The Sanitation Districts collect annual user charges to pay for the operation and maintenance of the Districts’ wastewater management system. These charges are collected via the Service Charge Program for residential and commercial customers and via the Industrial Wastewater Surcharge Program for industrial waste dischargers. Basis of the User Charges The Districts’ user charges are based on the use of the wastewater management system by each residential/commercial parcel or industrial waste discharger. Because the cost of individual meters for residential and commercial parcels would be prohibitive, the use of wastewater management system for these parcels is estimated based on the type of use (e.g. single-family home, store, restaurant, etc.) and the units of usage (e.g. number of dwelling units, square footage, etc.). Industrial waste dischargers are required to meter their discharge and measure the strength of their wastewater. The Service Charge Program is operated under two ordinances adopted by the Districts' Boards of Directors. The Amended Master Service Charge Ordinance establishes the procedures for calculation and collection of the service charge. The Rate and Mean Loadings Ordinance sets service charge rates and the estimated loading factors for each fiscal year. Industrial waste dischargers are regulated under the Wastewater Ordinance and the Industrial Wastewater Surcharge Rate Ordinance. Collection of Service Charges The majority of the service charges are collected by the placement of a direct assessment on the annual property tax bill. Although, the service charge is not a tax, it is collected on property tax bill to keep the cost of collection of service charges down to a minimum. This saving is in turn passed on to the customers. Parcels that do not receive property tax bills (i.e. state and federally owned parcels, etc.) are charged via a direct bill. Adjustments to Service Charge As indicated above, charges are based on the use of the wastewater management system. Thus, any parcel not connected to the sewer system (either because the parcel is vacant or utilizes an on-site septic system) should not be charged. If your parcel is not connected to the sewer system but has been charged by the Districts for wastewater service, you are entitled to a refund plus applicable interest. A claim may be filed by submitting the appropriate form(s) listed below. Every attempt has been made to identify the proper use of all residential/commercial parcels and the correct number of units of usage. Occasionally, however, incorrect data may have been entered into the Districts’ database, resulting in an erroneous charge. In such cases, if the incorrect data results in your parcel being overcharged, you are entitled to a refund plus applicable interest. If you believe this to be the case in your situation, a claim may be filed by submitting the appropriate form(s) listed below. Lastly, a rebate of the service charge is allowed for single-family homes, condominiums, and commercial parcels when the parcel owner can demonstrate that the water usage at the parcel is significantly below the estimated wastewater discharge calculated using the standard loading factors. To qualify for a rebate, a single-family home must have water consumption of 123 hundred cubic feet or less for the fiscal year. For a condominium, the water consumption must be 93 hundred cubic feet or less for the fiscal year. For commercial parcels, the water consumption must be below the estimated wastewater discharge calculated for that parcel using the standard loading factors; details on rebate may be obtained by contacting the Districts staff. A claim may be filed by submitting the appropriate form(s) listed below. For shopping centers and regional malls where the owner of the parcel certifies that the water consumption data cannot be obtained from the individual tenants and from the water purveyor, the owner of the parcel may petition for a rebate based on tenant use. Upon submittal of a certified tenant list, a revised charge will be calculated based on the individual uses of each tenant. A claim may be filed by submitting the appropriate form(s) listed below. Forms for Refund or Rebate The following are forms that must be completed and submitted along with documentation required for each form, as noted in the instructions for completion of each form: Claim for Refund or Rebate of Service Charge (Fillable) - All Refunds and Rebates Water Consumption Form for Rebate (Fillable) - Attach to "Claim for Refund or Rebate of Service Charge" form with copies of water consumption data. See instructions on second page of form for more details. Tenant List Form for Rebate (Fillable) - Attach to "Claim for Refund or Rebate of Service Charge" form for shopping center or mall when the total water consumption data is unavailable. See instructions on second page of form for more details. Letter of Authorization for Agent (Fillable) - For agents representing parcel owners Click here to view a map of the Sanitation Districts. Click on the District that you think contains your property and you will be linked to a detailed map of that District with options to view the Connection Fee and Service Charge rates, forms and ordinances for that District. If there are any questions or you need additional information, please contact the Districts' staff by calling (562) 908-4288, extension 2727 or toll free at (800) 426-7404, extension 2727. Written inquiries may be mailed to: Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County Service Charge Program – Room 104 1955 Workman Mill Road P.O. Box 4000 Whittier, CA 90607-4000.