Chapter 13.08
WATER CONNECTIONS
Sections:
13.08.020 Use of public water system required.
13.08.030 Private well prohibited.
13.08.040 Hydrant permit required.
13.08.050 Connection permit required.
13.08.070 Fund for water system improvements.
13.08.080 Connections by unauthorized person prohibited.
13.08.090 Connections - liability for injury.
13.08.100 Maintenance of public water connections.
13.08.110 Tampering with service connections prohibited.
13.08.150 Unauthorized service.
13.08.170 Responsibility for maintenance of service pipes, valves and other appliances.
13.08.180 Water supply restricted to premises covered by contract.
13.08.190 Temporary discontinuance of service for repairs.
13.08.010 Definitions.
Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meanings and terms used in this Chapter shall be as stated in section 13.04.030 of this code. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.020 Use of public water system required.
Generally, premises requiring water service within the City limits shall connect to the City public water system.
A. New premises within 400 feet of an existing City water main shall be connected to that main for all water needs at the expense of the property owner.
B. Existing premises within 400 feet of an existing City water main not currently connected to the City water system, but being served through a privately owned well, shall be connected to the City public water system upon failure of the well or when the well requires substantial repairs. Any repair requiring a permit from the county shall be considered substantial. Additionally, such premises shall be connected to the City public water system when substantial private improvements are made to a premise. Private improvements that require public frontage improvements as defined in Title 15 of this code shall be considered substantial. Any wells servicing the premises shall then be destroyed in accordance with state and county requirements. All costs to connect to the public water system shall be at the expense of the property owner.
C. The Director of Public Works may grant exceptions to A & B above when in his/her determination it is infeasible to connect the premises to the City water system or it is in the best interests of the City to delay or forgo connection. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.030 Private well prohibited.
No person shall construct a new groundwater well in the City without permission of the Director of Public Works. Such permission shall only be granted if an exception is granted to connecting to the City public water system. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.040 Hydrant permit required.
No person shall make any connection to a fire hydrant or any other temporary connection point in the public water system without a written permit issued by the Director or a written agreement with the City. A copy of the permit issued must be present at the location where the temporary connection is made during the period of use. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.050 Connection permit required.
No person, except a duly authorized employee of the City shall make any connection to the water mains except when authorized by a City issued encroachment permit or approved public improvement plan issued by the Director. A building permit may also be required if connecting to a premise. The applicant shall pay all applicable connection fees, the amount of which shall be fixed, from time to time, by resolution of the City Council. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.060 Connection fees.
The cost of connecting into a public water main within the City shall, until further changed by the City, be collectible at that time in which the building permit is issued to the applicant. The cost of resurfacing and/or repairing the City streets in connection therewith and in addition thereto the damage done, if any, to the public water system, will be in addition to the connection fee. The connection fees shall be established from time to time by resolution adopted by the City Council. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.070 Fund for water system improvements.
In the event that the connection fees set forth in Section 14.10.060 are not used by an applicant under the direction of the City for water system improvements external to the premises or site, the money or a portion thereof not used shall be used in the future for improvements to the City water system at the City’s discretion. None of these funds shall be used for maintenance of the system. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.080 Connections by unauthorized person prohibited.
No person or persons except duly authorized City employees or licensed contractors to whom a permit has been especially granted by the City for the doing of the work, shall be permitted to connect any private water line from any building, premises or fixtures, with the public water system in the City. No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connection with or opening into, use, alter or disturb any public water line, facility, or water system appurtenance thereof. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.090 Connections - liability for injury.
Any person connecting any private water line with a public water line shall be held responsible for any injury he may cause to the water system or the public street. The cost of repairing the damage if not paid by the person causing the same within thirty days shall become a lien upon the property owned or occupied by the person causing the damage, and may be foreclosed in the same manner as claims for labor or materials under the lien laws of this state, except that no equity or redemption shall apply. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.100 Maintenance of public water connections.
Where premises are connected to the City water mains, it is the responsibility of the property owner, at the owner’s expense, to maintain the water service lateral from the premises to the City owned service connection box. Such maintenance shall include the removal of tree roots and the protection of the service box. The service box lid shall be kept free of turf and dirt and be accessible from the sidewalk. No fence or other obstruction shall separate the service box from the sidewalk or street curb. The property owner is also responsible for repairs of the lateral line within the property boundaries. The City will repair damaged and deteriorated lateral lines in the City right-of-way at City expense, unless such damage was caused by the property owner. (Ord. 2004-07, Added, 10/19/2004)
13.08.110 Tampering with service connections prohibited.
No unauthorized person shall tamper with or alter any meter, connection, turn-off valve, or any other part of the City water system. The curb stops for water are for the use of the City and shall not be turned off or on except by duly authorized City employees. In addition to penalties and other remedies, the City reserves that right to discontinue water service to any customer tampering with or altering any meter, connection, turn-off valve or any other part of the City water service. The costs to the City for repair of any damage to curb stops, meters or other water system components relating to an individual customer’s service, including replacement of locks as necessary, may be charged to the water account customer. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.150 Unauthorized service.
No plumber, contractor, or owner shall leave the water turned on at a new building unless he has knowledge that the service is on by consent of the duly authorized employees of the department, nor shall he reconnect any service found shut off at the service stop. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.170 Responsibility for maintenance of service pipes, valves and other appliances.
The owner or occupants of premises where water is used must keep all service pipes, valves and other appliances in good repair at all times and the department will not be liable for any damage occasioned by broken pipes or other apparatus within the applicant’s premises or under his control. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.180 Water supply restricted to premises covered by contract.
Except as otherwise provide in this section, no person shall supply water service from his/her own service to any other property, manually or through a physical connection. A person may supply water to another property in the following circumstances:
A. With written authorization from the Director, and where such water service is through a physical connection in a manner deemed safe by the Director, and on a temporary basis to facilitate repairs on the water system, or to avoid an immediate health or safety risk; or
B. Where such water service is restricted to the manual watering of the landscaping of an adjacent property during:
1. periods of vacancy or
2. to avoid an immediate health or safety risk.
C. A person undertaking watering has the responsibility to obtain permission from the owner of the property being watered. (Ord. 2008-03, Amended, 07/01/2008; Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)
13.08.190 Temporary discontinuance of service for repairs.
The department reserves the right to limit the amount of water to any consumer should occasion demand, and shall not be liable for any damage caused by temporary discontinuance of service while making repairs or replacements. (Ord. 2004-07, Repealed and Replaced, 10/19/2004)