As used in this article, the following terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them:
Mobile home park.
Any existing parcel or tract of land designed, maintained, or intended for the purpose of supplying a location or accommodations for mobile homes or manufactured homes to be parked, including all buildings used or intended for use as part of the equipment thereof whether a charge is made for the use of the park and its facilities.
Multiple-family dwelling unit.
A building or portion thereof containing three (3) or more dwelling units and designed for or used by three (3) or more families; the term also includes the word "apartments."
Recreational vehicle park (RV park).
Any parcel or tract of land designed, maintained, or intended for the purpose of supplying a location or accommodations for RVs to be parked, including all buildings used or intended for use as part of the equipment thereof whether a charge is made for the use of the park and its facilities.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.002; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
(a) 
It is the policy of the city council that new water service outside the city limits shall be provided only as provided in subsections (b) and/or (c) of this section.
(b) 
The city council will honor its commitments for outside water service to those residents who were granted taps along the water main from Wichita Falls for private individual (nonsubdivision) use.
(c) 
Any individual, corporation, or association desiring to receive water service from the water system operated by the city who does not qualify for service by virtue of subsection (b) of this section must submit a written application to the city manager stating the exact location, the number of meters, the nature of the service (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial, etc.) and the estimated volume of water needed. The city manager shall present this information to the city council at a regular or special city council meeting in the form of a public hearing. After due consideration, the city council shall determine whether it is in the best interest of the city to allow the requested service.
(d) 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the council's option to seek professional recommendations regarding the request (e.g., legal, engineering, etc.). The city council shall be the final authority on the acceptance or rejection of a request for outside service.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.001; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
(a) 
Any request to the city for water and/or sewer service outside the corporate city limits must be accompanied by a registered surveyor's plat indicating the plat of the area and its relationship to the city and showing all proposed water and sewer lines and their relative locations to existing water and sewer lines. Such plats must be accompanied by an engineer's letter giving a professional opinion on the capacity of the existing system to handle the proposed additions. Additionally, the plat must show any dedicated streets, alleys and/or easements and their relationship to existing streets, alleys and/or easements within the city limits.
(b) 
The city council shall take no action on any requests until platting requirements are met in full, and the council shall take no affirmative action on any such requests unless the area to be served and the submitted plat fully comply with the zoning and subdivision requirements within the city most closely adjoining the proposed service area. The council may vary from these requirements if it documents in its minutes the reasons for such exception.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.014; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
(a) 
For connection to the city water line, there shall be a charge for water taps as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(b) 
The charge for all water meters and taps greater than four (4) inches will be determined by the city on an individual basis.
(c) 
The actual cost of providing and repairing utility cuts or borings across paved streets shall be added to the tap fee when applicable.
(d) 
Every water meter and tap will be set on the property line by the city when possible, and the property owner is responsible for extending their line to this point. All water meters shall become the property of the city upon installation, and the city will be responsible for maintenance of same.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.003; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
(a) 
The charges for a tap on the sewer line of the city shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(b) 
The actual cost of providing and repairing utility cuts or borings across paved streets shall be added to the tap fee when applicable.
(c) 
Every sewer tap will be made at the city's sewer main by the city whenever possible, and the property owner is responsible for extending their line to the collection main.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.004; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
Utility accounts shall be issued in the name(s) of the legal property owner(s) or the tenant(s) of the property at the service address of the account. Photo identification and proof of ownership (or lease) shall be required to open an account.
(Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
(a) 
Any person who makes an unauthorized connection to the public water system, including turning water on which has been turned off due to failure to pay, is in violation of this code and shall be punished as provided in section 1.01.009.
(b) 
Any person who makes a connection to the public sewer system without prior authorization is in violation of this code shall be punished as provided in section 1.01.009.
(Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
(a) 
All customers will be required to make a meter deposit prior to connection or turn-on of service. Meter deposits will be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(b) 
Customers moving from a service address inside the city to a service address outside the city shall be required to make the required higher deposit. Customers moving from a service address outside the city to a service address inside the city shall be reimbursed the difference in the required deposit, provided that they have a payment history in good standing (as defined by the collections office) for the previous six (6) months.
(c) 
All customers will be required to pay a connection fee as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code in addition to the required meter deposit before service is provided. Any meter which is turned on prior to the payment of the meter deposit and connection fee is subject to being removed, and the user will be subject to the additional fees imposed by section 13.03.058 of this article and the fees provided for in the fee schedule found in appendix A of this code.
(d) 
Customers moving into a service address inside the city who have left an outstanding utility bill will be required to make a meter deposit as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code along with paying the previous balance prior to connection of the service. Customers moving into a service address outside the city who have left an outstanding utility bill will be required to make a meter deposit as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code along with paying the previous balance prior to connection of the service.
(e) 
No one may assume responsibility for the payment of water, sewer or garbage charges owed by any individual to the city unless the person assuming responsibility first pays all past-due charges owing of that individual.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.005; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
The monthly water rates or charges for services furnished by the waterworks system to a customer within the city shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.006; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
The monthly rates or charges for service furnished by the waterworks system to a consumer outside the city shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.007; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
(a) 
Multifamily dwelling units.
Where more than one (1) dwelling unit, or other structure is at the present time receiving water through one meter, a monthly minimum for water, sewer and trash shall be charged for each dwelling, unit, duplex or business serviced by that meter.
(b) 
Mobile home and recreational vehicle (RV) parks.
Where more than one (1) mobile home or RV receive water through one meter, a monthly minimum for water, sewer and trash shall be charged for each mobile home or RV serviced by that meter.
(c) 
Combination or commercial units.
Where two or more businesses or a business and a residence share one (1) structure and the ingress and egress for both occupancies is the same; the structure will be billed for commercial use only of the services provided by the city.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.008; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
The charge for sanitary sewer service shall be determined by the water consumption. For all users except residential users, the monthly sewer charge shall be based on the monthly water usage billed in the same month. For each residential user, the monthly sewer charge for each month from April through the following December shall be the same and shall be based on the average monthly water usage metered in the preceding months of January, February and March. The monthly sewer rates shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.009; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
The charge for sanitary sewer service shall be determined by the water consumption. For all users, except residential users, the monthly sewer charge shall be based on the monthly water usage billed in the same month. For each residential user, the monthly sewer charge for each month from April through the following December shall be the same and shall be based on the average monthly water usage metered in the preceding months of January, February and March. The monthly sewer rates shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.010; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
(a) 
Such rates and charges hereby fixed and prescribed shall be paid monthly by the users of the waterworks and the sanitary sewer system to the city manager and shall carry a due date of fifteen (15) days after the billing date. Thereafter it shall be considered delinquent.
(b) 
If such bill has not been paid by the twenty-first day after the billing date, a contact shall be made by first class mail or by handing a notice on the front door of the delinquent address. The method of contact shall be determined by the city manager. The contact shall notify the delinquent utility customer that the account is delinquent, the amount due to reinstate the account in good standing (including a contact fee) and a date on which the service will be discontinued.
(c) 
The contact fee shall be assessed effective on the twenty-first day after the billing date. The contact fee shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(d) 
If an account is delinquent three (3) times within any six-month period, a new meter deposit shall be required equal to the highest three (3) months' bills during the six-month period in which they were delinquent. The increased deposit shall be subject to all the rules governing any other meter deposit.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.011; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
(a) 
Such service may be resumed upon payment of the balance due, but there shall be charged and collected a reconnection charge as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(b) 
Water service will be resumed on the day that all delinquent payments and fees are paid in full, provided that such payments are made prior to 4:45 p.m. on that date. Water service will be resumed by the close of the next business day for payments and fees made at 4:45 p.m. or thereafter.
(c) 
Customer must be present at service address for water service to be resumed.
(d) 
If the party turns the water back on without paying the bill and the meter has been locked or removed, the charge will be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code for a reconnection of service, which charge shall be collected before reconnection of service is made, and such person shall be subject to punishment as provided in section 1.01.009.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.012; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
(a) 
Charges for water picked up at the dock at the water plant shall be as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(b) 
Water plant personnel will lock and unlock the dispenser valves. Drivers will be responsible for loading their own water.
(c) 
Industries and/or businesses who pick up on a regular basis may open an account at city hall and be billed on a monthly basis for water received. All other individuals and/or businesses must pay by check or money order, payable to the city, at the time of pickup.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.013; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
Any residential or commercial customer who wishes to relocate his residence or business from an existing account to another address within the system that is already prepared for delivery of service shall pay a transfer fee as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code for each such transfer. This fee may be paid prior to the relocation or be billed. Failure to pay the transfer fee shall be considered the same as failure to pay for water used.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.015; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)
(a) 
No charge will be made for an inspection on meter reading verifications if the city manager verifies a gross discrepancy or a water customer requests not more than one (1) inspection during any six-month period. When a meter verification inspection finds no discrepancies and it is the customer's second or more inspection in a six-month period, the customer will be charged as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(b) 
A fee as set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code will be charged to the water customer for each accuracy test performed on a meter providing the test does not result in a finding that the meter over-registered in excess of two percent (2%). Any test resulting in a finding that the meter over-registered in excess of two percent will result in the following actions:
(1) 
An adjustment will be made to the customer's utility bill for that month according to an estimated amount of normal water usage for the same period in previous years; and
(2) 
The meter found registering in excess of two percent will be replaced.
(c) 
All water meters found to be registering within an accuracy level of two percent (2%) plus or minus will be considered accurate.
(d) 
Meter accuracy verifications will be performed as three separate tests using ten (10) gallons, twenty (20) gallons and fifty (50) gallons intervals.
(2004 Code, sec. 13.02.016; Ordinance 1358 adopted 7/11/2022)