Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 71.715 - Sewerage service charges may be imposed, how collected - use of proceeds1. The governing body of any municipality which has provided common sewers may by ordinance establish just and equitable charges or rents for the use of the sewers to be paid by persons who discharge sewage into the common sewers of the municipality. Any ordinance adopted under this section shall become effective upon its approval by a majority of the votes cast thereon.2. Any municipality adopting an ordinance under this section may fix the charges or rentals for sewerage services on the basis of the amount of water used by each consumer within the municipality. If the municipality provides water to residents within the municipality the amount of the charges or rentals may be collected by adding the amount thereof to the charges for water. If the water is not supplied by the municipality, the municipality may (1) Impose upon any person providing water within the municipality the duty of collecting and remitting to the municipality the charges or rentals for sewerage service and may prescribe penalties for the failure to make the collections and remittances; provided, however, that in such case the city shall reimburse the person for all expense (including, but not limited to, overheads, use of equipment, personnel and office space) incurred in collecting and remitting the charges of rentals. The reimbursements shall be made every three months, or(2) Collect its own charges or rentals on the basis of the amount of water used by each consumer, in which case it is the duty of the person providing water within the municipality to furnish the municipality such information as is necessary for it to calculate its charges for sewerage service.3. All charges and rentals collected under any ordinance adopted under this section shall be deposited by the municipality into a special fund and shall be used only for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, extending and maintaining municipal sewers and sewerage treatment plants with all appurtenances necessary, useful and convenient for the collection, treatment, purification and disposal in a sanitary manner of the liquid and solid waste, sewage and domestic and industrial waste of the municipality. The rentals and charges in the special fund may be permitted to accumulate until amounts necessary for any sewer or sewerage treatment plant project planned by the municipality are available.L. 1961 p. 188 § 1, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971