§ 78-95. Customer choice wastewater rate program for detached single-family residential customers.

(a)

The default method for calculating wastewater fees is the Standard rate. Single-family detached residential customers, located inside the city limits, have the option of selecting one of three methods for calculating wastewater fees. In addition to the Standard rate, a customer may choose the winter average method, or the flat rate method.

(b)

A customer may select in writing, on forms provided by the city, a method by which the wastewater portion of the utility bill is calculated. Actual rates for each method are set by the city council and subject to change at any time. It will be the responsibility of the customer to contact the City of Hewitt to make changes to their current wastewater rate schedule. A change to the rate calculation method for billing purposes will take effect on the next available billing cycle after the written request is submitted and approved by the city.

(c)

Upon selection of a wastewater rate calculation method, a customer must remain on that selected method for a minimum of 12 months. If the account holder decides to change their method of calculation prior to completion of a 12-month period of time, a $250.00 termination fee will be assessed to the customer and applied to the account.

(d)

Single-family residential account holders that have a temporary account, separate irrigation meter, or other special circumstance will not qualify for winter average or fixed rate options and will be charged as per the standard wastewater rate schedule. Where eligibility is in question at a particular location, the city manager or his designee shall make the final determination.

(e)

Winter average. If an eligible customer chooses this option, the monthly volume charge shall be based on a minimum monthly charge plus the individual customer's water use occurring at a specific location primarily during the previous four winter months.

(1)

For purposes of calculating the winter average, an account holder's billing cycle where the majority of water is consumed in the months of November, December, January, and February will be used. Billing cycles and actual calendar months will vary.

(2)

The amount of water used by the single-family detached residential customer as measured by the customer's water meter at a specific location during the four billing cycles described above will be used as a basis for determining the Winter average for billing purposes. Water consumption during the four winter billing cycles will be totaled then divided by four (4) to determine the average monthly water consumption at a specific location. Where data is insufficient to determine an actual winter average at a location for a new or transferred customer, an interim average of 5,000 gallons of water will be used.

(3)

The account holder's most recently completed winter billing cycle will be used to determine the monthly volume charge, which will remain the same each month, for the next twelve-month period beginning with the customer's April billing cycle. Actual rates will be subject to change and will be based on the most recently adopted fee schedule.

(4)

A customer with excessive water use due to a service line water leak during the winter months may request for the wastewater winter average to be adjusted. Adjustments will be considered for approval on a case by case basis. Requests for wastewater rate adjustments for purposes of calculating the winter average, may be submitted in writing, on forms provided by the city, by an account holder where a customer can establish a verifiable water leak, occurring during any one-month period during the four-month winter average period, has been corrected or repaired. There will not be any adjustments or refunds for past billing of wastewater services. A request under this section must be submitted within 90 days of such leak or before April 25. A leak adjustment may be extended across two billing periods as applicable. Evidence by plumber receipts and/or plumbing parts receipts will be required. Only one adjustment will be considered during the winter average months. Exceptions may be considered for extraordinary circumstances.

(f)

Flat rate. If an eligible customer chooses the flat rate option the monthly wastewater charge will be a fixed rate, regardless of water consumption, based on the most recently adopted fee schedule.

(Ord. No. 2016-02-15-2, § I, 2-15-16)