Chapter 13.80
WATER AND SEWER SERVICE CONNECTIONS
Sections:
13.80.100 Conditions of utility service.
13.80.200 Costs of meter installation.
13.80.420 Short-term shutoff charges.
13.80.430 Service call charges.
13.80.440 Meter testing and service meter charges.
13.80.450 Water service user charges.
13.80.452 Hydrant testing charges.
13.80.455 Use of fire protection facilities for other purposes charges.
13.80.460 Charges for low-income customers.
13.80.500 Method of billing and payment.
13.80.100 Conditions of utility service.
(1) Accounts shall be in the name of the property owner. Rental tenants with accounts in their own names may retain their existing accounts in their names until their accounts are closed. The property owner may request to have duplicate bills mailed to a tenant, lessee or agent; however, this shall not relieve the property owner from liability for incurred charges. This request shall be made on the application form provided by the utility division.
(2) Ownership of Water Lines.
(a) The utility division shall install, own and maintain water service lines from the main to and including the meter. Water service lines from the main to and including the meter box may be installed by the customer’s contractor, subject to payment of fees, inspection and written approval by the water utility.
(b) The meter wherever feasible shall be placed within the public right-of-way as to be easily associated with the intended building, and within two feet of the edge of existing or proposed road surfacing, within two feet of the property line nearest the customer’s premises, or as approved in writing by the administrator if there are unusual or conflicting conditions. The utility will record the location of the meter.
(c) For each residential service connection, the utility will install a one-inch corporation stop, service piping from the corporation stop to the service meter, a three-fourths-inch-by-five-eighths-inch water meter, a meter stop, and meter box; and record the location. The connection to the utility’s water main will extend at right angles from the main to the property line. One-inch 200 psi or greater pipe shall be placed two feet (minimum) below grade, and three feet (minimum) below grade at the street or alley crossings.
(d) Customer lines from the meter to the premises shall be installed, owned and maintained by the customer.
(3) Individual Service Required. Each service line or sewer lateral shall be connected to only one residence, building, and customer as practicable; and the parcel so supplied shall not supply water to any other properties. Property owners of multifamily buildings or multiple dwellings may use a single connection with the written approval of the administrator.
(4) Installation on Private Property. Service lines and meters shall not be installed on private property unless the utility division finds that service cannot be practically provided, in which case an easement shall be granted to the water utility from the property owner.
(5) Charge for Installation of Larger Service Line or Relocation of Existing Service Line. The customer will complete an application form and pay the fees and applicable costs to install a larger service line and meter, or to relocate an existing service line.
(6) Backflow Prevention Requirements. All water service connections serving buildings or properties with domestic potable water, fire sprinkler or irrigation systems will comply with the minimum backflow prevention requirements established by DOH. Backflow assembly testers (BAT) shall supply the water utility with documentation indicating that their testing equipment has a current certificate of accuracy and with a current DOH BAT certification card. The property owner shall be responsible for all testing and backflow prevention requirements in the CCCP.
(7) Transferring Customer Line. Whenever a service line is realigned by the utility division, the customer shall immediately upon notice and at customer’s expense transfer the customer line to the newly positioned service line.
(8) Owner Is Responsible for Installation and Maintenance of Customer Lines and Sewer Laterals.
(a) Customer lines from the water service meter to the premises and the sewer lateral from the premises to the public sewer shall be installed, owned and maintained by the customer. Customer lines shall be constructed to avoid concrete surfaces, buildings and any obstructions, and with no joints beneath pavement areas.
(b) The customer shall be responsible for obtaining all building, right-of-way permits and use permits required for work on the premises and within the public rights-of-way.
(c) The utility division may reimburse the customer for the cost of the repair of that portion of the sewer lateral within the dedicated public right-of-way if damage to the sewer lateral was proved to be caused by the utility. Damages from natural disasters, root intrusion, and acts and omissions of the customer are excluded from claims to the utility division. The amount of the reimbursement from the utility division shall not exceed the cost for installation of a new sewer lateral from the main sewer to the property line. Claims must be made on approved forms by the utility division. The administrator shall investigate all submitted claims, and determine the validity and amount of reimbursement in writing.
(9) Specifications for Customer Lines and Sewer Laterals.
(a) All customer lines shall have a two-foot minimum cover depth above the line, and equipped with an approved backflow prevention device or check valve, and a readily accessible ball or wheel valve between the meter box and the building so that the customer may at any time shut off water to the premises. Customer lines larger than one inch in diameter shall be equipped with an accessible gate valve complete with hand wheel, check valve and utility box rated HS-20 to withstand vehicle traffic or as approved by the utility division; and may require a backflow prevention assembly and compliance with LCC 13.30.150. Water service shall not start until these appurtenances are installed and approved by the local building authority.
(b) All sewer laterals shall be installed in accordance with the utility division’s sewerage general plan. Each sewer lateral shall be provided with a cleanout to within six inches of finished grade at the property line or not to exceed 30 feet from the property line with an easement granted to the utility from the property owner.
(10) Installation of Service Lines and Sewer Laterals. All installations within the public rights-of-way including obtainment of permits and approvals for the work shall be performed by a state licensed contractor in good standing per Section 1-02 Standard Specification or as approved by the administrator in writing. No service lines crossing paved streets shall be surface trenched, nor shall the paved road surface be damaged in any way.
(11) Liability for Leakage or Stoppage. The utility division is not responsible for any partial or complete stoppage, leakage or damage to any customer’s pipelines, fixtures, sewer laterals, plumbing, premises and contents.
(12) Termination of Service. Sufficient causes to terminate service are: delinquency and nonpayment of water service; finding by the utility division of actual or potential connections, actions or noncompliance with utility requirements that could contaminate the water system by backflow or impact the utility’s ability to provide safe and reliable drinking water; and finding by the appropriate authorities of an unsafe, dangerous to human life or unfit for human habitation building. Water service shall be restored when the property owner has fully paid the delinquent utility bill and any associated fees, and secured a release or clearance from said authorities.
(13) Authority to Disconnect. The utility division shall have the right to shut off the supply of water whenever it is necessary to make repairs, improvements, enforce rules, or for any operating reason. Reasonable notices will be given to customers, except in emergency shut-off situations.
(14) Dangerous and Defective Customer Equipment. Water for steam boilers and other industrial use involving possible danger to the system will not be furnished by direct pressure from the water mains. The utility division has the right to refuse water service or to discontinue water service without notice to any customer upon finding any apparatus and operations which will be detrimental to the water system. Standpipes, fire hydrants, gate valves or other equipment that cause water hammer or any danger to the water system shall be immediately repaired or removed upon notice from the utility division.
(15) Liability for Damage. The customer shall be responsible for and pay for any damages to the water system and water service line appurtenances owned by the utility division.
(16) Tampering with Equipment and Fire Hydrants. It shall be a violation of this title for any person other than authorized personnel of the utility division or the fire department to operate, alter, change, remove, disconnect, connect with, interfere, or attempt to interfere in any manner with any part of the water system owned by the utility division including fire hydrants.
(17) Unauthorized Use of Water. It shall be a violation of this title for any person making and breaking any connection to the water system to obtain water without paying the just charges. The utility division shall have the authority to shut off water to the premises, and to collect all charges due for water properly and improperly obtained and all incurred costs by the utility division. If the improper connection is on public right-of-way, the utility division will make the necessary changes, removals or repairs. If the improper connection is on private property, the property owner shall do the directed work immediately upon demand.
(18) Utility Access. The utility division shall have access to water service meters, valves, hydrants and other facilities owned by the utility division at all times. A three-foot clear radius from the utility structure must be maintained at all meter and valve boxes, vaults and above ground structures. Access to fire hydrants shall never be blocked. Obstruction of the utility division’s structures is not permitted, and the utility division shall disconnect service to the premises if the customer does not remove the obstruction. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.200 Costs of meter installation.
(1) The costs of installation to the utility system shall be based on the service and/or meter sizes.
(2) These costs shall include installation where open cutting or conventional boring methods and direct burial of the service lines are not permitted. Where special conditions exist or special approvals and permit fees are required, all costs and fees associated with such restrictions, and any special conditions, shall be added to the above installation costs.
(3) Where it is necessary to open cut paved roadway, cross under a sidewalk, or an improved area between the curb and the property line to install the service, the customer shall also be charged the costs necessary to restore the disturbed roadway, sidewalk, or improved area to its original condition or better condition. Such costs for restoration shall include time and materials plus overhead charges.
(4) For water service one inch and larger, the costs of the installation will be based on the actual cost of the meter, materials, labor, and equipment, plus overhead charges. The customer requesting a service larger than one inch shall pay a deposit in an amount of 125 percent or the current percentage used in county public works contracts of the administrator’s estimate of the cost for construction work and the work shall thereafter be billed on the basis of actual cost difference from the estimated cost, including overhead. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.300 Customer deposit.
(1) A deposit shall be paid by each water customer at the time of application for a service connection or a service account. The deposit paid by each customer shall be refunded to the person paying the deposit when the account is closed, providing there is no unpaid balance in the account. Lewis County may apply all or part of the deposit to any unpaid balance and charges.
(2) Any deposit remainder unable to be refunded to the customer when the account is closed shall be held by Lewis County for a period of one year from the date of account closure. If demand is not made upon Lewis County for refund of the deposit by the customer within the period of one year after the account is closed out, the amount of the deposit remaining shall be deemed to be unclaimed property and shall pass to the State of Washington Department of Revenue, in accordance with the mandates of the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act of 1983, as it now exists or is hereafter amended. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.400 Customer charges.
Customers receiving utility services shall be required to pay all charges, fees, deposits and other costs prior to any physical connection or installation of facilities. No service shall be delivered or provided until all such charges are paid. Such charges shall be nonrefundable. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.410 Meter-on charges.
There shall be a charge for unlocking and turning on the water service meter during normal working hours and during nonnormal working hours.
Water customers shall notify the utility division at least two working days before the date they desire water to be shut off or turned on. A meter fee will be charged when the water is turned back on.
Customers that shut off their own valves on their customer service lines will still incur water service usage charges. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.420 Short-term shutoff charges.
Residential water customers desiring their water be shut off for a period up to one year may apply for a short-term shutoff charge. The customer pays 75 percent of the base charges from the month of shutoff to the month of resumed service, and a meter-on charge upon resuming water service. Short-term shutoff charges shall be determined according to LCC 13.80.450 and expire after one year from the month of shutoff. Customers will need to reapply. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.430 Service call charges.
(1) Service calls involving extraordinary and unusual time demands shall be charged to the customer requesting the service call at the cost of labor of each employee involved, including travel time, for service calls made during normal working hours of the utility division. The minimum charge for such service call during normal working hours shall be applied.
(2) Service calls made on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or outside of the normal working hours of the utility division, Monday through Friday, shall be charged to the customer requesting the service call at the cost of labor of each employee involved, including travel time, mileage and costs at the overhead rate charge. The minimum charge for such service call during nonnormal working hours shall be applied. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.440 Meter testing and service meter charges.
(1) Any person requesting a test of any water meter shall, at the time of request, deposit with Lewis County the amount to be charged for such test.
(2) Meters two inches and smaller in size shall be tested off-site. Meters larger than two inches shall be tested in the field. After the deposit has been made and the test has been scheduled, the customer shall be notified of the date and time that the meter test is scheduled to take place. The customer shall have the option of being present when such test is made. In the event the test discloses an error of more than three percent of water consumed in favor of the utility division, the deposit and any service charges shall be refunded to the customer, the meter shall be corrected or an accurate meter shall be installed, and the customer’s account shall be credited with the amount charged for the excess consumption on the three previous readings. When the test discloses an error of three percent or less, the amount deposited shall be retained by the utility division to cover the costs of such test.
(3) There shall be a service meter charge for customer requested meters. This charge shall apply if the customer requests a replacement meter or a new meter for new service connection. This charge shall not apply if the utility division determines that the existing service meter is defective.
(4) Any person requesting service on premises with no service meter shall pay the service meter charge. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.450 Water service user charges.
Every water customer shall pay a base charge and usage charge per billing period as approved by resolution for the service area. Base charges for the first month of service shall be one-half of the base charge if service was approved on or after the sixteenth day of the month. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.452 Hydrant testing charges.
There shall be a hydrant testing charge for flushing, general maintenance, testing of hydrant facility and operation of the hydrant as requested by the local fire department, special fire protection district, or owner of hydrant requesting utility operation of the hydrant. This charge shall apply for hydrants not owned by the utility division. Any repairs and associated work of the hydrant performed by the utility division will be at actual cost plus overhead. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.455 Use of fire protection facilities for other purposes charges.
Whenever water is used from fire protection facilities, withdrawn for contractor water sales, or fire protection water is misused, such usages shall incur a flow meter charge, contractor base charge and contractor usage charge. The base charge for the first month of service shall be one-half of the contractor base charge if service was approved on or after the sixteenth day of the month. Any customer applying for water usage from fire protection facilities must establish a contractor customer account complete with all applicable fees and deposits at least two working days before water usage. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.460 Charges for low-income customers.
(1) The fixed rates for low-income senior citizen residential customers and low-income totally disabled residential customers shall be 50 percent of the residential base charge that would otherwise apply. All consumption charges shall be as for residential customers as set forth in this chapter.
(2) All low-income senior citizen residential customers and low-income totally disabled residential customers applying for low-income senior citizen customer or totally disabled residential customer rates herein provided shall furnish a claim for exemption in such affidavit form as shall be prescribed by the administrator. Such form shall be furnished on or before January 31st of each year, within 30 days from the date of account opening, or unexpected sudden change of income status. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.470 Delinquent charges.
A delinquent charge shall be added to each unpaid bill if it is not paid by the due date. A door hanger charge shall be added to each unpaid bill if a door hanger for delinquency is made by utility personnel. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.480 Overhead charges.
An overhead charge of the total costs for labor, materials, and equipment for work and services performed or installation of service water lines or other facilities by the utility division shall be added to the costs charged to the customer. Such overhead charge shall be to accommodate administration, supervision, and accounting costs. The overhead rate shall be as approved by resolution for the service area. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]
13.80.500 Method of billing and payment.
(1) Billing Method and Due Date. Every two-month period the utility division shall read the water meters for each customer that is provided water service by the utility division on the first three working days of the billing month. Bills shall be mailed by the tenth day of the billing month. Payment shall be due on the tenth day of the next month.
(2) Receipt of Payment. The utility bill shall be paid in its entirety by the due date. Payment must be received by the close of business due date at: Lewis County, Fiscal Office, 351 NW North Street, Chehalis, WA 98532.
(3) Delinquent Payments. Payments not paid in full by the close of business due date will be considered delinquent. All late notices issued by the county shall include a delinquent charge which must be paid in addition to the utility bill. The county will prepare a list of delinquent customers on the twelfth day of the month following the billing month. If the utility bill is still not paid in full, then utility division personnel will place a door hanger at the delinquent utility customer’s premises by the thirteenth day of the month following the billing month. There will be a door hanging charge added on the utility bill.
(4) Shut Off Water Service. If payment is not received in full within three days from the date of the placed door hanger or by the sixteenth day of the month following the billing month, the utility division will immediately shut off the water service to such delinquent premises. Utility division personnel are not authorized to accept payment at the service address.
(5) Designated Dates. If designated days fall on nonworking days or other approved closure days of the utility division, the next working day will be used for that designated day. Subsequent designated days will not be adjusted to account for prior designated days.
(6) Delinquent Payment Recovery. All charges for water and sewer service when the account becomes delinquent and unpaid shall constitute a lien against the premises to which the service has been furnished. In the event an occupant of the premises moves to another location within a service area managed by the utility division and applies for utility service at the new location, services shall be denied at such new location until fees and charges for service at the first location are fully paid. All or part of the customer deposit may be applied to outstanding charges.
The utility division may record a lien in the office of the auditor of Lewis County against the property for which the service was connected or provided. Service meters shall be removed at these premises and future service to the property will depend on system availability. Such liens shall include all delinquent charges and costs incurred up to the removal of the service meter. The property owner shall be responsible for all cost incurred by the utility division, including reasonable attorney fees, for preparing and recording a lien and the court enforcement thereof. [Ord. 1265 Att. A, 2016]