Chapter 13.80
SEWER RATES AND CHARGES
Sections:
13.80.010 Sewer charges established by rates and fees ordinance.
13.80.020 Sewer billing classifications.
13.80.030 Sewer rates and charges by classification (city rates).
13.80.040 Sewer rate sufficiency increases.
13.80.041 In-city single-family residential rates.
13.80.060 Administration authority.
13.80.070 Normal billing period.
13.80.080 Dedicated source of funds for sewer rate reduction program.
13.80.085 Residential reduced sewer rates.
13.80.090 Reserved – Multifamily reduced sewer rates.
13.80.010 Sewer charges established by rates and fees ordinance.
Sewer charges are established and may be collected as provided for in Chapter 3.68 SMC (Rates and Fees), as that chapter is currently codified and as it may be amended from time to time by ordinance or resolution. To the extent rates and fees in this chapter appear to conflict with Chapter 3.68 SMC, the language in Chapter 3.68 SMC controls. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(a) (Exh. A); Ord. 2020-013 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-023 (Exh. A); Ord. 2000-015; Ord. 99-009 § 1)
13.80.020 Sewer billing classifications.
A. Classifications.
1. “Single-family residential” classification applies to detached and attached single- family dwelling units with individual water meters.
2. Duplex residential units on the same or separate water meter are included in the single-family residential classification rate per unit.
3. “Multifamily” classification includes any residential facility containing three or more dwelling units on the same water meter, including but not limited to triplexes, apartment buildings, condominiums, adult care facilities, and mobile or manufactured home parks. The multifamily classification does not include hotels, motels, or overnight RV facilities.
4. Mobile or manufactured home park units or condominiums and other multifamily dwellings on individual water meters are classified as single-family residential.
5. “Commercial” classification includes all nonresidential and mixed use land uses which are not specifically itemized or defined as being included within another classification.
6. “Public authority” classification includes all public agencies.
7. “Hotel/motel” classification means a facility offering transient lodging accommodations on a daily rate to the general public and may include additional services, such as restaurants, meeting rooms, and recreational facilities.
8. Overnight RV facilities fall under hotel/motel classification.
B. Definitions.
1. “City rates” are those charged to all properties connected to the sewer system which are located within the city limits of Sequim. “City rates” may include more than one rate if based on different classifications of user.
2. “Cubic foot” (cf) equals approximately 7.48 gallons; plural is cubic feet.
3. “Customer” means the party contracting for sewer service.
4. “Rural rates” or “outside city limits rates” are those charged to all properties connected to the sewer system which are located outside the city limits of Sequim. If the city allows properties outside the urban growth area (UGA) to connect to the city sewer system, the rates charged will be addressed by contract.
5. “Sewer base rate” is defined as the monthly minimum bill per unit. Charges for the other Sequim utilities will be listed separately on the utility bill.
6. “Sewer usage or consumption rate” is defined as the per unit rate charged for the amount of water used by the customer during the billing period. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(a) (Exh. A); Ord. 2020-013 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2014-017 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 2010-023 (Exh. A); Ord. 2000-015; Ord. 99-009 § 1)
13.80.030 Sewer rates and charges by classification (city rates).
No Free Service. The city will not furnish any service of the system to any customer whatsoever free of charge.
Sewer rates and charges are adopted as outlined below or as set forth in Chapter 3.68 SMC (Rates and Fees). If conflicting language exists, the language in Chapter 3.68 SMC controls.
A. Single-Family Residential and Duplex. The single-family residential or duplex standby rate is the same as for that single-family residential or duplex base city water charge specified in Chapter 13.84 SMC. Standby rates are not available for sewer-only service. Single-family rates are amended by rate and fee ordinance of the city council.
B. Multifamily Residential. Multifamily rates are set at 95 percent of the single-family rate.
C. Commercial and Public Authority.
1. Commercial property owners and public agencies may, at their own expense, arrange to separate water which will be discharged into the sewer system from water which will not be so discharged. A separate meter must be installed to measure the amount of water discharged for irrigation or landscaping purposes, etc. Any separate irrigation meter must conform to city standards and cannot be installed without a permit from the city.
All installed meters must be inspected by the public works director or designee. Information regarding each installed irrigation meter must be on file with the city administrative services department so that separate charges, if applicable, can be assessed on the property owner based on the appropriate rate schedule.
2. Where a commercial property is connected to sewer service but not to water service, the director of public works will determine the sewer volume to be charged on a case-by-case basis, using an estimated figure for water consumption to be charged in addition to the established base rate.
3. The commercial volume rate is set as follows:
a. Monthly water usage of 600 cubic feet or less.
b. Monthly water usage of greater than 600 cubic feet.
4. Commercial accounts are billed solely on the size of the installed meter and volume. All additional unit charges are removed.
5. Beginning in FY 2022 the commercial sewer base rates will increase by one-half the difference between the current meter equivalent factor of 75 percent of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) factor based on three-fourths-inch meters, and 100 percent of the AWWA factor based on five-eighths inch meters, as shown in Table A.
|
AWWA Meter Factors |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Meter Size |
Current Factor (75% of AWWA factor based on 3/4'' meter) |
100% of AWWA factor based on 5/8'' meter |
|
5/8-inch |
1 |
1 |
|
3/4-inch |
1 |
1.5 |
|
1-inch |
1.25 |
2.5 |
|
1-1/2-inch |
2.5 |
5 |
|
2-inch |
4 |
8 |
|
3-inch |
7.5 |
15 |
6. Beginning in FY 2023 the commercial sewer base rate will increase by the remainder of the difference between the current meter equivalent factor of 75 percent of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) factor based on three-fourths-inch meters, and 100 percent of the AWWA factor based on five-eighths-inch meters, as shown in Table A.
D. Hotel/Motel. The overage rate will only apply to the balance of excess consumption after 600 cubic feet has been subtracted.
1. Hotel/motel classification is billed at 75 percent of the single-family residential classification rate per unit.
2. The overage rate for excess consumption will only apply after 600 cubic feet per unit has been subtracted.
E. RV Sites with Sewer Hookups. Each permitted transient RV site located within the city limits will be charged according to the hotel/motel classification.
F. Industrial. Industrial users impacting the sewer system beyond personnel restroom facilities will be addressed separately by contract.
G. Other. Rates for swimming pools which empty to the Sequim public sewer system and water reclamation facility may be addressed on an individual basis by the public works director or designee with council confirmation of their recommendation. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(a) (Exh. A); Ord. 2020-013 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2015-017 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 2014-017 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 2011-007 § 2 (Exh. B); Ord. 2010-023 (Exh. A); Ord. 2007-021 § 1; Ord. 2003-014 § 1; Ord. 2001-024 § 2; Ord. 2000-020; Ord. 2000-015; Ord. 2000-001 § 1; Ord. 99-020 § 1; Ord. 99-009 § 1)
13.80.040 Sewer rate sufficiency increases.
To meet the revenue requirements of the sewer utility fund for normal operating and maintenance expense, reserves for debt service and coverage ratios (as required by bond and loan covenants) and reserves for renewal and replacement of infrastructure and for other lawful purposes, the rates will be increased periodically. See additional general facility charges for new connections to the sewer system. General facility fees are used for improvement, upgrade, and expansion purposes and help defray costs to the longtime customer of the utility system. These rates may be further modified by resolutions or ordinances amending Chapter 3.68 SMC (Rates and Fees). (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(a) (Exh. A); Ord. 2020-013 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2014-017 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 2010-023 (Exh. A); Ord. 2007-021 § 1; Ord. 2006-006 § 1; Ord. 2005-029 § 2; Ord. 2001-024; Ord. 2000-015; Ord. 99-009 § 1)
13.80.041 In-city single-family residential rates.
The in-city single-family residential sewer rate is set forth in Chapter 3.68 SMC (Rates and Fees). (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(a) (Exh. A); Ord. 2020-013 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-023 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-023 (Exh. A))
13.80.050 Sewer rural rates.
Minimum rates for sewer service to customers located outside the current city limits are one and one-half times higher than the specified classification base rate and usage fee charged inside the corporate limits of the city unless addressed under separate contract. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(a) (Exh. A); Ord. 2020-013 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-023 (Exh. A); Ord. 2000-015; Ord. 99-009 § 1)
13.80.060 Administration authority.
A. The administrative services director or designee has authority under this chapter to adopt procedures necessary for the efficient and equitable administration of the residential volume-based sewer rate structure.
B. The public works director or designee determines volume for equivalent residential units.
C. The director of the department of community development and the public works director or their designees determine the billing classification for any new sewer hookup application. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(a) (Exh. A); Ord. 2020-013 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2011-017 § 4 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-023 (Exh. A); Ord. 2000-015; Ord. 99-009 § 1)
13.80.070 Normal billing period.
The normal billing period for customers is a one-month cycle. During change of ownership, utility charges for periods of fewer than two months will be prorated. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(a) (Exh. A); Ord. 2020-013 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-023 (Exh. A); Ord. 2007-021 § 1; Ord. 2000-015; Ord. 99-009 § 1)
13.80.080 Dedicated source of funds for sewer rate reduction program.
A. The city council authorizes the administrative services director the discretion to provide this service to up to 250 customers, first come, first served.
B. The administrative services director or designee may reserve a portion of the funds referenced in subsection A of this section to be used for qualified applicants who may become eligible for the program after the application deadline.
C. The city may contract with other governmental agencies or nonprofit agencies to implement the provisions of this section and SMC 13.80.085, and the reserved section SMC 13.80.090.
D. Program implementation may be performed administratively if conducted uniformly and in compliance with the general intent of this section.
E. Once the number of customers has been exhausted or fully allocated for each year, no new applications can be approved in a program year. The total number of applications, including those not funded, will be tabulated. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(a) (Exh. A); Ord. 2020-013 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-020 § 1 (Exh. A))
13.80.085 Residential reduced sewer rates.
A. The city council may establish reduced sewer rates for seniors, low income, and disabled customers as authorized by state law. The base rate for residential sewer service supplied inside the city may be reduced by an amount not to exceed 50 percent for those customers who qualify under the following criteria:
1. Applicant resides as a single occupant, head of household, or the spouse of the head of household in a single-family residential unit directly served by city sewer; and
2. Applicant is named on the bill or is the spouse of the person named on the bill.
3. Applicants whose water and sewer service charges are included in their housing payments are not eligible for reduced rates.
4. Senior Customers.
a. Applicant must maintain primary residence within the Sequim city limits, or, if the primary residence is outside city limits, it is directly served by city sewer.
b. Applicant must be 61 years of age or older.
c. The applicant and spouse or co-tenant living in the same household must have a combined disposable income that does not exceed the income levels established in RCW 84.36.381(5), as it now exists or as it may be amended.
5. Disabled Customers.
a. Applicant must maintain primary residence within the Sequim city limits, or, if the primary residence is outside city limits, it is directly served by city sewer.
b. The applicant and spouse or co-tenant living in the same household must have household income that does not exceed the income level requirements in RCW 70A.35.020(6), as it now exists or as it may be amended.
c. Applicant must qualify for special parking privileges under RCW 46.19.010(1), or be a blind person as defined in RCW 74.18.020, or a person who qualifies for state or federal disability benefits.
6. Low Income Customers.
a. Applicant’s household disposable income must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level to be eligible.
B. All applications must be renewed annually. Applications must be received no later than December 31st of each year to apply for rate reductions for January usage of the following year. The credit is not retroactive and will only be allowed from and after the date of approval for the program year. The city is not responsible for the failure of any qualified citizen to apply for reduced rates, and qualification without a completed and approved application does not entitle any person to receive reduced rates.
C. Only one credit per utility is allowed for each billing period. Only one qualified person is allowed to accept and receive credits for each utility account. A qualified person cannot accept or receive credits for any residence that is not the qualified person’s primary residence.
D. Credits are applied to the utility bill as part of the utility billing process. No credit can be redeemed for cash or otherwise reimbursed to the qualified person in any manner except as specifically authorized in this section.
E. The administrative services director or designee may make administrative adjustments for program eligibility and/or rate reduction percentages. Adjustments are typically made annually, before the renewal period. Administrative adjustments must be applied uniformly to each recipient under this program.
F. The following acts are violations of this code and subject to the penalties and enforcement actions under Chapter 1.12 SMC, General Penalties and Enforcement Actions:
1. Accepting or receiving any utility credit during or after any time in which the recipient is ineligible;
2. Providing inaccurate information, including omitted information, on any application, form, or other document associated with determining eligibility to receive utility credit;
3. Failing to promptly, and no later than 14 calendar days of a change, notify the city of any change that may affect continuing eligibility; or
4. Failing to provide, within 14 calendar days of a city request, proof of continuing eligibility for reduced rates.
If the city discovers a person has committed any of these acts, it has the discretion to immediately terminate all future rate reduction credits and seek reimbursement for loss to the city. Any applicant who has had their rate reduction credit terminated under this subsection is ineligible to reapply.
G. This program is only available to a maximum of 250 customers each year, and is on a first-come, first-served basis. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(a) (Exh. A); Ord. 2021-017 § 1 (Exh. B); Ord. 2020-013 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-020 § 1 (Exh. A))
13.80.090 Reserved – Multifamily reduced sewer rates.
Reserved. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(a) (Exh. A); Ord. 2020-013 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-020 § 1 (Exh. A))