HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES2023-021 Updating 2023 Utility Tariff - Sewer - PH Sponsored by: Bower
Public Hearing: February 27, 2023
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2023-021
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AMENDING THE 2023 UTILITY TARIFF FOR SEWER RATE
SERVICE, EFFECTIVE MARCH 15, 2023
WHEREAS,Resolution 2023-005 passed on January 9,2023 and errors were found in the
original document; and
WHEREAS, the errors affect the sewer rates and the document has been revised and
adjusted accordingly the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers Alaska area; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward' s enterprise funds are operated in a manner similar to
private business entities, in that they establish charges intended to cover the full cost of providing
services (including direct and indirect costs) for operations and maintenance, overhead, system
expansion and charges for the use of capital facilities; and
WHEREAS, the rates and fees herein provided are adjusted .84% beginning the first
billing cycle of the 2023 calendar year. The rates thereafter will be adjusted annually beginning
the first billing of each calendar year to reflect an average of the five previous published years'
annual increases in the Consumer Price Index, All Items, 1982-84=100 for all Urban Consumers,
Alaska Area ("CPI") as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics. (For example,2023 rates reflected an increase based on the average CPI for 201 b-2020.)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council hereby amends the 2023 Utility Tariff— Sewer Rates
& Charges and enacts the following rate increase starting March 15, 2023:
(Deletions =Bold ; Corrections =Bold Italics.)
BASIS FOR MONTHLY FEES AND CHARGES
GROUPS A, B, C & D
NON-METERED SERVICES
Non-metered sewer users in Groups A,B, and C shall be charged at the rate of$69.09 $69.67 per
ERU per month, not including tax, when the water service and sewer service serve the same
activities. If the activities serviced by the sewer services are different than those served by the
water service, the water charge shall be computed based on the activities served by the sewer.The
sewer rate shall be computed at 1.2 times the established water charge.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2023-021
METERED SERVICES
Sewer users with metered service (Group D) shall be charged for sewer service according to the
rates listed below. The charge shall be based upon the quantity of metered water, except that those
users having a sewer meter shall be charged for the quantity of sewage actually metered. The
quantity of sewage will be adjusted if a significant amount of wastewater is not discharged into
the city sewer system.
MINIMUM CHARGE FOR EACH METERED SERVICE
Service Size Minimum Monthly Charge
3/4" - 1" water service $58.74 $59.45
1-1/2" - 2" water service S97.i 8 $98.55
2-1/4" - 4" water service $245.03 $24798
Over 4" water service $1,`'emu $1,239.79
GROUP E—SPECIAL RATES AND FEES
Tank Truck Operators: Fresh sewage, or waste from portable or
chemical toilets, provided the utility manager determines the waste will not be
detrimental to the sewer system and/or treatment plant. $67.63
It is prohibited to discharge into the city's sewer system, septic tank per thousand gallons
rite or any waste containing toxic or other materials that could cause the
ci s discharge to violate the EPA or DEC discharge permit.
Recreational Vehicles
Individual RV owners utilizing city-owned or approved dump sites No fee
Public and private campground operators (Operators must maintain sufficient $1.14/day
records to compute a monthly payment, and such records shall be made per RV, camper or trailer
available to the city upon request) permit, not including tent
campers.
No fee collected by Sewer Department;fees collected by Campgrounds Department and
_._passed onto the Sewer De artment during the ear-end bud et process.
Sewer Service Connection Fee
Installed at property owner's expense. Any work performed by the city will $'� $155.09
be charged at total cost, including labor, overhead, administration, materials and
equipment PLUS a 80 $155.09 connection fiee.
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2023-021
Sewer Service Inspection Fee $130.60
This fee shall be charged for services installed by anyone other than the
dty
Unauthorized Connection or Discharge into the City Sewer System Per
Occurrence $1,024.63
PLUS cost of repair, restoration or cleanup by city
PLUS State and/or Federal penalties & charges levied against the city or
individual
Restoration of Sewer Service and Repair of Damage by Owner or Actual cost,
Contractor to City Facilities including city overhead,
administration, labor,
materials and equipment.
Locate Sewer Main
Large projects requiring several locates will be under a special contract
and may
require a fee.
First Locate No Charge
Each Additional Locate $IO2.44
Security Deposit
If a water security deposit was paid, no additional deposit will be required.
If no water deposit was paid, the following deposits will be charged.
Domestic{Single Family & Duplex} $50.62 $51.23
Commercial $151.88 $153.70
Multi-Family $153.70
Contractor Work
Any contractor tapping into a city sewer main, or otherwise working on a
city sewer main, must be properly licensed to perform the work and must provide
$5,000 Bond ore uivalent cash guarantee payable to the city.
Seasonal Turn-On and Seasonal Turn-Off
Includes new account name or same account name; waived if<2 months $51.62 $51.80
between turn-off and turn-on; a Sewer System Delivery Charge (SSDQ of
e c�$51.80 per month will be applied to any service that has their water
turned off.
NOTE: This rate applies at the same time water service is disconnected.
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2023-021
Sewage Meter Computed from the
quantity of metered water
delivered to the same
activity unless a sewage
meter has been installed.
Sewage meters approved
y the city may be
installed at the user's
—expense.
Delinquent Account Charges Interest rate %I0.5% per annum
Monthly late fee $5.80
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect on March 15, 2023.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 27`h
day of February, 2023.
THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
Sue McClure, Mayor
AYES: Osenga, Finch, Barnwell, DeMoss, Calhoon, Wells, McClure
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Brenda J. Ballou, MC
City Clerk •�Q��`S QF�rs f�Ard
(City Seal) ••o G�RPp 'r•.
4
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SF r. 1 Cj .••
City Council Agenda Statement •
Meeting Date: February 27, 2023
To: City Council
Through: Janette Bower, City Manager
From: Sully Jusino, Deputy Finance Director
Subject: Resolution 2023-021: Amending the 2023 Utility Tariff for Sewer Rate
Service, Effective March 15, 2023
Background and justification:
Resolution 2023-005 passed on January 9, 2023, and errors were found in the original document
affecting the sewer rates. The document has been revised and adjusted accordingly to the
Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers Alaska area.
The City of Seward' s enterprise funds are operated in a manner similar to private business entities,
in that they establish charges intended to cover the full cost of providing services (including direct
and indirect costs) for operations and maintenance, overhead, system expansion and charges for
the use of capital facilities.
The rates and fees herein provided are adjusted .84% beginning the first billing cycle of the 2018
calendar year. The rates thereafter will be adjusted annually beginning the first billing of each
calendar year to reflect an average of the five previous published years' annual increases in the
Consumer Price Index, All Items, 1982-84=100 for all Urban Consumers, Alaska Area ("CPI") as
published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (For example, 2023
rates reflected an increase based on the average CPI for 2016-2020.)
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive Plan:
Strategic Plan:
Other: 14.01.040. - Rates and charges. Utility service rates and charges shall be
established by resolution following a public hearing.
Certification of Funds
Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: $ 0
This legislation (✓):
x Creates revenue in the amount of: $ Included in 2023 Operating Budget
Creates expenditure in amount of: $
Creates a savings in the amount of: $
Has no fiscal impact
Funds are (✓):
x Budgeted Line item(s):
Not budgeted
Not applicable
Fund Balance Information
Affected Fund (✓):
General SMIC Electric x Wastewater
Boat Harbor Parking Water Healthcare
Motor Pool Other
Note:amounts are unaudited
Fund Balance/Net position — restricted $
Fund Balance/Net position — unrestricted/unassigned $
Available Unrestricted Cash Balance: $
Finance Signature:
Attorney Review
Yes Attorney Signature:
x Not applicable Comments:
Administration Recommendation
xeAdopt Resolution
Other:
2023 UTILITY TARIFFS
ELECTRIC, WATER & SEWER
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 15, 2023
CITY OF SEWARD
PO BOX 167
SEWARD, AK 99664
1 -4
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE
1 Seward City Code, Title 14, Utilities
2 Electric Rates & Charges
3 Water Rates & Charges
4 Sewer Rates & Charges
5 Legislative History Notes
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
Seward City Code
Title 14, Utilities
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
TITLE 14 UTILITIES
See AS 29.35.070 for state provisions allowing municipalities to establish, change, regulate, etc., utility service
rates; see AS 42.05.641 as to exemption from regulation by the Alaska Public Utilities Commission; see Title 16 of
this Code as to required utility improvements within subdivisions.
Chapter 14.01. General Provisions
Chapter 14.05. Garbage and Refuse
Chapter 14.10. Water
Chapter 14.15. Electricity
Chapter 14.20. Sewage Disposal
Chapter 14.01. General Provisions
See§ 7.10.222 as to unauthorized utility connections in the small boat harbor; see§9.05.238 as to discontinuance
of electric and water service due to the presence of a vicious dog; see §§ 13.01.015 and 13.01.020 as to permit
requirements for utility service excavation in rights-of-way.
14.01.010. General provisions.
14.01.015. Definitions.
14.01.020.Waiver of modification of regulations.
14.01.025. Application for utility service.
14.01.030. Deposits.
14.01.035. Access to premises.
14.01.040. Rates and charges.
14.01.045. Billing.
14.01.050.Payment responsibilities.
14.01.055. Late payments and penalties.
14.01.060. Termination of service by customer.
14.01.065. Discontinuance of service and remedies by city.
14.01.070. Restoration of service.
14.01.075. Service complaints.
14.01.080. Liability.
14.01.010.-General provisions.
The general provisions apply to all utility services provided by the city. In the event of a conflict between
these general provisions and a specific provision addressed to a particular type of service, the latter shall
prevail. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.01.015.-Definitions.
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms used in this title shall be as
follows:
Applicant. Means a person, including a corporation, partnership, association, and governmental
unit or agency,who requests utility service or the extension of utility facilities under these provisions and
who may be synonymous, as circumstances permit, with "developer," "owner," "contractor," "builder,"
and similar terms associated with the improvement and development of real property and the construction
of buildings and related improvements and their heirs, successors.
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 1
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
BOD (denoting biochemical oxygen demand). Means the quantity of oxygen utilized in the
biochemical oxidation of organic matter under standard laboratory procedure in five days at 20 degrees
Centigrade,expressed in milligrams per liter.
Building drain. Means that part of the lowest horizontal piping of a drainage system which
receives the discharge from soil, waste, and other drainage pipes inside the walls of the building and
conveys it to the building sewer, beginning five feet (1.5 meters) outside the inner face of the building
wall.
Building sewer. Means the extension from the building drain to the service connection or other
place of disposal.
Class of service. Means the type of service rendered by the city to a customer under a particular
rate schedule.
Clean-out. Means a pipe inserted into the sewer extension through which a cleaning device can be
inserted into the sewer extension.
Collection system. Means the system of public sewers to be operated by the city and designed for the
collection of sewage.
Combined sewer. Means a sewer receiving both surface runoff and sewage.
Commercial service Non-demand metered. This classification applies to single phase,
nondemand metered general lighting, incidental power, and other services used by commercial and
industrial enterprises whose demand capacity is less than 25 KW, and by multiple dwelling units when
supplied through one meter. A residential service through which an additional service point not directly
associated with the primary residence is likewise serviced will be billed under this schedule. Customers
will be classified as non-residential unless they are clearly a residential account. The burden of proof will
be on the customer.
Commercial service Demand metered. This classification applies to demand metered general
lighting, incidental power, and other services used by commercial and industrial enterprises whose
demand is equal to or greater than 25 KVA.
Commercial user. Means a person or premises used for commercial or business purposes which
discharges domestic waste,not industrial waste.
Composite. Means the make-up of a number of individual samples so taken as to represent the
nature of sewage or industrial wastes.
Constituents. Means the combination of particles or conditions which exist in the industrial
wastes.
Contribution-in-aid-of-construction. Means that sum of money representing the cost of making
additions or modifications to utility distribution facilities and underground installations, which the
applicant or customer must pay as a condition precedent to installing the facilities requested, and which
becomes the property of the city and is not otherwise subject to refund to the contributor.
Customer. Means the person,partnership, corporation or entity in whose name a utility account is
held and the occupant, resident or tenant of any premises served by a city utility. In those cases where a
utility service is not separately metered to individual tenants in a building, the landlord/owner shall be
considered a customer.
Demand. Means the maximum rate of delivery of electric energy during a month, measured in
kilowatts (KW)registered over a 15-minute period by a demand meter.
Domestic waste. Means any sewage emanating from residential dwellings or from domestic
activities by or for private citizens having a BOD of less than 250 ppm and/or a total suspended solids of
less than 250 ppm.
Economically feasible. Means an extension of distribution facilities will be considered
economically feasible if anticipated annual revenue from the project will recover all annual costs plus
reasonable margins to provide service to that point, and that this balance of revenue to costs/margins can
reasonably be expected to continue for the service life of the facilities constructed for the requested
service extension.
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 2
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
Electric service. Means the availability of electric energy at the point of delivery for use by the
customer,irrespective of whether electric energy is actually used.
Engineering. Includes the preparation of electric layouts, designs, specifications, and other
drawings and lists associated with electric construction. It also includes, but is not limited to, making
construction estimates, inspecting construction for conformance with design criteria and specifications,
staking,right-of-way acquisition, and similar and related activities necessary to the technical planning and
installation of electric distribution facilities.
Garbage. Means all animal and vegetable refuse from food or food preparation, dead animals and
the accumulation from restaurant grease traps, but not dish water nor wastewater, ice, salt and similar
materials.
Industrial. This classification applies to electrical services with demand equal to or greater than
750 KW. Industrial services with demand of equal to or greater than 5,000 KW will be served by contract
only, and only by cost-based rates of those services.
Industrial user. Means a person or premises which discharges sewage having the characteristics
of industrial wastes as distinct from domestic wastes or which has a BOD of 250 ppm or greater and/or
which has a total suspended solids of 250 ppm or greater.
Industrial wastes. Means the sewage from industrial manufacturing processes, trade, or business
as distinct from domestic waste.
Key box (curb valve, curb cock). Means the shut-off point for water service,which is the property
of the customer.
Mobile home. Means manufactured housing, as defined in section 8.15.110 of this code,built on a
chassis and/or in accordance with Department of Housing and Urban Development standards contained in
Code of Federal Regulations Title 24, Chapter 20. A mobile home shall be construed to remain a mobile
home, subject to all regulations applying thereto, whether or not wheels, axles, hitch, or other
appurtenances of mobility are removed and regardless of the nature of the foundation required.
Mobile home park. Means any parcel,or adjacent parcels of land in the same ownership,which is
used for occupancy by two or more mobile homes. The term does not include camper parks as defined in
section 8.15.110 of this code.
Multiple residential structures. Means any building or collections of buildings having common
walls, containing two or more residential units, which include such common residential arrangements as
apartments,townhouses,row houses and condominiums.
Natural outlet. Means any outlet into a watercourse, pond, ditch, lake, or other body of surface
water or ground water.
On-site sewage disposal. Means the use of any privy, cesspool, septic tank or similar facility for
disposal of sewage which is not connected to the collection system.
Permanent electrical service. Means service entrance and metering equipment installed at a given
location with intent to remain for the useful service life of the city's electrical facilities constructed for
that service. The equipment will be mounted on a city pole, or customer's building or other structure on a
permanent, non-moveable foundation. The city reserves the right of final determination of whether a
service will be classified permanent. All facilities will be designed and installed in accordance with
applicable codes, standards and practices of the industry for the class of service offered.
pH. Shall mean the logarithm of the reciprocal of the weight of hydrogen ions in grams per liter
of solution.
Point of delivery. Is that predetermined location where the city terminates its equipment or
conductors and connects with the customer's equipment or conductors.
Premises. Means the real property of the customer in a single location being served by the city.
Pretreatment. Means that physical treatment given to sewage prior to discharge into the collection
system,or those processes utilized for this purpose.
Primary service. Means the conductors and equipment necessary to supply the customer with
electricity at the available primary voltage above 480 volts.
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 3
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
Primary voltage. Means the voltage supplied to the high voltage side of distribution transformers,
which include three-phase service 7,200/12,470 and 14,400/24,900.
Properly shredded garbage. Means the remnants from the preparation,cooking and dispensing of
food that have been shredded to such a degree that all particles will be carried freely under the flow
conditions normally prevailing in the collection system, with no particle greater than one-half inch (1.27
centimeters)in any dimension or overall.
Public sewer. Means any sewer collection system operated by or under the authority of the city.
Public works department. Means the city of Seward public works department.
Raceway. Means a channel for holding wires, cables,or busbars,which is designed expressly and
used solely for that purpose.
Receiving waters. Means those natural outlets into which sewage is discharged.
Refuse. Means all garbage,rubbish and waste material.
Residential or domestic user. Shall mean a person or premises who discharges an average normal
volume of domestic waste to the collection system.
Residential service. Means the providing of a utility to a single-family dwelling. Except for
"home occupations" as defined in sections 15.10.140 and 15.10.240 of this Code, activities of a nature
requiring a business license, advertising, or whose profits and expenses are shown against federal income
taxes will be classified as "commercial."
Rubbish. Means tree and plant trimmings, paper products, rags, rubber, carpets, clothing, straw
packing, packing materials, furniture and all other kinds of combustible waste material which ordinarily
accumulates in the operation of a household or business. "Rubbish" does not include manure or waste
from any yard or stable.
Sanitary sewer. Means a sewer which carries sewage and to which storm, surface, and ground
waters are not intentionally admitted.
Secondary service. Means service at available voltage of 480 volts or less.
Secondary voltage. Means the voltage for delivery directly to the service entrance of the
customer,i.e.,the low voltage side of a distribution transformer, or utilization voltage.
Security lights. Means a fixture or fixtures installed to illuminate private homes and areas,
including places and areas to which the public has access but which are privately owned and controlled.
Service. Means the furnishing of a utility to a given location.
Service connection. Means the pipe and appurtenances required to connect an individual property
or facility to the sanitary sewer. The service connection shall start at the collection system and terminate
at the property line or easement limit and shall not include the building sewer.
Sewage. Means any combination of the water-carried wastes from residences,business buildings,
institutions, and industrial establishments,together with such ground, surface, and stormwaters as may be
present.
Sewage treatment plant. Means any arrangement of devices and structures used for treating
sewage.
Sewage works. Means all facilities for collection,pumping,treating, and disposing of sewage.
Sewer. Means a pipe or conduit for carrying sewage.
Slug. Means any individual or combined discharge of water, sewage, or industrial waste which in
concentration of any given constituent or in quantity of flow exceeds, for any period longer than 15
minutes,more than five times the average 24-hour concentration or flows during normal operation.
Storm drain and storm sewer. Means a sewer which carries storm and surface waters and
drainage,but excludes sewage and industrial wastes,other than unpolluted cooling water.
Street light. Means a system or fixture of such system, for the illumination of streets, alleys, and
other public places and areas,installed and operated at public expense.
Subdivision. Means a tract or parcel of land divided into two or more lots, sites, or other divisions
according to applicable law.
Suspended solids. Means solids that either float on the surface of or are in suspension in water,
sewage,or other liquids, and which are removable by laboratory filtering.
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 4
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
Temporary secondary service. Means service provided on an interim basis during a construction
phase or any other service provided by use of facilities which cannot be reused or continued as permanent
facilities and must be removed when the temporary need has ceased. The duration of the service will not
exceed 180 days.
Thaw wire. Means the wire leading from the water main,parallel with the service line and coming
up to the ground surface at the key box.
Toxic. Means constituents of sewage which are considered from time to time by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency in its listing of NRDC Priority Pollutants Schedule as adversely
affecting facilities or conditions similar to the collection system, the sewage treatment plant, or the
receiving waters.
Waste material. Means broken crockery, glass, wire, ashes, cinders, bottles, tin cans, metals and
other similar noncombustible waste material resulting from the operation of a household or business.
Discarded vehicle bodies or other bulky or heavy objects, waste material resulting from any
manufacturing, building or construction operation, and similar materials shall not be considered waste
material and must be disposed of by the property owner.
Water connection or water service connection. Means that part of the water distribution system,
including pipe and appurtenances, used to conduct water from the water main to a point at or near the
property line of the premises to be served.
Water connection extension. Means that part of the water distribution system extending from the
water connection into the premises served.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 525, §2, 1984; Ord. 610, 1988; Ord. 95-06)
14.01.020.-Waiver of modification of regulations.
The provisions contained herein may not be waived by an officer, agent or employee of the city of
Seward. Any modification or amendment shall be submitted to and approved by the council of the city of
Seward. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.01.025.-Application for utility service.
(a) Persons desiring utility service shall apply on forms provided. No utility service shall be
provided before the applicant has entered into a contract(approved application)with the city.
(b) If an application is accepted verbally, the taking of utility service shall constitute a contract
between the applicant and the city, obligating the applicant to pay for the utility service and to comply
with all applicable provisions of the code, and the customer shall sign a written application upon request.
(c) The minimum term for which service will be rendered is 30 days. A customer taking service
for less than this minimum term will be billed the minimum monthly charge or for the actual usage as
specified under the applicable rate schedule.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.01.030.-Deposits.
(a) The person applying for utility services shall deposit an amount equal to two months fixed
charges or such other amount as may be established by resolution. The deposit may be waived if the
applicant provides a letter or other written verification from the electric utility that last provided
comparable service for a period of at least 24 months to the applicant, stating that the applicant was not
delinquent in payment for the last 12 consecutive months of service at that prior location. No further
deposit shall be required from existing customers unless a customer's account becomes delinquent or
another account is established.
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 5
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
(b)The deposit,plus interest as required by AS 29.35.070, shall be refunded after five years if the
city has not terminated that customer's service for reasons of delinquency in payment and if the customer
has not been delinquent in payment more than once in any 12 consecutive months. The rate of interest is
based upon the current rate paid on a regular savings account at the local bank with which the city has its
banking services. The rate is applied monthly and customers whose deposits are on file will receive a
credit on their accounts every year for interest accrued over the prior year. The deposit does not relieve a
customer from the obligation of paying bills promptly when due. The deposit, less any moneys due the
city, will be refunded within 30 days after the customer signs a disconnect order to discontinue utility
service.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 518, 1983; Ord. 610, 1988; Ord. 95-05)
14.01.035.-Access to premises.
Applicants and customers shall, after notice and at reasonable hours, grant admittance to premises to any
city representative for the purpose of inspecting, repairing, maintaining, replacing, or operating any
facilities connected with or owned or operated by the city. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.01.040.-Rates and charges.
Utility service rates and charges shall be established by resolution following a public hearing. Notice of
the public hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation and shall be posted in at least
three public places within the city at least ten days prior to the hearing. (Ord. 394, 1973; Ord. 415, 1975;
Ord. 430, 1977; Ord. 453, 1978; Ord. 454, 1978; Ord. 465, 1978; Ord. 480, 1980; Ord. 484, 1980; Ord.
504, 1982; Ord. No. 2005-04, §1, 9-28-2005)
14.01.045.-Billing.
(a) Customers shall be billed monthly. Payment shall be due within 20 days of the billing date
printed on the monthly statement if the bills are mailed on or before the billing date.
(b) Failure of the city to bill for utility services shall not relieve the customer of payment
responsibility.
(c) If the city is unable to read a meter at the usual or scheduled time due to locked premises,
weather conditions, road conditions, presence of dangerous animals or other circumstances, the city will
bill the customer based upon the estimated consumption and adjust the account in accordance with the
next subsequent meter reading.
(d) A bill is delinquent when the customer fails to make payment within 20 days of the billing
date; delinquency subjects the customer to termination and disconnection of any or all utility services
until all billings have been brought current. The city may, at its discretion, make other contractual
arrangements for payment of past due accounts.
(e)The city may charge a return check fee. Any returned check shall not be considered payment.
(f)Billing disputes.
(1) Whenever a customer has a dispute with the city over charges billed, a customer
should request the city utility manager to investigate the grounds for dispute. The city utility manager will
investigate the dispute and notify the customer as to the results of the investigation.
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 6
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
(2) If this reply is not satisfactory to the customer and the differences between the
customer and the city cannot be reconciled by the city's staff or management, the customer may request
an opportunity to present his case to the city council for final resolution.
(3) During this review process, the customer must pay the undisputed portion of the bill
in a timely manner. If an error is found to exist, the customer's current account will be adjusted
accordingly.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.01.050. -Payment responsibilities.
(a) Payment for usage. All persons receiving utility services from the city shall be obligated to
pay for such services. The city presumes that a person intended to deprive the city of compensation for
service from the city if-
(1) The person possesses or has access to a city service metering device which is being
used to meter service and has been interfered with, avoided, or altered to inhibit or prevent the accurate
measurement of service without the permission of the city or the person has access to a city line which
has been tapped without the permission of the city; or
(2) The person enjoys the use or receives the economic benefit of any unmetered electric
utility service.The city expects compensation due for any service received by unauthorized usage.
(b) Change of occupancy. A customer who is listed on city records as the person or entity
responsible for utility consumption at a specific location shall give written five-day notice of a
contemplated change in occupancy, specifying the date on which service is to be discontinued. If the
customer fails to provide the required written notice,he will be charged for utility service furnished to the
premises until the city is provided with notice of change of occupancy.
(c) Vacancy between renters. The owner of rental property may execute an agreement with the
city providing for the automatic continuance of service in the owner's name during periods of vacancy
between renters. During periods of vacancy, the owner will be billed as specified in the applicable rate
schedule for regular customers of the same class until a new customer has applied for service and
established credit as provided in sections 14.01.025 and 14.01.030
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 610, 1988; Ord. 95-06)
14.01.055.-Late payments and penalties.
(a) Failure to make timely payment will subject the customer to a late payment charge set by
resolution.
(b)Interest at a rate set by resolution shall accrue on all accounts from the date of delinquency.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.01.060.-Termination of service by customer.
(a)Permanent disconnect. A customer may discontinue utility service by providing written notice
to the city not less than five days in advance of the date upon which termination of the service is
requested.
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(b) Temporary disconnects. Unless the city is notified in writing that a customer wishes to stop
utility services, charges will be made and the customer will be liable therefor. No shut-off of utility
services for less than three months will be made without payment of a charge in an amount to be
established by resolution.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.01.065.-Discontinuance of service and remedies by city.
(a) Termination of service. Upon five days' written notice, the city reserves the right to
discontinue or reduce any one or more utility services for any one or more of the following reasons:
(1)Intent to defraud the city of payment for all or any part of such use;
(2) Use in an illegal manner or for the furtherance of an illegal purpose or for any
purpose other than that described in the application for service;
(3)Resale or redistribution of a utility service;
(4)Tampering with any utility service connection or property of the city;
(5)Nonpayment of any bills for utility services;
(6) Refusal of reasonable access to the premises for inspection, repair, maintenance,
replacement or operation;
(7)Noncompliance with any requirement imposed by the code or by resolution;
(8) Failure to repair any defect or break in utility service, to the extent it is the customer's
obligation to do so;
(9) Other equipment or structures which by their proximity or nature introduce a safety
hazard;
(10) Such other reason or condition as the city may deem appropriate.
(b) Lien on property. Charges levied in accordance with this title shall be a debt due to the city
and a lien upon the property which has been benefitted by the services. Change of ownership or
occupancy of premises delinquent shall not be the cause for reducing or eliminating any applicable
penalties.
(c) Expenses. The expense of discontinuance, reduction, removal or closing, as well as the
expense of restoring service, shall be a debt due to the city (and a lien upon the property) and may be
recovered by civil action in the name of the city against customer, the person,or both.
(d) Criminal penalties. Any person who shall continue any violation other than an obligation to
pay money beyond written notice and reasonable time to cure shall be guilty of a misdemeanor in addition
to being liable in damages and,upon conviction thereof, shall be fined in an amount not exceeding $25.00
for each violation. Each day in which any such violation shall continue shall be deemed separate offense.
(e) Safety. Conditions which cause a clear and immediate safety hazard to customers or other
personnel shall be cause for immediate disconnection of service without notification.
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(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 610, 1988; Ord. 95-06)
14.01.070.-Restoration of service.
Service which has been terminated may be restored after the customer has paid a restoration charge or
charges in the amount(s) established by resolution, and after the customer has complied with the
following:
(1)Payment of all unpaid bills,penalties and late charges for all utility services;
(2) Placement with the city of a deposit, in an amount to be established by resolution, to
ensure future payment of bills;
(3) Correction of any condition found in violation of any applicable provision of the code
or any resolution.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.01.075.- Service complaints.
(a)All customer service complaints are to be delivered to the city utility manager either in person,
by mail,or by telephone.
(b) If within 14 days after having made a complaint a customer is not satisfied with the resolution
of the complaint, the customer may file a written complaint with the city manager's office for final
resolution.
(c) All customers are encouraged to contact the city whenever utility service is interrupted or
service is unsatisfactory. Customers should notify the city whenever defects, trouble, accidents or
potentially hazardous conditions are observed. This prompt notification of trouble will allow the city to
continue to provide reliable service for all customers.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.01.080.-Liability.
(a) Any person violating any of the provisions of this title shall become liable to the city for any
expense, loss or damage caused by such violation.
(b) Any unauthorized tampering with city utility property, equipment, or facilities will be
punishable under AS 42.20.030 and other applicable statutory provisions.
(c) The customer is responsible for the safekeeping of the city's property located on the
customer's premises and shall take all reasonable precautions against unlawful interference with the
facilities. The customer may not connect to, interfere with or alter the conductor, meters, seals or other
utility facilities used in connection with rendering utility service or permit connection to, interference
with, or alteration by any person other than an authorized agent or employee of the city. The customer
shall pay for any damage to city property caused or permitted directly or indirectly by the customer. If the
city determines it to be necessary to protect its property or other individuals, the customer shall install, at
his expense, suitable protective or security devices designated by the city on the customer's premises.
(d) Appliances, devices or facilities provided at the expense of the city are the property of the city
and may be removed by it at any time on the termination of an agreement for its maintenance or the
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discontinuance of service. The city may elect to seal the electrical switch or other utility device,
equipment or facilities located on the customer's premises.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 610, 1988)
Chapter 14.05.- Garbage and Refuse
See AS 29.35.050 for state provisions allowing municipalities to provide for a system of garbage and solid waste
services;see AS 29.35.060 for state provisions allowing municipalities to grant franchises; see§ 7.10.210 et seq. as
to garbage disposal in trailer courts.
14.05.010.-Refuse service provided and required.
(a) Every person occupying and/or owning any house, apartment building, duplex, triplex,
condominium, townhome, mobile home park or home outside of a mobile home park, trailer, other
residential or commercial dwelling or commercial building, including buildings under construction,
within the city shall use and pay for the system of refuse disposal provided in this chapter, unless the
person utilizes a carrier holding a valid permit from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.
(b) The city shall either provide or contract for collection and disposal of refuse. The public
works department of the city or the contractor shall prescribe routes and days for collection. When such
routes or days are established or changed, reasonable notice thereof shall be given to affected customers.
No other carrier other than one authorized by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska may collect,dispose,
or remove refuse from any premises in the city. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to
prohibit an occupant and/or owner from removing or causing the removal of refuse accumulated on the
premises occupied by him and disposing of the same in a lawful manner. Disposing of one's own refuse
does not,however,eliminate the mandatory requirement to pay for solid waste service.
(Ord. 415, 1975; Ord. 428, 1976; Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. No. 2012-008, §1, 9-10-2012; Ord. 2015-004)
14.05.015.-Deposit of refuse.
(a) No person shall place or deposit any refuse in or upon any public alley, street or highway,
sidewalk, park or other public place in the city except as herein expressly authorized. No person shall
place any refuse on land of another.
(b) Dumpsters or trash receptacles located on public property may only be used for depositing
small quantities of refuse generated in connection with public activities such as picnicking, camping,
touring, pleasure boating, sport fishing, or other outdoor recreation. No person shall deposit refuse
generated by residential, commercial, or industrial uses in or near any dumpster or trash receptacle
located on public property. No person shall deposit refuse in or near any dumpster or trash receptacle
located on public property contrary to any instructions posted on or near the dumpster or trash receptacle.
(c) No person shall deposit refuse in a private dumpster without the owner's consent. Owners of
dumpsters may post signage on or near privately owned dumpsters stating that unauthorized use is a
violation of the City Code.
(d)Violation of this section is subject to a fine of$100.00 for each offense.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 96-28)
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14.05.020.- Transportation.
No person shall transport refuse within the city unless it is transported in a covered or enclosed vehicle or
one which is loaded in such manner as to prevent any of the contents from escaping. (Ord. 417, 1976;
Ord. 504, 1982)
14.05.025.-Use of containers and placement.
(a) Every person occupying and/or owning a building in the city shall provide containers suitable
for collection of refuse. All refuse such as vacuum cleaner dust, nonexplosive liquids, sweepings and
other refuse that poses a hazard to collection or risk of spillage in normal collection shall be individually
packaged prior to placement in a container.
(b) Customer containers shall be placed abutting a dedicated public right-of-way. Only city
containers may be placed upon the public right-of-way.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. No. 2012-008, §2, 9-10-2012)
14.05.030.- Container specifications generally.
(a)All containers shall conform to the following minimum specifications:
(1) Shall not exceed ninety-six gallons capacity;
(2) Shall not exceed two hundred twenty pounds when filled;
(3) Shall not exceed sixty-five pounds empty weight;
(4) Shall be watertight with an animal-proof lid and of adequate durability for continued
use. No corrugated cardboard box shall be used except as herein provided. No fifty or fifty-five gallon
steel petroleum drums or the like shall be permitted,whether cut down or otherwise altered.
(b) Certain bulk rubbish and waste material containers may be approved by the public works
department of the city. Such containers shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be
provided with tight lids.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06; Ord. No. 2012-008, §3, 9-10-2012)
14.05.035.- Container racks.
Containers or container racks shall be designed so as to prevent the upsetting or spillage by wind,
weather, animals, or accident. Violation of this section due to bear attractants is subject to a fine of one
hundred dollars for each offense. The fine for the first offense only will be waived upon proof of purchase
or lease of the appropriate containment measure (e.g. locking dumpster lid, bear-resistant dumpster, or
bear-resistant garbage can),provided the containment measure is in place within thirty days of the date of
the violation. More than one violation of this section by dumpster customers will require the occupant
and/or owner to obtain a locking dumpster lid or bear-resistant dumpster for the period May through
October. In addition to the one hundred dollar fine, more than one violation of this section by customers
utilizing garbage cans will require the occupant and/or owner to purchase or lease a bear-resistant garbage
can.
(a) Containers or container racks shall not be placed on the public right-of-way.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06; Ord. No. 2012-008, §4, 9-10-2012)
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14.05.040.-Frequency of collection.
All garbage and rubbish receptacles shall be emptied at least weekly. All garbage and rubbish receptacles
shall at all times be kept clean by the person occupying and/or owning the property. All waste material
must be removed at least once each month. Building or construction waste and debris shall be removed
weekly and upon completion of construction. (Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 2015-004)
14.05.045.-Brush,tree trimmings, etc.
Brush, trees, lawn cuttings or similar materials shall be securely bound in bundles not to exceed two feet
in diameter. They may be placed in disposable cardboard containers. Branches or logs shall not be more
than three inches in diameter or more than four feet in length. Containers shall not exceed 65 pounds in
weight. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.05.050. -Large boxes,crates, etc.
Large appliance cartons, shipping crates or small non-bulky items or furniture and similar materials shall
be disassembled prior to collection. (Ord. 504, 1982)
Chapter 14.10.-Water
14.10.010. -Nature of services offered.
14.10.015. - Ownership.
14.10.020. -Key box,thaw wire and shut-off valve.
14.10.025. - Installation of water connections.
14.10.030. -Water main extensions.
14.10.035. -Fire hydrants.
14.10.040. -Mobile home parks.
14.10.045. -Multiple use buildings(apartments,offices).
14.10.050. -Responsibility for frozen water pipes and other damage.
14.10.055. -Interruption of service.
14.10.060. -Responsibility for charges; reselling of water prohibited.
14.10.065. -Persons authorized to turn on or off water service.
14.10.070. -Meters required.
14.10.075. -Minimum standards for water lines.
14.10.080. -Water system as electrical ground.
14.10.010.-Nature of services offered.
The city shall provide water service within the city limits. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.10.015.-Ownership.
(a)The city owns and maintains the water service connection from the main,including the service
line, thaw wire and the key box. The city has the exclusive right to control the flow of water by operation
of the key box.
(b) The line between the key box and the premises shall be installed and kept in repair by the
customer who shall be responsible for all breaks in said line and for any damages resulting
incidentally therefrom(see section 12.05.025 as to adoption of Uniform Plumbing Code).
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(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.10.020.-Key box,thaw wire and shut-off valve.
(a) The customer is responsible to know the location of his key box and thaw wire, and will be
liable for any costs incurred in locating or repairing them when damage is caused by the negligence of the
customer or those acting on his behalf. Such negligence shall include the customer's failure to apprise
persons whom the customer knows or should know might damage the key box and thaw wire if not told
of their location.
(b) All persons receiving service from the city shall provide a separate shut-off valve inside the
building and located on the service line entering the building ahead of any branch lines and readily
accessible in an emergency.
(c) Key bodes and thaw wires shall be located once without charge for each location of service.
A charge may be levied for subsequent locations of service as provided by resolution.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.10.025.-Installation of water connections.
(a) Water connection from the main to the key box shall be installed by the city upon application
for such service, submission of a building permit and payment of established fees for such connection.
(b) Plans for all new water and sewer lines and connections must be approved by the city, and the
completed lines must be inspected by the city prior to burial.
(c) An approved application and any applicable service charges shall be required to make any
alterations in any conduit, pipe, or other fitting or to turn water service off or on at the key box. The
customer is responsible for any damage resulting therefrom.
(d) Water connections larger than two inches may be installed by special agreement at actual cost
to the customer.No water connection shall be longer than 80 feet. Water connections shall be installed on
city property or easement.
(Ord. 504, §1.)
14.10.030. -Water main extensions.
Water main extensions shall be made upon written application by the customer and deposit of two-thirds
of the estimated cost of the extension, which shall be applied to the actual cost. If the actual cost exceeds
that of the deposit,the applicant shall pay the additional amount. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.10.035.-Fire hydrants.
(a) Customers may apply for a fire hydrant usage permit from May 1 to August 31 and shall use a
hydrant designated by the fire chief or water system operator. A hydrant valve must be used.
(b) Only city personnel, or fire department personnel in the case of a fire, shall use any fire
hydrant without first applying to the city and agreeing to pay the appropriate charges and deposits.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06)
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14.10.040. -Mobile home parrs.
The owner or operator of a mobile home park shall report monthly the number of mobile homes and shall
be responsible for all charges for water service for each mobile home. (Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 525, §
I(part), 1984)
14.10.045. -Multiple use buildings(apartments, offices).
A single water connection shall serve only one customer unless more than one customer occupies an
apartment house, duplex, office building, auto court, motel, hotel, commercial building or other premises
which by its nature would normally remain under one ownership. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.10.050.-Responsibility for frozen water pipes and other damage.
Customers shall be responsible for frozen water connections from the main to the building except when
due to faulty installation by the city; burden of proof of the reason of freezing rests with the customer and
when so proven,responsibility for thawing is the city's. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.10.055.-Interruption of service.
(a) Water may be shut off without notice for repairs, emergencies, extensions or other necessary
purposes. The city will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by failure of the city to deliver water.
(b) The city will not be liable for a deficiency or failure, regardless of cause, in the supply
pressure of water nor for any damage caused thereby.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06)
14.10.060.-Responsibility for charges; reselling of water prohibited.
When water is supplied for the use of more than one person from one water connection, the party owning
the premises adjacent to the curb cock shall be responsible for all charges as though he were the owner of
all properties benefitted by water connection.No customer shall resell water. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.10.065.-Persons authorized to turn on or off water service.
Only the city shall turn on or off any water service or open or close any fire hydrant; except, that a
licensed plumber may turn on a water service for testing his work and a person holding a fire hydrant
usage permit under section 14.10.035 may use a fire hydrant in accordance with that permit. (Ord. 504, §
1; Ord. 610, 1988)
14.10.070.-Meters required.
(a) The customer shall furnish water meters of the type and model specified by the city. Water
meters shall also be provided for residential buildings containing five or more units.
(b) Water meters shall be furnished and installed by the customer at the option of the city for any
existing commercial or industrial building or use,or for any state and federal building and use.
(c) All new commercial and industrial buildings and uses including all state and federal buildings
and uses, shall install water meters at the customer's expense.
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(d)All meter installations shall be approved in advance by the city when the customer applies for
a building permit.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06)
14.10.075.-Minimum standards for water lines.
All new water lines for major building remodeling or renovation (the cost of which exceeds 25 percent of
the borough assessed value) shall be buried a minimum of nine feet below the surface of the ground,
measured from the surface of the ground to the bottom of the pipe. If conditions prohibit this burial, then
the line must be encased in insulation of a type and thickness which must be approved by the city. The
city may allow the depth of burial with proper insulation to be less than nine feet, but not less than six
feet. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.10.080.-Water system as electrical ground.
The city recognizes that at times a plumbing system is used as an electrical ground. The city is not liable
for the adequacy of this electrical ground and may make any structural or material changes in the city's
water mains and water service connections without regard to the effect such changes may have on the
overall adequacy of an electrical grounding system. The city will not be liable for the safety of any person
who makes contact with a system that is used as an electrical grounding system. (Ord. 504, 1982)
Chapter 14.15.-Electricity
Article 1. - General Provisions
14.15.110. -Electrical service provided.
14.15.115. -Types of service.
14.15.120. -Resale of electricity.
Article 2.-Engineering Provisions
14.15.210. - Service classification.
14.15.215. -Metering electricity use.
14.15.220. -Power factor adjustment.
14.15.225. -Phase balance.
14.15.230. -Highly fluctuating loads.
14.15.235. -Addition of load.
14.15.240. -Unauthorized attachments.
14.15.245. -Wiring instructions.
14.15.250. -Load protection.
14.15.255. -Meter testing.
14.15.260. -Authorized breaking of a meter seal.
Article 3.- Service Connection Provisions
14.15.310. - General requirements.
14.15.315. -Point of delivery.
14.15.320. -Metered use for each class of service.
14.15.325. -Meter location.
14.15.330. -Primary facilities.
14.15.335. -Three-phase service.
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14.15.340. - Service for multi-occupant.
14.15.345. - Service for mobile home parks.
14.15.350. - Service for small boat harbor.
Article 4. - Interconnection to Customer-Owned Alternate Technology and Fossil Fuel Standby
Generation Equipment
14.15.410. -Alternate technology generation.
14.15.415. -Fossil fuel standby generation.
14.15.420. - Customer liability.
Article 5.- Service Extensions
14.15.510. - Cost considerations.
14.15.515. - Standard service extensions.
14.15.520. -Temporary service construction.
14.15.524. - Service extensions to multi-occupant buildings.
14.15.525. -Mobile home parks.
14.15.530. - Service upgrades.
14.15.535. - Construction of subdivision service extensions and/or idle facilities.
14.15.540. -Adding services to existing service extensions.
14.15.545. -Relocation of facilities.
14.15.550. - Conversion of temporary service; extensions to permanent service extension.
14.15.555. - Security light construction.
14.15.560. -Estimating service extension costs.
14.15.565. - General service extension provisions.
Article 6.-Liability
14.15.610. -Interruption of service.
14.15.615. - Customer's equipment.
14.15.620. - Consequential damages.
14.15.625. -Power outage.
Article 7. - Rules for Responding to Inquiries from Qualifying Facilities Having a Capacity of
Greater Than 100 KW
14.15.710. -Application,purpose, and waiver.
14.15.715. -Availability of system cost data.
14.15.720. -Procedures for responding to inquiries from QFs.
14.15.725. - Consideration of contracts between the utility and a QF.
14.15.730. - Consideration of complaints.
Article 1.- General Provisions
14.15.110.-Electrical service provided.
(a) The city provides 60-hertz alternating current, either single or three phase, at available
standard voltages. Voltage,frequency and wave form are regulated to conform to the standard practices of
the industry.
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(b) Standard voltages:
S 120/208v ingle Phase Secondary
120/240v Single Phase T Secondary
120/208v Three Phase Secondary
240/480v Three Phase Secondary
120/240v Three Phase Secondary
480v Three Phase Secondary
277/480v Three Phase Secondary
7,200/12,470v Three Phase Primary
14,400/24,900v Three Phase Primary
(c) The city shall, unless otherwise provided, construct, operate and maintain the facilities
necessary to deliver electrical energy to the point of service connection to the service equipment owned
by the customer. Responsibility for the design of the city's lines and other facilities shall rest with the city.
(d) The city will not construct any service unless the approved service equipment is installed and
available for connection. If the city's work crew or city's contractor is required to return to the customer's
job site due to a lack of appropriate facilities, the customer will be responsible for all actual charges
associated with additional trips.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06)
14.15.115.-Types of service.
(a) Permanent service. Permanent service installations are as defined at section 14.01.015.
Charges for construction of permanent services will be based on the service extension provisions. The
entrance and metering equipment will be mounted on a city pole, or customer's building or other structure
on a permanent, non-moveable foundation. The city reserves the right of final determination of whether a
service will be classified as permanent. All facilities will be designed and installed in accordance with
applicable codes, standards and practices of the industry for the class of service offered.
(b) Temporary service. Temporary services are as defined in section 14.01.015 and will be
constructed under the provisions set forth in service extension provisions. Entrance and metering
equipment may be installed on a city pole, or a customer's portable or skid-mounted building or other
nonportable structure. The installation and equipment will comply with applicable technical and safety
standards, practices and codes to protect the customer, the general public and the city's employees.
Temporary services would include, but not be limited to, power for construction-sites, gravel pits,
sawmills, mining sites, small boat harbor, refrigerated van plug-ins, or carnivals or similar organization.
The customer for this type of service is liable for full cost of installation and removal of facilities,payable
in advance of installation.
(c) Non-standard service. The city has the option of providing non-standard services. The
customer will pay the cost of any special installations necessary to meet particular requirements for
service at other than standard voltages, or for closer voltage regulation than provided by standard service
or for service with characteristics different from those described in these provisions.
(Ord. 435, 1977; Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 610, 1988; Ord. 95-06)
14.15.120.-Resale of electricity.
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The city provides only retail service.No customer,with the exception of the small boat harbor,shall resell
or rebill the power purchased from the city or provide service to any other person or premises. (Ord. 504,
1982)
Article 2.-Engineering Provisions
14.15.210.-Service classification.
The intended use of electricity will determine whether a service is residential or commercial. (Ord. 504,
1982; Ord. 95-06)
14.15.215.-Metering electricity use.
(a) The registration of the city's meter shall be accepted and received at all times and places as
prima facie evidence of the amount of power and energy used by the customer. Quantity of energy use
will be determined under the following provisions.
(1)Energy use (KWH). Meters designed to quantitatively determine energy use measured
in kilowatt hours will be installed,calibrated and monitored by the city on all services except where:
a. Energy use is fixed by type of service and fixed billings will accurately recover
all costs;
b. Service is temporary and metering would be impractical. Energy usage would
then be estimated and billed accordingly. The city reserves the final right to determine
these exemptions; however, any customer under the above conditions who desires a
meter will be provided one at the customer's expense.
(2)Energy demand(KW). For certain rate schedules provisions for measuring and billing
monthly noncoincident demands are required. Meters designed to indicate or record the highest 15 minute
demand in the billing period will be installed, calibrated, monitored and read by the city on all affected
customer services according to rate schedule requirements.
(b)When the service exceeds 200 amperes or 480 volts, the city will provide at customer expense
current transformers and/or potential transformers (PT's or CT's) at a ratio designated by the city for
metering. The customer shall install the PT's or CT's in a sealable enclosure and shall furnish and install
all necessary meter sockets and raceways. The city will install the wiring from the instrument
transformers to the meter sockets in raceways provided by the customer. In the case of customer's primary
metering, which is generally installed on wood poles, the city shall install such equipment at customer's
expense.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06)
14.15.220. -Power factor adjustment.
All schedules requiring demand metering will be subject to the following power factor adjustment
provisions:
(a) Demand-metered customers should attempt to maintain a unity power factor. If the power
factor falls below 90 percent lagging, the customer will take corrective steps to return the power factor to
90 percent or higher. Also, the following charge for billed kilowatts will apply: Month Billing Demand =
Maximum Demand x 90 Percent Actual Power Factor
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(b) All power factor adjustment equipment installed by the customer must be approved by the
city. Power factor can be determined by permanently installed monitoring equipment or by periodic
testing at reasonable intervals, at the discretion of the city.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.225.-Phase balance.
Except for three-phase, four-wire delta service, the following phase balance requirements apply to all
multi-phase services. Current unbalance between phase wires in any multi-phase service cannot exceed
ten percent. The customer will take corrective steps to return unbalance to ten percent or less. (Ord. 504,
1982)
14.15.230.-Highly fluctuating loads.
(a) Any load that causes a large fluctuation in voltage on any given circuit and disturbs the
service provided to other customers, such as large motors, starting equipment, unstaged heating loads,X-
ray equipment or welders,etc.,will be subject to disconnect by the city.
(b) The city may require, as a condition of service, that a customer install, at his own expense,
equipment that will eliminate the undesirable load characteristics. Undesirable load characteristics
include,but are not limited to,unbalanced load between phases,unacceptable variations from unity power
factor, and unusual demand fluctuations produced by the customer's equipment. A customer planning to
install electric welders or motors larger than two horsepower should consult the city before making the
installation.
(Ord. 504, 1982).
14.15.235.-Addition of load.
If a single-phase customer plans to increase a given load past the capacity of the city's equipment installed
to serve that particular location, the customer will be required to notify the city two months prior to the
proposed changes. If a customer with a three-phase service plans to increase a given load past the capacity
of the city's equipment installed to serve that particular location, the customer will be required to notify
the city six months prior to the proposed changes. These prior notices will give the city sufficient time to
design necessary changes in equipment to satisfactorily serve the anticipated new load. If the customer
fails to notify the city and the additional load damages the city's equipment,the customer is liable for such
damages and repairs or replacement of damaged equipment. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.240.-Unauthorized attachments.
Written permission from the city is required prior to the attachment of any equipment or material to any
city property including poles, guy wires, equipment or structures. Any unauthorized attachment is subject
to removal at any time without notice. The city assumes no liability, and will not be responsible for any
unauthorized attachments to the city's equipment. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.245.-Wiring instructions.
Minimum wiring requirements that are necessary to meet local, state and national electric standards codes
for the given customer service entrance installation are available from the city's engineering department
(see section 12.05.035 as to adoption of National Electrical Code). (Ord. 504, 1982)
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14.15.250.-Load protection.
The customer is responsible for overload, short circuit, and phase failure protection of his own equipment.
Certain protective devices considered necessary for adequate motor protection are recommended
hereunder:
(a)Line starting protection. Any motor 50 horsepower or greater in size which, in starting, might
be damaged by the full line voltage requires some type of protective device to disconnect it from the line
during interruptions in service, thus protecting the motor when service is restored. The city further
recommends that such a device be equipped with a time delay mechanism so that the motor will not be
disconnected by momentary fluctuations in voltage.
(b) Overload protection. Since the intense heat caused by overload might seriously damage the
motor, the customer should install a device that will disconnect the motor if overload occurs. Fuses,
thermal relays or circuit breakers which are specifically designed to operate when excessive current
occurs, are the devices used for this purpose. Where the customer receives three-phase service, the city
suggests that such protective devices be connected in all phases.
(c) Single phasing protection. Where the customer receives three-phase service, a relay should be
installed which will disconnect the motor from the lines in the event one phase of the line becomes open.
(d) Reverse phasing protection. For three-phase installations of electric cranes, hoists, elevators,
pumps and the like,the customer should install relays which will disconnect the motor from the line in the
event of accidental phase reversal.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.255.-Meter testing.
(a) The city will, at its own expense, make tests and inspections, as required, on meters to insure
standard accuracy of plus or minus two percent. The city will test a customer's meter upon request for the
fee established by resolution.
(b) If a meter is found to be out of adjustment by more than plus or minus two percent, the
customer's bill will be adjusted retroactively, not to exceed three months, to show a corrected billed
amount. If it can be established that the error was due to some cause, the date of which can be fixed, the
overcharge will be computed back to but not beyond that date.
(Ord. 504, §1.)
14.15.260.-Authorized breaking of a meter seal.
Under certain circumstances, a customer may request permission to break a meter seal in order to
facilitate disconnection for electrical work. Such requests should be addressed to the city. A fee will be
charged for resealing the equipment. (Ord. 504, 1982)
Article 3.- Service Connection Provisions
14.15.310.- General requirements.
(a) The city will own, install, operate and maintain the overhead service necessary to the point of
connection of the customer's service equipment and to the city's distribution facilities.
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(b) The customer shall own, install, operate and maintain all wiring, service equipment and
electrical facilities on the customer's side of the meter.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.315.-Point of delivery.
(a) Point of delivery for overhead services must be arranged so that the city's conductors can be
attached in one place and one place only for drop into the customer's service entrance. The customer will
be required to provide equipment for attaching the city's conductors to building surfaces with adequate
strength to support the city's conductors. Point of delivery for services will be on a mutually acceptable
location pre-arranged with the city's engineering department.
(b) The city will not be obligated to provide service to a structure at a point not designated by the
city, and a customer who proceeds without the designation of location may be required to modify the
wiring or other construction to provide for service equipment at a location subsequently designated by the
City.
(c) It is the responsibility of the customer or electrical contractor to notify the city's engineering
department of all special service requirements in advance of installing new equipment or modifying old
equipment at the service entrance and to determine a suitable service entrance location acceptable to both
the customer and the city.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.320.-Metered use for each class of service.
(a) The city shall establish by resolution separate rates for each individual customer class. Rates
are based on supplying service to a customer through a single delivery or meter point. At each delivery
point, a single meter will measure all usage for each affected class of service.
(b) Meter installations for services greater than two hundred amps will be provided only by
special application to the city's engineering department.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.325.-Meter location.
(a) All meters will be installed on the outside of buildings or service structures, except for rural,
mobile homes, temporary, construction, or small boat harbor service. Then, the meter may be attached on
a separate meter pole. The customer will furnish a suitable location for placing the city's meter that is
safely accessible by city employees, free from vibration, corrosive atmosphere, and abnormal
temperatures, and protected from adverse climatic conditions or aggressive domestic animals.
(b)Meters will not be located under enclosed porches or breezeways,carports or under rain gutter
downspouts or other drains. Meters shall be installed at such height that the center of the meter will be
between 4.5 feet and 6 feet above the finished grade or platform.
(c) The customer shall, at his own expense, extend his wiring for a new and approved meter
location whenever the existing meter has become inaccessible or potentially inaccessible for inspection,
reading and testing.
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(d) Meters shall have a main outside service disconnect located immediately adjacent to the
meter. If the metering point is separate from the building(s) which it serves, there shall be a second
service disconnect for each building.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06)
14.15.330.-Primary facilities.
Loads in excess of fifty kilowatts of demand may require primary facilities for adequate service. If
primary service is required, the customer will be required to provide space on his property at no cost to
the city for the transformers, switches, regulators and other equipment necessary to serve the load. The
space provided may be outdoors for pad-mount transformers or in a vault inside a building as approved by
the city's engineering department. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.335. - Three-phase service.
Three-phase service will not be provided to a customer if the connected load is less than five horsepower
unless three-phase service is immediately available on existing circuits. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.340.-Service for multi-occupant.
(a) Apartments and condominiums. Service will be supplied to only one location for each
integrated structure. All metering and service entrance equipment will be located at this point. Each
separate residential unit within the structure will be metered separately. No master-metering will be
permitted. Laundry, furnaces and other common or joint-use equipment will be metered and charged
according to appropriate commercial rate schedules.
(b) Motels and hotels. Service will be supplied to only one location for each integrated structure.
All metering and service entrance equipment will be located at this point.
(c) Townhouses. Service for townhouses can be supplied under the provisions of (a) above.
Alternatively, service for townhouses can be supplied to individual units if these properties are
individually platted. However a borough-approved and recorded plat must be on file before such service
can be constructed.
(d) Commercial and office buildings. Service for commercial or office buildings will be supplied
to only one location for each integrated structure. All metering and service entrance equipment will be
located at this point.
(e) A main disconnect shall be required at the metering point, normally on the outside of the
structure.
(f)The city reserves the right to limit grouped meters to six units or less at any one location, or to
require three-phase arrangements, or both, when it is deemed necessary for the technical requirements of
the system.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.345.-Service for mobile home parks.
Existing mobile home parks with master metering may continue to use master metering. New mobile
home parks may not use master metering. New mobile home parks will be connected as provided in
section 14.15.525. (Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 525, § ](part), 1984; Ord. 610, 1988)
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City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
14.15.350.- Service for small boat harbor.
(a) Generally. The Harbormaster shall have the authority to manage the secondary distribution
system serving shore power to vessel slip leaseholders. The management will also include meter reading,
billing, and the collection of fees for service connects and disconnects.
(b) Availability. All permanent vessels using electrical power shall connect and pay the subject
fees established by resolution of the Seward City Council.
(c)Shore power. Every effort shall be made by the harbormaster's office to provide "shore power"
to those transient vessels that require such service. A deposit and a daily flat rate for power used, as
established by resolution of the Seward City Council, shall be charged.
(d) Type of service. Single-phase, 120/208 voltage, thirty amp outlets shall be provided. Any
customer requiring changes to the existing electrical facilities must receive authorization from the
Harbormaster and agree to pay for all costs associated with change.
(e)Maintenance and service repair. All maintenance and service requests shall be made to the
Harbormaster's office. The City will provide those services required to remove, repair or test installed
meters. It will, in addition, provide any electrical maintenance assistance as requested by the
Harbormaster. Any such work performed for the small boat harbor will be charged on a work order
basis.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. No. 2012-0111 §2, 12-10-2012)
Note: Ord. No. 2012-011, §3, states that the City Manager is directed to have the Harbor staff refund the
electrical deposits of all reserved moorage account customers that are not more than 30 days past due.
Article 4. - Interconnection to Customer-Owned Alternate Technology and Fossil Fuel Standby
Generation Equipment
14.15.410.-Alternate technology generation.
(a) The city will permit the interconnection and operation of alternate technology generation
facilities such as wind energy conversion systems or small scale hydroelectric facilities with its integrated
distribution system upon compliance by the customer with the following provisions:
(1) A customer who owns any alternate technology generation shall request approval
from the city to interconnect with its system at least three months prior to the date on which the customer
intends to make any connection in any way to the electric circuitry common to the city's integrated
distribution system.
(2) The customer shall submit to the city along with his request for interconnection
complete documentation of alternate technology generation equipment including but not limited to:
schematics; wiring diagrams; performance specifications; descriptions of energy storage devices, circuit
protection equipment, regulation equipment, automatic disconnect equipment, and any other proprietary
device provided by the equipment manufacturers.
(3) Upon approval of the interconnection by the city, the customer shall agree under
special contract with the city to pay the cost of any special metering equipment or circuit modifications
determined by the city as necessary to accomplish the interconnection; to install power factor corrective
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City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
equipment as necessary to maintain a power factor of not less than 0.9; to operate the generation
equipment in strict compliance with safety procedures established by the city, and to accept the terms of
purchase of energy or capacity or both as set forth in the contract.
(b) The city reserves the right to refuse interconnection with alternate technology generation
facilities or to limit the number of interconnections with alternate technology generation facilities on any
single substation circuit if it is determined by the city that any such interconnection would be harmful or
hazardous to its system, its employees or other customers. If a proposed interconnection is refused by the
city, the city will provide the customer within three months of the initial request written notice of refusal,
including a statement of the reason(s) for the refusal.
(c) If an unauthorized interconnect is found, the city will immediately terminate service to those
facilities and reconnect the service only when all conditions of these provisions are satisfied.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.415.-Fossil fuel standby generation.
The city will not permit the interconnection and operation of fossil fuel standby generation facilities, such
as diesel or gasoline engine drive standby generators, with its integrated distribution system under any
circumstances. Diesel or gasoline driven standby generators shall be connected to the customer's load
only through a double-throw switch that will prevent parallel operation with the city's distribution system.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.420. - Customer liability.
(a) Accidents. The customer shall be solely responsible for all accidents or injuries to persons or
property caused by the operation of the customer's equipment, or by any failure of the customer to
maintain his equipment in a satisfactory and/or safe operating condition, and shall indemnify, defend and
save harmless the city from any and all claims, suits, losses or damages for injuries to persons or property,
of whatsoever kind or nature arising directly or indirectly out of the operation of such equipment or by the
failure of the customer to maintain its equipment in satisfactory and/or safe operating condition.
(b) Digging permits or utility locate requests. The customer is solely responsible for the safety
and security of city equipment on the customer's property whether in or out of a utility easement. The
customer shall complete a digging permit or utility locate request prior to any digging, drilling, driving
into the ground, or any subterranean disturbance. If "locate required" is indicated on the form, the
customer shall not disturb the ground until all indicated locates are complete. The customer or his
contractor shall not use mechanized equipment within two feet of any located utility. Failure to follow
this procedure will make the customer liable to a$500.00 fine plus any cost to repair the facility. Digging
permits and utility locates are available free of charge upon request and will be done expeditiously.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06)
Article 5.- Service Extensions
14.15.510.- Cost considerations.
(a)The city will extend service to any accessible land-based location within the city's service area
upon written application by a customer. Docks, marinas and other marine structures will be served from a
shore-based delivery point only. No city facilities will be mounted on marine-type structures. The terms,
conditions, and costs for service extensions will vary according to the following criteria:
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City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
(1) Length of the service extension, determined by the distance from adequate existing
city facilities to the indicated service location;
(2)Whether construction calls for single-phase or three-phase service;
(3) Materials and associated facilities required to adequately serve anticipated loads and
voltages;
(4)Methods of construction required due to terrain, accessibility or weather conditions;
(5)Whether a service is temporary or permanent;
(6) Whether the service extension requires primary distribution extension, secondary
distribution extension or both;
(7) Whether the requested service design requires overhead or underground construction,
or both;
(8)Load and voltage requirements at the requested service.
(b) Customer participation in a service extension shall be limited to activities on his own
property:
(1) The customer may dig his own secondary trench up to ten feet from city equipment.
He may not backfill this trench.
(2) The customer may not dig within easements or rights-of-way.
(3) The customer shall, prior to digging, complete a digging permit or utility locate
request.
(4) The customer may clear and landscape his own property.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06)
14.15.515.- Standard service extensions.
(a) Any permanent service extension, whether single phase or three phase, overhead or
underground,primary or secondary,will be constructed by the city under the following conditions.
(1) Any extension with estimated costs less than $750.00 will be constructed at no cost to
the customer. The customer will not be required to enter into a contract with the city for these extensions.
All other applicable fees and deposits shall apply.
(2) Any single-phase service extension with estimated costs greater than $750.00 will be
constructed under the following conditions:
a. For line extensions 1,500 feet or less, the estimated costs for construction in
excess of$750.00 will require a nonrefundable contribution-in-aid-of-construction equal to ten percent of
the estimated total cost of construction to be paid to the city prior to construction. The remaining balance
of those costs over $750.00 and in excess of the ten percent contribution-in-aid-of-construction will be
paid in advance or will be repaid to the city at 12 percent interest, in 36 equal monthly payments. This
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City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
will be a monthly service extension charge. All estimated costs for construction greater than $25,000.00
will be recovered in full as a contribution-in-aid-of-construction payable prior to construction.
b. For line extensions greater than 1,500, those costs in excess of the $750.00
allowance and the ten percent contribution-in-aid-of-construction will be repaid to the city at 12 percent
interest in 60 equal monthly payments. This will be a monthly service extension charge. All estimated
costs for construction greater than $25,000.00 will be recovered in full as a contribution-m-aid-of-
construction payable prior to construction.
(3) Any estimated costs for three-phase construction greater than $1,500.00 will be
recovered in full as a contribution-in-aid-of-construction payable prior to construction.
(b) Any line extension requiring a monthly service extension charge will be subject to credit
approval as a prerequisite to these service extension provisions.
(c) For large general service and small general service accounts, the city manager shall have the
authority to waive the requirements of subsections (a)(2) and (a)(3) above when the customer can
demonstrate that five times the estimated annual revenue (5 x EAR) exceeds the estimated construction
cost of the service extension. The customer will execute an agreement with the city for a monthly "excess
minimum" charge based on the actual construction costs of the service extension divided by 60.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 92-20; Ord. 95-06)
14.15.520.-Temporary service construction.
The customer will pay the city for all construction and subsequent removal costs for any temporary
service prior to construction. This payment will be classified as a contribution-in-aid-of-construction. The
city reserves the right to determine which services shall be classified as temporary. (Ord. 504, §1.)
14.15.524.- Service extensions to multi-occupant buildings.
(a) Apartments, condominiums, and townhouses. Service extensions to these facilities shall be
treated as multiple service extensions based on the number of meters for"credits."
(b) Motels, hotels, commercial, and office buildings. Service extensions to these facilities,
although they may have multiple meters,will be treated as one service extension for"credits."
(Ord. 95-06)
14.15.525.-Mobile home parks.
All facilities installed in mobile home parks will require a contribution-in-aid-of-construction of total
estimated costs prior to construction. (Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 525, §1(part), 1985)
14.15.530.-Service upgrades.
(a)If a customer requests an upgrade in service to accommodate additional load requirements,the
city will construct the upgrade under the following conditions:
(1) For service extensions less than 36 months old, the customer will be required to pay
all the estimated upgrade costs as a contribution-in-aid-of-construction prior to construction.
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City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
(2) For extensions over 36 months old, the customer will be allowed upgrades, with cost
estimates less than $400.00 at no additional charge. Any estimated costs greater than $400.00 will be
treated under the standard service extension payment procedures outlined in section 14.15.515
(b) If a service upgrade includes an additional service extension for the upgrade, the costs of
construction are subject to the above conditions (1) and/or(2).
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 610, 1988)
14.15.535.- Construction of subdivision service extensions and/or idle facilities.
(a) If active service locations are served by requested service extension, each such extension shall
be treated under the standard service extension procedures outlined in section 14.15.515 and subject to
other applicable conditions of service as outlined in these service extension and utility provisions of the
city. If service extensions to inactive service locations are requested or included by design along with
service extensions to active service locations, the estimated cost associated with the extensions to the
inactive service locations shall be paid by the customer or developer in full as a contribution-in-aid-of-
construction prior to construction.
(b) If service extensions to inactive service locations become active within 60 months of the
original construction, a refund of all contributions-in-aid-of-construction paid up to $2,000.00 maximum
will be made. Inactive service extensions that become active after 60 months subsequent to the original
construction will receive no refund. The customer will be required to pay charges for any trips made by
city work crews or contractors needed to make the conversion from inactive to active, independent of any
refund.
(c) Service extensions to a portion of the subdivision may be allowed with the approval of the
city. The portion served will be determined by the city based on customer request(s) and sound
engineering practice. The entire subdivision will be designed at the time of the original service request(s)
and subsequent extensions will be done according to this design unless the city determines that economic
considerations, a change in the plat,or other circumstances require a redesign of the electrical system.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 610, 1988; Ord. 95-06)
14.15.540.-Adding services to existing service extensions.
(a) If a new service extension is added to an existing extension within 60 months of the
completion of the existing extension,one of the following adjustments will be made:
(1) The original service extension monthly charge will be reduced to reflect a
contribution of up to $400.00 for each new extension added to the original service extension;
(2) The original service extension contribution-in-aid-of-construction will be refunded
$400.00 for each new extension added, not to exceed the original contribution- in-aid-of-construction. If
more than one customer sponsored the original service extension, the refund or monthly service extension
reduction will be apportioned among the original customers.
(b) If a new service extension is added to an existing extension subsequent to 60 months from the
completion of the original extension,there will be no refund or adjustments.
(c)New service extensions added to existing service extensions regardless of age will be treated
under the provisions of section 14.15.515 and estimated costs will be calculated only on construction of
the new extension from the existing lines plus any necessary existing system upgrading.
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(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 610, 1988; Ord. 95-06)
14.15.545.-Relocation of facilities.
The city will relocate any portion of its facilities on request if the relocation will not interfere with, or
increase the cost of, service to its customers. The party requesting the relocation shall execute a written
agreement to pay the cost of relocation which shall be calculated as the cost of constructing and installing
the new facilities, plus the cost of removing the replaced facilities, less the accrued depreciation and
salvage value of the replaced facilities. Service conductors and equipment will be relocated at the sole
cost and expense of the requesting party. Relocations at the request of the Alaska Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities will be performed in accordance with the applicable laws of the state
of Alaska. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.550.- Conversion of temporary service; extensions to permanent service extension.
If a service has been installed at a temporary location for construction power at a building site, the
customer may request it be converted to permanent service. The cost of the service shall be recalculated in
accordance with section 14.15.515 and fees and charges adjusted for a permanent service installation.
Excess money already paid will be refunded,or deficiency paid. In addition,the customer will be required
to pay costs associated with making the conversion from temporary to permanent, independent of any
refund. Except as noted herein, other temporary installations are not eligible for conversion or refund.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 610, 1988)
14.15.555.- Security light construction.
(a) The city will provide security light service to customers by installing a single light and fixture
on an existing pole with no more than one secondary span from the customer's installed existing overhead
service facilities at no charge other than the standard security light installation fee.
(b) If security light construction is required without existing secondary service, the customer will
be require to pay all the estimated additional construction costs. These costs will be paid prior to
construction as a contribution-in-aid-of-construction. The security light service will be constructed and
billed as an individual,non-metered service.
(Ord. 504, §1.)
14.15.560.-Estimating service extension costs.
(a) The city estimate used in determining service extension cost will be calculated on an average
per foot cost based on the most recent actual construction costs plus the cost of transformers.
(b) Costs will vary based on the physical characteristics of the extension as detailed in section
14.15.515. For non-standard construction, the estimates will reflect extraordinary costs for materials,
transportation and/or labor.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 610, 1988)
14.15.565.- General service extension provisions.
(a) The city reserves the right to refuse service to any load or location determined to be
detrimental to the city's existing system.
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(b) Applications for service and service extension agreements must be signed by the legal
property owner or the lessee of state, federal or municipal property. Lessee/renters on private property
may sign only with the consent of owner in writing.
(c) Service extension agreements may be assumed by another customer providing that the
customer is the new legal owner or lessee of the property to which the service extension was made, and
further providing that it is agreed to in writing by the city,the assignor and the assignee of the agreement.
(d) The city reserves the final right to determine the technical or economic feasibility of any
service extension. Construction requirements for single-phase or three-phase service extensions will be
determined solely by the city. The city may refuse any type of construction it deems technically
unfeasible or the city may charge in advance as a contribution-in-aid-of-construction for any type of
construction it deems non-standard or economically unfeasible.
(e) The city shall be the sole judge of whether extensions, construction conditions, and material
requirements are standard or non-standard. In non-standard construction the city will adjust service
extension costs based on use of non-standard construction labor,materials or transportation.
(f) If constructing service extensions require the services of a registered land surveyor, the
applicant will be liable for costs incurred for any extra property or boundary surveys necessary to
determine correct placement of the city's facilities on the applicant's property or intervening property.
(g) For any service extension the customer must provide satisfactory right-of-way to the city for
placement of its facilities as needed to provide service to the customer's desired service location. These
rights-of-way shall be provided to the city at no cost. Right-of-way agreements must be signed by the
legal property owner.
(h) The length of the electric line required for an extension of service will be the distance from
the nearest suitable existing distribution facility to the point where the customer's transformer bank is
attached to the end of the service extension. The city will determine the length along the shortest practical
route which is not in conflict with any previous plan to render service, and shall not be required to deviate
from such previous plan of extension. The length of the extension will be computed based on the actual
length of construction involved.
(1) In all cases the facilities provided shall be constructed in accordance with the city's
specifications, and shall be the city's property up to the point of delivery.
(j) If more than one applicant requests service on the same extension, the guaranteed total
minimum revenue or contributions-in-aid-of-construction will be apportioned among the applicants.
(k) In cases where service extensions cross federal, state, municipal or native lands, the applicant
will be liable for all filing,easement or other required fees.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
Article 6.-Liability
14.15.610.-Interruption of service.
(a) The city will exercise reasonable care to provide adequate and continuous electric service.
However, the city assumes no liability for injury, loss or damage resulting from system failure or
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City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
curtailment of service, unless such injury, loss or damage results from the sole negligence of the city.
Such failure or curtailment shall not be deemed breach of contract.
(b) The city also reserves the right to temporarily interrupt service to make system repairs or
system upgrades. In the event such interruptions are required, the city will make efforts, where practical,
to give advance public notice. The city will also schedule these outages to be as short as possible and at
times of least inconvenience.
(c) Should a serious power shortage develop for reasons beyond control of the city, and should it
become mandatory that the city place into effect a curtailment program, then in this event, the city
reserves the right to limit the use of electrical energy to such extent and duration as may become
necessary.
(Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.615.- Customer's equipment.
(a)Neither by inspection, nor non-rejection, nor in any other way, does the city give a warranty,
expressed or implied, as to the adequacy, safety or other characteristics of structures, equipment, wires,
conduit, appliances or devices owned, installed or maintained by the customer or leased by the customer
from third parties.
(b) It is the customer's responsibility to install and maintain all wiring and equipment beyond the
agreed point of delivery. The customer will also provide an Underwriter's Laboratory approved meter
socket or sockets as specified by the city for the appropriate types of service. If instrument transformers
are required, they will be supplied by the city at customer expense. The customer will provide the
necessary space and equipment enclosures for mounting these devices as specified by the city's
engineering department. The customer shall furnish and install meter sockets for instrument-rated
metering according to the city's specifications.
(c) The city will install and maintain meters and special monitoring equipment as needed.
Because the city cannot guarantee normal operating standards at all times due to conditions or
circumstances beyond the city's control, the customer is responsible for providing suitable protective
equipment (i.e., fuses, breakers, relays, etc.) for protection against phase failure at excessive voltage
fluctuation.
(d) All wiring will comply with local, state and national electrical code standards. The city is not,
in any way, liable for any damages or accidents to the customer or third parties due to contact with, or
failure of,customer-owned installations.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06)
14.15.620.- Consequential damages.
The city is not liable for any injury, loss or damage resulting in any way from the supply or use of
electricity or from the presence or operations of the city's structures, equipment, wires, conduit,
appliances or devices on the customer's premises,unless such injury, loss or damage results from the sole
negligence of the city. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.15.625.-Power outage.
If a power outage occurs, the customer should attempt to determine if the outage is caused by failure of
the customer's equipment or of the city's equipment. If the customer determines the fault to be the city's
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 30
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
responsibility,the city will send a serviceman to investigate the reported outage. If the cause of the outage
is determined to be the failure of the city's equipment,the city will correct the problem and restore service
as soon as possible. However, if the cause of the outage is determined to be in the customer's portion of
the service, the customer will be charged for all actual expenses associated with the serviceman's visit to
the customer's service location. (Ord. 504, 1982)
Article 7. - Rules for Responding to Inquiries from Qualifying Facilities Having a Capacity of
Greater Than 100 KW
14.15.710.-Application,purpose, and waiver.
(a) These rules govern the City of Seward, Electric Enterprise Fund ("Utility") implementation of
the cogeneration and small power production regulations prescribed by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission ("FERC"), 18 C.F.R. Part 292, as amended, under Section 210 of the Public Utility
Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, as amended, 16 U.S.C. § 824a-3, ("PURPA"), as such rules apply to
qualified cogeneration and small power production facilities ("QFs") with a design capacity of more than
100 kilowatts("kW").
(b) The purpose of these rules is to set forth guidelines for the implementation of FERC's
cogeneration and small power production regulations on a case-by-case basis.
(c)Any requirement in these rules may be waived,in whole or in part, or be modified by the City
Council of the City of Seward ("City Council") upon application and a showing of good cause, provided
that such waiver is not otherwise prohibited by applicable law.
(Ord. 2000-14, §1, 2000)
14.15.715.-Availability of system cost data.
(a) Except as provided for in (b) of this section, no later than 60 days after the effective date of
this tariff, the utility shall compile and maintain for public inspection upon request, the following data, or
data comparable thereto,to enable QFs to estimate the utility's avoided costs:
(1) The utility's estimated avoided energy costs for various levels of purchases from QFs,
expressed in cents per kilowatt hour,for the current calendar year and each of the next five years;
(2) The utility's plan for the addition of capacity by amount and type, for purchases of
firm energy and capacity, and for capacity retirements, for each of the next ten years; and
(3) The estimated capacity costs at completion of the planned capacity additions and
planned firm capacity purchases, on the basis of dollars per kilowatt, and the associated energy costs of
each unit,expressed in cents per kilowatt hour.
(b) After public notice in the utility's service area, and after opportunity for public comment, the
utility may provide data different from those which are otherwise required by this section if the utility
determines that avoided costs can be estimated from such data.
(c) Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the utility shall not be required to disclose
information that would compromise the integrity or confidentiality of the utility's competitive power
supply procurement process or that might otherwise result in the disclosure of competitively sensitive
information. The utility may, at its sole discretion, require a QF to enter into a confidentiality agreement
prior to gaining access to competitively sensitive information.
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 31
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
(Ord. 2000-14, §1, 2000)
14.15.720.-Procedures for responding to inquiries from QFs.
(a) Upon receiving a written request by a QF to sell power to the utility, the utility shall provide
to the requesting QF a copy of the utility's "standard form contract" for interconnection,power purchases,
and power sales with a QF. The standard form contract shall be adopted, and modified from time to time,
by council resolution. The standard form contract shall not constitute an offer by the utility to
interconnect, purchase power, or sell power. Instead, the standard form contract is intended solely to
inform the QF regarding some of the general terms and conditions that would typically apply to such
transactions with a QF. The standard form contract shall contain a number terms which will require
negotiation between the utility and the QF with respect to the specific circumstances of the QF project
being proposed.
(b) After reviewing the standard form contract, the QF shall notify the utility in writing if it
desires to further pursue selling power to the utility.
(c) If the QF desires to further pursue selling power to the utility, the utility shall notify the QF
regarding what information the QF must provide to enable the utility to (1) accurately calculate its
avoided cost and (2) determine what contract terms and conditions are appropriate given the specific
circumstances of the proposed QF project(facility).
(d) The information to be provided by the QF under (c) shall be determined by the utility; such
information may include,but shall not be limited to,the following:
(1) Detailed description of the facility;
(2) Detailed explanation demonstrating that the facility qualifies as a "qualifying facility"
as that term is defined in 18 C.F.R. Part 292;
(3) Precise location of the facility;
(4)Nameplate electric generating capacity,net electric energy output, and plant factor of
the facility;
(5) Minimum and maximum availability of firm capacity and/or energy from the facility
during the utility's daily and seasonal peak periods;
(6)Projected date on which deliveries of capacity and/or energy would commence;
(7) Plans for facility construction; facility financing; and the acquisition of all necessary
property rights,permits, authorizations, and fuel contracts;
(8)Expected and demonstrated annual and seasonal reliability of the facility;
(9)Periods of scheduled maintenance and outages;
(10)Plans for dispatchability of the facility;
(11) If applicable, plans for acquiring access to adequate firm transmission services and
the terms and conditions of such access; and
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 32
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
(12)Any other information the utility deems appropriate under(c)of this section.
(e) In addition to the requirement in (c) of this section, the QF shall advance to the utility a cash
deposit in the amount of the utility's estimated total costs of performing computer modelling to calculate
the utility's avoided costs associated with the specific characteristics of the facility, plus a contingency
margin of 10 percent. After all final calculations of the utility's avoided costs are complete, if the actual
costs incurred by the utility to perform such modelling are less than the amount advanced by the QF, the
utility shall refund the difference to the QF within 30 days. If the actual costs incurred by the utility
exceed the amount advanced by the QF,the QF shall pay the utility the difference within 30 days.
(f) After the QF has satisfied all requirements provided for in (c) through (e), the utility shall
initiate the collection and analysis of whatever data are necessary for the utility to fulfill its obligations
under FERC's cogeneration and small power production regulations. Within a reasonable period of time
after the QF has satisfied all the requirements provided for in (c) through (e), the utility staff shall take
one of the following actions:
(1) Initiate negotiations with the QF for a contract specifying the charges, rates, terms,
and conditions of interconnection,purchases, and sales between the utility and the QF,in compliance with
FERC's cogeneration and small power production regulations; or
(2) Notify the city council and any affected QF that, due to special circumstances, the
utility is not obligated under FERC's cogeneration and small power production regulations to purchase
power from the QF, and provide sufficient explanation to the city council in support of its conclusion.
(g) If the utility staff initiates negotiations with the QF pursuant to (f)(1) and the utility and the
QF are able to successfully negotiate a contract for interconnection, purchases, and sales within a
reasonable period of time, the utility staff shall file the contract with the city council for its consideration
under the procedures prescribed in section 14.15.725.
(h) If the utility staff and the QF are not able to successfully negotiate such a contract within a
reasonable period of time, or if the utility staff notifies the city council that, due to special circumstances,
the utility is not obligated under FERC's cogeneration and small power production regulations to purchase
power from the QF,the QF may file a written complaint with the manager of the utility for consideration
by the city council under the procedures prescribed in section 14.15.730.
(1) After public notice in the utility's service area, the utility may at any time apply to FERC for a
waiver from its obligations under FERC's cogeneration and small power production regulations. In such
event, the procedures provided for in this article 7 may be suspended pending final disposition of the
utility's application,including any administrative or judicial appeals.
(Ord. 2000-14, §1, 2000)
14.15.725.-Consideration of contracts between the utility and a QF.
(a) Consideration by the city council of a contract for interconnection, purchases, and sales
between the utility and a QF shall be undertaken only after notice and opportunity for written comment
and public hearing.
(b) After the filing of such a contract with the city council, the utility shall provide reasonable
notice to the public regarding consideration of the contract in the following manner.Not less than 45 days
prior to the date of the public hearing, the utility shall publish notice of the hearing with the utility's
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 33
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
billing statement and/or in a newspaper of general circulation in the utility's service area and post notice
of the hearing at the utility's main offices in a place that is readily accessible to the public. The notice
shall state:
(1) The date,time, and place of the public hearing;
(2) A general description of the contract to be considered;
(3) That any member of the public may submit written comments concerning the contract
no later than 25 days prior to the date of the public hearing; and
(4)How a copy of the contract may be obtained.
(c) The public hearing shall be held on the record. The city council may suspend the hearing in
order to obtain any additional information it finds necessary to render a decision regarding the contract.
The city council shall render a final decision regarding the contract by resolution on the record.
(d) In rendering its final decision, the city council shall determine (1) whether the contract is
consistent with FERC's cogeneration and small power production regulations, and (2) if the contract is
consistent with FERC's cogeneration and small power production regulations,whether the contract should
be approved as proposed.
(e)Notwithstanding Seward City Code Section 14.15.415, the city council may approve, and the
utility may perform, a contract that includes terms and conditions for interconnection with a qualified QF
if such interconnection is required by FERC's cogeneration and small power production regulations.
(Ord. 2000-14, §1, 2000)
14.15.730.- Consideration of complaints.
(a) Consideration of a complaint filed by a QF shall be undertaken only after notice and
opportunity for written comment and public hearing.
(b) Upon receiving a written complaint by a QF, the manager of the utility shall forward such
complaint to the city council_ The utility staff shall have 30 days to file a written answer to the complaint
and a recommendation to the city council.
(c) After receipt of the utility staffs answer and recommendation by the city council, the utility
shall provide reasonable notice to the public regarding consideration of the QF's complaint in the
following manner. Not less than 45 days prior to the date of the public hearing, the utility shall publish
notice of the hearing with the utility's billing statement and/or in a newspaper of general circulation in the
utility's service area and post notice of the hearing at the utility's main offices in a place that is readily
accessible to the public. The notice shall state:
(1) The date,time, and place of the public hearing;
(2) A general description of the matter to be considered;
(3) That any member of the public may submit written comments concerning the matter
no later than 25 days prior to the date of the public hearing; and
(4)How a copy of the QF's complaint and the utility staffs answer may be obtained.
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 34
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
(d) The public hearing shall be held on the record. At its sole discretion, the city council may opt
to appoint or hire a hearing officer to conduct the public hearing. The public hearing shall afford
reasonable opportunity for the QF, the utility, and the public to present testimony. The city council may
suspend the public hearing in order to obtain any additional information it finds necessary to render a
decision regarding the complaint.The city council shall render a final decision regarding the complaint by
resolution on the record.
(e) In rendering its final decision, the city council shall determine whether the utility staffs
position and recommendation are consistent with FERC's cogeneration and small power production
regulations. If the city council finds that the utility staffs position and recommendation are not consistent
with FERC's cogeneration and small power production regulations, the city council shall take whatever
action it deems appropriate to effect the utility's compliance with FERC's cogeneration and small power
production regulations.
(Ord. 2000-14, §1, 2000)
Chapter 14.20.- Sewage Disposal
14.20.010. -Use of public sewers required; time of connection.
14.20.015. -Unlawful discharge.
14.20.020. - Property owner responsibility.
14.20.025. - Construction of on-site system.
14.20.030. - Permit required.
14.20.035. - Separate connections and sewers required.
14.20.040. - Minimum standards.
14.20.045. - Check valve required.
14.20.050. - Property owner costs.
14.20.055. -Unlawful connections.
14.20.060. -Unlawful discharges.
14.20.065. -Unlawful damage.
14.20.070. - Frozen lines.
14.20.075. - Consequential damages.
14.20.010.-Use of public sewers required; time of connection.
Whenever a public sewer system is installed and accepted by the city for operation, each owner of a
parcel upon which a house, building, or property is used for human occupancy, employment, recreation,
or other purposes situated within the city of Seward and any boundary of which is within 200 feet of the
sewer system shall install a building sewer within 12 months; provided, that this time period may be
extended for a maximum of six additional months at the discretion of the city engineer due to adverse
weather conditions. This requirement shall not be affected by the availability of any on-site sewage
disposal system. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.20.015.-Unlawful discharge.
It shall be unlawful to discharge sewage in any unsanitary manner on public or private lands or any
natural outlet within the city limits of Seward. (Ord. 504, 1982)
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 35
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
14.20.020.-Property owner responsibility.
Each property owner shall be solely responsible for the installation, maintenance and operation of any
building sewer or any on-site sewage disposal system, whether or not such system has been approved or
inspected by the city. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.20.025.- Construction of on-site system.
It shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any on-site sewage disposal system within the city of Seward
unless the following conditions are met:
(a)No public sewer is available within 200 feet of any property line or boundary upon which the
structure to be serviced is located;
(b) The proposed system meets at least the following minimum design criteria:
(1) A minimum lot size of one acre,or meets the minimum separation required between a
private well as provided in subsection c., following;
(2) A minimum allowable percolation rate of 60 minutes/inch (MPI). Systems with less
percolation than 60 MPI must be designed by an engineer registered in the State of Alaska;
(3) A minimum of 100 feet separation of any treatment or disposal system from a private
well. Private sewer lines must be a minimum of 25 feet from a private well;
(4) A minimum septic tank size of 1,000 gallons for a three bedroom home and 250
gallons for each additional bedroom;
(5) Leach field capacity shall conform to the Manual of Septic Tank Practices, U.S.
Department of Health,Education and Welfare.
(c)Review and approval of the system by the city engineer;
(d) System meets all requirements of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation as
being adequate to protect the ground water and general public welfare;
(e)The owner agrees to comply with section 14.20.010.
(f)All construction methods and details for on-site sewage disposal systems shall follow standard
accepted practice.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 610, 1988)
14.20.030.-Permit required.
A sewer hook-up permit must be obtained from the city prior to making a connection to a public sewer.
All work must be inspected and coordinated within the department of public works. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.20.035.- Separate connections and sewers required.
A separate service connection and building sewer shall be provided for every building unless physical
constraints prevent it. Old service connections and building sewers may be used only if they are in good
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 36
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
repair. Construction of the service connection shall meet the Uniform Plumbing Code and Building Code
as required by Title 12 of this code. Adequate clean-outs must be provided. All connections to existing
sewers shall be with a saddle. (Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 610, 1988)
14.20.040.-Minimum standards.
All sewer lines shall meet the minimum standards as set forth in section 14.10.075 of this title. (Ord. 504,
1982; Ord. 610, 1988)
14.20.045.- Check valve required.
All new building sewers shall include a check valve if the lowest outlet in the building to be served is
below the elevation of the top of the manhole nearest the downstream pump station. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.20.050.-Property owner costs.
All costs and expenses incidental to the installation and connection of the building sewer and any
necessary service connection to the public sewer system shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall be
assessed a one-time hook-up fee. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.20.055.-Unlawful connections.
It shall be unlawful to connect roof downspouts,exterior foundation drains, area runoff or ground water to
a building sewer or building drain. In addition, it shall be unlawful to discharge uncontaminated cooling
water or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.20.060.-Unlawful discharges.
(a)No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any of the following described waters or
wastes in any public sewer:
(1)Any gasoline,benzene,naphtha,fuel oil,or other explosive liquid, solid,or gas;
(2) Any waters or wastes containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids, or gases in
sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other wastes,to injure or interfere with any sewage
treatment process,constitute a hazard to humans or animals,create a public nuisance,or create any hazard
in the receiving waters of the sewage treatment plant, including but not limited to cyanide in excess of
two mg/12 as CN in wastes as discharged to the public sewer;
(3) Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5 or having any other corrosive
property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment, and personnel of the sewage
works;
(4) Solid or viscous substances in quantities or of such size capable of causing
obstruction to the flow in sewers, or other interference with the proper operation of the sewage works
such as, but not limited to, ashes, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar,
plastics, wood, unground garbage, whole blood, paunch manure, hair and fleshings, entrails and paper
dishes,cups,milk containers,etc.,either whole or ground by garbage grinders.
(b) No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged the following described substances,
materials, waters, or wastes if it appears likely in the opinion of the city engineer that such wastes can
Chapter 1, Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 37
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
harm either the sewers, sewage treatment process, or equipment, have an adverse effect on the receiving
waters, or can otherwise endanger life, limb, public property, or constitute a nuisance. In forming his
opinion as to the acceptability of these wastes, the city engineer will give consideration to such factors as
quantities of subject wastes in relation to flows and velocities in the sewers, materials and construction of
the sewers, nature of the sewage treatment process, capacity of the sewage, treatment plant, degree of
treatability of wastes in the sewage treatment plant, and other pertinent factors. The substances prohibited
are:
(1) Any liquid or vapor having a temperature higher than 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65
degrees Centigrade);
(2) Any water or waste containing fats,wax, grease, or oils,whether emulsified or not, in
excess of one hundred mg/1 or containing substances which may solidify or become viscous at
temperatures between 32 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit(zero and 65 degrees Centigrade);
(3) Any garbage that has not been properly shredded;
(4) Any waters or wastes containing strong acid iron, pickling wastes, or concentrated
plating solutions whether neutralized or not;
(5) "Septic" sewage.
(Ord. 504, 1982; Ord. 95-06)
14.20.065.-Unlawful damage.
No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully, or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover,
deface,or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is part of the sewage works. (Ord.
504, 1982)
14.20.070.-Frozen lines.
The customer is responsible for all frozen and/or plugged service connections and building sewers unless
it is determined that the back-up; and/or freezing was caused by a main line plug or failure. In any case,
liability of the city shall be limited to reimbursement for use of a power rodder or for steam thawing
performed by an authorized contractor. (Ord. 504, 1982)
14.20.075.- Consequential damages.
The city shall not be responsible for any consequential damages caused by any failure of the sewage
works. (Ord. 504, 1982)
Chapter 1,Seward City Code,Title 14, Utilities Page 38
Electric Rates &
Charges 2023
As of January 1, 2023 via Res 2021-074 &Res 2021-073
ELECTRIC RATES & CHARGES
RATES FOR ELECTRICAL POWER BY CLASS OF SERVICE
Seward Utility Cost of Power
Class of Service Charge Demand Charge Customer Charge Adjustment
/kWh /kWh
(COPA)
Residential Base Rate
Monthly cost adjustment
passed directly to Seward
Summer* $0.1217 N/A by Chugach Electric
$22.10 Association(CEA),
Winter $0.0851 N/A based upon CEA's cost
of power
Small General Base Rate
Service
(less than 25 kW)
See explanation above
Summer* $0.1269 N;A $42 22
Winter $0.0927 N A
Boat Harbor
(less than 25 kW) $0.1103 N/A $42.22 See explanation above
Large General $0.0761
Service (1"200 kWh/kW)
$26.93 $44.23 See explanation above
$0.0264
(Additional kWh)
Industrial
$0.0437 $30.00 $100.00 See explanation above
Yard Lights $9.94(175 watts)
$14.75(250 watts)
N/A N;A $28.09(400 watts) N/A
$70.21 (1000 watts)
LED equivalent is
'/z of cost
Metered Street $0.1464 N/A $44.23 N/A
Lights
Cost of Power Adjustment(COPA)is based on the cost of energy and demand from Chugach Electric Association(CEA)
and will change when there is an adjustment to CEA rates charged to the City of Seward.
* Summer is defined to mean the period from April 15 through October 15,with Winter defined as the remainder of the
year.
**Demand Charges will be based on the maximum demand recorded over a 15-minute period.
*** ASLC Transition Industrial Rate - The Special Contract for utility service with the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC)
terminates on December 31, 2021. As of January 1, 2022, ASLC will be an Industrial customer. However, ASLC will
transition to the regular Industrial rate over a three-year period. The transitional Industrial rate applicable to ASLC for
2022,2023,and 2024,are set forth below,with ASLC subject to regular Industrial rates as of 2025.
2022 2023 2024
Customer $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
Energy $0.0377 $0.0397 $0.0417
Demand $20.50 $23.67 $26.83
The Large General Service rate will be applicable to all services with a demand of 25 kilowatts or greater forthree or
more consecutive months during a year.
A Small General Service customer may elect to be billed under the Large General Service schedule. However, the
election to change the billing rate from one customer group to another may not be made more often than once every
12 months.
The Industrial rate will be applicable to all services with energy usage equal to or greater than I million kVAVyear.
Definitions and Miscellaneous Charges
System Delivery Charge:A System Delivery Charge(SDC)of$28.75 will be applied to any service thatuses less than
150 kVAVmonth,whether or not electric service is used. This replaces the Seward Utility energy charge and the Cost
of Power Adjustment and is subject to proration. SDC under this schedule is an addition to the customer charge and is
based on a monthly usage of 150 kWh times the energy rate andthe COPA. Absent an active customer,the registered
property owner will be billed this monthly minimum charge.
Cost of Power Adjustment(COPA): The Cost of Power adjustment charge from the Power Provider is a direct pass-
through of the monthly total Power bill,including fuel costs,energy charges,customer charges,demand charges,and other
miscellaneous adjustments,prorated according to the number of kilowatt hours the Seward Electrical Utility customers
consumed during the billing period.The monthly rate for COPA may be modified as frequently as monthly,or through
the use of a balancing account intended to reduce rate fluctuations.
Seward Fuel Adjustment: The Seward Fuel Adjustment cost may be included in the COPA in the event The City
operates the standby generation plant,including fuel, labor, maintenance and repair when the cost exceeds the amount
budgeted.The cost will be prorated according to the number of kWh the customers consumed during the billing period.
VAR Change(Power Factor Adjustment):All schedules requiring demand metering will be subject to the following power
factor adjustment provisions:
1. Demand-metered customer should attempt to maintain a unity power factor. If the power factor falls below
ninety percent lagging, the customer will take corrective steps to return the power factor to ninety percent or
higher. Also, the following charge for billed kilowatts will apply:
Monthly Billing Demand=Maximum Demand x 90%
Actual Power Factor
2. All power factor adjustment equipment installed by the customer must be approved by the city. Power factor can
be determined by permanently installed monitoring equipment or by periodic testing at reasonable intervals,at the
discretion of the City.
Standby Generation:The cost of operating the standby generation plant to meet a specific customer's need will be charged
directly to that customer. Such cost will be the total cost of operating the plant, including fuel, labor, overtime,
maintenance,repair and overhead, less the value of energy generated in excess of customer's need.
Other Miscellaneous Fees and Charges: Fees and charges for existing facilities can be found on the following pages,
as well as engineering service fees and charges for new facilities. Fees are listed according to service zones as follows:
ZONE 1 Inside City Limits(excluding the Boat Harbor)
ZONE H City limits to Mile 12 Seward Highway,and all roads connecting to the
highway within this area
ZONE III Mile 12 to Lawing
APUC Regulatory Cost Charge:A special surcharge of$0.000626/kWh imposed on electrical utilities by the Regulatory
Commission of Alaska. (RCA) in response to the state's intent to assess user fees to support activities of the RCA and
departments.This charge was recommended by the RCA as a pass-through charge to retail utilities customers.
Alternative Power Rebate: Calculated by subtracting kWh generated by an alternative power source from the
kWh supplied to the customer from the City of Seward during the billing cycle. The difference is multiplied by
the City's utility/energy charge and the Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA),which are itemized and shown on
the bill.
Alternative Power Excess Credit: If a customer's alternative power source generates more kWh than supplied
from the City of Seward during the billing cycle, the difference is credited to the customer's account at the non-
firm avoided cost rate (dollars per kilowatt-hour) of the City's Electric Department. The non-firm avoided cost
rate for Seward is defined as those expenses equal to the variable cost per kilowatt-hour for purchased power
during the billing cycle—adjusted upward by X percent* to account for line losses. Credits are not provided for
capacity.
The variable cost of purchased power for Seward is equal to the sum of the base energy rate (BER) and the
purchased power& fuel(PP&F)cost as set by Seward's wholesale power supplier.
*The percentage used for line losses will be updated annually based on the previous year's line loss rate and
rounded to the nearest half percentage point
EXISTING FACILITIES
SCHEDULE OF FEES AND CHARGES
Service Zone I Zone II Zone III
Meter testing $75.75 $106.06 $136.33
Per test,when results determined meter is accurate
Reconnection to approved existing meter installation $30.30 $37.88 $45.46
Reconnection to approved existing meter installation outside regular $212.11 $257.52 $302.98
business hours
New connection fee $221.14 $221.14 $221.14
Minimum deposit-Residential account $121.54 $121.54 $121.54
Minimum deposit-Commercial or Industrial account $243.09 $243.09 $243.09
The larger The larger The larger
of twice of twice of twice
Deposit-Interruptible,Off-peak account the the the
estimated estimated estimated
bill or bill or bill or
$243.09 $243.09 $243.09
Tampering with or unauthorized breaking of meter seal $737.06 $737.06 $737.06
Per annum interest on delinquent account 10.5% 10.5% 10.5%
Door hanger fee $35.10 $35.10 $35.10
Monthly late fee on delinquent account $6.33 $6.33 $6.33
Dishonored check fee $39.59 $39.59 $39.59
Seasonal turn-on or seasonal turn-off fee
2.17
(excludes brand new service;includes new account name or same $15 $15 $17
account name;waived if<2 months between turn-off and turn-on) eacchh each each
Reconnection during regular business hours following disconnection of $57.32 $71.69 $86.03
delinquent account
Reconnection outside regular business hours following disconnection of $200.74 $243.72 $287.79
delinquent account
Transmission rate $7.84/kW $7.84/kW $7.84/kW
per month per month per month
Updated via Resolution 2021-064&Resolution 2021-073,Effective January 1, 2022.
NEW FACILITIES
ENGINEERING SERVICES
SCHEDULE OF FEES AND CHARGES
Service Zone I Zone II Zone III
Temporary secondary service $73.71 $88.46 $103.20
Primary overhead extensions—Residential $73.71 $88.46 $103.20
Primary underground extensions—Residential $73.71 $88.46 $103.20
Secondary service $73.71 $88.46 $103.20
Primary overhead extensions—Subdivision,Mobile Home Park,Multi- $147.41 $176.95 $206.40
Residence
Primary overhead extensions—Commercial,Industrial $294.83 $353.80 $383.28
Primary underground extensions—Commercial,Industrial $294.83 $353.80 $383.28
Modifications of existing facilities $147.41 $176.95 $206.40
Street lighting systems&Yard lights $73.71 $88.46 $103.20
NOTE:The Zone Fee or Charge is non-refundable until the service is connected.If the service is constructed and
connected,the charge will be adjusted to the actual cost of engineering services.
Updated via Resolution 2021-064&Resolution 2021-073,Effective January 1, 2022.
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
Water Rates & Charges
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
WATER RATES & CHARGES
RATES FOR WATER BY CLASS OF SERVICE
ANNUAL RATE ADJUSTMENT: The rates and fees herein provided are adjusted 2.1% beginning the first billing
cycle of the 2018 calendar year. The rates thereafter will be adjusted annually beginning the first billing of each
calendar year to reflect an average of the five previous published years'annual increases in the Consumer Price
Index, All Items, 1982-84-100 for all Urban Consumers, Anchorage, Alaska Area ("CPI') as published by the
United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (For example, 2018 rates reflected an increase
based on the average CPI for 2011-2015.)
GROUP A—RESIDENTIAL
Group A includes all residential customers living in single family or multiple family living units,whether
metered or unmetered. Multiple family units include multiplexes, apartments and townhouses, but
exclude hotels, motels and similar transient accommodations. The accounts may be paid by individual
occupants or owners of multiple units. When the entire water service to a multiplex or apartment building
is billed to one account,the charge will be based on total number of living units in the building whether or
not occupied. Living units are considered to be complete with kitchens, baths and plumbing for laundry
units. No adjustment is made for the size of the unit, numbers of amenities or the size of the family
occupying the unit. A 25% reduction is permitted for units that are not plumbed for laundry units
provided a common laundry unit is not available in the building or apartment complex for apartment
occupants. There will be no reduction if a common laundry facility is available. All commercial
residential customers may elect to install, at their own expense, water meters, to be charged Group D
metered commercial water and sewer rates. Customers electing to convert to metered rates are encouraged
to consider that a pending Water and Sewer Rate Study may impact either or both ERU rates and metered
rates,when deciding whether to invest in the costs of installing a water meter.
BASIS FOR MONTHLY GROUP A FEE
Category/Description of Unit Charge
Living unit with plumbing for laundry,or common laundry facility available on premises 1 ERU
Living unit without plumbing for laundry and no common laundry available for use by the 0.75 ERU
occupant
Rental apartment unit not occupied by owner when billed as a multiple unit of 3 or more 0.75 ERU
apartments served from a single water service. (No credit will be given for unoccupied units.)
Duplex in one building treated as two residences served from a single water service 2 ERU
ERU=Equivalent Residential Unit($50.56)
Chapter 3, Water Rates&Charges Page 1
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
GROUP B- SMALL GENERAL SERVICE
Group B includes commercial enterprises where the use of water is incidental to the commercial activity
and is primarily limited to domestic and janitorial use, whether metered or unmetered. This class of
service includes such businesses as hotels, motels, professional office buildings, barber shops,
warehouses, libraries, public offices, churches and theaters, etc. Where a building, mall or group of
facilities is served from a single service, the bill will be based on the total number of facilities to be
served, and no credit will be given for vacant facilities.
BASIS FOR MONTHLY GROUP B FEE
Category/Description of Unit Charge
Hotels and motels not including bars and restaurants:
Basic charge per building 1.0 ERU
PLUS each guest room 0.3 ERU
PLUS each pair of public restrooms in excess of one pair 0.3 ERU
Office Building/Mall with offices and retail stores and businesses not including restaurants,
bars,food markets:
Basic charge per building 1.0 ERU
PLUS each office/activity 0.3 ERU
PLUS each pair of public restrooms in excess of one pair 0.3 ERU
Single Office/retail shop/professional activity not in office building,per each office or
activity 1.0 ERU
Barber,beauty, animal grooming shop:
Basic charge 1.0 ERU
PLUS charge per chair/tub 0.75 ERU
Libraries,public offices,professional offices, and similar activities:
Basic charge per building 1.0 ERU
PLUS each office/activity 0.3 ERU
PLUS each pair of public restrooms in excess of one pair 0.3 ERU
Doctors'offices,including medical clinics, emergency first aid station, dentists'
offices and similar activities:
Basic charge per facility 1.0 ERU
PLUS per each examination room,dental chair or similar unit 0.5 ERU
PLUS per each office 0.3 ERU
Warehouses:
Basic charge per building 1.0 ERU
PLUS each pair of restrooms or showers exceeding one pair 0.3 ERU
Churches,theaters, assembly halls,clubs, fraternal clubs:
Basic charge per building 1.0 ERU
PLUS each pair of restrooms exceeding one pair 0.3 ERU
PLUS, for food/bar service,add charge for restaurant or bar see Group C
Public restrooms in parks and similar activities,per each pair of restrooms 1.0 ERU
Boardwalk shops with sewage,per shop 0.5 ERU
Camping&RV Parks:
Per spigot 0.5 ERU
Per camper/motorhome hookup 0.2 ERU
Private schools,day care centers
Basic charge 2.0 ERU
PLUS per each 15 students or for children in excess of 25 0.5 ERU
Chapter 3,Water Rates&Charges Page 2
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
Category/Description of Unit Charge
Public baths and showers:
Basic charge 2.0 ERU
PLUS per each bath or shower in excess of two 0.5 ERU
ERU=Equivalent Residential Unit
NOTE: Only one basic charge will be assessed per building where different activities occupy the same
building.This does not include residential charges for living units within the same building.
Chapter 3, Water Rates&Charges Page 3
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
GROUP C-LARGE GENERAL SERVICE
Group C includes commercial enterprises where water usage is greater than in Small General services
and/or water is used for food preparation or other activities, but not for industrial processing. These
activities will be metered when newly constructed or when remodeling and/or repairs makes installation
of meters feasible. However, metered rates apply only to Group D customers. When a building, mall or
group of facilities is served from a single service, the bill will be based on the total number of facilities
served, and no credit will be given for vacant facilities.
BASIS FOR MONTHLY GROUP C FEE
Category/Description of Unit Charge
Food/grocery markets:
Basic charge 3.0 ERU
PLUS per water-cooled refrigeration unit 3.0 ERU
PLUS per butcher/meat packing unit 1.0 ERU
PLUS per bakery 1.0 ERU
PLUS per snack bar/Deli .5 ERU
Restaurants and/or bars(A unit may be defined as a combination restaurant/bar if
operated together or separate units if restaurant and bar are operated separately.)
This category includes all drink and food service activities,including full service
restaurants,hospital kitchens,dormitories,dining halls, school cafeterias,etc.:
Basic charge per unit 2.0 ERU
PLUS per every 8 seats in excess of 8 seats 0.5 ERU
Snack Bar-no seating 0.5 ERU
Garage/gas stations and retail,manufacturing and repair shops not using water for
processing:
Basic charge 2.0 ERU
PLUS per pair of restrooms exceeding one pair 0.3 ERU
PLUS per each shower 0.3 ERU
PLUS per each wash bay 1.0 ERU
Public schools,excluding swimming pools or food service:
Basic charge
Elementary School 7.0 ERU
Jr. High School 7.0 ERU
High School 8.0 ERU
PLUS swimming pool 15.0 ERU
PLUS charge for food service based on rate for restaurants See Above
Hospital&Nursing Homes,excluding food service:
Basic charge 6.0 ERU
PLUS charge for food service based on rate for restaurants See Above
Laundry(self-service or commercial units):
Basic charge 2.0 ERU
PLUS per each laundry unit of 12 pounds or less capacity 1.0 ERU
PLUS per each laundry unit larger than 12 pounds capacity 2.0 ERU
ERU=Equivalent Residential Unit
Chapter 3, Water Rates&Charges Page 4
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
GROUP D-METERED COMMERCIAL& INDUSTRIAL SERVICE
Group D includes only metered commercial and industrial enterprises where water usage is greater than
for small businesses and where water is used for industrial processing not otherwise included in Groups
A, B, or C. All new activities shall be metered, and existing facilities will be converted to meters when
remodeling and repairs make installation of a meter feasible. Meters must include readouts at a location
acceptable to the City, to allow for accurate meter readings. Remote readers are required in most
locations.
The cost of initial installation of a meter in a new facility will be paid by the customer. The cost of
maintenance,repair and replacement of all meters will be at customer expense. The customer will provide
a meter, and the user will pay the cost of installation,where an existing service is converted to meter and
the commercial use/activities of the user have not changed. If the meter is required due to changed usage,
the customer will pay all costs, including the cost of the meter. Failure to repair or replace a faulty meter
will result in the billing department estimating the meter reading, or returning the customer to non-
metered billing, at the utility's discretion, until such time as the meter is replaced. If the customer fails to
replace a faulty meter within ninety (90) days of being informed of the need to replace the meter, the city
may, at its expense, replace the meter and charge the customer as a work order, at double the costs
incurred to replace the faulty meter, to encourage customers to repair and replace their own equipment. In
all cases,the City will specify and/or approve the type of meter and its installation.
A customer may request to be converted to meter rates if they meet the definition of a Class D customer.
If a customer request is approved to convert to meter rates, the customer will install a meter at the
customer's expense, and thereafter charges will be based on metered usage. A customer cannot convert
from metered to fixed rate billing.
Chapter 3, Water Rates&Charges Page 5
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
BASIS FOR MONTHLY GROUP D FEE
MINIMUM BASE CHARGE FOR EACH METERED SERVICE
Service Size Minimum Monthly Charge
3/4" - 1" Service $25.16
1-1/2" -2" Service $50.36
2-1/4" -4" Service $253.79
Over 4" Service $1,268.77
PLUS CHARGE FOR CONSUMPTION
Consumption per Month per Meter Charge per 1,000 Gallons
First 50,000 Gallons $6.36
Next 500,000 Gallons $5.08
Next 1,000,000 Gallons $3.89
Next 2,000,000 Gallons $3.19
All Additional Gallons $1.62
Only Group D customers are eligible for metered service rates. Group D customers will be charged the
Minimum Base Charge for each metered service, plus the additional charge for consumption, for each
metered service. The consumption metered on several metered services serving the same owner will not
be combined to calculate the monthly bill. Each will be computed as a separate bill.
The City may negotiate or renegotiate special contracts with a user that consumes in excess of 20 million
gallons of water per calendar year. Such contracts will set or amend a rate which will assure that the user
pays no less than its full share of the utility's fixed and variable operating and maintenance costs. All
special contracts and renegotiations of existing special contracts shall be approved by resolution of the
City Council.
Chapter 3, Water Rates&Charges Page 6
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
GROUP E—OTHER WATER RATES AND FEES
Group E includes charges for categories of service not included in Groups A through D.
Fire Hydrant Use Permit
From May I to August 31 a Fire Hydrant Permit may be issued. Fire Hydrants will be turned on and
off by Water or Fire Department Personnel. If the City determines that a meter and a backflow
preventer are required, these will also be installed by Water Department personnel. This rate is set for
contractors or other temporary water users, but not for bulk water service to ships or tanker trucks
serving ships or industries.
Tapping Fee $104.86
PLUS Daily Fee $52.44
PLUS Weekly Fee $314.58
Water Service Connection Fee
Done by city, from water main to key box:
Actual cost,but not less than S2,989.71
PLUS cost of paving and curb replacement
Done by contractor,from water main to key box:
Connection Fee S 176.49
PLUS cost of paving and curb replacement
Contractor Work
Any contractor tapping into a city main, or otherwise working on a city water line, must be properly
licensed to perform the work and must also provide a $5,000.00 bond or equivalent cash guarantee
payable to the city.
Water Service Inspection Fee
For service installed by others $104.86
Water Turn-On or Turn-Off(per visit,excluding new service and new account name)
First turn-on and/or turn-off for new service or new account No Charge
All other turn-ons or turn-offs:
During business hours $52.44
During non-business hours $157.58
Seasonal Turn-Ons $176.49
Seasonal Turn-Offs $176.49
Seasonal turn-on/turn-off will be charged as "Seasonal Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs," including new
account name or same account name;waived if<2 months between turn-off and turn-on;seasonal can
apply to summer or winter.
Unauthorized Use of City Equipment, including fire hydrants,key boxes, turn-on and/or turn- $1048.59
off
Restoration of Water Service, including repair of damage by owner or Actual cost,including city
contractor to city facilities overhead,labor,materials and
equipment
Chapter 3, Water Rates&Charges Page 7
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
Locate Service
Large projects requiring several locates will be under a special agreement with the water utility
and may include an additional fee.
May 1 - October 31 No Charge
November 1 -April 30 $157.28
Thaw Wire Locate
May 1 - October 31 No Charge
November 1 -April 30 $157.28
Security Deposit
Domestic (Single Family&Duplex) $52.44
Commercial &Multiple Dwellings $157.28
Fire Hydrant Usage $314.58
Ship Water(Water furnished to temporarily moored vessels)
Customer will be responsible for actual charges related to all work and materials required to
provide water to vessel. The point of delivery for potable water supplied by the City shall be at the
customer side of the meter/backflow preventer, and the customer is responsible for water quality
from the delivery point to the vessel.
Less than 1,000 gallons from Seward Boat Harbor facilities not requiring city
assistance or the use of fire hydrants No Charge
All service not included above:
Basic Charge (during regular business hours) S 104.86
Basic Charge (outside regular business $209.73
hours)PLUS $9.75 per 1,000 gallons for all
water used
Chapter 3, Water Rates&Charges Page 8
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
Sewer Rates & Charge
Chapter 4,Sewer Rates&Charges Page 1
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
SEWER RATES & CHARGES Effective 3/15/23
RATES FOR SEWER BY CLASS OF SERVICE
ANNUAL RATE ADJUSTMENT: The rates and fees herein provided are adjusted 2.1% beginning the first billing
cycle of the 2018 calendar year. The rates thereafter will be adjusted annually beginning the first billing of each
calendar year to reflect an average of the five previous published years' annual increase in the Consumer Price
Index, All Items, 1982-84-100 for all Urban Consumers, Anchorage, Alaska Area ("CPI') as published by the
United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (For example, 2018 rates reflected an increase
based on the average CPI for 2011-2015.)
GROUP A—RESIDENTIAL
Group A includes all metered and non-metered residential customers living in single family or multiple
family living units. Multiple family units include multiplexes, apartments and townhouses, but exclude
hotels, motels and similar transient accommodations. All commercial residential customers with a water
meter are eligible for Group D metered commercial sewer rates. Customers wishing to convert to metered
rates are encouraged to consider that a pending Water and Sewer Rate Study may impact either or both
ERU rates and metered rates,when deciding whether to invest in the costs of installing a water meter.
GROUP B-SMALL GENERAL SERVICE
Group B includes all metered and non-metered commercial enterprises where the use of water is
incidental to the commercial activity and is primarily limited to domestic and janitorial use. This class of
service includes such businesses as hotels, motels, professional office buildings, barber shops,
warehouses, libraries,public offices, churches and theaters,etc. Group B customers with water meters are
eligible for Group D metered commercial sewer rates. Customers wishing to convert to metered rates are
encouraged to consider that a pending Water and Sewer Rate Study may impact either or both ERU rates
and metered rates,when deciding whether to invest in the costs of installing a water meter.
GROUP C-LARGE GENERAL SERVICE
Group C includes commercial enterprises where water usage is greater than in Small General Service
and/or water is used for food preparation or other activities, but not for industrial processing. Group C
customers with meters are eligible for Group D metered commercial sewer rates. Customers wishing to
convert to metered rates are encouraged to consider that a pending Water and Sewer Rate Study may
impact either or both ERU rates and metered rates, when deciding whether to invest in the costs of
installing a water meter.
GROUP D-METERED COMMERCIAL& INDUSTRIAL SERVICE
Group D includes metered commercial and industrial enterprises (non-commercial residential Group A
customers are not currently eligible for metered rates).
Chapter 4, Sewer Rates&Charges Page 1
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
BASIS FOR MONTHLY FEES AND CHARGES
GROUPS A,B, C & D
NON-METERED SERVICES
Non-metered sewer users in Groups A, B, and C shall be charged at the rate of $69.67 per ERU
per month, not including tax, when the water service and sewer service serve the same activities. If
the activities serviced by the sewer services are different than those served by the water service, the
water charge shall be computed based on the activities served by the sewer. The sewer rate shall be
computed at 1.2 times the established water charge.
METERED SERVICES
Sewer users with metered service (Group D) shall be charged for sewer service according to the rates
listed below. The charge shall be based upon the quantity of metered water,except that those users having
a sewer meter shall be charged for the quantity of sewage actually metered. The quantity of sewage will
be adjusted if a significant amount of wastewater is not discharged into the city sewer system.
MINIMUM CHARGE FOR EACH METERED SERVICE
Service Size Minimum Monthly Charge
3/4" - 1" water service $59.45
1-1/2" -2" water service $98.55
2-1/4" -4" water service $247.98
Over 4" water service $1,239.79
PLUS CHARGE FOR CONSUMPTION
Gallons of Sewage Discharged per Month Charge per 1,000 Gallons
Groups A-D
First 10,000 Gallons $8.74
Next 40,000 Gallons $6.99
Next 50,000 Gallons $5.80
Next 100,000 Gallons $5.22
All Additional Gallons $2.58
Chapter 4, Sewer Rates&Charges Page 2
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
GROUP E—SPECIAL RATES AND FEES
Group E includes charges for other categories of service not included in Groups A—D:
Users generating sewage with a BOD and SS loading in excess Specified rate in rate tables times a factor
of mg/1 (upon a determination by the Utility Manager that the of the actual BOD and SS loading divided
concentration and characteristics of the sewage will not cause a by 250,plus the cost of testing.
detrimental effect upon the sewer system and/or treatment Rate x BOD Factor+SS Loading+Test Cost
plant). 250
BOD=Biological Oxygen Demand
SS=Suspended Solids
Tank Truck Operators: Fresh sewage, or waste from portable or chemical toilets,
provided the utility manager determines the waste will not be detrimental to the
sewer system and/or treatment plant. $67.63 per thousand
It is prohibited to discharge into the city's sewer system, septic tank waste or any waste gallons
containing toxic or other materials that could cause the city's discharge to violate the
EPA or DEC discharge permit.
Recreational Vehicles
Individual RV owners utilizing city-owned or approved dump sites No fee
Public and private campground operators (Operators must maintain
sufficient records to compute a monthly payment, and such records shall $1.14/day per RV,
camper or trailer permit,
be made available to the city upon request) not including tent
campers.
No fee collected by Sewer Department,-fees collected by Campgrounds Department and
passed onto the Sewer Department during the year-end budget process.
Ship's Sewage Not accepted
Sewer Service Connection Fee
Installed at property owner's expense.Any work performed by the city will be charged at
total cost, including labor, overhead, administration, materials and equipment PLUS a $155.09
$155.09 connection ee.
Sewer Service Inspection Fee $130.60
This fee shall be charged for services installed by anyone other than the city.
Unauthorized Connection or Discharge into the City Sewer System
Per Occurrence $1,024.63
PLUS cost of repair,restoration or cleanup by city
PLUS State and/or Federal penalties&charges levied against the city
or individual
Restoration of Sewer Service and Repair of Damage by Owner or Contractor Actual cost,including city
to City Facilities overhead,administration,
labor,materials and
equipment.
Locate Sewer Main
Large projects requiring several locates will be under a special contract and may
require a fee.
First Locate No Charge
Each Additional Locate $102.44
Security Deposit
If a water security deposit was paid, no additional deposit will be required.If no
water deposit was paid, the following deposits will be charged.
Domestic (Single Family&Duplex) $51.23
Commercial $153.70
Multi-Family $15 3.70
Chapter 4, Sewer Rates&Charges Page 3
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
Contractor Work
Any contractor tapping into a city sewer main, or otherwise working on a city sewer
main, must be properly licensed to perform the work and must provide$5,000 Bond or
equivalent cash guarantee payable to the city.
Seasonal Turn-On and Seasonal Turn-Off
Includes new account name or same account name;waived if<2 months $52.24
between turn-off and turn-on; a Sewer System Delivery Charge(SSDQ of
$52.24 per month will be applied to any service that has their water turned off.
NOTE: This rate applies at the same time water service is disconnected.
Sewage Meter Computed from the
quantity of metered
water delivered to the
same activity unless a
sewage meter has been
installed.Sewage meters
approved by the city
may be installed at the
user's expense.
Delinquent Account Charges
Interest rate 10.5%per annum
Monthly late fee $5.80
Chapter 4, Sewer Rates&Charges Page 4
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
Legisladve HistoryNotes
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY NOTES
GENERAL CHANGES EFFECTIVE
Resolution 96-076 Amending The Utility And Harbor Tars By Revising June 10, 1996
Interest Charges And Adding Other Fees Associated With
Delinquent Accounts.
Ordinance 00-014 Adopted rules&rate methodologies to June 12,2000
purchase power from qualifying facilities
Resolution 06-023 Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A New March 13,2006
Agreement For The Sale And Purchase Of Electric Power
And Energy With Chugach Electric Association,
Incorporated.
Chapter 5, Legislative History Notes Page 1
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
ELECTRIC TARIFF EFFECTIVE
Resolution 92-064 Adopted May 11, 1992
Resolution 92-186 (Page 2-3) Amended November 16, 1992
Resolution 93-089 Amended June 18, 1993
Resolution 00-029 April 1,2000
Resolution 00-053 Amended May 22,2000
Ordinance 00-014 June 22,2000
Resolution 02-138 January 1,2003
No Resolution *CEA Agr. adjusted demand rates June 11 2006
Resolution 09-115 Amending The Electric Rates And Charges Tariff To January 1,2010&
Include Automatic Annual Adjustments To All Rates And January 1,2011
Fees By An Amount Equal To The Previous Five Full
Years'Average Increase In The Anchorage Consumer
Price Index For All Urban Consumers,And Automatic
Pass-Through Of Rate Increases From Chugach Electric
Association.
No Resolution *CEA Agr. adjusted demand rates May 1,2011
No Resolution *CEA Agr. adjusted demand rates
Resolution 11-081 Amending The Electric Rates And Charges Tariff To January 1,2012&
Include Automatic Annual Adjustments To All Rates January 1,2013
And Fees By A Cumulative Amount Of Ten Percent In
2012 And Five Percent In 2013.
No Resolution *CEA Agr. adjusted demand rates August 31, 2012
No Resolution *CEA Agr. adjusted demand rates January 1,2014
Resolution 2013-084 Adopting The Electric Enterprise Fund Biennial Budget January 1,2014
For Calendar Years 2014 And 2015.
Resolution 2014-047 Modifying The Electric Tariff To Add Language For June 7,2014
Net Metered Customers To Receive Compensation For
Producing Energy,
No Resolution *CEA Agr. adjusted demand rates July 31,2014
No Resolution Annual CPI increase 2.6% January 1,2015
No Resolution *CEA Agr. adjusted demand and energy rates May,2015
Resolution 2015-089 Amending The Electric Rates And Charges, October 26,2015
Implementing Seasonal Rates And Freezing Small
General Service Rates For 2016 And 2017
No Resolution Annual CPI increase 2.3% January 1, 2016
No Resolution *CEA Agr. adjusted demand rate July 1,2016
No Resolution *CEA Agr.adjusted demand and energy rates September 1,2016
No Resolution *CEA Agr.Adjusted demand rates November 1,2016
No Resolution Annual CPI increase 2.4% January 1,2017
Resolution 2017-068 Amending The Electric Rates And Charges, Reducing January 15,2018&
Seasonal Rates, And Adjusting Rates To Reflect Seward January 15,2019
Electric Utility Charge, Cost Of Power Adjustment And
Customer Charge For 2018 And 2019
*Council approvedpower agreement with CEA which adjusted the demand charge rate, but not by specific resolution.
Chapter 5, Legislative History Notes Page 2
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
WATER TARIFF EFFECTIVE
Resolution 92-065 Adopted May 11, 1992
Resolution 92-113 Amended June 22, 1992
Resolution 93-090 Amended June 14, 1993
Resolution 93-142 (Fire Amended September 27, 1993
Hydrants)
Resolution 95-032 Amended April 24, 1995
Resolution 99-048 (Ship Amended Apri126, 1999
Water)
Resolution 03-155 Amending The Water TarifAnd The Sewer Tariff. January 1,2004
Resolution 04-106 Amending The Water Tariff. January 1,2005
Resolution 09-117 Amending The Water TariAndProviding For Automatic January 1,2010&
Annual Adjustments To All Rates And Fees By An Amount January 1,2011
Equal To The Five Previous Full Years'Average
Increase In The Anchorage Consumer Price Index For
All Urban Consumers.
Resolution 11-080 Amending The Water Tariff And Providing For A 4% January 1,2012&
Increase In Calendar Year 2012 And 6%Increase In January 1,2013
Calendar Year 2013 And Providing For An Automatic
Annual Adjustment Thereafter To All Rates And Fees
By An Amount Equal To The Five Previous Full Years'
Average Increase In The Anchorage Consumer Price
Index For All Urban Consumers.
Resolution 13-085 Adopting The Water Enterprise Fund Biennial Budget January 1, 2014
For Calendar Years 2014 And 2015.
Resolution 15-091 Amending The Water Tariff To Provide For 4.3% January 1,2016 &
Increase In The 2016 Calendar Year And A 2.4% January 1,2017
Increase In The 2017 Calendar Year,And Allow For An
Automatic Annual Adjustment Thereafter To All Rates
And Fees By An Amount Equal To The Five Previous Full
Years'Average Increase In The Anchorage Consumer
Price Index For All Urban Consumers.
Resolution 2017-078 Amending The Water Tariff To Provide For 2.1%Rate January 1, 2018
Increase, Clarifying Metered Versus Non-Metered,
Increasing Base Rate For 1 112"-2"Meters, Changing
The Seasonal Definition,And Other Minor Housekeeping
Issues.
Resolution 2018-032 Amending The Water Tariff To Provide For 2.1%Rate Passed April 9,2018
Increase Beginning January 15, 2018, Clarifying That Retroactive to
Metered Rates Apply To All Customers Other Than Non- January 15, 2018
Commercial Residential, Changing The Seasonal
Definition,And Other Minor Housekeeping Changes.
Chapter 5, Legislative History Notes Page 3
City of Seward,Alaska 2023 Utilities Tariff
SEWERIWASTEWATER TARIFF EFFECTIVE
Resolution 92-066 Adopted May 11, 1992
Resolution 92-113 Amended June 22, 1992
Resolution 93-091 Amended June 14, 1993
Resolution 03-155 Amending The Water TariffAnd The Sewer Tariff. January 1, 2004
Resolution 04-105 Amending The Sewer Tariff. January 1,2005
Resolution 07-123 (5%T) Amending The Sewer Tariff To Increase All Sewer Tarim January 1,2008
Charges By 5%Effective January], 2008.
Resolution 09-118 Amending The Wastewater Tariff And Providing For January 1,2010&
Automatic Annual Adjustments To All Rates And Fees January 1,2011
By An Amount Equal To The Five Previous Full Years'
Average Increase In The Anchorage Consumer Price
Index For All Urban Consumers.
Resolution 11-079 Amending The Wastewater TariAnd Providing For A January 1, 2012 &
6%Increase In Calendar Year 2012 And A 6%Increase January 1, 2013
In Calendar Year 2013 And Providing For An Automatic
Annual Adjustment Thereafter To All Rates And Fees By
An Amount Equal To The Five Previous Full Years'
Average Increase In The Anchorage Consumer Price
Index For All Urban Consumers.
Resolution 13-097 Amending The Wastewater Tar ffBy Upward Adjusting January 1, 2014
All Rates And Fees By 5.2%Effective The First Billing
Cycle In January 2014.
Resolution 13-098 Amending The Wastewater Tar ffBy Upward Adjusting January 1, 2015
All Rates And Fees By An Additional 5.2%Effective The
First Billing Cycle In January 2015.
Resolution 15-090 Amending The Sewer Tariff To Provide For A 4.3% January 1,2016&
Increase In The 2016 Calendar Year And A 4.4% January 1,2017
Increase In The 2017 Calendar Year,And Allow An
Automatic Annual Adjustment Thereafter To All Rates
And Fees By An Amount Equal To The Five Previous Full
Years'Average Increase In The Anchorage Consumer
Price Index CPI For All Urban Consumers.
Resolution 2017-077 Amending The Sewer Tariff To Provide For A 2.1% January 1,2018
Rate Adjustment Beginning The First Billing Cycle Of
The 2018 Calendar Year,Adding A Seasonal Turn-
On/Turn-Off Fee, Clarifying That Metered Rates Apply
Only To Class D Customers,And Other Minor
Housekeeping Changes.
Resolution 2018-030 Amending The Sewer Tariff To Provide For 2.1%Rate Retroactive to
Adjustment Beginning January 15, 2018,Adding January 15,2018
Seasonal Turn-OnlTurn-Off Fee, Clarifying That Metered
Rates Apply To All Customers Other Than Non-
Commercial Residential,And Other Minor Housekeeping
Changes.
Chapter 5, Legislative History Notes Page 4
2023 Sewer Rate Calculation
Avg of 5
previous years
Annual
Increase-Anch Effective
Rate Increase Calculation 1/15/2022 CPI 1/15/2023
ERU(Equivalent Residential Unit) $ 69.09 0.8% $ 69.67
Minimum Charge for Each Metered Service
3/4"-1" Water Service $ 58.95 0.8% $ 59.45
1-1/2"-2" Water Service 97.73 0.8% $ 98.55
2-1/4"-4" Water Service 245.91 0.8% $ 247.98
Over 4" Water Service 1,229.46 0.8% $1,239.79
2022 Charge for Consumption
Gallons of Sewage Discharged per Month Charge per 1,000 Gallons
Groups A,B&C Group
First 10,000 Gallons $ 8.66 $ 8.66 0.8%
Next 40,000 Gallons 6.93 6.93
Next 50,000 Gallons 5.75 5.75
Next 100,000 Gallons 5.18 5.18
All additional gallons 2.56 2.56
2023 Charge for Consumption
Gallons of Sewage Discharged per Month Charge per 1,000 Gallons
Groups A,B&C Group
First 10,000 Gallons $ 8.74 $ 8.74
Next 40,000 Gallons $ 6.99 $ 6.99
Next 50,000 Gallons $ 5.80 $ 5.80
Next 100,000 Gallons $ 5.22 $ 5.22
All additional gallons $ 2.58 $ 2.58
Special Rates and Fees
Tank Truck Operators-perthousand gallons $ 67.07 0.8% $ 67.63
Recreational Vehicles
Individual RV owners utilizing city-owned or
approved dump sites No fee
Public and private campground operators 1.13 0.8% $ 1.14
(per day per RV,camper or trailer,not
including tent campers)
Sewer Service Connection Fee 153.80 0.8% $ 155.09
Sewer Service Inspection Fee 129.51 0.8% $ 130.60
Unauthorized Connection or Discharge into City system 1,016.09 0.8% $1,024.63
Locate Service
First Locate No charge
Each Additional Locate 101.59 0.8% $ 102.44
Security Deposit
Domestic 50.80 0.8% $ 51.23
(Single Fam.&Duplex)
Commercial 152.42 0.8% $ 153.70
Multi-Family 152.42 0.8% $ 153.70
Contractor Work
Must be properly licensed and
provide$5,000 bond
Sewer System Delivery Charge-monthly 51.80 0.8% $ 52.24
Delinquent Account Charges
Interest rate(per annum): 10.5% 10.5%
Monthly late fee 5.75 0.8% $ 5.80
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