13.20.186 Sewer meters.
Sanitary sewer meters monitor, measure, record and totalize the flow of wastewater into the sanitary sewer system. This information is then used to generate a sewage bill for the site. Installation of sanitary sewer meters is discouraged by the city; however, the city engineer may determine that a sewer meter is the only appropriate device that will allow for the accurate measurement of waste water being sent into the public sewer system. Sites where a sewer meter may be allowed or required include, but are not limited to, facilities where the water source is not metered or facilities where industrial processes remove a significant amount of metered water from the waste stream. If allowed or required, then the meter shall be installed and operated pursuant to the following conditions:
A. Sewer meters shall be owned, operated and maintained by the property owner.
B. Sewer meters shall be selected and installed consistent with city of Auburn design standards.
C. Sewer meters shall continually totalize the flow passing through the meter and display the meter reading in ccf (one ccf equals 100 cubic feet).
D. The owner shall provide the city access to read the sewer meter, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
E. A side sewer repair permit shall be obtained for the installation, replacement, or modification of sewer meters.
F. The property owner shall have the sewer meter calibrated once per calendar year by the manufacturer or the manufacturer’s authorized representative at the owner’s expense. A copy of the calibration report shall be furnished to the city public works department on or before December 31st of that year.
G. Regardless of whether the city has previously allowed or required the installation and use of a sewer meter, the city shall, after giving the property owner 30 working days’ notice and opportunity to cure the defect, bill the property owner for sewage based on metered water usage for the property for any of the following reasons:
1. The owner fails to submit a calibration report.
2. The calibration report indicates that the meter cannot be calibrated, and will not accurately measure flow.
3. The city becomes aware that the meter is malfunctioning, or unexplained anomalies in the meter readings are identified.
If the source of the wastewater is not metered potable water (e.g., contaminated groundwater), the city may, after providing 15 working days’ notice of its intent to do so, elect to use previous years’ and/or months’ readings as a basis for sewer charges. The city shall add an additional 50 percent surcharge until such time as the owner provides a fully functional calibrated meter.
H. If a meter is found to be inoperative or inaccurate, the property owner must repair or replace the defective meter within 30 days of being notified of the problem.
If the property owner fails to comply with these conditions, the city may charge the owner for all expenses incurred in restoring compliance including, but not limited to, staff time, legal expenses, consultant costs, and the cost of repairs and equipment calibration. In cases where the city acts unilaterally to obtain compliance, a monthly surcharge of 10 percent will be added to the bill until such time as the finance director determines is necessary. The city may revoke the right to use a sewage meter at any time and the sewer bill shall be calculated based on total water volume utilized as measured by the water meter. At the finance director’s discretion, in cases of continued noncompliance, the city may also revoke the right to discharge to the sewer system. (Ord. 6331 § 1, 2010; Ord. 5852 § 1, 2004.)