A. 
All applications for water service shall be made by the property owner or authorized agent. The records of the Pierce County auditor shall be prima facie proof of property ownership. The applicant shall furnish the city such information as may be required on the city's application form. The applicant shall agree to conform to the rules and regulations for the operation of the city's water system. Applications for water service shall expire in 180 days if no water permit has been issued. A 180-day extension may be granted for justifiable cause, including but not limited to extension of the related building permit application for 180 days.
B. 
No connection shall be made to the city's water system without a water permit having been issued. The water permit shall expire if connection to the city's water system is not made within 180 days of issuance. A 180-day extension may be granted for justifiable cause, including but not limited to extension of the related building permit for 180 days.
C. 
Water Taps. The city reserves the right to regulate the size of water taps. Taps will be made only by a Bonney Lake water crew or a licensed contractor for an approved water extension.
D. 
Water Service Connection Charges. Charges to connect to the city water system shall be due and payable upon issuance of a permit for connection to the city water utility and shall be charged at the rate in effect at the time of application for water service pursuant to this chapter. Rates shall include the following components:
1. 
Installation Charge. Effective January 1, 2014, the following installation charges shall apply in all cases where distance from the water main to the meter location does not exceed 60 feet. In such cases where the distance is over 60 feet there shall be an additional charge, based on cost of labor and materials.
Meter Size
Installation Charge Only
Installation Charge and Service Line
5/8"
$285
$3,127
3/4"
$333
$3,074
1" with fire sprinkler system
$398
$3,343
1" without fire sprinkler system
$398
$3,343
1-1/2" or larger
Actual time and materials plus indirect costs. If installation involves work underneath the roadway surface, the fee shall be according to the actual time and materials plus 20 percent for indirect costs.
2. 
System Development Charge (SDC). Effective August 1, 2023, each new connection to the water system shall pay, in addition to the installation charge, a system development charge (SDC) as an equitable buy-in to the system according to the following schedule:
Meter Size
Single-Family
Nonresidential
Irrigation
5/8"
$5,766
$7,749
$4,444
1"
$12,432
$14,416
$11,110
1-1/2"
$23,543
$25,526
$22,221
2"
$36,875
$38,858
$35,553
3"
$72,428
$74,411
$71,106
4"
$112,425
$114,409
$111,103
6"
$223,529
$225,512
$222,207
8"
$356,853
$358,836
$355,531
a. 
Single-Family Connections With Fire Sprinkler Systems. Single-family connections that have been upsized to accommodate a fire sprinkler system will be assessed an SDC based on the size of the connection that would have been required in the absence of the fire sprinkler system. For example, a single-family connection requiring upsizing from a five-eighths-inch meter to a one-inch meter to accommodate a fire sprinkler system would be charged the SDC for a five-eighths-inch meter.
b. 
Two-Living-Unit Residential Homes. Duplexes and townhouse-style building units shall have a separate water meter and service for each living unit and be charged the SDC applicable to a five-eighths-inch single-family connection for each unit.
c. 
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). ADUs will be charged a water SDC as follows:
i. 
When one new ADU is constructed on the same lot as one or more primary dwelling units, a new water meter shall be required. In this case the owner shall either:
(A) 
Pay a water SDC at the rate of 77 percent of the water SDC applicable to a five-eighths-inch single-family connection at the time of connection; or
(B) 
Sign an agreement to pay the water SDC at the time that the ADU is sold separately from the primary dwelling unit. The amount of the water SDC due at the time of sale will be 77 percent of the water SDC amount in effect at the time of the sale. The agreement shall be recorded with the Pierce County auditor. The owner is responsible for recording the document with the Pierce County auditor and providing a conformed copy to the city. The form of the agreement shall be specified by the director.
ii. 
If a second ADU is constructed on the same lot as one or more primary dwelling units, whether concurrent with or separate from the first ADU, a new water meter shall be required for each ADU, and the owner of the ADU shall pay a water SDC at the rate of 77 percent of the water SDC applicable to a five-eighths-inch single-family connection at the time of connection for each ADU.
iii. 
If an existing ADU is converted to a condominium and can be sold independently, and no water SDC has been paid for the ADU, a new water meter shall be required and the owner of the ADU shall pay a water SDC at the rate of 77 percent of the water SDC applicable to a five-eighths-inch single-family connection.
iv. 
If an existing ADU is platted or otherwise segregated from the property under Chapter 58.17 RCW and BLMC Title 17, where it is the only dwelling unit remaining on the lot, and a reduced water SDC was paid for a second or larger meter and/or connection for the ADU, the owner of the ADU shall pay the difference between the amount paid and a water SDC at the rate of 100 percent of the water SDC for a single-family connection applicable at the time of segregation.
v. 
If an existing ADU is platted or otherwise segregated from the property under Chapter 58.17 RCW and BLMC Title 17, where it is the only dwelling unit remaining on the lot, and no meter was installed for the ADU, a new water meter shall be required and the owner of the ADU shall pay a water SDC at the rate of 100 percent of the water SDC for a single-family connection applicable at the time of segregation.
d. 
Co-living Units. Co-living units shall be charged 50% of the SDC applicable to a five-eighths-inch single-family connection for each co-living unit. There shall be only one water meter installed for each building housing multiple co-living units.
e. 
Multifamily, Mobile Home Parks, and Recreational Vehicle Parks. Multifamily, mobile home parks, and recreational vehicle (RV) parks shall be charged 77% of the SDC applicable to a five-eighths-inch single-family connection for each living unit/space/stall. There shall be only one water meter installed for each building housing multiple residential units.
f. 
Alternative Assignment of Residential Equivalents (REs). To ensure that all new connections pay for an equitable share of system costs based on their demands and service characteristics, the city reserves the right to determine an alternative assignment of REs to connections that are one and one-half inches or larger. When applicable, this assignment shall be determined by converting the estimated water usage of the connection to REs.
g. 
Property Owner's Responsibility. Property owners are responsible for all leaks or damage due to leaks from privately installed and owned water lines. The property owner shall install and maintain at his own expense all water service from the water meter to the place of use.
(Ord. 588 § 5, 1987; Ord. 692 § 2, 1994; Ord. 692A §§ 1, 2, 1994; Ord. 763 § 1, 1998; Ord. 828 § 2, 1999; Ord. 919 § 1, 2001; Ord. 968 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1073 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1083 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1094 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1100 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1192 § 1, 2006; Ord. 1220 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1221 § 2, 2007; Ord. 1276 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1356 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1465 §§ 1, 2, 2013; Ord. 1477 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1517 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1711 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1737 § 4, 6/10/2025; Ord. 1745, 12/9/2025)
A. 
Inasmuch as the city provides year-round facilities for supplying water and collecting wastewater and factors a continuous rate base into its rate calculations, all users will be billed on a continuing basis for the water and sewer availability. Availability charges shall continue during periods of non-use, including periods during which the water service has been terminated due to delinquency or when a structure is unoccupied.
B. 
Billing will be done on a monthly basis for the water availability and consumption.
C. 
Charges for utility services shall be due and payable on or before the tenth day following the date of billing. Amounts unpaid shall become delinquent 30 days after the billing date. A monthly penalty of two percent of the outstanding balance shall be charged to all accounts which have been delinquent for 30 days or more.
D. 
The city is authorized to discontinue the water service 30 days after the date of delinquency. The person responsible for payment of charges shall be notified by mail on or after 15 working days from the date of delinquency of a selected shutoff date. In order to have a disconnected service turned on, all charges plus the turn-on fee of $100.00 must be paid.
E. 
The city shall mail all utility bills to the property owner. The owner of the premises to which the water service is attached shall be responsible for the payment of all connections, shutoffs, turn-on, service charges and liens. Utility billings for any property occupied by someone other than the owner shall be billed to the owner. Upon the written request of the owner, a copy of the bill may be sent to a tenant; provided, however, even upon such written request being made, the owner shall remain responsible for the payment of all charges under this chapter. Failure to receive mail will not be recognized as a valid excuse for failure to pay bills when due.
F. 
The city is authorized to establish payment plans for delinquent water customers meeting standard city guidelines for financial hardship. Such guidelines may be adopted and revised from time to time by the finance director. Where such plans take the form of a written agreement, such agreements shall either be approved by the council or be in a standard form agreement previously approved by the council for future use.
(Ord. 588 § 6, 1987; Ord. 768 §§ 1, 4, 1998; Ord. 871 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1465 § 3, 2013; Ord. 1729 § 1, 2025)
A. 
Turn-On Charge.
1. 
Whenever utility service has been discontinued by the city for past due or a violation of any other provision of this chapter, the service will not be renewed until all charges plus the turn-on fee have been paid, provided a payment plan has not been established.
2. 
When it is desired to have the water turned on after it has been turned off for any reason other than past due, a charge in an amount set by the city council shall be assessed for such turn-on during the normal working hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and for the city's actual cost for all other hours. There is no charge for turn-off of customer water service.
3. 
This section shall not apply to disconnected service for violation of water shortage emergency as per BLMC § 13.04.060.
B. 
Meter Testing Charge.
1. 
Where there is a question of the accuracy of a water meter and the customer requests a check of the meter, the following shall apply:
a. 
The customer shall pay to the city a deposit in an amount set by the city council to cover the cost of the meter testing. If the meter reads correctly, the city shall keep the deposit.
b. 
If the meter does not function properly, the city will refund the deposit, repair or replace the meter at no expense to the customer and adjust the water consumption charge accordingly and sewer volumetric charge if applicable.
C. 
Transfer Charge. For any change of property ownership, there is a charge in an amount set by the city council; for a duplicate bill sent to an alternative address, there shall be a setup charge per request in an amount set by the city council. However, the property owner shall be responsible for payment of the utility bill in accordance with this chapter. Any other reading outside the billing cycle will have a charge in an amount set by the city council. Requests for estimated finals will be in writing and a charge in an amount set by the city council per request will be applied to the current owner's utility account.
D. 
Disconnection From System – Reconnection Charge.
1. 
Disconnection from the water system shall occur only in the discretion of the finance director in extraordinary circumstances, such as demolition of a structure with no plans to construct a replacement structure within two years of disconnection. Disconnection shall require complete removal of the water meter by authorized city staff. Water billings shall cease during periods of disconnection.
2. 
A reconnection charge shall be paid to restore water service to any customer who has been disconnected from the system and wishes to reconnect. The reconnection charge will be calculated by taking the difference between the current charges for equitable share of the system for water and sewer, and the charges for equitable share of the system for water and sewer paid by the customer, if any, at the time of original connection; provided, that if the original connection was prior to 2002, the reconnection fee shall be a flat charge as set by the city council. The customer shall also be responsible for paying any charges for establishing a connection to the system.
E. 
Fire flow and water availability certificate completion charges will be set by the city council.
F. 
If a lock has been removed from a meter that has been locked off for any reason, a fee, in an amount set by the city council, will be charged in addition to any utility charges due and payable. If the meter or meter setter is damaged by this action, the property owner will be charged for the labor and materials to repair the service.
G. 
A returned check charge shall be imposed upon any account who, in full or partial payment of a city utility bill, tenders a check which is returned to the city for any reason.
H. 
All other applicable charges shall be as set by the city council.
(Ord. 1151 § 2, 2005; Ord. 1465 § 5, 2013; Ord. 1493 § 3, 2014; Ord. 1674 § 9, 2023)
Effective August 1, 2023, the following rates shall apply:
A. 
Discount for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons. Owners of single-family residences who have qualified for real estate property tax exemption through the Pierce County assessor-treasurer's office on the basis of age and/or disability, and who present proof thereof to the appropriate authority of the city, shall qualify and be entitled to a reduced water rate as may, from time to time, be set by the city council and established as a 50 percent reduction from the water availability charge.
B. 
Water Rates and Charges. Water rates and charges shall be as set forth below.
Water Availability Charge
Meter Size
Inside City
Outside City
5/8" – 3/4"
$25.90
$39.99
Qualified Senior, 5/8" – 3/4"
See subsection A
See subsection A
1" With Fire Sprinkler System
$25.90
N/A
1" Without Fire Sprinkler System
$51.39
$66.57
1-1/4"
$102.07
$132.66
1-1/2"
$102.07
$132.66
2"
$163.37
$212.12
3"
$306.11
$397.89
4"
$509.86
$663.23
6"
$1,020.85
$1,293.26
In addition, the consumption charge per 100 cubic feet (CCF), or any part thereof used, shall be as follows:
Single-Family
Inside City
Outside City
0 – 5 CCF per month
$2.49
$3.73
6 – 9 CCF per month
$3.12
$4.67
> 9 CCF per month
$3.73
$5.59
Multifamily
$2.17
$3.25
Commercial
$5.50
$8.25
Irrigation
$5.54
$8.30
C. 
Multiple Dwelling Units.
1. 
The water availability charge for a connection serving multiple primary dwelling units shall be the availability charge set forth above, multiplied by the number of dwelling units connected to the meter, as follows:
a. 
Each dwelling unit in a duplex will be billed as though separately connected to the water main, based on five-eighths- or three-quarters-inch meter rates.
b. 
In the case of apartments/trailer courts/co-living units having one meter, each unit will be billed as though separately connected to the water main, occupied or not, based on five-eighths- or three-quarters-inch meter rates.
c. 
In the case of building lots which have been granted a conditional use permit to allow more than one dwelling on one service meter, each dwelling unit will be billed as though separately connected to the water main, based on five-eighths- or three-quarters-inch meter rates.
d. 
On lots containing a single-family dwelling unit and one or more accessory dwelling units, each accessory dwelling unit will be billed as though separately connected to the water main, based on five-eighths- or three-quarters-inch meter rates.
2. 
There shall be only one water meter for each building housing more than two residential units.
D. 
Multiple Commercial and Industrial Buildings. Where all commercial or industrial buildings connected to a single service are used in the same business under single management, billing shall be made as for a single building.
E. 
Demand Charge.
1. 
Private fire hydrants, stand pipes, fire sprinkler systems, etc., shall have a monthly charge of $6.03.
2. 
Special purpose use of water from fire hydrants or stand pipes shall be $19.99 plus $2.00 per 100 cubic feet for all water used inside the city limits and $28.01 plus $2.88 for all water used outside the city limits.
3. 
Where the water meters are shut off, the monthly charge will be $9.99 within the city limits and $13.79 outside the city limits.
4. 
Where unusual circumstances prevent a meter reading, water consumption will be estimated at an average of 1,000 cubic feet per month.
F. 
Leakage – Rate Reduction.
1. 
In the event that there is a leak in the water service line only (on the property owner's side of the water meter between the water meter and under the building), after the service line is repaired by the owner and upon written request by the property owner, the city finance department may make an adjustment in the water bill. In the event that there is a water leak that is determined to have been undetectable by the water utility, after the service line is repaired by the owner and upon written request by the property owner, the city finance department may make an adjustment in the water bill. The maintenance of plumbing fixtures inside a structure is the responsibility of the property owner. No leak adjustments shall be made for water leaks due to faulty equipment or any fixtures inside the structure, including leaky toilets, faucets, appliances, water heaters, etc. Leaks associated with exterior water fixtures such as hose bib, water spigot, water feature, pond, fountain, swimming pool or boat lift or other outdoor amenity are not eligible for a leak adjustment.
2. 
The adjustment shall be two-thirds of that portion of the customer's water bill determined by calculating the median consumption for the past five years for the same period the leak occurred. The adjustment shall be limited to the period of 90 days of consumptive use prior to the repair of the leak.
3. 
The city reserves the right to request documentation of the service line repair as a condition of granting a leak adjustment.
4. 
Should a customer who was granted a leak adjustment request a subsequent leak adjustment within 24 months of the previous adjustment due to an additional line break or leak, documentation, such as a receipt from a plumber, must again be provided to reasonably demonstrate that the leak has been repaired and that the repair is expected to be permanent.
5. 
No leak adjustments shall be authorized in the following situations:
a. 
The leak was caused by a third party from whom the customer is able to recover their costs. Examples include, but are not limited to, theft, vandalism, negligence and construction damage, unoccupied or vacant properties.
b. 
The meter at said property has been accessed, tampered with, or turned on/off by anyone other than a city of Bonney Lake employee and that action results in loss of water.
c. 
The leaky line is subject to a valid warranty.
d. 
The current property occupant has already been granted two leak adjustments in the previous five years from the date of the current leak adjustment request.
6. 
To be eligible for leak adjustments related to irrigation systems, the following criteria must be met:
a. 
The irrigation system must have an approved backflow assembly device installed in order to prevent possible contamination of the municipal drinking water system per Department of Health guidelines (see also WAC 51-56-0600).
b. 
The backflow assembly for the irrigation system must be an approved device that has been tested after installation and annually thereafter by a certified backflow assembly tester (BAT) registered in the state of Washington. The device and test reports must be current and on file with the city.
c. 
The leak was not in any fixture, sprinkler heads, or valves within the irrigation system.
d. 
If the irrigation system is not in compliance with this section, it is considered an illegal connection to the water system, it will not qualify for a leak adjustment, and must be disconnected from the system.
G. 
Irrigation Meters.
1. 
New multifamily (three or more units) and nonresidential connections shall be required to install a separate meter for irrigation use, effective January 1, 2005.
2. 
Existing multifamily (three or more units) and nonresidential connections shall be required to install a separate meter for irrigation use no later than January 1, 2007.
3. 
There shall be no availability charge applicable to irrigation meters. Irrigation usage shall be charged at the commodity charges specified in subsection B of this section.
(Ord. 588 § 9, 1987; Ord. 692A § 3, 1994; Ord. 763 § 2, 1998; Ord. 828 § 3, 1999; Ord. 907 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1046 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1101 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1129 § 2, 2005; Ord. 1277 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1356 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1374 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1429 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1465 § 4, 2013; Ord. 1476 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1541 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1576 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1678 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1696 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1708 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1729 § 2, 2025; Ord. 1737 § 5, 6/10/2025; Ord. 1745, 12/9/2025)
[1]
Code reviser's note: Effective January 1, 2026, the rates in this section have been updated pursuant to BLMC § 13.04.105, which permits this update without an adopting ordinance.
Effective January 1st of each year, beginning on August 1, 2023, through January 1, 2028, the water rates listed in BLMC § 13.04.100 shall be adjusted upwards by three percent each year.
Effective January 1st of each year, beginning on January 1, 2029, the water rates listed in BLMC § 13.04.100 shall be adjusted by the annual change in the most recent Seattle Area Consumer Price Index (Urban Consumers) published by the U.S. Department of Labor. In cases where the Consumer Price Index value decreases from the prior year, the water rates shall be held at the current level and not reduced.
(Ord. 692 § 4, 1994; Ord. 1277 § 2, 2008; Ord. 1606 § 1, 2018; Ord. 1708 § 3, 2023)