Spokane Municipal Code

Title 13 Public Utilities and Services

Chapter 13.04 Water

Article II. Rates

Section 13.04.2017 Golf Course Irrigation Conservation Rate for Potable Water

1. Findings.

1. Golf Courses served by the water and hydroelectric services department are high consumers of potable City water for irrigation. There is a significant opportunity for water conservation in this area through measures that include the use of stored stormwater runoff, reclaimed sanitary wastewater, and more efficient irrigation systems.

2.  A rate rule encouraging water conservation is an appropriate utility ratemaking consideration under RCW 35.92.010. Golf courses applying conservation measures as approved under subsection (C), and (D) of this section hereafter should be considered a separate user classification. The director may require a golf course to receive irrigation service under a separate account.

2. Application.

The provisions of this section pertaining to the use of potable City water are subject to the following conditions.

1.  They apply only to:

1. golf course irrigation and not to any other customer class or usage;

2. that portion of the water bill based on water consumption and not to any other charges;

3. direct water and hydroelectric services department retail customer golf course accounts, whether inside or outside the City.

2. They do not apply to any accrued billings or usage prior to the effective date of this section. The director is authorized to adjust the commencement of billings under this section for a customer billing cycle as is most administratively convenient.

1. The customer must apply in writing for the basic rate discount in subsection (C).

2. The application must be approved by the director in writing.

3. No claims for refund or credits for any billings prior to such application and approval may be recognized.

3. The basic rate discount in subsection (C) of this section is limited as follows:

1. 18-hole, full size golf course customers that reduce their irrigation consumption to less than forty million gallons per year; and

2.  9-hole, full size golf course customers that reduce their irrigation consumption to less than 20 million gallons per year.

3.  Water savings should be achieved through the implementation of water and hydroelectric services department approved water conservation measures.

4. The basic rate discount does not apply to any water irrigation consumption savings for usages above forty million gallons per year for an 18-hole course or 20 million gallons per year for a nine-hole course.

4. Par 3 golf courses and mini golf courses are not eligible for any golf course water conservation rate discount or credit.

5. If customer circumstances under which approval was granted do not continue to apply in full for any reason, the customer must immediately notify the water and hydroelectric services department in writing.

1. In addition, the rates for potable water will be adjusted by the director from the time of change of circumstances, in proportion to the effect of the change as determined by the director.

2. In calculating any adjustments due the City, if any, the director may use information from the customer, or in absence of information being submitted, the director is authorized to calculate amounts due based upon any information available to the director.

6. Golf course irrigation conservation rates will be reviewed annually for qualifications or as ordered by the director.

3. Basic Rate Discount.

1. The basic rate discount under this subsection applied for the current calendar year shall be based on the previous year’s water use and shall be calculated as a fraction of the commercial water rate that otherwise would be charged to the golf course for its irrigation use consumption.

1. The numerator of this fraction is the gallons usage for the previous calendar year, as recognized by the director as a result of implementation of conservation programs approved by the water and hydroelectric services department.

2. The denominator is forty million gallons for 18-hole courses and 20 million gallons for 9-hole courses.

2. The written approval of the director under subsection (B)(2) of this section may include a guarantee of a minimum time the basic rate discount will continue consistent with this section, but may not exceed such time as:

1. 1. reclaimed wastewater service under subsection (D) of this section becomes available to the customer; or

1. 2. there has been a change of conditions;

1. 3. either item to be determined by the director, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment. In addition, the maximum time may not exceed ten years.

4. Reclaimed Sanitary Wastewater.

1. Reclaimed sanitary wastewater is water reclaimed from the treatment of sanitary sewage that can be supplied for golf course irrigation. Such water may not meet potable drinking water standards, but is safe and reliable for golf course irrigation. The City water utility does not supply this service, but it may become available from the City wastewater management department or other water reclamation utility service providers.

2. Because the use of reclaimed sanitary wastewater provides the greatest savings in potable water use for golf course irrigation, whenever the director determines that such service is available to a golf course customer, considering the factors set forth hereafter, he may order disconnection of an account from potable water service provided by the water and hydroelectric services department. The decision shall be in writing and grant a reasonable time frame for conversion, which shall be at least twelve months. The time may be extended by the director, in the exercise of sound discretion.

3. Director decisions under this subsection shall be guided by the following factors:

1. Reliable reclaimed sanitary wastewater service is available to the customer under reasonable conditions and at a reasonable cost.

2. Water conservation requirements and mandates applicable by law to the City water utility.

3. The individual customer cost of conversion.

4. Fairness to the customer and to other water service customers.

4. The director may request a customer objecting to disconnection under this section to submit information for his consideration. The decision may be appealed to the City hearing examiner within thirty days.

1. 1. 1. The hearing shall be within thirty days of the appeal.

1. 1. 2. The decision may be appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction within thirty days, based on the record, reversible because of violation of law or arbitrary and capricious.

Date Passed: Monday, January 29, 2024

Effective Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024

ORD C36483 Section 1