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WATER RATES AND CHARGES

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County tit. 15, div. I, ch. 15.32
in effect

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.010 Classes of customers designated.

15.32.010 - Classes of customers designated. There shall be two classes of customers for water service. There shall be a residential class, comprising properties with one or two housing units receiving domestic water service through one meter. All other water customers shall be classified as non-residential. (Ord. BL2019-45 § 4, 2019; Amdts. 1, 2 to Ord. BL2005-922 § 1, 2006; Ord. BL2005-922 § 1, 2006; Ord. 90-1385 § 6 (part), 1990; prior code § 40-1-137)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.020 Monthly meter rates.

15.32.020 - Monthly meter rates. A. For the years beginning January 1, 2020 through January 1, 2024, every customer receiving water service from the department shall pay a fixed monthly service charge based on meter size as provided in Table 15.32.020(a) and a monthly water usage charge as provided in Table 15.32.020(b). Table 15.32.020(a) — Meter Charge Meter Size (inches) | Monthly Service Charge ($) Year 2020 | Year 2021 | Year 2022 | Year 2023 | Year 2024 ⅝ | 5.09 | 5.30 | 5.45 | 5.62 | 5.79 ¾ | 12.12 | 12.61 | 12.98 | 13.37 | 13.78 1 | 15.28 | 15.89 | 16.36 | 16.86 | 17.36 1.5 | 26.85 | 27.92 | 28.76 | 29.62 | 30.51 2 | 37.91 | 39.42 | 40.61 | 41.82 | 43.08 3 | 60.58 | 63.01 | 64.90 | 66.84 | 68.85 4 | 137.72 | 143.23 | 147.53 | 151.95 | 156.51 6 | 171.93 | 178.81 | 184.18 | 189.70 | 198.39 8 and 10 | 223.72 | 232.67 | 239.65 | 246.84 | 254.24 Table 15.32.020(b) — Water Usage Charge Residential Usage (ccf): Charge Per CCF ($) Year 2020 | Year 2021 | Year 2022 | Year 2023 | Year 2024 0—2 | — | — | — | — | — 2—6 | 3.50 | 3.64 | 3.75 | 3.86 | 3.98 6—10 | 4.20 | 4.37 | 4.50 | 4.64 | 4.78 More than 10 | 5.25 | 5.46 | 5.63 | 5.80 | 5.97 Non-Residential Usage (ccf): Charge Per CCF ($) Year 2020 | Year 2021 | Year 2022 | Year 2023 | Year 2024 0—2 | — | — | — | — | — More than 2 | 2.75 | 2.86 | 2.95 | 3.04 | 3.13 B. The rates provided in Table 15.32.020(a) and 15.32.020(b) shall be adjusted on January 1, 2025 and on January 1 of each succeeding year by the greater of (a) a percentage equal to the percentage change in the CPI Urban Index (CPI-U) over the preceding year and (b) 2%, unless the change in the CPI-U is negative, in which case there shall be no change for that calendar year. Notice of the annual adjustments to begin on January 1, 2025, shall be provided to each member of the metropolitan council, published on the metropolitan government's website and made available to the public in the metropolitan clerk's office at least thirty days before an adjustment goes into effect. Not later than the seventh anniversary of the effective date of this ordinance, and at least every seven years thereafter, the department shall engage a qualified consultant to perform a rate study and analysis to confirm the department's costs in providing services and determine whether the rates then in effect are fair and reasonable. A copy of such studies shall be provided to each member of the metropolitan council, published on the metropolitan government's website and made available to the public in the metropolitan clerk's office. (Amdt. A to Ord. BL2019-45 § 5, 2019; Ord. BL2019-45 § 5, 2019; Ord. BL2009-407 § 3, 2009; Ord. 99-1502 § 1, 1999)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.030 Metered sprinkler system—Minimum annual charge.

15.32.030 - Metered sprinkler system—Minimum annual charge. A minimum charge of one hundred sixty-three dollars and fifty cents effective January 1, 1991, one hundred seventy-three dollars and thirty-two cents effective January 1, 1992 and one hundred eighty-three dollars and seventy-one cents effective January 1, 1993, per year shall be made for each metered fire and sprinkler system. (Ord. 90-1385 § 5, 1990; prior code § 40-1-145)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.050 Miscellaneous water uses—Rates.

15.32.050 - Miscellaneous water uses—Rates. Whenever possible, the miscellaneous water users, who obtain water from fire hydrants, will use meters with approved back-flow devices. They will be billed for the metered flow plus the cost, including overhead, to install and remove the meter. Approved unmetered service will be billed at the estimated volume. Unapproved usage will be prosecuted under applicable local and state laws. (Ord. 92-469 § 3, 1992)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.060 Miscellaneous water uses—Water supply—Conditions of use.

15.32.060 - Miscellaneous water uses—Water supply—Conditions of use. The furnishing of water covered by miscellaneous rates may be from any source within the distribution system that may be approved by the director, and any special conditions not covered by the regulations may be provided for by the director for each particular case. Any charges incidental to supplying water under such conditions may be arrived at by metering the supply and applying the regular meter rates, or the quantity of consumption may be estimated as equitably as possible and billed at the regular meter rates in case there is no other coverage by the miscellaneous rate schedule. Other charges incidental to furnishing water under such special conditions shall be billed to the consumer in addition to the charge for water at actual cost to the department. (Prior code § 40-1-140)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.070 Tenement property—Classification.

15.32.070 - Tenement property—Classification. A. Tenement property shall be classified as any dwelling, store or place of business fronting on a street or alley and which is located upon an unsubdivided or continuous plot of ground, or a group of such dwellings, stores or places of business fronting on a street or alley which are located upon an unsubdivided or continuous plot of ground, in which are located two or more tenants supplied with water from a single meter; provided, that the following shall not be classified as tenement property: 1. Large office buildings or similar establishments; 2. Hotels or private homes in which the owner or lessee resides and rents out housekeeping apartments, not to exceed two apartments, exclusive of the owner or lessee's living quarters. B. In the event there should be any controversy as to definition of the words "tenement property" and "tenant," the proper officials of the department, together with the metropolitan attorney, shall have the right to define the proper application of the terms in each case. (Prior code § 40-1-146)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.080 Tenement property—Rate assessment—Billing.

15.32.080 - Tenement property—Rate assessment—Billing. Where water is supplied to tenement property by the department, an established minimum rate shall be assessed for each tenant thereon, and the total amount thereof shall be charged to the owner or his authorized agent. (Prior code § 40-1-147)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.100 Tenement property—Service connections.

15.32.100 - Tenement property—Service connections. Tenement property may be supplied by one meter and one service connection, but the director shall have the right at his discretion to permit a dwelling, store or place of business to be supplied with a separate meter without a separate service line, or he may require with each separate meter a separate service connection from the metropolitan government's main; provided, that the occupancy of such a dwelling, store or place of business shall be dependent upon the use of water and that the occupants of such premises do not have ready or reasonable access to another water supply in the event it should become necessary for the department to discontinue service to such premises for the nonpayment of a bill. (Prior code § 40-1-149)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.110 Apartment complexes—Separate connections permitted when.

15.32.110 - Apartment complexes—Separate connections permitted when. Any owner of an apartment complex of fifteen units or less, which are contained in one structure or series of structures, shall be allowed to install separate waterlines and water meters at the owner's expense to each individual unit. Further, said owner shall post a bond with the department in the amount of one year's estimated revenue from said waterline for each waterline and meter installed. Said bond shall be held by the department and shall be used to pay any deficiencies for revenues due and payable to the water and sewer department from said waterlines. (Prior code § 40-1-149.1)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.150 Free water—Modification of rates.

15.32.150 - Free water—Modification of rates. A. Except as otherwise provided in this title, the department shall furnish free water for public uses such as water for fighting fires, sprinkling and flushing streets and sewers. All agencies of the metropolitan government using such free water shall use every means to conserve its use, shall not in any manner abuse or misuse the equipment of the department and shall cooperate with the department in maintaining equipment used by other departments on obtaining free water in a first class working condition. B. No free water may be furnished by the department except as may be provided by this chapter, and no modification of the water rates set out in this chapter may be made except for water consumed by other departments, boards or agencies of the metropolitan government, and such modifications shall be made only by the metropolitan council. (Prior code § 40-1-154)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.160 Unmetered automatic sprinkler systems—Monthly service charge.

15.32.160 - Unmetered automatic sprinkler systems—Monthly service charge. A. In all cases where unmetered connections to the water system of the metropolitan government for supplying water to automatic sprinkler systems for fire protection are permitted, a monthly service charge of $0.055 per head shall be made provided the minimum monthly charge shall not be less than fifteen dollars and thirty-one cents. If the charges are not paid within fifteen days after the bill is rendered, the department shall shut off the connection to the automatic sprinkler system after notifying proper authorities in the metropolitan fire department. B. Sprinkler billing would be included with the monthly charge for water and sewer services and begin with the August 1995 bill. (Ord. 94-1239 § 1, 1994)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.170 Private fire hydrants.

15.32.170 - Private fire hydrants. Every person, other than the metropolitan government, who now has or may hereafter erect fire hydrants within the limits of any street, alley, highway or other thoroughfare connected with the water system of the metropolitan government for the protection of his property against fire shall pay in advance an annual service charge of forty-eight dollars per hydrant. This service charge shall not apply to fire hydrants erected on private property and constituting an integral part of an automatic sprinkler system. (Prior code § 40-1-143)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.180 Water for construction purposes—Paid for by owner.

15.32.180 - Water for construction purposes—Paid for by owner. All water used for building or repair purposes shall be paid for by the owner, agent, contractor or occupant of the premises where the work is to be done at the rates established by this chapter. As a condition precedent to the furnishing of water for such purposes, the party liable shall procure from the department an assessment of the amount due for the entire work and pay the same to the department. No person shall use the metropolitan government water for building or repair work without having paid the tax as above specified. (Prior code § 40-1-141)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.190 Computation of net and gross billing.

15.32.190 - Computation of net and gross billing. All bills shall be rendered with the net and gross amount, which shall be determined by the following procedure: A. All bills shall be figured at the established rate, as set out in this chapter, which shall be the net billing. B. An additional amount equal to the greater of two dollars and fifty cents or five percent of the total current net billing shall be added to the net billing, the total of which shall be the gross billing; provided, that the gross bill will be due if the net bill is not paid within twenty days of billing. The gross bill will be combined with any arrears to determine the total amount due. C. That if a residential customer has completed an application for their primary residence and their account is not in arrears, then with proper proof that they receive social security benefits, monthly income payments from state, federal or local government (which payments are not in the form of compensation or wages), service pension benefits or retirement benefits, their account shall not be charged an additional five percent of the total current net billing. Participation in this program will not prevent a customer from receiving delinquent notices starting forty-five days after bill date. D. Budget Billing. Within six months after the completion and installation of the department's new customer information system, the department shall create and implement a budget payment plan ("budget billing") for residential customers. Residential customers with at least twelve months of billing history will be eligible for budget billing. Budget billing amounts will be based on the prior twelve months history, with the average amount being due each month. At the end of twelve months, a true up will occur, and the amount due each month will be reassessed based on actual consumption. (Ord. BL2009-407 § 4, 2009; Ord. BL2007-1457 § 3, 2007; Ord. 99-1531 § 1, 1999; Amdt. 1 to Ord. 94-924, 4/5/94; Ord. 94-924 § 1, 1994; prior code § 40-1-138)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.200 Using water without paying—Unlawful.

15.32.200 - Using water without paying—Unlawful. It is unlawful for any person to use the water from the metropolitan government mains without paying the charges established by this code or other ordinances therefor. (Prior code § 40-1-155)

Metropolitan Code of Nashville and Davidson County § 15.32.210 Reports of water division.

15.32.210 - Reports of water division. A. The director of the department of water and sewerage services shall maintain financial policies, submit an annual written report to the metropolitan council regarding the financial performance of water division, and shall personally appear annually during the regularly scheduled budget hearing. Such report shall contain, at a minimum: 1. The audited financial statements, including net position, capital assets, outstanding bonds payable and other financial information. 2. The annual budget review, including the adequacy of budgeted revenues to cover projected expenses and debt requirements. 3. Financial policies and the department's performance against policy targets. 4. Any other information deemed relevant by the director or upon request of the transportation and infrastructure or budget and finance committees of the metropolitan council. (Ord. BL2023-1871 § 1, 2023; Ord. BL2019-46 § 1, 2019)
Source: Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Metropolitan Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/metro_government_of_nashville_and_davidson_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_TIT15WASEOTPUSE_DIVIGERE_CH15.32WARACHFetched: 10/28/2026

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