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HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM IV-A - - ~ ' Interoffice Memorandum f s- ~ ~ - En ineerin Division -T ~ g g ~ f 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 . ~ = ulwlam~~~ na ed puvp:~~~ gww.N~m Mi~~~gvm 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.