Title
Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 44, Section 44-149, Code of Ordinances (2010 Edition), regarding wastewater discharge surcharges. (Second Reading)
Body
Wastewater treatment facilities are designed to handle normal domestic concentrations of waste. Similarly, the rates applied to customers of the wastewater system are based on normal, domestic concentrations of waste. Wastewater that contains higher concentrations of organic waste costs more to treat. In order to recover these higher than normal costs, a wastewater surcharge is applied to customers that discharge wastewater exceeding 250 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), 250 mg/L of Total Suspended Solids, and 450 mg/L of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).
The current surcharge rates that are charged to our customers are as follows:
- BOD is $0.298/pound
- TSS is $0.298/pound
- COD is $0.298/pound
The City currently monitor 154 businesses twice per year to ensure that these businesses meet our wastewater discharge requirements and to quantify their BOD,TSS, and COD concentrations. The average surcharge paid by these customers is approximately $133 per month. Many businesses do not pay anything and some pay several hundred dollars.
The proposed surcharge rates are as follows:
- BOD $0.477/pound
- TSS $0.477/pound
- COD is $0.477/pound
The proposed surcharge rate is based on the actual cost to treat a pound of BOD, TSS, and COD. This rate also coincides with the change in the residential wastewater rate since the surcharge fee was last changed in 2004. Since that time, the residential wastewater rate has increased by 60%. If the proposed surcharge rate is approved, customers can expect to pay a rate of approximately 60% more than they are currently paying. Surcharges can be controlled or managed through best management practices such as proper handling of food wastes and maintenance of the grease trap.
Recommended Action
Staff Recommends Approval.