PLAN REVIEW FEE

A charge of 2% of the commercial construction cost of any water and/or sewer system which is to be constructed by a private entity or developer and deeded to BCWS. This fee shall be paid prior to the commencement of construction based upon the estimated cost of construction.

EXTENSIONS

All extensions to serve development of private property within Berkeley County Water and Sanitation water and sewer service areas are financed by private sources.

INDUSTRIAL MONITORING AND BILLING

In processing wastewater from industrial and commercial customers, our lab department must perform several functions not required for non-industrial customers. They include:

• Monitoring the wastewater discharge that could potentially discharge either high strength or toxic wastes.
• Billing and collecting for high strength surcharges and monitoring charges.

RESIDENTIAL WATER CONNECTION FEE – $1050.00

A countywide water connection fee to all users:

• 3/4 inch connection or less: $1050.00
• Service connection larger than 3/4 inches: Actual cost of connection plus 15%, including the current market price of the appropriate water meter installed in accordance with the provision of the Berkeley County Code

WATER INSPECTION FEE – $100.00

Prior to receiving a Certificate of Occupancy (CO), an inspection is required to ensure the meter box is flush with the finished grade of the landscaping. A twenty-four (24) hour notice is required for inspection.

CUSTOMER ORIGIN CHARGE

This non-refundable fee is charged a customer who moves into a location where a connection exists but must have his water meter turned on or where a new service either water or sewer is provided and the account is activated for the customer.

TEMPORARY CUSTOMER TURN-ON/TURN-OFF

Certain customers served by BCWS only have a temporary demand for water and sewer service. In such cases, property owners may wish to avoid a minimum monthly charge by discontinuing their water and sewer during the “off season.” BCWS however, is still required during the “off season,” to pay fixed costs associated with having a system available for use. Customers who temporarily disconnect must inactivate their service for a period of not less than two (2) months when the house is for sale, the customer is on extended vacation or military assignment.

WATER AND SEWER IMPACT FEES (RESIDENTIAL)

This charge covers the costs associated with unutilized system capacity available to meet future needs. As a new customer receives service, they will pay an impact fee equal to the prorated residential equivalent equity in all treatment, transmissions, and collection facilities. The revenue from the impact fee is allocated to capital improvements for the expansion of capacity related to the above described system components. In this manner a new customer is returning to the existing share previously paid by existing users. Without available unused capacity, new customers could not connect to the system and receive service.

*Water Impact Fee (per Equivalent Residential Unit) $2200.00

*Sewer Impact Fee (per Equivalent Residential Unit) $2850.00

WATER AND SEWER IMPACT FEES (COMMERCIAL)

An impact fee must be paid for each commercial unit within any office complex and/or shopping center. Commercial customers should contact our Operations Department to calculate the impact fee which varies by size of structure, number of employees, number of seats, or number of fixtures, etc.

RESIDENTIAL SEWER CONNECTION FEE – $1200.00

A countywide sewer connection fee to all users:

• Six inch connection or less: $1200.00
• All other connections: Actual cost of connection plus 15% percent

SEWER SERVICE INSPECTION FEE – $100.00

In most cases sewer collection laterals were “stubbed-in” to the property line when the contractor constructed a collector main. After the property owner connects with the “stubbed-in” sewer lateral and before backfilling the trench for same, BCWS must inspect the building’s sewer connection for proper installation. Twenty-four (24) hours notice is required for inspection of such laterals.

LATE PAYMENT PROCESSING / RETURNED CHECK CHARGES

These charges related to the late payment processing of a delinquent customer’s water and/or sewer bill and processing of returned checks initially received in payment of accounts, as follows:

• $10.00 relates to BCWS’ cost of processing each delinquent account for which payment has not been received by the due date.
• $30.00 relates to cost for the processing of returned checks or ACH Draft. In addition, personal checks will not be accepted from customers who have had one or more checks returned from the bank during the past twelve (12) months.

DELINQUENT CUSTOMER TURN-OFF

There will not be a separate past due notice. If customer has a past due amount on their bill, the bill itself will be their only notification that service is subject to disconnection if the previous balance is not paid in full prior to the given date.

Water service will be restored on the same work day of payment provided the payment and a $40.00 processing fee is made before 2PM.