Sewer District 1
Basis for Scale of Charges
County Law Article 5A-Sec. 266
Effective January 1, 2022
User Charges
Customers in SD#1 receive water from one of four sources; Elmira Water Board, Village of Horseheads, Town of Big Flats, or private wells. Except for those on private wells, all consumption is metered.
Basic User Charge
The Basic User Charge is $169.70 per unit (one unit is 60,000 gallons).
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Billing will be based on units of water used, with a “unit” being defined as 60,000 gallons of water. Where water is metered and such figures are available, the charge above the minimum will be based on actual consumption. Where water is not metered, or such figures are not available, cannot be obtained, or are inadequate, a classification system will be used. Each Single-family dwelling entity will be assigned one (1) unit. Commercial and public buildings will be assigned a number of units based on estimated water used, to be determined by DEC Guidelines as per their publication “Standards for Wastewater Treatment” and other information as shall be available.
Customers will be considered small users if they use less than 2.5 units per month or thirty (30) units per year. Such customers will be billed annually. If they are metered, bills will be based on consumption for the nearest available 12 previous months usage. If they are un-metered, bills will be based on their assigned number of units.
Customers deemed large users (more than 2.5 units per month or 30 units per year) will be billed quarterly. If they are metered, bills will be based on the current reading.
Units will be determined to the nearest tenth (.1) for all users. There will be a minimum charge for all customers of two-tenths (.2) units per year or a cost of $33.94.
Annual Charge
An annual charge for residential dwellings using un-metered water (private wells) shall be based upon an estimated 1.0 units of water at $169.70 per unit for a cost of $169.70.
Out of District Users
Out of District customers shall be charged at a rate including sewer user charges and Ad valorem charges as established by the Administrative Board which shall not be less than an in-District customer for the same use charges and Ad valorem charges.
Terms, Conditions & Manner of Payments
Payments may be made without penalty within forty-five (45) days after the billing date.
Penalties for Non-Payment
Bills paid more than 45 days after the billing date will be subject to a penalty of 10%.
Appeals
Appeals for review of charges shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Director within thirty (30) days of the billing date.
Unpaid User Charges - Lien on Real Property
Unpaid charges shall be a lien upon the real property for which services were provided as of and from the first day fixed for payment of such charges. Said unpaid charges shall be transferred to the County Treasurer on or before the 1st day of December in each year in which property owners are in arrears in payment of said charges for a period of 30 days or more after the last day fixed for payment of such charges without penalty, and collected as provided in Section 266 of County Law.
Discovery of Non-permitted Connection or Non-Connected User Charges
In the event that a sewer connection is discovered without being permitted or it is determined that a permitted sewer connection was not completed, the District shall issue a bill or reimbursement for the previous three (3) years prior to the discovery, and the charges shall be based on the Method of Computation of User Charges.
Residential Septage
Residential septage accepted at the Elmira Wastewater Treatment Facility will be charged a fee of $.06 per gallon, subject to the Sewer Use Law of the County and the Rules and Regulations of this District, and resolution by the Administrative Board as may be required for operation. Sludge, fats, oils, and grease accepted will be charged a fee of $.10 per gallon.
New User Sewer Connection Permit Fees
The charges for regulating, permitting, and connecting to a public sanitary sewer within the District are based on average costs incurred by the District for such new connections. The proposed fee schedule for each new connection is as follows:
- $200 per connection - 1 to 2 residential dwelling units
- $350 per connection - 3 to 6 residential dwelling units
- $500 per connection - more than 6 residential dwelling units, non-residential