Chapter 15.16
GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE*
Sections:
15.16.010 Interruption of service—City not liable.
15.16.020 Volume and pressure—City not liable.
15.16.030 Prevention of water waste.
15.16.040 Water shortage—Use restrictions.
15.16.042 Water restrictions—Powers of the city.
15.16.045 Water restrictions—Penalty.
15.16.047 Enforcement.
15.16.050 Connection between private and city system prohibited.
15.16.060 Shut-off for repairs—Notice.
15.16.070 Installations of water service pipe.
15.16.080 Access to water meter to be maintained.
15.16.090 Water consumption meters—Size requirements—Penalty for failure to install.
* For regulations pertaining to drainage and discharges into sewers, see Chapter 15.36 of this title. For regulations pertaining to offenses, see Chapter 15.40 of this title.
15.16.010 Interruption of service—City not liable.
The department of public works will use all reasonable means to provide an adequate and continuous water service for all customers, but in case the water service is interrupted or reduced for any cause, the city shall not be liable for any injury or damages resulting therefrom and any such interruptions or reductions in service shall not give rise to any cause of action for a breach of agreement for service. (Ord. 3368 § 6 (part), 1993: Ord. 2062 § 4.01, 1969)
15.16.020 Volume and pressure—City not liable.
The city makes no commitments as to the volume of water available, pressure per square inch or continuity of service, and will not be liable for injuries or damages due to insufficient volume, inadequate pressure or interruption of service. (Ord. 3368 § 6 (part), 1993: Ord. 2062 § 4.02, 1969)
15.16.030 Prevention of water waste.
It shall be the duty of each customer to eliminate waste of water supply by repairing, or causing to be repaired, any defective or leaking pipe or plumbing fixture. No person shall use more water for irrigation or other uses than is reasonably necessary. (Ord. 2062 § 4.03, 1969)
15.16.040 Water shortage—Use restrictions.
In case of shortage of water, the department of public works is authorized to impose water use restrictions in order to efficiently safeguard the safety and health of the general public or to provide for the public convenience. The use of water for irrigation, cooling, or other uses may be forbidden, restricted, or regulated and such regulations may be made effective as to all customers or as to particular classes of customers. Rationing may be imposed during any shortage of water, either in lieu of or in addition to other measures hereby authorized. (Ord. 3083 § 1, 1988: Ord. 2062 § 4.04, 1969)
15.16.042 Water restrictions—Powers of the city.
The director of public works shall conduct public education efforts regarding the benefits and necessity of conservation by the public, and is authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement water use restriction. The director of public works is further authorized to make exceptions to such restrictions in specific cases as he/she finds reasonable, such as, but not limited to, watering newly seeded or sodded lawns, alleviating unnecessary economic hardship to commercial or industrial activities or preventing possible damage to health, safety or welfare. (Ord. 3083 § 2, 1988)
15.16.045 Water restrictions—Penalty.
It is unlawful for any person to violate water use restrictions. In addition to other lawful remedies, the director of public works is authorized to impose a surcharge for each day a customer’s water usage practices exceed water conservation restrictions as provided for in this chapter. The applicable per-day surcharge amount is set forth in Section 5.74.040 and will be added to and become a part of the water bill for the customer in addition to any service rate amounts as set forth in Chapter 15.20. Prior to the imposition of a surcharge, the public works department shall send a notice at the service address advising of the customer’s water usage practices in excess of mandatory water shortage restrictions and advising that a surcharge may be imposed for any further violations. (Ord. 4215 § 7, 2009: Ord. 3083 § 3, 1988)
15.16.047 Enforcement.
(a) Each police officer of the city and the director or any employee of the city public works department, fire department and planning and building department shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(b) In addition to penalties otherwise provided, the director of public works is authorized to install a water restricting device on the waterline or lines serving any person who commits a second or subsequent violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. Alternatively, after such notice of a violation as may reasonably be given based on the circumstances, the director of public works may cause water service to be terminated for subsequent or continuing violation of water conservation restrictions. (Ord. 4491 § 6, 2015: Ord. 3083 § 4, 1988)
15.16.050 Connection between private and city system prohibited.
The city will not permit any physical connection between private water supply and the city distribution system or supply line. (Ord. 2062 § 4.05, 1969)
15.16.060 Shut-off for repairs—Notice.
The city shall, whenever it finds it to be necessary for the purpose of making repairs or improvements to the system, have the right to suspend temporarily the delivery of water. In all such cases, as reasonable notice thereof as circumstances will permit, will be given to the customer. Such repairs and improvements will be made as rapidly as may be practicable and at such times as will cause the least inconvenience to the customer. (Ord. 2062 § 4.06, 1969)
15.16.070 Installations of water service pipe.
Water service pipes running from the water main to the meter shall be installed by a licensed contractor with a right-of-way use permit. Upon installation of the service line, the city will install the appropriate water meter and meter box. The department of public works reserves the right to install both the service line and the meter. A water service pipe from the meter to the premises being served will be maintained by the property owner. In cases where a meter may be located a considerable distance from the main, the customer shall maintain the service pipe for the entire distance from the normally designated location of the water meter to the point of ultimate usage or consumption. (Ord. 3368 § 6 (part), 1993: Ord. 2653 § 1, 1982: Ord. 2062 § 4.07, 1969)
15.16.080 Access to water meter to be maintained.
A. It is unlawful for any person owning or occupying any premises served by the city water system to permit the accumulation of dirt, debris, landscaping materials or vegetation over or around the water service meter, or to in any other manner obstruct physical or visual access to the meter for either repair, inspection or reading.
B. If, following ten days’ notice from the city to do so, any such owner or occupant has failed to remove any landscaping, dirt, debris or other material or objects which obstruct the meter reader’s ability to read, inspect or repair the meter, then the city may cause to have such clearing work accomplished, and the cost therefor will appear on the water bill at the next regular billing period. If the cost is not then timely paid, water service may then be disconnected in the same manner as for any other nonpayment of a water consumption charge. (Ord. 2628 § 1, 1981)
15.16.090 Water consumption meters—Size requirements—Penalty for failure to install.
A. Every customer connecting to the city water system shall provide for installation of a water consumption meter sized in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code (Section 1009); provided, that no consumption meter shall be smaller than three-fourths-inch by five-eighths-inch.
B. Every customer shall, upon request of the department of public works, provide for replacement of the water consumption meter with a larger water consumption meter, in accordance with subsection A above, whenever additional plumbing fixtures are added to the premises served, or water is withdrawn from the system through the meter in excess of the rated capacity of the existing water consumption meter. Failure to so install when required by the city pursuant to this section shall result in a discontinuance of water service. (Ord. 3368 § 6 (part), 1993: Ord. 2629 § 1, 1981)