HomeMy WebLinkAbout067 - 06/15/2010 - AMENDING SECTION 26-279 OF THE CITY CODE TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL MEANS OF DETERMINING WASTEWATER VOLUME ORDINANCE NO. 067, 2010
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING SECTION 26-279 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL MEANS OF DETERMINING WASTEWATER VOLUME
AS THE BASIS FOR WASTEWATER SERVICE FEES AND CHARGES
WHEREAS,rates,fees and charges for wastewater utility service are determined as set forth
in Division 4 of Article IV in Chapter 26 of the City Code; and
WHEREAS,the methods for measuring and determining wastewater volume for the purpose
of billing wastewater customers the applicable rates, fees and charges for wastewater service; and
WHEREAS, in some circumstances the volume of wastewater discharged by wastewater
customers with complex or unusual processes or plant configurations can be more accurately
determined using more refined methods than are currently provided in City Code; and
WHEREAS, City staff has proposed that Section 26-279 of the City Code be amended so
as to allow Utilities to develop and approve on a case-by-case basis methods for measuring one or
more specific quantities of water consumed or processed by nonresidential wastewater customers,
in order to determine more accurately the volume of wastewater discharged by such customers; and
WHEREAS,the City Council has determined that it is appropriate and desirable for Utilities
to have the authority to evaluate and establish such methods of measuring or determining wastewater
discharges by nonresidential wastewater customers.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that Section 26-279(c)of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended to read
as follows:
(c) The rate determination by category is as follows:
(2)
The user shall be charged this calculated amount and the applicable
base charge as set forth in § 26-280. If any metered water service
customer connects to the wastewater utility or makes a change in the
use of the premises or substantially expands such premises, the
General Manager shall make an estimate of the water consumption
on such premises during an average winter month based upon a count
of plumbing fixtures, consumption of similar customers or other
information relevant to such determination; and such estimate, when
made, shall be the basis for the wastewater service charge until the
actual winter use for the premises can be determined or until an
alternative means of determining wastewater volume is established
for the user in accordance with this Article.
(4) In addition to the applicable base charge set forth in § 26-280, users in
Categories D, E and F shall be billed upon the basis of metered water
consumption except where they can show to the satisfaction of the General
Manager that not all of the water going through the water meter is returned
to the wastewater system but is instead consumed or otherwise diverted. In
such cases, and with the approval of the General Manager, the wastewater
charges may be based upon one (1) of the to methods: (a)a metering
device of a type and installed in al I laill 1CL approved by the General Manager
may be used to measure the quantity of wastewater returned to the public
sewer, in which event the actual volume of wastewater discharged will be
substituted in the formula for billing purposes; (b) a metering device of a
type and installed in a manner approved by the General Manager may be
used to measure one or more specific quantities of water consumed or
processed in all or specified portions of the user's facility if the General
Manager finds that such measured water quantities form a sufficient and
reliable basis for determining the quantity of wastewater returned to the
public sewer,in which event the actual volume of wastewater discharged will
be substituted in the formula for billing purposes; or (c) when the user
discharges only wastes reasonably and regularly corresponding to the winter
quarter water use, said winter quarter water use may be substituted in the
formula for billing purposes. Any metering device used to measure
wastewater shall be installed and maintained at the user's expense.
Introduced,considered favorably on first reading,and ordered published this 1 st day of June,
A.D. 2010, and to be presented for final passage on the 15th day e, A.D. 2010.
Mayor
ATTEST:
1
City Clerk
-2-
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 15th day o4e .D. 10.
May
ATTEST:
'City Clerk
-3-