(a) 
Effective October 1, 2023, the following rates per month shall be the rate charged for water service furnished to customers inside and outside of the corporate limits of the city except as provided in subsection (b) of this section:
Meter Size/Inches
Inside City Rate
Outside City Rate
5/8
$16.14
$24.21
1
$17.89
$26.83
1-1/2
$19.62
$29.44
2
$24.49
$36.74
3
$49.75
$74.64
4
$60.33
$90.48
6
$108.75
$163.12
8
$149.55
$224.34
10
$205.81
$308.70
12
$256.57
$384.85
Usage rate first 1,000 gallons
Minimum
Minimum
Over 1,000 gallons $ per 1,000 gallons
$5.46
$8.18
(b) 
Senior citizens who comply with the subsection (c) of this section, will receive a discount equivalent to one thousand (1,000) gallons of water ($5.46).
(c) 
Eligible senior citizens shall mean customers residing in a single-family residence who are over the age of sixty-five (65) years. To obtain the monthly minimum charge deduction, persons eligible must file a sworn application on a form provided therefor, with water customer services. Upon approval of the application the senior citizen's monthly minimum charge shall be applicable for the life of the applicant.
(Ordinance 88-72, sec. 1, adopted 8/9/88; Ordinance 89-79, sec. 1, adopted 10/24/89; Ordinance 90-68, sec. 1, adopted 11/13/90; Ordinance 92-81, sec. 1, adopted 12/8/92; Ordinance 00-45, sec. 1, adopted 5/30/00; Ordinance 00-56, sec. 1, adopted 6/27/00; Ordinance 04-042, sec. 1, adopted 6/22/04; 1978 Code, sec. 28-50; Ordinance 07-093, sec. 1, adopted 9/25/07; Ordinance 08-075, sec. 1, adopted 9/9/08; Ordinance 09-018, sec. 1, adopted 4/7/09; Ordinance 09-053, sec. 1, adopted 9/22/09; Ordinance 10-074, sec. 1, adopted 9/14/10; Ordinance 11-069, sec. 1, adopted 9/6/11; Ordinance 12-070, sec. 1, adopted 9/25/12; Ordinance 13-053, sec. 1, adopted 9/10/13; Ordinance 14-030, sec. 1, adopted 7/15/14; Ordinance 16-049, sec. 1, adopted 9/27/16; Ordinance 17-050, secs. 1–2, adopted 7/25/17; Ordinance 19-058, sec. 1, adopted 9/17/19; Ordinance 20-030, sec. 1, adopted 7/14/20; Ordinance 21-060 adopted 9/22/21; Ordinance 22-051 adopted 9/13/2022; Ordinance 23-025 adopted 3/14/2023; Ordinance 23-068 adopted 9/12/2023)
(a) 
Effective October 1, 2023, the following rates per month shall be the rate charged for wastewater services furnished to customers inside and outside of the corporate limits of the city where the wastewater produced by such customer is a normal strength wastewater (150 mg/1 lb) except as provided in subsection (b) of this section:
Meter Size/Inches
Inside City Rate
Outside City Rate
5/8
$10.93
$16.39
1
$11.11
$16.65
1-1/2
$11.29
$16.93
2
$12.27
$18.39
3
$13.87
$20.80
4
$20.32
$30.48
6
$33.32
$49.98
8
$40.70
$61.05
10
$55.53
$83.28
12
$70.29
$105.44
Usage rate first 1,000 gallons
Minimum
Minimum
Over 1,000 gallons $ per 1,000 gallons
$5.19
$7.78
(b) 
Senior citizens who comply with subsection (c) of this section will receive a discount equivalent to one thousand (1,000) gallons of water ($5.19).
(c) 
Eligible senior citizens shall mean customers residing in a single-family residence who are over the age of sixty-five (65) years. To obtain the monthly minimum charge deduction, persons eligible must file a sworn application on a form provided therefor, with water customer services. Upon approval of the application the senior citizen's monthly minimum charge shall be applicable for the life of the applicant.
(d) 
Residential sewer charges shall be based on the average water bill invoiced for the months of November, December, January and February. The monthly individual sewer bill shall not exceed that average. Where no preceding November through February monthly average bill is available, water customer service will use an average bill based on six thousand (6,000) gallons per month at the 5/8-inch meter rate as the cap.
(e) 
Commercial and industrial sewer usage charges shall be based on one hundred (100) percent of the metered water usage. In circumstances where a commercial or industrial customer desires a credit for metered water being consumed but not being returned to the sanitary sewer, it shall be the responsibility of the user to furnish to the director of water utilities an engineering report, certified by a professional engineer, that justifies and supports the discharge reduction as being a continuous normal part of the process. Based on the data provided, the director of water utilities may estimate said return or require submetering of the process water. Meters used for submetering shall be furnished at the customer's expense and shall be approved by the director of water utilities.
(Ordinance 88-72, sec. 1, adopted 8/9/88; Ordinance 89-79, sec. 2, adopted 10/24/89; Ordinance 90-68, sec. 2, adopted 11/13/90; Ordinance 92-81, sec. 1, adopted 12/8/92; Ordinance 00-45, sec. 2, adopted 5/20/00; Ordinance 00-56, sec. 2, adopted 6/27/00; Ordinance 04-042, sec. 2, adopted 6/22/04; 1978 Code, sec. 28-51; Ordinance 07-093, sec. 2, adopted 9/25/07; Ordinance 08-040, sec. 24, adopted 5/13/08; Ordinance 08-075, sec. 2, adopted 9/9/08; Ordinance 09-018, sec. 2, adopted 4/7/09; Ordinance 09-053, sec. 2, adopted 9/22/09; Ordinance 10-074, sec. 2, adopted 9/14/10; Ordinance 11-069, sec. 2, adopted 9/6/11; Ordinance 12-070, sec. 2, adopted 9/25/12; Ordinance 13-053, sec. 2, adopted 9/10/13; Ordinance 14-030, sec. 2, adopted 7/15/14; Ordinance 16-049, sec. 2, adopted 9/27/16; Ordinance 17-050, secs. 3–5, adopted 7/25/17; Ordinance 19-058, sec. 2 adopted 9/17/19; Ordinance 20-030, sec. 2, adopted 7/14/20; Ordinance 21-060 adopted 9/22/21; Ordinance 22-051 adopted 9/13/2022; Ordinance 23-025 adopted 3/14/2023Ordinance 23-068 adopted 9/12/2023)
(a) 
All bills shall be computed at the herein described rates and shall be payable within thirty (30) days from the date of such bills.
(b) 
Failure or refusal by any customer to pay any bill owed to the city, upon demand, shall constitute a breach of contract. The city manager, or their designee, may, after proper notice, discontinue service to a customer for failure or refusal to pay any bill in full and on time. Customers may be allowed to enter into a payment plan with the city pursuant to policy approved by the city manager. Services shall not be renewed until the customer has paid all delinquent bills or met the terms of a payment plan, plus the following applicable service charges:
(1) 
Field collection: $20.00.
(2) 
Disconnection: $25.00.
(3) 
Unauthorized use: $35.00.
(4) 
Meter removed: $50.00.
(5) 
Service killed at the main line: $300.00.
(6) 
Second trip for service turn-on: $15.00.
(7) 
Turn-on fee: $15.00.
(8) 
Returned check: $25.00.
(9) 
Late fee: $5.00.
(10) 
Tampering fee: $100.00.
(11) 
Equipment replacement: $145.00.
(c) 
The notice to the user of failure or refusal to pay for water, sewer and sanitation services shall provide for a hearing if requested by the user. A user may request and receive a hearing concerning termination of water service and termination shall not occur until a determination of the merits of the user's appeal is made by the person conducting the hearing.
(d) 
An applicant for water service will be required to pay a cash deposit to secure payment of water, sewer and sanitation charges, or any other charges that may accrue. Residential customers will be required to pay a $100.00 deposit in order to commence service. Commercial and industrial businesses will require a minimum deposit of $250.00; depending on the meter size and a two (2) month average consumption history for a similar type business and one of similar size. If there is an outstanding bill due, the customer's deposit will be applied towards the balance. If a portion or all of a deposit is used towards an outstanding bill, the difference, if any, will be required to be paid as part of the next bill and an additional deposit may be required. Failure to pay the additional deposit will forfeit the right to water, sewer and sanitation services and the same may be discontinued five (5) days after notice to pay such additional deposit. Customers who discontinue service or have their services turned off for nonpayment, will not have services restored at any address or location until all outstanding balances are paid.
(Ordinance 88-72, sec. 1, adopted 8/9/88; Ordinance 00-46, sec. 1, adopted 5/30/00; Ordinance 03-105, sec. 1, adopted 12/9/03; 1978 Code, sec. 28-52; Ordinance 11-080, sec. 1, adopted 9/27/11; Ordinance 20-030, sec. 3, adopted 7/14/20; Ordinance 23-025 adopted 3/14/2023; Ordinance 23-068 adopted 9/12/2023)
(a) 
Required.
All property owners owning property within the city which is within three hundred (300) feet of a city sanitary sewer or water line measured from the property line of such property to such utility line shall be required to connect to same.
(b) 
Connections to be made by water utilities department; tampering, etc., prohibited.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for any person or agent of any company to make connections with or any opening into the city sanitary sewer or water system.
(2) 
It shall be unlawful for any person or agent of any company to open, close or tamper with water system appurtenances. All water and sanitary sewer connections shall be made by water utilities department personnel or persons authorized by the water utilities director.
(c) 
Each detached dwelling unit shall be served by a separate meter.
At the option of the owner, a building containing more than one dwelling unit or a mobile home park may be served by a single meter of a size to be determined by the water department. Accessory buildings, including servants’ quarters, may be served by the same meter that serves the main building. Where a residential dwelling and commercial business are served by a single meter, the account shall be considered as a commercial account for billing purposes. It shall be unlawful for any person or company to furnish water to a separate detached business or dwelling unit by means of a water hose or other similar hose connection.
(d) 
Meter and tap fees.
(1) 
A charge shall be made by the water utilities department for each new tap of the water and sewer main for a connection, said charge to be determined by the size of the connection and size of the meter. A fee shall be charged, according to the schedule established by the director of water utilities annually. The fee shall be sufficient to cover cost of materials and labor necessary to make such connection, plus ten (10) percent for overhead.
(2) 
All meters used for measuring the flow of water or sewer shall be approved by the director of water utilities.
(e) 
Connection permits required; applications.
Application for connection permits shall be made in writing to the building official by the property owner or his authorized agent.
(Ordinance 88-72, sec. 1, adopted 8/9/88; 1978 Code, sec. 28-53; Ordinance 08-040, sec. 25, adopted 5/13/08)
(a) 
Any customer to whom water is furnished through a meter shall have the right to demand that their water be tested for accuracy, and when the customer wishes such test made, their shall deposit with the water department thirty dollars ($30.00) for each meter he desires to be tested.
(b) 
If any meter through which a customer is being supplied water is found, upon test, to be inaccurate by more than two (2) percent plus, the amount deposited for making such test is to be returned to the customer and all charges against the customer shall be credited for the proportionate amount the bill is increased because of over-registration of the meter.
(c) 
If, upon such test, the meter is found accurate, the deposit of the customer shall be retained as a fee for making such test. If the meter is found slow by more than two (2) percent, then it will be the duty of the finance director, or their designee, to charge the customer for any amount that may be due the city because of under-registration of the meter.
(d) 
Any customer shall have the privilege of witnessing the test of their meter, and for that purpose shall be given notice of the time when such test is to be made.
(e) 
Should a dispute arise between a customer and the city as to the amount of any bill and as to the number of gallons of water used by such customer, the customer, complying with subsection (a), may have their meter tested. If, however, the customer fails or refuses to have their meter tested, it shall be the duty of the city to make such test to determine whether the customer is being overcharged and shall advise the customer that such test is to be made and the time thereof, and if such test is made and it is found the meter is correctly registering within a range of two (2) percent plus or minus, then the customer's bill, together with the testing charge above specified, shall become due and payable, and upon their refusal to pay same, the customer's water shall be cut off and no further services rendered until delinquent bills are paid.
(Ordinance 88-72, sec. 1, adopted 8/9/88; 1978 Code, sec. 28-54; Ordinance 11-080, sec. 1, adopted 9/27/11; Ordinance 20-030, sec. 4, adopted 7/14/20; Ordinance 23-025 adopted 3/14/2023; Ordinance 23-068 adopted 9/12/2023)
No water or sewer service shall be furnished to any subdivision outside the city unless and until a plan, plat or replat shall have been first approved in the manner provided by law. If such plan, plat or replat shall have been so approved in accordance with the state statutes, the city may, if it is deemed advisable, furnish water and/or sewer service to premises outside the city limits, under the following rules:
(1) 
Any person residing outside of the city desiring to use city utilities shall make application to the water department requesting service, which shall state the location of the premises to be served and the purpose for which service is to be used. Such application shall be made upon blanks furnished by the city and shall be signed by the agent or owner of the property to be served, and that person shall become liable for charges for water furnished under such services, and subject to the same remedial action as for service inside the city.
(2) 
Water or sewer services to customers outside the city limits shall be rendered at a rate that is equal to one hundred fifty (150) percent of the rate established inside the city limits.
(Ordinance 88-72, sec. 1, adopted 8/9/88; 1978 Code, sec. 28-55; Ordinance 08-040, sec. 26, adopted 5/13/08; Ordinance 20-030, sec. 5, adopted 7/14/20; Ordinance 23-025 adopted 3/14/2023; Ordinance 23-068 adopted 9/12/2023)
(a) 
A source of fluoride ion approved by the department of state health services shall be added to the water supply of the city, under the rules and regulations of the state commission on environmental quality, such addition to be administered by the director of water utilities of the city in a manner approved by the health officer of the city.
(b) 
The addition of fluoride shall be in amounts recommended by the department of state health services, not to exceed more than one (1) part of fluoride to every million parts of water being distributed in the water supply system of the city.
(Ordinance 70-50, secs. 1–3, adopted 8/18/70; Ordinance 88-72, sec. 2, adopted 8/9/88; 1978 Code, sec. 28-56; Ordinance 08-040, sec. 27, adopted 5/13/08)
(a) 
Pursuant to section 552.0025 of the Texas Local Government Code, the city shall be entitled to perfect a lien on the real property of any real property owner that fails to pay for city-provided utility services, including, but not limited to, water, wastewater, solid waste, and electricity.
(b) 
Said lien for delinquent utility bills shall not apply to any category of real property specifically exempted from such a lien pursuant to the provisions of section 552.0025 of the Texas Local Government Code including:
(1) 
Homestead property as protected by the Texas Constitution;
(2) 
Property on which service was connected in a tenant's name after notice by the property owner to the municipality that the property is a rental property; and
(3) 
Property on which service was connected in a tenant's name prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this section is derived.
(c) 
The city's lien for delinquent utility bills shall be perfected by filing in the real property records of the county a notice of lien containing the legal description of the property and the account number for the delinquent charges. Said lien shall be signed by the city manager or their designee and will be released when said lien is satisfied and paid in full. Interest shall accrue on the amount stated in the lien at the rate of ten (10) percent per annum, or the legal allowable rate beginning on the date that the lien is perfected.
(Ordinance 24-066 adopted 10/29/2024)