Chapter 13.84
WATER RATES AND CHARGES
Sections:
13.84.010 Water charges established by rates and fees ordinance.
13.84.020 Water billing classifications.
13.84.030 Water rates and charges by classification (city rates).
13.84.045 Water rates sufficiency increases.
13.84.050 Administration authority.
13.84.060 Normal billing period.
13.84.080 Dedicated source of funds for water rate reduction program.
13.84.085 Residential reduced water rates.
13.84.090 Reserved – Multifamily reduced water rates.
13.84.010 Water charges established by rates and fees ordinance.
Water 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(b) (Exh. B); Ord. 2007-020 § 1; Ord. 2000-016; Ord. 99-016 § 1)
13.84.020 Water 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 meters 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 water system which are located within the city limits of Sequim.
2. “Cubic foot” (cf) equals approximately 7.48 gallons; plural is cubic feet.
3. “Customer” means the party contracting for water service.
4. “Rural rates” or “outside city limits rates” are those charged to all properties connected to the water system which are located outside the city limits of Sequim but within the city’s urban growth area (UGA). If the city allows properties outside the UGA to connect to the city water system, the rates charged will be addressed by city code.
5. “Water 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. “Water 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(b) (Exh. B); Ord. 2014-017 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 2000-016; Ord. 99-016 § 1)
13.84.030 Water 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.
All volume rates for all accounts will be set equally to match the single-family volume rates.
A. Single-Family Residential and Duplex. The monthly water service charge for each single-family residential or each duplex unit is as set forth in Chapter 3.68 SMC (Rates and Fees) and may be amended by ordinance or resolution of the city council from time to time.
1. Monthly water usage up to and including 600 cubic feet.
2. Monthly water usage of greater than 600 cubic feet.
3. Monthly water usage of greater than 1,600 cubic feet to be set 25 percent higher than the second tier.
B. Multifamily Residential. The monthly water service charge for each multifamily residential unit is as set forth in Chapter 3.68 SMC (Rates and Fees) and may be amended by ordinance or resolution of the city council from time to time.
The cubic-foot consumption charge per unit will be at the same rate per year as single-family residential. The overage rate will only apply to the balance of excess consumption after the total unit count multiplied by 600 cubic feet has been subtracted. For example, 10 units multiplied by 600 cubic feet equals 6,000 cubic feet. If the total consumption is 7,000 cubic feet, the over-600-cubic-feet rate would only apply to the 1,000-cubic-foot excess.
Multifamily accounts are billed at 95 percent of the single-family residential rate per unit.
C. Commercial and Public Authority.
1. The monthly water service base charge for each commercial business or public authority is set according to the five-eighths-inch American Water Works Association (AWWA) meter factors for the single-family base rate charge as shown in Table A:
|
AWWA Meter Factors |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Meter Size |
Current AWWA factor based on 3/4'' meter |
AWWA factor based on 5/8'' meter |
|
5/8-inch |
1 |
1 |
|
3/4-inch |
1 |
1.5 |
|
1-inch |
1.67 |
2.5 |
|
1-1/2-inch |
3.33 |
5 |
|
2-inch |
5.33 |
8 |
|
3-inch |
10 |
15 |
2. Beginning in FY 2022 the commercial water base rates will increase by one-half the difference between the current meter equivalent factor 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.
3. Beginning in FY 2023 the commercial water base rate will increase by the remainder of the difference between the current meter equivalent factor 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.
4. The water service consumption charge for each commercial business or public authority is the same as for the first two volume tiers for single-family residential. No third volume tier applies for commercial accounts or public authority accounts.
D. Hotel/Motel.
1. The monthly water service charge for each permitted hotel/motel unit or pad is as set forth in Chapter 3.68 SMC (Rates and Fees), as may be amended by ordinance or resolution of city council from time to time.
2. The overage rate will only apply to the balance of excess consumption after the total unit count multiplied by 600 cubic feet has been subtracted.
3. Hotel/motel accounts are billed at 75 percent of the single-family residential rate per unit.
E. RV Sites with Water Hookups. Each permitted transient RV site located within the city limits will be charged at the hotel/motel water rate per unit or pad.
F. Industrial. Industrial users impacting the water system beyond normal personnel restroom facilities will be addressed separately by contract.
G. Other.
1. Rates for swimming pools will be addressed on an individual basis.
2. Contract rates will be approved on a case-by-case basis with council approval. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(b) (Exh. B); Ord. 2015-017 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 2014-017 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. 2007-020 § 2; Ord. 2006-011 § 1; Ord. 2006-004 § 1; Ord. 2005-029 § 2; Ord. 2001-016; Ord. 2000-016; Ord. 99-016 § 1)
13.84.040 Water rural rates.
Minimum rates for water service to customers located outside the current city limits are one and one-half times higher than the specified class base rate and usage fee charged per unit inside the corporate limits of the city (or one and one-half times the total water bill as computed by city rates) unless addressed under separate contract. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(b) (Exh. B); Ord. 2000-016; Ord. 99-016 § 1)
13.84.045 Water rates sufficiency increases.
To meet the revenue requirements of the water 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 water rates may be increased periodically in the same manner as provided for sewer rates in SMC 13.80.010. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(b) (Exh. B))
13.84.050 Administration authority.
The city manager or designee has authority under this chapter to adopt procedures and make interpretations necessary for the efficient and equitable administration of this chapter, including making leak adjustments as set forth in SMC 13.84.070. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(b) (Exh. B); Ord. 2000-016; Ord. 99-016 § 1)
13.84.060 Normal billing period.
The normal billing period for customers is a one-month cycle. During change of ownership, utility charges for periods of less than one month will be prorated. (See standby charges which still apply during building or unit vacancy when the water is shut off and not disconnected.) (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(b) (Exh. B); Ord. 2011-007 § 3 (Exh. C); Ord. 2007-020 § 3; Ord. 2000-016; Ord. 99-016 § 1)
13.84.070 Leak adjustments.
A. When excessive meter registration is caused by a broken or leaking private water line and is verified to be leaking as a result of accidental damage or natural deterioration of the same, and not as a result of abuse or willful neglect, an adjustment may be made upon completion of an application provided by the city. Applicants for a leak adjustment must attach a copy of their paid repair bill to the application.
B. During any one-year time period, an adjustment can only be applied to one billing period, for one month in the case of monthly billing and for two months in the case of bimonthly billing, after an on-site inspection and verification of repairs has been made.
C. The city has the discretion to make a reasonable and equitable reduction to a utility account for customers meeting all requirements of this section, on a case-by-case basis.
D. The customer is required to pay the base rate plus an average over 12 months, or fraction thereof, of the normal water consumption plus at least 25 percent of the applicable overage rate for all water which was lost by reason of the leak.
E. If the leak adjustment application is approved, the city will make the rate adjustment to the customer’s account after verification of leakage or water system failure; city inspection of water meter and water system, where applicable; and written verification that corrective repairs have been made. All repairs must occur within 30 calendar days of the customer’s application to the city.
F. The decision of the city manager to grant or deny a rate adjustment is final. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(b) (Exh. B); Ord. 2000-016; Ord. 99-016 § 1)
13.84.080 Dedicated source of funds for water rate reduction program.
The city council may establish a dedicated source of funds for a water rate reduction program in the same manner as provided for sewer in SMC 13.80.080. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(b) (Exh. B); Ord. 2010-020 § 2 (Exh. A))
13.84.085 Residential reduced water rates.
The city council may establish reduced water rates for seniors, low income, and disabled customers as authorized by state law. The base rate for residential water service supplied inside the city may be reduced by an amount not to exceed 50 percent for those customers who qualify under the same criteria and with the same restrictions and conditions as provided for reduced sewer rates in SMC 13.80.085. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(b) (Exh. B); Ord. 2010-020 § 2 (Exh. A))
13.84.090 Reserved – Multifamily reduced water rates.
Reserved by Ord. 2010-020. (Ord. 2021-028 § 1(b) (Exh. B); Ord. 2010-020 § 2 (Exh. A))