HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrder No. 2023-0322 Rate Order eff. April 1Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
RATE ORDER
TROPHY CLUB MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO.1
ORDER NO. 2023-0322A
AN ORDER ESTABLISHING POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND RATES FOR
WATER AND SEWER SERVICE; PROVIDING FEES FOR CONNECTION,
RECONNECTION, INSPECTION, ACCURACY READINGS, AND RETURNED
CHECKS; REQUIRING DEPOSITS FOR SERVICE; PROVIDING A PENALTY
FOR DELINQUENT PAYMENTS; AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS
RELATING TO THE SUBJECT.
WHEREAS, Trophy Club Municipal Utility District No. 1 (the "District") is the owner and/or
operator of a water and sewer system designed to serve present and future inhabitants within the
District and the Trophy Club Development; and
WHEREAS, the District's most recent Rate Order was adopted on September 21, 2022
(Order No 2022-0921A), and additional modifications are needed. The District desires to establish
all of its rate policies in a single new Rate Order; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the District has carefully considered the terms of
this Rate Order No. 2023-0322A and is of the opinion that the following conditions and provisions
should be established as the policies, procedures, and rates for obtaining service from the
District's water and sewer system.
THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TROPHY CLUB
MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1 THAT:
ARTICLE I
TAP FEES AND CONNECTION POLICY
Section 1.01. Initiation of Water and Sanitary Sewer Connections. Each person
desiring a water and sanitary sewer service connection to the District's System shall be required
to pay such fees as set forth in this Order. No service shall be established or re-established until
such fees are paid. All service connections are subject to all other rules, regulations, and policies
of the District.
A. Certification of System. Connections shall not be made to the District's
System or portions of the System until the District's engineer or District staff has
certified that the System or applicable portion thereof is operable and meets all
regulatory requirements.
B. Backflow Prevention. No water connections from any public drinking water
supply system shall be allowed to any residential or commercial establishment where
1 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
an actual or potential contamination hazard exists unless the public water facilities
are protected from contamination.
At any residential or commercial establishment where an actual or potential
contamination hazard exists, protection shall be required in the form of a backflow
prevention assembly. The type of assembly required shall be specified by the District.
The existence of potential contamination hazards without installation having been
made of the means of control and prevention as set out in the preceding paragraph;
or the same having been installed, there is a failure to properly maintain the same,
shall be considered sufficient grounds for immediate termination of water service.
Service can be restored only when the health hazard no longer exists, or when the
health hazard has been isolated from the public water system in accordance with the
foregoing requirements.
All backflow prevention assemblies that are required according to this section
shall be tested upon installation by a recognized backflow prevention assembly tester
and certified to be operating within specifications. Backflow prevention assemblies
that are installed to provide protection against health hazards must also be tested
and certified to be operating within specifications at least annually by a recognized
backflow prevention assembly tester.
The Customer shall, at his expense, properly install, test, and maintain any
backflow prevention device required by this Rate Order. Copies of all testing and
maintenance records shall be provided to the District within ten (10) days after
maintenance and/or testing is performed.
If the Customer fails to comply with the terms of this Order, the District shall, at
its option, either terminate service to the property or properly install, test, and maintain
an appropriate backflow prevention device at the service connection at the expense
of the Customer. Any expenses associated with the enforcement of this agreement
shall be billed to the Customer.
C. Availability of Access/Obstructions. By application for connection to the
District's System, the Customer shall be deemed to be granting to the District and its
representatives a right of ingress and egress to and from the meter or point of service
for such installation, maintenance, and repair as the District, in its judgment, may
deem reasonably necessary. The Customer shall also be deemed to be granting to
the District and its representatives a right of ingress and egress to the Customer's
property, including the exterior of the Customer's premises, for the purpose of
performing the inspections and completing the Customer's Service Inspection
Certifications required by the District's rules and regulations. Taps and connections
will not be made when, in the opinion of the District, building materials or other debris
obstructs the work area or the work area is not completed or finished to grade. When
sidewalks, driveways or other improvements have been constructed prior to
application for service, such application shall be construed and accepted as the
2 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
Customer's waiver of a claim for any damages to such improvements resulting from
the reasonable actions of the District in installation of the connection.
Section 1.02. Residential Fire Lines. Connections. and Fees. A residence of at least
six thousand (6,000) square feet but less than eight thousand (8,000) square feet shall have
installed on its one -inch (1") water service line, for fire protection, a one -inch (1") U -branch, with
a separate meter and meter -box. The cost of installation, including parts, equipment, and labor
shall be quoted at the time of request and is payable at the time of permitting.
A residence of eight thousand (8,000) square feet or greater, in addition to its regular one -
inch (1") water service line, shall have installed a separate one -and one-half (1 1/2 ") water service
line for fire protection with its own meter and meter -box. The cost of connection and installation
of the fire line and meter shall be quoted at the time of request and is payable at the time of
permitting.
Section 1.03. Connections by District. All Connections to the District's water and sewer
system shall be made with written approval of the District and in accordance with the District's
Plumbing Code and its rules and regulations.
No person except the General Manager or his/her authorized agent shall be permitted to
tap or make any connection to the mains or distribution piping of the District's water system, or
make any repairs, additions to, or alterations in any meter, box, tap, pipe, cock, or other fixture
connected with the water system or any manhole, main, trunk or appurtenance of the District's
sanitary sewer system. No sewer connection shall be covered in the ground and no house lead
shall be covered in the ground before it has been inspected and approved by a licensed plumbing
inspector with jurisdiction of the site.
Section 1.04. Water and Sewer Tap Fees. Fees for water and sewer taps performed
by the District are as follows:
Water and Sewer Service Taps: Actual cost plus 10%. An estimate will be provided
prior to work being performed.
When water taps have been made by someone other than the District personnel, there is
an installation/inspection fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) plus the cost of the appropriate meter.
Section 1.05. Inspections and Fees. Fees for permits and for plumbing inspections
(other than for sewer and backflow inspections referred to below in subparagraphs A and B)
should be paid to the city or town in which the property is located or to the District if the property
is not located within a city or town.
A. Sewer Inspection and Fees. Sewer connections and house service lines shall
be inspected by the District. An inspection fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00)
shall be paid to the District for each connection to the District sanitary sewer system.
Installations that fail to conform at any time to the rules and regulations shall be
disconnected. Any customer whose connection is disconnected for such failure shall
be notified as to the basis for such disconnection. After noted deficiencies have been
3 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
corrected, a re -inspection shall be made upon payment to the District of a re-
inspection fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), plus payment by the customer of all
outstanding charges. If subsequent re -inspections are required before the sewer
connection and service lines are in compliance with the rules and regulations, a re-
inspection fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be paid to the District for each
subsequent re -inspection. Inspections by the District requested after regular business
hours will be charged at a minimum of one hundred dollars ($100.00).
B. Backflow Inspections. Backflow installations (residential and commercial)
that require annual inspections must have a certified Backflow Technician perform
the testing and submit the report annually to the District.
C. Swimming Pool Discharge into Sanitary Sewer System. New swimming
pools permitted on or after June 24, 2005, shall have all backwash and/or drainage
from said pool discharge into the sanitary sewer system. Owners of pools built or
permitted prior to July 1, 2005, are not required to retrofit the pool equipment and tie
into the sanitary sewer. However, swimming pool backwash and drainage must drain
to grassy areas and is not permitted to flow into the storm drain system, creeks, or
other waterways.
For swimming pools discharging to the sanitary sewer system, an indirect
connection shall be made by means of an air break, discharging into a tailpiece
installed a minimum of six inches (6") (or 152 mm) above adjacent grade. The
tailpiece shall be connected to a minimum three-inch (3" or 76mm) p -trap not less
than twelve inches (12" or 304 mm) below grade which discharges into the yard
cleanout riser. Backwash systems shall not flow onto neighboring properties or into
the storm sewer. The tie-in and inspection fee shall be seventy-five dollars ($75.00)
to be paid at the time of issuance of the pool permit.
Section t06 Temporary Water Service -Construction Meters.
A. Construction Meters. The District shall be authorized to make a temporary
connection to any fire hydrant or flushing valve upon request for temporary water
service. All temporary service shall be metered and billed to the temporary customer
as provided herein. All unauthorized withdrawal of water from flushing valves, fire
hydrants, or other appurtenances of the District's System is prohibited.
B. Application and Deposit. Each temporary customer desiring temporary
water service shall be required to execute an application for such temporary service
and shall provide a security deposit of ; one thousand five hundred dollars
($1,500.00),. The deposit shall be made by cashier's check or money order payable
to the District. The deposit shall be used by the District to secure the payment for
temporary water supplied by the District, the installation fee, and the cost of repair
4 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
of any damages caused by the temporary customer. The balance of the security
deposit, if any, shall be refunded after disconnection from the District's System.
C. Construction Meter Fees and Rates. Construction meters will be charged
the same monthly rates (base fee and volumetric rate) for water as commercial
accounts as set forth in Article II of this Rate Order.
D. Temporary Construction Meter Use and Billing. Construction meters can
be rented by filing an application at the District office and payment of all required
deposits. Upon approval of the application, a temporary meter and RPZ will be
provided to the applicant. Installation on any fire hydrant or flush valve must be
approved by the District and District meters may only be used within the District's
service area. The location of installation must be indicated on the application and
cannot be relocated unless notification is provided to and approved by the District in
advance. Temporary meters may only be rented for a period of ninety (90) days and
extensions may be approved upon request and approval. Failure to return a
temporary meter or request a usage extension by the due date will result in
repossession of the meter and forfeiture of the deposit.
Upon return of a temporary construction meter, an inspection of the meter and RPZ
will be performed. Any and all damages to the meter and/or RPZ will be charged to
the customer and deducted from the deposit. If the deposit does not cover the total
amount of damages, the balance will be billed to the customer and payment must be
received by the due date. Failure to pay all charges due will result in suspension of
rental privileges until payment in full and may result in collection procedures.
E. Return of Temporary Meter at District Request. The District reserves the
right to request the return of a temporary construction meter at any time determined
necessary by the District. Should Stage 2 Drought Restrictions or more stringent
restrictions be implemented, all temporary construction meters must be returned
within three (3) business days of notification by the District. Failure to promptly return
the temporary meter within three business days will result in repossession of the
meter and forfeiture of the deposit. Should District personnel be unable to locate the
temporary meter for repossession, theft charges will be filed against the meter holder
with local law enforcement.
Section 1.07 Service Outside the District. The rates and charges stated in this Rate
Order are for services to customers and property located within the boundaries of the District. Any
service to a customer or property located outside the boundaries of the District shall be granted
only upon approval by the Board of Directors of the District. Out of District customers will pay
the adopted rates for in District customers plus 15% for both water and sewer base and volumetric
rates. For the purpose of customer classification, Trophy Club Park at Lake Grapevine is
considered "in -district" and subject to all rates and service provisions related to in -district
customers.
5 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
Section 1.08 Service to New Development and Extension of Facilities.
A. New Service Connections and Extension of Facilities. New service
connections and extension of facilities must be constructed and installed in
accordance with the District's Rules Governing New Service Connections and
Extension of Facilities as approved through separate Resolution by the Board of
Directors. Applicants for Non -Standard Service must submit all required
information and pay all fees prior to conveyance of facilities and service
commencement.
B. Application Fee for Non -Standard Service. Upon request for non-standard
service an application fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) must be submitted.
C. Design of Facilities. All water and wastewater facilities to be constructed to
extend service to new developments must be designed by a professional engineer
licensed in the State of Texas at the applicant's expense. The District must approve
the plans and specifications prior to the commencement of construction. At the time
of plan review submittal, the applicant must provide payment to the District in the
amount of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) as deposit for review of each
set of plans and specifications reviewed by the District's engineer. The actual final
fee for plan review by the District's engineer shall be provided to the applicant upon
approval of the plans. If there is a balance due over the two thousand five hundred
dollars ($2,500) paid by the applicant at submittal, the balance due shall be paid by
the applicant prior to receiving District approval of plans and specifications. District
construction plans, and specifications shall be strictly adhered to, but the District
reserves the right to change order any specifications, due to unforeseen
circumstances during the design or construction of the proposed facilities, or as
otherwise authorized by applicable laws, to better facilitate the operation of the facility.
All expenses and costs associated with a change order shall be charged to the
applicant. Service to new developments is subject to available capacity in the
District's water and wastewater systems. All new potential developments must seek
written approval from the General Manager that capacity is available to serve and
may be required to install offsite improvements if capacity is not available with current
system infrastructure.
D. Inspection Fees. The District will inspect all infrastructure during construction.
Inspection fees of one hundred dollars ($100) per lot must be paid to the District prior
to a notice to proceed being issued. A minimum of five hundred dollars ($500) for
inspection fees is required if Tess than five (5) lots are to be developed.
6 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
Section 1.09 Water Meter Fees.
METER SIZE WATER METER FEE
5/8" $358
1" $428
1-1/2" $905
2" — 10" Quoted at Time of Purchase
Fees must be received by the District before any connection is installed.
A customer seeking service through an oversized connection line or from a meter larger
than a one inch (1") standard meter shall follow the District's policy for new development as
outlined in Section 1.07 above. Should approval be granted by the District, the customer agrees
to pay the water and sewer rates as outlined in Article II of this Rate Order.
Section 1.10. Fort Worth Impact Fee. Each customer requesting an initial connection,
shall also pay to the District the applicable City of Fort Worth Impact Fee.
Section 1.11. Title to Facilities. Title to all water meters, water and sewer taps, and all
other appurtenances, including meter boxes, shall lie in the District.
ARTICLE II
SERVICE RATES
Section 2.01. Water Service Rates. The following monthly rates for water service shall
be in effect for each separate connection within the District. The base rate for each connection
(meter) is calculated upon meter size and will be charged for each residential and commercial
meter:
(1) Water Rates Effective April 1, 2023
BASE RATES:
Meter Size
Monthly Base Rate
5/8" & 3/4" $20.26
1" $38.08
1.5" $67.54
2" $108.06
3" $204.80
4" $337.68
6" $675.38
7 of 16
VOLUMETRIC RATES:
Gallons Used
0 to 6,000
6,001 to 17,000
17,001 to 25,000
25,001 to 50,000
50,001+
(21 Multi -Unit Buildings.
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
Rate per
1000 gallons
$4.60
$5.35
$6.19
$7.19
$8.36
Each multi -unit building (apartments, townhomes, business complex, etc.)
served by a single 5/8" meter or 1" meter shall be billed the base rate for
the meter size servicing the building multiplied by the number of units in the
building or complex.
Section 2.02. Sewer Service Rates. The following monthly rates for the collection and
disposal of sewage shall be in effect for each separate connection within the District:
Residential Sewer Rates: The District uses winter averaging for the purpose of
calculating sewer charges on utility bills. The sewer charges are based on average water
consumption for three months (December, January, and February billing). The average
consumption will be analyzed annually and take effect the first of April each year.
New customers will be assigned a default value user charge that is equal to the average
winter water use for all residential customers. The winter average used for new residential
customer is 7,000 gallons.
A customer with a water leak during the averaging months may request a reduction in the
sewer usage calculation. Any customer filling a pool after resurfacing, construction or major
repairs during the averaging months may request that their winter average calculation be
adjusted. Requests for a reduction in sewer usage calculations must be submitted in writing to
the General Manager and have documentation showing the construction or repairs as applicable
to the issue. The General Manager or a duly authorized representative may adjust the metered
water usage in determining the winter average. To assist in establishing winter averaging sewer
rates, customers are encouraged to submit requests for sewer average reductions no later than
March 15th.
8 of 16
A. Residential Sewer Rates:
Base Rate:
0 to 4,000
4,001 to 8,000
8,001 to 12,000
12,001+
B. Commercial Sewer Rates:
Base Rate:
Volumetric Rate:
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
$ 22.15
$ 3.57
$ 5.09
$ 7.18
$ 10.22
$ 22.15
$ 8.57
*Commercial sewer usage is billed based on actual water usage per month
C. Multi -Unit Buildings.
Each multi -unit building (apartments, townhomes, business complex, etc.) shall be
billed the base rate for each meter servicing the building and sewer usage will be
billed based on actual water usage per month.
Section 2.03 Effluent Charge. The effluent from the District's wastewater treatment
plant will be sold pursuant to separate contracts entered into with the District and approved by its
Board of Directors.
Section 2.04. Master Meter (Cooling Tower Calculation). The water usage from the
master meter reading minus the reading from the "Blow Down" meter equals the "evaporation."
Water usage less "evaporation" equals sewer usage for billing purposes.
Section 2.06. Regulatory Assessment. Pursuant to Section 5.235, Texas Water Code,
and 30 TAC 291.76, the District shall collect and pay an annual regulatory assessment fee to the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ") in the amount required by law on the total
charges for retail water and sewer service billed to its customers annually. The regulatory
assessment fee will be detailed separately on customer bills.
Section 2.07. No Reduced Rates or Free Service. All customers receiving water and/or
sewer service from the District shall be subject to the provisions of this Order and shall be charged
the rates established in this Order. No reduced rate or free service shall be furnished to any
customer whether such user be a charitable or eleemosynary institution, a political subdivision,
or municipal corporation; provided, however, this provision shall not prohibit the District from
establishing reasonable classifications of customers.
9 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
ARTICLE III
SERVICE POLICY
Section 3.01. Security Deposits. Security deposits shall be required as follows:
A. Builder's Deposit. A one hundred dollar ($100.00) security deposit shall be
required of builders for each tap made by the District for such service connection,
payable at or prior to the time that such tap is made, and the security deposit is
refundable to the builder when the account is later transferred to an owner if that
account and all other accounts of the builder are current at the time of the transfer;
but, if that account or any other account of the same builder is not current at the time
of such transfer to an owner, then the security deposit shall be applied against the
outstanding balance of the builder's account(s) at the time of such transfer. The
District shall deduct from the deposit the cost to repair any damage caused to the
District's property by the builder or the builder's employees, contractors,
subcontractors, or agents and shall deduct any delinquent water and sewer service
bills of the builder. In the event any amounts are deducted from the builder's deposit,
it will be incumbent on the builder to reinstate the original amount of the deposit, and
failure to do so will result in the suspension of any additional water taps for the builder.
B. Residential and Lessee Deposits . A security deposit of one hundred dollars
($100.00) shall be required from each residential owner and lessee fora single-family
home connected to the District's system. Deposits will be applied to the bill upon
twenty-four (24) consecutive months of on-time payments. A deposit will be required
to reestablish service due to disconnection. Upon discontinuation of service, the any
remaining deposit shall be applied against amounts due, including disconnection
fees.
C. Commercial Deposits
COMMERCIAL
METER SIZE WATER SEWER
3/4" $75 $60
1" $100 $100
1.5" $250 $200
2" $500 $320
3" $1,000 $700
4" $1,800 $1,200
6" $3,750 $2,500
8" $5,400 $3,600
D. Construction Meters. See Section 1.06 above.
10 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
E. Deposits. The District does not pay interest on deposits. The interest drawn
by the District on customer deposits is returned into the operating budget of the
water/sewer fund to help in providing the lowest possible water and sewer rates for
our customers.
Section 3.02. Billing Procedures. All accounts shall be billed in accordance with the
following:
A. Due Date and Delinquency. Charges for water and sewer service shall be
billed monthly. Payment shall be due on or before the twentieth (20th) day of the month
in the month in which the bill was received. Unless payment is received on or before
the twentieth (20th) day of the month, such account shall be considered delinquent. If
the due date falls on a holiday or weekend, the due date for payment purposes shall
be the next working day after the due date. The District shall charge a penalty on past
due accounts calculated at the rate of fifteen percent (15%) per month on water and
sewer charges. The rates for water and sewer service shall depend upon the type of
user and upon whether the water used has been chemically treated, as provided in
this Rate Order. All accounts not paid by the due date shall be deemed delinquent
and failure to make payment thereafter may result in the termination of water and
sewer service.
B. Notice and Appeal. Prior to termination of service, a customer who is
delinquent in payment shall be sent a notice that service will be discontinued on or
after the fifteenth (15th) day after the date of such notice unless payment in full is
received before by such day disconnection is scheduled. Notice shall be sent by first
class United States mail and shall inform the customer of the amount of the delinquent
bill, the date service will be disconnected if payment is not made, and of the
customer's right to contest, explain, or correct the charges, services, or
disconnection. Service shall not be disconnected where a customer has informed the
District of his or her desire to contest or explain the bill. If the customer appears before
the Board, the Board shall hear and consider the matter and inform the customer of
the Board's determination by sending written notice to the customer by first class
United States mail stating whether or not service will be disconnected. In the event
of a service disconnection for non-payment, an additional Security Deposit of one
hundred dollars (100.00) will be required for Residential homeowners and Lessees
to restore service in addition to a fifty dollar ($50.00) service fee, and after-hours re-
connection charges, if applicable, and any outstanding balance in arrears will need
to be brought current. As set out above in Section 3.01, If payment is not received
prior to the date that disconnection has been scheduled, a service charge of fifty
dollars ($50.00) will be added to the account. Reconnections made outside of the
District's normal business hours at the customer's request will be charged at an
additional after hour's fee of one -hundred dollars ($100.00).
11 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
C. Business Hours. For purposes of assessing the foregoing charges, "normal"
or "regular" business hours shall mean only the hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. All other times, including District holidays, are outside of the
District's normal business hours and will result in the higher charge.
D. Returned Checks and Bank Drafts. A twenty-five dollar ($25.00) charge will
be charged to the customer's account for any check or ACH bank draft returned by
the bank. Any amounts due on an account which have been paid with a check or ACH
bank draft that has been returned by the bank must be paid in full by cash, cashier's
check or money order, including all late charges and returned check charges, within
ten (10) days from the day the District mails notice to the customer or otherwise
notifies the customer that the check or ACH bank draft has been returned by the bank.
E. Same -Day Service. An additional charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall
be made when a customer requests same-day service. As an example, this charge
will be implemented upon request by a customer for same-day service to start or
terminate water and sewer service or to perform re -reads the same day as requested.
F. Accuracy Reading Fee. A meter accuracy reading fee in the amount of
twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be charged to a customer by the District for each
meter accuracy reading made by the District for such customer when the original
reading appears to be accurate. If the original meter reading appears to be in error,
no fee will be charged. Each customer will be allowed one accuracy meter reading
per calendar year at no charge. **Should a customer request that a meter be
removed, and bench tested by an outside source, then a fee of one hundred twenty-
five dollars ($125.00) will be charged to the customer. If the meter fails to meet
American Water Works Association standards for in-service meters, then the
customer will be given a credit offsetting the amount of the charge.
httos://www.awwa.ora/publications/iournal-awwa/abstract/articleid/34055179. asox
G. Meter Data Logging Fee. Each customer will be allowed one data log at no -
cost per fiscal year. A fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be charged to a
customer by the District for each meter data logging service performed thereafter.
Meter data logging service can only be provided during regular business hours.
Section 3.03. Entitlement. Water and sewer service shall be provided to customers in
accordance with all TCEQ rules covering minimum water and sewer standards.
Section 3.04. Unauthorized and Extraordinary Waste. The rates established herein
are applicable for Domestic Waste as defined herein. Customers proposing to generate other
types of waste will be assessed additional charges as established by the District.
12 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
Section 3.05. Damaae to District Facilities.
A. Damage to Meter and Appurtenances. No person other than a duly
authorized agent of the District shall tamper with or in any way interfere with a meter,
meter box, service line or other water and/or sewer system appurtenance. The District
reserves the right, immediately and without notice, to remove the meter or disconnect
water service to any customer whose meter has been tampered with and to assess
repair charges to the customer, plus a damage fee not to exceed five thousand dollars
($5,000.00), plus any applicable charge for same day service. The District also
reserves the right to file civil and/or criminal charges against any person or entity
tampering with the District's public water system and/or sewer system.
B. Repair. It is the responsibility of the customer to maintain and repair the
water service line from the point of connection to the District's water meter. The
District reserves the right to repair any damage to the District's System and
appurtenances without prior notice and to assess against any customer such
penalties as are provided by law and such penalties provided for in this Rate Order
in addition to those charges necessary to repair the portion of the System so
damaged.
C. Video. If at any time a resident/customer wishes to have the District video
their sewer line to help the resident determine the condition of their sewer line, the
fee will be one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) payable to the District assessed on the
next month's bill.
Section 3.06. Easements. Before service is established to any customer, the person
requesting such service shall grant an easement of ingress and egress to and from the meter(s)
for such maintenance and repair as the District, in its judgment, may deem necessary.
Section 3.07. Required Service. No service will be provided by the District unless the
customer agrees to receive both water and sewer service, except that permanent irrigation only
meters may receive water service only. Irrigation meters cannot be connected to any building
plumbing.
Section 3.08. Additional Charges. In all cases where services are performed, and
equipment or supplies are furnished to a party or entity not within the District, the charge to said
party or entity shall be the District's cost of providing such services, equipment and/or supplies,
plus fifteen percent (15%). This shall not apply to services, equipment and/or supplies furnished
by the District under an existing Interlocal Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
INDUSTRIAL WASTE
13 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
Section 4.01. Industrial Waste Policy. The following policy regarding industrial waste
shall be effective:
A. Definition. "Industrial waste" shall mean the water -borne solids, liquids, and/or
gaseous wastes (including Cooling Water), resulting from any industrial,
manufacturing, trade, business, commercial, or food processing operation or process,
or from the development of any natural resource, or any mixture of such solids,
liquids, or wastes with water or domestic sewage. The Clean Water Act of 1977, as
amended, and the General Pretreatment Regulations contained in 40 C.F.R. 403
contain the requirements for user's discharge of industrial waste into wastewater
facilities.
B. Industrial Waste Discharge, Charges, and Rates. If any customer of the
District's sanitary sewer system proposes to discharge industrial waste into such
system, the Board of Directors of the District shall request the recommendation of the
District Engineer and shall establish rates and charges to provide for an equitable
assessment of costs whereby such rates and charges for discharges of industrial
waste correspond to the cost of waste treatment, taking into account the volume and
strength of the industrial, domestic, commercial waste, and all other waste discharges
treated and techniques of the treatment required. Such rates shall be an equitable
system of cost recovery which is sufficient to produce revenues, in proportion to the
percentage of industrial wastes proportionately relative to the total waste load to be
treated by the District for the operation and maintenance of the treatment works, for
the amortization of the District's indebtedness for the cost as may be necessary to
assure adequate waste treatment on a continuing basis.
C. Pretreatment. The Board of Directors of the District shall rely upon the
recommendation of the District Engineer and shall require pretreatment of any
industrial waste that would otherwise be detrimental to the treatment works or to its
proper and efficient operation and maintenance or will otherwise prevent the entry of
such industrial waste into the treatment plant.
ARTICLE V
ENFORCEMENT/CIVIL PENALTIES
Section 5.01. Enforcement.
A. Civil Penalties. The Board hereby imposes the following civil penalties for
breach of any rule of the District: The violator shall pay the District twice the costs the
District has sustained due to the violation up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00). A
penalty under this Section is in addition to any other penalty provided by the laws of
this State and may be enforced by complaints filed in the appropriate court of
jurisdiction in the county in which the District's principal office or meeting place is
14 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1,2023
located. If the District prevails in any suit to enforce its rules, it may, in the same
action, recover any reasonable fees for attorneys, expert witnesses, and other costs
incurred by the District before the court. The court shall fix the amount of the
attorneys' fees.
B. Liability for Costs. Any person violating any of the provisions of this Order
and/or the rules and regulations governing water and sanitary sewer facilities, service
lines, and connections shall become liable to the District for any expense, loss or
damage occasioned by the District by reason of such violation, and enforcement
thereof shall be in accordance with Paragraph A of Section 5.01 of this Order.
Section 5.02. Non -waiver. The failure on the part of the District to enforce any section,
clause, sentence, or provision of this Order shall not constitute a waiver of the right of the District
later to enforce any section, clause, sentence, or provision of this Order.
Section 5.03. Appeal. Any determination by the District of any dispute regarding the
terms and provisions of this order may be appealed to the Board of Directors of the District, which
shall conduct a hearing on the matter. The District shall provide the customer with information
regarding appeals and hearing procedures upon the customer's request.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 6.01. Amendments. The Board of the District has and specifically reserves the
right to change, alter or amend any rate or provision of this Order at any time.
Section 6.02. Severabilitv. The provisions of this Order are severable, and if any
provision or part of this Order or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall ever
be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional for any reason, the
remainder of this Order and application of such provision or part of this Order shall not be affected
thereby.
ARTICLE VII
REPEAL OF PREVIOUS ORDERS
This Rate Order shall be known as the "2023-0322A Rate Order" (Order No. 2023-0322A) of the
District. All previous Orders adopted by the Board of Directors pertaining to the subject matter
hereof are each hereby repealed in their entirety as of the effective date hereof.
ARTICLE VIII
EFFECTIVE DATE
15 of 16
Rate Order No. 2023-0322A
Effective April 1, 2023
This Order shall be effective on April 1, 2023.
ARTICLE IX
PUBLIC MEETING
It is hereby found that the meeting at which this Order is adopted is open to the public as required
by law, and that public notice of the time, place, and subject matter of said meeting and of the
proposed adoption of this Order was given as required by law.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 22ndt day of March 2023.
Kevin R. Carr, President
Board of Directors
Doug Harper, Secretary/Treasurer
Board of Directors
16 of 16