The groundwater reduction user fees for the West Harris County Regional Water Authority and the Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District can be found in the table in section A10.004(b) of this article.
(Ordinance 3001 adopted 9/27/21)
(a) 
Garbage collection rates and fees charged to residential and commercial units shall be the rates and fees set forth in the garbage collection agreement approved by the city council or the rates and fees approved by another official action of the city council.
(b) 
A copy of the garbage collection rates and fees charged to residential and commercial units shall be made available to the public in the city secretary's office.
(Ordinance 3001 adopted 9/27/21)
With each application for container a fee of ten dollars ($10.00) per container; for each truck, fifty dollars ($50.00) per truck.
(Ordinance 3001 adopted 9/27/21)
(a) 
Security deposit.
(1) 
Water customers using a one (1) inch meter or smaller to provide water to:
(A) 
A single-family residential unit shall, prior to obtaining water from the city, post a one hundred dollar ($100.00) security deposit, which shall be held by the city for a period of two (2) years or until such time as the customer moves, when such deposit shall be returned to the customer, less any sums then due and owing to the city. Security deposits posted after December 1, 1987, shall not be refunded to the customer until such time as the customer notifies the city of a move or change of ownership and a final bill is given and paid.
(B) 
A multifamily residential unit shall, prior to installation of a water meter or prior to receiving service from the city, post a security deposit equal to twice the amount of current estimated costs for one (1) month. Security deposits posted after December 1, 1987, shall not be refunded to the customer until such time as the customer notifies the city of a move or change of ownership and a final bill is given and paid.
(C) 
A commercial unit shall, prior to obtaining water from the city, post a security deposit of one hundred dollars ($100.00), which shall be held by the city under the same conditions and terms as subsection (a)(4).
(2) 
Any water customer who has been a water customer for two (2) years prior to the adoption of this section (A) who has not heretofore been required to post a deposit, (B) who has posted a deposit and such deposit has been refunded, or (C) whose two (2) year time requirement for refund has not yet expired, and who has not had service disconnected for nonpayment, shall not be required to post an additional deposit for water service if such customer is moving to a new location using the same service within the city.
(3) 
A water customer who has more than two (2) years of uninterrupted water service using a one (1) inch or smaller line may, upon execution of a written agreement and guarantee approved by the city council, make regular monthly payments for water service and be exempt from the requirement of posting a security deposit for service to other property or properties using one (1) inch or smaller service owned by said water customer, provided said water customer also pays for sewer and garbage service. Such exemption shall terminate upon sale of any of such property or upon discontinuance of service for nonpayment. Guaranty agreements existing upon adoption of this section shall be reduced to writing within one hundred twenty (120) days following adoption of this section or service to such additional properties may be terminated.
(4) 
Water customers using meters larger than one (1) inch shall be required to make a deposit equal to twice the amount of current estimated costs for one (1) month prior to installation of a water meter. Such deposit will be returned to the water customer, less any amounts due and owing to the city, after five (5) years of continuous uninterrupted service. Such deposit may not be assigned, and in the event of change of ownership a new owner shall be required to post a new deposit. In the event a customer fails to notify the city of change of ownership, the deposit shall not be refundable until five (5) years after the date of change of ownership. Security deposits posted after December 1, 1987, shall not be refunded to the customer until such time as the customer notifies the city of a move or change of ownership and a final bill is given and paid.
(5) 
The deposits herein required shall not apply to any existing water customers whose service is not, on the date of adoption of this section, disconnected for nonpayment.
(b) 
Minimum quantities and minimum bills - Inside city.
Minimum quantities, based upon meter size and minimum bills, based upon meter size and customer classification, shall be as follows for customers located inside the city limits:
Single-Family Residential
Meter Size
Base Rate
Base Rate Gallons
Additional Gallons
Rate Per 1,000 Gallons
WHCWA Chg/1000 GLs (no base amount)
BBWD Chg/1000 GLs (no base amount)
5/8” to 3/4”
$7.60
0-3,000
3,001-8,000
$1.56
$2.35
$0.025
8,001-12,000
$1.63
$2.35
$0.025
12,001-15,000
$1.69
$2.35
$0.025
Over 15,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
1”
$25.35
0-14,000
Over 14,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
1-1/2”
$50.70
0-27,000
Over 27,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
2”
$101.40
0-54,000
Over 54,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
3”
$227.50
0-121,000
Over 121,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
4”
$379.60
0-201,000
Over 201,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
6” and greater
$887.25
0-470,000
Over 470,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
Multifamily Residential
Meter Size
Base Rate
Base Rate Gallons
Additional Gallons
Rate Per 1,000 Gallons
WHCWA Chg/1000 GLs (no base amount)
BBWD Chg/1000 GLs (no base amount)
3/4”
$9.36
0-3,000
Over 3,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
1”
$31.20
0-14,000
Over 14,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
1-1/2”
$62.40
0-31,000
Over 31,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
2”
$124.80
0-64,000
Over 64,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
3”
$280.80
0-146,000
Over 146,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
4”
$468.00
0-245,000
Over 245,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
6” and greater
$1,092.00
0-575,000
Over 575,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
Commercial
Meter Size
Base Rate
Base Rate Gallons
Additional Gallons
Rate Per 1,000 Gallons
WHCWA Chg/1000 GLs (no base amount)
BBWD Chg/1000 GLs (no base amount)
3/4”
$9.75
0-3,000
Over 3,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
1”
$32.50
0-15,000
Over 15,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
1-1/2”
$65.00
0-32,000
Over 32,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
2”
$130.00
0-66,000
Over 66,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
3”
$292.50
0-152,000
Over 152,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
4”
$487.50
0-255,000
Over 255,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
6” and greater
$1,137.50
0-599,000
Over 599,001
$1.89
$2.35
$0.025
(c) 
Water system extension and connection charges - inside city.
(1) 
(A) 
Charges for connection to the existing city water system inside the city limits shall be paid by the property owner in advance in accordance with the following schedule:
Meter Size/Taps for Residential Use Only
Less than 1”
$600.00 (plus cost of road bore if applicable)
1”
$900.00
(B) 
Taps for residential meters 1.5” or larger will be completed by a third-party contractor at property owners expense per city specifications.
Residential Road Bore for less than 60 feet
3/4” or 1”
$7.50 per foot
(C) 
A road bore in excess of sixty feet (60) or in the state right of way, services will be completed by a third-party contractor at property owners expense per city specifications.
All charges are in addition to cost of road bore, if applicable.
(D) 
All commercial meters and taps shall be completed by a third-party contractor at property owners expense per city specifications. An inspection fee of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) shall be assessed for each tap.
(E) 
Reconnect abandoned tap: 50% of new connection charge.
(F) 
Charges for extension of the city water system to serve a customer inside the city limits shall be paid in advance by the property owner based on the actual total cost of the extension as established by the city's bidding process and the Texas Local Government Code, chapter 252, subchapter B, section 252.021.
(G) 
If the property to be served is adjacent to a dedicated street, alley, or easement, and an extension of the city water main or line is necessary, the city, upon payment of the regular service charge and the payment of an additional eight dollars ($8.00) per foot for such distance from the existing city water main or line to the property line of the property to be served, will construct such line to and including the meter, as shall be necessary to serve each patron. The term regular service charge shall mean charges for the construction of a three- quarter inch (3/4”) tap and three-quarter inch (3/4”) meter. Larger size taps and meters shall be installed at an additional cost to the patron.
(d) 
Returned check charge.
In addition to the ten (10) percent late charge, an additional handling charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be added as part of the utility bill for each check, draft or money order returned to the city marked insufficient funds or account closed. Such charge shall become immediately due and payable and unless paid prior to the next billing cycle shall be grounds for discontinuance.
(e) 
Reconnection after discontinuance of service for nonpayment.
Water and sewer services will be discontinued for lack of payment as given above. The charge to reconnect water and sewer service shall be fifty dollars ($50.00).
(Ordinance 3001 adopted 9/27/21; ; Ordinance 3069 adopted 12/12/2022)
(a) 
Abandoned water meter.
Abandoned water meter shall mean a meter that has been disconnected from the city water main or line and the meter removed from the service location, except when a meter is removed for repair or replacement. In the event service is restored at the same property description, a service charge of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) shall be made.
(b) 
Meter testing.
Labor charge $25.00, plus the following if the meter is to be tested by a certified testing lab at the patrons request:
5/8” x 2/4: [5/8” to 3/4] meter
$25.00
1” meter
$35.00
1-1/2” meter
$50.00
2” compound meter
$50.00
2” turbine
$50.00
Larger than 2” meter
$75.00
(Ordinance 3001 adopted 9/27/21)
(a) 
Sanitary sewer service.
(1) 
Customers who are city water customers.
Charges for sanitary sewer service for customers who are water customers of the city shall be based upon building use and water consumption, in accordance with the following schedule of rates for customers located inside the city:
Sewer Rates
Gallons per Month
Single-Family Residential
Multifamily Residential
Commercial
0 to minimum 3,000
$5.98
$5.07
$5.46
3,001-8,000
$1.23
$1.69
$1.82
8,001-12,000
$1.17
$1.69
$1.82
12,001-15,000
$1.11
$1.69
$1.82
Over 15,001
$1.04
$1.69
$1.82
(2) 
Customers who are not city water customers.
Charges for sewer services for customers who are not water customers of the city shall be determined based upon an estimated consumption volume determined by the water superintendent for the city or an engineer acting for the city, and at a price in accordance with the appropriate rate schedule, plus an additional administrative charge of three dollars ($3.00) per month. The utility security deposit for sewer-only customers shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00).
(3) 
Commercial sewer service outside city.
(A) 
Application for service must be submitted in triplicate and accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00).
(B) 
If additional easements are required, the acquisition of such easements, which shall be taken in the name of the city, shall be the responsibility of the customer and at the expense of the customer. The customer shall also pay a sewer service fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00), which includes the tap fee and permit fee. The customer shall also deposit as security a fee to be determined by the city council at the time approval is granted, but not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00). An additional security deposit will be determined by the amount of expected usage and type of wastewater to be treated. If the customer is not a water customer, the customer shall pay each month a minimum sewer fee equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the fee of a regular customer who uses eight thousand (8,000) gallons of water per month. The usage fee shall be based on estimates prepared by the city engineer and is subject to periodic review, which may be annually. In addition to all other charges and monthly fees, the customer shall pay monthly the sum of three dollars ($3.00) as an administration fee.
(b) 
Sewer system connection and extension charge.
(1) 
Charges for connection to the existing city sewer system inside the city limits shall be paid by the property owner in advance, in accordance with the following schedule:
(A) 
4” residential service: $600.00 (plus cost of road bore if applicable, $15.00 per foot).
(B) 
6” residential service: $800.00 (plus cost of road bore if applicable, $20.00 per foot).
(C) 
For commercial service: All commercial taps shall be completed by a third-party contractor at property owners expense per city specifications. An inspection fee of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) shall be assessed for each tap.
(2) 
Charges for extension of the city sewer system to serve a customer inside the city limits shall be paid in advance by the property owner based on the actual total cost of the extension as established by the city's bidding process and the Texas Local Government Code, chapter 252, subchapter B, section 252.021.
(c) 
Special commercial sewer service rate.
Commercial water users served by two-inch (2”) or larger water lines and meters users whose primary business is the manufacture of a product which uses water as a raw material in the manufacture of that product may elect to pay a monthly sewer charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) in lieu of the rate set out in subsection (a). “Primary business” shall mean that part of the water user's business derived from the sale of the product in which the water is used, which must produce more than fifty percent (50%) of the water user's gross income. The water user must apply for such special rate, furnishing the city a sworn statement stating that at least fifty percent (50%) of the user's income is derived from the sale of a product which uses water as a raw material in its manufacture. This section shall be effective as of September 1, 1980, and users entitled to the rate as of that day shall be entitled to credit for such period if application for the special commercial sewer service rate is made on or before December 1, 1980.
(Ordinance 3001 adopted 9/27/21)
(a) 
Availability of sewer main or line.
If the property to be served is adjacent to a dedicated street, alley or easement where there exists a city sewer main or line, the city, upon payment by the applicant of the regular sewer tap charge, will construct such lines that shall be necessary to serve such patron.
(b) 
Fee.
(1) 
If the property to be served is adjacent to a dedicated street, alley, or easement, and an extension of the city sewer main line is necessary, the city, upon payment of the regular sewer tap charge and the payment of an additional eight dollars ($8.00) per foot for such distance from the existing city sewer main line to the property line of the property to be served, will construct such line as shall be necessary to serve such patron.
(2) 
The term “regular sewer tap charge” shall mean charges for the construction of a four-inch (4”) sewer tap and building sewer line. Larger size sewer taps shall be installed at an additional cost to the patron.
(3) 
All lines constructed under the provisions of this section shall be the property of the city and the city shall have full control and jurisdiction over such lines.
(Ordinance 3001 adopted 9/27/21)
“Abandoned sewer tap“
Shall mean a sewer tap that has been disconnected from the building sewer line. All such taps must be plugged in such a manner that will prevent ground or subsurface drainage from entering the sewer main. All such abandoned taps must be plugged at a depth below the ground surface of not less than one (1) foot to prevent damage to the house lateral and sewer main. In the event service is restored at the same location, a service charge of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be made. In all such cases where the abandoned sewer tap is not used to restore service at the same location, a “regular sewer tap charge” shall be made.
(Ordinance 3001 adopted 9/27/21)
(a) 
Permit for residential recreational water well.
An application for a residential recreational water well shall be accompanied with a nonrefundable fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00). The biannual renewal shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable renewal fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).
(b) 
Annual inspection fee.
The owners or operators shall pay an inspection fee of fifty dollars ($50.00).
(c) 
Permit to create/maintain new lake or pond.
The original application for a permit to drill shall be accompanied by a filing fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00). Each year, the annual renewal shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00). In the event the bacteriological test shows the presence of coliform, the developer/homeowners’ association shall have sixty (60) days to cure the problem and submit the application again for inspection. The resubmission of each additional test shall be accompanied by a fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00).
(Ordinance 3001 adopted 9/27/21)
(a) 
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 $275.00 water usage deposit. 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 $600.00 damage deposit and a $50.00 nonrefundable processing fee. 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.
(b) 
Bulk water customers will be billed for water monthly at $137.26 minimum for 66,000 gallons of water. 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 $137.26 minimum, an additional $2.00 per thousand. Bulk water will be billed on the same days as residential and commercial water customers.
(Ordinance 3001 adopted 9/27/21)
The proponent will pay to the city a filing and processing fee of $3,000.00. The fee will cover, in addition to review by staff and the engineer, one pre-hearing conference with staff, if requested by the proponent, to review the application and materials to be presented. If requested in writing by the proponent, additional pre-hearing conferences will be scheduled with staff, provided the proponent pays an additional fee of $850.00, in advance, for each additional conference. Annexations into an existing MUD will have an application fee of $2,000.00.
(Ordinance 3001 adopted 9/27/21)