2015 Delaware Code
Title 16 - Health and Safety
CHAPTER 14. WATER AND/OR SEWER AUTHORITIES
§ 1411 Fixed charges in connection with projects; regulation of sewage; water meter readings.

(a) The rates, fees and charges of each authority in connection with each project shall be so fixed and revised as to provide funds, with other funds available for such purposes, sufficient at all times:

(1) To pay the cost of maintaining, repairing and operating the project on account of which the authority shall have issued revenue bonds as authorized by this chapter including reserves for such purposes and for replacement and depreciation and necessary extensions;

(2) To pay the principal of and interest on the revenue bonds as the same shall become due and payable and to create reserves and provide a margin of safety for such purposes; and

(3) To fulfill the terms and provisions of any agreements made with the purchasers or holders of any of its bonds or with the municipality or municipalities incorporating or the municipalities which are members of said authority or with any municipality served or to be served by said authority.

(b) Any authority may fix rates, fees and charges for the services and facilities of its water system sufficient to pay all or any part of the cost of maintaining, repairing and operating its sewerage system and all or any part of the principal of and interest on revenue bonds issued on account of such sewerage system, and to pledge any surplus revenues of its water system, subject to prior pledges thereof, for such purpose or purposes.

(1) Rates, fees and charges for the services of a sewerage system may be based or computed either upon the quantity of water used or upon the amount of the water bill or upon the number and size of sewer connections or upon the number and kind of plumbing fixtures in use in the premises connected with the sewerage system or upon the number or average number of persons residing or working in or otherwise connected with such premises or upon the type or character of such premises or upon any other factor affecting the use of the facilities furnished or upon any combination of the foregoing factors.

(2) Charges for sewerage services to premises obtaining all or a part of their water supply from sources other than public water system may be determined by gauging or metering or in any other manner approved by the authority.

(3) All other rates, fees and charges of the authority shall be based or computed upon such factor or factors as the authority shall deem reasonable and proper.

(c) In cases where the character of the sewage or waste from any manufacturing, commercial or industrial plant, building or premises is such that it imposes an unreasonable burden upon any sewerage system, an additional charge may be made therefor, or the authority may, if it deems advisable, compel such manufacturing, commercial or industrial plant, building or premises to treat such sewage or waste in such manner as shall be specified by the authority before discharging such sewage or waste into any sewage system owned, operated or maintained by such authority.

(d) Every municipality composing an authority operating a sewerage system shall, at the request of such authority, supply such authority, on or before the fifteenth day of the month following the month during which water bills are issued by such municipality, with a list of all water meter readings forming the basis of such bills and/or a statement of the amount of such bills so that such data may be used by such authority in calculating or computing its rates, fees and charges for sewer services to such water consumer.

16 Del. C. 1953, § 1411; 49 Del. Laws, c. 417.;