HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 16 - Cooling TowersOrdinance amending Section 25 of the City Code of Ordinances to modify Section 25-20
and Section 25-27 relating to the use of cooling towers for evaporative cooling and associated
wastewater rates
The calculation for wastewater usage will utilize the total water usage at the main City
meter less the 80% loss to evaporation of the water registered through the sub -meter.
Staff recommends approval.
JSL
Wagencla\2006\7-18-06\Cooling Tower Rate Memo
July 31, 2006 (4:07PM)
••• ffil I Ll MWA
WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine is authorized to adopt ordinances to protect the
health, safety, and welfare of the public; and
WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine is required to recoup reasonable costs for
operation of the water and wastewater system; and
WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine is authorized by the Texas Water Code to adopt
such a system; and
WHEREAS, the City of Grapevine City Council deems the passage of this
ordinance to be in the best interests of the public.
NOW, • ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCILOF 0
1111
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS:
Section 1. That all matters stated in the preamble are found to be true and
correct and are incorporated herein as if copied in their entirety.
• - .•• •- •' • • .•- - s
"Cooling Tower.° A large tower or similar structure typically attached to a hotel,
hospital, or similar large facility through which water is circulated to lower its
temperature by partial evaporation.
Sub -meter: A water or wastewater meter subordinate to the City of Grapevine water
or wastewater meter.
Hotel. A building in which members of the public obtain sleeping accommodations
for a consideration. The term includes a hotel, motel, tourist home, tourist house,
tourist court, lodging house, inn, or a rooming house, but does not include a
hospital, sanitarium, or nursing home and is required to file a Hotel/Motel Tax
Return with the City of Grapevine."
Section 3. That the Grapevine Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25 Utilities and
Services, Section 25-20 is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Commercial service: All services to customers of water and/or wastewater system
of the city except services defined as residential, industrial or hotel services."
Section 4. That the Grapevine Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25 Utilities and
Services, Sections 25-27 Wastewater Rates is hereby amended by the addition of the
following subsection (3):
Commercial accounts utilizing cooling towers
a. Commercial accounts utilizing cooling towers for evaporative
cooling purposes will be subject to the following wastewater rate
calculation:
Commercial Service Wastewater Rate (Evaporative Cooling)
= Commercial Wastewater Rate (based on Monthly Reading
of City's Water Meter)
Less ((Sub -metered Monthly Water Usage in 1,000 Gallons for
the Evaporative Cooling System) X (80% Evaporation) X
(Current Commercial Wastewater Rate))
Monthly Rate
b. Cooling Tower water usage must be calculated by utilization of a
city approved water sub -meter.
c. Failure to submit the monthly sub -meter reading will result in a
wastewater charge calculated at 100% of water usage.
d. Monthly sub -meter readings must be submitted by a
representative of the owner to the Utility Billing Clerk on or before
a date dictated by the Utility Billing Clerk.
e. City Staff will verify meter reading quarterly.
f. Owner of sub -meter will certify the sub -meter and supply
certification report yearly to the Utility Billing Clerk."
Section 5. That the Grapevine Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25 Utilities and
Services, Sections 25-31 relative to meters is hereby amended by amending subsection
(b) and (c) to read as follows:
"(b) In all cases where more than one living or business unit is suppli
water
• one meter, not less than a minimum charge for wat
and/or wastewater shall be .•- for each living or business u
supplied through such meter, • all additional water and/1
ORD. NO. 2
wastewater service charges above the minimum for each such unit
shall be based upon the quantity of water passing through such meter
divided by the number of units at rates set forth in the applicable rate
schedules.
(c) In all cases when three or more apartments or trailer park units are
serviced through one meter, the minimum per unit shall be four-fifths
of the regular three -fourths -inch water meter minimum prescribed for
a single water and/or wastewater service and all additional water
and/or wastewater service charges above the minimum for each unit
shall be based upon the quantity of water passing through such meter
divided by the number of units at rates set forth in the applicable rate
schedules."
Section 6. If any section, article, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word in
this ordinance, or application thereto, any person or circumstances is held invalid or
unconstitutional by a Court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance; and the City Council hereby declares
it would have passed such remaining portions of the ordinance despite such invalidity,
which remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 7. The fact that the present ordinances and regulations of the City of
Grapevine, Texas, are inadequate to properly safeguard the health, safety, morals, peace,
and general welfare of the public creates an emergency which requires that this ordinance
become effective from and after the date of its passage, and it is accordingly so ordained.
of its passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCILOF OF
GRAPEVINE,` on day of August, 01•
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ATTEST:
®RD. NO. 3
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