§ 122-82. Wastewater system fees.

(a)

System development fee.

(1)

At the time of connection. There is hereby levied and assessed a system development fee for the conveyance and treatment capacity required to accommodate the estimated sewage flow, as calculated by the water system, from a property connecting to the county wastewater system. All amounts charged to the property owner or user at the time of connection shall be calculated based on the estimated sewage flow from the proposed use of a property approved at the time of connection, and such connection shall not be lawfully made prior to payment of such charges.

(2)

Due to change in use or usage. There shall be levied and assessed a system development fee for the conveyance and treatment capacity required to accommodate any increase in the estimated sewage flow, as calculated by the water system, from a property due to a change in use or usage of a property from the proposed use at the time of connection to the county wastewater system. The property owner or customer shall be responsible for paying the system development fee prior to the change in use or usage, and the change shall not be lawfully made prior to payment of such charges. A tenant or user on a property who is not the owner or a customer (e.g., master metered account with multiple users) may pay the charges associated with said tenant or user on behalf of the owner or customer. In the event that a tenant or user fails to pay such amounts as required by this section, the owner or customer shall be liable for the payment of such system development fees. The water system shall have the power and authority to enter upon the property of any owner or customer who fails to pay any additional fees or charges assessed in order to terminate the water and/or wastewater service in any manner deemed necessary and appropriate by the water system.

(b)

Wastewater service charge for usage. There is hereby levied and assessed rates, fees and/or charges for the service, maintenance, operation and amortization of the county wastewater systems, based on the amount of water consumed per month by each customer.

(c)

Surcharge for high strength wastewater. See section 122-189.

(d)

Exceptions to rule that wastewater service charge for usage be based on water consumed.

(1)

Wastewater retained by significant industrial users. Provision is made in subsection 122-189(d) for significant industrial users to have wastewater service charges based on quantities of wastewater generated which are different than the quantities of water consumed, as metered. Significant industrial users may have wastewater quantities for billing purposes of less than the metered water consumed due to "retainage" by following the procedures set forth in subsection 122-189(d) and section 122-190.

(2)

Increased wastewater flows due to inflow. Significant industrial users who discharge polluted surface drainage into the county wastewater system shall be assessed a charge for the treatment thereof. The quantity of surface runoff to be assessed in this instance shall be determined by an independent registered engineer acceptable to the county.

(3)

Discharge exceeding consumption. Where it can be shown that the volume of wastewater discharged is greater than the volume consumed through the water meter, wastewater charges may, at the county's discretion, be billed based on wastewater volumes.

(e)

Special charges for non-domestic users. The county may adopt charges and fees relative to the non-domestic user program as necessary, to include the following:

(1)

Fees for reimbursement of costs of setting up and operating the county's pretreatment program;

(2)

Fees for monitoring, inspection and surveillance procedures;

(3)

Fees for reviewing accidental discharge procedures and construction;

(4)

Fees for permit applications;

(5)

Fees for filing appeals;

(6)

Fees for consistent removal by the county of pollutants otherwise subject to federal pretreatment standards; and

(7)

Other fees as the county may deem necessary to carry out the requirements of the nondomestic users' program.

These fees relate solely to the matters covered by this subsection and are separate from all other fees chargeable by the county.

(f)

Holding tank (including septic tank) haulers and discharges.

(1)

A fee may be charged for the permitting of holding tank waste haulers as provided in section 122-193.

(2)

A fee shall be established for the disposal of the contents of holding tanks into the county wastewater system as set forth in section 122-193.

(Ord. of 6-28-88, § 3-26-22; Ord. of 1-24-06; Ord. of 2-27-07; Amd. of 2-24-09; Amd. of 2-22-11; Amd. of 2-26-13)