Chapter 14.04 SEWER RATES AND REGULATIONS

D. An “interceptor sewer” serves multiple trunk service areas and receives sewage from many trunk sewers and conducts such sewage to a point for treatment and disposal.

E. A “lateral sewer” serves a relatively small area and receives sewage from individual property ownerships (side sewers) and discharges into a trunk or an interceptor sewer. All sewer systems installed pursuant to a local improvement district or a subdivision shall be considered a lateral sewer system.

F. “North end” is described in exhibit “A” on file in the office of the city clerk and incorporated herein by this reference.

G. “Single-family residence” is a building providing complete housekeeping facilities for one family.

H. A “trunk sewer” serves a large territory (multiple lateral service areas) and receives sewage from many lateral sewers and discharges into an interceptor sewer. (Prior code § 14.12.160)

14.04.020 Sewer service charges.²

A. Effective March 1, 2017, and thereafter, service charges for the city of Everett sewer system are hereby fixed as follows:

1. Single-family residence: sixty-five dollars seventy cents per month. (The monthly charge includes surface water quality protection and enhancement and the current state utility tax.)

2. For other than single-family residence (multiple-family residence, commercial, and industrial users, etc.) the rate shall be computed in accordance with the following formula:

Sewer services charge per month equals seven dollars thirty cents per one hundred cubic feet of metered water consumption.

(The monthly charge includes surface water quality protection and enhancement and the current state utility tax.)

The minimum monthly charge regardless of usage shall be sixty-five dollars seventy cents per month.

3. Septage volume fees: $0.2260 per gallon of discharge.

B. Effective January 1, 2018, and thereafter, service charges for the city of Everett sewer system are hereby fixed as follows:

1. Single-family residence: sixty-nine dollars sixty-five cents per month. (The monthly charge includes surface water quality protection and enhancement and the current state utility tax.)

2. For other than single-family residence (multiple-family residence, commercial, and industrial users, etc.) the rate shall be computed in accordance with the following formula:

Sewer services charge per month equals $7.739 per one hundred cubic feet of metered water consumption.

(The monthly charge includes surface water quality protection and enhancement and the current state utility tax.)

The minimum monthly charge regardless of usage shall be sixty-nine dollars sixty-five cents per month.

3. Septage volume fees: $0.2396 per gallon of discharge.

C. Effective January 1, 2019, and thereafter, service charges for the city of Everett sewer system are hereby fixed as follows:

1. Single-family residence: seventy-three dollars fifty-eight cents per month. (The monthly charge includes surface water quality protection and enhancement and the current state utility tax.)

2. For other than single-family residence (multiple-family residence, commercial, and industrial users, etc.) the rate shall be computed in accordance with the following formula:

Sewer services charge per month equals $8.176 per one hundred cubic feet of metered water consumption.

(The monthly charge includes surface water quality protection and enhancement and the current state utility tax.)

The minimum monthly charge regardless of usage shall be seventy-three dollars fifty-eight cents per month.

3. Septage volume fees: $0.2516 per gallon of discharge.

D. Effective January 1, 2020, and thereafter, service charges for the city of Everett sewer system are hereby fixed as follows:

1. Single-family residence: seventy-seven dollars twelve cents per month. (The monthly charge includes surface water quality protection and enhancement and the current state utility tax.)

2. For other than single-family residence (multiple-family residence, commercial, and industrial users, etc.) the rate shall be computed in accordance with the following formula:

Sewer services charge per month equals $8.569 per one hundred cubic feet of metered water consumption.

(The monthly charge includes surface water quality protection and enhancement and the current state utility tax.)

The minimum monthly charge regardless of usage shall be seventy-seven dollars twelve cents per month.

3. Septage volume fees: $0.2604 per gallon of discharge. (Ord. 3529-17 §§ 1, 3, 5, 7, 2017: Ord. 3417-14 §§ 1, 3, 2014; Ord. 3299-12 §§ 1, 3, 5, 7, 2012: Ord. 2366-99 § 2, 1999)

14.04.022 Sewer service charges, 1995.

Repealed by Ord. 2189-96. (Ord. 1976-93 § 2, 1993)

14.04.023 Rate review and adjustment.

The city of Everett will review the sewer system user charges at least annually and revise the rates as necessary to ensure that adequate revenues are generated to pay the costs of operation and maintenance including replacement and that the system continues to provide for proportional distribution of costs of operation and maintenance including replacement among users. (Ord. 3529-17 § 15, 2017: Ord. 3299-12 § 15, 2012)

14.04.024 User rate notification.

The city of Everett will notify each user at least annually of the rate being charged for operation and maintenance (including noncapital replacement) of the sewer collection and sewer treatment systems. (Ord. 3529-17 § 16, 2017: Ord. 3299-12 § 16, 2012)

14.04.025 Reduced rates for low-income seniors.

Person(s) of the age of sixty-two years or older and person(s) qualifying for special parking privileges under RCW 46.19.010 or a blind person as defined in RCW 74.18.020 shall be eligible to pay a reduced rate for water and sewer single-family residence service based on the income levels as defined in RCW 84.36.381 as it now exists or is hereafter amended. These rates will be revised accordingly with income level changes defined in RCW 84.36.381:

$40,000/year income or less:	80% of current single-family residence rates
$35,000/year income or less:	70% of current single-family residence rates
$30,000/year income or less:	60% of current single-family residence rates

To qualify for the above reduced rates, any applicant must also meet the following requirements:

A. At the time of application for the reduced rates under this section, the applicant must be receiving a verifiable property tax discount from Snohomish County;

B. The applicant must be the owner/occupant of a single-family home serviced by the city of Everett water department; and

C. Only the applicant and/or the applicant’s spouse may have income within the household. The total annual combined household income may not exceed thirty-five thousand dollars.

In no case shall the discounted rate for sewer be less than the equivalent share of operation and maintenance (including replacement) of the city’s water pollution control facility. (Ord. 3520-16 § 1, 2016: Ord. 2908-06 § 1, 2006)

14.04.030 Sewer charge exemption.³

Where the use of water is such that a portion of all the water delivered to the customer does not discharge into a city sewer due to commercial or industrial use, such as loss by evaporation or any other cause or use in manufactured products, such as ice, canned goods, beverages and the like, no sewer service charge shall be made because of water so used or lost; provided, however, the water user shall provide proof as to the amount of sewage discharge and/or install a meter or other measuring device approved by the city engineer to determine either the amount of sewage discharge or the amount of water used or lost. (Ord. 3529-17 § 13, 2017: Ord. 3299-12 § 13, 2012)

14.04.040 Payment date.

Except as provided in Section 14.08.175 of this title, payment of the sewer service charge shall commence at the time of physical connection to the sewer system. (Ord. 2366-99 § 3, 1999: Ord. 627-79 § 1, 1979; prior code § 14.12.030)

14.04.050 Creation of sewer revenue fund.

There is created a special fund of the city to be known as the “sewer revenue fund.” Any and all connection charges and revenues received for the use of sewers as set forth herein, for sewage disposal service, from the sale of by-products from the sewer treatment plant or from any other source of rental, use or services rendered by such utility shall be credited to and paid into such fund. All engineering expenses incurred by the engineering department in planning, designing, supervising and administering any work on the Everett municipal sewer system, and all expenses of maintenance and operation of the sewer system and sewer department, including but not limited to all improvements, additions, betterments, extensions, repairs, replacements, except when the same are financed by the issuance of bonds, and amounts required to pay and secure the payment of principal and interest on sewer revenue bonds and coupon warrants, shall be paid out of the fund. (Prior code § 14.12.050)

14.04.060 Sewer construction charges—Generally.

The charges and rates allocated for sanitary sewer construction for classes of users connected and to be connected to the sanitary sewer system or the combined sewer system are fixed at the monthly rate designated in Sections 14.04.070 and 14.04.080. (Prior code § 14.12.070)

14.04.070 Sewer construction charges—Single-family residence.

A. Single-family residence sewer construction charges are as follows:

	Trunk	Lateral
North Everett	None	None
Bond issue no. 1 system	$0.20	$2.10
Bond issue no. 2 system	1.15	2.25
Bond issue no. 3 system	2.25	2.75

B. The applicable construction charge shall be established by determining the bond issue from which the funds were provided for the construction of that portion of the city’s sewer system to which the sewer connects.

C. Each such applicable construction charge shall terminate upon full payment of the bonded indebtedness to which such construction charge relates.

D. The applicable monthly trunk construction charge shall be paid by all property. The applicable monthly lateral construction charge shall be paid by all property which has not been charged by local improvement district assessment or otherwise with the cost of a lateral sewer.

E. Payments of the construction charge for either the trunk and/or the lateral sewer construction shall commence at the time of physical connection to the sewer system.

F. If a property owner connects directly into an interceptor or trunk sewer, such ownership shall pay both the appropriate lateral and trunk rates and for the purpose of computing the construction charge, the interceptor or trunk sewer shall be considered both the trunk and lateral. (Prior code § 14.12.080)

14.04.080 Sewer construction charges—Other than single-family residence.

A. The charges and rates allocated for sanitary sewer construction for multi-family, commercial and industrial users, etc. (other than single-family residence) shall be fixed at the following monthly rate for each foot of property on the longest side abutting the sewer line, but not less than the appropriate rate for a single-family residence:

	Trunk	Lateral
	(per ft.)	(per ft.)
North Everett	None	None
Bond issue no. 1 system	$.003	$0.28
Bond issue no. 2 system	.015	.030
Bond issue no. 3 system	.030	.037

C. Each such applicable construction charge shall terminate upon full payment of the bonded indebtedness to which such construction charge relates.

D. The applicable monthly trunk construction charge shall be paid by all property.

E. The applicable monthly lateral construction charge shall be paid by all property which has not been charged by local improvement district assessment or otherwise with the cost of a lateral sewer.

F. Payments of the construction charge for either the trunk and/or the lateral sewer construction shall commence at the time of physical connection to the sewer system.

G. If a property owner connects directly into an interceptor or trunk sewer, such ownership shall pay both the appropriate lateral and trunk rates and for the purpose of computing the construction charge, the interceptor or trunk sewer shall be considered both the trunk and lateral. (Prior code § 14.12.090)

14.04.090 Lateral connection charges—Generally.

Persons connecting a private sewer to a public sewer to serve property which has not been charged by local improvement district assessment or otherwise with the cost of the lateral sewer shall pay, in addition to the payment of the connection permit fee required by the ordinances of the city, the amounts in Sections 14.04.100 and 14.04.110. (Ord. 627-79 § 2 (part), 1979; prior code § 14.12.100)

14.04.100 Lateral connection charges—Single-family residence.

A. Lateral connection charges for single-family residences are as follows:

	1979	1980	1981
North Everett	None	None	None
Bond issue no. 1 system	$440.00	$465.00	$490.00
Bond issue no. 2 system	395.00	422.50	450.00
Bond issue no. 3 system	330.00	362.50	395.00

B. The rates for the year 1981 shall remain in effect for years subsequent to 1981 until the rates are otherwise established or changed by ordinance of the city.

C. Payments of the connection charge for the lateral sewer shall be due and payable at the time of physical connection to the sewer system.

D. If a property owner connects directly into an interceptor or trunk sewer, such ownership shall pay both the appropriate lateral and trunk rates and for the purpose of computing the connection charge, the interceptor or trunk sewer shall be considered both the trunk and lateral. (Ord. 627-79 § 2 (part), 1979; prior code § 14.12.110)

14.04.110 Lateral connection charges—Other than single-family residence.

A. The lateral connection charge for multi-family, commercial and industrial users, etc. (other than single-family residence) shall be fixed at the following amount for each foot of property on the longest side abutting the sewer line, but not less than the appropriate amount for a single-family residence:

	1979	1980	1981
	(per ft.)	(per ft.)	(per ft.)
North Everett	None	None	None
Bond issue no. 1 system	$5.87	$6.20	$6.53
Bond issue no. 2 system	5.27	5.63	6.00
Bond issue no. 3 system	4.40	4.83	5.27

B. The rates for the year 1981 shall remain in effect for years subsequent to 1981 until the rates are otherwise established or changed by ordinance of the city.

C. Payments of the connection charge for the lateral sewer shall be due and payable at the time of physical connection to the sewer system.

14.04.120 Trunk connection charges—Generally.

Persons connecting a private sewer to a public sewer to serve property which has not been charged with the cost of a substantial trunk sewer shall pay, in addition to the payment of the connection permit fee required by the ordinances of the city the amounts designated in Sections 14.04.130 and 14.04.140. (Ord. 627-79 § 2 (part), 1979; prior code § 14.12.130)

14.04.130 Trunk connection charges—Single-family residence.

A. Trunk connection charges for single-family residences are as follows:

	1979	1980	1981
North Everett	None	None	None
Bond issue no. 1 system	$105.00	$107.50	$110.00
Bond issue no. 2 system	240.00	255.00	270.00
Bond issue no. 3 system	275.00	302.50	330.00

B. The rates for the year 1981 shall remain in effect for years subsequent to 1981 until the rates are otherwise established or changed by ordinance of the city.

C. Payments of the connection charge for the trunk sewer shall be due and payable at the time of physical connection to the sewer system.

14.04.140 Trunk connection charges—Other than single-family residence.

A. The trunk connection charge for multi-family, commercial and industrial users, etc. (other than single-family residence) shall be fixed at the following amount for each foot of property on the longest side abutting the sewer line, but not less than the appropriate amount for a single-family residence:

	1979	1980	1981
	(per ft.)	(per ft.)	(per ft.)
North Everett	None	None	None
Bond issue no. 1 system	$1.40	$1.43	$1.46
Bond issue no. 2 system	3.20	3.40	3.60
Bond issue no. 3 system	3.67	4.03	4.40

B. The rates for the year 1981 shall remain in effect for years subsequent to 1981 until the rates are otherwise established or changed by ordinance of the city.

C. Payments of the connection charge for the trunk sewer shall be due and payable at the time of physical connection to the sewer system.

14.04.150 Sewage disposal for areas outside the city.

A. Sewage disposal service may be provided through the Everett system for such areas outside and adjacent to the city as can, in the judgment of the mayor be feasibly served.

B. Wholesale sewage disposal service shall be provided under contract, the terms of which will include, but are not limited to, the rates, regulations, and conditions as hereinafter provided:

1. Sewage Disposal Contract Limitation Outside the City. Contracts for sewage disposal service to the city’s system shall be limited to the county or any municipality or public body under whose jurisdiction local sewerage facilities may be constructed and operated.

2. Sewage Service Outside—Review by Mayor. Prior to entering any contract, the mayor shall review the quality and quantity of the sewage to be accepted and shall determine that the city has the excess capacity to enable it to dispose of the sewage to be accepted.

3. Service Charge for Sewage Outside the City. Monthly service charge for disposal of sewage to the city system shall be as provided by contract.

4. Trunk and Lateral Connections Outside the City. All trunks, laterals or any special facilities required for acceptance and transportation of sewage which shall be connected to the city sewerage system shall be subject to approval of the mayor, and any additions to an approved system so connected shall also be subject to the approval of the mayor. Municipalities desiring a contract for connection to the city sewerage system shall file with the sewer department, or the city engineer, drawings describing and locating all trunks, laterals and any special facilities associated to the system. Satisfactory provisions for maintenance shall be made and where necessary, the city shall have the right to perform maintenance operations on facilities outside the city at the cost of the contracting party. The city shall have the right of inspection of all facilities connected to the city sewage system.

5. Connections Points for Trunks, Laterals or Special Facilities Outside City. All connections to the trunks, laterals, or special facilities of the city sewerage system shall be at points designed by the city. Connection shall be under the supervision of the city and the cost thereof shall be borne by the party connecting to the city system which cost shall be in addition to other charges.

6. Property Owner Outside City Subject to City Sewage Regulations. Owners and/or tenants of all property connected to the sewerage system through or by any district, municipality or governmental unit contracting for such service, shall be subject to all rules and regulations governing sewage and sewage disposal within the city. Failure to abide by such rules and regulations shall be cause for cancellation of continued transmission and treatment service to the entire district, municipality or governmental unit.

C. Retail sewer service shall be subject to the following conditions:

1. Sewage Service Outside City—Review by Mayor. Prior to allowing any retail service outside the city, the mayor shall review the quality and quantity of the sewage to be accepted and shall determine that the city has the excess capacity to enable it to dispose of the sewage to be accepted.

2. Service Charge for Sewage Outside City. Monthly service charge for sewer service shall be as provided under the current sewer rate ordinances of the city, less surface water protection and enhancement, plus a fifty percent surcharge.

3. Utility Service Agreement. Properties located outside the city limits receiving water service from the city are deemed by the city as eligible to receive retail sewer service per the provisions of this chapter. Property owners requesting sewer service shall submit an agreement to be recorded on the property with the property records of Snohomish County in a form approved by the city attorney in which the owners and persons having an interest in the property agree to the following (unless otherwise authorized in writing by the city attorney): annexation of the property to the city; designation of the city’s mayor or designee as attorney-in-fact to execute annexation documents; petition for and participation without protest in the formation of any local improvement district or utility local improvement district for sewer service; payment of connection fees and monthly charges established from time to time by the city; and agreement to abide by all city ordinances, rules, and regulations regarding sewer service.

4. Connection Charge for Sewage Outside the City. The connection charges for retail service areas outside the city limits shall be as provided in Section 14.08.135 (Special connection charges).

5. Property Owner Outside City Subject to City Sewage Regulations. Owners and/or tenants of all property connected to the city sewerage system shall be subject to all rules and regulations governing sewage and sewage disposal within the city. Failure to abide by such rules and regulations shall be cause for cancellation of service.

6. Areas outside the city shall not be eligible for benefits per Ordinance No. 1561-89, as amended.

7. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the provision of sewer service outside of the city limits and the city’s decision to extend such service shall remain a discretionary authority of the city. (Ord. 2366-99 § 1, 1999: prior code § 14.12.170)

14.04.160 Billings.

All bills for sewage disposal service shall be rendered monthly and shall become due and payable at the office of the city treasurer on or before the twentieth day after date shown on monthly billing and shall become delinquent thereafter. (Prior code § 14.12.180)

14.04.170 Unpaid charges—Lien.

Any charge for sewage disposal service not paid within forty-five days from date due and payable shall bear interest at the rate of eight percent per year and such charge and interest shall immediately become a lien upon the property to which such sewer service is rendered, superior to all other liens or encumbrances except those for general taxes and special assessments. Such liens shall be foreclosed by the city in the manner provided by law for the enforcement of the same and for delinquent sewage charges. As an additional and concurrent method of enforcing the lien herein provided, the city may cut off the water service from the premises to which such sewage disposal service was furnished, and such water service shall remain cut off until such charges, plus penalties and interest thereon, together with an additional sum of five dollars for turning the water on. (Prior code § 14.12.190)

14.04.180 Sewer district service.

Notwithstanding any language in this title, the city council is authorized to allow the city to contract with sewer districts to provide Everett residents sewer service upon such rates, terms and conditions approved by the city which rates, terms and conditions may be different than otherwise provided in this title. Further, the contract may authorize the districts to assess and charge these residents directly. (Ord. 2647-02 § 1, 2002)

14.04.190 Month calculation.

In this chapter, terms such as “monthly,” “per month,” “any one month” or similar terms regarding a monthly time period mean a thirty-day period with respect to all services except for flat rate service. Accordingly, charges and rates based on metered water consumption and charges and rates with respect to other non-flat rate services are always prorated based on a thirty-day period. Charges and rates with respect to flat rate service, such as the monthly sewer service charge for single-family residences, are not prorated. For flat rate service, the entire monthly charge is due for each month, regardless of how many days flat rate service is used in a calendar month and regardless of the number of days in a calendar month. (Ord. 3417-14 § 6, 2014)

For statutory provisions authorizing cities to construct, acquire and maintain sewer systems and to fix rates therefor, see RCW 35.21.210; for provisions regarding sewer systems generally, see Chs. 35.67 and 35.92 RCW.

Prior ordinance history: Ord. 627-79 §§ 1A (part)—1C (part), 1979, Ord. 1264-86 §§ 1, 2, 1986, Ord. 1437-88 § 1, 1988 and Ord. 1538-88 § 1, 1988.

Prior ordinance history: Ord. 627-79 §§ 1A (part)—1C (part), 1979 and prior code § 14.12.020.