HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 6889 ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 29-113 OF CHAPTER
29 OF THE FORT WORTH CITY CODE (1964) , AS AMENDED,
BY REVISING THE ABNORMAL SEWAGE SURCHARGE; MAKING
THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF PRIOR ORDINANCES;
REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES AND PROVISIONS OF THE
FORT WORTH CITY CODE IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVID-
ING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH,
TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
That Paragraph (b) of Subsection 4 of Section 29-113 of Chapter 29
of the Fort Worth City Code (1964) , as amended, be and is hereby amended
and, after having been so amended, shall hereafter read as follows:
11(b) . Abnormal sewage surcharge. Persons generating abnormal sewage
may discharge such sewage into the sanitary sewer provided: (1) the
waste will not cause damage to the collection system, (2) the waste
will not impair the treatment processes, (3) the person discharging
such waste pays a monthly surcharge to the Fort Worth Water Department
in addition to the usual monthly sewer service charges. Computations
of such surcharges shall be based on the following formula:
S = Vx62.4x[0.019(B.O.D.-300)+0.010(S.S.-300)]
S = surcharge in dollars
V = water consumption in millions of cubic feet during
the billing period
62.4 = pounds per cubic foot of water
0.019 = unit charge per pound for B.O.D. in dollars
B.O.D. = B.O.D. strength index in parts per million by
weight
300 = normal B.O.D. strength in parts per million by weight
0.010 unit charge per pound for suspended solids in dollars
S.S. = suspended solids strength index in parts per million
by weight
300 = normal suspended solids strength in parts per million
by weight
"If the strength index for either B.O.D. or S.S. is less than the
normal strength index for that category, then there shall be no
surcharge for that category, nor shall there be credit given to
the total surcharge."
SECTION 2.
That this ordinance shall repeal every prior ordinance and provision
of the Fort Worth City Code in conflict herewith but only insofar as any
portion of such prior ordinance or provision shall be in conflict, and as
to all other ordinances or provisions of the Fort Worth City Code not in
direct conflict herewith, this ordinance shall be and is hereby made cumula-
tive.
SECTION 3.
That all rights or remedies of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, are
expressly saved as to any and all violations of Chapter 29, or of any amend-
ments thereto, of the Fort Worth City Code (1964) , as amended, which have
accrued at the time of the effective date of this ordinance; and as to such
accrued violations, the Court shall have all of the powers that existed prior
to the effective date of this ordinance.
SECTION 4.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the
sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses and phrases of this ordinance are
severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this
ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or decree
of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality shall not
affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sec-
tions of this ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by the City
Council without the incorporation in this ordinance of any such unconstitutional
phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, or section.
SECTION 5.
That the violation of any provision of this ordinance or of the Fort
Worth City Code relating to the payment of an Abnormal Sewage Surcharge
shall be deemed an offense and punishable by a fine not exceeding Two Hundred
Dollars ($200) , and each violation thereof, and each day on which there is a
failure to comply with the terms of this ordinance shall be and is hereby
deemed to be a distinct and separate offense and punishable as such.
SECTION 6.
That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after
October 1, 1973, and it is so ordained.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
City Attorney
Adopted by the City Council August 13, 1973
s=
City of Fort Worth, Texas
'le .mayor and Council Communication
BRANAM
DATE REFERENCE SUBJECT: Changes in Rates for Water PAGE
4AMMOK NUMBER and Sewer Service
7/30/73 G-2232 iof 5
ao.n�son
The new Rolling Hills Water Treatment Plant has been completed and is
ready to be placed in service. This new plant and the Cedar Creek water
which it will treat provides a totally new water supply of excellent
quality and with capacity to meet the growing needs of the city and its
customer cities. The long range Cedar Creek project was approved by
the voters in 1959 and funds for the new plant were approved in 1965.
The Village Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant has been expanded to 45
million gallons per day and a number of major collector sewers have
been constructed since the last rate increase. While the enlarged
plant has improved the quality of treatment, the next enlargement will
reduce pollution to a minimum and will permit the abandonment of the
Riverside Plant as approved by the voters in 1970. The increased debt
service and operating and maintenance cost of these capital facilities
plus inflation and reduced revenue this year necessitate an increase in
rates for water and sewer services effective with the October 1973
billings.
Based on the accumulated rainfall, calendar year 1973 is the third
wettest seven months' periods on record. Rainfall for July exceeds
all historical records. The rainfall and temperature during the
summer have a direct effect on water sales. As of July 15, 1973, the
water pumped during the 9;1 month period of this fiscal year was 2.7
billion gallons (13.2%) less than for last fiscal year during the same
period. When the rainfall is scattered throughout the month as it has
been during this spring and summer, the financial condition of the
Water and Sewer Operating Fund is seriously impaired.
The water and sewer bond coverage last fiscal year (ratio of net
revenue to debt service) was 1.64. Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
reduced the bond rating for the Water and Sewer Fund to A-1. This
year, due to the estimated loss of revenue, the bond coverage may drop
to a low of 1.42.
When the last rate increase was approved in 1970 (M&C G-1594) , the
Water Department reported that it anticipated the increase in rates
would be adequate to finance the current level of service of the water
and sewer systems and to provide sufficient bond funds for major con-
struction projects for at least three years, assuming that inflationary
pressure eased during that period. The City has more than met this
commitment when increased inflation is taken into consideration. A
rate increase of 15 percent is proposed effective with the October
1973 billings which should be sufficient to meet requirements of the
Water and Sewer Fund until October 1, 1976. Details of the proposed
application of the 15 percent rate increase are provided in the attached
Tables No. 2 and No. 3.
s
DATE REFERENCE SUBJECT: Changes in Rates for Water PAGE
NUMBER
and Sewer Service 2 of 5
7/30/73 G-2232
Effect on Residential Customers
The residential usage during a normal year will average about 7,500
gallons per month. However, the monthly bills (12.1 percent last year)
of many customers, never exceeded the minimum monthly charge of $2.40.
In addition, last year 50 percent of the residential water and sewer
bills did not exceed the charge for 6,500 gallons.
The 15 percent increase for a residential customer using 7,500 gallons
(1,000 cubic feet) would be from $6.10 to $7.00 (90 cents per month) .
The minimum charge would be increased 35 cents to $2.75 per month.
Percent Water and Sewer Cost Increases
Projections of expenditures and revenues under the existing rate sched-
ule for water and sewer service for the next three years show substan-
tial deficits beginning in 1973-74. Based on the proposed bond sales
to pay for 51 MGD enlargement of the Village Creek Wastewater Treat-
ment Plant, the construction of additional major interceptor sewers
along with an expanded program for reduction of infiltration, and
normal expansion of the water distribution system, the projections on
Table No. 1 show that without the recommended rate increase effective
next year, revenue coverage will be insufficient.
Since October 1970, there have been substantial increases in the cost
of operating the water and sanitary sewer systems due to inflation.
Some of the materials for which prices have increased are:
Cost Cost Percent
Item 1970 1973 Increase
Cast Iron Pipe, 6" $ 1.83 $ 2.34 27.9
Corporation Cocks, 3/4" 1.93 2.40 29.5
Meter Couplings, 1" .92 1.16 26.1
Corporation Stops, 2" 16.40 19.12 16.6
Alum (100# bag) , ton 60.00 66.25 10.4
Manhole Frames and Covers 25.00 31.50 26.0
Fire Hydrant 167.25 180.00 7.6
Postal rates were increased on May 16, 1971 by an additional 1 cent on
the postal card used for billing purposes. This amounts to a 20 per-
cent increase. The cost.of electricity, natural gas, and diesel fuel
have advanced and this department is the City's largest consumer of
these sources of energy.
Salaries for typical personnel positions in the Water Department have
increased as follows:
T
DATE REFERNUMBER
SUBJECT: Changes in Rates for Water PAGE
7/30/73 G-2232 and Sewer Service 3 5
Position Salary per Month Percent Increase
1970 1973
Laborer I $ 463 $ 511 12.5
Meter Reader 514 568 10.5
Foreman I 573 632 10.3
Utility Plant Oper. II 680 747 9.9
Clerk 463 531 14.7
Civil Engineer 1039 1099 5.8
Costs of new equipment have also advanced as shown below:
1970 1973 Percent Increase
1/2 Ton Pickup $1,905 $2,435 28
3/4 Ton Pickup 2,246 2,993 33
Compact Car 1,910 2,636 38
10 Yard Dump 10,570 11,912 12
Increased Costs and Quality of Sewage Treatment
The public desire for an improvement of the environment has resulted in
Congress passing the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Amendments of
1972, which impose many additional controls on stream quality and eff-
luent being discharged into the water courses.
The Texas Water Quality Board has also responded to the apparent wishes
of the people of Texas and regulations of EPA. Fort Worth now chlori-
nates all of the effluent of the treatment plants, which has increased
annual cost of chlorination from $16,700 in 1970 to $63,500 in 1973.
All plant influent must now be treated even though the river is in
flood flow conditions. The sewer collection system is being enlarged
so that during heavy rains the wastewaters will be confined to the
collection system and flow to the plant for treatment. The Texas Water
Quality Board has amended Fort Worth's Waste Discharge Permit effective
in 1975 requiring the plant effluent to be reduced from 20 ppm BOD and
20 ppm Suspended Solids to 10 of each. While this reduction appears
to be small, it represents a relatively large increase in both capital
cost for additional treatment capability and cost of operation and
maintenance.
Rate Adjustments for Customer Cities
The water rates for Fort Worth's customer cities were adjusted for the
five year period beginning October 1972. The Department's revenue pro-
jection from customer cities based on their reported projected needs
has been included in revenue projections. The sanitary sewer rates
for the customer cities will be adjusted effective October 1973 for
the next five year period based on projected cost as outlined in the
contracts. The additional revenue from this source has been estimated
and included in the proposed 1973-74 budget. This adjustment will be
proposed after financial records for 1972-73 are available.
i '
DATE REFERENCE SUBJECT: Changes in Rates for Water PAGE
NUMBER
7/30/73 G-2232 and Sewer Service 4 _ of _ 5
Industrial User Surcharge
The surcharge for industrial waste which strength exceeds 300 ppm BOD
and 300 ppm of Suspended Solids was set at 11 cents per pound of BOD
and 7 cents per pound of Suspended Solids on October 27, 1969 (M&C
G-1450) . These charges were established based on the cost of treat-
ment in 1967. Using the Black and Veatch "Report on Industrial Waste
Surcharges" prepared for the City of Fort Worth, and revising the
treatment cost figures to correspond to this year's estimated cost,
the cost per pound of BOD should be advanced from 11 cents to 19 cents
and the cost of a pound of suspended solids should be increased from
7 cents to 10 cents. Revenue from this source is included in the pro-
jected revenue. The surcharge is reduced when an industrial plant
improves the quality of wastes being discharged to the city system.
Such improvements are being made as reflected by the reduction in sur-
charges from $193,000 in 1971 to an estimated $160,000 this year. It
is anticipated that additional improvements will be made in the future.
The new Water Pollution Control Act administered by the Environmental
Protection Agency requires cities that receive grants to adopt regu-
lations for "User Charges and Industrial Cost Recovery". The final
regulations and guidelines have not been approved by EPA and the
schedule for a city to adopt the regulations has not been established.
Revenue from this source can not be estimated at this time. In any
event, these charges are not expected for two or three years and will
not substantially affect the total water and sewer revenues.
Comparison of Proposed Rates with Other Cities
Water and sanitary sewer charges for 1,000 cubic feet (7,500 gallons)
under the proposed rates effective October 1, 1973 have been compared
(Chart No. 1) with similar charges for customers in Dallas, Oklahoma
City, Houston and San Antonio based on the rates they had in effect
July 15, 1973.
Monthly Charge for Water & Sewer
City Service - 1,000 Cubic Feet(7,500 gallons)
Fort Worth $ 7.00
Dallas (2) 7.30
Oklahoma City (1) 8.70
Houston (1) (2) 5.50
San Antonio (1) (2) 4.30
(1) All sewer charges are not financed by the monthly sewer charge.
(2) Charges are net and do not include 10% charge for late payment.
It is noted that the proposed rate is less than the above cities who
have surface water supplies, that is, Dallas and Oklahoma City. The
charges are higher than those cities having substantial ground water
supplies, that is, Houston and San Antonio.
DATE REFERENCE SUBJECT: Changes in Rates for Water PAGE
NUMBER
7/30/73 G-2232 and Sewer Service 5 or 5
Water and Sewer Service Charges
Increased charges are not proposed at this time for various services
rendered, such as, delinquent charges for turning off the water, after
hours "turn-on", transfer of services, and others. Under-present
accounting and billing procedures, the revenue from each service
charge is not available. However, under new procedures that are
anticipated to be available next year, the actual revenue totals for
each service rendered will be available. Cost estimates will be made
and appropriate adjustment in the service charges, if needed, will be
proposed.
Effective Date of Proposed Rate Increases
It is proposed that the ordinance increasing the proposed rate schedules
be adopted with the increase effective for the October 1973 billing.
Recommendations
1) It is recommended that an ordinance providing a 15 percent
increase in water and sewer rates be adopted, effective with
the October 1973 billing.
2) It is further recommended that an ordinance be adopted which
increases the industrial waste surcharge from 11 cents per
pound of BOD to 19 cents and 7 cents per pound of suspended
solids to 10 cents effective with the October 1973 billing.
RNL:cmc
Attachments
SUBMITTED BY: DISPOSITION BY COUNCIL: PKCESSEO BY
APPROVED ElOTHER (DESCRIBE)
Adopted Ordinance Nok�e providing a 1 cTARY
lincreqpe in water
DATE_
CITY MANAGER increasing industrial waste surcharge �jv� U