City of Richmond, MO Rates and Meters

A water meter installed for water not passing into the City sanitary sewer system. A secondary water meter may be installed on residential or commercial properties for measurement of water that does not pass into the City sanitary sewer system. Such uses would include lawn watering systems, and other usage that does not overflow or drain into the City sanitary sewer system. Such installations must be approved by the Director of Public Works and shall meet all other requirements of Richmond City ordinances. All costs of installation of such meter shall be borne by the customer. Water meters shall be obtained as outlined in Section 700.030.

Section 700.030 Meters to Be Furnished by City — Paid for by Consumer — Schedule of Prices.

[CC 1974 §27-82; Rev. Ords. 1929, No. 38 §§9 — 10]

Water meters shall be furnished by the City and shall be paid for, including the installation thereof, by the individual consumer.

Section 700.035 Water Meter Installation.

[Ord. No. 2594, 9-27-2022]

All meters shall be set in an approved, non-hazardous place and accessibility shall be maintained at all times. All meters shall be located within an approved location within the City right-of-way. The water meter shall be protected from any potential damage or freezing and be readily accessible.

Meter well or meter pit, lids and covers shall be as specified by the Director of Public Works and be protected from damage by traffic, mowing or any other means and be of sufficient strength to withstand traffic loads.

All meters shall be set in a horizontal position.

The meter shall be the same size as the service line installed and in no case shall the meter be larger than the service line.

Meter sets for meters two (2) inches in diameter and larger shall require a bypass with a sealed bypass valve.

Meter sets for meters two (2) inches in diameter and larger shall require a flexible coupling installed on the building side of the meter and isolating valve.

A licensed plumber shall furnish and install all required pipe, fittings, valves, meter well or pit covers and lids approved by the City.

The Public Works Department shall install the meter.

Regardless of the meter location, the customer shall be responsible for damage to the meter or its appurtenances caused by the customer's negligence or failure to properly safeguard and protect such meter and appurtenances from hazards.

All meter wells or pits shall be located to prevent an accumulation of water within the tile or pit so it can be properly drained.

Meter Sets — Small Meters. All outdoor meters one (1) inch and smaller shall conform to the following:

The shut-off valve shall be between eighteen (18) inches and twenty-four (24) inches from the lid.

All materials for meter sets shall conform to current Public Works Department specifications.

All meters shall be placed in an eighteen (18) inch diameter pit, no more than two (2) meters in one (1) pit.

Maintenance and testing of meters will be performed by the Public Works Department.

All meter pits, customer tiles and sets shall be maintained by the customer.

All meter pits must have a metal ring that will accept a twelve (12) inch locking meter lid approved by the City.

The customer shall be responsible for taking necessary precaution to prevent pipes and meters from freezing in cold weather for all installations that are not approved by or do not conform to Public Works Department specifications. If an unapproved meter or a meter located indoors is damaged by freezing, the costs of materials for such repairs shall be charged to the customer. Only meters supplied by the City shall be installed.

Meter Sets — Large Meters. All outdoor meter sets for meters one and one-half (1 1/2) inches and larger shall conform to the following requirements:

Meters one and one-half (1 1/2) inches to three (3) inches shall be in a minimum twenty-four (24) inch pit.

Meters over three (3) inches must be in a vault allowing enough room for shut off valves and meter.

Any vault lids must have twenty-four (24) inch minimum access hole with locking lid.

All meter pits must have a metal ring that will accept a twelve (12) inch locking meter lid approved by the City.

Pit and materials for meter sets shall be as approved by the Director of Public Works and plans and specifications shall be furnished by a licensed plumber or contractor for approval.

Section 700.040 When Meter Is Defective.

[CC 1974 §27-83; Rev. Ords. 1929, No. 38 §12]

When, by reason of a temporary defect in a water meter, such as a stoppage of the meter, the monthly bill cannot be arrived at accurately, the City Collector may bill the consumer an amount based on the average of the bills covering the preceding six (6) months.

Section 700.050 Location of Meters.

[CC 1974 §27-84; Ord. No. 626 §3, 12-7-1961; Ord. No. 2594, 9-27-2022]

All consumers of water in residential districts of the City shall install their water meters on the outside of their dwellings or buildings so as to be readily accessible to the meter reader and buildings with preexisting inside meters shall install an approved remote-control reading dial on the outside of said dwelling or building, and the City shall not be liable for the payment of any of the cost thereof. No water meter shall be installed in any residential building or dwelling on the inside thereof unless it is warranted by the Public Works Director as the only option for service and a remote-control reading dial is placed on the outside thereof, and the City shall not be liable for any part of the cost thereof. When installing new or replacing an existing water line or water meter, the meter must be placed as close to the water main (street) as possible and so inspected by the City. In the event of an accident involving a water meter, meter lid or meter pit once installed and checked by the City, it is not the responsibility of the City to pay for said accident. It is therefore the responsibility of the owner or tenant or both of such property to inform the City of any problem with the water meter, meter lid or meter pit.

Section 700.055 AMI Meters And MTU'S Replacement Cost And Responsibility Of.

[Ord. No. 2594, 9-27-2022]

All consumers of water in the City of Richmond shall upon installation of an AMI meter with an MTU (meter transmitting unit) be responsible for protecting this meter that is installed in a pit with a lid. If while mowing or other reason unknown, the lid is removed and the MTU is destroyed or the meter is destroyed so that either must be replaced, an invoice may be sent to the owner of the property or the tenant if a rental property for the replacement of such meter and/or MTU. If this invoice is not paid in a timely manner of thirty (30) days, the amount of such meter and/or MTU will be added to the customers water/sewer/trash bill and will be subject for disconnect by the 20th of the following month.

Section 700.060 Right of Entry for Purpose of Testing and Reading Meters.

[CC 1974 §27-85; Ord. No. 477 §2, 11-10-1954]

The Superintendent of Utilities or other representative of the City shall have access to the premises of any customer at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting and testing any water meter and reading the records thereof.

Section 700.070 Deposit Required — Owner and Non-Owner of Property.

[CC 1974 §27-86; Ord. No. 599 §1, 2-1-1961; Ord. No. 1845 §1, 9-11-2002; Ord. No. 1872 §1, 4-9-2003; Ord. No. 1872A §1, 12-30-2003; Ord. No. 2237 §I, 3-13-2012; Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022; Ord. No. 2594, 9-27-2022]

A deposit in the amount as detailed in City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule[1] shall be made with each application of an owner requiring water connection service to their property; and a deposit in the amount as detailed in City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule shall be made with each application by a non-owner of property requiring water connection service to said property, with these sums to be retained by the City, to ensure payment of all final bills. When applicant requests service be disconnected permanently, this deposit, including any additions per Section 700.200 of the Code, but less any amounts still due the City for water, sewer, and trash service, shall be refunded without interest. Only applicant of the City of Richmond (for non-payment of bill) or responsible party making the deposit on such account may request service to be disconnected. For purposes of the Section, "contract for deed" and "lease to own" shall be considered non-owned property and the word "application" shall include a fully completed customer deposit information form (Collector Form No. 600) inclusive of any documentation required by such form. Non-owner, along with fee, must provide lease/rental agreement with all tenants on application and copy of photo id when filling out application. Both owner or non-owner of property are required to be current on all bills owned to the City, including old water bills and City taxes, before deposit is accepted and service is connected. Deposits shall be transferable only if account is current.

[1]

Editor's Note: The City’s Comprehensive Fee Schedule is on file in the City offices.

Section 700.080 (Reserved) [1]

[1]

Editor's Note — Ord. no. 1845 §1, adopted September 11, 2002, repealed section 700.080 "deposit required — rental occupants" in its entirety. Former section 700.080 derived from CC 1974 §27-86.1; ord. no. 833, 5-2-1973; ord. no. 1453 §2, 1-8-1992; ord. no. 1698 §§1 — 2, 12-22-1999. This information can now be found in section 700.070.

Section 700.090 Water Rates for Users Within City Limits Generally.

[CC 1974 §27-87; Ord. No. 732 §1, 8-20-1969; Ord. No. 735 §1, 10-1-1969; Ord. No. 806 §2, 6-26-1972; Ord. No. 914 §1, 7-2-1975; Ord. No. 1131 §1, 6-3-1981; Ord. No. 1315 §1, 12-16-1987; Ord. No. 1538 §1, 10-26-1994; Ord. No. 1745 Art. VII, 3-28-2001; Ord. No. 1978 §§I — II, 9-28-2005; Ord. No. 2058, 9-26-2007; Ord. No. 2525, 9-22-2020; Ord. No. 2556, 10-12-2021; Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022]

All residents and owners of property within the corporate limits of the City having a connection with any mains or pipes used in connection with the City water system shall pay at the rate as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices.

Section 700.100 Sewer Rates — Inside or Outside City Limits.

[CC 1974 §27-91; Ord. No. 477 §1, 11-10-1954; Ord. No. 874 §4, 6-19-1974; Ord. No. 1187 §2, 7-20-1983; Ord. No. 1764 §1, 6-13-2001; Ord. No. 1847 §I, 9-25-2002; Ord. No. 1853 §I, 11-13-2002; Ord. No. 1938, 9-8-2004; Ord. No. 1941, 10-27-2004; Ord. No. 1942, 11-23-2004; Ord. No. 1962, 4-27-2005; Ord. No. 1977, 9-28-2005; Ord. No. 2079, 4-9-2008; Ord. No. 2102, 10-22-2008; Ord. No. 2255 §I, 6-26-2012; Ord. No. 2296 §I, 7-9-2013; Ord. No. 2340 §I, 10-14-2014; Ord. No. 2380 §I, 4-26-2016; Ord. No. 2505, 1-28-2020; Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022]

Sewer rates shall be based upon the quantity of water used as the same is measured by the water meter installed on the premises served.

For residents of the City on City water and sewer, the charges shall be at the rate as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices.

Application Of Base Rate To Residential Multi-Family Facilities. Residential Multi-family facilities include a building or portion thereof designed for or occupied by two (2) or more families or households living independently of each other, including, but not limited to, apartment houses, row houses, tenements, apartment hotels, cooperative apartments or condominiums, duplex, tri-plex, four-plex, and assisted living facilities. Classification of a use as a residential multi-family facility shall be as determined by the City Administrator or his/her designee.

Any residential multi-family facility that obtains a certificate of occupancy for the facility from the City after May 1, 2015, or upon transfer of ownership shall be subject to the payment of the monthly sewer base charge for each dwelling unit in the facility regardless of whether individual water meters are in place for each unit.

The landlord of a residential multi-family facility may apply for a vacancy credit in the amount of the monthly base charge for any dwelling units that are vacant for one or more consecutive months. Applications for vacancy credits must be submitted, in writing, to the City Collector in accordance with such forms and administrative procedures as may be developed by the City Collector for this purpose.

For non-residents of the City, the charges shall be at the rate as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices.

Sewer rates when water is not supplied (i.e., no water meter) shall be at the rate as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices.

Section 700.105 Sewer Rates for Secondary Water Meters.

[Ord. No. 1721 §I, 8-9-2000]

Sewer rates shall not be charged for readings on secondary water meters as defined in Section 700.025 unless it shall be determined that water metered by a secondary meter is entering the City sanitary sewer system. Then all water metered through the secondary meter since installation shall be considered to have entered the sanitary sewer system and the rates as outlined in Section 700.100 shall be charged.

Section 700.110 Rates for Water Supplied to Party Outside City.

[CC 1974 §27-132; Ord. No. 798 §VI, 5-17-1972; Ord. No. 1131 §2, 6-3-1981; Ord. No. 1315 §2, 12-16-1987; Ord. No. 1543 §1, 2-9-1995; Ord. No. 1979 §I, 9-28-2005; Ord. No. 2059, 9-26-2007; Ord. No. 2532, 11-10-2020; Ord. No. 2556, 10-12-2021; Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022]

The rate to be charged for water supplied through a meter and water line which furnishes water to a residence, party or any entity outside the City limits shall be at a rate as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices.

Section 700.120 Water Rates for Multiple Dwellings and Mobile Home Units.

[CC 1974 §27-87.1; Ord. No. 842 §§1 — 3, 10-3-1973; Ord. No. 849 §§1 — 3, 12-5-1973; Ord. No. 1131 §3, 6-3-1981]

The rate to be charged for water supplied through a compound meter for water per unit that is supplied in the corporate limits of the City of Richmond shall be determined by establishing an average usage per unit per month being supplied through the compound meter. After such average consumption per unit is determined, the progressive rates established in this Chapter shall be applied to each unit and then a total sum shall be billed to the party responsible for the water hook-up.

Section 700.130 Progressive Turn-On Fees.

[CC 1974 §27-87.2; Ord. No. 842 §5, 10-3-1973; Ord. No. 1453 §3, 1-8-1992; Ord. No. 1515 §1, 12-8-1993; Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022]

Whenever any water meter shall be disconnected for failure of the water user to pay due and owing water bills to the City of Richmond or for any other reason as set forth by ordinance, and reconnection shall be made upon request of the water user as provided by ordinance, the fee to be charged to the water user requesting reconnection shall be as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices.

Section 700.140 Water May Be Shut Off for Non-Payment of Bills — Reinstatement.

[CC 1974 §27-89; Ord. No. 732 §6, 8-20-1969; Ord. No. 2065, 11-14-2007; Ord. No. 2138 §2, 9-8-2009]

The water supply may be shut off from any premises for which the water bill remains unpaid for a period of ten (10) days after the bill is rendered and mailed. When shut off, water shall not be turned on except upon the payment of the usual fee for turning on water.

Section 700.150 Rebates, Adjustments, Payments of Disputed Water/Sewer Bills.

[CC 1974 §27-90; Ord. No. 1576 §1, 2-28-1996]

Adjustments.

No adjustment shall be made for water leaks on the customer service lines without the approval of the majority of the Water Committee, at a meeting of the Water Committee, where all members of the Committee have been notified of such meeting.

Any adjustment for a City resident water customer and/or City business customers will never be for less than the customer's previous twelve (12) month average water usage and/or average monthly usage of record, if less than twelve (12) months' history is available. The adjustment shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of any amount over the previous twelve (12) month average.

Any adjustment for a water customer outside the City limits will never be for less than the customer's previous twelve (12) month average water usage and/or average monthly usage of record, if less than twelve (12) months' history is available. The adjustment shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of any amount over the previous twelve (12) month average.

When an adjustment is allowed by a majority of the Water Committee, due to a dispute over a leak, the reconnect fees set out in Section 700.130 may be waived.

Disputed Water/Sewer Bills — Procedure. When a water customer requests an extension time period for payment of a large or disputed water/sewer bill, the following procedures shall apply:

If no leaks, disputes or discrepancies exist, the bill must be paid in full as set forth in Section 700.140.

Where the Water Committee has allowed an adjustment due to a leak, dispute or discrepancy, a homeowner or business owner may be allowed up to three (3) equal monthly installments to pay the disputed amount, over their twelve (12) month average water bill, as long as their current water bills during the three (3) month period are paid in full, in accordance with Section 700.140.

Where the Water Committee has allowed an adjustment due to a leak, dispute or discrepancy, a residential renter or business owner renter may be allowed up to two (2) equal monthly installments to pay the disputed amount, over their twelve (12) month average water bill, as long as their current water bills during the three (3) month period are paid in full, in accordance with Section 700.140.

Section 700.155 Sewer Charge Adjustment for Sewer Customers Living in Individually Metered Units.

[Ord. No. 1762 §§I — IV, 5-23-2001; Ord. No. 2023, 12-13-2006]

A residential sewer customer living in an individually metered dwelling unit may, at his or her option, during the period from September fifteenth (15th) through September thirtieth (30th) of each year apply to the City to have their sewer charges adjusted for the preceding months of May, June, July and August based on the average amount of water used by such customer during the preceding months of October, November, December, January and February.

Commercial businesses (for watering purposes only) may also be included in this adjustment process.

Such averaging is unavailable to residents who were not water customers of the City during the preceding period of October through February.

In the event any month of the October through February averaging time period has a zero or minimum charge, such month shall be excluded in determining the average water usage.

Any adjustment refunds shall be applied as a credit on future sewer and water bills of such customer.

Section 700.160 Special Sewer Rates and Contracts for Commercial and Industrial Users Authorized.

[CC 1974 §27-92; Ord. No. 477 §3, 11-10-1954]

If any user of water, other than a domestic or residential water user, shall use more than ten thousand (10,000) gallons of water in any month for commercial or industrial purposes, and if as established by records kept and maintained by such user and open for inspection by the City's representative more than one-half (½) of the water used by said customer was not discharged into the sewerage system of the City, then the charge specified in Section 700.110 for the use and services of the sewerage system of the City shall be based on the amount of such water furnished said customer during the month less the amount of such water which was not discharged into the sewerage system of the City.

If in any particular case special and unusual circumstances shall make the application of sewerage rates inequitable and unfair when applied to any commercial or industrial user, the City Council shall have the right to modify the rates with respect to such customer and shall have the right to enter into contracts in such cases making charges for sewerage services which are equitable and fair.

Section 700.170 Free Sewerage Services Not to Be Furnished.

[CC 1974 §27-93; Ord. No. 477 §4, 11-10-1954]

No sanitary sewerage services shall be furnished or rendered free of charge to any person.

Section 700.180 When Water and Sewer Bills Are to Be Prepared, Rendered — When Due — Where Payable.

[CC 1974 §27-94; Ord. No. 477 §5, 11-10-1954]

The Superintendent of Utilities and the City Clerk, or such other officers or representatives of the City as may be designated from time to time, shall cause all bills for sewerage services to be rendered monthly as services accrue. All sewer bills shall be due and payable from and after the date when such bills are rendered, at the office of the City Clerk or other place designated by the City Council, during the regular hours of business. The representative of the City preparing such bills shall calculate the amount of each bill for sewerage services and shall add the same to the amount of the bill of the customer for water and sewerage services and shall render such customer a combined bill for such water and sewerage services.

Section 700.190 Penalty for Late Payment.

[CC 1974 §27-95; Ord. No. 477 §6, 11-10-1954; Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022]

If any bill for water and sewerage services shall be and remain due and unpaid after the tenth (10th) day following the date of the rendition thereof, an additional charge as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices.

Section 700.200 Disconnection for Non-Payment — Charges for Disconnection and Reconnection.

[CC 1974 §27-96; Ord. No. 477 §7, 11-10-1954; Ord. No. 1128 §1, 5-20-1981; Ord. No. 1145 §2, 11-4-1981; Ord. No. 1453 §4, 1-8-1992; Ord. No. 1513 §1, 12-8-1993; Ord. No. 1823, 4-10-2002; Ord. No. 2237 §II, 3-13-2012; Ord. No. 2569, 4-26-2022]

All persons or parties who are users of water from the City upon being billed shall pay said water bill including all charges on said bill by 4:30 P.M. on the tenth (10th) of the month following the mailing of said bill. If the bill is not paid by the tenth (10th) of the month, an additional charge as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices, will be added to the net amount. If service is disconnected for non-payment by the twentieth (20th) of the month, a charge for reconnecting the water user to the water system shall be paid in an amount in accordance with Section 700.130 of this Chapter, plus:

An upgrade of the water deposit to the current amount of deposit required for water hookup;

The past due water bill paid in full; and

An additional amount as detailed in the City's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, held on file in the City offices;

which shall be added to the water deposit.

Section 700.210 Liability for Payment of Bills Upon Sale and Rental of Property.

[CC 1974 §27-98; Ord. No. 599 §§2 — 3, 2-1-1961; Ord. No. 1357 §3, 11-9-1988]

All delinquent water and sewer bills on any property due and unpaid either by a tenant or the owner of such property, prior to the sale or transfer of the property, shall be owed by the owner of such property, and the owner of such property shall be held responsible for all water passing through the water meter located on such property.

In the event there are delinquent water and sewer bills due and unpaid by either the owner or the tenant of such property, to which water and sewer service has been furnished, at the time of the sale or rental of the property, then the water shall not be turned on so as to furnish water to the property, unless the purchaser of the property or the seller thereof shall pay all of said delinquent and unpaid water bills due at the time of the sale or transfer of said property; provided however, that in the case of rental property, only that amount owed for the first (1st) forty-five (45) days of delinquency shall be due and payable prior to water being furnished to such property.

In the event there has been no final water, sewer, and trash bill requested before the closing of such property, the City Collector will give an amount equal to one and one half (1 1/2) the annual average bill to the closing agent to collect. All remaining funds after all final bills are paid will be refunded by the City directly to the proper party that paid in the closing of such property.

[Ord. No. 2594, 9-27-2022]