Chapter 3.92
SEWER RATES, CHARGES

Sections:

3.92.010    System development charges.

3.92.011    Collection of excise taxes on sewer connection fees.

3.92.020    Bimonthly service charge schedule.

3.92.025    Adjustments to wastewater volume charge for commercial accounts.

3.92.030    Outside city limits.

3.92.040    Discharge of domestic wastes.

3.92.050    Repealed.

3.92.055    Sewer system construction plans – Review, inspection and fees.

3.92.060    Payment of sanitary sewer system development charges.

3.92.065    Latecomer charges for sewer or water main or lateral line extension.

3.92.070    Sewer charges.

3.92.080    Lien on property when.

3.92.090    Water service cut off for delinquency.

3.92.100    Collection – Disposal of moneys.

3.92.120    Charges for replacement of a structure.

3.92.130    Sewer service modifications.

3.92.010 System development charges.

(1) There are established the following charges for connection to the city sanitary sewerage system according to classes as set out below:

Single-Family Residential Connections
Category	Charge
Single-family residential	$7,145

 

Commercial and Multifamily Connections
Meter Size	Charge
3/4"	$7,145
1"	$11,908
1.5"	$23,817
2"	$38,107
3"	$119,083
4"	$238,167
6"	$381,067
8"	$666,867

 

Industrial and Site-Specific Connections
Category	Charge
Flow (gallons per day)	$20.41
Biochemical oxygen demand (pounds per day)	$3,068
Total suspended solids (pounds per day)	$2,647

Commercial and multifamily connections shall be charged a sewer system development charge proportional to the size of the water meter providing indoor service. In cases where a development is served by a separate irrigation-only meter, no sewer system development charge shall be assessed for the irrigation-only meter.

At the discretion of the director of public works, in such cases as a new development is anticipated to generate sewage that differs in strength or character from normal domestic strength, a site-specific determination for the sewer system development charge shall be made. The developer shall provide estimates of sewage generation for flow, biochemical oxygen demand, and total suspended solids, stamped by a registered engineer of the state of Washington.

In such cases as an existing connection to the system is redeveloped or expanded, it shall be assessed a sewer system development charge based on the difference between its existing meter size and the new meter size required for the development, with the difference to be based on the charges in effect at such time.

Charges shown represent minimum system development charges. System development charges for each of these service types will be reviewed by the director of public works to calculate supplemental fees, if any. Supplemental fees are used when sewage generation within the service type is found to be beyond expected standard fees. All supplemental fees require city council approval. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1933 § 1 (Exh. A), 2020; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1610 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1573 § 1, 2006; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1506 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1276 § 1 (Exh. A), 1998; Ord. 1226 § 1 (Exh. A), 1997; Ord. 1157 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1140 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1098 § 1 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 626 § 1, 1977; Ord. 622 § 1, 1977; Ord. 539 § 1, 1974; Ord. 504 § 1, 1973; Ord. 349 Art. 5 § 1, 1967. Formerly 14.16.010)

3.92.011 Collection of excise taxes on sewer connection fees.

Excise taxes shall be charged on the amount of system development charge and collected from the customer at the current amount established by the State of Washington Department of Revenue. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1114, 1993. Formerly 14.16.011)

3.92.020 Bimonthly service charge schedule.

(1) For the purposes of this section the following definitions shall apply. A “single-family residential unit” shall be defined as a noncommercial building on a single parcel containing one residence. “Multifamily residential units” shall be defined as noncommercial building or buildings on a single parcel containing two or more residences, and trailer or manufactured home parks. For the purpose of multifamily billing, a “unit” shall be defined as any residence, trailer or manufactured home space occupied by a trailer or manufactured home. All other uses shall be classified as commercial, unless classified as industrial pursuant to this section. Individual use circumstances that do not fit the definitions in this section shall be classified by the director of public works.

(2) The rates prescribed in this section shall be effective January 1st of each year, and shall apply to an individual account once a full bimonthly meter reading cycle for the individual account has been completed in the new year.

(3) The bimonthly base and volume sewer service charge for residential customers located within the service area of Washougal shall be as shown in Table 3.92-1. The residential volume charge shall be based on the average actual water consumption during the two bills received between December and March or actual water usage, whichever is lesser. Customers that have not received two bills between December and March, or are sewer-only customers with the city of Washougal, will be billed based on the average Residential usage. Multifamily customers are charged bimonthly per unit. The bimonthly sewer service charge for commercial customers located within the service area of Washougal shall be as shown in Table 3.92-3. Outside city customers shall pay one and one-half times the standard rate shown in Table 3.92-1.

 

Table 3.92-1 – Residential Sewer Rates 

	Effective 1/1/2024	Effective 1/1/2025	Effective 1/1/2026	Effective 1/1/2027	Effective 1/1/2028
Base Charge
Single-Family Residential	$81.41	$83.04	$84.70	$86.39	$88.12
Over 60 < Federal HUD ELIL for Two People in Clark County – 50% Base1	$40.71	$41.52	$42.35	$43.20	$44.06
Over 60 < Federal HUD VLIL for Two People in Clark County – 75% Base2	$61.06	$62.28	$63.53	$64.79	$66.09
Volume Charge (per CCF)
Single-Family Residential	$5.96	$6.08	$6.19	$6.31	$6.44
Over 60 < Federal HUD ELIL for Two People in Clark County – 50% Base1	$2.98	$3.04	$3.10	$3.16	$3.22
Over 60 < Federal HUD VLIL for Two People in Clark County – 75% Base2	$4.47	$4.56	$4.64	$4.73	$4.83

 

Table 3.92-2 – Multifamily Sewer Rates 

	Effective 1/1/2024	Effective 1/1/2025	Effective 1/1/2026	Effective 1/1/2027	Effective 1/1/2028
First Unit	$135.67	$138.38	$141.15	$143.97	$146.84
Each Additional Unit	$113.80	$116.08	$118.41	$120.78	$123.20
Over 60 < Federal HUD ELIL for Two People in Clark County – 50% Each Additional Unit1	$56.90	$58.04	$59.21	$60.39	$61.60
Over 60 < Federal HUD VLIL for Two People in Clark County – 62% Each Additional Unit2	$70.56	$71.97	$73.41	$74.88	$76.38

1 ELIL = Extremely low income level on the Housing and Urban Development federal site.

2 VLIL = Very low income level on the Housing and Urban Development federal site.

Table 3.92-3 – Commercial Sewer Rates

	Effective 1/1/2024	Effective 1/1/2025	Effective 1/1/2026	Effective 1/1/2027	Effective 1/1/2028
Bimonthly Fixed Charge	$150.56	$153.57	$156.64	$159.77	$162.97
Volume Allowance in CCF	14	14	14	14	14
Volume Charge per Each CCF Over Volume Allowance	$11.18	$11.40	$11.63	$11.86	$12.09

(4) Industrial Rates. To qualify to be an industrial customer, a customer must hold their own National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The rates below are industrial sewer charges beyond simple domestic waste. The following data must submitted to the city by the fifteenth of the month for the preceding month’s analysis:

Average daily flow (gal)

Max daily flow (gal)

BOD (mg/L)

TSS (mg/L)

Industrial rate charges will be calculated as a ratio to the single-family residential rate as established in Table 3.92-1.

The volume of material accepted under the single-family household rate is as follows:

300 gallons per day

0.5 pounds of biological oxygen demand (BOD) per day

0.5 pounds of total suspended solids (TSS) per day

The equation used to calculate industrial equivalent single-family residential units (ERUs) is as follows:

#ERUs =	0.54 * (Industry Average Annual Flow/300 gpd) +
	0.20 * (Industry Average Annual BOD Loading/0.5 lbs/day) +
	0.26 * (Industry Average TSS Loading/0.5 lbs/day)

The calculation will be inputted and verified by city staff to calculate the customer’s monthly industrial sewer fee.

(5) In the event that new construction, remodeling, annexations or change of classification not listed in the preceding sections arise, the sewer connection charges and nonservice charges shall be determined by the director of public works and approved by the city council. These charges shall be based on current rates and policies. In no case will the monthly service charge to any structure be less than $9.50.

There are other conditions of the wastewater treatment facility by Pendleton Woolen Mills, which are outlined and attached to Ordinance 1428 in Exhibit B, which is incorporated herein by this reference.

The average monthly flow will be established using the Pendleton Woolen Mills monthly Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR). Pendleton is to submit a copy of the DMR report at the same time it is submitted to the state.

(6) Date Range. If a date range for monthly service charge rates has expired, then the monthly service charge under this chapter shall remain at the latest established rate as shown in the rate table adopted under subsection (3) of this section, until such rate table is amended. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1898 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1797 § 2 (Exh. B), 2016; Ord. 1785 § 3 (Exh. B), 2015; Ord. 1747 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 1733 § 2 (Exh. B), 2013; Ord. 1730 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1676 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 1648 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 1598 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Ord. 1581 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Ord. 1579 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Ord. 1538 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1502 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1441 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1428 §§ 1, 2, 2001; Ord. 1426 § 2 (Exh. A), 2001; Ord. 1393 § 1 (Exh. A), 2000; Ord. 1347 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1344 § 2, 1999; Ord. 1327 § 1 (Exh. B), 1998; Ord. 1289 § 1 (Exh. A), 1998; Ord. 1273 § 1 (Exh. A), 1997; Ord. 1219 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1194 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1187 § 1, 1995; Ord. 1144 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1121 § 1 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 1085 § 1 (Exh. A), 1992; Ord. 1058 § 1, 1991; Ord. 1019 § 1, 1990; Ord. 954 (Exh. A), 1989; Ord. 840 § 1, 1985; Ord. 810 § 1, 1983; Ord. 747 § 1, 1980; Ord. 717 § 1, 1979; Ord. 534 § 1, 1974; Ord. 349 Art. 5 § 2, 1967. Formerly 14.16.020)

3.92.025 Adjustments to wastewater volume charge for commercial accounts.

It is the intent of this section to charge commercial customers for water that should enter the sewer system. Wastewater charges shall be based on the metered water delivered to the premises except as noted below:

(1) Water metered exclusively for fire service, sprinkling, or irrigation shall not be subject to any wastewater charge or rate.

(2) Where the use of water is such that a portion of all water used is lost by evaporation, irrigation, sprinkling or other cause, or is used in manufactured goods and commodities, customers may install, at their own expense, submeters approved by the director of public works to enable measurement of the amount of water so used or lost. These submeters must measure in CCF, must be calibrated on a regular basis, and must be easily accessible for meter reading. If the submeter is unable to be read or if the reading is unreliable, an estimate can be used, but the city of Washougal must get at least one accurate meter reading per year. Such estimate shall be approved by the director of public works. It will be the responsibility of the city of Washougal or its designee to inspect and approve the installation of a new submeter.

(3) Should any meter fail to register correctly, or if a leak should be detected, the city may adjust the billing accordingly. The amount of the adjustment shall follow the same water leak process as described in WMC 3.91.010, unless otherwise approved by the director of public works. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1785 § 4 (Exh. C), 2015)

3.92.030 Outside city limits.

In all cases where sewer service is provided to customers outside the corporate limits of the city, the charge shall be one and one-half times the schedule for customers within the city limits. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 717 § 2, 1979; Ord. 534 § 2, 1974; Ord. 349 Art. 5 § 3, 1967. Formerly 14.16.030)

3.92.040 Discharge of domestic wastes.

There shall be established a fee as follows:

(1) Ten and one-half cents per gallon for bulk discharge of domestic waste;

(2) Crew time for testing and inspection will be billed based on employee’s hourly rate including payroll taxes and benefits;

(3) Fifteen percent of the total bill will be charged for billing and administration.

Invoices for service will be issued immediately by the city and will be due 15 days after the date of the invoice. The city reserves the right to reject any load of domestic waste. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1785 § 5 (Exh. D), 2015; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1290 § 1 (Exh. A), 1998; Ord. 1140 § 1, 1994; Ord. 534 § 3, 1974; Ord. 349 Art. 5 § 4, 1967. Formerly 14.16.040)

3.92.050 Sewer line extensions.

Repealed by Ord. 1854. (Ord. 1730 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1344 § 2, 1999; Ord. 1140 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1098 § 1 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 816 § 2, 1983; Ord. 623 § 1, 1977; Ord. 589 § 1, 1976; Ord. 486 § 1, 1972; Ord. 349 Art. 5 § 5, 1967. Formerly 14.16.050)

3.92.055 Sewer system construction plans – Review, inspection and fees.

In cases where construction of sewer system improvements are part and parcel of a subdivision or any other development, construction plans stamped by a registered engineer must be submitted to the director for review and approval in accordance with city standards and specifications. Four copies of such plans shall be submitted to the director with the following fees for plan review, approval and construction inspection by water department personnel:

Base fee:	$250.00;
Additional fees, five lots and more:	$50.00 per lot.

(Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1140 § 1, 1994. Formerly 14.16.055)

3.92.060 Payment of sanitary sewer system development charges.

(1) No permit to connect to the sanitary sewerage system shall be granted until the system development charge established above has been paid or contracted for according to this section. As the term is used herein “contracted for” shall mean the installment contract is fully executed and recorded and the initial contract down payment has been paid in full.

(2) Cash or Contract.

(a) The sanitary sewer system development charges set forth in WMC 3.92.010 may be paid in cash or under installment contract within the discretion of the city. To be eligible for an installment contract, the property owner must connect an existing property served by a private septic system, located within the city’s corporate limits. New construction is not eligible for an installment contract. Interest charged under an installment contract is at the same rate as the effective annual interest of the most recent city of Washougal local improvement district bond issue or sewer utility revenue bond issue, whichever is most recent, computed monthly on unpaid balances.

(b) Such contract will be prepared by the city attorney, who is authorized to add provisions in addition to the following mandatory provisions:

(i) For a down payment of 10 percent of the sanitary sewer connection charge, payable upon execution of the contract.

(ii) For payment of the balance in no more than 72 monthly payments.

(iii) Such contract contains the legal description of the property served by the sewer, and is executed and acknowledged by the property owner and is recorded by the city with the county auditor, at the expense of the property owner.

(iv) All payments will be considered delinquent if unpaid after 30 days following the billing date.

(v) That the property owner shall grant and convey to the city a lien on the subject property’s title for the full balance of this contractual obligation.

(vi) That the property owner further acknowledges the city’s right to a sewerage lien as provided in RCW 35.67.210 through 35.67.215 and such lien may be foreclosed upon nonpayment per RCW 35.67.220 through 35.67.280.

(vii) That any and all delinquent charges shall become a lien on the subject property’s title as provided in RCW 35.67.210 through 35.67.215 and may be foreclosed upon nonpayment per RCW 35.67.220 through 35.67.280.

(viii) That any unpaid balance may be paid in full at any time without prepayment penalty and must be paid in full upon owner’s sale, transfer or redevelopment of the subject property.

(ix) That failure to pay the remaining balance at closing of any sale or transfer of the subject property shall be considered a delinquent payment of the remaining balance subject to lien and collection.

(x) That no permit for redevelopment (change of use) of the subject property shall be issued without payment in full of the remaining balance.

(xi) That in the event the property owner becomes delinquent, the owner agrees to pay any and all collection costs, including attorney fees and costs at trial and on appeal.

(3) Refund. In the event the city receives connection charges due to mistake, error or misunderstanding, the same shall be refunded. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1837 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 685 § 1, 1978; Ord. 349 Art. 6 § 1, 1967. Formerly 14.16.060)

3.92.065 Latecomer charges for sewer or water main or lateral line extension.

(1) When a sewer or water main or lateral line is extended in accordance with the city’s water and sewer plans and the cost is absorbed entirely by the property owner who has requested the hookup to city utilities, then future assessment for hookup to that line shall be paid to the original property owner until such time as the verified cost of extending the line has been repaid, or a period of 10 years has lapsed, whichever shall first occur. After that, all latecomer charges will accrue to the city.

(2) It is specifically understood that only front footage charges shall be used in paying latecomer charges to the property owner.

(3) Further, the charges to the original property owner who installed the line, i.e., the front footage charge, shall also be subtracted from the cost of the original line when computing the amount of latecomer charges due. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1194 § 1 (Exh. A), 1996; Res. 280 § 1, 1992. Formerly 14.16.065)

3.92.070 Sewer charges.

All charges for sewer shall be due upon receipt and payable at the office of the city clerk following mailing of the sewer bills by the city. All payments and collections for domestic sewer service should be paid into the sewer revenue fund.

In the event that sewer bills are not paid by the last day of the month following billing, the customers failing to pay shall be assessed a late charge of $10.00 or 10 percent of the past due amount, whichever is greater. If the last day of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day following will be treated as the last day of the month. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1413 § 1 (Exh. A), 2001; Ord. 505, 1973. Formerly 14.16.070)

3.92.080 Lien on property when.

All rates and charges for sanitary sewerage disposal service furnished, and any contractual or legal obligations incurred for connection with the sewerage system together with the penalties and interest thereon as provided in this chapter, shall become a lien upon the property to which the sewerage service is furnished or such connection is made, superior to all other liens or encumbrances except those for general taxes and special assessments. The sewerage lien provided herein shall be effective for a period of one year of delinquent service charges without the necessity of any writing or recording of the lien with the county auditor, or for a longer period after the notice provided in RCW 35.67.210. Enforcement of the lien or liens shall be in the manner provided by law for enforcement of same. Upon full payment of the charges due, the finance director on behalf of the city executes and delivers to the property owner a release of such lien. The property owner is responsible for recording the release at the property owner’s expense. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1837 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1549 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 376 § 1, 1968; Ord. 349 Art. 7 § 1, 1967. Formerly 14.16.080)

3.92.090 Water service cut off for delinquency.

Pursuant to RCW 35.67.290, the city, in addition to the other remedies set forth, may cut off monthly water service to any premises for which a sewer charge is delinquent or when the connection charge has not been paid and to any premises which have not connected to the sewer system after having been given the notice required in WMC 14.12.010. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 376 § 2, 1968; Ord. 349 Art. 7 § 2, 1962. Formerly 14.16.090)

3.92.100 Collection – Disposal of moneys.

The city treasurer shall collect all rates and charges herein provided for and occurring from time to time, and all of such sums when collected shall be paid by the treasurer into the funds of the city known as the water-sewer revenue fund. It is recognized that receipts will be segregated into a “sewer fund” as distinct from the previously created “water fund” for administrative and accounting purposes. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 349 Art. 8 § 1, 1967. Formerly 14.16.100)

3.92.120 Charges for replacement of a structure.

In those cases where sewer and water charges have already been paid for on a single unit and said unit is replaced by a single-family structure or a multifamily structure or a commercial unit, the charges will be as follows:

(1) For single-family homes, no additional charges for sewer and water except for the setting of the water meter;

(2) For multifamily structures or commercial units, the charge for sewer will be for one less unit than being constructed, and for water, no charge except for the setting of the meter of the larger service being constructed, in which case, a credit will be given for the existing service; however, if the city has to run a new line for a larger service, then that service will be treated as a new service and full connection charges will be made;

(3) For both water and sewer, no area assessment charge or front footage charge will be made irrespective of use. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1531 § 1, 2005; Ord. 760 § 1, 1980. Formerly 14.16.120)

3.92.130 Sewer service modifications.

Any sewer service modifications requested by a property owner (including stormwater and its related facilities) shall be billed by the city on a time and material basis with a minimum charge of $250.00. (Ord. 1977 § 1 (Exh. B), 2024; Ord. 1854 § 2 (Exh. A), 2018; Ord. 1656 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010)