(a)
Water rates.
Water rates for residential and commercial customers are as listed in appendix A of this code.
(b)
Sewer rates.
The monthly charge for sewer service shall
be assessed to all accounts connected to the city's sewer system and
to accounts where the city sewer system is not being used, but sewer
service is available within 300 feet thereof.
(1)
Residential and commercial.
Residential and commercial customers shall receive a monthly charge for sewer service calculated as listed in appendix A of this code.
(2)
Private sewer systems.
When city sewer service is not
available, before the city will provide water service, a permit to
construct a private sewer system must be designed and installed with
the approval of the applicable state regulatory agency.
(2014 Code, sec. 50.30; Ordinance 2022.3.17A adopted 3/17/2022)
The city's utility billing will be calculated based on the reading
of the water meter and in accordance with the current fee schedule
of the city in the following manner:
(1)
Due date.
City utility bills are due on the 15th of each month. After the due date a late fee charge as listed in appendix A of this code, will be added to the customer balance. Disconnect for nonpayment will be scheduled for the 25th of each month.
(2)
Individual meters.
Individual meters will be billed
for water, and sewer based on the individual usage of each meter.
Garbage will be billed based on the customer rate classification.
(2014 Code, sec. 50.31; Ordinance 2022.3.17A adopted 3/17/2022)
A late payment (delinquency) penalty as prescribed in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code shall be imposed on any service accounts that are not paid by the fifteenth of the month.
(2014 Code, sec. 50.32)
(a)
Notice.
Water, sewer, and/or garbage accounts that are
ten (10) days past due will be sent a “notice” giving
the account holder until the 25th day of that month to pay account.
If account is not paid by the 25th, service will be disconnected the
following business day.
(b)
Reinstatement of service.
The following policies will
be followed by the city regarding discontinuation of service: When
it becomes necessary for the city to discontinue utility service to
a customer for nonpayment of bill, service will be reinstated only
after all bills for service then due have been paid and any required
deposit, disconnect and/or reconnect charges have been paid.
(2014 Code, sec. 60.33; Ordinance
adopting 2021 Code)
(2014 Code, sec. 50.34)
All rates and charges for services to a consumer’s premises
shall accrue and be charged against the consumer until such time as
notice is given to the office of the utility director by the consumer
or consumer’s authorized agent to discontinue services to the
consumer’s premises.
(2014 Code, sec. 50.35)
In all cases where two or more units are served by one meter,
separate minimum charges shall be made for each unit. No provision
shall be made for a vacancy in any unit unless the owner shall furnish
satisfactory proof to the city council that water service to such
unit has been discontinued and at the same time by a written statement
agree that the unit shall be equipped with a separate meter and a
separate charge paid therefor.
(2014 Code, sec. 50.36)
No free service from the city’s water and/or sewer system
shall be allowed to any person, firm, corporation, or association
whatsoever.
(2014 Code, sec. 50.37)
There is hereby established a service charge as prescribed in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code, which shall be levied and assessed by the city when an account for any water, sewer, or garbage service provided by the city or an account rendered or collected for the city is paid by a check, draft, or money order which is returned unpaid for lack of sufficient funds or closed or non-existent account. The customer giving such check, draft, or money order shall be mailed a notice requiring payment of the check and a returned check charge within five (5) business days from the date of the sending of the notice. If such payment is not made in cash or with certified funds within such time, water service shall be discontinued and not be reconnected until payment of the reconnection fee. If any customer’s checks are returned twice within any six (6) calendar months, all future payments must be in cash or certified funds. The city secretary or city manager may waive this provision and the returned check charge upon presentation of a letter from the financial institution upon which the check or other instrument was drawn acknowledging an error in return of such check.
(2014 Code, sec. 50.38)
(a)
The city’s water leak policy provides for a credit to be made
to a customer’s account when the customer has had a concealed
leak. A concealed leak is defined as an underground leak in the service
line, underground leak in the sprinkler line, leak in a wall, or a
leak under a building.
(b)
Request for adjustments.
The city may adjust a monthly
bill that is excessive due to leakage if the affected customer has
satisfied the following conditions:
(1)
Complete a request for water leak adjustment form within sixty (60)
days of completed repairs.
(2)
Attach copies of the plumbing bill -or- receipts of plumbing supplies
(if you repaired the leak yourself) to the above adjustment form.
Receipt dates must be within a reasonable timeframe of the leak.
(3)
If repairs were made by someone other than a professional plumber,
photographs of the completed project must be attached to the adjustment
form.
(4)
Return both the request for water leak adjustment form and receipts
to the utility billing department either in person at city hall or
email to utilities@cityofoverton.com.
(c)
Adjustment credits.
(1)
One credit adjustment in a twelve-month period, per property address
may be given for a concealed leak. The amount of the credit will be
determined by calculating 50% of the total amount of the largest bill
in the previous three (3) months less the usage for the average consumption
billed for the previous December, January, and February months or
the previous six (6) months’ average consumption (the lesser
of the two). For example: normal monthly usage is 10,000 gallons,
with leak billed at 20,000 gallons, the adjustment will be for amount
equivalent to 5,000 gallons. Any leaks approved per policy, where
water does not enter the city’s sewer system, the sewer consumption
charge will be adjusted up to the limit billed less normal usage for
sewer service. The city caps residential sewer at 9,000 gallons per
month.
(2)
Adjustments will be made after the customer’s consumption has
returned to normal usage. Seeing that consumption has returned to
normal usage may take a full billing cycle and depending on the timing
of the customer’s request, and the adjustment, if approved,
may not be applied for up to two (2) months. Requests made according
to the policy can be approved by the utility billing department; otherwise,
the request must have the finance director or city manager’s
approval.
(3)
Continue to make your regular monthly payments as scheduled. Failure
to maintain monthly payments will forfeit eligibility for a partial
leak credit and puts the water service at risk of service interruption
without further notice.
(4)
Any approved leak adjustment will be reflected on the billing statement.
(d)
Other leak adjustments.
Adjustments are not normally
issued for sprinkler head leaks, toilet leaks, dripping faucets or
other above-ground leaks. However, they will be reviewed if an unusual
situation occurs. Water loss due to theft, vandalism, negligence or
construction damage is not covered.
EXAMPLES:
A customer fills out and returns a water leak adjustment request
because of a concealed leak. Their average consumption for the previous
December, January, and February bills is 6,000 gallons. Their latest
bill shows usage of 24,000 due to the unknown leak. Repairs were made
and the customer has met all requirements for the adjustment.
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Water Adjustment
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1.
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Consumption for normal and leak consumption: 24,000.
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2.
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Average consumption for December - January: 6,000.
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3.
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Leak consumption (#1 - #2): 18,000.
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4.
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Consumption adjustment (#4/2): 9,000.
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Sewer Adjustment
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1.
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Consumption for normal and leak consumption: 24,000.
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2.
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Average consumption for December - January: 6,000.
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3.
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Sewer consumption billed (9,000 max): 9,000.
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4.
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Consumption adjustment (#3 - #2): 3,000.
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(Ordinance 2021.03.11B adopted 3/11/21)
