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1. Why are some businesses being assessed an additional wastewater charge?

• The cost of having wastewater treated depends on the strength of the wastewater.
• The typical standard for measuring the strength of wastewater is determined through laboratory analysis of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS).
• Normal wastewater rates include wastewater strength up to domestic or residential levels.
• Certain business operations have shown a higher strength of wastewater than domestic or residential users
• This surcharge is to cover the additional cost of wastewater treatment beyond the domestic or residential level.

2. What type of business operations will be assessed this surcharge?

• Eating establishments, such as dine-in or fast food restaurants, which prepare food products are listed as Class 1 dischargers.
• Establishments which perform washing or cleaning services, including servicing of automobiles, are listed as Class 2 dischargers. Examples include car washes, auto repair facilities and commercial laundry facilities.
• Other establishments which engage in food preparation or cooking, such as bakeries, donut shops and delicatessens are listed as Class 3 dischargers.
• Other establishments may be included into surcharge program depending on wastewater discharge strength assessment.

3. What City Ordinance governs the surcharge program?

Ordinance C-605-06 governs the surcharge program.

4. What is the anticipated cost?

• The Wastewater Surcharge is determined and assessed by the volume of metered water consumption.
• Class 1 dischargers can anticipate a surcharge of approximately $3.60 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption.
• Class 2 dischargers can anticipate a surcharge of approximately $1.95 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption.
• Class 3 dischargers can anticipate a surcharge of approximately $2.01 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption.

5. Can a business request to have the strength of its wastewater analyzed?

• Businesses may request to have the strength of their wastewater analyzed. However, certain requirements must be met.
• The City of Burleson will inspect all operations and facilities of the business before individual monitoring may begin.
• A sampling port must be present on the discharge line, which will enable proper sampling to take place. If a sampling port is not available, the establishment may have one installed at its own expense. Design review, approval and all associated permit fees are required.
• The requesting establishment shall pay all costs of analyzing wastewater samples and any costs incurred by the City of Burleson for individual monitoring.
• An industry may also elect to self-monitor its wastewater discharge upon approval by the public works department.

6. What if multiple businesses have their water feed from the same water meter?

• The surcharge rate will be determined by the strongest wastewater strength user attached to each water meter.
• Surcharge rate will be applied to the meter, so the rate for any business served by that meter will be impacted.

7. Will the surcharge be applied to dedicated irrigation meters?

• No, the surcharge will not be applied to meters that are dedicated to irrigation only.
• Irrigation that does not have a dedicated meter, and is subsequently part of the domestic feed, will be surcharged.

8. Whom do you contact if you have more questions about this program?

• Contact the public works department at 817-426-9839.