§ 66-173. Sewer use fees, charges and loading surcharges.

(a)

Sewer use charges.

(1)

If a user discharges sanitary sewage, industrial wastes, water or other liquids into the town sewer system, either directly or indirectly, and it can be shown by such party, to the satisfaction of the director, that a portion of the water as measured by the water meter does not and cannot enter the sewer system, then the director may determine in such manner and by such method as he may find practicable, the percentage of metered water entering the sewer system. The quantity of water used to determine the sewer charge shall be that percentage so determined of the water measured by the water meters, or the director may require or permit the installation of acceptable additional water or sewer meters, at such party's expense, and in such a manner as to determine the quantity of water actually entering the sewer system, in which case the quantity of water used to determine the sewer charge shall be the quantity of water actually entering the sewer system, as determined. If such additional water or sewer meters are installed, an additional charge of $5.00 shall be made to cover the cost of reading and computing the flow of each such meter, and such additional charge shall be added to each sewer charge bill rendered.

(2)

After installation of the measuring equipment approved by the director, it shall be the obligation of each industrial user to conduct a test on such measuring equipment at least once every 12 months to determine its accuracy, and the results thereof shall be furnished in writing to the director. Those users seeking renewal of an industrial wastewater discharge permit shall file the results as part of the report required by section 66-175. It shall also be the industrial user's responsibility to notify the department of public works within a reasonable time in advance so that the department may, if it chooses, have a witness present during such test. If, upon any such test, the percentage of accuracy is found to be within the accuracy tolerance as established by the manufacturer's specifications, such measuring equipment shall be determined to have correctly measured the quantity delivered to the sewer system. If, however, upon any such test, the percentage of accuracy is found to be in excess of the accuracy tolerance specified in the manufacturer's specifications, then such measuring equipment shall be immediately adjusted to register correctly the quantity delivered to the sewer system. The billings to such industrial user shall be adjusted for a period extending back to the time when the inaccuracy began, if such time is ascertainable, or for a period extending back one-half of the time elapsed since the date of the last test or the date of the last adjustment, if the time is not ascertainable.

(3)

All users for which the water supply is from other suppliers of water shall furnish to the town either a certified meter reading of water delivered to its plant or company, or a copy of the billing from the water supplier. In this event, the user's charges will be calculated and the time conditions will apply as if the town were the supplier of water to the user.

(b)

Commercial and industrial sewer use surcharge. If the director determines that a commercial or industrial sewer user imposes an increased operating demand on the wastewater treatment plant, then the user shall pay a loading surcharge based on such increased operating demand, regardless of the pollutant involved. The loading surcharge shall be in addition to the sewer rate established pursuant to subsection (a) above.

(Ord. No. 1612, § I, 12-14-04)