News from CRWWD
Direct Tenant Billing
"Unlike other utilities, sewer service is the responsibility of the owner, not the renter," Ken Andrews, District Finance Director said. "And this uniqueness can cause some confusion."
According to Andrews, the process for billing tenants directly is simple.
- Request or download the necessary form (or forms) from the District
- Complete the one-page form (or forms)
- Return the form (or forms) to the District
Tenant and Property Owner Form
When property owners want their tenants billed for sewer service, they must request or download and then complete, sign and return a one-page form called "Request By Owner to Mail Billing to Tenant." The form is available at www.crwwd.com. Owners can mail (PO Box 8979, Vancouver, WA 98668) or fax (360-750-7570) the form to the District office and it's processed within 72 hours, and often the same day it's received. "Our sole condition is the account must have a zero balance," Andrews said.
Property Owner and Property Manager Form
Property managers can also request this form, but may also need a second one. Unless property managers have a "Limited Power of Attorney for Tenant Billings" form signed by the property owner, the owner must sign each form for every tenant. However, with the Limited Power of Attorney in place, the property management company can sign the "request" forms and relieve the property owner of that task.
"Since property owners are responsible for sewer use, they and the tenant will both receive past due notices, as well as the District sewer bill when payments are over 91 days delinquent," Andrews explained. "Once a financial lien goes on the property for past due bills, however, the District cancels the tenant billing, because the property owner is ultimately responsible for payment."
How to Get and Return Forms
The forms mentioned here are available by calling the District office at (360) 750-5876 and asking the Finance Department to mail the forms to you. Or, you can visit the District's web site and download them.
Request by Owner to Mail Billing to Tenant (pdf, 92K)
Limited Power of Attorney Tenant Billings (pdf, 20K)
Return the completed forms to the District by faxing them to (360) 750-7570, hand delivering them to the District or mailing them to PO Box 8979, Vancouver, Washington 98668.
District Unveils Septic Elimination Program
On August 26, the Clark Regional Wastewater District (CRWWD) Board approved a resolution to establish and begin a septic tank elimination program within the District’s service area. The District will install new sewer lines and facilities to provide service within identified project neighborhoods currently served by on-site, residential septic systems, where a demonstrated need exists.
The District sees the removal of residential sewage systems as an important protection for the public health and water quality in Clark County. “With many homeowners’ septic systems coming to the end of their 25-year life, it’s our responsibility to help replace these with sewer connections to protect the quality of our ground waters,” said Shawn Moore, District Engineer.
Eliminates 6,000 septic tanks
The septic elimination program will protect and enhance the quality of the water resources, improve wastewater service and reduce environmental health problems. The District estimates that at least 6,000 septic systems exist within its unincorporated service area. Of these, nearly 1,700 are in residential neighborhoods and most are near the end of their 25-year life. “When these systems start failing, there’s an increased concern about coliform and other bacteria entering our ground water,” said Moore.
While the primary focus is on single-family homes; in some cases, the connecting lines may also include neighborhoods with multi-family residences and some commercial buildings. The number of neighborhoods affected is about 50 according to the District. These 50 neighborhoods include as few as a dozen homes up to several hundred residential homes on aging septic systems.
Sunnyside neighborhood first
Located east of I-205 and south of Padden Parkway, 90 lots in the Sunnyside neighborhood are the program’s first effort. The District has been coordinating their efforts in this neighborhood with Clark County’s Clean Water Program and Clark County Public Health. Water quality sampling showed that surface waters in the neighborhood have elevated levels of coliform bacteria, further establishing the need for public sewer service in the neighborhood. The District has already started working on the Sunnyside project and expects to begin constructing sewer lines for Sunnyside this winter.
District offers Incentives
To encourage affected homeowners to connect to public sewer, CRWWD plans to offer incentives for connecting within 12 months of the installation. “The program and its incentives create a more affordable sewer service, makes the process easier for the homeowner, eases the removal of on-site septic systems and protects public health and water quality,” said Moore. “However, homeowners pay nothing until they choose to connect their home to the sewer.” The incentives include a deferral of 30 percent of the construction cost on the public portion of the installation and low interest loans to participating homeowners.
Setting Priorities
Currently, CRWWD is examining and prioritizing single-family residential neighborhoods currently on septic systems within its service area. Project neighborhoods are evaluated based on several criteria, including lot size, proximity to surface water, high ground water, public interest, a history of septic system failure or repair and other factors.
District Commitment and Further Information
Clark Regional Wastewater District is committed to providing quality and efficient wastewater service to the community. “This new program recognizes the importance of protecting our water resources and shows our commitment to expanding the boundaries of service for our customers,” said Moore.
For more information about the septic elimination program for the Clark Regional Wastewater District service area, please contact District Engineer Shawn Moore at 993-8849.
District Opens New Door for Quality Restaurants
In April, the District took another step towards enticing quality restaurants into the area. The District adopted a new customer class for “quality restaurants.” This customer class will effectively see a 31% reduction in connection charges and fees over other restaurants. A 150-seat quality restaurant would see approximately $25,000 savings in connection charges and approximately $1,500 annual savings in monthly service fees.
Clark County defines “quality restaurants” as full-service eateries with turnover rates of one hour or more. They generally require reservations and aren’t open for breakfast. While some do offer lunch, all serve dinner. “This new class means that the District offers one of the most competitive fees for quality restaurants in the county” said Shawn Moore, District Engineer.
The District estimates “quality restaurants” generate 31% less wastewater, measured in Equivalent Residential Units (ERUs) than other restaurants. One ERU is the amount of wastewater generated by a single family home. Within the District, high turnover and fast food restaurants are charged 1 ERU for every 12 seats, compared to 1 ERU for every 17.4 seats for the newly established “quality restaurants.” By comparison, the cities of Vancouver, Ridgefield or Battle Ground charge a high turnover, sit-down restaurant 1 ERU for every 6 seats. “You have to look deeper than the published charges and rates; you have to look at how they are applied to that particular customer,” said Moore.
For some time, the District has offered the most competitive sewer services in the area, something not well known in the community. Historically, the south end of Hazel Dell has paid the lowest rates in the county for sewer service. Any restaurants looking to locate south of 78th Street, along Hazel Dell Avenue or Highway 99, today will pay roughly 70% less for their sewer connection than elsewhere in the District. The District is committed to providing quality and efficient wastewater services to the community. This new customer class recognizes the unique characteristics of “quality restaurants” and shows our commitment to expanding the boundaries of service for our customers.
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