[Adopted 8-28-1995 by L.L. No. 2-1995; amended in its entirety8-25-2003 by L.L. No. 8-2003]
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of this article is to establish a methodology whereby the Village of Colonie can, in an equitable manner, establish rates to cover the costs of the operation, maintenance and improvement of its water and sewer systems. The Village Board is hereby setting forth these rates in accordance with the provisions of Article 11, § 11-1118, of the Village Law and Article 14-F, § 452, of the General Municipal Law.
B. 
Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DWELLING UNIT
A room or group of rooms containing at least one toilet, one bathroom or shower and cooking facilities and designed for independent living by a human occupant(s). A dwelling unit does not necessarily have separate utility meters or a separate exit to the outdoors.
NONRESIDENTIAL or NONRESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
Any parcel which is not a residential property, and shall include any property containing a mixture of residential and nonresidential uses.
RESIDENTIAL or RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
A parcel on which are located no more than six dwelling units as defined above.
The following costs are to be allocated:
A. 
All costs incurred or to be incurred in the purchase of water and operation and maintenance of the:
(1) 
Water system, to include but not be limited to the administration of the system, costs related to water supply, costs related to transmission and costs related to distribution; and purchase from the Town of Colonie Latham Water District
(2) 
Sewer system, to include but not be limited to administration of the system, capital improvement costs, maintenance, repairs and all costs related to the sewer system and imposed upon the Village as a result of its participation in the Albany County Sewer District.
B. 
All costs incurred or to be incurred as a result of any improvement made upon the:
(1) 
Water system, to include but not be limited to the costs of the improvement, payment of principal and interest on any borrowing resulting therefrom and all costs imposed upon the Village of Colonie as a result of its participation with Town of Colonie Latham Water District incidental to the above; and
(2) 
Sewer system, directly by the Village or as a result of an action of the Albany County Sewer District, to include but not be limited to the costs of the improvement, payment of principal and interest on any borrowing resulting therefrom and all costs incidental to the above.
[Amended 2-21-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
A. 
Billing procedures.
(1) 
Water bills are payable semiannually in April and October, sewer bills semiannually in June and December.
(2) 
Penalty for late payment may be established by the Village Board on an annual basis.
(3) 
Unpaid water or sewer bills in the Village become a lien on the property on the 15th day of May. For customers outside the Village, see § 234-38.
(4) 
Partial bills may be rendered at the discretion of the Mayor; in cases where the responsibility for payment of bills changes during a billing period, the Village will, upon request, provide an interim reading of the water meter.
B. 
Establishment of rates.
(1) 
The rate elements may be established after notice published in the official Village newspaper and public hearing. Said notice shall be published in accordance with Chapter 64, Article 21 of Village Law.
(2) 
Where the Village Board determines, during the current fiscal year, that the estimated expenditures for the current fiscal year for either the water system or the sewer system or both exceed the projected revenues for the current fiscal year, the Village Board may, in accordance with Subsection B(1) above, reopen proceedings establishing the current rate element.
C. 
Water consumed is measured in gallons by actual metered water use. Where metered amounts cannot be obtained, for whatever reason, said amount of water use will be estimated by the Village. Said estimate shall be final and binding, unless corrected by the customer and accepted by the Village during the month the bill was rendered.
[Amended 5-15-2017 by L.L. No. 2-2017; 2-21-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
A. 
Residential properties: based on rate per 1,000 gallons metered consumption with a minimum billed consumption of 22,000 gallons per family unit semiannually.
B. 
Nonresidential properties: based on rate per 1,000 gallons of metered consumption with a minimum billed consumption of 22,000 gallons, semiannually.
C. 
Nonresidential irrigation systems: may have a separate meter, however the usage from this meter will be added to the main meter for the property for water bill calculation purposes.
[Amended 5-15-2017 by L.L. No. 2-2017; 2-21-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
A. 
Residential properties: $62.50 per family unit billed semiannually for an annual total of $125.
B. 
Nonresidential properties: based on rate per 1,000 gallons of metered consumption. Consumption will be based on the preceding water cycle metered consumption. Minimum nonresidential sewer bill for metered properties, 22,000 gallons or less, is $165 semiannually.
C. 
Nonresidential irrigation systems: usage added to usage of main meter for billing purposes.
D. 
Improved vacant properties (nonresidential lots on which there is a vacant building): $500, billed semiannually in June and December.
[Amended 5-20-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2019]
A. 
Consumers outside the Village.
(1) 
Sewer and water rents payable by consumers outside the boundaries of the Village shall be 70% greater than sewer and water rents payable by consumers within the Village.
(2) 
Consumers to whom sewer or water service is supplied outside the boundaries of the Village shall be subject to disconnection of such service if any bill for sewer or water rents is not paid within 60 days after it has been rendered.
(3) 
Nothing contained herein shall be construed to relieve consumers of sewer or water service outside the boundaries of the Village from any liabilities or obligations imposed by law and this article.