Chapter 15.24
MONTHLY SERVICE AND CONSUMPTION RATES*
Sections:
15.24.010 Service rates established.
15.24.020 Monthly water rates.
15.24.030 Service to condominium.
15.24.040 Hydrant meter water usage rates.
15.24.050 Reduction for lost water.
15.24.060 Water service for fire protection only.
15.24.070 Monthly volume-based sewer rates.
15.24.080 Exempt meters—Nonresidential customers only.
15.24.100 Repealed.
* For the statutory provisions regarding the rates that may be charged by a city and the factors that the city may consider when determining its fees, see RCW 35.67.020.
15.24.010 Service rates established.
The monthly service rates to be paid to the city by customers of the water-sewer system are established as set forth in this chapter. The basic or minimum rates for both water and sewer shall be charged whether the premises are occupied or vacant. (Ord. 3368 § 7 (part), 1993: Ord. 3238 § 2, 1990)
15.24.020 Monthly water rates.
The monthly water charge required to be paid to the city by customers of the water system is established in Table 15.24.020.
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Table 15.24.020* |
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Customer Class |
Rate |
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2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
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a. |
Single-family residential |
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(1) |
Basic charge (includes 200 cubic feet of water consumed) |
$23.57 |
$24.63 |
$25.74 |
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PLUS |
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(2) |
Water consumption charge—201 cubic feet to 1,200 cubic feet |
$5.65 |
$5.90 |
$6.17 |
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per 100 cubic feet |
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PLUS |
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(3) |
Water consumption charge—over 1,200 cubic feet |
$7.43 |
$7.76 |
$8.11 |
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per 100 cubic feet |
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b. |
All other customers, including commercial and multifamily residential |
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Meter Size (inches) |
Rate |
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2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
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(1) |
Basic charge per size of meter |
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5/8 x 3/4 |
$17.71 |
$18.51 |
$19.34 |
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1 |
$30.46 |
$31.83 |
$33.26 |
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1-1/2 |
$48.40 |
$50.58 |
$52.85 |
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2 |
$77.64 |
$81.13 |
$84.78 |
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3 |
$220.52 |
$230.44 |
$240.81 |
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4 |
$304.60 |
$318.31 |
$332.63 |
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5 |
$393.84 |
$411.56 |
$430.08 |
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6 |
$521.44 |
$544.90 |
$569.43 |
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8 |
$776.68 |
$811.63 |
$848.15 |
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PLUS |
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(2) |
Water consumption charge |
$5.35 |
$5.59 |
$5.84 |
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per 100 cubic feet of water consumed |
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PLUS |
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(3) |
Sprinkler consumption charge |
$8.60 |
$8.99 |
$9.39 |
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per 100 cubic feet of water consumed |
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* Code reviser’s note: Section 2 of Ordinance 4884 provides: “The water rates set forth in Ordinance No. O-4818 (2022), which is amended by this ordinance, shall remain in force and effect until the rates set forth in this ordinance go into effect. The 2025 monthly service and consumption rates established in this ordinance for water customers billed on the City of Kirkland billing cycles number 3, number 6, and number 8 (whose annual billing cycle is December 1 through November 30) shall go into effect and become the rates to be charged as of December 1, 2024. The 2025 monthly service and consumption rates established in this ordinance for water customers billed on the City of Kirkland billing cycles number 2, number 4, and number 5 (whose annual billing cycle is January 1 through December 31) shall go into effect January 1, 2025. The 2026 monthly service and consumption rates established in this ordinance for water customers billed on the City of Kirkland billing cycles number 3, number 6, and number 8 (whose annual billing cycle is December 1 through November 30) shall go into effect and become the rates to be charged as of December 1, 2025. The 2026 monthly service and consumption rates established in this ordinance for water customers billed on the City of Kirkland billing cycles number 2, number 4, and number 5 (whose annual billing cycle is January 1 through December 31) shall go into effect January 1, 2026.”
(Ord. 4884 § 1, 2024; Ord. 4818 § 1, 2022; Ord. 4736 § 1, 2020; Ord. 4661 § 1, 2018; Ord. 4534 § 1, 2016; Ord. 4454 § 1, 2014; Ord. 4424 § 1, 2013: Ord. 4373 § 1, 2012; Ord. 4260 § 1, 2010; Ord. 4259 § 1, 2010; Ord. 4148 § 1, 2008; Ord. 4147 § 1, 2008; Ord. 4068 § 1, 2006; Ord. 4066 § 1, 2006; Ord. 4012 § 1, 2005; Ord. 3851 § 1, 2002; Ord. 3804 § 1, 2001: Ord. 3788 § 2, 2001)
15.24.030 Service to condominium.
For the purposes of Chapters 15.20 and 15.24, “single-family residence” includes any condominium unit which is a dwelling and has a separate water meter. A “condominium unit” is a part of property which is governed by the Horizontal Property Regimes Act (Chapter 64.32 RCW) or Condominium Act (Chapter 64.34 RCW). If a condominium unit does not have a separate water meter, service charges will be billed to the person responsible for maintenance of the water service pipe from the water meter to the condominium unit or to the owner of another part of the property. (Ord. 3296 § 1, 1991)
15.24.040 Hydrant meter water usage rates.
The use of any fire hydrant for domestic use without a city-issued hydrant water meter is prohibited. A hydrant water meter may be obtained through the water department and is subject to the following fees:
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Hydrant Meters |
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Deposits: |
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3/4-inch |
$450.00 |
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2-inch |
$900.00 |
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Water consumption rates: |
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At the current sprinkler consumption charge and a monthly minimum fee of: |
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3/4-inch |
$5.00 |
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2-inch |
$20.00 |
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Water fill station permit: |
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At the current sprinkler consumption charge with a $10.00 minimum. |
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The “current sprinkler consumption charge” is the rate set forth in Table 15.24.020. |
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(Ord. 3766 § 1, 2000: Ord. 3720 § 4, 1999: Ord. 3368 § 7 (part), 1993)
15.24.050 Reduction for lost water.
All water lost from any size meter unknown to the owner and proved to be a failure in the plumbing, may be charged out at current wholesale plus ten percent and the owner’s bill credited for the balance. (Ord. 3368 § 8 (part), 1993: Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 2062 § 6.04, 1969)
15.24.060 Water service for fire protection only.
All water lines installed on private property for fire protection only do not require a meter and are not subject to monthly service charges, provided the installation is not used for any other use or purpose, and the installation was made at no expense to the city. (Ord. 2129 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 2062 § 6.05, 1969)
15.24.070 Monthly volume-based sewer rates.
(a) The monthly sewer charge required to be paid to the city by customers of the Kirkland sewer system is established in Table 15.24.070.
(b) Annually, the city will calculate each single-family residential customer’s average winter water consumption (“AWWC”). The resulting AWWC will be the basis for such customer’s monthly sewer rate for the following calendar year.
(c) The director of public works is authorized to adopt administrative procedures for the purpose of administering the provisions of this chapter, including the procedure for annual calculation of average winter water consumption.
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Table 15.24.070 (Effective 2024)* |
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Customer Class |
Rate |
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a. |
Single-family residential |
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Basic charge |
$72.42 for first 300 cubic feet of average winter water consumption (“AWWC”). |
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PLUS |
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Consumption charge |
$6.23 per 100 cubic feet of AWWC beyond first 300 cubic feet. |
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b. |
Multifamily residential and commercial |
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Basic charge |
$69.81 for first 600 cubic feet of water consumed. |
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PLUS |
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Consumption charge |
$11.68 per 100 cubic feet of water consumed beyond first 600 cubic feet. |
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c. |
In special cases, single-family residents will be billed according to the following policies: |
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Special Case |
Sewer Rate Policy |
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New homes |
Billed only basic charge until use is established. |
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Changes in property ownership |
Billed only basic charge until use is established. |
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Changes in tenancy |
Billed only basic charge until use is established. |
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Non-water customers |
Billed at system average. |
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Leak adjustments |
Billed per adjusted winter volume. City will factor water leak adjustment into calculation for sewer rate. |
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Table 15.24.070 (Effective 2025)* |
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Customer Class |
Rate |
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a. |
Single-family residential |
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Basic charge |
$77.81 for first 300 cubic feet of average winter water consumption (“AWWC”). |
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PLUS |
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Consumption charge |
$6.51 per 100 cubic feet of AWWC beyond first 300 cubic feet. |
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b. |
Multifamily residential and commercial |
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Basic charge |
$72.95 for first 600 cubic feet of water consumed. |
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PLUS |
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Consumption charge |
$12.21 per 100 cubic feet of water consumed beyond first 600 cubic feet. |
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c. |
In special cases, single-family residents will be billed according to the following policies: |
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Special Case |
Sewer Rate Policy |
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New homes |
Billed only basic charge until use is established. |
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Changes in property ownership |
Billed only basic charge until use is established. |
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Changes in tenancy |
Billed only basic charge until use is established. |
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Non-water customers |
Billed at system average. |
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Leak adjustments |
Billed per adjusted winter volume. City will factor water leak adjustment into calculation for sewer rate. |
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Table 15.24.070 (Effective 2026)* |
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Customer Class |
Rate |
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a. |
Single-family residential |
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Basic charge |
$82.76 for first 300 cubic feet of average winter water consumption (“AWWC”). |
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PLUS |
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Consumption charge |
$6.80 per 100 cubic feet of AWWC beyond first 300 cubic feet. |
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b. |
Multifamily residential and commercial |
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Basic charge |
$76.23 for first 600 cubic feet of water consumed. |
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PLUS |
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Consumption charge |
$12.75 per 100 cubic feet of water consumed beyond first 600 cubic feet. |
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c. |
In special cases, single-family residents will be billed according to the following policies: |
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Special Case |
Sewer Rate Policy |
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New homes |
Billed only basic charge until use is established. |
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Changes in property ownership |
Billed only basic charge until use is established. |
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Changes in tenancy |
Billed only basic charge until use is established. |
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Non-water customers |
Billed at system average. |
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Leak adjustments |
Billed per adjusted winter volume. City will factor water leak adjustment into calculation for sewer rate. |
* Code reviser’s note: Section 2 of Ordinance 4885 provides: “The sewer rates set forth in Ordinance No. O-4819 (2022), which is amended by this ordinance, shall remain in force and effect until the rates set forth in this ordinance go into effect. The 2025 monthly service and consumption rates established in this ordinance for sewer customers billed on the City of Kirkland billing cycles number 3, number 6, and number 8 (whose annual billing cycle is December 1 through November 30) shall go into effect and become the rates to be charged as of December 1, 2024. The 2025 monthly service and consumption rates established in this ordinance for sewer customers billed on the City of Kirkland billing cycles number 2, number 4, and number 5 (whose annual billing cycle is January 1 through December 31) shall go into effect January 1, 2025. The 2026 monthly service and consumption rates established in this ordinance for sewer customers billed on the City of Kirkland billing cycles number 3, number 6, and number 8 (whose annual billing cycle is December 1 through November 30) shall go into effect and become the rates to be charged as of December 1, 2025. The 2026 monthly service and consumption rates established in this ordinance for sewer customers billed on the City of Kirkland billing cycles number 2, number 4, and number 5 (whose annual billing cycle is January 1 through December 31) shall go into effect January 1, 2026.”
(Ord. 4885 § 1, 2024; Ord. 4819 § 1, 2022; Ord. 4737 § 1, 2020; Ord. 4662 § 1, 2018; Ord. 4535 § 1, 2016; Ord. 4455 § 1, 2014; Ord. 4374 § 1, 2012; Ord. 4263 § 1, 2010; Ord. 4262 § 1, 2010; Ord. 4146 § 1, 2008; Ord. 4145 § 1, 2008; Ord. 4069 § 1, 2006; Ord. 4067 § 1, 2006; Ord. 4013 § 1, 2005; Ord. 3962 § 1, 2004; Ord. 3912 § 2, 2003)
15.24.080 Exempt meters—Nonresidential customers only.
(a) Where the use of water by a nonresidential customer is such that a portion of all of the water used does not flow into the sewer system, but is lost by evaporation, irrigation, sprinkling or other causes, or is used in manufacturing or in a manufacturer’s product, and the person in control provides proof of this fact to the satisfaction of the director of public works and installs other measuring devices approved by the city manager acting through the public works director to measure the amount of water so used and so lost, no charge shall be made for sewer service because of water so used or lost.
(b) In addition to the above, the measuring devices (exempt or deduct meters) are subject to the following:
(1) Deduct meter readings are to be turned in bimonthly, in writing, to the city utility billing department on the fifteenth of each month. Written deduct meter readings shall be sent to:
The City of Kirkland
123 5th Ave.
Kirkland, WA 98033
Att.: Utility Billing
(2) Deduct meters will be inspected twice annually on or about the first day of January and on or about the first day of July by the department of public works. The fee for each inspection is set forth in Section 5.74.040.
(3) The customer is responsible for reporting when a deduct meter has been damaged (the date) and when the meter is to be replaced or repaired. All repairs or replacement of the deduct meters shall be performed by a licensed contractor and the customer shall be responsible for all associated costs.
(4) Deduct meters shall be tested at least every five years or more frequently as determined by the director of public works. The customer is responsible for the testing cost. If the meter is not tested within one month of notice by the department of public works, the deduct meter will no longer be recognized by the utility billing department.
(5) Only meters certified by the department of public works shall be used as deduct meters. The water department shall keep a current list of acceptable meters.
(6) When it is necessary for city staff to read or inspect a deduct meter, the customer or a building representative shall be available to accompany city staff when entering the building. (Ord. 4215 § 8, 2009: Ord. 3368 § 8 (part), 1993: Ord. 3238 § 5, 1990: Ord. 2129 § 1, (part), 1970: Ord. 2062 § 6.07, 1969)
15.24.100 Qualified senior citizen rate.
Repealed by Ord. 4868. (Ord. 3766 § 5, 2000: Ord. 3515 § 2, 1995: Ord. 3295 § 3, 1991: Ord. 3248 § 1, 1991: Ord. 3198 § 1, 1989)