HomeMy WebLinkAbout2568 Customer Water Leak Repair and Bill AdjustmentOrdinance No. ~ 5~ ~
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND ADDING A NEW
SECTION 13.12.320, CUSTOMER LEAK REPAIR AND BILL ADJUSTMENT, TO
CHAPTER 13.12, WATER SYSTEM AND REGULATION, OF THE PORT
TOWNSEND MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ALLOW ADJUSTMENT OF WATER AND
WASTEWATER BILLS FOR CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCING WATER PIPE
BREAKS THROUGH NO FAULT OR KNOWLEDGE OF THE CUSTOMER
WHEREAS, the City is aware that at certain times, such as during freezing weather or
due to aging pipes, a City customer's private water pipes may leak or break -- through no fault
or knowledge of the customer -- resulting in excessive water and wastewater charges; and
WHEREAS, current City policy is to defray the costs somewhat by altering its charges
for Average Winter Water Use (AWWU); but to fully charge for the use of such water;
WHEREAS, after reviewing other cities practices and considering the policy
implications, the City desires to refrain from charging for such water use in limited
circumstances; and
WHEREAS, in balancing the cost and potential unfairness to the customer against the
finances of the City utility and the rate-paying public, the City Council finds that the bill
adjustment should be limited to those customers who did not know about the problem and who
promptly repair the broken or lealdng private water service pipes or water pipes, should be
limited to two billing cycles~ and should apply to pipes from the water meter to the structure
and pipes under the structure; and
WHEREAS, the Utilities Committee has reviewed this ordinance and recommended
adoption to the full Council; and
WHEREAS, the CitY council is adopting this ordinance as an interim measure, to be
again reviewed and readopted with the new water code (Title 13, Water, SeWers and
Stormwater), .currently scheduled for adoption in April 1997.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend does ordain as
follows:
~. A new Section 13.12.320, Customer leak repair and bill adjustment, is
added to Chapter 13.12, Water System and Regulations, of the Port Townsend Municipal
Code to read as follOws:
Customer leak repair and bill adjustment.
When excessive meter registration is caused by broken or leaking water service pipes from the
water meter into the structure or water pipes under the structure, including any crawl space or
other structural components of the structure, without the knowledge of the customer, an
adjustment to the water and wastewater bills may be made upon written application and
.qatisfactory proof showing where the leak or break occurred and that a repair has been made.
The adjustment would be for up to two months billing cycles in any one calendar year. The
basis for adjustment shall be the normal consumption under similar operating conditions. The
billing adjustment shall not exceed $500.00. The Average Winter Water lJse (AWWU)
calculation for sewer rates shall be established in accordance with PTMC 13.04.030(.2). (Ord.
§ 1, 1997.)
~. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this Ordinance
or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a
court of competent jurisdiction, such order or judgment shall not affect the validity or
constitutionality of the remainder of any part of this Ordinance. To this end, the provisions of
each clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this law are declared severable.
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days after the date of its publication
in the manner provided by law.
Read for the first, second, and third times and passed by the.City Council of the City
of Port Toyvnsend, Washington, at a regular meeting thereof, held this ~7~ day of
.f:~/O , 1997.
Julie ayor
Attest:
Pam Kolacy, City Cler
01/17/97 [PTMC 13.12] Ord\{1312300.doc}
Approved as to Form:
3.(~cMahan, City Attorney