be determined and allocated in each of the following categories:
A. 
Category "A" (user charge system). Operation, maintenance and replacement of existing and proposed wastewater facilities.
[Amended by Ord. No. 12-14]
A surcharge will be assessed to any user discharging BOD, suspended solids, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen loadings to the wastewater facilities in excess of those concentrations defined in § 508-3 and shall be determined as follows:
A. 
For Category "A." Unit costs for BOD and suspended solids shall be calculated by apportioning the Category "A" costs associated with the treatment of BOD, suspended solids, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen that year and then dividing each apportioned cost by the total estimated BOD, suspended solids, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen to be received at the wastewater treatment plant in that year. The formula for this unit cost calculation is:
BOD: Annual Category "A" costs associated with BOD removal
Estimated annual BOD in 100 lbs.
= $__________/100 lbs. BOD
SS: Annual Category "A" costs associated with SS removal
Estimated annual SS in 100 lbs.
= $__________/100 lbs. SS
TP: Annual Category "A" costs associated with TP removal
Estimated annual TP in lbs.
= $__________ lb. TP
AN: Annual Category "A" costs associated with AN removal
Estimated annual AN in lbs.
= $__________ lb. AN
(1) 
The BOD, suspended solids, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen loads in excess of the allowable concentrations shall be utilized to determine the surcharge. The excess BOD, suspended solids, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen load shall be calculated by subtracting the allowable BOD, suspended solids, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen concentrations from the actual concentration discharged and then determining the excess pounds of BOD, suspended solids, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen. The formula for this calculation is as follows:
Excess BOD: (Actual mg/l - 175 mg/l BOD) x (user's billable flow in mg) x 8.34 = lbs. BOD
Excess SS: (Actual mg/l - 170 mg/l SS) x (user's billable flow in mg) x 8.34 = lbs. SS
Excess total phosphorus (TP): (Actual mg/l - 6 mg/l total phosphorus) x (user's billable flow in mg) x 8.34 = lbs. total phosphorus
Excess ammonia nitrogen (AN): (Actual mg/l - 25 mg/l AN) x (user's billable flow in mg) x 8.34 = lbs. ammonia nitrogen
(2) 
The surcharge shall be calculated by multiplying the excess pounds of BOD, suspended solids, total phosphorus and ammonia by the appropriate unit cost for each category. The formula for this calculation is as follows:
BOD: ($__________/100 lbs. BOD) x (excess BOD per billing period in 100 lbs.) = $__________
SS: ($__________/100 lbs. SS) x (excess SS per billing period in 100 lbs.) = $__________
Total phosphorus: ($__________/lbs. total phosphorus) x (excess total phosphorus per billing period in lbs.) = $__________
Ammonia nitrogen: ($__________/lbs. ammonia nitrogen) x (excess ammonia nitrogen per billing period in lbs.) = $__________
A. 
Determination of billable flow and unit flow charges. The unit flow cost for each category for users of the wastewater facilities shall be determined by subtracting from the total annual category costs the estimated revenue from the flat rate charge and the surcharges for that year for each respective category and then dividing the remainder of the costs to be recovered by the billable flow.
[Amended by Ord. No. 80-2; Ord. No. 10-29; Ord. No. 11-20]
(1) 
Billable flow will be determined annually by the sum of the following:
(a) 
Measured industrial flow discharged to the sewer system.
(b) 
Residential flow discharged to the sewer system.
(c) 
Commercial, institutional and governmental flow discharged to the sewer system.
(d) 
Estimated flow from all private well water users discharged to the sewer system.
(2) 
The formula for the unit cost calculation for each category is as follows:
Total Annual Category Costs
Estimated Annual Revenue from Flat Rate Charges
Estimated Annual Revenue from Surcharges
=
$__________
Estimated Billable Flow (as defined above) in 1,000 Gallons
1,000 Gallons
B. 
Determination of flow charge. The flow charges to users of the wastewater facilities shall be the product of the unit cost determined in accordance with Subsection A(1) and that portion of the billable flow attributed to each domestic, commercial, institutional, governmental and industrial user. The formula for this calculation is as follows: (Unit Flow Cost per 1,000 Gallons) x (User's Billable Flow in 1,000 Gallons) = User Flow Charge.
C. 
Nonsewer water use. Domestic and residential users of the wastewater facilities may receive a credit for water usage that is not discharged to the sanitary sewer system of the City of Watertown for each lot or parcel of real estate containing a building which is occupied and used as a residence owned by the user, provided that such users obtain a properly installed and City-approved deduct meter. Only one deduct meter shall be allowed for each lot or parcel of residential real estate owned by the user. Deduct meters will be available for use from the Water Department according to the fee schedule outlined in Subsection C(1) and (2) below, as may be modified from time to time. This subsection shall take effect on September 30, 2011.
[Amended by Ord. No. 11-15; Ord. No. 11-20]
(1) 
Each water user may obtain a deduct meter by paying a security deposit as set by the Common Council and provided under separate fee schedule for each deduct meter, which shall be refunded to the water user upon return to the Water Department of the deduct meter in good working order by the user.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(2) 
Each water user may retain the deduct meter for an annual fee as set by the Common Council and provided under separate fee schedule for the entire calendar year from January through December. In order not to be billed for a subsequent year, the water user must return the deduct meter to the Water Department on or before December 31 of the rental year.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(3) 
In order for each lot or parcel of residential real estate to be eligible for a nonsewer water use credit, the owner/water user must demonstrate from the prior year's history of water usage for that subject parcel that the actual water usage incurred during the months of June, July and August of the prior year exceeds the water usage by at least four units per month of flow charges, calculated under § 508-18B(3) of this chapter, over the actual water usage incurred during the months of January, February and March of the prior year.
(4) 
The Water Systems Manager or his or her designee may allow exceptions to this policy as he or she deems necessary.
[Last amended 6-2-2015 by Ord. No. 15-15]
A. 
Effective date. The sewer service charges hereby established shall be effective June 16, 2015, January 2, 2016 and January 2, 2017.
B. 
Sewer service charge. The sewer service charge shall be as follows:
(1) 
Fixed rate charges. There shall be a fixed rate charge for each connection to the wastewater facilities. This charge shall consist of the following (in Table 1).
(2) 
Surcharges.
(a) 
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Charges found in Table 1 shall be per 100 pounds of five-day BOD in excess of the BOD load that would result from a concentration of 175 mg/l in the user's wastewater.
(b) 
Suspended solids. Charges found in Table 1 shall be per 100 pounds of suspended solids in excess of the suspended solids load that results from a concentration of 170 mg/l in the user's wastewater.
(c) 
Phosphorus. Charges found in Table 1 shall be per pound of phosphorus in excess of the phosphorus load that results from a concentration of six ppm in the user's wastewater.
(d) 
Ammonia nitrogen. Charges found in Table 1 shall be per pound of ammonia nitrogen in excess of the ammonia nitrogen load that results from a concentration of 25 ppm in the user's wastewater.
(3) 
Flow charges for users of the wastewater facilities. This charge as found in Table 1 shall be based on 100 cubic feet (748 gallons).
Table 1
(By Effective Date)
6/16/2015
1/2/2016
1/2/2017
Volume Charge per 100 Cubic Feet:
$3.01
$3.25
$3.51
Surcharge Rates
BOD charge per 100 pounds
$63.86
$68.97
$74.49
SS charge per 100 pounds
$69.38
$74.93
$80.92
Phosphorus charge per pound
$6.88
$7.43
$8.02
Ammonia nitrogen charge per pound
$1.50
$1.62
$1.75
Monthly Meter Charge (Fixed Rate)
5/8-inch
$18.67
$20.17
$21.78
1-inch
$26.41
$28.52
$30.80
1 1/2-inch
$39.46
$42.62
$46.03
2-inch
$55.20
$59.61
$64.38
3-inch
$91.79
$99.13
$107.06
4-inch
$196.43
$212.14
$229.12
6-inch
$274.92
$296.92
$320.67
A. 
Volume.
(1) 
Flow for billing purposes for each user will be determined as follows:
(a) 
By means of a special wastewater measuring device installed in a sewer or other conduit carrying the wastewater flow;
(b) 
By means of the amount of water used, determined from a water meter in the user's public or private supply system;
(c) 
On the basis of the amount of water used, determined as described heretofore in Subsection A(1)(b), but adjusted for product losses or adjusted for waters which are legitimately discharged to storm sewers. Such adjustments will be made only upon application by the user, and only when the application is properly supported by documentation which will positively establish the amount of such product use or discharges to storm sewers. Application for such adjustments shall be made to the Water Systems Manager; or
(d) 
On the basis of the amount of water use, determined as described in Subsection A(1)(b), but in the case of residential users only, adjusted to reflect winter water consumption only.
(2) 
All private water supplies contributing to discharge to the sanitary sewer system shall be equipped with a meter approved by the Water Systems Manager, by and at the expense of the user. The total amount of water used from such private supplies shall be reported to the Water Systems Manager at a minimum each quarter. The user shall provide for and permit access to such meter by a representative of the wastewater treatment plant. Such meters on private water supplies will not be required where measurement is provided for the flow discharged to the sewer system.
B. 
Strength. All industrial users who discharge other than domestic wastes, or wastes from sanitary conveniences, or any other user required by the City shall furnish the City with information monthly concerning the concentration of BOD, suspended solids, total phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen discharged to the wastewater facilities. Sampling shall be carried out by customarily accepted methods to reflect the effect of constituents upon the wastewater facilities and to determine the existence of hazards to life, limb and property.
[Amended by Ord. No. 12-14]
(1) 
Surcharge. Such information shall be used to determine monthly surcharges, if any, as required under § 508-18B, Sewer service charge, of this chapter.
(2) 
Sampling. Such information shall be obtained from the analysis of no less than one flow-composited sample covering the operating period of the facility. If the discharge is made through more than one connection to the wastewater facilities, such sampling program shall include all discharges.
(3) 
Monitoring facilities. Any industry required to pay a surcharge under § 508-18B, Sewer service charge, of this chapter, or any other user required by the City, shall install a suitable monitoring structure, together with such necessary meters and other appurtenances, in the building sewer to facilitate observation, sampling and measurement of the wastes to provide daily wastewater characteristics information. Such structure and equipment shall be constructed at the owner's expense in accordance with the plans approved by the City and shall be maintained by the owner so as to be safe and accessible at all times.
(4) 
Waiver of monitoring facilities. The City may waive the requirement for installation of monitoring facilities described in Subsection B(3) if, upon application by the industry, it can be demonstrated that results equitable to both the City and industry can be obtained through the use of manually collected composite samples. If no special structure is required, the monitoring structure shall be considered to be the manhole required for periodic sampling in accordance with Ch. SPS 382, Wis. Adm. Code.
(5) 
Waiver of daily sampling. The City may waive the requirement for daily wastewater characteristic information for industries paying a surcharge if, upon application by the industry, it can be demonstrated that results equitable to both the City and the industry can be obtained through other than a daily sampling program.
C. 
Methods and analysis. All measurements, tests and analysis of the characteristics of water and wastes to which reference is made in this chapter shall be determined in accordance with the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater and also regulations in 40 CFR Part 136, Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants, and shall be determined at the monitoring structure provided or upon suitable samples taken at said monitoring structure.
D. 
Inspection and discrepancies of flow or strength. The City shall have the right to periodically or continuously inspect the monitoring facilities to measure, sample and analyze the user's flow and to analyze the samples obtained by the user in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Upon the City's request, samples will be split, with 1/2 submitted to the City. In the event of any discrepancy between the flows or loads determined by the City and the user, the values determined by the City shall be used for billing purposes.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 26.06, Industrial cost recovery, which immediately followed this section, was repealed by Ord. No. 12-14.