§ 34-226.1. Methods for establishing monthly residential charges.

(a)

Definitions.

(1)

Entity. A city, town, political or commercial subdivision, district, association, military installation or facility that establishes, operates and maintains a sewer collection system within its jurisdictional boundaries, and contracts with the San Antonio Water System to connect that sewer collection system to the regional sewage transportation and treatment works in order that the San Antonio Water System can provide for the transportation and treatment of sewage discharged by the entity.

(2)

Winter averaging sewer charge period. The period of water and sewer service during the three (3) complete consecutive billing periods commencing on or after November 15 of each year and terminating on or after the completion of three full billing cycles in March of each year. During the three (3) complete consecutive billing periods the system shall establish monthly sewer service charges for customers based upon their average monthly water consumption during the three (3) complete consecutive billing periods. The customer must receive sewer service at one location during the entire three (3) consecutive billing periods in order to establish a "winter average."

(3)

Interim averaging sewer charge period. The period of water and sewer service during three (3) complete monthly billing periods during which the system establishes monthly sewer service charges for customers based upon their average monthly water consumption during that period. This interim averaging sewer charge period is to be used only in determining monthly sewer service charges when the customer has not yet established a winter average by the method outlined in (2) above.

(4)

Winter average charge. The monthly sewer service charge established by the system during the winter averaging sewer charge period. This charge is the basis for monthly billings until completion of the next entire winter averaging sewer charge period.

(5)

Interim average charge. The monthly sewer service charge established by the system during the interim averaging sewer charge period. This charge is the basis for monthly billings until completion of the next entire winter averaging sewer charge period and becomes the basis for subsequent monthly billings.

(b)

Final billings. For all final billings, either the winter average charge, or the interim average charge, or the unaveraged residential charge or the unmetered residential charge, whichever is in effect at the termination of service for residential customers, will be prorated by dividing the applicable sewer service charge by thirty (30), and multiplying by the number of days that sewer service was actually received during the final month. However, final billings shall not be greater than the applicable sewer service charge and shall not be less than the minimum sewer service charge stated in Rate Schedules A and B, attached hereto and incorporated herein.

(c)

New customers who have not established monthly sewer service charge by previous residency within the service area during the preceding six months. New customers who move into the service area after the first day of a billing period and before the last day of that billing period will be billed on a proration basis by dividing the applicable I.C.L. or O.C.L. unaveraged residential charge, stated in Rate Schedules A and B, attached hereto and incorporated herein by thirty (30), and multiplying by the number of days that sewer service was actually received. However, the initial bill for service received during the first partial billing period shall not be less than the minimum I.C.L. or O.C.L. sewer service charge stated in Rate Schedules A and B, attached hereto and incorporated herein.

New customers will pay the I.C.L. or O.C.L. unaveraged residential charge, stated in Rate Schedules A and B, attached hereto and incorporated herein, during the first three (3) complete billing periods while an interim average charge based upon water consumption is established. The interim average charges shall not be greater than the I.C.L. or O.C.L. unaveraged residential charge, stated in Rate Schedules A and B, attached hereto and incorporated herein, nor be less than the minimum monthly I.C.L. or O.C.L. sewer service charge stated in Rate Schedules A and B, attached hereto and incorporated herein.

Once the interim average charge is established, it shall be the monthly sewer service charge through the end of the next complete winter averaging sewer charge period. Once the winter average charge is established, the interim average charge shall no longer be the basis for the monthly service charge.

(d)

Initial billings for customers relocating within the service area. Customers who relocate within the service area will receive an initial bill at their new residence based upon either the winter average charge, or the interim average charge, or the unaveraged residential charge or the unmetered residential charge, depending upon which charge has been the basis for monthly billings at the previous residence. The applicable charge will be prorated by dividing it by thirty (30), and multiplying by the number of days that sewer service is actually received during the first month at the new residence. However, initial billings shall not be greater than the applicable monthly sewer service charge and shall not be less than the minimum I.C.L. or O.C.L. sewer service charge stated in Rate Schedules A and B, attached hereto and incorporated herein. After this initial billing, the customers described above will continue to be billed monthly sewer service charges based upon the full monthly charge established at their previous residence. This applicable charge shall serve as the basis for monthly billings until the end of the next complete winter averaging sewer charge period.

(e)

Alternative methods. The above definitions and methods (1-5) for established monthly residential sewer service charges shall apply to, and be implemented by, all water purveyors within the service area except those water purveyors that have submitted alternative definitions and methods which have been approved by the system.

(Ord. No. 80330, § 1, 6-16-94)

Editor's note

Rate Schedules A and B referenced above are set out at length at the end of this chapter.