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Muskego adopts ordinance requiring nonresidential sewer surveys; penalties outlined
Summary
On second reading the Common Council approved Ordinance 15O3 to amend Chapter 290 of the municipal code, requiring nonresidential customers in the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District area to complete surveys that inform sewer capacity charges; staff outlined compliance steps and a $124-per-day penalty for noncompliance.
The Muskego Common Council adopted Ordinance 15O3 on April 22, on second reading, amending Chapter 290 of the municipal code to require nonresidential customers to complete an annual survey used to calculate sewer capacity charges.
Council discussion emphasized that the mandate applies to businesses and other nonresidential uses in the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District service area that are connected to the city sewer. Single-family homes are treated as a single residential equivalency and are not required to complete the annual survey. Apartments and multi-family properties are assessed based on capacity at the time of connection or change; some multifamily units are handled as a one-time assessment depending on configuration.
City staff described the rationale as ensuring accurate assessments: sewer capacity charges use a formula based on residential equivalency units (REUs), employee counts and water-use characteristics so that higher-usage businesses pay proportionally more. The ordinance adds enforcement tools to improve compliance, beginning with outreach and follow-up letters and, if necessary, municipal court proceedings. The city indicated a standard fine for ordinance violations would be $124 per day; staff said enforcement typically proceeds through notices and the court process and that compliance is the goal rather than punitive outcomes.
Alderperson Hamill asked whether any nonresidential use would be exempt; staff clarified that only single-family residences are exempt from the survey requirement. The council approved the ordinance by voice vote.
