Chapter 13.03 WATER SYSTEM RULES AND REQUIREMENTS

A. The city of Cotati will furnish water service in accordance with the rules and regulations hereinafter contained, and in accordance with applicable ordinances, to any property within the corporate limits of the city and to such other premises, properties, areas, or locations as the city council may from time to time designate.

B. Applications for water service will be made in writing or online. Such application will signify the applicant’s willingness and intention to comply with all regulations or rates duly adopted by the city, and to make payment for services rendered.

C. If application is made for service to property where no service connection has been installed, but a distribution main is adjacent to the property, the applicant, in addition to making application for service, shall comply with the regulations governing the installation of service connections.

D. No customer shall permit the use or resale of any of the water received by him on any premises other than those specified in his application for service, except by special arrangement with the city.

E. Representatives from the public works department shall have right of entry to the customer premises at reasonable hours for any purpose reasonably connected with the furnishing of water service.

F. Any existing water customer shall pay the differential cost in current connection fees and other miscellaneous charges if they upsize an existing meter to service the water demand. Upsizing due to required fire suppression systems requires payment of a fire flow connection fee, in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. 920 § 2 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 891 § 2(part), 2020: Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.020 Tampering with city property.

No one except an employee or representative of the city shall at any time in any manner operate the curb cocks or valves (except to repair or change private plumbing), main cocks, gates or valves of the city’s system; or interfere with meters or their connections, street mains or other parts of the water system. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.030 Noncompliance with regulations.

A. The city may, unless otherwise provided, discontinue water service to a customer for noncompliance with any of the regulations outlined in this chapter and within the discontinuation of residential water service for nonpayment policy.

B. When noncompliance affects matters of health, or affects the operation, maintenance or costs of operation and maintenance of the city sewage system, the city may discontinue water service immediately and without notice to the customer. (Ord. 891 § 2(part), 2020: Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.040 Unsafe apparatus or prohibited apparatus.

A. The city may refuse to furnish water and may discontinue service to any place or premises on the water system where apparatus, appliances, or equipment using water furnished by the city is dangerous, unsafe, or not in conformity with any laws or ordinances of the city. The city of Cotati assumes no liability for inspecting apparatus on the customer’s property. The city reserves the right of inspection, however, if there is reason to believe that unsafe apparatus or any appliances prohibited by law are in use.

B. Water service may be discontinued should this right of inspection be denied or hindered by a tenant, customer, or by the owner of the property in question, or by others who are in control of the property in question. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.050 Detrimental service.

The city may refuse to furnish water and may discontinue service to any place or premises where the demand is greatly in excess of past average or seasonal use, and where such demands by one customer are or may be detrimental or injurious to the service furnished to other customers. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.060 Water wasting.

No customer shall knowingly permit leaks or waste of water, including water waste as defined in Chapter 13.30. Where water is wastefully or negligently used on a customer’s premises, seriously affecting the general service, the city may discontinue the service if such conditions are not corrected within seven business days after giving the customer written notice. (Ord. 891 § 2(part), 2020: Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.070 Ownership of system.

A. A service connection, including all meters and fittings whether located on public or private property, is the property of the city of Cotati and no part of the cost thereof will be refunded to the applicant. The city reserves the right to repair, replace and maintain said service connections, as well as to remove them upon discontinuance of service.

B. The city owns all distribution pipelines located in streets, highways, public ways, alleys, or rights-of-way which are used to serve the general public. The owner of the lands upon which future pipelines are to be located shall, as a prerequisite to service, grant easements unto the city for said purposes.

C. Private lines installed prior to the adoption of Ordinance No. 195 shall be exempt from the requirements of this section. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.080 Responsibility for water system facilities and equipment.

A. The customer shall, at his own risks and expense, furnish, install and keep in good and safe condition all equipment that may be required for receiving, controlling, applying and utilizing water, and the city shall not be responsible for any loss or damage caused by the improper installation of such equipment, or the negligence or wrongful act of the customer or any of his tenants, agents, employees, contractors, licensees, or permittees in installing, maintaining, operating or interfering with such equipment.

B. The city shall not be responsible for damage to property caused by faucets, valves and other equipment that are open when water is turned on at the meter, either originally or when turned on after a temporary shutdown.

C. Responsibility for Meters and Installation. The customer shall use all reasonable care to prevent damage to the meter or any other facilities owned by the city which are used in furnishing the service from the time they are installed until they are removed. If the customer damages the meter or other facilities, the customer shall pay the cost of making repairs.

D. Damage to Water System Facilities. The customer shall be liable for any damage to the city owned customer water service facilities when such damage is from causes originating on the premises by an act of the customer or his tenants, agents, employees, contractors, licensees or permittees, including the breaking or destruction of locks by the customers or others on or near a meter, and any damage to a meter that may result from hot water or steam from a boiler or heater on the customer’s premises. The city shall be reimbursed by the customer for any damage promptly on presentation of a bill.

E. Maintenance. The service connection, including the meter and the meter box and all distribution lines, exclusive of private lines installed prior to the effective date of Ordinance No. 195, will be maintained by the city. The city, however, shall not be responsible for the installation and maintenance of water lines beyond the end of its service connection. Water lines beyond the service connection must be maintained in proper condition by the property owner. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.090 Extension of distribution mains.

A. The extension of distribution mains may be accomplished by either the applicant or the city, but in all cases must be approved as to design and location by the city engineer prior to installation. Where installation is made by applicant, plans must be prepared by a registered civil engineer and the work shall be done by a licensed contractor only, and the city will provide inspection services to assure installation according to approved plans. The cost of the extension shall be borne by the applicant. The cost of city inspection also shall be borne by the applicant. The minimum size main allowed is in accordance with the city’s engineering standards.

B. When at the direction of the city a larger size main than necessary is required to serve applicant’s needs, the city may enter into an agreement with applicant whereby he may recover the excess cost through a refunding arrangement from applicant for connection charges; from front foot charges received from other persons for connection to said main; or the city may contribute a portion thereof.

C. Applicant shall make cash payment or other approved guarantee of the charges specified herein prior to commencement of work. Such deposit or security shall be in an amount equal to the city engineer’s estimate of the total cost plus ten percent, or as otherwise guaranteed through a subdivision improvement agreement. Any cash balance remaining upon completion of the work shall be refunded to the applicant.

D. The city may enter into an agreement with one or more individuals constructing a water main extension at their own expense whereby a sum not to exceed seventy-five percent of all charges which the city may collect from other applicants for service off the subject main for a period not to exceed five years may be refunded to the contributor. The total refunds, including any amounts paid under the provisions of this section, shall in no event exceed the actual cost of the construction of the main. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.100 Unlawful to excavate.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to make, or cause to be made, any connection with or to the city water system unless authorized by the city. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.110 Installation of service connections.

Where distribution mains exist, water service connections will be installed in the size required by the proposed use and at a location consistent with the city engineering standards, and in accordance with all regulations. Service connections will be made only to property abutting on public streets, alleys, rights-of-way, or easements, except as provided for in Ordinance No. 585. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.120 Meters.

A. Meters will be required as a prerequisite to receiving service for all facilities.

B. Meters will be installed at the property line, or in another suitable location consistent with the city engineering standards, when approved by the city or required by this chapter.

C. Upon installation, meters will become the property of the city. The city will pay no rents, or other charges, for the location of a meter or other facilities, including housing and connections located on a customer’s premises.

D. All meters may be sealed by the city at the time of installation, and no seal shall be altered or broken except by an authorized city employee.

E. Meters or services moved for the convenience of the customer will be relocated at the customer’s expense.

F. The cost of a change in the size of a meter on an existing service will be paid for by the customer.

G. All meters will be tested prior to installation and no meter will be installed which registers more than two percent fast.

H. If a customer desires to have the meter serving his premises tested, the city will charge a service charge sufficient to cover city costs, as adopted by resolution. Should the meter register more than two percent fast, the service charge will be refunded, but should the meter register less than two percent fast, the service charge will be charged and retained.

I. If a meter tested at the request of a customer is found to be more than two percent slow in the case of domestic service, or more than five percent slow for other than domestic services, the city may bill the customer for the amount of the undercharge based upon corrected meter readings for the period, not exceeding six months, that the meter was in use.

J. If a meter is found to be nonregistering due to any cause, except the nonuse of water, the charges for service will be based on the estimated consumption. Such estimates shall be made from previous consumption for a comparable period or by such other reasonable method as determined by the city. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.130 Ground wire attachments.

All persons are forbidden to attach any ground wire or wires to any plumbing which is or may be connected to a service connection or main belonging to the city; the city will hold the customer liable for any damage to its property occasioned by such ground wire attachments. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.140 Control valve on the customer’s property.

The customer shall provide a valve on his or her side of the service installation as close as is practicable to the meter location, street, highway, alley or easement in which the water main serving the customer’s property is located, to control the flow of water to the piping on his premises. The customer shall not use the service curb stop to turn water on and off for his or her convenience. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.150 Cross connections.

A. The regulations of the California State Department of Public Health and the drinking water standards of the United States Public Health Service prohibit unprotected cross connections between the public water supply and any unapproved source of water. All cross connections must be approved by the city prior to installation.

B. To comply with the regulations of health agencies, the city will require the installation of approved backflow prevention devices by and at the expense of the customer before service will be granted under any of the following conditions:

1. Where supplemental water supply is already available from a well, spring, reservoir, or any other source, unless the customer agrees to remove all pumps and pipings necessary for the utilization of this supply.

2. Where supplemental water is available for industrial or fire protection purposes.

3. Where the premises are or may be engaged in industrial processes using or producing process waters or liquid industrial wastes or where the premises are or may be engaged in handling sewage or other dangerous substances.

4. Where circumstances are such that there is special danger of backflow of sewage or other contaminated liquids through plumbing fixtures or water using treatment equipment, or storage tanks and reservoirs.

5. Any commercial property, industrial property, or residential property with fire suppression systems with a significant or unknown risk of backflow to the city water system, as determined by the director of public works. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.160 Backflow protection.

A. Wherever backflow protection has been found necessary on a water supply line entering a customer’s premises, then any and all water supply lines from the city’s mains entering such premises, buildings or structures shall be protected by an approved backflow device. The requirement for a backflow device shall be at the sole discretion of the director of public works.

B. Approved backflow protection devices shall be tested annually for water tightness by the property owner. The city will notify property owners when testing is required. Certified backflow test results must be received by the city within sixty days of notification. If certification is not received, the city and/or its contractor shall perform the test and make any necessary repairs at the expense of the property owner.

C. The state Department of Public Health requires that the owners of any premises, on which check valves or other protective devices are installed, shall inspect these devices for water tightness annually. These devices shall be serviced, overhauled or replaced whenever they are found to be defective and all costs of repair and maintenance shall be borne by the customer.

D. The city has the discretion to discontinue service to any customer who does not install or repair the required backflow device. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.170 Protection against interstreet main flow.

Two or more services supplying water from different street mains to the same building, structure or premises, through which an interstreet main flow may occur, shall have a standard check valve on each water service to be located adjacent to and on the property side of the respective meters. Such check valves shall not be considered adequate if backflow protection is deemed necessary by the director of public works to protect the city’s mains from pollution or contamination, but the installation of approved backflow devices at such meters shall be required to satisfy the requirements for standard check valves. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.180 Interruptions in service.

A. The city will not be liable for interruption, shortage or insufficiency of supply, or for any loss or damage occasioned thereby, caused by accidents, acts of God, fires, strikes, riots or any other causes.

B. The city, whenever it shall find it necessary or convenient for the purpose of making repairs or improvements to its system, shall have the right to temporarily suspend delivery of water and it shall not be liable for any loss or damage occasioned thereby. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.190 Water pressure conditions.

All applicants for service connections or water service shall be required to accept such conditions of pressure and service as are provided by the distribution system at the location of the proposed service connections, and to hold the city harmless for any damages arising out of low pressure or high pressure conditions or interruptions in service. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.200 Multiple units.

Each legal lot shall be served by one service connection, unless the director of public works elects otherwise. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.210 Water connection fees.

A. Any single-family homes, planned unit developments, condominiums and multiple-family projects are charged connection fees per meter size, except for meters serving both domestic demands and the needs of fire suppression systems. If meters are oversized for serving a fire suppression system, in addition to domestic demands, the service shall be charged connection fees for the equivalent meter size calculated to adequately meet domestic demand, as approved by the city engineer, and documented in the utility account. In no case shall the connection fee be less than the equivalent of a three-quarter-inch meter. Industrial and commercial uses are charged connection fees per meter size. Connection fees are established by resolution of the city council.

1. Each year, commencing on July 1, 2013, and continuing thereafter on each July 1st, the water connection fee shall be adjusted in proportion to the change in the ENR (Engineering News-Record) Construction Cost Index for San Francisco over the prior year. The base ENR San Francisco CCI is equal to ten thousand three hundred eighty-eight and eighty-four-hundredths (June 2013).

B. Water Meter Charge. Any person wishing to connect to the city’s water system, change meter sizes, or replace an existing meter shall pay a water meter charge, per meter connected, in an amount established by resolution sufficient to recover the administration cost, the cost of the water meter, and any related equipment. A request to increase the water meter size is subject to the incremental increase in the connection fee based on the proportional increased capacity of the meter. In cases where an increase follows a prior reduction in meter size, the applicant is responsible for providing documentation demonstrating connection fees had been previously paid for the larger meter to avoid paying the increased connection fee.

C. Water Service Lateral. All water laterals shall be installed between the structure and the meter by and at the sole cost of the owner or developer of the property. (Ord. 920 § 2 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.220 Deposits.

A. Each new applicant for water service shall establish and maintain credit to the satisfaction of the city by a cash guarantee deposit before service is rendered.

B. The amount of the cash guarantee deposit required by subsection A of this section shall be adopted by resolution. Upon termination of service, deposits will be applied to the final bill. Any remaining balance will be eligible for refunding.

C. Deposits required by this chapter shall be deemed sufficient to cover any deposits required for city water and sewer service.

D. Any amount due for water service that remains unpaid after the delinquent date may be deducted from the deposit and service shall be subject to discontinuance until the deposit is again restored to the original amount.

E. The deposit, less the charge for return of a money order or bank draft, less the amount of unpaid water bills, will be refunded without interest, on discontinuance of service. No refunds will be made on charges for service connections unless otherwise provided for by city ordinance or resolution.

F. Any deposit eligible for refunding uncalled for within one hundred eighty days from the date when made eligible will become the property of and be retained by the city of Cotati.

G. Application of Deposits to Unpaid Accounts. Deposits prescribed herein may be applied to unpaid bills for water service when such service has been discontinued. The city may require the customer to redeposit the amount herein specified before rendering water service again to the customer’s address of service. (Ord. 847 § 1(part), 2014: Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.230 Water service charges.

A. Fixed Charge. The fixed meter rates for water services provided by the city of Cotati are established by resolution, based on the actual meter size, except when oversized for fire flows, as described in subsection C of this section, in which case the rates shall be based on the calculated meter size to adequately meet domestic demand as described in subsection C of this section.

B. Volumetric Service Charge. The volumetric service charges, based on water volume used, are established by resolution.

C. Support of Existing Fire Suppression System. Residents with an oversized meter for the sole purpose of supporting their fire suppression systems shall be charged at the equivalent meter size for domestic demand used to calculate the connection fees, as described in Section 13.03.210.

D. Minimum Charges. “Minimum charges” shall be defined as the meter charge and any charge assessed per unit for water service. There shall be no minimum charge for actual water usage. (Ord. 920 § 2 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.240 Miscellaneous fees.

A. Water Test Fees. In the event a water customer requests that the city take a water sample from his/her property, the customer shall be required to pay a fee established by resolution to cover the related staff and testing costs. This fee shall not be paid for the routine random samples taken by the city to ascertain the quality of water in the city system.

B. Water Turn-On Fee. Each new applicant for water service shall pay a fee established by resolution to cover the related staff costs. This fee is in addition to any deposits required herein.

C. Fire Hydrant Flow Test Fee. The city may test fire hydrants for static and residual pressure when requested. The fee for conducting such tests shall be established by resolution to cover the related staff and testing costs. (Ord. 847 § 1(part), 2014: Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.250 Unauthorized use of water – Fines.

Fines for the unauthorized use of water shall be as follows:

A. For unauthorized turning on of a water meter: a progressive fine shall be established by resolution. At the sole discretion of the finance director, the city may waive the fine for the first violation by a customer or service address. In this case, the city shall document the event on the service account.

B. For unauthorized hook up or tie-in to the water system or taking of unauthorized water from fire hydrants: fine shall be established by resolution, plus applicable charges for estimated water used. (Ord. 847 § 1(part), 2014: Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.260 Bills, notices and payments.

A. Bills for metered water service will be rendered on a periodic basis as approved by city council.

B. For metered service, the charge will be based on actual consumption, in addition to all special charges applicable under this chapter.

C. If the total period of water use is less than the billing period, the period of water use may be broken down into half-month cycles and the fixed charge adjusted accordingly.

D. Bills are due and payable upon presentation. Payments, including payment of overdue bills and associated fees, may be made by mail, in person at City Hall, online, or over the phone.

E. Bills become past due if payment has not been received on the thirtieth day after the billing date indicated on the bill. Bills not paid by this date shall be subject to a late fee charge as set forth in the master fee schedule.

Reminder notices will be sent out to accounts according to the adopted discontinuation of residential water service for nonpayment policy.

F. When an application is made for water service by a former customer who was responsible for and failed to pay all bills for service previously rendered, regardless of location or time when incurred, the city may refuse to furnish service to such applicant until the outstanding bills are paid.

G. When water service is discontinued, the city may demand the full amount of both delinquent and current bills be paid in full, and, if demanded, the same shall be paid in full before service is restored along with a turn-on fee as stated in this chapter.

H. Closing bills are due and payable on presentation. Collection will be made at the time of presentation.

I. Where renters of property have failed to comply with billing and payment requirements of this chapter and the property owner has provided written consent to accept liability in accordance with this chapter, the owner of the affected property shall be responsible for the payment of the service bill plus all delinquency and disconnection charges. All future bills shall thereafter be the responsibility of the property owner.

J. Where owners of real property fail to pay bills for water service provided to their property, the delinquent amounts shall become a lien on the real property to which said service was provided in accordance with the lien procedures as provided by the laws of the state of California.

K. Where owners of residential property have become delinquent on account and are notified of a possible water shutoff, the city shall make a good faith effort to also notify the residential tenants/occupants in an individually metered residence in accordance with the discontinuation of residential water service for nonpayment policy.

L. Service may be refused to a property if a balance is still due to the city for prior service provided to the property.

M. A fee will be charged to customers for checks returned by the bank for nonpayment for any reason, as established by resolution. All additional charges for payment delinquency and disconnection charges shall be assessed if incurred. (Ord. 891 § 2(part), 2020: Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.265 Leak credits.

A. In the event of a leak on the customer-side of a meter, a customer shall be eligible to apply for a leak credit; provided, that all of the following conditions are met:

1. No leak credit has been issued at the service address in the past five years; and

2. The city has confirmed through meter reads or other methods that a leak occurred; and

3. The leak has been repaired by the customer, as demonstrated by customer submission of receipts, invoices, or other documentation satisfactory to the city.

B. If a customer is eligible for a leak credit, the city will credit the customer one-half of the estimated overage, based on the prior year consumption for the billing cycle in question. For customers with no prior consumption history, the finance director and public works director may develop a methodology to determine average usage for leak credits.

C. Leak credits can only be applied to the overage in one billing cycle. If the leak continues over more than one billing cycle, the city will apply the credit to the single billing cycle with the highest overage. Overages in other billing cycles will not be eligible for a leak credit. (Ord. 847 § 1(part), 2014).

13.03.270 Discontinuance of service for nonpayment of city charges.

The city shall not discontinue residential service for nonpayment until a payment by a customer has been delinquent for at least sixty days. Notification prior to discontinuation shall include customer’s rights for appeal and extensions of payment terms as included within the adopted discontinuation of residential water service for nonpayment policy.

A. When the notice is written, it shall comply with Section 13.03.260. When notice is given by telephone, the city shall offer to provide the city’s discontinuation of residential water service for nonpayment policy to the customer in writing, and shall offer to discuss options to avert discontinuation of residential service for nonpayment, including but not limited to alternative payment schedules, deferred payments, minimum payments, procedures for requesting amortization of the unpaid balance, and petition for bill review and appeal.

B. If a nonresidential customer received water service at more than one location and the bill or charges for service at any one location become delinquent, water service at all locations may be turned off.

C. A commercial customer’s water service may be shut off for failure to have a current business license. (Ord. 891 § 2(part), 2020: Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.275 Tenant options for right of service.

For multi-unit residential units, the city is not required to make service available to the residential occupants unless each residential occupant agrees to the terms and conditions of service and meets the city’s requirements. However, if one or more of the residential occupants are willing and able to assume responsibility for the subsequent charges to the account to the satisfaction of the city, or if there is a physical means legally available to the city of selectively terminating service to those residential occupants who have not met the requirements of the city’s rules and tariffs, the city shall make service available to those residential occupants who have met those requirements. (Ord. 891 § 2(part), 2020).

13.03.280 Reestablishment of credit.

A. When the city discontinues residential service for nonpayment it shall provide customers with the required information on how to restore residential service as adopted within the city’s discontinuation of residential water service for nonpayment policy.

B. To reestablish credit, a customer shall be required to pay all back bills up to the time service was discontinued. The customer shall also be required to pay a reconnection charge as established by resolution and to make a cash deposit as outlined under the regulations herein set forth for deposits for payment of water bills.

C. For a residential customer who demonstrates to the city a household income below two hundred percent of the federal poverty line, the city shall do both of the following:

1. Set a reconnection of service fee for reconnection during normal operating hours not to exceed fifty dollars. Reconnection fees shall be subject to an annual adjustment for changes in the Consumer Price Index beginning January 1, 2021. For the reconnection of residential service during nonoperational hours, an urban and community water system shall set a reconnection of service fee at one hundred fifty dollars, but not to exceed the actual cost of reconnection if it is less. Reconnection fees shall be subject to an annual adjustment for changes in the Consumer Price Index beginning January 1, 2021.

2. Waive interest charges on delinquent bills once every twelve months.

D. The city shall deem a residential customer to have a household income below two hundred percent of the federal poverty line if any member of the household is a current recipient of CalWORKs, CalFresh, general assistance, Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment Program, or California Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or the customer declares that the household’s annual income is less than two hundred percent of the federal poverty level. (Ord. 891 § 2(part), 2020: Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.290 Customer’s request for service discontinuance.

A. A customer may have his or her water service discontinued by notifying the city reasonably well in advance of the desired date of discontinuance. The customer will be required to pay all water charges until the date of discontinuance; provided, that no charge shall be assessed for service interruption, which is requested.

B. A customer about to vacate any premises supplied with water by the city shall give notice of his or her intended removal prior thereto, specifying the date service is desired to be discontinued, otherwise the customer will be held responsible for all charges assessed such premises until the city has received such notice of removal. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.300 Required service.

In accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3, any building or portion thereof including any dwelling unit, guestroom or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, must have hot and cold running water to fixtures in dwelling units or hotels. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).

13.03.310 Temporary service.

A. Duration of Service. Temporary service connections shall be disconnected and terminated within thirty days after installation unless the city grants an extension of time in writing.

B. Deposit. The applicant will deposit, in advance, the estimated cost of installing and removing the facilities required by furnishing said service exclusive of the cost of salvable material. Upon discontinuance of service, the actual cost shall be determined and an adjustment made as an additional charge, refund or credit.

C. Installation and Operation. All facilities for temporary service to the customer connection shall be made by the city or a licensed contractor and shall be operated in accordance with instructions.

D. Responsibility for Meters and Installation. The customer shall use all possible care to prevent damage to the meter or any other loaned facilities of the city which are involved in furnishing the temporary service from the time they are installed until they are removed, or until forty-eight hours’ notice in writing has been given to the city that the contractor or other person is through with the meter or meters and the installation. If the meter or other facilities are damaged, the cost of making repairs shall be paid by the customer.

E. Temporary Service from a Fire Hydrant. If temporary service is supplied through a fire hydrant, a permit for use of the hydrant shall be obtained from the proper authority in the city. A deposit for the use of a portable meter is required. It is specifically prohibited to operate the valve of any fire hydrant other than by the use of a spanner wrench designed for this purpose. Use of metered fire hydrant water shall be through an air gap system. No direct connection to tanks shall be made.

F. Unauthorized Use of Hydrants. Tampering with any fire hydrant for the unauthorized use of water therefrom or for any other purpose is a misdemeanor, punishable by law.

G. Rates. The rates for regular service shall be increased by fifty percent for temporary service. The minimum charge for temporary use of water shall be established by resolution.

H. Credit. The applicant shall pay the estimated cost of temporary service in advance. (Ord. 840 § 6(part), 2013).