HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 113-06TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL 5
FROM:UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
DATE:
SUBJECT:
JANUARY 17, 2006 CMR: 113:06
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE UTILITIES RULES
AND REGULATIONS ON GAS PRESSURES, WASTEWATER SERVICE
CONNECTIONS, AND COOLING TOWER CREDITS
RECOMMENDATION
Staff requests that the City Council adopt the attached resolution to amend Utility Rule and
Regulations 3 (Description of Services) and 23 (Special Wastewater Utility Regulations) to provide
for (i) optional higher gas pressure connections to accommodate newer "smart" household
appliances; (ii) replacement of wastewater laterals; and (iii) adjustment ofwastewater charges for
facilities with water cooling towers.
DISCUSSION
UTILITIES RULE AND REGULATION 3 C. 1
Rule and Regulation 3 C. 1. describes the City’s standard "low pressure gas se~wice," provided at
six inches of water column (6" WC).
Many of the new "smart" household gas appliances require 6" WC at the appliance itself to work
properly. If the gas is delivered to the meter at 6" WC, there is no allowance for pressure losses in
the piping between the gas meter and the appliance. Over the past couple of years, several increases
to the gas pressure above 6" WC were needed when customers replaced gas stoves or installed new
tankless water heaters.
There is a need to amend the rule to provide standard procedures for responding to requests for
increased pressure above 6" WC. The City has a number of different elevated pressures in the meter
data base, which has led to billing errors resulting in a loss of revenue to the City. Standardizing
elevated pressures will increase operational efficiency by standardizing equipment and billing
CMR:113:06 Page 1 of 3
multipliers.
UTILITIES RULE AND REGULATION 23 B.2
Under the Uniform Plumbing Code, new construction (including additions or remodelings with a
value greater than 50% of the value of the existing structures on the lot) must have fixtures,
including a waste water lateral line, in compliance with cm-rent code. As a standard condition of
permit approval, the City requires that the property owner replace the lateral all the way to the point
of connection with the main line, not just to the property line, at the property owner’s expense.
Since the requirement is now standard, and pertains to utility service, it should be included in the
Rules and Regulations.
The City’s lateral wastewater lines were installed by private property owners at the time the original
buildings were built. It has become very apparent in recent years these lines are not adequate for the
increased flows generated by remodeled and newly constructed buildings. Frequently a small
bungalow is replaced with a much larger house and reconnects to the existing 75 year old sewer
lateral. \Vhite nominally this may be a 4" lateral, it has become constricted with cocrosion, cracking,
roots, etc. This may have been adequate for the older.building but the existing lateral cannot support
the new wastexvater load. There have been several cases of sewage overflows into new buildings in
recent years. The follow-up investigation of the overflow has made clear the importance of requiring
replacement of the entire lateral.
UTILITIES RULE AND REGULATION 23 C.
Wastewater charges are set based upon water consumption. Current language for large wastewater
customers (where meters show flow rates of on average more than 25,000 gallons per day) allows
for the deduction of a portion of cooling tower water usage, which does not add to wastewater loads
from annual wastewater flow calculations. No method of calculation is specified. The new rule
language sets out in detail how cooling tower water usage must be metered, recorded, and submitted
for use in wastewater flow calculations.
RESOURCE IMPACT
There are no resource impacts to the City as a result of these language chsnges.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
These recommendations do not represent a change in current City policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The work required to replace existing utility facilities by the adoption of these changes to the Rules
and Regulations do not constitute a project under the California Environmental Air Quality Act;
therefore, no environmental assessment is required.
ATTACHMENTS
A: Resolution
B: Utility Rule and Regulation 3 showing proposed changes
C: Utility Rule and Reg-ulation 23 showing proposed changes
CMR: 113:06 Page 2 of 3
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT APPROVAL:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
Roland Ekstrand, Roger Cwiak
Lucie Hirmina, Tom Auzenne
Director of Administrative Services
Assistant City Manager
CMR:113:06 Page 3 of 3
NOT YET APPROVED
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO b_MENDING CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITY RULES
~D REGULATIONS 3 AND 23 GOVERNING UTILITY
SERVICES
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE
as follows:
SECTION !. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo
Alto Municipa! Code, Rule and Regulation 3 (Description of
Services) is hereby amended to read as set forth in amended Rule
and Regulation 3 attached hereto and incorporated herein by
reference.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to Section 12.20.010 of the Palo
Alto Municipa! Code, Rule and Regulation 23 (Specia! Wastewater
Utility Regulations) is hereby amended to read as set forth in
amended Rule and Regulation 23 attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference.
SECTION 3. Except as specifically amended by this
resolution, all existing rules and regulations shall remain in
full force and effect.
SECTION 4. The Council finds and determines that the
revenue derived from the authorized adjustments of the several
electric service rates shal! be used only for the purposes set
forth in Article Vii, Section 2, of the Charter of the City of
Palo Alto.
SECTION 5. The Council finds that the adoption of this
resolution does not constitute a project under the California
EnviroN_mental Quality Act, California Public Resources Code
section 21080, subdivision (b) (8).
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
05 t 222 syn 0091646
NOT
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
City Clerk -
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Senior Asst. City Attorney
YET APPROVED
APPROVED:
Mayor
City Manager
Director of Utilities
Director of Administrative
Services
051222 syn 0091646
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
A.ELECTRIC SERVICE:
In order to respond to deregulation in the electric industry, CPAU offers eligible customers two
general types of service: Full Selwice and Direct Access Service. Under full service, Distribution,
Transmission, and Energy Services from CPAU are provided. Direct Access Service provides
Distribution and Transmission but not Energy Services. Energy Services such as energy convnodity
will be provided by Energy Service Providers (ESP), other than CPAU. Energy Service Providers
are energy companies or marketers not associated with CPAU.
Specialized metering, billing procedures and other requirements for Direct Access are described in
Rule and Regulation 19. The remaining section on Electric Service applies to both Full Selwice
Customers and Direct Access Customers. "
1.BASIS OF SERVICE
(A)Unless otherwise specifically provided in the rate schedule or contract, CPAU’s
electric rates are based upon the furnishing ofelectric service to a Customer premises
at a single Point of Delivery at a single voltage and phase classification. Unless
specified othe~avise, each Point of Delivery shall be metered and billed separately
under the appropriate rate schedule. Aaay additional service supplied to the sanae
Customer at other Points of Delivery or at a different voltage or phase classification
shall be separately metered and billed.
(B)The t)q~e of distribution ser~dce (voltage, secondary, primary) available at an3’
particular location may be determined by inqui~, at CPAU’s Engineering Office.
(c)Alternating-current service will be regularly supplied at a nominal frequency of
approximately 60-Hertz (cycles per second).
See Rule 20 "Special Electric Utility Regulations" regarding special service
requirements
2.LOCATION OF POINT OF DELIVERY
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective lg- 17-1-9982006
Sheet No. 1
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
(Continued)
(A)
(B)
(O
SECONDARY SERVICE
For all overhead service at Secondary voltages and all undergound service to single-
family residential structures at Secondary voltage, the Point of Delivery will nomaally
be at a point on the outside of the structure to be served which is, in CPAU’s
judgment, most conveniently located with respect to CPAU’s distribution facilities
and which complies with CPAU standards and specifications and applicable building
and electrical codes. For other under~ound services at Secondary voltages, the Point
of Delivery will nornaally be at the side of the Secondary comaectors at the
transformer serving the Customer’s load or Secondary handhole.
PRIMARY SERVICE
For service at Primary voltages, the Point of Delivery will normally be at the point on
the property line of the premises to be served which is, in CPAU’s judgment, most
conveniently located with respect to CPAU’s transmission or distribution facilities.
EXCEPTIONS
Any cost to CPAU of providing Secondary or Primary Services, at the request of the
Customer or for his or her convenience, to a Point of Delivery other than the nornaal
Point of Delivery set out above shall be paid by the
Customer and shall be in addition to any other amounts which the Customer may be
required to pay for said Secondary or Primary service.
If several buildings are occupied and used by one Customer in a single business or
other activity, CPAU may, at its discretion, furnish service for the entire goup of
buildings through one service COlmection at one Point of Delivery.
All transformers and facilities required to provide electric service willbe padmounted
and the Applicant, when requested by CPAU, will provide a Public Utility Easement
in recordable form for installation of such facilities within the boundaries of the
property. All padmounted equipment will be subject to aesthetic guidelines by
CPAU. The Utilities Director or his/her
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective lg- 1_7-44982006
Sheet No. 2
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
(Continued)
designee, may authorize the installation of new submersible or vault installed
facilities when, in his/her opinion, padmounted equipment installation in any
particular instance would not be feasible or practical.
EMERGENCY AND STANDBY SERVICES:
CPAU shall provide backup emergency, mad
published rates.
SERVICE DELIVERY VOLTAGE:
other Standby Service to Customers at
The following are the standard service voltages normally available, although not all of them
are or can be made available at each Point of Delivery. These service voltages are available
in locations that already have this service voltage mad have sufficient capacity,, as detemained
by CPAU, to serve the new load. Any equipment installed on these services shall have the
capability of converting to a 208 Y/120, 4-Wire.
(A)
(B)
DISTRIBUTION OF VOLTAGE
Single-Phase Three-Phase Three-Phase
Secondary Secondary_Primary
120/240, 3 -wire
120/208, 3-wire
240/120, 4-wire*
240, 3-~vire*
208 Y/120, 4-wire
480, 3-wire
480 Y/277, 4-wire
4,160, 3-wire
12,470, 3~wire
*Limited availability: maxilrmm 400 ampere main, consult CPAU
All voltages referred to in this Rule and appearing in some rate schedules are nominal
service voltages at the Point of Deliveu. CPAU’s facilities are designed and
operated to provide sustained service voltage at the Point of Delivery, but the voltage
at a particular Point of Delivery will vary within satisfactory operating range limits.
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective _1;z- 17-g9982006
Sheet No. 3
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
(Continued)
(c)In areas where a certain standard secondary voItage is being served to one or more
Customers, an Applicant applying for new service in such areas may be required by
CPAU to receive the sanae standard voltage supplied to existing Customers.
(D) The voltage at which service is delivered can be changed by CPAU.
VOLTAGE AND FREQUENCY CONTROL
(A)Under normal load conditions, CPAU’s distribution circuits will be operated so as to
maintain service voltage levels to Customers with" 5 percent of the nominal service
delivery voltage. Subject to the limitations above, the voltage balance betaveen
phases will be maintained by CPAU as close as practicable to 2 1/2% maximum
deviation fi’Oln the average voltage between the three phases.
(B) Voltages may be outside the limits specified above when the variations:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Arise from service interruptions;
Arise from temporary separation of parts of the system from the main system;
Are minor momentary fluctuations and transient voltage excursions of short
duration which may occur in the normal operation of CPAU system;
Are from causes beyond the control of CPAU.
(c)Due to conditions beyond the control of CPAU, Customer, or both, there will be
infrequent and limited periods when voltages will occur outside of the nominal
service voltage ranges. Utilization equipment may not operate satisfactorily under
these conditions, and protective devices in the equipment may operate to protect the
equipment.
Where the operation of the applicant’s equipment requires stable voltage regulation
or other stringent voltage control beyond that supplied by CPAU in the normal
operation of its system, the Applicant, at its own expense, is responsible for
installing, owning, operating, and maintaining
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALQ ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-7-17-4-9982006
Sheet No. 4
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
Q
(E)
(F)
RULE AND REGULATION 3
(Continued)
any special or auxiliary equipment on the load side of the service delivery point as
deemed necessary by the Applicant.
The applicant shall be responsible for desi~aing and operating its service facilities
between the Point of Delivery and the utilization equipment to maintain proper
utilization voltage at the line terminals of the utilization equipment.
The Applicant shall not impose a load on CPAU’s system that will cause the voltage
limits in this section to be exceeded for an adjacent service delivery point.
CPAU shall test for excessive fluctuations at its own expense when there is
reasonable indication of a need, but requests for voltage checks by the Customer shall
be subject to payment for the cost if they are more frequent than once in any twelve-
month period, unless excessive voltage fluctuation is found to exist.
(i-i)Customers are responsible for protecting their connected loads and equipment,
including computers, from sudden voltage or frequency fluctuations outside nominal
service and frequency ranges. Such protection may include, but not be limited to,
power surge protectors.
GENER.~XJ~ LOAD LIMITATIONS
(A)
1.
Single-Phase Service
Single-phase service normally will be 3-wire, 120/240 volts (or 3-wire,
120/208 volts at certain locations as now or hereafter established by CPAU) where
the size of any single motor does not exceed 7-1/2 horsepower (10 hp at the option of
CPAU). For any single-phase service, the maximum selwice size shall be 400
ampere. If the load exceeds the capability of a 400 ampere single phase service the
service shall be three-phase.
In locations where CPAU maintains a 120/208 volt secondary system, 3-wire single-
phase service normally shall be limited to that which can be
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective _17-1_749982006
Sheet No. 5
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
(Continued)
supplied by a main switch or service entrance rating of 200 amperes. Single-phase
loads in these locations in excess of that which can be supplied by a 200 ampere main
switch or service entrance rating normally will be supplied with a 208Y/120 volt,
three-phase, 4-wire service.
Three-Phase Service (2,000 volts or less)
Normal Voltage
240/120
240
280Y/120
480Y/277
(See Note 1)
Minimum Load
Requirements
5 hp, 3-phase com~ected
5 hp, 3-phase comaected
Demand load 75 kVA
Demand load 112 kVA
Maximum Demand
Load Permitted
400 Amperes
400 Amperes
500 kVA
2,000 kVA
Note 1. Applicants or existing Customers with a planned or existing single or
multiple building development having a maximum demand in excess of 2000 kVa, as
detemained by CPAU, will be required to take delivery at the available primary
voltage and are required to provide their own primary switchgear and transformer(s).
Determination of maximum demand and service voltage will be made by CPAU and
the decision of the Electric EnNneering Manager will be final.
Where three-phase service is supplied, CPAU reserves the right to use single-
phase transformers coamected open-delta or closed-delta or three-phase
transformers.
(i)
(2)Three-phase service will be supplied on request for installations aggegating
less than the minimmn listed above, but not less than 3 horsepower, three-
phase, where existing transformer capacity is available. If three-phase service
is not readily available, or for service to loads less than 3 hp, service sha!l be
provided in accordance with CPAU’s applicable Rule on Special Power
Service requirements.
An applicant or existing customer requiring service with a maximmn demand
in excess of 750 KVA, as determined by CPAU, shall be served bypadmount
transformers. No submersible or vault-installed transformers in excess of 750
KVA will be installed by CPAU. Where an existing undergound service
must be up~aded beyond 750 KVA, the Customer shall be required to
provide adequate
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective lg- 1_7-4x)982006
Sheet No. 6
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
RULE AN"I) REGULATION 3
(Continued)
space for installation of the padmount transformer, laa the event the Customer
is unable to provide adequate space for the padmount transformer, then the
Customer shall make arrangements at his or her expense to receive service at
primary voltage.
(B)Three-Phase Service (Over 2,000 volts)
The following three-phase primary voltage may be available as an isolated service for
a single Applicant; And where that Applicant’s demand load justifies such voltage.
The determination will be made by CPAU.
Minimum Demand Maximum Demand
Norlaaal Voltage Bank Installed Load Permitted
4,160 500 kVa 15,000 kVa
12,470 1,000 kVa 15,000 kVa
TEMPORARY SERVICE:
Temporary service is electric service which, in CPAU’s opinion, is of an indefinite duration
at the same location, or to operations of a speculative character or of questionable
pe~Tnanency, or any other service which is estimated to last less than one year. CPAU will
furnish temporary service if the furnishing of such service wi!l not work undue hardship upon
it or its customers, and the following conditions are met:
(A)The Applicant for such temporary service shall apply for service on an application
form provided by CPAU Engineering and be required to pay to CPAU in advance the
cost of installing and removing any facilities necessary in connection with the
furnishing of such selwice by CPAU.
Each Applicant for temporary service shall be required to prepay a Temporary
Service Fee in accordance with Electric Service Connection Fees
Rate Schedule E-15.
(c)Nothing in this Rule and Regulation shall be construed as limiting or in any way
affecting the right of CPAU to collect from the Customer an additional sum of money
which may become due and payable to CPAU by reason of the temporary service
furnished or to be furnished or removed hereunder.
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALQ ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 71 - 17-4-9982006
Sheet No. 7
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
RULE .AND REGULATION 3
(Continued)
(D)
WATER:
Ifthe temporary service connection time exceeds one-year, the Applicmat will need to
apply for an extension of the tempora12¢ service. The Director of Utilities or his/her
desi~aee will determine if the service should be reclassified as a permanent service
based on confornaance with system operating conditions.
1.SOURCE OF SUPPLY
The water served is purchased from the San Francisco Water Department (SFWD), primarily
the Hetch-Hetchy system. Backup supply is obtained from CPAU wells.
2.QUALITY
Hardness generally varies between 1 and 4 gains per gallon depending on the source. An
analysis of the mineral content of the water is available upon request from CPAU
Engineering.
PRESSURE
Water pressure will vary from 30 to 125 pounds per square inch; an average of 50 pounds per
square inch will be maintained, with the maximum and minimum pressures being
experienced at the lower and higher elevations of the distribution system. CPAU assunaes no
responsibility for loss or damage due to lack of water pressure but agees to furnish such
pressures as are available in its general distribution system. If low water pressure occurs due
to additional on-site development, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner to
replace the existing water service with a new water service designed for the current site. All
costs of the required new service upgrade shall be at the property, ox~mer’s expense.
TREATMENT
Chlorine is applied to the SFWD in sufficient quantities, as provided in the
State of California Health and Safety Code, to insure that the water supplied is free from
bacterial contamination. CPAU fluoridates the water supplied to a
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective l__g- 1_7-4-9982006
Sheet No. 8
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
GAS:
1.
RULE ANrD REGULATION 3
(Continued)
residual not to exceed 1 rag/1. The pH of the water supplied is adjusted by the San Francisco
Public Utilities Commission to reduce its con’osive action.
KIND AND HEATING VALUE
The gas supplied by CPAU is natural gas purchased from one or more natural gas suppliers.
The heating value of natural gas supplied will vary depending upon the gas fields being
drawn upon, and at times of insufficient supply, of natural gas, some artificial gas may be
supplied or mixed with the natural gas. The average monthly heating value in British
Thermal Units (Btu)-dry basis per cubic foot of the natural gas setwed may be expected to
vary within the limits of 750 to 1150 Btu..This average heating value is converted to a thenn
factor for use as one of the factors used in calculating a composite multiplier for billing
purposes. The therm factor will be based upon the heat factor used by CPAU’s supplier of
natural gas for the preceding month.
Gas is supplied by CPAU either at standard "low pressure" or at "high pressure". Low
pressure setwice is available at all points where gas is supplied. Where available
existing high pressure mains, at the option of CPAU, high pressure selwice may be supplied.
However, CPAU reserves the right to lower the pressure or to discontinue the delivery of gas
at high pressure.
The standard pressure for low pressure is seven -si~inches of water column, which is
approximately 1/45 pound per square inch (psi) above atmospheric pressure. In limited
circmnstances, increased pressure may be provided fbr domestic use at 14"WC. TMs
ilncreased pressure will only ~be provided for domestic use if the houseline size
calculates out at more ~thaa 2" di~neter, or CPAU determines, based upon satisfacto~5,
information from the manufacturer, prov~dca by the Customer. that an appliance to be
located in the residence requires increased pressure at the inlet that cawot be oblah~ed by
resizin,a or relocatin~ the housetine. Increased pressure may be provided for commercial
uses only if the use of the houseline size calculates out at more than ~~~
+~" t~4"- diameter. ~
~ " "’ ~ ~ .~: ; ~ "- - ~or evidence as described above establishes that
~equipment on the site~ requires increased pressure at the inlet that cannot be
oblained bv resizin~ or relocatin~ the houseline..= For commercial uses. t~rtl~er, du~
~he ~available pressures ~~~~are 14" WC (approximately 1/. 2
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CiTY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 9
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
(Continued)
psi#. ~) psi# and 5 psi.
pressure above 7"WC requires#
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 9
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
(Continued)
All increased pressure above 7"WC requires review and approval of the En~ineerin~
Manager, a plumbin~ permit and testino~ of the existin~~in~ with a buildin~ inspector
present. Pressures in excess of ! 4" WC will require testin~ the house piping at not less than
60 psig for not less than 30 minutes per Uniform Plumbin~ Code section 1204.3.2, witnessed
bv Palo Alto Buildin~ Inspection. Where ~as is metered at low pressm’e, or at pressure above
the standard low pressure, the metered volume shall be corrected to standard atmospheric
pressure of 14.73 psi absolute.
2.DETERMINATION OF THEI~MS TO BE BILLED
The unit ofrneasure for billing is the thelTn which is defined as the quantity of gas having a
heating value of 100,000 BTU. Gas meters measure volume of gas in CCF at ambient
temperature and pressure conditions. Therms are derived from the metered data by the
following procedure: the meter reading for the previous reading cycle wil! be subtracted from
the current reading. The difference (uncorrected CCF) will be multiplied by the pressure
factor required to convert the measured consumption volm~ae to a standard volume (at
standard temperature and pressure conditions). This standard volume, in pressure-corrected
CCF, will then be multiplied by the therm factor (a variable determined byperiodic analysis
of CPAU’s gas supply) to produce the final number oftherms to be billed. The composite
correction factor (the product of the therm factor and the pressure correction factor) will be
shown on bills under the heading "multiplier."
3.NATURAL GAS DEREGULATION
ha response to natural gas deregulation, CPAU offers two general types of service: core and
non-core. Core seta;ices are fully bundled services including gas supply, transport, and
distribution services. Non-core service is an unbundled service where CPAU provides
distribution services and outside Energy Service Providers supply gas-conmaodity and
transport.
WASTEWATER COLLECTION AND TREATMENT:
1.COLLECTION
CPAU operates and maintains a wastewater collection system separate from the storm ~vater
collection system. A comaection to the wastewater collection system is required for all water
users where wastewater service is available.
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 10
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
Eo
RULE AND REGULATION 3
(Continued)
For the disposal of wastewater from basements and floors below ~ound level, it will
generally be necessal3, for the Customer to provide pumps or ejectors for satisfactory
drainage, as approved by the Water-Gas-Wastewater Engineering Manager.
REGULATION
Chapter 16.09 of the Municipal Code regulates the discharge into the wastewater collection
system of substances other than domestic wastewater.
TREATMENT
The collection system transports the wastewater to the Palo Alto Re~onal Water Quality
Control Plant for treatment. At this tertiary treatment plant, Palo Alto processes the
~vastewater from Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Alto Hills, Stanford University, and East
Palo Alto Sanitary District, as well as its own. The treatment is performed in accordance
with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Permit issued by the San Francisco Bay
Area Regional Water Quality Control Board before the treated water is discharged into the
San Francisco Bay Estuary.
4.LIMITATION OF SERVICE
CPAU reserves the right to limit the size of connection and the quantity of wastes disposed
and to prohibit the use of the sewer for disposal of toxic or hazardous wastes detrimental to
the sewage system or treatment plant.
REFUSE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION:
1.REGULATION
All refuse and recyclable materials are collected by a private company under contract with
the City of Palo Alto. The contract, Chapter 5.20 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code and these
Rules and Regulations govern operation of the collection service.
2.REFUSE COLLECTION
One collection per week is required of all occupied premises. An occupied premises is one
to which water, gas and/or electric service is rendered.
Every occupied premise shall receive refuse service at the automatic service level of one
Standard Container serviced once per week. A Standard Container is defined as a metallic or
plastic can with a close fitting cover and handles. A Standard Container shall not exceed a
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supercedes Sheet No. 11 dated 7-1-1998 CITY OF PALO ALT~
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 11
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
No
RULE AND REGULATION 3
(Continued)
capacity of thirty-~To gallons and it shall not exceed a weight of sixty pounds (60 lbs.).
City vdll provide wheeled carts at customer’s option for refuse collection, which are subject
to the same rate structure and volume capacity as the Standard Container. Customers opting
for a wheeled cart must use the City provided wheeled cart to ensure compatibility with the
Cib~’s collector vehicles. City provided wheeled cats meet City standards. Contents of
wheeled carts shall not exceed a weight of 200 pounds (200 lbs.). Customers using City
provided carts for refuse must place wheeled carts on the curb for curbside collection by the
City’ s collector.
Each Customer shall receive collection service on a City specified day of each week.
Refuse in excess of the service level subscribed by the Customer will be removed by the
CitT’s collector, for an additional charge, upon Customer request or notification. Customers
exceeding their subscribed service level repeatedly are required to subscribe to additional
collection service at the City-established rates.
RECYCLING COLLECTION
Curbside Collection ofrecyclable materials is available to single-family and multi-family,
and commercial customers in the City.The City shall provide wheeled carts for the collection
of desi~aated recyc!able materials.
Single family recycling collection occurs on the regular refuse se~wice day. Multi-family and
commercial recycling collection occurs on the City designated recycling collection day.
YARD TRIMMINGS COLLECTION
Curbside collection of yard trimmings for composting shall be provided to single-fanaily
residences on the regular refuse service day. City shall provide wheeled carts for the collection
of desig-nated yard trimmings materials.
STORM AND SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE:
1.RESPONSIBILITY ::kIND PURPOSE
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
Supercedes Sheet No. 12 dated 7-1-1998 CITY OF PALQ ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-7-17-200-56
Sheet No. 12
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
RULE AND REGULATION 3
(Continued)
CPAU is.responsible for all drainage facilities in the street and public right of way that
collect storm and surface water and convey it to the major channels and creeks within Palo
Alto. Examples include curbs and gutters, catch basins, pipelines, culverts, street, chamaels
and pumping stations. The purpose of the stoma and surface water control facilities is to
improve the quality of control, or protect life or property fi’om any storm, flood or surplus
waters.
2.STORM DRAIN FEE
A storm drainage fee shall be payable to CPAU monthly by the owner or occupier of each
and every developed parcel in accordance with CPAU Rule and Regulation 25. The basic
unit of computation of storm drainage fees~ shall be the "Equivalent Residential Unit" (ERU).
No developed parcel shall have an ERU less than 1.0. All single-family and duplex units are
considered 1 ERU based on data from CPAU, and are considered to have an average
impervious area of 2,500 square feet. All other properties will have ERU’s using the
following formula:
No. Of ERU = hnpervious Area (Sq. Ft)
2,500 Sq. Ft.
FIBER OPTICS
o
CPAU offers a dark fiber service over an established over an established fiber optic network.
In addition, CPAU offers custom dark fiber construction and ancillary services such as fiber
optic cable splicing.
The dark fiber service provides strands of single mode fiber that can interconnect multiple
locations witlain the City limits of Palo Alto. CPAU will also consider requests for custom
MultiMate fiber cable installations. Light transmitters, receivers, and related electronic
equipment must be supplied by the Customer.
Rule No. 26 provides specific requirements for fiber optic service.
(END)
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-200g_6 ]
Sheet No. 13
CMR:113:06 Attachmen~ C
SPECIAL \VASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE A),,rD REGULATION
A:HAULED LIQUID WASTE:
The discharge of hauled liquid wastes is regulated by the Palo Alto Municipal Code 16.09.110. The
following Rules and Regulations are to implement this provision.
1.PURPOSE
To provide a means of treating certain waste prohibited from entering the wastewater system.
~CPAU operates a Hauled Liquid Waste Treatment Site at the Regional Water Quality
Control Plant (RWQCP). Certain wastes may be hauled to this site for treatment and
disposal.
2.WASTES ACCEPTABLE FOR TREATMENT
(A)
(B)
(0
Hauled septic tank wastes
Portable toilet pumpings
Grease trap wastes
HOURS OF OPEIL~kTION
o
Hours of operation for the Liquid Waste Hauler’s Treatment Site shall be as established by
the Manager, Water Quality Control.
WASTE IDENTIFICATION
The hauler must provide a liter sample, taken in the presence of a waste treatment plant
operator, of the contents of each tank to be discharged. The nature and source of the waste
will be verified before the truck is pemaitted to unload. If laboratory analysis indicates that
the material is not as represented (septic tank waste or toilet piping from a domestic source)
the hauler’s permit may be revoked.
HAULING OPE1L&TIONS
(A)To discharge at the Regional Water Quality Control Plaat, a hauler must:
(1)Obtain a Trucker’s Discharge Permit from the Manager, Water Quality
Control;
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CiTY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 1
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE ANrD REGULATION 23
(2)File with CPAU a certification of insurance and a hold hamaless clause:
(3)Post a bond or cash deposit with CPAU’s appropriate division.
The Trucker’s Discharge Pemait shall be issued for twelve-month pel-iods and is
revocable for the violation of any of these Rules. The fee for Trucker’s Discharge
Permits shall be as stated in CPAU Rate Schedule S-4.
(c)Insurance policies in force with limits of liability shall not be less than
specified below as follows:
Coverage for Which
Insurance is d~forded
Limits of
Liabilita;
Worker’s Compensation &
Emp!oyer’ s Liability
Compensation
Statutory
Bodily Injury Liability
except automobile including
The following coverages:
$1,000,000 each person
$1,000,000 each occurrence
Coverage for l~qffch
h~surance is Afforded
Limits of
Liability
Protective, Completed Operations,
Board Form Contractual and
Personal Injury
Property Damage Liability
except automobile including
$1,000,000 each occurrence
The following coverages:
Protective, Completed Operations,
Board Form Contractual and
Personal Injury
those
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 2
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
Property Damage Liability
Except automobile including
the following coverages:
Protective Completed Operations
and Board Form Contractual
$1,000,000 each occunence
Bodily Injury & Property Damage
Liability Automobile
$1,000,000 each person
$1,000,000 each occurrence
The hauler must agee to save and hold harmless CPAU, its officers, agents, and
employees from any liability of any nature whatsoever caused in whole or in part, by
the negligence of the hauler, or his agents, or employees, arising out of such
operation.
BILLING
o
Waste Haulers will be billed directly for ~ease, septic tank and portable toilet wastes.
REFUSAL OF WASTES
No
CPAU reserves the right to reject any load of hauled waste under the follo~ving conditions:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
If the waste is not properly identified
If there is not sufficient storage capacity at the plant for the load
For reasons of public health or safety at the discretion of the Manager, Water Quality
Control Plant.
If the load contains waste materials not authorized by these Regulations.
MAINTENANCE OF THE WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM:
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CiTY OF PALQ ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 3
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE ANq3 REGULATION 23
CPAU RESPONSIBILITY
CPAU w~ll be responsible for the maintenance of the wastewater seave~lateral fi’om the
clean-out box located near the street curb to, and including, the wastewater ~main and
the remainder of the system, except that the expense of wastewater se-wer-maintenance
resulting from violation of the Municipal Code, or of these Regulations may be assigned to
the user, or CPAU may refuse to perform such maintenance. CPAU’s responsibility is
limited to mains located in easements.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY
The Customer will be responsible for replacin~ non-plastic wastewater laterals ~daen buildin~
a new stntcture or constructin~ additions/remodels that have a value ~’eater than 50% of the
current value of the existin~ structures on the lot. Reconnection to the City wastewater
lateral will only be allowed on plastic pipe laterals. All other material pipe services must be
r~pla~ed, per the WGW Utility Standards. from the main up to and includin~ the cleanout at
the propert?’ line at the fees listed in rate schedule S-5.
The Customer will be responsible for maintenance of the on-site wastewater collection
system in accordance with the Municipal Code, including:
(A)Maintenance of the wastewater ~lateral from, and including, the house to the
point where the line connects to the clean-out box. Where the wastewater sewer
main is in an easement and the Customer’s wastewater sewe~lateral is directly
comaected thereto, the Customer is responsible for maintenance and stoppages of the
wastewater sev+ePlateral from, and including the house to the point where the line
connects to the wastewater sewe~main.
(B)Stoma water, roof or yard drainage, basement, foundation or under-drainage is
prohibited from discharge into the wastewater collection system, nor shall any
plumbing or piping be connected or installed in such a manner as to make possible
the future discharge of storm water or gound water into the wastevvater collection
system.
(c)Maintenance to CPAU Standard of the on-site wastewater collection system in a
water tight condition to prevent the infiltration of ~oundwater.
Keeping the clean-out box at gound level and visible. If after a 30 day notice from
CPAU the Customer has not caused the clean-out to be free of vegetation, CPAU will
clear the vegetation at the Customer’s expense. The Customer wil!
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 4
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE AND REGULATION 23
(E)
pay to CPAU the actual cost for the work and this charge will be added to the
Customer’s next monthly bill.
Grease traps, where installed, shall be cleaned out at least monthly or more fi’equently
in a manner which will prevent the trapped ~’ease from escaping into the wastewater
collection system, and in such a man_her that the trapped ~’ease is removed from both
the ~ease trap wastewater sewe~lateral and the wastewater collection system as
directed by CPAU. Where ~ease is found to accumulate in a wastewater -sev+~
lateral that is not protected by a gease trap, a gease trap shall be installed by the
Customer on the Customer’s property at his expense within ninety (90) days of
notification by CPAU. The cost of removal of a main stoppage linked to a
Customers failure to properly maintain gease traps will be billed to the Customer at
CPAU’s cost. .~
Interceptors used for purposes other than kitchen gease separation including, but not
limited to, sediment traps from automobile wash racks and repair shops shall be
maintained at least monthly or at a frequency which will prevent the trapped material
from entering into the wastewater collection system.
3.NOTIFICATION TO CPAU
If a wastewater sewer-stoppage occurs, the Customer shall notify CPAU. CPAU will then
determine if the stoppage is in the portion of the system maintained by CPAU or the
Customer. CPAU ~vill clear stoppage from the property line or clean out to the main.
SAMPLING OF INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES IN EXCESS OF 25,000 GALLONS
In order to properly apportion costs of operation and maintenance of the RWQCP to the large
industrial or connnercial users, it is essential to determine both the quantity and quality of
wastewater produced by each user dischar~ng 25,000 gallons per day or its equivalent.
The following is adopted as a fair and equitable method of developing the necessary criteria:
Flow
The quantity char_~e shall be based upon the metered water served to the industrial
or commercial user bein~ billed. Exceptions will be made for the following:
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 5
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE ANrD REGULATION 23
(A)
~t estimate of flow.
For customers with one or more coolin~ towers, the volume of evaporated
water associated with coolin~ (inflow less outflow) may be used to offset
flow calculations for wastewater billing. To be eligible for such offsets, the
customer must comply with the followin~ items:
(1)Inflow- water data
(a) Customer must have inflow water meter(s) on all coolin~ tower
inlet(s):
(b) Meter(s) must be annually certified by County Depm-tment of
Weights and Measures:
(c)Proof of certifcation(s) must be submitted to Utilities along
with mmual meter reads:
(2)Outflow water data
(a) Five (5) cycles of concentration will be assumed for outflow
calculations:
(b)Customers whose cycles of concentration are Heater than five
(5) and ~vho want to have this reflected in their calculations
must have outflow- meter(s) installed:
(c)Outflow meter(s), if installed and used for purposes of
calculation, must be annually certified bv County_ Department
of Weights and Measures:
(d)Proof of certification(s) must be submitted to Utilities alon~
with m~nual meter reads:
Data acquisition and submittal
(a) Customer is responsible for readin~ and recording each inflow
meter(s) flow (and each outflow meter, if applicable) on a
monthly basis:
(b)Meter reads should be performed at approximately the same
time each month:
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Cotmcil
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 6
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE ANrD REGULATION
(c)The followin~ data. at a minimum, must be recorded at each
reading:
i.Date of read
ii.Inflow read(s) for each inflow meter
iii.Outflow read(s) for each outflow meter (if applicable)
(d)The City of Palo Alto reserves the right to periodically review
customer’s meter(s) for accuracy.;
(4)Participation rules mad restrictions
(a) Customer must have six (6) months of data ill the first year to
be eligible for participation:
(b) Customer must almuallv submit twelve (12) months of data
thereafter:
(c)Inflow data (and outflow data. if applicable) must be submitted
to the Utilities Customer Service Division annualls~ bv May for
consideration in calculations for July (the stal-t of tile City’s
fiscal yea’):
(B)In cases where the user has extensive landscape irrigation and summer
monthly consumption exceeds the average monthly consumption of January,
February, and March by more than 50 percent (50%), the average of the
January, February, and March consumption shall be used for calculating
wastewater discharge for the remaining months of the year.
(c)If all outflow meter has been installed, such metered outflow will be used to
determine flow in lieu of recorded xvater meter consumption.
Chemical Oxygen Demand, Suspended Solids, Ammonia
(A)Measurements of the concentration of these constituents shall be taken from
24-hour composite samples collected periodically for each industrial
discharger discharNng in excess of 25,000 gallons per day to the wastewater
collection system.
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 7
SPECIAL WASTEWATER UTILITY REGULATIONS
RULE ANrD REGULATION 23
(1)
(2)
The constituent concentrations found in these samples and previous
samples shall be averaged to provide the basis for establishing the
wastewater treatment charge to be levied to the discharger being
sampled.
All samples shall be analyzed at the laboratory of the RWQCP.
Treatment charges will be based upon the quantity and concentration
found in the waste stream monitored.
(B)If an establishment’s piping configuration, or other physical considerations, render
representative effluent sampling prohibitively complex or infeasible, then CPAU
shall set the establishment’ s levelof sewage effluent constituents for billing purposes
at the average effluent levels of industries in CPAU, or where feasible, at the average
effluent constituent levels of similar establislmaents.
(c)Sampling results are intended to provide an estimate of the quality of effluent
discharge by the facility. Sampling results cma vary significantly depending on the
facility processes operating on the day of sampling. If the atmual sampling results in
combination with the flo~v data indicate a revised annual bill to the Customer, the
amount of the increase or decrease shall not exceed 25 percent. The 25 percent
limitation is independent of any change in rates or charges to Rate Schedule S-2.
(END)
CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES
Issued by the City Council
CITY OF PALO ALTO
UTILITIES
Effective 1-17-2006
Sheet No. 8