HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM IV-A
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Date: October 11, 2010
To: Mayor Lewis
Finance Committee Members
From: Bob Elwell, Sewer Utility Engineer
CC: Shelley Coleman, Finance Director
Rhonda Ewing, Utility and Accounting Services Manager
Dennis Dowdy, Public Works Director
Dennis Selle, Assistant Director/City Engineer
Dan Repp, Utilities Engineer
Re: Code Update for Sewer Meters
The City of Auburn, as a general rule, bills all non-single family residential sewer
customers based on their potable water usage. There are some cases where the only
accurate way to measure the volume of wastewater entering the sewer system is by
using a sewer meter. Such cases include sites where the source of the wastewater is
not metered potable water or sites where a significant amount of that water is removed
as part of an industrial process.
Current city code addresses the use of sewer meters, but staff has concluded that
modifications to that code are necessary to enable staff to effectively administer those
accounts. The substantial proposed changes to the code are as follows:
1. For initial permit application procedures, the applicant is directed to City Design
Standards, and thenceforth to an informational brochure. That brochure outlines
what must be included with an application to install a sewer meter.
2. The requirement to have the meter calibrated is more specific, and the
consequences of failure to do so are spelled out in more detail.
3. Meter readings will be taken by City meter readers, and will no longer be called in
or sent in by the property owner.
4. The consequences for inoperative meters are spelled out in much more detail.
Attached for your information is a draft copy of Ordinance 6331 which would amend City
Code, a strike through/underline copy of the draft ordinance, and a draft copy of the
informational brochure. This ordinance was discussed by the Public Works Committee
on October 4, 2010, and the attached documents include changes discussed at that
meeting.
Page 1 of 1
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ORDINANCE N0.6 3 31
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AMENDING
SECTION 13.21.186 OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE
RELATING TO SEWER METERS
WHEREAS, the City of Auburn ("City") in managing its sewer utility,
provides for direct metering of sewage discharge in certain instances in order to
fairly and accurately monitor the flow of wastewater in to the sanitary sewer
system; and,
WHEREAS, staff has recommended amending the provisions related to
direct metering in order to provide for easier administration of the meters and to
provide clear guidance to utility customers;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN as follows:
Section 1. Amendment to City Code. That section 13.20.186 of
the Auburn City Code be and the same hereby is amended to read as follows:
13.20.186 Sewer meters.
Sanitary sewer meters monitor, measure, record and totalize the flow of
wastewater into the sanitary sewer system. This information is then used to
generate a sewage bill for the site installation of sanitary sewer meters are
discouraged by the city; however, the City Engineer may determine that a sewer
meter is the only appropriate device that will allow for the accurate measurement
of waste water being sent into the public sewer system. Sites where a sewer
meter may be allowed or required include, but are not limited to, facilities where
the water source is not metered or facilities where industrial processes remove a
significant amount of metered water from the waste stream. If allowed or
required, then the meter shall be installed and operated pursuant to the following
conditions:
Ordinance No. 6331
September 27, 2010
Page 1 of 4
A. Sewer meters shall be owned, operated and maintained by the property
owner
B. Sewer meters shall be selected and installed consistent with City of
Auburn design standards
C. Sewer meters shall continually totalize the flow passing through the meter
and display the meter reading in ccf (1 ccf =100 cubic feet).
D. The owner shall provide the City access to read the sewer meter, Monday
through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
E. Aside sewer repair permit shall be obtained for the installation,
replacement, or modification of sewer meters
F. The property owner shall have the sewer meter calibrated once per
calendar year by the manufacturer or the manufacturer's authorized
representative at the owner's expense. A copy of the calibration report shall be
furnished to City Public Works Department on or before December 31 of that
year.
G. Regardless of whether the City has previously allowed or required the
installation and use of a sewer meter, the City shall, after giving the property
owner 30 working days' notice and opportunity to cure the defect, bill the
property owner for sewage based on metered water usage for the property for
any of the following reasons:
1. The ownerfails to submit a calibration report
2. The calibration report indicates that the meter cannot be calibrated, and
will not accurately measure flow.
3. The city becomes aware that the meter is malfunctioning, or
unexplained anomalies in the meter readings are identified.
If the source of the wastewater is not metered potable water (e.g. contaminated
groundwater), the City may, after providing 15 working days' notice of its intent to
do so, elect to use previous years' and/or months' readings as a basis for sewer
charges. The City shall add an additional 50% surcharge until such time as the
Owner provides a fully functional calibrated meter.
H. If a meter is found to be inoperative or inaccurate, the property owner
must repair or replace the defective meter within 30 days of being notified of the
problem.
If the property owner fails to comply with these conditions, the city may charge
the owner for all expenses incurred in restoring compliance including, but not
limited to staff time, legal expenses, consultant costs, and the cost of repairs and
equipment calibration. In cases where the City acts unilaterally to obtain
compliance, a monthly surcharge of 10% will be added to the bill until such time
as the Finance Director determines is necessary. The city may also revoke the
right to use a sewage meter at any time and the sewer bill shall be calculated
based on total water volume utilized as measured by the water meter. At the
Ordinance No. 6331
September 27, 2010
Page 2 of 4
Finance Director's discretion in cases of continued non-compliance, the city may
also revoke the right to discharge to the sewer system.
Section 2. Implementation. The Mayor is hereby authorized to
implement such administrative procedures as may be necessary to carry out the
directions of this legislation.
Section 3. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are
declared to be separate and severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence,
paragraph, subdivision, section or portion of this ordinance, or the invalidity of the
application thereof to any person or circumstance shall not affect the validity of
the remainder of this ordinance, or the validity of its application to other persons
or circumstances.
Section 4. Effective date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be
in force five days from and after its passage, approval and publication as
provided bylaw.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
APPROVED:
CITY OF AUBURN
PETER B. LEWIS
MAYO R
ATTEST:
Ordinance No. 6331
September 27, 2010
Page 3 of 4
Danielle E. Daskam, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Daniel B. Heid, City Attorney
Published:
Ordinance No. 6331
September 27, 2010
Page 4 of 4
ORDINANCE N0.6 3 31
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AMENDING
SECTION 13.21.186 OF THE AUBURN CITY CODE
RELATING TO SEWER METERS
WHEREAS, the City of Auburn ("City") in managing its sewer utility,
provides for direct metering of sewage discharge in certain instances in order to
fairly and accurately monitor the flow of wastewater in to the sanitary sewer
system; and,
WHEREAS, staff has recommended amending the provisions related to
direct metering in order to provide for easier administration of the meters and to
provide clear guidance to utility customers;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF .THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN as follows:
Section ~ . Amendment to City Code. That section 13.20.186 of
the Auburn City Code be and the same hereby is amended to read as follows:
13.20.186 Sewer meters.
Sanitary sewer meters monitor, measure, record and totalize the flow of
wastewater into the sanitary sewer system. This information is then used to
generate a sewage bill for the site installation of sanitary sewer meters are
discouraged by the city; however,
that a sewer meter is the only appropriate device that will
allow for the accurate measurement of waste water being sent into the public
sewer system
then meter shall be installed
the following conditions:
Ordinance No. 6331
September 27, 2010
Page 1 of 4
meters shall be owned, operated and maintained by the
property owner
meter
calibrated by the manufacturer or
authorized
A copy of the calibration report shall be furnished to
Ordinance No. 6331
September 27, 2010
Page 2 of 4
T also
At the
Finance Director's discretion in cases of continued non-compliance, t
Section 2. Implementation. The Mayor is hereby authorized to
implement such administrative procedures as may be necessary to carry out the
directions of this legislation.
Section 3. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are
declared to be separate and severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence,
paragraph, subdivision, section or portion of this ordinance, or the invalidity of the
application thereof to any person or circumstance shall not affect the validity of
the remainder of this ordinance, or the validity of its application to other persons
or circumstances.
Section 4. Effective date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be
in force five days from and after its passage, approval and publication as
provided bylaw.
INTRODUCED:
Ordinance No. 6331
September 27, 2010
Page 3 of 4
PASSED:
APPROVED:
CITY OF AUBURN
PETER B. LEWIS
MAYO R
ATTEST:
Danielle E. Daskam, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Daniel B. Heid, City Attorney
Published:
Ordinance No. 6331
September 27, 2010
Page 4 of 4
] s
Prepared by
Utilities Section
Engineering Division
Public Works Department
25 West Main St.
Auburn, WA 98001-4998
(253) 931-3010
FAX (253) 931-3053
PERMIT CENTER
INFORMATIONAL BROCHURE FOR SANITARY SEWER
METERS
The standard billing practice for non-single family customers of the City of Auburn's Sewer Utility, is to
base the monthly charges for sewer service on water use data. The City recognizes that in some situations,
metered water use does not accurately reflect the volume of water discharged to the sewer system. Per
Auburn City Code (ACC)13.20.186, the use of sewer meters for billing purposes is discouraged by the
City, but will be allowed if, "a sewer meter is the only appropriate device that will allow for the accurate measurement of wastewater being sent into the public sewer system.'' Sewer
meters will be owned and
maintained by the property owner.
Permitting a Sewer Meter
Aside sewer repair permit shall be obtained for the installation, replacement, or modification of sewer meters. Along with the application form for that permit, the applicant must submit
the following items:
1. A letter describing the need to use a sewer meter as the only device which will appropriately
measure the volume of wastewater that you discharge into the sewer system.
*~Note: The applicant may submit the letter described in Item 1 to be "pre-approved" before
preparing and submitting an official permit application.*~ 2. A site plan showing adjacent streets, buildings, on-site sewer lines, proposed meter location,
proposed location of remote register/readout, access points for meter readers, parking areas for
meter readers, and any other item that may affect the efficient reading and inspection of the meter.
3. A written description of the access procedures for meter readers (including potentially locked
gates, alarm systems etc.)
4. Specifications for all equipment being installed, and a statement from the manufacturer stating that the meter is appropriate for the proposed application.
5. Construction drawings for the installation of the equipment.
Design Standards
Location:
The sewer meter maybe installed in a manhole, on a buried pipe, or in a vault.
The sewer meter register must be located under cover or in a weather proof box mounted in an easily
accessible location.
Register: the register must include a totalizer which constantly displays cumulative quantities of discharged wastewater in ccf (1 ccf =100 cubic feet).
Meter:
The meter must be of a type and size appropriate to its application as verified by the manufacturer and the
City Engineer.