El Segundo Municipal Code Ch. 7 Sewer Use Fee

The purpose of this Chapter is to provide funds for the operation and maintenance of the City sewer system by imposing a City sewer use fee upon the users of these facilities. This charge is to be reviewed at least bi-annually. (Ord. 1093, 1-20-1987)

Every person discharging sewage, effluent, industrial waste, or other waste matter into a public sewer shall pay a sewer use fee to the City. This fee shall be in addition to any other fee imposed by this Title. (Ord. 1093, 1-20-1987)

The sewer use fee shall be computed and determined on the basis of water supplied to the premises and shall be fixed and established from time to time by the City Council by resolution. (Ord. 1093, 1-20-1987)

The fees imposed by this Chapter shall be collected by adding the same to the water bills rendered by the Chief Financial Officer of the City. The period covered by each billing shall be the same period for which the water bill is rendered and shall be paid at the same time and in the same manner as the water bill. (Ord. 1093, 1-20-1987; amd. Ord. 1620, 11-17-2020)

Bills for sewer use fee set forth on water bills shall be delinquent if not paid when the water bill is due; otherwise, within fifteen (15) days from the date the bill is delivered or mailed. (Ord. 1093, 1-20-1987)

When there is more than one dwelling unit, business, industry, or other use on any premises served by a single water meter, the sewer use fee will be billed to the water user. In those instances where the water user fails to pay such sewer use fee, the owner shall be liable to the City for payment thereof. (Ord. 1093, 1-20-1987)

In case of delinquency in payment of the sewer use fee, the sewer lateral shall be plugged. The lessor or the owner shall be responsible for payment of all fees incurred in plugging or unplugging of the sewer lateral in addition to the delinquent charges. (Ord. 1093, 1-20-1987)

A. Water Supply Not Discharged To City Sewer: Where no portion of the water supplied to any premises enters a public sewer of the City, no fee shall accrue under this Chapter if an application for exemption is filed with the Public Works Director and he finds that there is no discharge of any sewage, effluent, industrial waste or other waste matter from such premises into a public sewer of the City.

B. Low Income Residential Discount: Low income residential users meeting the adjusted gross annual income criteria included in the current City water rate resolution shall receive a discount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the monthly charges for sewer use. (Ord. 1237, 4-4-1995)

A. Determination Of Reasonable Fee: In any case where it is believed that a sewer use fee imposed by this Chapter is excessive, the person responsible for paying such fee may apply to the Public Works Director for an adjustment. The applicant shall, by affidavit and supporting testimony, show that the fee is discriminatory, unreasonable or unfair. The fee shall be deemed to be nondiscriminatory, reasonable and fair if the following percentage of water supplied to the premises on an annual basis enters a public sewer:

Use Of Premises Percentage

Residential 40 or more

Commercial 60 or more

Industrial 60 or more

Other 40 or more

Measured discharge 100

B. Investigation; Findings: The Public Works Director shall conduct an investigation and make findings of fact from which he shall determine whether the fee is fair and reasonable. If he determines that the fee is excessive, he shall adjust the fee so that it is fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory. If the fee has already been paid, he shall order a refund of the excess paid during the twelve (12) months or any portion thereof immediately preceding the date of application for adjustment. Fees which are delinquent for more than ninety (90) days shall not be subject to adjustment. (Ord. 1093, 1-20-1987)

The sewer use fee imposed by this Chapter shall constitute a debt owed to the City and, in the event suit is brought to recover such fee, shall be subject to a delinquent penalty of twenty five percent (25%). (Ord. 1093, 1-20-1987)