The city council hereby surrenders original jurisdiction to
regulate electric utilities within the municipal limits of the city
to the public utility commission of the state as provided by the laws
of the state.
(1999 Code, art. 11.700)
(a)
West Harris County Regional Water Authority.
(1)
There is hereby created a groundwater reduction plan fee, as provided for in the fee schedule found in appendix A of this code. The fee shall be prorated among city water customers so that each customer's actual fee will be a pro rata portion of the fee actually payable in any month. The fee shall remain in full force and effect until repealed or amended by ordinance or until such time as the West Harris County Regional Water Authority no longer collects a groundwater reduction plan fee.
(2)
The groundwater reduction plan fee shall be collected monthly from each single-family residential, multifamily residential and commercial water customer of the city. Such groundwater reduction plan fee shall be in addition to those rates and fees established by this chapter for water consumption and shall be collected monthly and subject to the same sanctions as city water rates and charges as shown in section 13.03.002.
(3)
All sums collected under the provisions of this subsection (a) shall be used to pay the groundwater reduction plan fee due by the city to the West Harris County Regional Water Authority.
(4)
The fees collected hereunder are in addition to any water use fees
charged, collected and paid to the Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation
District.
(b)
Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District.
(1)
There is hereby created a groundwater reduction user fee as provided for in the fee schedule found in appendix A of this code for water pumped in Waller County, payable to the Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District.
(2)
The fee shall be prorated among city water customers so that each
customer's actual fee will be a pro rata portion of the fee actually
payable in any month. The fee shall remain in full force and effect
until repealed or amended by ordinance or until such time as the district
no longer collects a groundwater reduction plan fee.
(3)
The groundwater reduction plan fee shall be collected monthly from each single-family residential, multifamily residential and commercial water customer of the city. Such groundwater reduction plan fee shall be in addition to those rates and fees established by this chapter for water consumption and shall be collected monthly and subject to the same sanctions as city water rates and charges as shown in section 13.03.002. The collection of such fee shall begin January, 2008.
(1999 Code, art. 11.1100)
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to open a fire hydrant valve or to use water from or to allow the use of water from a fire hydrant in the city. Anyone found guilty of opening a fire hydrant valve or using water from or allowing the use of water from a fire hydrant in the city without authorization from the city shall, upon being found guilty, be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined in accordance with the general penalty provision found in section 1.01.009 of this code.
(b)
The city shall make bulk water available for sale to private customers
at locations designated by the city. No water shall be made available
from the fire hydrants located on the city hall block bounded by Avenue
B, Avenue C, Second Street and Third Street.
(c)
Customers desiring to purchase bulk water must establish a water billing account with the city utility billing department by completing an application and posting a water usage deposit in the amount established in appendix A to this code. The customer shall be issued a receipt indicating that such deposit has been made. The customer will then take said receipt to the permit department for processing. Processing shall include a damage deposit and a nonrefundable processing fee in the amounts established in appendix A to this code. The customer will be required to certify in writing that the water is not to be used outside the city limits. If the customer is found to be using the water outside the city, all deposits will be forfeited and the customer will be barred thereafter from obtaining bulk water from the city.
(d)
Bulk water customers will be billed for water monthly at a minimum amount as established in appendix A to this code. The fees set by the West Harris County Regional Water Authority shall be added to the rate, if any. For amounts over 66,000 gallons of water, the customer will be charged, in addition to the minimum, an additional amount per thousand in the amount established in appendix A to this code. Bulk water will be billed on the same days as residential and commercial water customers.
(e)
Bulk water customers will be directed to a location designated by
the city as close as possible to the location where the water is to
be used by the customer. Such location shall be determined by the
public works director or his designee.
(f)
Upon finalizing the water billing account, the deposits made hereunder
shall be refunded less any outstanding costs, including unpaid water
bills or costs related to repairs of the city meter used at the point
where the customer obtains water. There shall be no deduction for
normal wear and tear.
(1999 Code, art. 11.1300; Ordinance
adopting Code)
