Chapter 13.30
SEWER RATES
Sections:
13.30.030 Multiple residential unit rates.
13.30.040 Nonresidential schedule and other provisions.
13.30.060 Charges borne by owners.
13.30.070 Credit and surcharge for nonresidential users.
13.30.080 Special waste discharge agreement.
13.30.090 Service outside city—Rates.
13.30.100 Service to other municipalities—Contract required.
13.30.110 Special circumstances.
13.30.120 Information to city council.
13.30.130 Low income citizen discount.
13.30.010 Effective date.
Commencing on January 1, 2024, the sewer service charges specified in this chapter shall take effect. For buildings which have a public sewer available after that date, a sewer service charge shall commence thirty days after such public sewer has been available and notice of such availability is given. (Ord. 2060-23 § 1, 2023; Ord. 2026-22 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1997-21 § 1, 2021: Ord. 1965-20 § 1, 2020; Ord. 1940-19 § 1, 2019: Ord. 1910-18 § 1, 2018: Ord. 1886-17 § 1, 2017: Ord. 1860-16 § 1, 2016: Ord. 1830-15 § 1, 2015: Ord. 1799-14 § 1, 2014: Ord. 1782-13 § 1, 2013: Ord. 1754-12 § 1, 2012: Ord. 1657-09 § 1, 2009: Ord. 1626-08 § 1, 2008: Ord. 1609-08 § 2, 2008: Ord. 1501-05 § 2, 2005: Ord. 1251-95 § 1, 1996: Ord. 1220-95 § 1, 1995)
13.30.020 Residential rates.
Unless exempt from connection to the sewer, there shall be charged to each single residential dwelling unit (including mobile or manufactured homes on individual lots or in a mobile home park), and to each unit of a residential duplex (two units) or triplex (three units) dwelling, to which sewer service is available a basic monthly sewer service charge as approved by ordinance and listed in the master fee schedule.
The city council shall review and adjust these rates annually or as needed. (Ord. 2026-22 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1997-21 § 2, 2021: Ord. 1965-20 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1940-19 § 2, 2019: Ord. 1910-18 § 2, 2018: Ord. 1886-17 § 2, 2017: Ord. 1860-16 § 2, 2016: Ord. 1830-15 § 2, 2015: Ord. 1799-14 § 2, 2014: Ord. 1782-13 § 2, 2013: Ord. 1754-12 § 2, 2012: Ord. 1657-09 § 2, 2009: Ord. 1626-08 § 2, 2008: Ord. 1609-08 § 3, 2008: Ord. 1501-05 § 3, 2005: Ord. 1295-98 § 1, 1998: Ord. 1251-95 § 2, 1996: Ord. 1220-95 § 2, 1995: Ord. 1108 § 1, 1991: Ord. 1093 § 1, 1990: Ord. 1018 § 3, 1985)
13.30.030 Multiple residential unit rates.
Unless exempt from connection to the sewer, there shall be charged to each unit of a multiple residential dwelling consisting of four or more dwelling units, to which sewer service is available a basic monthly sewer service charge equal to the single residential rate per dwelling unit. (Ord. 1501-05 § 4, 2005: Ord. 1251-95 § 3, 1996: Ord. 1018 § 4, 1985)
13.30.040 Nonresidential schedule and other provisions.
Unless otherwise provided by written agreement, there shall be charged to each nonresidential unit (including commercial and industrial units) to which sewer service is available a monthly sewer service charge as follows:
A. A base rate per connection per month plus a volume rate (in cubic feet) for all volume of discharge over seven hundred fifty cubic feet per month. The base rate shall be equal to the single residential rate set forth in this chapter. The volume rate charge shall be determined by the water consumption records provided by the Skagit County PUD No. 1 meter readings and records, or as otherwise determined as provided in this chapter.
B. The superintendent may adjust this charge based upon evidence that the metered water usage does not accurately reflect the volume of discharge disposed of through the sewer system. In making this adjustment, the superintendent may rely upon industry standards, scientific and engineering data, sewage flow meter data, qualified professional opinions, and any other basis which is in his or her opinion appropriate.
C. The superintendent may require the installation of any measuring devices to measure the flow of water or sewage at the owner’s expense.
D. The volume rate charge shall be based upon the monthly (or average monthly) water volume for the most recently available water billing period preceding the sewer billing period.
E. The volume rate shall be as listed in the master fee scheduled adopted by resolution of the city council.
F. For purposes of this section, the term “unit” shall mean any lot, structure or sanitary sewer connection served by or associated with a water meter, or any other lot, structure or sanitary sewer connection which the superintendent shall deem a separate unit for billing purposes. (Ord. 2037-23 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1997-21 § 3, 2021; Ord. 1965-20 § 3, 2020; Ord. 1940-19 § 3, 2019; Ord. 1910-18 § 3, 2018; Ord. 1886-17 § 3, 2017; Ord. 1860-16 § 3, 2016; Ord. 1830-15 § 3, 2015; Ord. 1799-14 § 3, 2014; Ord. 1782-13 § 3, 2013; Ord. 1754-12 § 3, 2012; Ord. 1657-09 § 3, 2009: Ord. 1626-08 § 3, 2008: Ord. 1609-08 § 4, 2008: Ord. 1501-05 § 5, 2005: Ord. 1353-00 § 1, 2000: Ord. 1295-98 § 2, 1998: Ord. 1251-95 § 4, 1996: Ord. 1018 § 5, 1985)
13.30.050 Delinquent charges.
All charges for sewer service shall be due and payable when rendered. Sewer service charges shall be deemed delinquent if not paid in full within twenty-five days after the date of billing. Delinquent charges shall bear interest beginning on the first day of the month following delinquency at the rate of eight percent per annum until paid in full. (Ord. 1538-06 § 1, 2006: Ord. 1135 § 1, 1992; Ord. 1035 § 1, 1986)
13.30.060 Charges borne by owners.
All charges for sanitary sewer service shall be mailed to and be the primary responsibility of the owner of the premises to which such service has been furnished or is available. For purposes of this section, the owner shall be the holder of record title as reflected under the records of the Skagit County auditor. (Ord. 1073 § 1, 1989)
13.30.070 Credit and surcharge for nonresidential users.
A. A credit shall be provided for each nonresidential unit (including commercial and industrial units) equal to one percent of the volume rate charge for each ten mg/liter BOD below one hundred twenty mg/liter of BOD in the average discharge.
B. There shall be an additional surcharge for each nonresidential unit (including commercial and industrial units) equal to one percent of the volume rate charge for each ten mg/liter BOD above three hundred sixty mg/liter BOD in the average discharge.
C. The superintendent may rely upon industry standards, scientific and engineering data, sewage flow meter data, qualified professional opinions, and any other basis which is in his or her opinion appropriate, to determine the credit or surcharge provided for in this section. In the absence of such data, no credit or surcharge shall be provided.
D. The owner(s) of any nonresidential unit (including commercial and industrial units) shall give permission to the city to take appropriate samples of the discharge into the sewer, at reasonable times and places, upon twenty-four hours’ notice in non-emergency situations, and at any time in the event of emergencies, as a condition of connection. (Ord. 1251-95 § 5, 1996)
13.30.080 Special waste discharge agreement.
A. Unless specifically allowed by written agreement between the user and the city, no user may discharge waste into the sewer which includes the following:
1. In excess of five hundred mg/liter BOD;
2. In excess of five hundred mg/liter total suspended solids; or
3. In excess of fifty thousand gallons per day, computed on an average during any seven consecutive days per year;
4. Which contains the following:
a. Wastewater having a temperature higher than one hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit (sixty-five degrees Celsius),
b. Wastewater containing more than twenty-five milligrams per liter of petroleum oil, nonbiodegradable cutting oils or products of mineral oil origin,
c. Wastewater containing floatable oils, fat or grease,
d. Any garbage that has not been properly shredded. Garbage grinders may be connected to sanitary sewers from homes, hotels, institutions, restaurants, hospitals, catering establishments or similar places where garbage originates from the preparation of food in kitchens for the purpose of consumption on the premises or when served by caterers,
e. Any waters or wastes containing iron, chromium, copper, zinc and similar objectionable or toxic substances to such degree that any such material received in the composite wastewater at the wastewater treatment works exceeds the limits established by the superintendent for such materials,
f. Any waters or wastes containing odor-producing substances exceeding limits which may be established by the superintendent in compliance with applicable state or federal regulations,
g. Any radioactive wastes or isotopes of such half-life or concentration as may exceed limits established by the superintendent in compliance with applicable state or federal regulations,
h. Quantities of flow, concentration or both which constitute a sludge as defined in Section 13.04.220,
i. Waters or wastes containing substances which are not amenable to treatment or reduction by the waste-water treatment processes employed, or are amenable to treatment only to such degree that the wastewater treatment plant effluent cannot meet the requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction over discharge to the receiving waters,
j. Any water or wastes which, by interaction with other water or wastes in the public sewer system, release obnoxious gases, from suspended solids which interfere with the collection system, or create a condition deleterious to structures and treatment processes,
k. Any water or wastes which have pH values below 5.0 or above 9.0.
B. The superintendent may enter into a written agreement with users allowing the discharge into the sewer system of materials set forth in subsections (A)(1) through (A)(4) of this section, on such terms and conditions as will provide for efficient operation of the sewer system and waste treatment plant, provide for future capacity needs, provide for fair and equitable rates for the cost of collection and treatment and such other terms and conditions determined by the superintendent to be appropriate. Such agreement shall not be effective until approved by the city council and signed by the mayor. The agreement shall not limit the authority of the city council to set a rate schedule for any category of users in the manner provided by law. The agreement may provide for rates which shall apply in the absence of rates being established by the city council for a category of users. Nothing in this chapter shall require the city to accept wastes or waters described in subsections (A)(1) through (A)(4) of this section, from any user. (Ord. 1251-95 § 6, 1996)
13.30.090 Service outside city—Rates.
The rates and charges for sewer service to property located outside the city limits, if sewer service is allowed, shall be one and one-half times the applicable rate specified in Chapter 12.30. (Ord. 1251-95 § 7, 1996)
13.30.100 Service to other municipalities—Contract required.
Rates and charges for trunkage and treatment service to other municipalities shall be individually negotiated terms and conditions established in a separate service contract. Such contract shall provide for the sharing of costs including costs associated with long-term financing incurred by the city for construction and improvement of trunkage and treatment facilities. (Ord. 1251-95 § 8, 1996)
13.30.110 Special circumstances.
The classification of users in this chapter shall be considered applicable to general sewer service. In the event of common ownership of adjacent or adjoining buildings or units of different classes, different classes of users being located in one building, a sewer system user or unit being served by a private well, or various other special circumstances which make the rate schedule inapplicable or unreasonably difficult to apply, the applicable rates therefore shall be determined by the superintendent. In determining this rate, the superintendent may rely upon industry standards, scientific and engineering data, sewage flow meter data, qualified professional opinions, and any other basis which is in his or her opinion appropriate. (Ord. 1251-95 § 9, 1996)
13.30.120 Information to city council.
The superintendent shall, for informational purposes, report to the city council his or her decisions regarding credits, surcharges, adjustments and determinations affecting rates which he or she shall make under authority delegated pursuant to this chapter, not later than the city council meeting following the decision. (Ord. 1251-95 § 10, 1996)
13.30.130 Low income citizen discount.
A. Maximum Charge. The maximum charge for sanitary sewer service under this chapter at a single-family residence owned and occupied by an eligible head of household, as defined in subsection B of this section, shall be listed in the master fee schedule adopted by resolution of the city council per month; provided, however, that no more than one sanitary sewer connection shall be made at such residential parcel without additional charge being made at the regular rate. This discount will not apply to rentals, units of multifamily structures that are not owner-occupied, or non-owner-occupied units in mixed use structures. This discount in intended to apply only to residential uses, billed separately, for qualified resident/owners.
B. Eligible Head of Household Defined. For purposes of this section, an “eligible head of household” shall be defined as follows:
Any person who has qualified for exemption from all or a portion of the amount of excess and regular property taxes for the claimed residence pursuant to RCW 84.36.381. Proof of entitlement may consist of documents or copies of documents from the county assessor’s office showing that the applicant meets the necessary qualification as set forth in RCW 84.36.381.
C. Application for Reduced Rates. No person, however qualified, shall be entitled to the reduced sanitary sewer service rates provided in this section until such person has made official application for the same with the clerk of the city. Reductions of rates made pursuant to this chapter shall be effective only for the billing period during which application is made in accordance with this section and for those billing periods occurring thereafter during which time the applicant remains eligible to receive reduced sanitary sewer service rates.
D. Application Forms and Affidavits. The clerk of the city is hereby directed to maintain a supply of affidavits and application forms establishing qualifications of applicants for reduced collection rates in a form to be approved by the city council.
E. False Representation. Any person making false representations in order to secure reduced sanitary sewer service rates pursuant to this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 2013-22 § 46, 2022; Ord. 1997-21 § 4, 2021; Ord. 1965-20 § 4, 2020; Ord. 1940-19 § 4, 2019; Ord. 1910-18 § 4, 2018; Ord. 1609-08 § 5, 2008; Ord. 1504-05 § 1, 2005: Ord. 1501-05 § 6, 2005)