Chapter 21.04 SERVICE WITHIN CITY

The city will supply and sell water when and as available, both for domestic and commercial use and consumption within and without corporate limits of the city. (Ord. 941 § 1, 1989; Ord. 279 § 2, 1955).

21.04.030 Residential rate.

Water furnished by the city of Fircrest for single-family residential and multiple dwelling units use and consumption within Fircrest city limits shall be furnished through metered connections and shall be charged for on the following basis:

(a) Single-family residential units with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), as defined by FMC 22.58.012, shall be billed as one dwelling unit.

(b) A bimonthly ready to serve charge for each meter, regardless of size, per connection, shall be billed in accordance with the following schedule:

Residential and Multiple Dwelling Water Ready to Serve Charge

Effective February 1, 2024
Ready to Serve Charge	$40.22

Consumption Tier for Residential and Multiple Dwelling Units

Effective February 1, 2024
Tier	Rates
Tier 1 (0 – 1,000 cf)	$0.0118
Tier 2 (1,001 – 4,000 cf)	$0.0177
Tier 3 (4,001+ cf)	$0.0301

(d) Water furnished by the city of Fircrest for single-family residential and multiple dwelling units use and consumption outside the Fircrest city limits shall be charged as outlined in subsections (a) and (b) of this section with an additional bimonthly surcharge of $25.00.

(e) All rates and charges imposed by this section shall be collected in full for service furnished during any month or fractional month. (Ord. 1717 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1701 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1681 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1627 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1589 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1446 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1365 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1287 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1119 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1086 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1016 § 1, 1992; Ord. 979 § 1, 1990; Ord. 891 § 1, 1988; Ord. 745 § 1, 1980).

21.04.031 Nonresidential rate.

Repealed by Ord. 1365. (Ord. 941 § 2, 1989).

21.04.040 Commercial rate.

Water furnished by the city of Fircrest for commercial or industrial use and consumption within the Fircrest city limits shall be furnished through metered connections and shall be charged for on the following basis:

(a) A bimonthly ready to serve charge for each meter regardless of size, per connection, shall be in accordance with the following schedule:

Commercial Water Ready to Serve Charge

Effective February 1, 2024
Ready to Serve Charge	$40.22

(b) A charge for water consumed through each meter shall be in accordance with the following schedule:

Consumption Tier for Commercial Units

Effective February 1, 2024
Tier	Rate
Tier 1 (0 – 1,000 cf)	$0.0141
Tier 2 (1,001 – 4,000 cf)	$0.0200
Tier 3 (4,001+ cf)	$0.0322

(c) Where more than one commercial business or establishment receives water through a single metered connection, each separate commercial business or establishment shall be charged a separate ready to serve charge that will include the same rate schedule as listed above.

(d) All rates and charges imposed by this section shall be collected in full for service furnished during any month or fractional month. (Ord. 1717 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1701 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1681 § 2, 2021; Ord. 1589 § 2, 2016; Ord. 1287 § 2, 2001; Ord. 1119 § 2, 1996; Ord. 1098 § 3, 1995; Ord. 1086 § 2, 1994; Ord. 1016 § 2, 1992; Ord. 979 § 2, 1990; Ord. 891 § 2, 1988; Ord. 745 § 2, 1980).

21.04.050 Separate irrigation service.

Customers are encouraged to separate water service for irrigation from the regular service. When either the residential or commercial customer wishes to do so, a second meter may be installed ahead of the existing meter at the customer’s expense; or if additional capacity is required, a new connection will be made with the appropriate connection and general facilities charges being assessed and paid. In either case no additional ready to serve rate will be charged; however, the metered rate for tier 2 in this chapter will be billed. In every case the irrigation service line shall contain a city-approved backflow valve to prevent the flow of groundwater into the regular water line. (Ord. 1589 § 3, 2016; Ord. 1279 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1098 § 4, 1995; Ord. 279 § 5, 1955).

21.04.060 Multiple dwellings defined.

A “multiple dwelling” is defined to be the space provided for the separate occupancy of an individual or family unit with separate living quarters and kitchen. Multiple dwellings shall consist of all places wherein more than one dwelling unit is located and where water is supplied to two or more dwelling units through a single connection to the water lines of the city. (Ord. 1589 § 4, 2016; Ord. 1279 § 4, 2001; Ord. 891 § 3, 1988; Ord. 745 § 3, 1980).

21.04.080 Commercial use of portion of dwelling unit.

Private dwellings in which space is occasionally used for the conduct of business by a person residing therein will be served under the residential meter and rate. The commercial rate shall apply to water furnished to a dwelling which is regularly or primarily used for commercial purposes such as professional or business office, shop or store, studio or other gainful activity wherein the suite has a fixture count of six or more units. (This would be equivalent to an ordinary half bath.) (Ord. 1098 § 5, 1995; Ord. 279 § 8, 1955).

21.04.090 Connection size.

All connections to the water distribution system of the city of Fircrest shall conform to the following and it is unlawful for any person to make, cause to be made, or authorize any other connection to the water distribution system without prior approval of the city:

(a) The minimum connection size shall be three-quarter-inch service line which shall be served with a five-eighths-inch meter.

(b) Where water pressure as determined by the general superintendent is or may be less than 50 pounds per square inch, the connection size shall be not less than one inch. This then will be considered to be a residential equivalent without incremental facility charge being due.

(c) The size of commercial connections shall be determined by the general superintendent; provided, however, that the size of commercial connections may not exceed two inches without prior approval of the city council.

(d) Connections for fire sprinkler systems shall be in such size as may be approved by the city manager or his/her designee.

(e) At each connection, a meter yoke shall be installed at the dwelling or building, whether or not the water shall be furnished through metered connections. (Ord. 1098 § 10, 1995; Ord. 961 § 7, 1990; Ord. 499, 1964; Ord. 408, 1961; Ord. 385, 1960; Ord. 279 § 9, 1955).

21.04.100 Meters – Right of entry.

The city shall have the right to install and maintain meters at any building or premises receiving water from the city whether such water be charged for at the metered rate or not. Authorized city employees shall have the right to enter upon all premises receiving water for the purpose of installing and servicing meters and for the purpose of determining the amount of water consumed. (Ord. 279 § 10, 1955).

21.04.110 Application for service.

Repealed by Ord. 1279. (Ord. 1098 § 6, 1995; Ord. 279 § 11, 1955).

21.04.120 Connections required by the city – Notice to consumer.

If the city changes the point of service of an existing connection through a main upgrade or other change so as to require that an additional or altered connection be made at a particular building or premises, the city shall notify the owner and consumer in writing. The city will install the replacement service line and meter to the property line at no additional expense to the property owner. The property owner will be responsible for the connection to the residence or commercial building. (Ord. 1098 § 7, 1995; Ord. 279 § 12, 1955).

21.04.130 Service connection fee and meter drop-in fee.

A service connection fee or meter drop-in fee shall be charged and collected by the city for each new permanent connection to its water distribution system, which fee shall be paid before any water is furnished through such connection.

The service connection fee will be charged in the event that the city is required to make the physical connection to the existing water main, extend the service line to the property line, and install a complete water meter assembly.

The meter drop-in fee will be charged in the event that a developer makes the physical connection to a new water main, extends the service line to the property line, and installs a water meter assembly, and the city inspects such work and installs the water meter in the water meter assembly. The service connection fees and meter drop-in fees will be charged as follows:

(a) Service Connection Fee.

Meter Size	Service Connection Fee
5/8"	$2,666
1"	$2,758
1-1/2"	$2,989
2"	$3,666

For meters larger than two inches, the fee will be the actual costs of labor and materials for furnishing and installing the connection, plus an amount equal to 25 percent of the cost of labor and materials for overhead. In addition to the service connection fees listed above, an additional fee of $32.00 per square foot of pavement restoration required for the connection shall be charged based on measurements made at the time of the connection, and the actual costs of any other related costs shall be the responsibility of the property owner, payable to the city prior to final inspection.

The service connection fee shall be updated annually at a rate adjusted in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton area, rounded to the nearest dollar, ending December of each year to be effective February 1st of the following year.

(b) Meter Drop-In Fee.

Meter Size	Service Connection Fee
5/8"	$555.00
1"	$626.00
1-1/2"	$761.00
2"	$955.00

The meter drop-in fee shall be updated annually at a rate adjusted in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton area, rounded to the nearest dollar, ending December of each year to be effective January 1st of the following year. (Ord. 1719, 2024; Ord. 1706 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1691, 2022; Ord. 1619 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1464 § 2, 2008; Ord. 1292 § 2, 2001; Ord. 1279 § 5, 2001; Ord. 1098 § 2, 1995; Ord. 961 § 5, 1990; Ord. 385, 1960; Ord. 279 § 13, 1955).

21.04.140 Temporary service.

Temporary connections to the water distribution system of the city may be made only when authorized in each individual instance by resolution of the city council. Such resolution may specify the amount which shall be paid as a service connection charge prior to making any such connection. Water furnished through temporary connections shall be charged for at the rate applicable to permanent connections. Temporary connections shall be limited to a period of 120 days, and may be extended by the city council for further periods of not to exceed 30 days each upon written request and without additional connection charges. (Ord. 279 § 14, 1955).

21.04.170 Costs of making connection – Extension of mains charge.

(a) Except as hereinafter provided, when an existing water main is available to which an ordinary connection can be made, the city will make all connections to its water distribution system, including the cost of meters, at its own expense, which is offset by the service connection fee.

(b) In the event any water main must be extended to the property to be served before a connection can be made, the applicant shall pay all cost of making such extension in addition to the service connection fee and general facilities charge. All such mains shall run to the far property line of the property involved.

If the city extends the mains, all costs and charges shall be the actual cost to the city, including but not limited to, engineering and preparation of cost estimates, labor plus 15 percent overhead, and supplies and materials. Alternatively, the city may allow a developer to extend the main based on approved engineering drawings with an approved professional engineer certification that the installation meets city and state standards.

The applicant shall pay all charges in advance based on city estimates at the time of application for a building permit.

At the end of the project, the developer shall pay the actual city cost less the estimated cost paid at time of building permit issuance. If the estimated cost exceeds the city’s total cost, the balance shall be promptly refunded to the developer. If the estimated cost is insufficient to cover the city’s total cost, the developer shall pay the balance prior to issuance of any final inspection or occupancy permit. (Ord. 1279 § 6, 2001; Ord. 1098 § 8, 1995; Ord. 279 § 17, 1955).

21.04.180 Connections to be made by city employees only.

Connections to or disconnections from the water distribution system of the city shall be made only by authorized employees, agents or officials of the city, and it is unlawful for any other person to make or cause to be made any such connection or disconnection.

The city may allow a developer, in conjunction with installation of an approved water main extension, to make connections to the water main extension; provided, that the developer has secured written city approval prior to issuance of a building permit based on city-approved engineering drawings, with an approved professional engineer certification that the connection meets the city and state standards; and provided, that the connections are inspected and approved by an authorized city employee or agent of the city prior to being covered. Should the developer fail to comply with any of the provisions of this section, the project may be shut down unless and until the city has determined that said installation complies with city standards. The actual cost to the city of additional labor and all other costs incurred by the city to enforce compliance shall be paid by the developer prior to approval of the project. (Ord. 1279 § 7, 2001; Ord. 279 § 18, 1955).

21.04.190 Repairs and trouble calls.

Ordinarily the city will not perform service line repairs beyond the meter or off the right-of-way. Occasionally when repairs are being made within these parameters it may be determined that the cause of the trouble is due to some defect on the customer’s property. In such case the city at its option may make incidental repairs in the customer’s line and bill the owner the actual cost of repairing the same, plus 15 percent. (Ord. 1098 § 9, 1995; Ord. 279 § 19, 1955).

21.04.200 Resale prohibited.

It is unlawful for any person to resell water received from the city. (Ord. 279 § 20, 1955).

21.04.210 City not liable for private damage.

The city shall not be liable for any damage to or which occurs on private property served with water by the city, which results from defective or improper appliances, pipes, conduits or other appurtenances and the fact that agents of the city may have connected or inspected the same at or subsequent to installation shall not operate to make the city liable for any such damage. (Ord. 1279 § 8, 2001; Ord. 279 § 21, 1955).

21.04.240 Fluoridation of water.

A source of fluoridation approved by the State Department of Health shall be added to the water supply of the city of Fircrest under the rules and regulations of the State Board of Health, such addition to be administered in a manner approved by the State Department of Health. (Ord. 323, 1957).

21.04.250 Sprinkling regulations authorized – Penalty for violation.

(a) Authority. Subject to review by the city council, the city manager is empowered to, from time to time and as circumstances require, regulate the use of water for sprinkling purposes in the city of Fircrest; said regulation to deal with:

(1) Time that sprinkling may be done by hours, and days and months;

(2) Amounts of water allowed to be used;

(3) Manner of applying water.

(b) Penalty for Violation. Violation of any of the provisions of this section or regulations enacted hereunder is a misdemeanor. (Ord. 987 § 42, 1991; Ord. 834 § 43, 1986; Ord. 294 §§ 1, 2, 1956).

21.04.260 Severability.

In the event any portion or provision of this chapter is found and held to be invalid, the remaining portions shall not be affected thereby. (Ord. 279 § 26, 1955).