A. There shall be three classes of sewer connections:

1. Residential;

2. Other than residential;

3. Industrial.

B. Application for Service. The owner(s) or owner’s agent shall make application on forms furnished by the city. The application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications, or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the sewer superintendent. Fees shall be charged as set forth under the rate schedule. Within two working days after a completed application is submitted to the utility clerk the utility shall approve or disapprove the application.

C. Required information:

1. Provide a property address for service and a mailing address if different than the property address.

2. Each applicant for service to premises within the city limits, unless replacing an on-site septic system, must also provide a building permit number.

Each application, once approved by the sewer superintendent or designee, is valid for one hundred eighty days. One extension for an additional ninety days may be made upon payment of a reapplication fee according to the existing rate schedule.

D. Owner to Bear Costs of Construction. All costs and expense incidental to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the owner(s), unless expressly set forth otherwise in this code. The owner(s) shall indemnify the city from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer.

E. New Service Connection-Connection Charge. A fixed charge for service connections shall be paid by the property owner to the utility for the city’s costs of the connection, as set forth under the rate schedule. In addition to the fixed charges, the property owner shall be responsible for the city’s material costs as prescribed in the existing fee schedule.

F. New Service Connection-Plant Investment. A plant investment fee shall be charged by the utility upon the application for a new service connection. Such plant investment fee shall be as set forth in the rate schedule.

G. Metering of Water Required. Determination of sewer charges is based upon metering water consumption in accordance with the Columbia Falls municipal water regulations codified in Chapter 13.04 of this code. Property not connected to the city water system shall be considered for connection to the Columbia Falls municipal sewage system only upon concurrent application to connect to the water system. If a city water main is not available, this rule may be waived in the event that the measurement of sewage discharge by a private water well flow meter is a reasonable alternative to connection to the water utility. A determination of reasonableness shall be by the Columbia Falls sewer superintendent, or designee, and shall be based upon consideration of the cost to install and maintain a private well and water flow meter versus the cost of the water main extension and the city’s willingness to participate in the cost of that extension as provided in the Columbia Falls municipal water regulations.

H. Metering of Sewer Discharge. A sewer meter may be installed on the building sewer discharge line provided that the following conditions have been met:

1. The device shall comply with the utility’s standards for type and installation;

2. The customer enters into a special contract with the utility. (Ord. 654 § 1(part), 2004)