Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending Olympia Municipal Code Related to Drinking Water Regulations
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the ordinance amending Olympia Municipal Code Chapters 4.24, 8.28 and 13.04 regarding drinking water regulations on first reading and forward to second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve an ordinance amending drinking water regulations.
Staff Contact:
Eric Christensen, Engineering and Planning Supervisor, Public Works Water Resources, 360.570.3741
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Background and analysis has not changed from first to second reading.
Drinking Water Utility staff have reviewed codes relevant to their operations and are proposing revisions. The revisions take into account policies and strategies identified in the City of Olympia Water System Plan (2015-2020). The following paragraphs summarize the proposed revisions.
Chapter 4.24 was revised to require payment for residential building construction water and to eliminate fire hydrant fees. Water for residential building construction is currently not metered. This practice does not promote water conservation, leads to a gap in the Utility’s ability to track water loss, and results in a loss of revenue. The fire hydrant fee is a legacy from the era when fire protection was a service that could not be recovered through water rates. In 2013, new State legislation permitted water utilities to recover fire protection costs from retail customers. The City has not charged the fire hydrant fee since 2013, and the fee is currently obsolete.
Chapter 8.28 is a legacy code section originally drafted in 1927 to regulate artesian wells. Thurston County Environmental Health is now responsible for regulating drinking water wells. Chapter 8.28 should be repealed.
The majority of revisions to Chapter 13.04 correct inconsistencies in terms. Specific substantial revisions to the chapter include:
• Requiring all services be metered to promote water conservation and help track water loss;
• Ensuring water appurtenances (e.g. valves and hydrants) are not obstructed;
• Allowing a residence and an associated accessory dwelling unit to be served by a single meter;
• Requiring a connection to the City water system when it is available to allow for the collection of fire protection fees and protect stream base flows; and
• Eliminating fees for fire hydrants located outside of the city limits.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The proposed revisions are consistent with the Utility’s mission to provide and protect healthy drinking water for the community. The revisions are intended to remove obsolete regulations, promote water conservation and improve drinking water rate equity.
Options:
1. Approve the ordinance amending Olympia Municipal Code Chapters 4.24, 8.28 and 13.04 regarding drinking water regulations on first reading and forward to second reading.
2. Advise staff to revise the ordinance before approval. This incorporates Council input while still correcting code deficiencies and inconsistencies.
3. Do not approve the ordinance. This option would not correct identified code deficiencies and inconsistencies.
Financial Impact:
The proposed revisions requiring all water services to be metered should capture additional revenue and reduce the burden on utility customers.
Attachments:
Ordinance