Editor’s note–Former sections 51.01 et seq., pertaining to water conservation and deriving from Ordinance 2004-7 adopted 11/9/04, Ordinance 2006-03 adopted 2/14/06 and Ordinance 2006-08 adopted 7/11/06, were repealed in their entirety by Ordinance 2015-11 adopted 12/8/15.
This subchapter shall be cited as the “water utility service rates and charges ordinance” and is referred to herein as “this subchapter.”
(Ordinance 2018-4 adopted 6/12/18)
This subchapter is enacted pursuant to NMSA 1978, § 4-37-1 (1975), and § 4-36-10 (1996).
(Ordinance 2018-4 adopted 6/12/18)
The definitions set out in the Sustainable Land Development Code (“SLDC”), County Ordinance No. 2016-9 and County Resolution No. 2012-88, as the same may be amended from time to time. In addition:
Director.
The SFCU Director.
Santa Fe County Utility or SFCU.
The water system owned and operated by Santa Fe County.
Water budget.
The total approved water requirement of a development, or phase of development, that will be provided by the SFCU plus twenty percent (20%).
Water service connection.
The physical connection of a property to the SFCU water system.
(Ordinance 2018-4 adopted 6/12/18)
(A) 
SFCU service rates and charges must be just and reasonable and based on the cost of service.
(B) 
The existing SFCU service rates and charges have historically generated substantially less revenue than the cost of service.
(C) 
The service rates and charges established under this subchapter are based on a rate study and will, over time, better enable the county to cover the cost of service to SFCU customers.
(D) 
The rates and charges adopted under this subchapter are equitable across customer classes and water system users.
(E) 
The service rates and charges adopted under this subchapter are designed to encourage water conservation.
(Ordinance 2018-4 adopted 6/12/18)
(A) 
Rate applicability.
The water utility service rates and charges adopted by this subchapter shall apply to all SFCU customers and those required to connect to the SFCU under the SLDC.
(B) 
Terms of payment.
All bills are net and payable within thirty (30) days from the date of bill. If payment for any service rendered is not made within forty (40) days from the date of billing, the utility shall apply an additional late charge of 1-1/2 percent per month to the total balance in arrears, excluding gross receipts tax. Partial payment of amount due by customer is applied first to late fees, charges assessed and taxes if any, and then to the oldest bill before any amount is applied to the current bill. Any checks that are denied payment due to insufficient funds will be charged the penalty as set out in section 51.11 or as assessed by the county bank and the county treasurer if greater.
(Ordinance 2018-4 adopted 6/12/18)
(A) 
Residential service shall apply where: (1) a single water meter serves a single dwelling unit for indoor and outdoor domestic water use; and (2) where a single water meter serves more than one dwelling unit for domestic water use, but only if use is limited to the residents and their guests and not open to the general public or to nonresident membership. The meter may also serve uses commonly associated with residential dwelling units, such as lawful home occupations, home spas, and landscaping.
(B) 
Where a dwelling unit is used for both residential and nonresidential purposes not associated with home occupations, the water service will be billed under the applicable nonresidential rate schedule. When separate piping is installed to meter water service to each class of service, billing will be rendered in accordance with the applicable rate schedule.
(C) 
A customer may request a separate irrigation meter to serve outdoor residential domestic use, which separate outdoor use may be supplied using potable, nonpotable, or reclaimed water in accordance with SFCU policies.
(D) 
Monthly rates:
The basic water service bill exclusive of any additional charges, fees, or penalties shall be based on the total of the applicable charges set out in table 1.
Table 1: Monthly Service Charges per Meter Size & Commodity Rates
(per 1,000 gallons)
 
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
RESIDENTIAL WATER SERVICE
 
 
 
 
 
Monthly Customer Service Fee
$/Meter
 
 
 
 
 
5/8"
$22.83
 
 
 
 
 
3/4"
$24.68
 
 
 
 
 
1"
$28.32
 
 
 
 
 
1-1/2"
$61.38
 
 
 
 
 
2"
$63.63
 
 
 
 
 
3"
$96.15
 
 
 
 
 
Water Usage Charge per Month
$/1,000 gals
 
 
 
 
 
Fist 4,000 gallons
 
$6.43
$6.75
$7.08
$7.44
$7.81
Next 4,000 gallons
 
$8.85
$9.29
$9.76
$10.25
$10.76
Next 4,000 gallons
 
$13.67
$14.35
$15.07
$15.83
$16.62
Next 4,000 gallons
 
$18.50
$19.43
$20.40
$21.42
$22.49
Above 16,000 gallons
 
$22.81
$23.95
$25.14
$26.40
$27.72
(Ordinance 2018-4 adopted 6/12/18)
(A) 
Nonresidential water rates shall apply to water meters not classified by the SFCU as single-family residential or multifamily residential service. Where a dwelling unit is used for both residential and nonresidential purposes not associated with a home occupation, the water service will be billed under the applicable nonresidential rate schedule. When separate piping is installed to separately meter water service to each class of service, billing will be rendered in accordance with the applicable rate schedule.
(B) 
Monthly rates:
The basic water service bill exclusive of any additional charges, fees, or penalties shall be based on the total of the applicable charges set out in table 2:
Table 2: Monthly Service Charges per Meter Size & Commodity Rates
(per 1,000 gallons)
 
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
Monthly Customer Service Fee
$/Meter
 
 
 
 
 
5/8"
$48.30
 
 
 
 
 
3/4"
$68.62
 
 
 
 
 
1"
$109.28
 
 
 
 
 
1-1/2"
$210.93
 
 
 
 
 
2"
$332.89
 
 
 
 
 
3"
$641.93
 
 
 
 
 
Water Usage Charge per Month
$/1,000 gals
 
 
 
 
 
Fist 4,000 gallons
 
$6.21
$6.52
$6.84
$7.18
$7.54
Next 4,000 gallons
 
$8.57
$9.00
$9.45
$9.92
$10.41
Next 4,000 gallons
 
$13.28
$13.95
$14.64
$15.38
$16.14
Next 4,000 gallons
 
$17.92
$18.82
$19.76
$20.75
$21.79
Above 16,000 gallons
 
$22.81
$23.95
$25.14
$26.40
$27.72
(Ordinance 2011-06, sec. 7, adopted 9/27/11)
(A) 
High-volume water rates shall apply where a water meter serves a use not classified as single-family residential or multifamily residential service and the meter is greater than 2 inches. High volume use includes those uses classified as wholesale 1 and domestic association under the former utility rate schedule adopted under Resolution No. 2012-88 and rate schedule 5 (wholesale water sales) under Resolution No. 2011-79. If a compound meter is installed, the meter charge will be based on the larger meter size.
(B) 
Monthly rates:
The basic water service bill exclusive of any additional charges, fees, or penalties shall be based on the total of the applicable charges set out in tables 3 and 4:
Table 3: Monthly Service Charges per Meter Size
Meter Size
Monthly Service Fee
Effective Date
3-inch
$641.93
July 1, 2019
4-inch
$762.64
July 1, 2019
6-inch
$1,517.64
July 1, 2019
8-inch
$2,423.67
July 1, 2019
10-inch
$3,365.72
July 1, 2019
Table 4: Commodity Rate
(per thousand gallons; no tiers)
Tier Range
(gallons)
Price
(per 1,000 gallon)
Effective Date
All
$6.54
July 1, 2019
All
$6.74
July 1, 2020
All
$6.93
July 1, 2021
All
$7.14
July 1, 2022
(C) 
Exclusion.
A mutual domestic water consumers association serving a designated traditional historic community shall not be charged for metered water used as an emergency backup to their existing water supply due to equipment failure. The amount of water used for such purposes, if any, shall be determined by the utility director. The association shall immediately notify SFCU of an equipment failure requiring emergency backup by SFCU and shall also notify SFCU on date it restores normal service. Upon receipt of such notices, SFCU will promptly take meter readings to determine the amount of emergency backup use.
(Ordinance 2018-4 adopted 6/12/18)
(A) 
Raw/nonpotable water rates shall apply where nonpotable water service is provided from the Buckman Direct Diversion.
(B) 
Monthly rates:
The basic water service bill exclusive of any additional charges, fees, or penalties shall be based on the total of the applicable charges set out in table 3 and table 5:
Table 5: Commodity Rate
(per thousand gallons; no tiers)
Tier Range
(gallons)
Price
( per 1,000 gallon)
Effective Date
All
$4.32
July 1, 2019
All
$4.45
July 1, 2020
All
$4.58
July 1, 2021
All
$4.72
July 1, 2022
(Ordinance 2011-06, sec. 9, adopted 9/27/11)
(A) 
This rate applies to owners of private fire hydrants used exclusively for fire protection and individual customers who have a fire service line.
(B) 
In order to assure proper operation of fire hydrants, no water shall be drawn through any fire hydrant for any other purpose than fire protection, except as provided by a special permit issued by the SFCU.
(C) 
Rates:
For each private fire hydrant billing shall occur annually and consist of a $1,165.00 fee. For each fire service line billing shall occur annually and consist of the applicable charges set out in table 6:
Table 6: Rate Schedule for Fire Service Line
Service Line Size
Annual Fee
3-inch
$641.93
4-inch
$762.64
6-inch
$1,517.64
8-inch
$2,423.67
10-inch
$3,365.72
(Ordinance 2018-4 adopted 6/12/18)
(A) 
Account set-up.
A charge of $18.00 will be assessed on applications for water service account set-up due to a new service connection or a change in customer using an existing connection following the close-out of a former account. The account set-up charge shall be submitted with the service application. In addition to completing an application form, the applicant must submit proof of property ownership and a copy of applicant’s driver’s license. Applications may be submitted to the county water utility in person, via mail or via email. If the water service applicant is not the owner of a property, the tenant shall provide a copy of the rental agreement and the owner of the property shall co-sign the new service account agreement and agree to be responsible for any unpaid balances. A property owner may elect to receive a copy of the monthly bill.
(B) 
Customer deposit.
A deposit of $100.00 will be charged to all new accounts and shall be submitted with the application. Following 12 timely-submitted monthly payments, the deposit will be credited to the customer’s account. This deposit may be waived if the new account applicant has a proven 12-month history of timely payment with SFCU or provides proof of a 12-month timely payment history with another water utility.
(C) 
Reconnection.
Whenever service is discontinued for payment delinquency, a reconnection fee of $70.00 plus tax shall be charged to the customer. Once payment is received service will be reconnected during normal business hours.
(D) 
Customer-side leak adjustment.
Upon a customer’s request and submitted proof of a customer-side leak repair, the SFCU may adjust one monthly bill cycle to charge only the tier 1 rate for all metered water. The SFCU shall make an adjustment under this provision no more than one time per customer. “Customer-side” refers to the plumbing downstream of the customer meter.
(E) 
Meter test.
Upon request by the customer, the county shall have the customer meter tested. The customer shall be responsible for the testing costs. The test costs will be absorbed by SFCU if the meter is found to register more than 2 percent over the customer’s previously registered use.
(F) 
Utility expansion charge (UEC).
Customers requesting new water service will be assessed a one-time charge based on the size of the meter; however, the charge for increasing the size of an existing meter shall reflect only the increase in the size of the meter. The charge for each meter service size shall be determined by multiplying the 5/8-inch utility expansion charge by the applicable meter equivalency units (MEU). The utility expansion charge is payable upon submittal of the application.
Meter Service Size
MEU
Utility Expansion Charge
5/8-inch
1.00
$3,165.00
3/4-inch
1.50
$4,747.50
1-inch
2.50
$7,912.50
1-1/2-inch
5.00
$15,825.00
2-inch
8.00
$25,320.00
3-inch
15.00
$47,475.00
4-inch
25.00
$79,125.00
6-inch
50.00
$158,250.00
8-inch
80.00
$253,200.00
10-inch
115.00
$363,975.00
(G) 
Meter can inspection.
The fee for inspecting a meter can to assure its installation to SFCU standards is $30.00 per inspection and is payable upon submittal of the application.
(H) 
Meter installation.
(1) 
This charge applies to customers requesting a new meter installation and new water service connection and covers the cost of the meter and time and materials for installation. The meter installation charge is payable upon submittal of the application. Legal lots of record for which meters without registers were previously provided to the SFCU will be charged for registers.
Meter Size
Installation Charge
5/8 or 3/4-inch
$400.00
1-inch
$450.00
1-1/2-inch
$1,750.00
(2) 
The cost for the installation of any meter larger than 1-1/2-inch will be the actual price of the meter, plus material and labor costs. For expediency, a customer may purchase the meter designated by SFCU and pay SFCU customary rates to install it.
(I) 
Document preparation.
For subdivisions and other developments requiring a negotiated water delivery agreement, utility extension agreement, or other agreement between the county and the customer, the customer shall pay a document preparation charge of $500.00 payable upon approval of the agreement.
(J) 
Water infrastructure improvement project design document review fee.
For any water infrastructure build for the SFCU, the SFCU shall charge a project design document review fee of 0.5% of the engineer’s approved cost estimate of the customer-requested line extensions to cover the cost of reviewing the project design documents in order to assure that the infrastructure meets SFCU specifications. Payment shall be due prior to final SFCU approval of the project design documents.
(K) 
Water infrastructure improvement project inspection fee.
For any water line extension to be constructed and dedicated to the county, the SFCU shall charge a project inspection fee of 1.5% of the engineer’s approved cost estimate of the line extension to cover the cost of inspecting the construction to assure that it meets SFCU specifications. The payment shall be made prior to initiation of construction.
(L) 
Stand-by.
Persons who own a legal lot of record for which no water service connection with the SFCU has been established and which fronts a SFCU distribution line that is currently tapped or can be tapped for a future water service connection shall pay a stand-by charge of 7.50 per month. The SFCU shall bill the lot owner of record for the standby charge annually or, to the extent not billed annually or timely paid, at the time the lot owner requests water service. No lot owner shall be liable for more than a total of 36 months of accrued standby charges and no current owner shall be liable for a prior owner’s outstanding standby charges.
(M) 
Master meter surcharge.
Where fewer than one hundred SFCU customers are served by a city master meter, the SFCU may add a master meter surcharge to each customer’s monthly bill served by such a master meter. The charge shall equal the monthly charge of the master meter divided by the number of customers it serves.
(N) 
System acquisition surcharge.
If approved by resolution of the board or by written agreement, the SFCU may add a monthly system acquisition surcharge to the bills of customers served by a water system acquired by the county but originally constructed by a noncounty utility. In deciding whether to impose the surcharge and the amount of the surcharge, the board shall consider whether the system is isolated from the rest of the SFCU system, whether the system is a significant distance from SFCU operations, and whether it imposes significant additional costs on the county that should not be borne by the rest of the SFCU customer base. This surcharge shall not be applied if an agreement surcharge has been applied.
(O) 
Agreement surcharge.
If approved by resolution of the board or written agreement, the SFCU may add a surcharge to the bills of customers within a clearly identifiable area if the county agreed to assume significant additional costs related exclusively to that customer area pursuant to a written agreement between the county and the customers’ water provider or homeowners’ association. The utility may also impose this surcharge if the county assumes the significant additional costs pursuant to a court judgment. This surcharge shall not be applied if a system acquisition surcharge has been applied.
(P) 
Taxes.
Billings under this subchapter shall be increased by an amount equal to the sum of taxes payable under the Gross Receipts and Compensating Tax Act and of all other taxes, fees, or charges payable by the county and levied or assessed by any government authority on the public utility service rendered, or on the right or privilege of rendering the service, or any object or event incidental to the rendition of the service.
(Q) 
Insufficient funds penalty.
Will be charged at $25.00 per occurrence.
(Ordinance 2018-4 adopted 6/12/18; Ordinance 2021-05 adopted 11/30/21)
Beginning July 1, 2023, and each year thereafter, the rates and charges adopted through this subchapter shall automatically be adjusted by the corresponding change in the consumer price index (CPI) for Western Region for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. The SFCU shall post each new rate and fee schedule on the Santa Fe County website.
(Ordinance 2018-4 adopted 6/12/18)