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An ordinance authorizing a one-time bill credit to water and sewer users as a result of the January 2026 winter storm.
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WHEREAS, on January 24-25, 2026, a significant winter storm struck Davidson County, causing widespread damage to homes and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the damage from the storm resulted in the Declaration of a State of Emergency by Mayor Freddie O’Connell; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 15.32 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws sets forth water rates and charges, and water users are billed based upon water consumption as registered through their meter per CCF (100 cubic feet) and those who purchase water may also pay sewer fees as set forth in Metropolitan Code of Laws Section 15.44; and
WHEREAS, during record cold temperatures exacerbated by a coating of snow and ice, Davidson County residents were urged to drip their faucets to prevent their water pipes from freezing and subsequently cracking or bursting; and
WHEREAS, residents who followed this recommendation significantly lowered the risk that they would experience such an occurrence and face hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage;
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County desires to assist its water and sewer users who may experience water bill increases from dripping faucets by issuing a one-time bill credit to water and sewer customers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. As a result of the impacts of the January 2026 winter storm, the director of the department of water and sewerage services is authorized to provide a one-time bill credit to its customers who pay both water charges and sewer fees - as follows:
|
2 CCF Credit |
|
Residential |
|
Commercial |
|
|
|
Water |
Sewer |
Total |
|
Water |
Sewer |
Total |
|
Volume |
|
$8.41 |
$14.04 |
|
|
$6.62 |
$14.04 |
|
|
State Tax |
|
$0.59 |
|
|
|
$0.46 |
|
|
|
City Tax |
|
$0.23 |
|
|
|
$0.18 |
|
|
|
WIR Fee |
|
$0.84 |
|
|
|
$0.66 |
|
|
|
SIR Fee |
|
|
$1.40 |
|
|
|
$1.40 |
|
|
Total One-Time Credit |
|
$10.07 |
$15.44 |
$25.51 |
|
$7.93 |
$15.44 |
$23.37 |
Section 2. As a result of the impacts of the January 2026 winter storm, the director of the department of water and sewerage services is authorized to provide a one-time bill credit to its customers who pay water charges but not sewer fees - as follows:
|
2 CCF Credit |
|
Residential |
|
Commercial |
|
|
|
|
Water |
|
|
|
Water |
|
|
Volume |
|
|
$8.41 |
|
|
|
$6.62 |
|
|
State Tax |
|
|
$0.59 |
|
|
|
$0.46 |
|
|
City Tax |
|
|
$0.23 |
|
|
|
$0.18 |
|
|
WIR Fee |
|
|
$0.84 |
|
|
|
$0.66 |
|
|
Total One-Time Credit |
|
|
$10.07 |
|
|
|
$7.93 |
|
Section 3. The director of the department of water and sewerage services is authorized to suspend discontinuation of service for non-payment and suspend charges for late payment. They are further authorized to approve payment plans of up to six months for all users having difficulty making full payment.
Section 4. Amendments to this legislation may be approved by resolution.
Section 5. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This ordinance authorizes a one-time bill credit to customers of the Metropolitan Department of Water and Sewerage Services as a result of the January 2026 ice storm.
The proposal would authorize the Director of the Department of Water and Sewerage Services to provide the following credit to customers who pay both water charges and sewer fees:
|
2 CCF Credit |
|
Residential |
|
Commercial |
|
|
|
Water |
Sewer |
Total |
|
Water |
Sewer |
Total |
|
Volume |
|
$8.41 |
$14.04 |
|
|
$6.62 |
$14.04 |
|
|
State Tax |
|
$0.59 |
|
|
|
$0.46 |
|
|
|
City Tax |
|
$0.23 |
|
|
|
$0.18 |
|
|
|
WIR Fee |
|
$0.84 |
|
|
|
$0.66 |
|
|
|
SIR Fee |
|
|
$1.40 |
|
|
|
$1.40 |
|
|
Total One-Time Credit |
|
$10.07 |
$15.44 |
$25.51 |
|
$7.93 |
$15.44 |
$23.37 |
The ordinance would further allow the Director of the Department of Water and Sewerage Services to provide the following credit to customers who pay water charges only:
|
2 CCF Credit |
|
Residential |
|
Commercial |
|
|
|
|
Water |
|
|
|
Water |
|
|
Volume |
|
|
$8.41 |
|
|
|
$6.62 |
|
|
State Tax |
|
|
$0.59 |
|
|
|
$0.46 |
|
|
City Tax |
|
|
$0.23 |
|
|
|
$0.18 |
|
|
WIR Fee |
|
|
$0.84 |
|
|
|
$0.66 |
|
|
Total One-Time Credit |
|
|
$10.07 |
|
|
|
$7.93 |
|
The ordinance would also authorize the Director of the Department of Water and Sewerage Services to suspend discontinuation of service for non-payment, suspend charges for late payment, and approve payment plans of up to six months for all users having difficulty making full payment.
Amendments to this ordinance may be approved by resolution.