Article 3. General Water Service Regulations
16.3.1. Water meters owned by city.
Water meters are owned by the City and shall not be tampered with or the seal broken except by a duly authorized employee of the City Water Department.
(Ord. 97)
16.3.2. Water meter installation.
The City shall install, maintain and replace the meter, including the installation of a pigtail on the water customer side of the meter to accommodate the connection of the water customer water service line to the water customer’s structure when necessary. The water customer’s plumber shall attach the service line to the meter and/or pigtail, which shall be tested by the plumber, inspected and approved by the City.
(Ord. 370)
16.3.3. Water meter; division of responsibility.
The water meter shall represent the division of ownership and responsibility between the City and the water customer. All water that passes through the meter shall be the responsibility of the water customer. In addition, all water used or leaked and all water piping on the water customer side of the meter shall be the responsibility of the water customer. The City shall be responsible only for the water and maintenance of piping from the meter to the water main.
(Ord. 370)
16.3.4. Water shut-off valve.
The City requires each property with water service to have an operational shut-off valve installed and maintained at the head of the water system between the meter and the first water outlet. Such shut-off valve shall serve as an emergency shut-off in times when the property’s occupant needs to respond to a water concern associated with the property. The City shall not be liable for any damages associated with failure to install a valve, incorrect installation, or incorrect use by any individual associated with the property.
(Ord. 370)
16.3.5. Water leak liability.
All water that passes through a property’s water meter shall be billed to the water customer. After passing through the meter all water that is used as intended, and all water that leaks within the water customer’s system, or otherwise escapes appropriate and intended use by the water customer is the responsibility of the water customer.
A water customer who disputes responsibility for water that passed through such customer’s meter may submit written documentation to the City Clerk regarding why the water customer believes the situation associated with such disputed usage or billing is significantly unique from that encountered by other properties or water customers so as to justify the City’s water utility accepting responsibility for the cost of such water. Upon review of the information and within fifteen (15) days, the City Manager shall provide a written determination to the water customer. The City Manager may agree in writing that the situation is significantly unique to justify adjustment of a single billing associated with such water customer, or may deny such claim. Such administrative review is not subject to further review or appeal. All determinations of the City Manager associated with water account adjustments shall be retained by the City Clerk for five years.
(Ord. 370)
16.3.6. Meter rereads and leak detection.
City personnel are available upon twenty-four (24) hours’ notice to provide a water customer a water meter reread to confirm the accuracy of the meter reading, or to inspect the water customer area for possible leaks. Arrangement for reread and/or leak inspection shall be made by contacting the Utilities Clerk.
The cost of checking the accuracy of a meter at the water customer’s request, if the meter is pulled, tested and found to be in error and need of repair, will be borne by the City. Additionally, the City will pay the costs associated with one (1) reread service per year which confirms the accuracy of the initial meter reading. Upon second and subsequent requests for a reread resulting in a determination of the accuracy of the meter, a fee of $25 will be assessed to the account.
The City will cooperate with the water customer and/or such customer’s plumber or contractor to assist in detecting a leak in the water customer’s system. The City does not provide repair or maintenance service to the water customer side of the meter. The City will pay the costs associated with one (1) water system inspection per year on the water customer side of the meter to determine possible leaks. Any additional inspections shall be assessed to the account at the rate of $40.00 per inspection.
(Ord. 97; Ord. 370)
16.3.7. Public safety.
The City has the right to disconnect water service without notice if a leak has been discovered and the water is flowing beyond the private property line that creates a hazard to public safety. A notice of repair shall be issued to the property owner/account holder according to the requirements of this Chapter. Water service shall not be reconnected until the leak is repaired. No disconnect/reconnect fee will be charged for the emergency disconnection.
(Ord. 209)
16.3.8. Shutting off for repairs.
The City reserves the right at any time to shut off the water mains for the purpose of making repairs or extensions or for other purposes. The City shall not be liable for any damage associated with the breakage or repair of any pipes, or associated with the stoppage of the flow of water in City mains, nor shall the City be responsible for any damage caused to any homes, businesses, or personal property due to routine repair or maintenance of the City water system.
(Ord. 97)
16.3.9. Water meter maintenance; cost of installation.
After meter installation, the City or its subcontractor shall perform meter maintenance and. replacement of the water meter as the City deems necessary. The City shall replace defective residential meters at no cost to the water customer. If a residential water customer requests replacement of a functioning water meter during the normal life span of the meter all costs associated with the replacement shall be charged to the water customer.
(Ord. 370)
16.3.10. Water meter accessibility.
Water bills are read monthly. Access to the meter to allow the water meter to be read is the responsibility of the water customer. City employees unable to access the meter shall estimate the water use as that amount of water consumed during the previous billing cycle, and shall add a 10% increase over the previous reading. No water customer shall be permitted to have two consecutive estimated meter readings. The City shall disconnect water service pending water customer’s arrangement for a verified read of the water meter. All fees and costs associated with obtaining access to a meter shall be charged to the water customer. All standard disconnect and reconnect fees shall be assessed.
(Ord. 370)
16.3.11. Private water leaks.
Water leaks in private water service lines are hereby declared to be a nuisance. It is unlawful for any water customer and/or occupant of private property to fail to repair a service line leak. Failure of the property owner to repair such leak shall result in the abatement of such leak by the City in accordance with the City’s nuisance abatement procedures. All costs to be assessed against the property in accordance with nuisance abatement procedures.
(Ord. 209)
16.1.12. Private water leaks notice.
Upon discovery of a leak existing within that portion of a property’s water system for which the property owner is responsible, the City may immediately disconnect service pursuant to 16.3.5, or may serve a notice to repair the leak to the account holder by registered mail, personal notice, or by posting notice upon the property. If notice to repair is issued, such leak shall be repaired within seven (7) days of the date on the notice. Failure to repair the leak within seven (7) days as directed will result in the disconnection of water service. Service shall not be reconnected until the leak is repaired and a disconnect/reconnect fee has been paid.
(Ord. 209)
16.3.13. Private water leaks hearing process.
Any person wishing to contest a notice of repair has the right to submit a written request for administrative review, no later than three working days prior to conclusion of the seven day deadline for repair. Such administrative review shall be informal, and may include both written documentation, photographic evidence, and any verbal testimony necessary to supplement such written documentation.
Upon review of the information and within twenty-four (24) hours, the City Manager shall provide a written determination to the water customer. All determinations of the City Manager associated with such administrative reviews shall be retained by the City Clerk for five years. The decision of the City Manager shall be final.
(Ord. 209)
16.3.14. Specific water pressure.
The City does not guarantee to maintain any specific water pressure and no complaint concerning the pressure shall give any right of claim against the City.
(Ord. 188)
16.3.15. Commercial meters/special meters.
All commercial meters, both new and replacement, shall be installed at the cost of the commercial water customer. The entire expense associated with obtaining and installing special water meters will be paid by the property owner or water customer. All such expenses shall be remitted to the City prior to connection of water service.
(Ord. 97; Ord. 370)
16.3.16. Mutilation of water property.
It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, obstruct, alter, or injure any fire hydrant, valve, valve box, or cover, or in any manner injure any building, machinery, or other implements belonging to the water works system of the City.
(Ord. 97)
16.3.17. Taking water from fire hydrants.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons unauthorized by the City to take water away from any watering places or plugs, draw cock, or hose pipes except for fire purposes, and for use of fire department in case of fire, or in any way use or take away any water for private use without first paying and receiving receipt.
Water use from a hydrant requires the purchase of a permit which will be valid for no more than 90 days from date of issuance. The water user shall install or have installed a meter provided by the City that will measure the use of all water. The water user shall pay a fee per 1000 gallons, or parts thereof, as set forth within the City’s fee schedule. A permit fee of $100.00 is required at the time of permit issuance. Such non-refundable fee covers the City’s equipment costs, including the City’s meter. The water user shall pay for the balance of the water used upon return of the meter and the calculation of the water use, or such amount may be assessed upon a water user’s subsequent billing statement.
Government, not-for profit: and similar agencies in need of hydrant water, including the fire department shall make arrangements to use a designated hydrant for non-emergency purposes and such hydrant shall be metered to determine usage.
(Ord. 97; Ord. 370)
16.3.18. Swimming pools.
The City will not at any time fill private swimming pools from hydrants.
(Ord. 97)