Chapter 13.08
WATER SERVICE CONNECTIONS*
Sections:
13.08.010 Consumer responsibility.
13.08.020 Alterations and extensions – Procedure.
13.08.030 Depth of service pipes – Generally.
13.08.050 Depth of service pipes – Private property.
13.08.060 New or changed connections on previously served property.
13.08.070 Service extension – Sewage system requirements.
13.08.080 Service extension – Outside city limits.
13.08.090 Service extension – Responsibility for costs.
13.08.100 Service extension – Annexations.
13.08.110 Payment for installation.
13.08.120 Mandatory water connection fee.
*For statutory provisions authorizing cities to charge for connection to the municipal water system, see RCW 35.92.025.
13.08.010 Consumer responsibility.
All consumers shall keep their service pipes in good repair, and protect them from frost at their own expense, and no deduction from water rent will be made on account of service pipes being frozen up, or derangement of mains or machinery, or for cutting off water for repairs or extensions. [1919 Comp. §86].
13.08.020 Alterations and extensions – Procedure.
No alteration or extension shall be made in any water pipe, cock or fixture without first giving notice of the intended change to the superintendent of water works, and obtaining a permit. [1919 Comp. §89].
13.08.030 Depth of service pipes – Generally.
All service pipes must be laid at least three and one-half feet deep, except by consent of the superintendent, where rock may occur. In such cases the pipe should be boxed and covered with sawdust and not be less than two feet six inches deep. [1919 Comp. §93].
13.08.040 Stop cock required.
Every service pipe upon private property shall be provide with a stop and waste cock by the owner or lessee of the lot or tract of land, and such cock shall be placed inside the foundation wall of the building at a place easily accessible, beyond damage from frost, and so situated that the water can be conveniently shut off and drained from the pipes on the property. All water pipes in a building shall be so arranged that the pipes can be drained. [Ord. 442 §9, 1972].
13.08.050 Depth of service pipes – Private property.
All water service pipes located on private property shall be laid at a depth of at least two and one-half feet below the surface of the ground and at least two and one-half feet of cover shall be provided in all radial directions for the pipe. [Ord. 442 §10, 1972].
13.08.060 New or changed connections on previously served property.
When a new building is to be erected on the site of an old one, and the owner, lessee or applicant desires to increase the size of, or to change the location of, the old service connection, or where a service connection is abandoned, the superintendent of public works may have such service connection removed. If a new water service is desired, the owner, lessee or applicant shall make a written application therefor to the city clerk-treasurer and pay for the installation thereof, to the clerk-treasurer of the city, the same as required for a new service connection. [Ord. 442 §11, 1972].
13.08.070 Service extension – Sewage system requirements.
No water main shall be extended, nor water service granted, to any person, firm or corporation that is unable to show that he or it has an adequate and sanitary disposal system for sewage waste. Such disposal system must follow rules and regulations of the Whitman County health department. [Ord. 442 §12, 1972].
13.08.080 Service extension – Outside city limits.
No water main shall be extended, nor water service provided outside of the city limits as now existing, or extended in the future, except for commercial or industrial usage, and only upon special permission of the city council, under such conditions as it may impose. [Ord. 442 §13, 1972].
13.08.090 Service extension – Responsibility for costs.
Every person, firm, corporation, purchaser, lessee or applicant for an extension of a water main within the city limits, or an extension of a water main outside the city limits by permission of the city council, shall pay for such extension (to the city clerk-treasurer) the total cost of pipe, materials, labor and any other cost concerning the installation. Where the installation services property owned, being purchased or leased by more than one person, the total cost aforesaid shall be prorated between the properties on a front foot basis, and the term “front foot” shall be the distance between the side lot lines of the lot, tract or parcel of land at the building line thereof. [Ord. 442 §14, 1972].
13.08.100 Service extension – Annexations.
Every person, firm, corporation, owner, purchaser, lessee or occupant of any lot or lots, tract or tracts, real estate or land located within an area annexed hereafter to the city, that receives water from the city water system by pipe less than six inches in diameter, or has no connection to the water system of the city for water service, shall pay prior to the installation, to the city clerk-treasurer, the total cost for pipe, materials, labor and any other cost incident to the installation of water service line or lines from the lot or lots, tract or tracts, real estate or land, to connect with the city water system. [Ord. 442 §15, 1972].
13.08.110 Payment for installation.
The total cost of pipe, materials, labor and installing water service lines will all be paid to the city clerk-treasurer by the person who intends to file or is filing or has filed a plat. Hereafter, any person, firm or corporation seeking or requesting to file a plat shall pay to the city clerk-treasurer, before such plat is approved by the proper and required authority of the city, the total cost of pipe, materials, labor and installing the water service line or lines. [Ord. 442 §16, 1972].
13.08.120 Mandatory water connection fee.
From and after January 1, 2021, there shall be a mandatory connection charge of $1,825 assessed for each new connection made to the city water supply system. Such sum shall be paid to Palouse City Hall before the connection is made. Monthly water charges will commence immediately upon connection. [Ord. 1003 §1, 2020; Ord. 543 §2, 1980].*
*Prior ordinance history: Ord. 442 §17, 1972.