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(a) In addition to collecting the sewer service connection fee set forth in section 138-326, the city shall act as agent for the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District in collecting that entity's sewer connection charge (referred to in this section as the "connection charge"). The connection charge for each single-family residential equivalent, to be paid to the city, shall be the charge as determined by the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District. The charge shall apply to all new or altered connections to the city sanitary sewer system.

(b) If an area not presently served by either the city sanitary sewer system or the sewage facilities of other members of the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District is connected directly or indirectly to the city sanitary sewer system, the connection charge shall apply for each individual "single-family residential equivalent" connection existing in the area at the time of connection to the city sanitary sewer system.

(c) The connection charge will be determined directly for single-family residential units and by the installed water service connection size for multi-family and nonresidential connections. The number of "single-family residential equivalent" connections shall be determined in accordance with Metro Wastewater Reclamation District rules and regulations.

(1) A "single-family residential equivalent" is equal to one single-family unit which means a building or structure used or designated to be used as only one residential unit, including single-family detached dwellings and mobile homes; each residential unit in a duplex; and each individually metered residential unit in multi-family buildings or structures. The term "residential unit" means a room or group of rooms which includes or is designed to include kitchen and bathroom facilities and in which one or more persons could reasonably reside on a permanent and nontransient basis.

(2) The term "multi-family property" includes any building or structure, or portion thereof, which contains three or more residential units served by master-metered water service.

(3) The term "nonresidential property" includes any building or structure, or portion thereof, which is not a single-family dwelling or other residential unit.

(4) Where a building or structure is served by more than one water service connection, the single-family residential equivalent connection shall be the sum of the equivalents of each such connection. Where a building or structure has more than one sanitary sewer service connection, the connection charge shall be determined by the water service connection size serving such building or structure.

(5) Water service connections installed and used solely for fire protection purposes, such as fire hydrant branches, fire sprinkler systems, standpipes, etc., irrigation purposes, or for other purposes which do not discharge into the city sewer system are excluded from the assignment of single-family residential equivalents and payment of the connection charge.

(6) For any new or altered water service connection where water is supplied, either in whole or in part, by any source that will not have a water service connection to the city water system, the "single-family residential equivalent" connection will be assigned on the basis of a water service connection size that such a customer would normally require if connecting exclusively to the city water system. The city reserves the right to modify the assigned water service connection size based upon the facts and circumstances of each individual application and case.

(7) For nonresidential connections where the water service connection size is greater than three-fourths-inch, a reduction in the assignment of the "single-family residential equivalent" connection may be granted where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the city that sewage flow discharges will be significantly less than the sewage normally discharged from such a connection. Applications for such reductions will be made to the city which shall approve or disapprove the reduction. In no event shall a reduction in the assignment of the "single-family residential equivalent" connection, on the basis provided in this section, exceed the next smaller size of water service connection. Partial service connection size reductions shall not be granted. For customers requesting a reduction which would exceed the next smaller service connection size, the provisions of subsection (c)(5) of this section, allowing separate irrigation or other taps, would apply. The Metro Wastewater Reclamation District shall have the right to affirm or modify any reductions in the assignment of "single-family residential equivalent" connections which have been approved by the city based upon the facts and circumstances of each individual application and case.

(d) The city council declares that assisting the owners of residential properties within the city which are not connected to the sanitary sewer system of the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District with the financial burden of making such connections serves the public interest by encouraging the use of a safe and reliable means of wastewater disposal by all city residents. Therefore, upon application by the owner of any residential property located within the city which is served by a nonmunicipal waste disposal system approved pursuant to section 138-260, the general manager shall defer payment of all fees associated with the connection of such property to the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District sanitary sewer system. An interest rate of five percent per annum shall be charged on each deferral, with payment of all fees and the interest thereon to occur at such time as title to the property is transferred or five years from the date the deferral is granted, whichever is earlier. Upon request, the owner may enter into an agreement to make monthly payments of fees and interest, upon such terms and conditions as the general manager may authorize; provided, however, that the term of such agreement shall not exceed five years from the date the deferral is granted. As security for payment, a lien shall be placed on the property at the time the deferral is granted. Any failure of the owner to make payment when due shall result in the immediate certification of all unpaid amounts for collection to the treasurer of the county in which such property is located. This subsection shall apply only to those residential properties which have been developed as of January 1, 1995. (Code 1979, § 39-119; Ord. No. 2023-44, § 35, 9-11-2023; Ord. No. 2016-51, § 3, 11-14-2016; Ord. No. 2005-74, § 1, 10-10-2005; Ord. No. 2002-68, § 1, 11-18-2002; Ord. No. 2002-13, § 4, 3-18-2002)