The charges made for sewerage service rendered to each lot, parcel of real estate or building having any connection with the city's sewerage system or otherwise discharging sewage into that system, either directly or indirectly, shall be based upon the quantity of water presumed to enter the public sewers after being used in or on the property, as the quantity is measured by the water meter or meters therein used by the city's water utility, except as herein otherwise provided.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 789, 1990; Ord. 662, 1984; Code 2000 § 51.075; Code 1981 § 13.28.010)
[1]
Statutory reference: Sewer rates and charges, see IC 36-9-23-24 et seq.
Where the property obtains any part or all of the water used from sources other than the city's water utility, the owner or the tenant may be required by the city to install and maintain at his or her own expense a meter or meters acceptable to the city for the purpose of measuring the quantity of water obtained from these other sources, or the city may determine the quantity of such water by whatever means and methods it may find practicable.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 789, 1990; Ord. 662, 1984; Code 2000 § 51.076; Code 1981 § 13.28.020)
Where a portion of the metered water does not and cannot enter the sewerage system, either directly or indirectly, the person having charge of the property may request permission from the city to install at his or her own expense either an approved meter or meters to determine the quantity of water that cannot enter the sewerage system or an approved sewage-measuring device or devices to determine the volume of sewage that actually enters the sewerage system; when appropriate, the city reserves the right to determine by whatever other means and methods it may find practicable the percentage of the property's metered water that enters the sewerage system. In any case the service charge shall be based on the quantity of water that can or actually does enter the public sewers but in no case shall it be less than the minimum charge for the size of the service installed.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 1042-2001; Ord. 789, 1990; Ord. 662, 1984; Code 2000 § 51.077; Code 1981 § 13.28.030)
The city may require a person to install and maintain at his or her own expense an approved device to measure directly the volumes of wastes discharged to the sewerage system if these volumes cannot otherwise be determined from the metered water consumption records. The city shall inspect and approve such installations and no such service, once installed, shall be removed without the city's approval.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 789, 1990; Ord. 662, 1984; Code 2000 § 51.078; Code 1981 § 13.28.040)
[1]
Penalty: See AMC § 13.10.610.
(A) 
(1) 
Rate. The sewage rates and charges shall be based on the quantity of water used on or in the property or premises subject to such rates and charges as the same may be measured by the water meter there in use, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. Sewage service rates, based upon the amount of water used and the location of the user, shall be as follows:
Usage Rates
Location of User
Sewer Service Rate per 1,000 Gallons per Month
Within city corporate limits
$10.33
Outside city corporate limits*
$11.26
Notes:
* Users outside the city corporate limits shall be billed at 109 percent of the rate billed to users inside the city.
(2) 
Minimum Charge.
(a) 
The minimum charge for sewage services where the user is a metered water consumer shall be based upon the size of the water connection and the location of the user and shall be as follows:
Within City Corporate Limits
Meter Size
Minimum Gallons Allowed
Sewer Minimum
5/8" – 3/4"
2,000
$20.66
1"
4,040
$41.73
1-1/2"
10,540
$108.88
2"
18,260
$188.63
3"
213,470
$2,205.15
4"
364,925
$3,769.68
6"
749,370
$7,740.99
Outside City Corporate Limits
Meter Size
Minimum Gallons Allowed
Sewer Minimum
5/8" – 3/4"
2,000
$22.52
1"
4,040
$45.49
1-1/2"
10,540
$118.68
2"
18,260
$205.61
3"
213,470
$2,403.67
4"
364,925
$4,109.06
6"
749,370
$8,437.91
(B) 
Users outside the city corporate limits shall be billed at 109 percent of the rate billed to users inside the city.
(C) 
Domestic Connection Charge.
(1) 
The domestic connection charge shall be collected from each new customer prior to connection to the sewage works system based on water service line size.
Year
3/4" – 1"
1 1/4" – 1 1/2"
2"
3"
4"
6"
8"
2021
$927
$4,635
$7,416
$13,905
$23,175
$46,350
$74,160
2022
$974
$4,870
$7,792
$14,610
$24,350
$48,700
$77,920
2023
$1,022
$5,110
$8,176
$15,330
$25,550
$51,100
$81,760
2024
$1,050
$5,250
$8,400
$15,750
$26,250
$52,500
$84,000
2025
$1,078
$5,390
$8,624
$16,170
$26,950
$53,900
$86,240
2026
$1,106
$5,530
$8,848
$16,590
$27,650
$55,300
$88,480
2027
$1,134
$5,670
$9,072
$17,010
$28,350
$56,700
$90,720
2028
$1,162
$5,810
$9,296
$17,430
$29,050
$58,100
$92,960
2029
$1,190
$5,950
$9,520
$17,850
$29,750
$59,500
$95,200
2030
$1,204
$6,020
$9,632
$18,060
$30,100
$60,200
$96,320
(2) 
Authorization to Waive Charge. The Board of Public Works is authorized and empowered, in specific instances for such areas as cemeteries, golf courses, and parks, to waive, modify or defer in whole or in part the connection charge.
(3) 
Receipt of Connection Charge. One hundred dollars of the connection charge shall be receipted to the wastewater operation and maintenance fund and used to properly operate and maintain the Sewage Treatment Works facility. Any connection charge balance shall be receipted to the wastewater improvement fund and used for additions, improvements, and extensions.
(4) 
Remonstrance Restriction. Any and all owners of real estate, persons or corporations, their or its survivors, heirs or assigns, who shall connect to the Sewage Works system, pursuant to this article, shall agree in writing prior to the connection to waive their rights to remonstrate against annexation by the city.
(5) 
Conflicting Provisions. All provisions of water and sewer main construction ordinances of the city shall remain in full force and effect and shall coexist with this article. New customers seeking service shall be charged the greater of the charges or fees. In addition, this article is exclusive of any private water and sewer line construction agreements.
(D) 
Unmetered Users.
(1) 
For users of the sewage works that are unmetered or accurate meter readings are not available, the monthly charge shall be determined by equivalent single-family dwelling units; except as herein provided. The schedule on which said rates and charges shall be determined is as follows:
Rate (per month) (Within City Corporate Limits)
Rate (per month) (Outside Corporate City Limits)
Single family residential unit
$43.80
$47.74
(Ord. 1698-2022; Ord. 1654-2020 § 1; Ord. 1599-2018; Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 1460-2014; Ord. 1434-2013; Ord. 1429-2012; Ord. 1321-2009; Ord. 1278-2008; Ord. 1227-2006; Ord. 1157-2004; Ord. 1094-2002; Ord. 1091-2002; Ord. 1071-2002; Ord. 1012-2000; Ord. 927-96, 1996; Ord. 789, 1990; Ord. 662, 1984; Code 2000 § 51.079; Code 1981 § 13.28.050)
(A) 
All consumption charges for sewer use shall be calculated upon the registration of the water meter based on the rates schedule.
(B) 
The utility will make an effort to read meters at least monthly and such reading shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of sewer discharged.
(1) 
If the utility is unable to gain access to a customer's inside or reliable remote water meter, the average of previous meter readings will be the basis for billing. The first billing made after the inside or reliable remote meter is read shall be adjusted according to the meter reading.
(2) 
If the utility reasonably believes that the average of previous meter readings will render an insufficient consumption, an estimate of consumption may be determined by the billing authority. The first billing made after the inside or reliable remote meter is read shall be adjusted according to the meter reading.
(3) 
No more than three consecutive estimated billings will be permitted; after that, the utility will provide notice that the consumer or property owner has 10 days to contact the utility in order to schedule a time for which the utility may send a representative to verify the meter reading.
(4) 
Failure to contact the utility, or failure to keep a scheduled time for reading verification, absent a showing of reasonable cause, will subject the consumer or property owner to disconnection of service and the associated charges, until a verification of the meter reading is made.
(C) 
All water passing through meters and subsequent sewer use shall be charged, whether used, wasted, or lost through leakage unless AMC § 13.10.480(C) applies.
(D) 
In the event it is determined that the meter malfunctioned or there is a discrepancy between the inside meter and the exterior meter reading device, a credit shall be issued based on the prior year average use. Under no circumstance will the credit be given for more than one year of malfunctioned or discrepancy use.
(Ord. 1669-2021 § 2)
[1]
Code reviser's note: Ord. 1669-2021 adds this section as Section 13.05.385. It has been editorially renumbered to reflect the city's intent.
(A) 
Permit Application Required.
(1) 
An application for permit to connect is required before any connection is made to any city storm sewer.
(2) 
The City Engineer or Building Commissioner is authorized to develop and issue the required permit.
(B) 
Storm Sewer Connection Fees Established. The following fees are established and are to be paid before any connection to any city storm sewer:
Type and Size of Connection
Fee
4-inch connection or smaller
$250
4.01 – 6.00 inch connection
575
6.01 – 8.00 inch connection
1,000
8.01 – 10.00 inch connection
1,600
10.01 – 12.00 inch connection
2,300
12.01 – 14.00 inch connection
3,100
14.01 – 16.00 inch connection
4,000
16.01 – 18.00 inch connection
5,000
18.01 – 20.00 inch connection
6,100
20.01 – 22.00 inch connection
7,300
22.01 – 24.00 inch connection
8,600
(C) 
Receipt and Use of Fees.
(1) 
Fees derived from applications for permit to connect to storm sewer shall be receipted by the Clerk-Treasurer to the wastewater improvement fund.
(2) 
Fees derived from applications for a permit to connect to a storm sewer shall be used to construct, maintain, and repair storm sewers as budgeted and appropriated by the Common Council.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 1337-2010; Ord. 951-98, 1998; Code 2000 § 51.080)
For water and sewer service rendered to the city, the city shall not be subject to the same rates and charges established and as amended from time to time for other users.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 987-99, 1999; Ord. 789, 1990; Ord. 662, 1984; Code 2000 § 51.081; Code 1981 §§ 13.28.060 and 13.28.150)
Prior to May 1st of each year, the Clerk-Treasurer shall submit to the Board of Public Works an audit for the previous calendar year comprising operation and maintenance expenses, replacement and depreciation cost and principal and interest on outstanding revenue bonds in order that the Board of Public Works may determine if current rates and charges are adequate for each user class or should be changed.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 789, 1990; Ord. 662, 1984; Code 2000 § 51.082; Code 1981 § 13.28.070)
(A) 
Surcharge Based on Waste Concentration. Each industrial user who discharges industrial wastes into the public sewers shall be subject to a surcharge, in addition to the regular sewerage service charge, based on both the biochemical oxygen demand (or on the chemical oxygen demand where CBOD cannot be determined) and the suspended solids content of the wastes, if these wastes have a concentration greater than the following:
(1) 
A carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) in excess of 200 mg/L; or where CBOD cannot be determined, then, in lieu of CBOD, a chemical oxygen demand (COD) in excess of 400 mg/L;
(2) 
A total suspended solids (TSS) in excess of 250 mg/L;
(3) 
Phosphorous in excess of 10 mg/L;
(4) 
Ammonia in excess of 20 mg/L.
(B) 
Surcharge – Computation. The surcharge shall be determined as follows:
(1) 
The excess pounds of BOD, COD, phosphorous, TSS and ammonia will be computed by multiplying the customer's billing sewage volume, measured in units of 100 cubic feet for the current billing period, by the factor of 0.0062321, and multiplying that product by the difference between the concentration, measured in milligrams per liter, of the CBOD (or COD), phosphorous, TSS, and ammonia respectively in the customer's sewage and the allowed constituent.
(2) 
The allowed constituent will be determined by multiplying the excess pounds of each constituent by the rate of surcharge set out in subsection (C) of this section.
(C) 
Surcharge – Rate. The rate of surcharge for each constituent shall be as follows:
(1) 
For carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD), $0.13 per pound;
(2) 
For chemical oxygen demand (COD) where CBOD cannot be determined, $0.13 per pound;
(3) 
For total suspended solids, $0.13 per pound;
(4) 
For phosphorous, $3.96 per pound;
(5) 
For ammonia, $0.39 per pound.
(D) 
Surcharge – Review. As appropriate, the city shall evaluate the treatment costs for removing CBOD, COD, TSS, phosphorous and ammonia from the wastewater treatment plant in order that the Board of Public Works may determine whether the current rates or surcharges charged for excess pollutant loading charges to industrial users are adequate or should be changed.
(Ord. 1698-2022; Ord. 1654-2020 § 2; Ord. 1599-2018; Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 1016-2000; Ord. 876, 1994; Ord. 822, 1992; Ord. 789, 1990; Ord. 662, 1984; Code 2000 § 51.083; Code 1981 §§ 13.28.080, 13.28.090, 13.28.100 and 13.28.110)
(A) 
Payments and Charges. Charges for sewerage service shall be prepared and billed by the general office of the city utilities along with the bills for water service and shall be payable at the general office at the same time as the water bills.
(B) 
Liability for Payment. The charges for sewerage service shall be billed to the person being billed for water service unless, by contract with the utility, another person assumes such responsibility. If a tenant is billed, the owner shall in no way be relieved of liability in the event payment is not made by the tenant as required. The owner shall have the right to examine the city's collection records to ascertain whether such charges have been paid.
(C) 
Billing Period for New Customers. The rates, charges and surcharges fixed in this chapter shall be extended to and cover any additional premises hereafter served without the need for any hearing or notice. If the first billing to a new customer covers a period other than a full billing month, then the service charges for the billing shall be made in keeping with standard practice in the water utility. Subsequent sewerage service billings shall be for periods coinciding with the billing periods for water service. If such rates, charges and/or surcharges are changed, the first billing after the change may also be for a period other than a full billing month in order to keep the sewerage billing periods coincident with the water billing periods.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 789, 1990; Ord. 662, 1984; Code 2000 § 51.084; Code 1981 §§ 13.28.120, 13.28.130 and 13.28.140)
(A) 
In order that residential sewage users shall not be penalized for watering lawns and other summer-type water usage during the months of June, July, and August (the "summer sewer relief period"), the sewer charges for such sewer services shall be calculated by adding together the consumption for the previous months billed of February, March, and April and dividing by three. The result of this calculation shall constitute the number of gallons of consumption that will be charged to the residential user for sewer services during the summer sewer relief period.
(B) 
In the event the residential sewage user is not billed the previous months of February, March, and April, summer sewer relief does not apply.
(C) 
In the event the calculation is greater than the water usage of June, July, and August, then the charge for sewer service shall be calculated on the actual water used in the month for which the sewage service bill is rendered.
(D) 
Summer sewer relief shall not apply to any premises that are wholly or partially used for commercial or industrial purposes. In the event a portion of such premises shall be used for commercial purposes, the owner shall have the privilege of separating the water service so that the residential portion of the premises is served through a separate water meter, and in such case the water usage as registered by the water meter serving such portion of the premises used for residential purposes would qualify for summer sewer relief.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 1174-2004; Code 2000 § 51.085)
(A) 
The Wastewater Superintendent may accept waste from commercial waste haulers including port-a-john waste, septic tank waste, car-wash grit and sediment, and other waste deemed appropriate by the Superintendent, for disposal by the city wastewater treatment facilities. The Superintendent, or his or her designees, shall not accept any material outside the pH range of 6.0 and 9.0 or any material that he or she reasonably believes to be hazardous chemicals, oil, grease, or any material potentially harmful to the treatment plant.
(B) 
The rate charges to the person or entities whose waste is accepted for disposal $0.10 per gallon.
(C) 
The Superintendent is authorized to establish the forms, policy, and procedure to implement this section.
(Ord. 1698-2022; Ord. 1654-2020 § 3; Ord. 1599-2018; Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 1101-2002; Code 2000 § 51.086)
(A) 
Payments, Due Dates and Charges.
(1) 
Charges for sewer service levied pursuant to this chapter shall be due and payable on or before the due date shown on the bill. Any service charge not paid by the due date, approximately 20 days after the bill is rendered, shall be considered delinquent. The delinquent charge together with any applied penalty shall be collectible as set forth.
(2) 
A reasonable grace period following the due date indicated on the bill in which delinquent charges may be waived may be granted by the official in charge of billing to customers for any of the following reasons:
(a) 
Delay following the death of a customer or a delay in payment from an estate of a decedent;
(b) 
Except for payments made by a third party, a history in which the customer at the same service address has not been late in making payment in the previous 12 months.
(3) 
Delinquent charges shall not be assessed to customers who are governmental or educational.
(B) 
Delinquent Account – Water Shutoff.
(1) 
The city will discontinue utility service to customers because of nonpayment of bills only after notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard on disputed bills and discontinuance of service. All bills shall contain, in addition to the title, address, room number and telephone number of the official in charge of billing, clearly visible and easily readable provisions to the effect:
(a) 
That all bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill.
(b) 
That if any bill is not paid by or before that date, and the next monthly billing indicates a past due balance of $40.00 or more from the previous month, a disconnect notice will be mailed stating that if the bill for both months is not paid in full within 20 days of the date of the disconnect notice, service will be discontinued for nonpayment.
(c) 
That any customer disputing the correctness of the bill shall have a right to a hearing at which time he or she may be represented in person and by counsel or any other person of his or her choosing and may present orally or in writing his or her complaint and contentions to the city official in charge of utility billing. This official shall be authorized to order that the customer's service not be discontinued and shall have the authority to make a final determination of the customer's complaint.
(d) 
That any customer disputing the disconnect notice and discontinuance of service may request a hearing within 10 days of the date of the past due utility bill notice. The hearing request must be submitted in writing and addressed to Clerk-Treasurer, 210 North Public Square, Angola, Indiana, 46703. The hearing will be scheduled and conducted by the Board of Public Works and Safety. Notice of the time and place of the hearing will be sent by first class mail to the billing address of record and, if different, to the service address. Service will continue until a decision is issued.
(2) 
The city shall have no liability or responsibility to provide service to any user, residence, or business where there exists an outstanding bill.
(a) 
If a final bill is owed by a renter, s/he will not be allowed another utility service until the final bill is paid in full;
(b) 
If an owner of a property owes a final bill either in his or her name or the uncollected sewer, stormwater, or trash portion of a final bill in a previous renter's name, utility service will be denied for the property until the final bill is paid in full.
(3) 
Requests for delays or waiver of payment will not be entertained; only questions of proper and correct billing and whether or not the service should be disconnected will be considered. In the absence of payment of the bill rendered or resort to the hearing procedure provided herein, service will be discontinued at the time specified, but in no event until the charges have been due and unpaid for at least 30 days.
(4) 
When it becomes necessary for the city to discontinue utility service to a customer for nonpayment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills for service then due have been paid, along with a turn-on charge as established by the Common Council.
(5) 
In the event a customer is a critical facility, utility service will not be disconnected until the customer is contacted by phone or email. Critical facilities are defined as:
(a) 
Structures or facilities that produce, use, or store highly volatile, flammable, explosive, toxic, and/or water-reactive materials;
(b) 
Hospitals, nursing homes, and housing likely to contain occupants who may not be sufficiently mobile;
(c) 
Police stations, fire stations, vehicle and equipment storage facilities, and emergency operations centers that are needed for response activities;
(d) 
Public and private educational facilities; and
(e) 
Public and private utility facilities that are vital to maintaining or restoring normal services during emergencies.
(C) 
Delinquent Account – Collection through Tax Duplicate. As provided by the state statutes, delinquent sewer service may be made a lien against the property. In such case, the delinquent service charges, together with a mandatory penalty of 10 percent, shall be placed on the tax duplicate and be collected in the same manner as regular taxes and assessments are collected.
(D) 
Delinquent Account – Collection through Court Action. In addition to the foregoing remedies, the city shall have the right to bring a civil action to recover any delinquent charges together with a penalty of 10 percent and a reasonable attorney's fee. It shall also have the right, as provided by state law, to foreclose any lien established under the provisions of subsection (C) of this section, with recovery of the charge, a penalty of 10 percent and a reasonable attorney's fee.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 1580-2018 § 2; Ord. 1567-2017 § 2; Ord. 1501-2015; Ord. 1451-2013; Ord. 1381-2011; Ord. 789, 1990; Ord. 662, 1984; Code 2000 § 51.087; Code 1981 §§ 13.28.170, 13.28.190 and 13.28.200)
[1]
Cross-reference: Turn-on fee for disconnected water service, see AMC § 13.05.160.
Statutory reference: Delinquent fees, penalties, assessment liens and foreclosures, see IC 36-9-23-31 et seq.
(A) 
User Rate. The stormwater system rate is applicable to all properties within the sewage works service area, which is coterminous with the city's boundaries, as follows:
(1) 
Rate per Customer. Customer charge per month (per customer): $2.08 plus:
(2) 
User Charge per Month (per ERU).
Rate per ERU
First 5 ERUs
$1.98
Next 25 ERUs
$1.33
Over 30 ERUs
$0.68
(B) 
Nonresidential Users. For the purpose of this section, nonresidential users shall be all properties not encompassed within the definition of "residential property unit" as described by AMC § 13.10.020. "Nonresidential property unit" shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:
(1) 
Agricultural property;
(2) 
Apartment and condominium property;
(3) 
Mobile home parks;
(4) 
Commercial property;
(5) 
Industrial property;
(6) 
Institutional property;
(7) 
Governmental property;
(8) 
Churches;
(9) 
Schools;
(10) 
Federal, state, and local government- owned property; and
(11) 
Any other property not mentioned herein and not specifically defined as either residential property or vacant residential property.
(C) 
Billing Provisions. Stormwater rates and charges shall be billed monthly, and all provisions of the Indiana Code, this code, and the city Utilities Department rules and regulations which apply to the payment and collection of rates and charges for wastewater services shall apply equally to the rates and charges for stormwater utilities services.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 1454-2013; Ord. 1337-2010; Ord. 1227-2006; Ord. 1157-2004; Code 2000 § 51.088)
(A) 
Swimming Pool Fill.
(1) 
Any residential sewage user with an existing swimming pool shall be permitted to fill the pool from the sewage user's residential metered water one time each year between April 15th and May 15th without assessment of a sewer charge on the gallons used to fill the pool.
(2) 
Any residential sewage user who fills a newly constructed or repaired swimming pool from the sewage user's residential metered water shall be entitled to fill the pool one time without assessment of a sewer charge on the gallons used to fill the pool.
(3) 
Any residential sewage user desiring to fill a swimming pool between April 15th and May 15th without assessment of a sewer charge on the gallons used shall serve notice to the Clerk-Treasurer/utility office and state the user name and address, and the present reading on the water meter. The user shall have 72 hours to fill the pool at which time the resident shall notify the Clerk-Treasurer/utility office as to the concluding reading on the water meter. Provided the user complies with these conditions, the residential sewage user shall not be assessed a sewer charge on the gallons used to fill the pool.
(4) 
After May 15th, if the residential sewage user qualifies for summer sewer relief, that relief will apply for the gallons used to fill the pool for the summer sewer relief period.
(B) 
New Lawn/Landscaping.
(1) 
In order that residential sewage users shall not be penalized for maintaining a new lawn/landscaping, for the gallons used to maintain the lawn/landscaping, the user shall be entitled to maintain the new lawn/landscaping for a period of one year without assessment of a monthly sewer charge based on gallons used or estimated to be used for maintaining the new lawn/landscaping.
(2) 
In the event the residential sewage user has compiled a history of water usage of at least six billing months, the sewer charges shall be calculated based on the average usage billed that six months. The result of this average calculation shall constitute the number of gallons of consumption that will be charged monthly to the residential user for sewer charges during the one-year period.
(3) 
In the event the residential sewage user has not compiled a history of water usage in order to determine the sewage charge, the sewer charges shall be calculated by determining the number of user residents in the household multiplied by 2,000 (maximum average water use per person). The result of this calculation shall constitute the number of gallons of consumption that will be charged monthly to the residential user for sewer charges during the one-year period.
(4) 
Any residential sewage user desiring to maintain a new lawn/landscaping without assessment of a sewer charge on the gallons used shall serve notice to the Clerk-Treasurer/utility office and state the user name and address. The Clerk-Treasurer/utility office will order a site visit to verify the notice. Provided the user complies with these conditions, the residential sewage user shall not be assessed a sewer charge on the gallons used to maintain a new lawn/landscaping.
(C) 
Water Leaks/Inadvertent Use.
(1) 
In the event a sewage user determines that water has not entered the sewage system due to a leak or inadvertent use from the plumbing system, the user may be entitled to an adjustment for the sewer charge. The adjustment shall not exceed two consecutive billing cycles.
(2) 
Any sewage user desiring to seek relief from the sewer charge due to a leak or inadvertent use shall serve notice to the Clerk-Treasurer/utility office immediately upon learning of the incident. The Clerk-Treasurer/utility office will order a site visit to verify the incident. If utility personnel are unable to determine the exact nature of the incident, the sewage user will be notified and within 10 days of the incident, the sewage user shall submit to the Clerk-Treasurer/utility office an affidavit detailing the incident. Provided the user complies with these conditions, the user shall not be assessed a sewer charge for the leak or inadvertent use.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 1174-2004; Code 2000 § 51.089)
Rates and charges may be billed to the tenant or tenants occupying properties served, unless otherwise requested in writing by the owner, but the billing shall in no way relieve the owner from the liability in the event payment is not made as herein required. The owners of properties served shall have the right to examine the collection records of the city for the purpose of determining whether bills have been paid by such tenant or tenants; provided, that these examinations shall be made at the office at which the records are kept and during the hours that the office is open for business.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 1174-2004; Code 2000 § 51.090)
The utility billing journal, as far as the city is concerned, is proof of mailing of the utility bills, and if the utility user claims not to have received a bill then the late charge will stand as a part of the bill if the utility billing journal indicates a bill was mailed.
(Ord. 1598-2018; Ord. 1174-2004; Code 2000 § 51.091)