SEWER SERVICE CHARGE INFORMATION

1 800 540-0952 / 213 473-4181 FAX  213 485-4269

The Sewer Service Charge (SSC) is applied to metered water use to obtain money for constructing and maintaining sewers and sewage treatment plants, and for treating sewage which is discharged into the sewer system.  This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked questions about the charge.  However, because we have tried to simplify explanations, some details may not be fully explained. The officially adopted ordinances, rules, and regulations will rule in case of any conflicts.  Refer to Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 64.41, as modified or to the actual LAMC code citing.

The City's basic SSC rate, ordinance 176462, is $3.27 per hcf (hundred cubic feet) of discharged sewage at "domestic strength" for all customers of the City of Los Angeles wastewater system.  With the low-income surcharge, this becomes $3.30 per hcf.  "Domestic strength" waste is from normal residential living processes.  The details that follow are the authorized means by which the volume of sewage discharged may be determined or estimated.

Estimation of Sewage Volume

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As of July 1, 1997, ordinance 171,531, the method used to determine sewage volumes for properties defined as residential was changed and differs greatly from that used on other premises. Definitions of premises for SSC purposes are as follows:
"Residential" premises: When one water meter serves four or fewer dwelling units.  This includes mobile home parks.
"Multiple dwelling" premises: When one meter serves five or more dwelling units. These properties are billed in the same way as commercial properties.
"Commercial" premises: All properties not included in one of the previous categories, including stores, office buildings, restaurants, manufacturing plants, etc.
Customers with no approved private water sub-meters will have their sewage volume estimated in one of the following ways.

Residential Premises

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Estimates of sewage volumes for residential premises are based on the method called "winter water use" (WWU). Winter water usage generally indicates sewer usage, because it tends to be for internal use, and is more likely to go to the sewer system. Normally, rain, lower temperatures, and other conditions allow you to greatly reduce irrigation and other outside water uses during the winter months.
Annually, your average daily sewage volume is calculated for the upcoming year, from July 1 through June 30, based on the lowest average daily sewage volume during the previous winter.  The sewage volume is determined by evaluating the water usage for the premises during the rainy season review period.  The rainy season review period changes each year but generally begins in October or November and ends in April or May.  After the average daily usage has been calculated, the SSC billed is more or less constant throughout the year, changing only slightly due to the number of days in each billing period.  The SSC is not tied to the water consumption during each billing period.
Dry winters may cause a customer’s WWU to still include irrigation water.  Therefore, a "dry winter compensation factor" (DWCF) is applied to the WWU amount, which may reduce the estimated sewage volume.  The reduction due to the DWCF is usually greater for dry winters than more wet ones to allow us to reduce your estimated sewage volume.  The DWCF is a number equaling 1.0 or less (usually about 0.9) selected after a study of the rainfall, pattern of rainfall and total water consumption that occurred during the previous rainy season.  This study is also used to determine the RSRP.
Calculation of SSC: The steps for calculating the SSC are:

1. Determine the lowest average daily WWU by dividing the hcf in the lowest winter billing period by the number of days:
   WWU = hcf / days

2. Determine the Average Daily Sewage Volume (ADSV) by multiplying the WWU by the DWCF:
   ADSV = WWU x DWCF

3. Multiply the ADSV by the number of billing days in each cycle
   Sewage volume = ADSV x # billing days

4. Multiply the sewage volume by the base SSC rate:

SSC = Sewage volume x $3.27           Note:  Ord. 176462 lists the rates and their effective dates.

SSC = ADSV x number of days in the billing cycle x $3.27 (base rate)

In the above formula, the only variable is the number of billing days. The ADSV remains constant for the fiscal year from July 1 to June 30.

Following is an example, using the 2007/2008 winter review period as a base for calculating SSC for the July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009, period.  Each year, the review period may change, but usually begins in October or November, and ends in April or May. The DWCF also fluctuates, depending on rainfall and other conditions.

Rainy Season Review Period (RSRP): September 21, 2007 - April 14, 2008 Dry Winter Compensation Factor (DWCF) = 0.88
Read Date	Days	Consumption	Average per Day
03/29/08 - 05/28/08	60	98
01/29/08 - 03/29/08	59	40	0.678
11/25/07 - 01/29/08	65	42	0.646
09/25/07 - 11/25/07	61	85	1.393
07/29/07 - 09/25/07	58	138
05/24/07 - 07/29/07	66	110

Read dates are based on the account billing cycle. (The RSRP & DWCF values will vary each fiscal year.)

	2008-09 WINTER WATER USE (WWU) CALCULATIONS	Top
	[residential premises only (4 units or less per DWP meter)]

• Daily WWU    =  42 hcf / 65 days  =  0.64615 hcf per day
• ADSV             =  WWU  x  DWCF  =   0.64615  x  0.88   = 0.0.56861 hcf per day


• Sewage volume =  0.56861  x  60*  = 34 hcf  (34.11660)

(* days in the billing period may vary from 54-69 days)
• **SSC             =     34  x  $3.27     = $111.18  (bill for 60 days in this example)

(** does not include the low income surcharge)

  ¹ Low Income Surcharge= SSC x 0.0084 = 111.18 x 0.0084 = $0.93  (0.93391)

A customer’s average SSC may vary from year to year, depending of the variation in winter water usage. However, when the sewage volume is set for the period July 1 through June 30 of the next year, the SSC bill will be almost constant each billing period. Again, because the SSC is based on the lowest daily average, the amount on each bill will vary slightly, depending on the number of days in each billing period. Another sample bill is available at http://www.lacitysan.org/fmd/pdf/sscbill.pdf.

Defaulted rates:

The DWP computer defaults to a minimum ADSV of 0.06667 hcf/day, which is four (4) hcf in 60 days. In some cases, this value can be reduced if the customer shows a sustained usage of less than 4 hcf. For new and other customers who do not have water usage in the past winter review period, the customer's SSC will be set to the defaulted rate of the City median usage, depending on applicable circumstances.

Low Income Customers (Low income surcharge)¹

On July 1, 1997, the City implemented a 31 percent discount on the SSC for the first 18 hcf of water, each two-month billing period, for low income customers. Charges to all other customers are surcharged by 0.84 percent to offset this discount as required by state and federal regulations since January 1, 1991. The discount program applies only to Residential users who pay such charges, the definition of such a class being determined by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners.

Residential Adjustments

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If an event during the rainy season distorts a customer’s ADSV, it will be investigated upon written application, if received within one year of the event.  Examples of such events include a plumbing leak, planting of new landscaping, or the total filling or refilling of a swimming pool. However, the ADSV will not be adjusted when such an event occurs outside the winter review period, unless it can be verifed that it materially affected the winter ADSV.  No correction is available for changes in occupancy.  A second water meter serving only irrigation may also be adjusted to eliminate sewer charges.  Note that this is a different and more expensive installation option than the private water sub-meter referred to below so please call us if you have any questions.

Commercial and Multiple Dwelling Customers

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Studies have indicated that the average commercial and multiple dwelling customer discharges 90 percent of delivered water to the sewer over the period of a year.  Thus, these customers’ sewage volumes are estimated by multiplying 0.90 x total purchased water for each billing period.

Adjustments in the volume of sewage discharge are available for customers who discharge 72.0 percent or less of their delivered water to the sewer.  Reduced discharge may result from water incorporated in a product, irrigation of extensive landscaped areas, evaporation in cooling towers and boilers, washing of a product, water conveyed offsite, etc.

Customers seeking this type of adjustment must submit detailed data, sufficient to describe qualifying circumstances warranting an adjusted sewage volume.  In the case of multiple dwellings with extensive landscaping, any eligibility for adjustment will normally be due to water used for irrigation.  However, because of the relatively large number of residents compared to the irrigated area, few multiple dwellings will qualify.  Literature describing the calculation procedure for irrigation adjustments is available.

The adjusted sewage volume is determined by multiplying the customer’s calculated percentage discharge by the total purchased water for each billing period.  The SSC is calculated by multipling the resulting sewage volume by $3.27/hcf.

Calculated percentage discharges are subject to periodic review for changed conditions on the property.

Industrial and certain commercial dischargers (primarily restaurants) whose waste discharge exceeds domestic strength pay a "quality surcharge fee" (QSF) in addition to their SSC.  Those whose waste is below domestic strength (usually because of cooling water discharge) may qualify for a reduced SSC rate in combination with a "zero-based QSF".  The "Guide to Discharging Industrial Waste" is available at http://www.lacitysan.org/iwmguide.htm.  Literature describing many other wastewater issues in detail is available at http://www.lacitysan.org/wastewater and at http://www.lacitysan.org/fmd/misc.htm.

Vacant Premises

If the premises are unoccupied throughout a billing period, the customer's sewage volume will be reduced to 15 percent of the SSC billed.  A written application for adjustment is required within one year of the end of the billing period during which the property was vacant.

Accurate measurement and metering of sewage is economical only for large industrial and commercial dischargers with continuous flow. Plans for any proposed sewage meter installation must be approved by Bureau of Sanitation and then a plumbing permit obtained from the Department of Building & Safety.

Although precision metering (see above) may not be economical or practical for most customers, estimated sewage volume may be calculated by installation of a private water sub-meter.  Owners of single family dwellings may do the work themselves; otherwise, the services of a licensed plumber are required. Residential & commercial literature explaining the details and an installation summary is available.  Study the literature carefully and feel free to call before proceeding.

Basically, under this procedure, it is necessary to:

Ask DBS on the contractor & installation requirements because additional costs may be charged for multiple site visits for inspection.  Literature explaining the procedure in more detail is available upon request.  This literature should be carefully studied before proceeding.  Only one (1) sub-meter is allowed per DWP water meter.  After installation, the customer is billed SSC only for water tributary to the sewer.  The LAMC §64.41.07(b) does not provide for an adjustment on previous charges because the meter is only measuring what is currently being used.  Installation of a sub-meter does not always result in a lower SSC.

  Properties within a Los Angeles County Sanitation District

Properties whose sewage enters a City sewer but is treated by County Sanitation District treatment facilities pay an SSC at a reduced rate of 15 percent of the otherwise applicable amount. This situation occurs in portions of the Watts, Harbor Gateway, Harbor City communities, northerly and westerly San Pedro and some areas adjoining the City of Inglewood. Customers who believe that they may qualify should review their property tax bill or information statement under Direct Assessments to see if something like "Sanitation #x (323) 685-5217 $xx.00" appears and the DWP bill shows the full SSC rate of $3.27/HCF. If so, submit a written request for adjustment for further investigation and processing.

The reduced rate is applicable to all your past SSC overcharges at this location. Credit for any past paid SSCs will be applied to your open DWP accounts or refunded at DWP’s discretion.

Properties not connected to a City sewer qualify for exemption from the SSC and a refund of all SSC which the customer has paid. Such properties are totally served by a septic tank and/or cesspool, or are entirely undeveloped and have water service for irrigation only or may be connected to a County or another cities' sewer.

Additional information on the SSC may be obtained on the internet at http://www.lacitysan.org/fmd/ssc1.htm, by calling 1 800 540-0952 or 213 473-4181, or by writing to the Bureau of Sanitation, Attn: Residential SSC, PO Box 79083, Los Angeles, CA  90079-0083 or Attn: Commercial SSC, PO Box 79112, Los Angeles, CA  90079-0112.  Our fax number is 213 485-4269.

The following are forms or information you may find useful.

Information Needed (SSC, Forms)

Frequently Asked Questions             Residential Sub-Meter
Residential Adjustment Form            Commercial Sub-Meter
Commercial Adjustment - Info needed    SSC Mailer - English
Comparative SSC costs                  SSC Mailer - Spanish
Rainy Season Review Period             Low-Income-Discount contacts
Refund claim form                      Other _________________________
Water Conservation Tips                Your SSC bill (more FAQs)

We can fax you the information if you provide us with a fax number.

BOS  Services       FMD  - SSCTop sscinfo.htmModified:  6/30/08