CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to Seattle Public Utilities; amending provisions related to adjustments to the wastewater volume charge due to water leaks; and amending Section 21.28.100 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, Seattle Municipal Code subsection 21.28.100.A allows customers to request adjustments to the wastewater volume charge on their sewer bills if they show evidence of a hidden or underground water leak only; and
WHEREAS, based on customer feedback and the City’s affordability agenda, Seattle Public Utilities reviewed its billing adjustment policy for residential wastewater customers regarding types of water leaks that are not hidden or underground and do not result in discharge into the sewer system, but are not allowed a billing adjustment to the wastewater volume charge; and
WHEREAS, Seattle Public Utilities recommends amending subsection 21.28.100.A to remove the qualification that a water leak be hidden or underground to allow residential customers to qualify for an adjustment to the wastewater volume charge; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 21.28.100 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 118396, is amended as follows:
21.28.100 Adjustments to wastewater volume charge ((.))
A. Upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of ((hidden or underground)) water leakage that does not enter the wastewater system, the Director of Seattle Public Utilities ((shall)) may adjust the wastewater volume charge to the premises ((for water so lost)) and may not use the period during which ((such)) the water leakage occurs in computing the average winter water consumption when to do so would result in a higher wastewater charge to such premises, provided that no such adjustment shall be made for leakage occurring more than four (((4))) months prior to the date of application therefor. The General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Public Utilities is authorized to promulgate rules in accordance with Chapter 3.02 to establish policies for the eligibility and calculation of the adjustments to the wastewater volume charge due to water leaks under this subsection 21.28.100.A.
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Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2017, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2017.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2017.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2017.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)