Item 4: Ordinance Concerning Wastewater Service

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: An Ordinance Concerning Wastewater Service and Amending Sections 6.406 and 6.411 of the Eugene Code, 1971 Meeting Date: May 29, 2007 Agenda Item: 4 Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Peter Ruffier www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-8606 ISSUE STATEMENT This item is an opportunity for the City Council to approve revisions to sections of the Eugene City Code dealing with Regional Wastewater User Fees. The proposed amendments would add definitions for two customer categories and would delete specific references to individual customer types within customer categories. At a public hearing on May 21, 2007, one community member provided testimony. The comments were not substantive to the proposed changes, but the speaker did ask that additional public notice and explanation be given prior to these types of public hearings. There were no follow-up questions from the council. BACKGROUND The first amendment would add definitions for “very high” and “super high” strength categories. These customer categories were established years ago, and the annual Administrative Order and informational brochure have included “very high” and “super high” definitions for years. This amendment would bring the code current with practice. The second amendment would delete the specific references to customer types for each customer category. The Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) user fee structure is intended to charge customers in proportion to the load they place on the regional treatment facility. A customer’s load is currently a factor of the total discharge (in kilo gallons) and strength of discharge (measured by biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids). As the regulatory environment changes, new factors such as temperature may be added, which could change the appropriate strength category for a given customer type. Also, a recent evaluation of the strength of wastewaters discharged from restaurants has determined the need for a change in customer category for a subset of those establishments. The current specific references to customer types within customer category definitions present a barrier to implementing this change and future changes required to meet new regulatory requirements. With these amendments, Eugene Code will better align with Springfield Code, providing consistent definitions across MWMC's service area, which is needed to ensure compliance with provisions of the L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070529\S0705294.DOC