Chapter 8-4 WATER

The word “Utilities Engineer” whenever used in this Chapter shall be held and construed to mean the Utilities Engineer of Water and any act in this Chapter required or authorized to be done by him, may be done on his behalf by any authorized employee of the Water Department. (Ord. 1754, 4-28-59; amd. Ord. 2823, 1-21-74, eff. 1-30-74)

8-4-2 APPLICATION:

A. Any person desiring to have premises connected with the water supply system of the City shall make application therefor at the office of the Water Department.

B. Application therefor shall be made upon a printed form furnished for that purpose, which application shall contain a description of the premises where such water supply is desired and shall fully state all of the purposes for which the water is to be used, the size of the service pipe and the number and kind of fixtures to be connected thereto and shall be signed by the owner of the premises to be served or by his duly authorized agent. (Ord. 1754, 4-28-59)

C. At the time of filing such application the applicant shall pay to the Finance Administrator, or the person appointed by him for the purpose of collecting water rates, the fee for installation of water service as provided in RMC 4-1-180. (Ord. 1754, 4-28-59; amd. Ord. 2823, 1-21-74, eff. 1-30-74; Ord. 4723, 5-11-98; Ord. 5547, 8-9-10; Ord. 5654, 2-13-12)

8-4-3 CONTRACT OF INDIVIDUAL:

The application provided for in the preceding Section shall contain a contract on the part of the person making the same to pay for the water applied for at the rate and in the manner specified in such contract and shall reserve to the City the right to charge and collect the rates and enforce the penalties provided, to change the rates at any time without notice to the consumer and shall specify that said contract is subject to all the provisions of this Chapter and of any laws of the City relating to the subject hereafter passed, and shall provide that the City shall not be held responsible for any damage by water or other cause resulting from defective plumbing or appliances on the premises supplied with water, installed by the owner or occupant of said premises and shall provide that in case the supply of water shall be interrupted or fail by any reason, the City shall not be held liable for damages for such interruption or failure, nor shall such interruptions or failures for any reasonable period of time be held to constitute a breach of contract on the part of the City or in any way relieve the consumer from performing the obligations of his contract.

All contracts shall take effect from the day they are signed and rates shall be charged from the day the premises are connected with the City’s water supply. (Ord. 1754, 4-28-59)

8-4-4 CONNECTION TO WATER MAIN:

(Rep. by Ord. 4723, 5-11-98)

8-4-5 PRIVATE PIPE REQUIREMENTS:

(Rep. by Ord. 4723, 5-11-98)

8-4-6 WATER METER CHARGES ORIGINAL INSTALLATIONS:

(Rep. by Ord. 4723, 5-11-98)

8-4-7 CONFORMING PIPES:

Before water will be turned on to any premises connected with the City’s mains, the service pipes upon such premises must be made to conform to the following regulations: the service pipes must be so located that the supply for each separate house or premises shall be controlled by separate stop and waste cocks of the best standard make, approved by the Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator, with extension handles, properly protected from frost and so placed within the premises that all service pipes and fixtures may be thoroughly drained during freezing weather. Where sags or depression occur in the pipe and the stop and waste cock is not sufficient to fully drain all the pipes and fixtures within the premises, additional stop and waste cocks with extension handles must be so placed as to fully drain them. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-52; amd. Ord. 2823, 1-21-74, eff. 1-30-74)

In cases where no fixtures are placed between the property line and the basement, the stop and waste cocks may be placed in the basement, provided said basement is not less than six feet (6’) in height and is provided with stairways or other means of access thereto; provided further, that where basements are enclosed in wooden walls the stop and waste cocks shall be placed at least twelve inches (12") below the surface of the ground and shall be provided with an extension handle. The connection between the City’s pipes at the property line and the service pipes on the premises must be made with a union. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-52)

8-4-8 NOTIFICATION OF CONNECTION; INSPECTION:

Whenever the owner or occupant of any premises connected with the City’s water supply shall desire to use the water he shall notify the Utilities Engineer and request that the water be turned on to said premises. The owner shall leave his portion of the service exposed in the trench until it has been inspected and the water turned on, then he shall immediately cover the pipe. It shall be unlawful for any person whose premises are supplied with water to furnish water to additional premises. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-52; amd. Ord. 2823, 1-21-74, eff. 1-30-74)

8-4-9 ENLARGING OR REMOVING SERVICE CONNECTIONS; NEW TAPS:

When new buildings are to be erected on the site of old ones and it is desired to increase the size of or change the location of the old service connection or where a service connection to any premises is abandoned or no longer used, the Utilities Engineer may cut out or remove such service connection, after which, should a service connection be required to said premises, a new service shall be placed only upon the owner making an application and paying for a new tap in the regular manner.

When a new main is laid in any street, owners of premises on said street who are being supplied with City water from a private main or a connection to a private service shall make application for tap and shall connect up with separate connection of the main in front of premises. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-52)

8-4-10 DISCONTINUED USE CHARGE:

Whenever the owner or occupant of any premises desires to discontinue the use of water for a period of not less than one month, he shall make written application to have the water turned off and pay all arrearages in full. The water will be turned off and turned on again with a charge of sixty dollars ($60.00) payable at the time of turnoff, but no remission of water rates will be made. (Ord. 4079, 8-3-87; amd. Ord. 5013, 6-23-03)

8-4-11 NO REMISSION OF RATES:

When water has been shut off for any reason and is turned on again or allowed or caused to be turned on by the owner, no remission of rates will be made on account of its having been shut off, and the Utilities Engineer may then shut off the water at the main or remove a portion of the service connection in the street and shall charge the actual cost of cutting out and reinstating the water supply to the owner of the property. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-52; amd. Ord. 2823, 1-21-74, eff. 1-30-74; Ord. 5013, 6-23-03)

8-4-12 DELINQUENT CHARGES:

A. All charges for water service shall be charged against the premises to which the services were furnished and the City shall have a lien against the premises to which said water services were furnished for four (4) months’ charges due or to become due, but not for any charges more than four (4) months past due. Such lien may be enforced by cutting off the water service to the premises until such time as the delinquent unpaid charges, together with the sum of sixty-five dollars ($65.00) additional for the expense of processing the utility shutoff list, have been paid to the Finance Administrator or his/her designated representative. (Ord. 5547, 8-9-10; Ord. 5654, 2-13-12; Ord. 5732, 11-3-14; Ord. 5823, 11-21-16)

B. Responsibility for Charges: The customer receiving the collection services shall have a personal obligation to pay charges for said services. This obligation is in addition to the obligations detailed in this section. The City’s water utility shall have the absolute authority, except as limited by law, to refuse to furnish service to, to discontinue service to, or to refuse to resume services to any applicant or customer on account of their failure to pay delinquent bills owing said utility by such person, whether such bills cover service at the premises sought to be served, or elsewhere within the City. (Ord. 4293, 10-15-90; amd. Ord. 5013, 6-23-03; Ord. 5275, 4-16-07)

8-4-13 ACCOUNTS CHARGED AGAINST PREMISES:

All accounts for water shall be kept in the name of the owner of the premises for which the service was installed, and not in the name of any tenant; provided, that persons holding under recorded lease may be supplied on their own account and in such cases the Utilities Engineer may require such a deposit of money with the Finance Director as in his judgment shall be necessary to protect the City against any and all delinquent and unpaid charges for water or other charges on account of such service. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-52; amd. Ord. 2823, 1-21-74; Ord. 2845, 4-15-74; Ord. 5547, 8-9-10; Ord. 5654, 2-13-12)

8-4-14 REPORT BUILDING ALTERATIONS OR CONSTRUCTIONS:

(Rep. by Ord. 4723, 5-11-98)

8-4-15 TAMPERING PROHIBITED:

(Rep. by Ord. 4723, 5-11-98)

8-4-16 EMERGENCY; USE OF WATER:

The Council shall establish policies implemented by the Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator to arrange, reduce or limit the time for irrigation and sprinkling in cases of emergency, or whenever the public safety or health or the need for conservation of water so requires. Whenever there is, in the opinion of the Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator, an insufficiency of water supply, the Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator shall notify the Mayor and Council and take action necessary to reduce water system demand to a level that can be safely met with the water supply available. Any such action by the Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator must be in accordance with the City water conservation plan, which must be approved by the Council and, within the operational constraints of the water system, must effect the same degree of water conservation from customers both inside and outside the City limits in a nondiscriminatory manner. The Planning/Building/Public Works Department may modify the water conservation plan as necessary to update the data and administrative information, but any change in policy must be approved by the City Council. (Ord. 4079, 8-3-87)

8-4-17 WATER PROHIBITED ON STREETS OR SIDEWALKS:

It shall be unlawful for any person wilfully to place an automatic sprinkling device or wilfully to place or hold any hose in such position or manner that water therefrom falls on any person while on any public street or sidewalk. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-52)

8-4-18 VIOLATION CHARGE:

If any person shall violate any provision of Section 8-4-17, the Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator shall, after reasonable notice to the user, shut off the water furnished to the premises upon which such violation is made, and shall charge sixty dollars ($60.00) for shutting off and turning on such water. Reasonable notice, for the purpose of this Section, shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8-4-19D. The determination to shut off water service pursuant to this Section shall be appealable to the City Finance Director pursuant to Section 8-4-19E. (Ord. 4079, 8-3-87; amd. Ord. 5013, 6-23-03; Ord. 5547, 8-9-10; Ord. 5654, 2-13-12)

8-4-19 DESIGNATION OF HOURS:

A. Restrictions: The Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator, in case of a shortage of water supply from any cause, may make an order forbidding or suspending the use of water for sprinkling or irrigation, or may direct customers that sprinkling or irrigation may only be done during certain hours or on certain days by giving notice through the appropriate media.

B. Civil Penalty: Any person violating the order described in the prior subsection shall be subject to a fine as determined by the Public Works Director in an amount not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) for residential customers, and not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for all other customer classes. Written notice of the violation and the imposition of the civil penalty, together with a notice of the right of an appeal from the determination of the Public Works Director, shall be delivered to the violator and/or the customer by personal service, or by first class mail addressed to the billing address of the customer. In determining the amount of the penalty, the Public Works Director shall take into consideration all of the facts and circumstances, including but not limited to the following:

1. Whether it is a first or subsequent offense;

2. The extent and nature of the violation;

3. Whether there was any loss of property or life which was caused or contributed to by the violation;

4. The cost to the City in discovery of the violation and the processing of the violation; and

5. The likelihood of a further or later violation if no significant penalty is imposed.

C. Foreclosure: Such civil penalty shall be a lien against the real estate if the real estate at the location of the violation is owned by the violator, or the violator is the agent, employee, officer or director of the real property owner. Such lien may be foreclosed in the same manner as materialman’s liens under State law. In all instances the civil penalty shall also be enforceable as a fine against the person violating the restrictions on water usage.

D. Water Shut-Off: In addition to the foregoing civil penalty, in the event of a violation of the restrictions imposed by this Section, the water service to the violating user may be shut off after reasonable notice to the user and not turned on again until such penalty has been paid. Reasonable notice, for the purpose of this subsection, shall mean not less than ten (10) days’ notice delivered by first class mail to the billing address of the user, unless the Public Works Director shall have determined that the violation is a substantial and imminent danger to the existing water supply. In such event, reasonable notice shall consist of the best, practical notice, if any, which can be delivered to the offending user under all of the circumstances.

E. Appeal: Any person or legal entity aggrieved by the civil penalty or its amount, or the proposed shut off of water service, may appeal the propriety of the penalty or its amount, or the proposed shut off of water service, to the City of Renton Finance Director within ten (10) days of the date of the determination by the Public Works Director. The consideration of the Finance Director on the appeal shall be limited to a determination of the existence of the alleged violation, the amount of the civil penalty assessed, if any, and/or the determination, if any, to shut off water service. The decision of the Finance Director shall be final unless a writ of review is obtained from the King County Superior Court within twenty (20) days after the date of the Finance Director’s decision. (Ord. 4079, 8-3-87)

8-4-20 WATER USE DURING FIRE:

It shall be unlawful for any person to use water for irrigation or sprinkling during the progress of any fire in the City, unless for the protection of property and all irrigation and sprinkling shall stop when an alarm of fire is sounded, and shall not be begun again until the fire is extinguished.

8-4-21 CERTAIN RIGHTS RESERVED BY THE CITY:

The City reserves the right at any time, without notice, to shut off the water supply for repairs, extensions, nonpayment of rates or any other reason and the City shall not be responsible for any damage, such as bursting of boilers supplied by direct pressure, the breaking of any pipes or fixtures, stoppages or interruption of water supply or any other damage resulting from the shutting off of water. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-52)

8-4-22 ALL WATER APPARATUS KEPT IN GOOD REPAIR:

The service pipes, connections and other apparatus within any private premises must be kept in good repair and protected from freezing at the expense of the owner or lessee, who will be responsible for all damages resulting from leaks and breaks. In case of neglect, to promptly repair and service any fixture or make any changes or alterations required in this Chapter, the Utilities Engineer shall have authority when deemed necessary to go on the premises and make or cause to be made such changes, alterations, or repairs and charge the same against the premises and the owner thereof. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-52; amd. Ord. 2823, 1-21-74, eff. 1-30-74)

The owner of any service connection shall be responsible for damage to meters serving said premises caused by hot water and shall be charged for repairs to meters caused by such damage.

8-4-23 WASTE OF WATER PROHIBITED:

It shall be unlawful for any person to waste water or allow it to be wasted by imperfect or leaking stops, valves, pipes, closets, faucets, or other fixtures, or to use water closets without self-closing valves or to allow any pipes or faucets to run open and to prevent the service from freezing or for any other reason or to use the water for purposes other than those named in application upon which the rates for water are based or for any other purpose than that for which his contract provides or use it in violation of any provision of this Chapter. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-52)

8-4-24 FIRE PROTECTION:

A. Fees For Private Water; Fire Service: The charges for such fire protection services are hereby established as follows:

1. Fire Protection Charges: The private fire protection charges are hereby fixed in the following schedule:

Meter	2023 Rates	2024 Rates
1 inch	$6.66	$6.66
1-1/2 inch	$7.44	$7.44
2 inch	$9.56	$9.56
3 inch	$25.25	$25.25
4 inch	$31.07	$31.07
6 inch	$44.63	$44.63
8 inch	$60.11	$60.11
10 inch	$77.55	$77.55
12 inch	$93.04	$93.04

(Ord. 5112, 12-20-2004; Ord. 5179, 12-12-2005; Ord. 5235, 11-27-2006; Ord. 5319, 11-26-2007; Ord. 5425, 11-17-2008; Ord. 5504, 11-16-2009, eff. 1-1-10; Ord. 5568, 11-8-2010; Ord. 5673, 11-5-12; Ord. 5732, 11-3-14; Ord. 5823, 11-21-16)

2. Water Used For Extinguishing Fires: No charge will be made for water used in extinguishing fire if the owner or occupant of the premises where such fire occurs gives written notice to the office of the Water Utility Engineering Manager within ten (10) days from the date of such fire. In no case will any tap be made upon any pipe used for fire service purposes or any tank connected therewith, nor shall the use of any water be permitted through any fire service nor through any pipes, tanks or other fixtures therewith connected for any purposes except the extinguishing of fire on such premises or testing flows for fire control purposes. (Ord. 5890, 10-22-18; Ord. 5986, 11-9-20; Ord. 6085, 11-14-22)

B. Whenever any change in the use, occupancy or construction of any premises or purposes as hereinabove defined require any increased fire and hydrant protection, the owner, owners or person in charge of such premises shall proceed promptly toward securing adequate protection and all such installation or changes to be completed providing for such increased fire protection, prior to the use or occupancy of such facilities.

C. Unlawful Conduct: It shall be unlawful for any person to own, occupy or use any building or structure as hereinabove defined in this Section unless such building or structure is located within one hundred sixty five feet (165’) of any fire hydrant.

D. Violation; Penalties: Any person violating any provision or term of this Section shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 2434, 9-23-1968; amd. Ord. 4441, 2-28-1994; Ord. 4567, 12-11-1995; Ord. 4723, 5-11-1998)

8-4-25 INSPECTION OF PIPES AND FIXTURES:

It shall be unlawful for any person to fail, neglect or refuse to give the Administrator of Planning/Building/Public Works or his duly authorized representatives free access at all reasonable hours to all parts of premises supplied with water from the City’s mains for the purpose of inspecting the condition of pipes and fixtures, noting the amount of water and the manner in which it is used. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-1952; amd. Ord. 2823, 1-24-1974, eff. 1-30-1974)

8-4-26 PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO DISCONTINUE SERVICE IN CASE OF VIOLATION:

If any owner or occupant of any premises supplied with City water shall violate any provision of the preceding Section, the Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator may, after reasonable notice to the user, shut off such service; and such owner or occupant shall be required to pay any or all delinquent and unpaid charges against such premises together with a charge of sixty dollars ($60.00) for shutting off and turning on such water before the same shall be again turned on. “Reasonable notice” for the purpose of this Section shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8-4-19D. The determination to shut off water service pursuant to this Section shall be appealable to the City of Renton Finance Administrator pursuant to Section 8-4-19E. (Ord. 4079, 8-3-1987; amd. Ord. 5013, 6-23-03; Ord. 5547, 8-9-10; Ord. 5654, 2-13-12)

8-4-27 WRITTEN NOTICE SERVED FOR VIOLATION:

In case of violation of any of the preceding sections the Administrator of Planning/Building/Public Works may cause written notice thereof to be served on the owner or occupant of the premises where such violation takes place, which notice shall require the payment of the charges hereinbefore provided and if such charges be not paid within twenty four (24) hours from the time of the service of such notice, the water shall be turned off from such premises and shall be in no case turned on until the charges have been paid. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-1952)

8-4-28 CONNECTION AND METERS PROPERTY OF CITY:

All service connections and meters, unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator of Planning/Building/Public Works, shall be and remain the property of the City and will not be removed unless the use of water on the premises is to be entirely stopped or the service connection discontinued or abandoned. In all cases where meters are lost, injured or broken by carelessness or negligence of owners or occupants of premises, they shall be repaired or replaced by or under the direction of the Administrator of Planning/Building/Public Works and the cost charged against the owner or occupant and in the case of nonpayment the water shall be shut off and will not be turned on until such charge and the charge for turning on the water are paid. In the event of the meter getting out of order or failing to register properly the consumer shall be charged on an estimate made by the Administrator of Planning/Building/Public Works on the average monthly consumption during the last three (3) months that the same was in good order or from what he may consider the most reliable data at his command. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-1952)

8-4-29 METER ACCURACY QUESTION:

Where the accuracy of record of a water meter is questioned it shall be removed at the consumer’s request and shall in his presence be tested in the shop of the Water Department, by means of the apparatus there provided, and a report thereon duly made. Both parties to the test must accept the findings so made. If the test disclosed an error against the consumer of more than three percent (3%) on the meter’s registry, the excess of the consumption on the three (3) previous readings shall be credited to the consumer’s meter account and the Water Department will bear the entire expense of the test and the deposit required as hereinafter prescribed shall be returned. On the other hand, where no such error is found, the person who has requested the test shall pay the charge fixed for such test.

Before making a test of any meter the person requesting such a test shall, at the time of filing his request with the Administrator of Planning/Building/Public Works, make a deposit with the Administrator of Finance of the amount charged for such test, subject to the conditions herein stated, which charges are as follows:

For testing 3/4" through 2" meter	$40.00
For testing meters larger than 2"	Time and Materials ($60.00 refundable deposit prior to test)

No meter shall be removed or in any way disturbed, nor the seal broken except in the presence or under the direction of the Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator. (Ord. 4287, 8-13-1990; Ord. 5547, 8-9-10; Ord. 5654, 2-13-12)

8-4-30 CHANGE OF RATES:

The City shall have the right at any time it may desire to change from a flat rate to meter rate on any connection now or hereafter to be made to the City water system, and install a meter, and thereupon the meter rates will be charged for such connection and the flat rate will be discontinued. (Ord. 1437, 8-28-1952)

8-4-31 CHARGES FOR METERED WATER SERVICE INSIDE CITY:

A. Customer Classifications: There will be six (6) customer classes for the water utility. They will be single-family/duplex, multi-family, non-residential, private irrigation, city irrigation, and Skyway wholesale. (Ord. 4441, 2-28-1994)

B. Metered Rates:

1. The minimum rates for metered water supplied for all customer classifications except Skyway wholesale within the City in one (1) month or fractional period thereof are hereby fixed in the following schedule:

Size of service	2023 Rates Single-family/duplex, multi-family, non-residential	2023 Rates Private irrigation, City irrigation	2024 Rates Single-family/duplex, multi-family, non-residential	2024 Rates Private irrigation, City irrigation
3/4"	$18.68	$11.23	$18.68	$11.23
1"	$37.03	$20.08	$37.03	$20.08
1-1/2"	$71.45	$34.27	$71.45	$34.27
2"	$111.98	$52.49	$111.98	$52.49
3"	$230.08	$110.97	$230.08	$110.97
4"	$351.00	$165.17	$351.00	$165.17
6"	$684.78	$312.86	$684.78	$312.86
8"	$1,340.24	$684.61	$1,340.24	$684.61
10"	$1,997.86	$880.32	$1,997.86	$880.32
12"	$2,907.56	$1,271.22	$2,907.56	$1,271.22

2. Commodity Rates: Three (3) consumption blocks will be established for single-family and duplex customers. The size of the first block will be less than five hundred (500) cubic feet of water consumed per month. The second block will be five hundred (500) to one thousand (1,000) cubic feet of water consumed per month. The third block will be over one thousand (1,000) cubic feet of water consumed per month. The rates for these three (3) blocks are as follows:

	2023 Rates	2024 Rates
Less than 500 cubic feet/mo.	$2.69/100cf	$2.69/100cf
500 – 1,000 cubic feet/mo.	$3.62/100cf	$3.62/100cf
Over 1,000 cubic feet/mo.	$4.57/100cf	$4.57/100cf

Customers that are multi-family, non-residential, private irrigation, City irrigation, and Skyway wholesale will pay for consumption at the following rates per one hundred (100) cubic feet:

	2023 Rates	2024 Rates
Multi-family	$3.50	$3.50
Non-residential	$3.69	$3.69
Private Irrigation	$5.92	$5.92
City Irrigation	$4.16	$4.16
Hydrant Meter	$5.92	$5.92
Skyway Wholesale	$3.75	$3.84

(Ord. 5112, 12-20-2004; Ord. 5179, 12-12-2005; Ord. 5425, 11-17-2008; Ord. 5504, 11-16-2009, eff. 1-1-10; Ord. 5568, 11-8-2010; Ord. 5673, 11-5-2012; Ord. 5732, 11-3-14; Ord. 5823, 11-21-16)

3. (Rep. by Ord. 4898, 3-19-2001) (Ord. 4567, 12-11-1995; amd. Ord. 4815, 11-22-1999)

C. Senior Citizens And Disabled Persons: The following is hereby established for certain senior citizens and disabled persons who are economically disadvantaged as herein set forth:

1. Low-Income Seniors: A “low-income senior citizen” is defined as a person sixty-one (61) years of age or older who resides in a single-family dwelling that is separately metered with a City water meter for water usage, either as owner, purchaser, or renter, with the utility account under his/her name, and whose total combined household income does not exceed the annual income threshold for low-income rate eligibility. The annual income threshold for eligibility for low-income rate shall be adjusted each calendar year, using the Income Guidelines for King County as provided annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or King County’s qualifying income criteria for a senior citizen/disability property tax exemption, whichever is more favorable. Disposable income, defined by RCW 84.36.383(5), includes all income sources and amounts received by the owner, purchaser or renter, his/her spouse/domestic partner and any co-tenants. Any household with a disposable income of thirty percent (30%) or less of the median household income for King County and qualified for a subsidy prior to May 31, 2008, will be eligible for a seventy-five percent (75%) rate subsidy. All other households with an annual disposable income less than King County’s maximum qualifying income for a senior citizen/disability property tax exemption are eligible for a fifty percent (50%) rate subsidy. For households with more than two (2) individuals, an additional five thousand dollars ($5,000) is added to the income threshold per individual. (Ord. 5425, 11-17-2008; Amd. Ord. 5504, 11-16-2009, eff. 1-1-10; Ord. 5568, 11-8-2010)

2. Low-Income Disabled Citizen: A “low-income disabled citizen” is defined as: a) a person qualifying for special parking privileges under RCW 46.19.010; b) a blind person as defined in RCW 74.18.020; c) a disabled, handicapped, or incapacitated person as defined under any other existing State or Federal program; or d) a person on home kidney dialysis treatment who resides in a single-family dwelling that is separately metered for water usage, either as owner, purchaser or renter, with the utility account under his/her name, and whose total combined household income does not exceed the annual income threshold for eligibility for low-income rate.

3. Application:

a. A person shall meet either of the above requirements to qualify for senior citizen and disabled rate(s). Every such person shall file with the Utility Billing division of the City, his or her affidavit, that he/she or they are qualified to be charged the special rate for such utility services herein stated.

b. Such statement shall contain such other information as the Utility Billing division may prescribe, including but not limited to address, ownership or interest in the dwelling occupied by such applicant(s), amount, source and nature of all household members’ income from any and all sources, proof of disability status and/or age, together with the applicant’s unqualified promise to forthwith notify the City of any circumstances or change in condition which would make the applicant(s) ineligible to receive said special rate(s). The Utility Billing division may establish rules and procedures for implementing this Section.

4. Low-Income Rates:

a. Senior and/or disabled citizens who qualified under RMC 8-4-31.C for low-income rates, are eligible for the following monthly rates:

Low-Income Subsidized Rates	2023 Rates	2024 Rates
Qualified prior to May 31, 2008, 75% subsidy includes nine hundred (900) cubic feet of water	$4.67	$4.67
Qualify after May 31, 2008, 50% subsidy includes nine hundred (900) cubic feet of water	$9.34	$9.34
Any water consumption over nine hundred (900) cubic feet of water per month shall be charged as provided in Subsections A and B of this Section.
Exception for those persons who qualify under home kidney dialysis. These customers are limited to one thousand seven hundred (1,700) cubic feet of water per month before any excess is charged as provided in Subsection A and B of this Section.

5. For those senior citizens sixty-one (61) years of age or older and/or disabled citizens, when such seniors and/or disabled citizens are not otherwise eligible for special rates as low-income seniors and/or disabled citizens, but who qualify for property tax exemption pursuant to RCW 84.36.381(5)(a) and are not residents of the City, shall be exempt from the fifty percent (50%) utility surcharge applicable to those customers not residents of the City. To receive this exemption the applicant must provide the information required under subsection C.3 of this Section. (Ord. 4304, 12-17-1990; Ord. 4461, 7-25-1994; Ord. 4481, 11-28-1994; Ord. 4567, 12-11-1995; Ord. 4585, 2-26-1996; Ord. 4643, 12-9-1996; Ord. 4692, 12-1-1997; Ord. 4756, 12-14-1998; Ord. 4807, 10-25-1999; Ord. 4871, 11-20-2000; Ord. 4932, 12-10-2001; Ord. 5112, 12-20-2004; Ord. 5179, 12-12-2005; Ord. 5235, 11-27-2006; Ord. 5319, 11-26-2007; Ord. 5372, 4-28-2008; Ord. 5732, 11-3-4)

D. Rate Revenue For Capital Purpose: A portion of the revenue generated from the above rates will be used for water utility related capital improvement projects and/or debt services for the same as indicated in the adopted budget. Also included in the above rates are applicable State and local taxes. (Ord. 4253, 12-11-1989; amd. Ord. 5043, 12-1-2003; Ord. 5890, 10-22-18; Ord. 5986, 11-9-20; Ord. 6085, 11-14-22)

8-4-32 CHARGES FOR METERED WATER SERVICE OUTSIDE CITY:

A. The rates for metered water service supplied to premises outside the City limits shall be in an amount equal to one and five-tenths (1.5) times the residential City rate.

B. The discounted rate for service established for low-income senior citizens and/or low-income disabled citizens qualifying for special rates pursuant to RMC 8-4-31 shall be uniformly applied and not subject to this multiplier or any greater rate because of living outside the City. (Ord. 4461, 7-25-1994)

8-4-33 WHEN DUE AND PAYABLE:

A. All meter charges shall be due and payable twenty five (25) days from date of billing and shall be paid to the Finance Administrator, or a duly designated representative, at City Hall, or such other collection place as may be officially designated by the Finance Administrator. If the charges billed are not paid within the twenty (20) day period from the due date, such charges shall become delinquent. Once the charges become delinquent, there shall be added a late fee of ten percent (10%) of the past due charges but not less than fifty cents ($0.50) to compensate the City for handling the past due account, subsequent billings and any collection action taken. (Ord. 5547, 8-9-10; Ord. 5654, 2-13-12)

B. If customers’ water bills are not paid by the due date (twenty-five (25) days from the date of billing) they will receive a mailed shutoff notice stating that if their accounts become delinquent because of nonpayment after forty-five (45) days from the date of billing the Public Works Department will be directed to cut off the water service to the premises and enforce the lien upon the property to which service has been rendered, and such lien shall be superior to all other liens or encumbrances except those for general taxes and special assessments. Such liens may be foreclosed by the City in the manner provided by law for the enforcement of the same, and for delinquent water charges, in addition to all other remedies provided. There will be an additional sum of sixty dollars ($60.00) charged for the expense of processing the utility shutoff list. Water service will be restored when this fee and all charges to the City plus penalties have been paid. For requests to turn the water back on that occur after 3:00 p.m., an additional after-hours service charge of ninety dollars ($90.00) will be assessed and must be paid at the time of the request. When City personnel or City agents must notify tenants of impending shutoff of water, there shall be imposed, in addition to all other fees and charges, a fee of five dollars ($5.00) per unit which was notified whether in person, by mail, by posting, by door hanging or other means reasonably calculated to provide notice to the tenant. (Ord. 4460, 7-18-1994; amd. Ord. 4841, 5-15-2000; Ord. 5013, 6-23-03; Ord. 5654, 2-13-12; Ord. 5732, 11-3-14)

C. In lieu of a mailed notice, the Utilities Engineer or the Finance Administrator may cause a delinquent water charge notice to be served upon such user or occupant. Failure to receive mail properly addressed to such user or occupant shall not be a valid defense for failure to pay such delinquent water charge. Any change in ownership of property or change in mailing address must be properly filed in writing with the office of the Finance Administrator or his/her duly designated representative. (Ord. 2849, 5-13-1974; Ord. 5547, 8-9-10)

8-4-34 DESIGNATION FOR COLLECTION OF WATER CHARGES:

A. On the predetermined day of each and every month, it shall be the duty of the person collecting water charges to prepare, in duplicate, and deliver to the Utilities Engineer a list of all delinquent customers whose water service is to be cut off immediately, which list shall contain the names of the delinquent water users and a description of the premises to which water services shall be cut off. Upon receipt of such delinquent list, it shall be the duty of the Utilities Engineer forthwith to cut off the water service to the premises described on said list until the delinquent and unpaid charges, together with the sum of sixty dollars ($60.00) additional for the expense of turning the water off and on are paid. (Ord. 4460, 7-18-1994; amd. Ord. 5013, 6-23-03)

B. Failure to receive mail will not be recognized as a valid excuse for failure to pay rates when due. Change in ownership of property and change in mailing addresses must be filed, in writing, with the office of the Finance Administrator. (Ord. 4293, 10-15-1990; Ord. 5547, 8-9-10; Ord. 5654, 2-13-12)

C. The Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator and/or Finance Administrator (or designee) shall be responsible for administering this Section and the authority to adjust the sixty dollar ($60.00) fee in subsection A of this section as appropriate in the circumstances. The Administrator’s decision shall be final. (Ord. 5300, 8-20-2007; Ord. 5547, 8-9-10; Ord. 5654, 2-13-12)

8-4-35 INTERFERENCE WITH FIRE HYDRANTS PROHIBITED:

It shall be unlawful for any person except when duly authorized by the Public Works Administrator, or who shall be a member of the Fire Department, to open, operate, close, turn on, turn off, interfere with, attach any pipe or hose to or connect anything with any fire hydrant belonging to the City. (Ord. 1437, 2-28-1952; amd. Ord. 2823, 1-21-1974; Ord. 5806, 6-20-16)

8-4-36 INTERFERENCE WITH WATER MAINS AND OTHER APPLIANCES:

It shall be unlawful for any person, unless duly authorized by the Planning/Building/Public Works Administrator, to disturb, interfere with or damage any water main, water pipe, machinery, tools, meters or any other appliances, buildings or grounds belonging to, connected with or under the control of the Municipal water system of the City. (Ord. 1437, 2-28-1952; amd. Ord. 2823, 1-21-1974)

8-4-37 CONTAMINATING RESERVOIR:

It shall be unlawful for any person to bathe in or throw any substance into any reservoir, water tank or impounding dams in the Municipal water system. (Ord. 1487, 8-28-1952)

8-4-38 OBSTRUCTING ACCESS TO FIRE HYDRANT PROHIBITED:

It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct the access to any fire hydrant or to open or operate any fire hydrant, or attempt to draw water therefrom or to wilfully or carelessly injure the same. (Ord. 1487, 8-28-1952)