ENB-5.01 - Administrative Rules for Water and Water-Related User Rates, Charges, and Fees

1. Applicability, Purpose, Definitions, and Regulatory Authority

1. Applicability: These rules apply to water and water-related user rates, charges, and fees. Other rates, charges, and fees appear on the utility bill. Policies relating to those rates, charges, and fees are found in other administrative rules or city documents. Water and water-related rates, charges, and fees are published in the Water Bureau's annual rate ordinance ADM-14.07.
2. Purpose: The purpose of these rules is to describe the decision-making criteria and means by which the Water Bureau will calculate water and water-related user rates, charges, and fees.
3. Definitions: These rules use terms defined in Portland City Code (PCC) Section 21.10.010 and the following definitions:
   1. Director means the person in charge of the Water Bureau or the Director's designee.
   2. Water Bureau means the Portland Water Bureau or its successor entity. 
   3. Service – activation means installing a meter to an existing branch or header. 
   4. Service – combination means a service for both fire and domestic (standard) use. 
   5. Service – split means a service tapped off a header service.
4. Regulatory Authority: These rules are authorized by PCC Section 3.06.020 and implement PCC Chapter 21.40.

2. Base Charge

1. A base charge per bill, calculated on the actual number of days in a billing cycle, will be levied on water and/or sewer services connected directly to the City's system. A base charge per meter will be levied on sewer special submeters. A base charge will be levied on sewer only accounts. The base charge will be in addition to the volume or extra strength rates charged for water and sewer. A base charge varies depending on the account's billing cycle and the per-day charges for quarterly (90 days) billed account, bi-monthly (60 days) billed account, and monthly (30 days) billed account. The rates are published in the annual rate ordinance.
2. Minimum Bill Requirement: Effective on or after April 1, 2026, all customers will be subject to a minimum bill amounting to no less than 50% of the applicable base charge for their billing cycle, regardless of actual usage. This minimum bill ensures the recovery of fixed costs associated with maintaining services, including meter reading, inspections, account servicing, and billing. 
3. Non-Discountable Minimum Bill: The minimum bill requirement established under subsection 2.B is not subject to any discounts, waivers, or reductions through financial assistance programs or any other billing modifications. All customers, regardless of eligibility for financial assistance, must pay at least the minimum bill requirement as defined in this subsection. 
4. The base charge will apply to any unused water service unless and until the property owner, or the party otherwise in possession or control of the property, requests that the service be removed at the main or at the header service as appropriate, and pays for the removal. Base charges will apply to any unused water service supplying water to another city, water district, or water company unless the entity requests that the service be removed at the main and pays for the removal.
5. Fire protection services, and any services equipped with backflow prevention assemblies or detector metering devices located in vaults owned by the City, will be billed a daily charge based on the size of the service connection to the premises. The daily charges are published in the annual rate ordinance.
6. The Water Bureau offers discount programs as provided in ADM-14.01. Discount rates are published in the annual rate ordinance.

3. Commodity Rate 

1. Inside City Boundaries Commodity Rates
   1. The Water Bureau charges water used through metered services per 100 cubic feet. Commodity rates are set annually pursuant to PCC Section 21.40.010 and may vary depending on the location of billed premises. Two rates are set for inside the city boundaries: 1) the retail rate, and 2) the rate for receiving untreated water exclusively from the Columbia South Shore Well Field. Rates are published in the annual rate ordinance.
2. Outside City Boundaries Commodity Rates and Wholesale Distributors
   1. Effective on or after April 1, 2026, wholesale distributors, as defined by PCC Section 21.10.010, are charged monthly for the actual volume of water delivered or drawn, together with the fixed charges. Rates are generally determined using cost-of-service allocation principles and may vary based on terms and conditions agreed to by each wholesale distributor. Rates are published in the annual rate ordinance. 
   2. Pursuant to PCC Section 21.70.010, three rates are set for ratepayers located outside the city boundaries who are served directly by the City: 1) the rate for receiving water from supply conduits, 2) the rate for receiving water from distribution systems, and 3) the rate for ratepayers formerly served by the Sylvan Water District. Rates are published in the annual rate ordinance. Pursuant to a dissolution agreement between the Sylvan Water District and the City of Portland, those current City customers who were served by the Sylvan Water District at the time of the dissolution are charged at the special Sylvan rate. 
   3. The Mayor is authorized to sell water on an emergency basis to other governmental bodies under terms and conditions the Mayor deems appropriate. Water served on an emergency basis may be charged rates calculated in the following manner or charged at the discretion of the Mayor.
      1. Short-duration emergency rates: The rate for a water purchase of a duration of two consecutive days or less is the sum of the highest rate of a wholesale distributor and a 20 percent administrative fee. Any incremental costs incurred by the City to provide the service will be added to the costs determined above. 
      2. Mid-duration emergency rates: The rate for a water purchase of a duration of three to seven consecutive days is the sum of the highest rate of a wholesale distributor and a 15 percent administrative fee. Any incremental costs incurred by the City to provide the service will be added to the costs determined above. 
      3. Long-duration emergency rates: For purchases of water for more than seven consecutive days, or in unusual circumstances determined exclusively by the Director, a special long-term rate will be negotiated. 
3. Water will be furnished at Inside City Boundaries Commodity Rates to a contiguous building having 50% or more of the area of the building located within the city boundaries. All other structures, buildings, shops, dwellings and sprinkler systems or parts thereof wholly outside the city boundaries will be supplied by separate services and meters and will be charged the Outside City Boundaries Commodity Rate. The separate meters and services must be furnished and installed at the expense of the owner of the premises. All connections covered under this section are required to be equipped with a minimum of a double-check valve assembly pursuant to PCC Subsection 21.70.010 B.

 4. Services Not Otherwise Specified

1. For performance of services for which a charge is not otherwise specified, charges will be based on a Water Bureau's cost estimate, calculated as provided in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06. 
2. Charges are calculated based upon cost-of-service principles, recovering the cost of materials and services provided by the Water Bureau. Benefit, leave, and indirect rates annually calculated by the Water Bureau are utilized in these calculations.

5. Services For Fire Protection

1. Services used exclusively for fire protection will be charged according to the size of the service entering the premises, plus additional costs for meter or data logger communication services as determined by the Director.
2.  Commodity Charges 
   1. Water used for system testing registered on detector-metered fire lines or estimated by the Director on unmetered fire lines will be charged at the applicable commodity retail rate prescribed in section 3.
   2. Unauthorized water use registered on detector-metered fire lines or estimated by the Director on unmetered fire lines will be charged at the applicable commodity retail rate prescribed in section 3.
   3. Unauthorized use of water from a fire line will result in a charge of $1,000 for the first billing cycle during which the use occurs. Any subsequent unauthorized use during a subsequent billing cycle within twelve months of the first such use will be charged a minimum of $1,000, except that the Director may also impose up to an additional $9,000 charge at their discretion after consideration of the circumstances of the use. 
   4. If unauthorized use of a fire line occurs four or more times within twelve months of the first such use (including the first use in the count), the Director may thereafter treat the fire line as a standard service subject to all applicable provisions of these rules and Title 21 of the City Code. 
   5. The Director may require the installation on existing fire lines of additional or improved detector-metering devices, including data loggers, pursuant to their authority to require such devices in PCC Section 21.30.220, and may thereafter charge rates as allowed by subsection 5.B of these rules to recover the costs of meter or data logger communications. Failure to install the required devices on a schedule set by the Director is a violation.

6. Standby Supply Connections

A wholesale distributor (another city, water district, or water company purchasing water for resale) with a water supply other than that furnished by the City and desiring a standby supply from the City will be charged according to the City's contract with that distributor. All standby connections must be equipped with a minimum of a double-check valve assembly pursuant to PCC Subsection 21.70.010 B.

7. Late Payment and Other Charges

The following fees and charges may be added to the sewer and water bill. General notice and information regarding the circumstances under which the Water Bureau may access these charges will be provided on customer bills. These charges are published in the annual rate ordinance.

1. Additional charges for late payment of a bill: 
   1. When the status becomes past due: Reminder late fee 
   2. When the bill goes to pre-shutoff or urgent status: Pre-shutoff or Urgent late fee
   3. When a notice of pending shutoff is delivered to a property: Last-chance late fee
   4. When the bill goes to shutoff authorization status: Authorization to disconnect water for nonpayment late fee
2. After the water has been shut off for nonpayment, the Water Bureau may continue to assess late charges against any subsequent unpaid bill. Further, the provisions of PCC Section 21.40.040 pertaining to delinquent water bills apply. 
3. Additional charges for non-payment of a bill or unauthorized water usage:
   1. Unauthorized usage and lock meter (in addition to the commodity rate charged for usage)
   2. Locking and removal of meter 
   3. Crimp/freeze a service, minimum charge 
   4. Charges under subsections C.1, C.2, and C.3 above, which are specified in the annual rate ordinance, may be charged as provided for in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06. 
   5. Shutting off water at the main, reinstating service, or uncrimping/unfreezing a service will be charged as provided in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06. 
4. Additional charges for requests made to restore water service after the water has been shut off for non-payment outside regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, excluding the holidays listed in HRAR-6.02).
5. All accounts that become past due and unpaid are subject to collection action at the City's discretion, either through efforts of City staff or by a collection agency contracted by the City. Past due and unpaid account balances that become the subject of collection action may be charged all additional costs of collection incurred by the City. Charges to recover City staff collection efforts may be assessed as well. However, such charges will not exceed an amount equal to the charges for services performed for outside parties as calculated according to subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City's Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN 2.06, or as otherwise set by the Council.
6. Additional charges may be added to the bill when meter readers are required to use more than a normal amount of time to read meters due to locked doors, fences, or other obstructions and each time the meter reader is required to return to read the meter.
7. Ratepayers may appeal Water Bureau decisions to the Administrative Review Committee (ARC) under ADM-14.02. There is no charge for such appeals. Ratepayers may appeal ARC decisions to the Code Hearings Officer (CHO) or make other appeals to the CHO as allowed by Code, with the cost determined by the Director or as otherwise set by action of the Council.
8. Inactive accounts may be billed for charges related to account maintenance.
9. A deposit may be required as a condition of service as provided for in PCC Section 21.40.060.

8. System Development Charges

1. A System Development Charge (SDC) will be levied for each new water meter or meter equivalent and on increases in the size of existing meters connecting to the City water system inside the city boundaries. If a meter is being upsized, the applicant must pay the difference of the SDC fees between the two meter sizes. If a meter is being downsized, the applicant will not receive a SDC credit. The charge will be according to the size of the meter and payable at the time of application for service as in the annual rate ordinance. 
2. This SDC is in accordance with ORS 223.297 through 223.316. The SDC is a reimbursement fee based on the estimated replacement cost of existing water facilities, less depreciation. The SDC nets out contributed capital and outstanding bond principal, while adding the value of construction in progress, to arrive at a cost basis. The methodology is available for public inspection. 
3. When water from a Water Bureau main is not available to a customer's location within the Portland city limits and it is determined by the Director or the Water Bureau's Chief Engineer that the customer may best be served by an outside jurisdiction, the Water Bureau may collect from the customer fees and charges as established by the outside jurisdiction (including SDC and installation charges) and may pass on to that jurisdiction the money collected to cover its charges. 
4. New water service connections solely for temporary (1 year or less) construction or fire protection purposes or temporary (2 years or less) irrigation services as described in PCC Section 21.30.090 will be exempt from payment of the SDC. 
5. The conversion of an existing fire line to a service for use other than fire protection, the continued use of a fire line for other than fire protection, or the continued use of a temporary service will require the payment of the SDC as provided for in subsection 8.A 
6. Requirements for separate meters are outlined in PCC Section 21.30.070. Headers may be used to install separate meters on a single lot or on separate lots under Middle Housing Land Division developments. SDC charges will be assessed a full fee for each meter. An exception is for new meters on headers serving multiple dwelling units on a shared single lot, which will be assessed with the SDC for the single equivalent meter size that would have been required for a shared meter serving the units. Multiple dwelling units on a single lot that are later changed to Middle Housing Land Division will have their SDCs reassessed for payment at that time.
7. If a service has been removed prior to reconnection or prior to establishing a new connection, the applicant desiring a new connection within the same tax lot must pay a SDC only on the difference in charges between the size of the previous connection and the new connection being requested. If the service was permanently removed more than 36 months prior to a new service application, the applicant must provide proof of either the payment of the original SDC or of the existence of the original service to receive the SDC credit. SDC credits do not apply to downsizing a meter.
8. Qualified Affordable Housing may be exempt from the Water Bureau's SDC in accordance with PCC Section 30.01.095.
   1. For a single family residential, the SDC exemption will not exceed the value of a 3/4-inch water meter SDC. 
   2. Affordable Housing exemptions will not exempt any commercial SDCs associated with the development. Commercial spaces must pay the full SDC share based on each commercial space's estimated water usage as determined by the Director. 
   3. Any applicant seeking an exemption must specifically request this exemption prior to the time of the City's issuance of the first occupancy permit on the new development. 
9. For new parcels created from existing lots that contain existing housing with an existing water service where an SDC was previously paid, property owners may apply to transfer the SDC credit from the existing service to a new service for the existing housing so long as the new parcel is used for Qualified Affordable Housing and qualifies for a SDC exemption defined in subsection 8.H. For a single-family residential property, the SDC waiver will not exceed the value of a 3/4-inch water service SDC.
   1. The SDC fee must be paid at the time of building permit issuance. The applicant is responsible for providing documentation from the Portland Housing Bureau confirming the house was sold to a qualified buyer. Once confirmed, the Water Bureau will refund the SDC paid, not to exceed the value of a 3/4-inch meter SDC.
10. For new or upsized water service installations, property owners may apply to defer the payment of SDCs or pay the SDCs in installments pursuant to PCC Chapter 17.14. The terms and provisions for deferred payment and installment payments are contained in the Water Bureau's SDC loan and deferral contracts.
11. Qualified Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) may be exempt from the required Water Bureau's SDC in accordance with PCC Chapter 17.14. The SDC exemption will not exceed the value of a 3/4-inch water service SDC.
12. Assessment of SDC fees will be as defined by service type below.
    1. For branch services, SDC fees and meter activation fees are required to activate this service and establish a billing account.
    2. For combination services, SDC fees are required to be assessed based on the size of the domestic (standard) meter only, not the fire flow.
    3. For curb services, SDC fees are required to be assessed for any new meter installation. SDC credits may apply per subsection 8.G.
    4. For domestic services (also known as standard services), SDC fees are assessed and paid to receive initial service. Upsized meters receive SDC credits per subsection 8.A.
    5. For fire services, SDC fees are not required to be assessed.
    6. For header services, SDC fees are required to be assessed and paid for each individual meter size and not the header size except for when meter equivalency applies per section 8.F.
    7. For irrigation services, SDC fees are required to be assessed and paid for permanent installations exceeding 24 months only. See subsection 8.D for assessment consistent with PCC Section 21.30.090.

9. Service Charges

The following service charges will be made by the Water Bureau as published in the annual rate ordinance. 

1. Parties wishing to decrease the size of the meter from 2 inches to 1 inch. To decrease any other size meter, the charge will be determined as provided for in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06. 
2. Parties wishing to increase the size of a meter will pay charges as published in the annual rate ordinance, in addition to SDCs as provided by subsection 8.A. 
   1. Meters from 5/8 inch to 3/4 inch, with a 3/4-inch service branch 
   2. Meters from 5/8 inch to 3/4 or 1 inch, and 3/4 inch to 1 inch, with a 1-inch service branch
   3. Meters from 1½ inch to 2 inches, with a 2-inch service branch. 
   4. Meters from 2 inches and larger; as provided for in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN 2.06. 
3. For testing water meters at consumer's or property owner's request. If the meter is reading in error, there is no charge for testing.
4. For inspection of new backflow assembly installations and testing of privately-owned assemblies pursuant to PCC 21.30.320. If repair is required, the charges will be determined as provided for in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06.
5. For preparing and filing all legal documents as part of the Water Bureau permitting process.
6. For developer plan reviews. 
7. Processing fees for work orders and installation. 
8. For removing vehicles, material, debris, shrubbery, plantings or any other obstructions limiting or preventing clear access to meter when owner or occupant fails to maintain clear access; as provided for in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06.
9. For searching records to provide information to respond to requests for historical data or records, the City may charge for the time expended, as provided for in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06. There may also be charges for duplication of records. A written request and/or deposit may be required. 
10. Special services requested by the consumer, owner or other person may be charged for as provided for in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06. A written request and/or deposit may be required. 
11. Application fee for cell site lease, to be assessed only if the cell site lease application is approved as published in the annual rate ordinance. 

10. Charges for Installations, Activations, and Permanently Removing Services

Notwithstanding the provisions of PCC Section 21.40.130, and except as provided in subsection 10.B of these rules, the charges for installations, activations, and permanently removing services are published in the annual rate ordinance.

1. For service installations, activations, and permanent removals for which a charge is specified in the annual rate ordinance:
   1. Starting in fiscal year 2024-2025, all development applications involving water will have charges vested in the fiscal year of permit intake for Council-adopted SDCs, processing fees, and standard installation rates for services, meters, and hydrants. Starting July 1, 2026, all standard installation rates will expire after three years from the vested permit intake fiscal year.
   2. The exception to 10.A.1 will be fees for mains work, including relocations, upsizes, abandonments, developer-built mains, services built as part of a mains project, and non-standard installation work requiring site-specific fee statements. Fees and rates for this work will be charged at the labor, equipment, and material rates and fees established for the fiscal year of water review approval of permit work and will expire at the end of the subsequent fiscal year following the approval, unless project work orders are activated with the Water Bureau. 
   3. If any building permit is cancelled, abandoned, voided, expired, or revised, the water-related fees will no longer be vested in any particular year. If a new permit or a revised permit application is submitted, fees are vested as described in 10.A.1, based on the new permit or revision intake date.
   4. Per PCC Section 21.40.130, applicants requiring site-specific fee statements for their installation may choose: (a) a fixed fee with no reconciliation; or (b) a fee statement that the Water Bureau reconciles post-installation. Applicants must choose option (a) or (b) prior to payment. The site-specific fee statements for option (b) will include an additional 20% cost contingency and reconciliation will be based on the actual costs incurred and will include reconciliation processing fees.
2. For service installations, activations, and permanent removal of services installed in conformance with PCC Section 21.30.070, the relevant charge is specified in the annual rate ordinance, and is determined as follows: 
   1. The charge for installation of the header service will be per standard rates for standard 1 inch, 2 inch and 4 inch standard header service as published in the annual rate ordinance. Other variations will be determined as a site-specific fee statement. 
   2. The charge for permanent removal of the header service line will be as published in the annual rate ordinance. The charges for other variations will be determined as a site-specific fee statement. 
3. The charges contained in the annual rate ordinance for installations, activations, and removing services will not apply to the following non-standard service conditions. For the following non-standard service conditions, charges will be calculated as provided for in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06.
   1.  Unlisted Situations: Services not listed in the annual rate ordinance.
   2. Special Situations: Services installed within Downtown Sub-district (defined in PCC Title 33), in newly paved streets under 5-year moratorium, in State or County roadways, highway/freeway, local highway, arterial/collector Street, and services installed in the area affected by rail facilities and/or streets with cobblestone/alternative paving, or in a high seismic risk area requiring specialized design.
   3. Special Circumstances: Services installed under circumstances determined at the sole discretion of the Chief Engineer to be sufficiently different from the circumstances assumed in creation of the annual rate ordinance.

11. Hydrant and Unmetered Water Usage

For the use of fire hydrants, the charges are published in the annual rate ordinance. 

1. Permit tag and usage charges for each device accessing a hydrant are published in the annual rate ordinance.
   1. Annual hydrant permits, which include 2 vehicle permit tags, are for tank-type vehicle use only. Each vehicle permit tag includes 50,000 cubic feet of water. Charges for annual hydrant permits and additional vehicle permit tags are published in the annual rate ordinance. All tanks must have an approved air gap and have a current water quality inspection certificate. Permits purchased during a fiscal year (from July 1 to June 30 of the following year) will expire at the end of the fiscal year. Permits purchased after July 1 may be discounted per month for previously-expired full months of the same fiscal year. Permit fee will not be pro-rated for partial months or for additional tags for more than 2 vehicles. The additional charge for each additional vehicle permit tag for tanks under 1,000 gallons, and the additional charge for each additional vehicle permit tag for tanks over 1,000 gallons, are published in the annual rate ordinance.
   2. Temporary permits (not to exceed 90 days) for metered water includes 700 cubic feet recorded by a leased Water Bureau meter. Measured water usage above the minimum charge will be charged at the commodity retail rate published in the annual rate ordinance.
2. The costs of attendants and equipment will be charged for as provided in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy including but not limited to FIN-2.06.
3. The Water Bureau requires a deposit for hydrant use permits and rented equipment. The deposit may be applied to the tag and usage charges and to reimburse the City for equipment lost or damaged and furnished by or rented from the Water Bureau. 
4. Daily rental rates for a hydrant valve and/or wrench for the first three days or part thereof and for each additional day or part thereof are published in the annual rate ordinance. 
5. The Water Bureau requires a City-owned meter to be installed. Daily rental rates for meters for the first three days or part thereof and for each additional day or part thereof are published in the annual rate ordinance. 
6. The Water Bureau requires the installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly. The daily rental rates for a 2 inch double-check valve or reduced backflow assembly for the first three days or part thereof and for each additional day or part thereof are published in the annual rate ordinance. 
7. When the Director deems it prudent for what the Director considers extraordinary circumstances, the Director may adjust rates for using the hydrants. 
8. Fire hydrant usage is limited to authorized hydrants and their locations. Improper use of fire hydrant or unmetered service or the use of authorized fire hydrant or unmetered service without a permit will be charged as prescribed in subsection 11.A.

12. Charges for Installing or Removing a Fire Hydrant

Except as provided in subsection 12.B and subject to cost sharing and cost adjustments in these rules, the following charges apply: 

1. For fire hydrant installations or removal for which a charge is specified in the annual rate ordinance.
2. The charges in subsection 12.A will not apply for the following fire hydrant non-standard installation conditions. Charges in the following fire hydrant non-standard installation conditions will be calculated as provided for in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06. 
   1. Special Situations: Any fire hydrant installed in state or county roadways where the installation is affected by high seismic risk, streetcar, light rail, or railroad facilities.
   2. Special Circumstances: Any fire hydrant installed under circumstances determined at the sole discretion of the Chief Engineer making it likely that the actual cost of installation will differ substantially from the charge specified in these rules.
3. Adjustment of a fire hydrant will be calculated as provided for in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06.

13. Charges for Installing Mains

Notwithstanding PCC Section 21.20.010, and except as provided in subsection 13.B of these rules and subject to cost adjustments pursuant to PCC Sections 21.20.020, 21.20.050, and 21.20.060, the charges for installing mains will be as follows: 

1. For all standard main installations for which a charge is specified in the annual rate ordinance. 
2. The charges in the annual rate ordinance will not apply to the following non-standard main installation conditions, for which the charges will be calculated as site-specific fee statements as provided for in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, PCC Section 21.20.010, and the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06:
   1. Unlisted Situations: Charges for mains not specified in the annual rate ordinance.
   2. Special Situations: Mains installed for other governmental agencies, within the Downtown Sub-district (defined in PCC Title 33), in newly paved streets under 5-year moratorium, in state or county roadways, highway/freeway, local highway, arterial/collector street, mains that cross or are in streets affected by rail facilities or streets with cobblestone/alternative paving, or in a high seismic risk area requiring specialized design and materials.
   3. Special Circumstances: Mains installed under circumstances determined to be sufficiently different from the circumstances assumed in creation of the annual rate ordinance may result in in an actual cost of installation that is likely to differ substantially from the charges contained in the annual rate ordinance.

14. Cost Sharing for Water Mains and Hydrants Under PCC Section 21.20.020 

For purposes of cost sharing permitted by PCC Section 21.20.020, and not withstanding any administrative rules previously adopted by the City, an applicant is responsible for 60% of the cost of a project, the total cost of which does not exceed $200,000 requiring a new main/main extension, a main insufficiently sized based on Water Bureau's standard sizing practices, and new hydrants. Relocated mains or relocated or adjusted hydrants will not receive a share of the cost. The Water Bureau is responsible for the remaining 40% except on streets where cost sharing does not apply as written in PCC Subsection 21.20.020 C. For projects exceeding $200,000 in construction costs, the Water Bureau will not contribute cost sharing.

15. Carrying Charges

1. Water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater bills issued by the City that become past due are subject to a carrying charge at a rate of 12% per year (1.0% per month simple interest) on the unpaid balance. Carrying charges may be added to extended payment plans. 
2. Outstanding Water Bureau receivables unrelated to water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater utility bills will be subject to a carrying charge at a rate of 12% per year (1.0% per month simple interest) on delinquencies greater than 28 days from date of invoice.

16. Penalties 

A person found liable for violation of PCC Section 21.60.040 will be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 plus reimbursement to the City for the cost of repairs, calculated as provided in subsection 4.B, subsection 10.A.2, and in the City Comprehensive Financial Management Policy, including but not limited to FIN-2.06. 

17. Adjustments

When collecting fees and charges, the Director may make adjustments, pay refunds, and authorize or waive fees and charges when it is in the best business interest of the City. Credit balances on a final billed account of $20.00 or less will not be refunded unless approved by the Director.