Alhambra Municipal Code Ch. 16.18 Sewer User Fee

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ADJUSTMENT. A determination that the volumetric amount of sewage which enters the sewer system from a premises is deemed to be a defined amount substantially different from that amount specified in a resolution of the City Council referred to hereinafter.

AVERAGE SEWAGE. The average amount of sewage which enters the sewer system from a user, as determined and established for residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental users from time to time by resolution of the City Council.

CITY. City of Alhambra.

CITY COUNCIL. The City Council of the city of Alhambra.

COMMERCIAL. That use of the sewer system which is in any manner related to the operation of or on any premises for purposes of business, commerce or trade.

GOVERNMENTAL. That use of the sewer system by a city, city and county, county, state, federal government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing.

INDUSTRIAL. That use of the sewer system which is in any manner related to manufacturing or processing activities.

PREMISES. A parcel of real property, and any appurtenances and improvements situated thereto, discharging sewage or connected to the sewer system.

RESIDENTIAL. That use of the sewer system which is related to predominately residential use of the premises in discharging sewage into the sewer system.

SEWAGE. The used, spent, or wasted discharge of the community of the city received, directly or indirectly, by the sewer system from one or more of the following sources: residences, commercial buildings, industrial plants, other structures and institutions, subsurface water, surface water, and storm water.

SEWER USER FEE. That amount imposed upon users of the sewage system as provided for in this chapter.

SEWER SYSTEM. The entire network of appurtenances, improvements, fixtures, real and personal property involved and contributing to the operation and maintenance of the sewage collection and disposal system of the city, including, but not limited to, sewer facilities and pumping stations.

USER. An owner or occupant, whether commercial, governmental, industrial, or residential, of an appurtenance, improvement, building, lot or premises being served by the city.

WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS SUPERINTENDENT. The Water and Sewer Systems Superintendent of the city.

('86 Code, § 16.18.010) (Ord. 3930, passed - - )

(A) There is hereby imposed a sewer user fee for the receiving, transportation, pumping, treatment, and disposal of sewage through the sewer system, and capital replacement costs pertaining thereto.

(B) The sewer user fee shall be a charge to commercial, governmental, industrial and residential users on the volume of sewage which enters the sewer system from the premises based on the amount of water delivered or furnished to the premises. The imposition of such a charge based on volume shall not preclude other charges or fees established by the city or other governmental agencies, such as, an industrial waste surcharge and connection fees.

(C) The sewer user fee shall be computed at the rates established from time to time by resolution of the City Council.

(D) No sewer user fee shall be made or collected where no portion of the water delivered to the premises of the user enters the sewer system.

(E) Any user, at his own option and cost, may obtain a permit from the Department of Public Services of city and install pursuant thereto and subject to inspection by the Department of Public Services, a metering device or devices approved by such Department of Public Services for measuring all of the sewage discharge into the sewer system from his premises. For purposes of this division, the total aggregate measured through the device or devices during a given billing period will be deemed to be the average sewage from his premises for the billing period.

(F) The Water and Sewer Systems Superintendent shall have the power and duty to enforce all of the provisions of this chapter, and he shall provide such rules and regulations as are consistent with the provisions of this chapter which, in his opinion, may be necessary and/or desirable to aid him in the administration, adjustments and enforcement of this chapter.

('86 Code, § 16.18.020) (Ord. 3930, passed - - )

The sewer user fee imposed by this chapter shall be billed and collected along with and in the same manner and as of the time imposed by Title 15 of this code for the billing and collection of the city's charges for water furnished by the city; and, in the event of delinquency, a penalty is hereby imposed in the manner, as of the time and in the amount as may, from time to time, be specified in Title 15 of this code.

('86 Code, § 16.18.030) (Ord. 3930, passed - - )

(A) The Water and Sewer Systems Super-intendent shall have the power to provide for adjust-ments in the average sewage discharge factors provided for in a resolution of the City Council in those cases where the Water and Sewer Systems Superintendent determines that the actual quantity of sewage discharge is substantially different from that allowed for in the average sewage discharge factor provided for in the resolution.

(B) Any user may appeal any such determination of the Water and Sewer Systems Superintendent to that city committee established by § 15.04.170 of this code in accordance with and pursuant to the provisions thereof.

('86 Code, § 16.18.040) (Ord. 3930, passed - - )

(A) All funds collected pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited with the Director of Finance and credited to the “sanitary sewer operation and maintenance account” within the Sewer Fund.

(B) All such funds collected shall be expended for the purposes of the construction, operation and maintenance of the sewage system of the city, and for the purposes of paying for any refunds, billings, collections, and administrative costs related to the sewer user fee.

('86 Code, § 16.18.050) (Ord. 3930, passed - - )