The city has established a water utility code in Chapter 13.04 DPMC, and a wastewater utility code at Chapter 13.08 DPMC. The purpose of this chapter is to adopt policies and procedures regarding the billing and collection of the water and wastewater utility service charges in the city.
(Ord. 904 § 2, 2011)
A. 
All rates, charges, and/or fees for water and wastewater utility services shall be separately established by the city council from time to time by resolution. Charges for all water and wastewater utility services shall be consolidated on a single billing statement for each service customer.
B. 
All bills containing water and/or wastewater service charges shall be mailed on the last business day of the month for the month serviced. All billings for water and/or wastewater utility services shall be due and payable in full at the office of the city clerk/treasurer on the fifteenth day of the following month by 11:59 p.m. If not so paid (in full), any such account shall thereupon become delinquent.
C. 
If no timely payment (in full) of water and/or wastewater charges is made as set forth in this chapter and the customer's account thus becomes delinquent, the city clerk/treasurer or duly authorized representative shall mail to the owner and/or occupant a notice in writing, postage prepaid, and mailed to the last known address of such owner that, if such delinquent water and/or wastewater charges are not paid by the date stated therein, which date must be within 15 days of mailing or service of the notice, water service to the premises may be terminated in accordance with RCW 35.21.300, as presently enacted or hereafter amended, and the city shall have a lien against the premises in accordance with RCW 35.21.290, as presently enacted or hereafter amended, and such a lien shall be superior to all other liens or encumbrances, except those for general taxes and special assessments. There will be fees established by resolution of the city council from time to time to be charged for the expenses of turning the water off and on, recording liens, and personnel administrative time (including time spent issuing notices, traveling to and from a subject property, and preparing documents for filing). Any such water service shutoff shall remain disconnected until all fees of the city, plus penalties and interest, together with the water turn on fee, have been paid.
D. 
In lieu of any notice by mail, notice may be served personally upon the owner or occupant. Failure to receive mail properly addressed to such owner or occupant shall not be a valid defense for failure to pay such delinquent charges. Any change in ownership of property or change in mailing address must be properly filed in writing with the office of the city clerk/treasurer within 15 days after such change of status.
E. 
Owners and occupants of leased premises served by the utilities furnished by the city are jointly and severally liable for payment of the cost of any utilities furnished by the city to such premises, whether such utility service is furnished upon the application and request of the owner or the lessee or other occupant of the premises. The owner of any leased premises, or the owner's agent if leasing through an agent, shall be notified of the delinquency of the occupant of the leased premises in the same manner as notice is provided to customers and at the same time of notice to the lessee-customer.
F. 
All partial payments shall be applied first to interest, penalties, and attorney's fees, next to capital type improvements, next to wastewater fees and charges owing, and next to water fees and charges owing.
(Ord. 904 § 2, 2011)
The remedies set forth in DPMC § 13.16.020(C) are not meant to be exclusive and the city may use any alternate method of collecting delinquent charges that is available under common law or state law.
(Ord. 904 § 2, 2011)