(a) 
Authority.
This section is adopted pursuant to the police powers and authority given general law cities by the constitution, codes and general laws of the state, including but not limited to chapters 51 and 552, Texas Local Gov’t. Code, and chapter 13 of the Texas Water Code.
(b) 
Purpose.
The purpose of this section is to provide for public health and general welfare, the efficient and effective provision of city services and the protection of the environment and natural resources of the community. From and after the passage of this section all residential, business, commercial and industrial occupancies and uses within the city and areas outside the city within its service area shall conform to the following rules and regulations.
(c) 
Water tap fees; miscellaneous fees.
The following fees shall be collected from each applicant for water service:
(1) 
Tap fee.
Tap fees in the amount adopted by the city council shall be collected as applicable from the applicant before the water system tap or connection to the city’s water system is made.
(2) 
Transfer of service and reconnection fees.
Transfer of service and reconnection fees are as adopted by the city council.
(d) 
Rates for water and sewer service.
The following rates, fees and charges shall be charged and paid for water and sewer services within the city:
(1) 
Minimum monthly water service delivery rate within city.
Residential and business or commercial water and sewer service customers located within the city limits shall be charged the applicable minimum monthly rate per meter as long as such meter is active, whether the customer actually uses the services or not; provided that, if the meter is removed or locked at the customer’s request, no minimum charge for service shall be assessed. A minimum monthly fee shall be assessed in the amount adopted by the city council, in addition to other fees.
(2) 
Minimum monthly water service delivery rate outside city limits.
Residential and business or commercial water and sewer service customers located outside the city limits shall be charged the applicable minimum monthly rate per meter as long as such meter is active, whether the customer actually uses the services or not; provided that, if the meter is removed or locked at the customer’s request, no minimum charge for service shall be assessed. A minimum monthly fee shall be assessed in the amount adopted by the city council, in addition to other fees.
(3) 
Water and sewer usage rate.
The monthly water and sewer usage rates adopted by the city council will be charged for all residential water and sewer service customers and business or commercial water service customers for water and sewer service provided by the city.
(4) 
Bulk treated water usage rates.
The rates adopted by the city council apply to the usage of bulk treated water.
(5) 
Apartment buildings and complexes.
Water and sewer usage rates for apartment buildings and apartment complexes shall be calculated based upon the connection to a required meter at the charges and rates approved by the city council. Apartment buildings in the city shall be assessed an additional minimum monthly water and sewer service connection charge as approved by the city council for each individual apartment unit in an apartment building or apartment complex for the cost of providing monthly water and sewer services to the apartment unit.
(6) 
Water and sewer rate fees.
Refer to water/wastewater service fees.
(e) 
Rates for sewer/wastewater service; sewer tap fee.
The following rates, fees and charges shall be charged and paid for sewer services provided to all customers located within the city and to all customers located outside the city limits:
(1) 
Sewer tap fee.
Sewer tap fees are as adopted by the city council, plus the cost of materials.
(2) 
Minimum monthly sewer/wastewater service charge.
All wastewater and sewer service customers, to include residential customers, business or commercial customers both within and outside the city limits, shall be charged a minimum monthly rate based upon the size of the customer’s water service meter as long as such water service meter is active, whether the customer actually uses the services or not; provided that, if the meter is removed or locked at the customer’s request, no minimum charge for service shall be assessed. A minimum monthly sewer and wastewater service charge shall be assessed in the amount adopted by the city council, in addition to other fees.
(3) 
Minimum monthly sewer/wastewater service delivery rate.
Monthly wastewater usage rates in the amount adopted by the city council shall apply to all sewer service customers, to include residential customers, business or commercial customers both within and outside the city limits; wastewater or sewer service usage rates shall be based upon water usage as determined by averaging as set forth in subsection (e)(4) of this section.
(4) 
Basis of wastewater or sewer service billing.
Usage rates for wastewater service shall be based upon average water use per customer connection by averaging water usage.
(A) 
Time period for determination of averaging.
The time period to be used for determining winter averaging for wastewater billing shall be from approximately November 15 through approximately April 15.
(B) 
Application of billing.
The time period for applying averaging charges for wastewater billing shall be approximately May 15 through approximately September 15 of each year and shall be reflected on customer billing statements on or after June 1 to October 1.
(C) 
Rules for insufficient usage period.
Customers without a sufficient usage period for averaging shall be billed for usage equal to the actual water usage.
(f) 
Temporary water service rate.
For temporary water service, a deposit in the amount adopted by the city council will be required before temporary water service is activated. A deposit in the amount adopted by the city council will be collected for the turn-on/turn-off meter charges. The remaining balance will be credited towards the customer’s water/sewer/garbage services at the rate designated by the city council. The applicant for temporary water service will be billed for any outstanding amounts owed. The maximum number of days allowed for temporary water service is ten (10) days. For purposes of this subsection, temporary water service shall only be available for a period of ten (10) days or less. Temporary water service is not permitted for any need for water service of more than ten (10) days. Any temporary water service that exceeds (10) days is subject to termination and disconnection by the city after the 10th day.
(g) 
Plumbing inspections for water leaks.
An owner of property capable of receiving water service from the city may request that the city activate water service to enable the owner to check or inspect for water leaks upon the owner’s property. There will be a charge in the amount adopted by the city council for the city to turn off and turn on water service for the purpose of the owner checking and inspecting for the existence or occurrence of any water leaks. The owner is solely responsible for arranging for the inspection for any water leaks upon the owner’s property. No city personnel shall perform any plumbing inspection services or activities upon any owner’s property. The turn-on/turn-off will be done within an eight (8) hour period of time.
(h) 
No reduced rates or free service.
All customers receiving water or sewer utility services from the city shall be subject to the provisions of this section and shall be charged the rates established by the city council, and no reduced rate or free water or sewer service shall be furnished to any customer. It is specifically provided, however, that this provision shall not prohibit the city, upon good cause shown, from establishing reasonable classifications of customers for which rates differing from the rates stated herein may be adopted, and that nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent the city from furnishing water services to special projects or other establishments at a bulk rate if deemed advisable by the city.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 1(C)(1)–(4), (D); Ordinance adopted 8/9/93; Ordinance adopted 9/12/94; Ordinance adopted 6/26/02; Ordinance 12-12-2005B adopted 12/12/05; Ordinance 09-26-06d adopted 10/9/06; Ordinance 04-09-2007A adopted 4/9/07; Ordinance 2008-09-08, secs. 1, 2, 6, adopted 9/8/08; Ordinance 02-14-2011C, sec. 1, adopted 2/14/11; Ordinance 2014-08-11-2, sec. 1, adopted 8/11/14; Ordinance 2016-01-25C adopted 4/11/16; Ordinance 2016-01-25(D) adopted 6/13/16; Ordinance adopting 2018 Code; Ordinance 7/27/2020 adopted 7/27/20; Ordinance 2020-09-1-3 adopted 9/1/20)
Any person, firm or corporation desiring water service, sanitary sewer service, or garbage service from the city shall, prior to receiving such service, deposit with the city secretary a connect fee in the amount adopted by the city council.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 1(A); Ordinance adopting 2018 Code)
(a) 
Meter required.
Water meters are required for each customer receiving water and sewer service, said meters shall be owned and controlled by the city. Each separate residence or business shall have a separate water meter or pay the minimum on each location plus the over minimum water costs.
(b) 
Tampering with meter or valve.
It shall be unlawful to tamper with, connect, disconnect, move, or turn on or off any curb cock, valve, or meter, or open or tamper with any meter box.
(c) 
Maintenance of water lines.
The city shall provide and maintain all water lines on city property to the meter, and all water lines from the meter to the home or business shall be maintained by property owner or customer.
(d) 
Cut-off valve.
All residents and commercial users shall have installed, at their sole expense, a cut-off valve between the meter and the facility of the user. Failure to provide such cut-off will subject the user to a disconnection and a service charge for reconnection thereof.
(e) 
Plex units.
Water and sewer services for all plex or multifamily units will be provided by the city and paid by the landlord through one meter. If additional meters are desired, the landlord will be responsible for purchase of compound meters.
(f) 
Apartment buildings and apartment complexes.
Water services for apartment units will be provided by the city through one meter. The rates for water usage as well as all applicable minimum charges and minimum monthly water service connection charges for each individual apartment unit, shall paid by the landlord.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 1(B)(1)–(5); Ordinance 7/27/2020 adopted 7/27/20)
No water utilities will be extended outside the city limits unless approved by the city council. Approval shall be based upon a report from the water department of the condition of the water system in the area where the extension will be made. All costs of extensions will be borne by the consumer, including cost of meter, any costs incurred by the city preparing the area for water extension, and the continued maintenance of metering devices and related equipment. The meter, water line, and related equipment in any public easement or right-of-way shall become property of the city.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 1(C)(5))
Any person or business in the city limits that desires to have an additional water meter connection may do so without paying for sewer use and garbage fees on that meter. The purpose of the connection is strictly for watering of grass, plants and trees on that lot. If the owner uses this water meter for anything but irrigation, as mentioned above, the meter shall be promptly removed. The owner may be held liable for the illegal use of the water and may be assessed a fine. The person or business that owns the lot shall pay a connection fee in the amount adopted by the city council, with a designated amount to be refunded if the bill is paid on or before the 10th of the month consecutively for a year. There will be a cost in the amount adopted by the city council for the water tap plus the cost of the meter. The water rate for the additional meter will be charged at the prevailing rate.
(Ordinance 06-12-00 adopted 6/12/00; Ordinance 08-15-02 adopted 8/12/02; Ordinance adopting 2018 Code)
(a) 
Payments.
All payments and charges under this article shall be due and payable in full and paid at city hall not later than the 10th of each month following the period in which the sales or services were made or provided. If the 10th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, the payment will be due and payable on the next business day thereafter.
(b) 
Failure to pay.
In the event of any nonpayment of any charge under this article on the due date thereof, there shall be added a late fee in the amount adopted by the city council. In the event that any payment is not received by the 20th day of the month following the period in which the sales or services were made or provided, that customer's service shall be disconnected. If customers call and make arrangements for a delay in disconnection there will be an additional charge in the amount adopted by the city council added and disconnection will be delayed no later than the end of the month when the bill shall become due and payable in full. In no case will there be allowed any carryover of any balance from one month until the next. Once disconnection has occurred a reconnect fee in the amount adopted by the city council will be charged. Next month's bill will be mailed during the last week of the month.
(c) 
Delinquent accounts.
(1) 
Difficulties paying current bill.
Current customers experiencing difficulties paying the current utility bill may make a written request for accommodations from city hall prior to disconnection that will permit an additional 20 days from the end of the month to pay the current utility bill in full, provided the customer has not made more than two such requests in the past 12 months. The customer enters into an agreement to pay the full amount due within not more than 20 days from the end of the month, and demonstrates one of the following:
(A) 
The customer has a medically needy individual in the residential household and the customer needs additional time to secure the financial resources; or
(B) 
The utility bill was more than 25% greater than the highest bill in the last 12 months and the customer needs additional time to secure the financial resources. Only the city administrator or his designee may approve the agreement.
(2) 
Outstanding deficiency.
No customer may establish a new utility account in his or her name who has an outstanding deficiency from any previous utility account held by the city without paying all deficiencies in full in addition to the deposit for the new account.
(d) 
Returned checks.
A fee in the amount adopted by the city council shall be charged for any and all checks payable to the city for debts owed when such checks are returned to the city by the financial institution for insufficient funds.
(e) 
Imposition of collection fee.
There shall be imposed an additional fee of thirty percent (30%) on all debts and accounts receivable, i.e.,: fines, fees, restitution, other debts, and costs, that are more than sixty (60) days past due and have been referred to a private firm for collection, and that relate to delinquent utility accounts owed to the city.
(f) 
Termination of service.
Any customer who does not pay all water or utility bills in full by the 20th of each month will be subject to termination of all city utility services plus any applicable late fees and/or service charges.
(g) 
Hearing.
Upon disconnection of water utility services under this section a customer may request a hearing before the city administrator on the decision to disconnect water utility services for the customer. A request for a hearing must be submitted to the city administrator in writing no later than the third (3rd) business day after the disconnection or ceasing of utility services. After a hearing, the city administrator may affirm or reverse a decision to disconnect or cease utility services. The city administrator's decision is final.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 1(E); Ordinance 4-10-2000 adopted 4/10/00; Ordinance 12-08-2003 adopted 2/9/04; Ordinance 11/08/2004 AMD adopted 11/8/04; Ordinance 02-14-2011C, sec. 2, adopted 2/14/11; Ordinance 2012-08-28A adopted 8/28/12; Ordinance 2014-08-11-2, sec. 2, adopted 8/11/14; Ordinance adopted 12/8/14; Ordinance adopting 2018 Code; Ordinance 2020-09-1-3 adopted 9/1/20; Ordinance 24102101 adopted 10/21/2024)
If the city has discontinued service because of nonpayment and the consumer subsequently cuts water back on, the city will pull the meter and assess an additional charge in the amount adopted by the city council and such action by the consumer shall be deemed a violation of this article. The offense of tampering with a meter cut off for nonpayment shall be punishable by a fine in accordance with the general penalty provided in section 1.01.009 of this code.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 1(F)(1); Ordinance adopting 2018 Code)
Fire hydrants shall be used for the sole purpose of extinguishing fires and shall be opened by the city water or fire department only or such persons as may be given authority by the city administrator. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry away or use water from a fire hydrant without the express permission of the city administrator, the water superintendent or the fire chief or his/her designees.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 1(F)(2))
(a) 
Definition of facilities: Under this section, the term "facilities" shall mean and refer to the following equipment and components used to provide city water and wastewater services: Water pipes, water lines, wastewater lines, water meter, meter box, cut-off valve, shut-off valves, antennas, electronic equipment used in the operation of any related components, attachments or fastenings attached to any pipe owned by the city, and any other pipes or other equipment used or intended to be used by the city to provide water and wastewater service.
(b) 
City ownership of facilities: All facilities are owned by the city. All waterlines and wastewater connections beginning at the point of connection on the customer side/service side of the water meter and the customer side/service side of a wastewater tap or wastewater connection shall be the private property of the property owner.
(c) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to damage, break, injure, change, modify, or tamper in any way with the facilities or any portion or part of the facilities.
(d) 
If an owner, occupant, or a resident of a location receiving water or wastewater services, or a person performing any kind of work or services for an owner, occupant, or a resident damages any portion or part of the facilities, the costs to repair the damages shall be charged against the owner, occupant, or resident. The repair costs shall be assessed on the water and wastewater account for the owner, occupant, or resident if the repair costs are not paid within 60 days of the notice of the repair costs. Repair costs and charges assessed under this subsection shall be payable and due as part of the monthly utility bill as follows:
(1) 
Meter: $300.00.
(2) 
Meter box: $72.00.
(3) 
Lid: $40.00.
(4) 
Antenna: $50.00.
(5) 
Shut-off valve: $165.00.
(e) 
In order to enforce the terms of this section the city may pursue any legal remedies or equitable relief available under section 1.01.009 of this code.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 1(F)(3); Ordinance 23072403 adopted 7/24/2023)
No person shall willfully take, divert or appropriate any of the water of the city or use such water for any purpose without first complying with all the provisions of ordinances of the city regulating the use of such water.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 1(F)(4))
(a) 
It is unlawful for anyone or any company to remove water by any means from the city lake. This water is to be used by the city for the sole purpose of water supply to the citizens of the city.
(b) 
Bulk water consumption by commercial interests will be permitted on an individual case basis with approval through the city administrator’s office. In keeping with state health requirements, no untreated water will be drafted from the lake or waterway which may contaminate the lake. The city administrator, director of public works, or water superintendent will identify the location for securing water to bulk water customers.
(c) 
The cost of bulk treated water will be as adopted by the city council.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 1(G); Ordinance adopting 2018 Code)