(A) Permits. Permits and fees outlined in § 52.02, above, are required in advance before any work can begin.
(B) General requirements. All work performed shall be in accordance with the current Minnesota Plumbing Code and Public Utilities requirements and inspected for conformance with these codes and requirements. All water installations including tapping of the water main are to be by a licensed, bonded and insured plumbing contractor in good standing in the State of Minnesota. Pressure testing and bacterial tests are required from the curb stop to inside the building. Pressure test is 150 psi for two hours. Public Utilities will approve the pressure test. Two consecutive bacterial tests must be negative for the presence of coliform. Tests must be analyzed by an approved Minnesota Department of Health lab. When all tests on the water service have been successfully completed, and a copy of the results have been submitted to the Public Utilities, the service line will be placed in service by the Public Utilities and no further work on the service or its valves will be permitted without permission.
(C) General installation requirements. When a water service line is installed, the tap connection to the water main and the portion of the service line within the right-of-way shall be installed in accordance with divisions (1) and (2):
(1) A contractor shall install a water service, except under (2) hereof, and it shall become the property of the city.
(2) (a) It shall be the obligation of every developer, or subdivides whose development includes the extension of the city's system, to provide a separate water service line for every lot or facility abutting proposed streets or rights-of-way within the development, which the water service line shall be installed from the water main to the edge of the right-of-way and shall become the property of the city upon acceptance.
(b) Any such developer or subdivider shall be responsible for the proper installation, altering or repairing of such water service lines in accordance with the ordinances and rules and regulations of the Public Utilities. No water service lines shall be installed for water supply purposes without a water meter. Only one meter is required for each apartment building or development complex. However, upon approval by the Public Utilities, a meter with shut off valves may be installed for each dwelling unit.
(3) Proper provisions shall be made to permit the Public Utilities to discontinue service either by:
(a) Installation of separate curb stop valves in the public right-of-way or easements and separate lines from the curb stop to the meter; or
(b) One service line and one curb stop to the meter room and installation of lockout valves prior to each individual meter; and the right to enter upon private property by the Public Utilities to the location of the meters and lock-outs. Denial of the right of entrance will result in the turn-off of water at the water main.
(4) The situation detailed in division (C)(3)((b) above will be for multiple living units where one service line is run into the meter room and each individual service is taken from a manifold. However, each building must be individually served.
(5) The minimum required water service line for fire sprinkler systems should be a minimum of six inches. Sprinkler system calculations must be approved through Building Inspection before permits for installation will be issued.
(D) Meter size.
(1) (a) Minimum size of service shall be three-quarter inch. Where the distance from the water main to the meter exceeds 100 feet, the minimum size of the service line shall be one inch.
(b) The following are minimum service and meter requirements for water service for residential use:
Service Size | Meter Size |
Service Size | Meter Size |
1 Family 3/4 inch | 5/8 by 3/4 inch or 3/4 inch |
2–5 Family 1 inch | 1 inch |
6–8 Family 1-1/2 inch | 1-1/2 inch |
9–12 Family 1-1/2 inch | 1-1/2 inch |
13–20 Family 2 inch | 2 inch |
21–50 Family 4 inch | 3 inch |
51–115 Family 4 inch | 4 inch |
(2) (a) Water service line system design criteria: The minimum size service line and meter size of residential water service lines over 100 feet and all commercial and industrial users shall be sized per the current Minnesota Plumbing Code.
(b) The table below lists maximum flows:
Maximum Flow | Size of Meter in Gallons Per Minute |
Maximum Flow | Size of Meter in Gallons Per Minute |
5/8 by 3/4 inch | 20 |
3/4 inch | 30 |
1 inch | 50 |
1-1/2 inch | 100 |
2 inch | 160 |
3 inch | 320 |
4 inch | 500 |
6 inch | 1,000 |
(3) Where unusual demands of water will be required, the sizes shall be increased to provide for the expected demand. The Public Utilities does not guarantee that the minimum sizes of lines and meters will be sufficient. The sizing and installation of a water service to a residential or commercial building must be sized per the current Minnesota Plumbing Code. A separate service line and curb stop is required for each metered service. In a situation where a lot split has occurred and only one service exists for both dwellings, the service line and curb stop may be separated for each property split, but must be metered separately. If an alternate water main is available along the previous property split, the owner will be required to tap into this main, If an alternate water main is not available, access may be granted to the property split by the owner fronting the water main to allow a new service across the property in a reasonable manner. The part of the water service extending from the curb stop to the first meter valve within the building or structure shall be installed and maintained at the expense of the consumer and shall be installed to meet the requirements of these regulations.
(E) Pipe.
(1) All water service lines from the main to and including the curb stop, in sizes three-quarter inch through two inch, shall be type K seamless copper. All water service pipes from the curb stop into the building, in sizes three-quarter inch through two inch shall be one of the following:
(a) Type K seamless copper.
(b) Polyethylene (PE) flexible pipe, being for potable water and having a minimum pressure rating of 150 PSI minimum with water at 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
1. Plastic water services are required to have a #12 gauge solid copper tracer wire attached every three feet to the service line.
2. Plastic water service lines must be surrounded with a minimum of six inches of sand or approved granulated pipe fill.
(2) All piping and fittings larger than two inches shall conform to the AWWA and Public Utilities material standards for the installation of water mains and appurtenances.
(F) Depth of line. A minimum of 84-inches cover is required for all service lines. No service line shall have more than 108 inches cover. If circumstances require a service line be buried less than 84 inches, two layers of two-inch thick certifoam insulation is required over the entire service. At no instance will a service be buried less than 60 inches.
(G) No connections ahead of meter. No water connections shall be made on the city side of the water meter except for fire line connections.
(H) Backflow prevention. All commercial and industrial water services regardless of size are required to have an RPZ immediately after the downstream valve after the water meter.
(I) General location. Service lines shall be run as straight as possible from the curb stop to the front wall of the building, or to the nearest point of the building wall abutting the location of the meter. Curb stops shall be located within the right-of-way, free from obstructions such as landscaping. Access by Public Utilities personnel shall be maintained at all times.
(J) General requirements. All water taps are to be done with main under pressure unless approved by the Public Utilities. Curb stop is per Public Utilities specifications. Only Minneapolis threaded curb stops are allowed for curb box attachment. Flared or compression may be used with a cement block placed underneath curb stop during excavation. Each service line shall be fitted with a valve immediately on entering the building. This valve may be a part of the meter set. The valve shall be in accordance with the current Public Utilities specifications, which require an all no lead brass ball valve. The service line must enter the building no higher than four feet to the center of the meter above the floor on which the meter is set. All service lines up to and including two inches shall contain a check valve as specified by the Public Utilities. Ford or AY McDonald check valves are approved manufactures. Check valves shall be located on the outlet side of the meter after valve. No water service shall be laid in the same trench with a sanitary sewer connection. Service lines shall be laid at least ten feet horizontally from any existing or proposed sanitary sewer line. Should local conditions prevent a lateral separation often feet, a water service line may be laid closer than ten feet to a storm or sanitary sewer line, provided that the service line is laid in a separate trench or on an undisturbed earth shelf located on one side of the sewer line and at such an elevation that the bottom of the service line is at least 18 inches above the top of the sewer line.
(K) Maintenance of services. The Public Utilities shall maintain all water service lines from the main to and including the curb stop. The owner shall maintain the service line from the connection to the curb stop to the meter to assure a safe potable water supply. No repairs to service lines will be permitted except in case of damage to a portion of the line. Complete replacement must be made where the service line is galvanized metal or lead; or it is determined by the Public Utilities to be unserviceable. The owner is responsible for costs replacing or repairing service line from curb valve to meter. Repairs are to be done by a licensed plumbing contractor using Minnesota plumbing code guidelines.
(L) Meters.
(1) Meters and meter locations. All meter sets shall conform to the following requirements:
(a) Non-hazardous place; accessability. All meters shall be set in an approved non-hazardous place and accessibility shall be maintained at all times.
(b) Size. The maximum size of the meter shall not be greater than the size of the water service. A smaller sized meter may be installed based upon the sizing shown in these regulations as approved by the Public Utilities Manager or Water Department Supervisor where it can be shown the water demand is less than the rated capacity of the meter. When a meter is being used to measure greater volumes of water than its designed operating capacity, as evidenced by high readings or frequent repairs, the owner will be required to pay for, and install, meter service large enough as determined by the Public Utilities Manager or Water Department Supervisor to properly provide the necessary service. Replacement cost of the meter will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Public Utilities.
(c) Specifications to be followed. The licensed plumber or owner occupant of a single-family residence shall furnish and install all pipe fittings and valves necessary for the meter set in accordance with the appropriate specifications as required by the Public Utilities.
(d) Installation by Public Utilities or contractor. The Public Utilities or the plumbing contractor shall install meters.
(e) AMI meters and transmitters. New AMI meters and transmitters will be installed at all meter change outs.
(f) Installation of meters. All meters shall be installed in the building or structure except as otherwise approved by Public Utilities Manager or Water Department Supervisor. The water meters shall be installed in a horizontal position as close as possible to the valve. Where an approved basement is not or will not be available and the building or structure to be served is of a type of construction defined as approved, the water meter shall be placed within the building or structure in an accessible location in the utility room and if no utility room is available, the meter shall be placed in an accessible location in the kitchen or other approved location as approved by the Public Utilities. The water meter shall always be located to provide protection from mechanical injury.
(g) Meter space. Accessible meter space is required for all water services. Accessible is defined as a space large enough for service workers to read, service, change, install, etc. Meters shall be installed level. All meters shall be located as near as practicable to the point of entrance and in a position giving ample protection against freezing and other external damage. Water meters shall not be installed in sheds, garages, storage buildings, crawl spaces, or any other locations as specified in the Minnesota Plumbing Code. If the meter is not placed in a basement, the part of the water service under the building floor shall be installed not less than 18 inches below the first floor if such floor is concrete with fill to the underside of the concrete floor and not less than 12 inches below the top of soil under the building where wood joist or other construction is used and an unheated space exists between the floor and soil below.
(h) Service line protection. The part of the water service that extends vertically from the excavated trench through the first floor shall be protected from freezing by enclosing the same with a six-inch diameter conductor pipe. This conductor pipe shall be securely fastened to the floor joist in such a manner that the water service will be located in the center of the six-inch conductor pipe tube, which shall extend to the underside of the flooring. The space between the conductor pipe tube and the water service shall be filled in an approved manner with mineral wool or other approved insulation. The six-inch diameter conductor pipe tube shall be installed by the plumber when the water service is provided for, and shall be accessible for inspection before the floor is laid. Any part of the water service under a building will not be considered accessible for inspection unless it is entirely visible without crawling under the building.
(i) Setting of meters. Meters shall be installed on water service lines prior to final inspection as required by the Public Utilities. All fees must be paid in advance before the water meter is set.
(2) Small meters. All indoor meter sets for meters less than two inches shall conform to the following requirements:
(a) Height for setting. Meters shall not be set higher than four feet to center of connection above the floor.
(b) Not to be obstructed or concealed. Meters shall not be concealed and obstructed by cabinets, benches, water heaters, or other fixtures. Meters shall be accessible for service worker to service, change, install, etc.
(c) Located near point where service line enters building. Indoor meter sets shall be made as near as possible to the point where the service line enters the building.
(d) AMI transmitters. AMI transmitter shall be installed by authorized employees of the Public Utilities only and will be located in a place as deemed reasonably accessible to the meter reader or service worker. Transmitters will be maintained under the same provisions as meters are maintained. The Public Utilities shall not be responsible for defacement or damage to property caused by necessary holes, fastening, or other work required for proper installation. A charge for repairs to any AMI transmitter or connections hereto, necessitated by damage or neglect by the consumer or owner, shall be made in addition to any other charge provided.
(3) Large meters. Meters two inches and larger will be permitted to be set indoors only under the following conditions:
(a) Clear access. A clear access way to the meter set shall be maintained at all times. This access way shall be large enough to accommodate an industrial truck dolly.
(b) Placed so as to not interfere with normal course of business. Meter set shall be made in such a locality that reading and changing of the meter shall in no way interfere with the customer's normal course of business. Meter bypass are required for three-inch and larger meters.
(c) Use of customer lifting equipment, etc. Customer shall allow the Public Utilities the use of lifting equipment and industrial truck dolly on premises for the changing and transporting of meters on the premises.
(d) AMI transmitters. AMI transmitter shall be installed by authorized employees of the Public Utilities only and will be located in a place as deemed reasonably accessible to the meter reader or service worker. Transmitters will be maintained under the same provisions as meters are maintained. The Public Utilities shall not be responsible for defacement or damage to property caused by necessary holes, fastening, or other work required for proper installation. A charge for repairs to any AMI transmitter or connections hereto, necessitated by damage or neglect by the consumer or owner, shall be made in addition to any other charge provided.
(4) Meter ownership. With the exception of sprinkler meters, water meter remains under sole control and ownership of the city and shall not be removed or tampered with by unauthorized persons. Unserviceable or defective meters will be replaced by the Public Utilities; however, if a customer wishes his or her meter tested for accuracy, all costs of the test are the customers. If the meter is found out of AWWA standards for accuracy, the meter will be repaired or replaced at Public Utilities’s expense.
(5) Servicing of existing meters. The maintenance of meters shall occur during normal working hours of the Public Utilities. In the event that this procedure inconveniences a customer, he or she may request that his or her meter be changed after normal working hours; however, he or she will be required to bear the cost of this service.
(6) Protection of meters. The property owner shall be held responsible for the meter in his or her custody and shall pay all costs of damage from any causes over which he or she has control such as freezing.
(7) Meters required. All water service lines shall be metered. All new construction shall require meters with wireless communication as per current Public Utilities’s standards.
(8) Number of meters. The supply of water from the service connection may be measured by one or more meters. When more than one meter is used, they shall be set in an area not under the control of any tenant and accessible to the city at all times. The minimum charge for each meter shall be based on the size of each meter, except that in all cases, the meter or meters must satisfy the minimum requirements for service lines and meters, as provided for by these regulations and each separate service shall be subject to the same rules and regulations as a service where one branch serves a single meter.
(a) Meter readings shall be used to calculate charges, but the Water Billing office shall be authorized to use other means when it is apparent that a meter has not been operating properly, or if it has been removed.
(b) Meters set inside a building in a manifold shall be set in accordance with city standards.
(9) Unlawful removal of meter. No person except an authorized Public Utilities employee shall remove a water meter. Where a meter is found to have been unlawfully removed, the water shall be shut off forthwith and proper charges made for the estimated amount of water used. The water shall not be turned on again until the meter is reinstalled and all fees paid including estimated usage and the cost of the meter, testing, and any installation.
(10) Access to water meter. Authorized employees of the Public Utilities shall have the right, at any reasonable time, to enter any premises where a meter is installed, for the purpose of reading, examining, or testing the same on the premises, or for the purpose of removing the same from the premises for examination, testing, repair, or replacement.
(a) Inability of employees to readily enter and safely gain access to the meter for maintenance or replacement shall be sufficient cause to discontinue service.
(b) Failure or refusal by a customer to make suitable arrangements for the water meter to be read at regularly scheduled meter reading times shall be sufficient cause for the Public Utilities to discontinue service.
(c) Ample clear space shall be provided and always kept available at every water meter for purposes of reading or maintenance.
(d) Meter locations must be safe for Public Utilities staff to enter which include safe stairways and safe walk ways. Areas must also be free of human and animal waste. Water service may be discontinued after proper notice, if a health hazard has not been corrected and a Public Utilities employee is unable to inspect, repair, or replace a water meter in a timely matter.
(e) If the authorized agents and/or employees of the Public Utilities are unable to remove, repair, install, or replace a meter due to defective valves, or plumbing, the property owner will be given 30-days’ written notice in which to make the necessary corrections. Failure to replace defective material within the allotted time may result in the discontinuance of service.
(11) Deduct meters (sprinkling meters).
(a) The Public Utilities shall, at the request of any water customer and upon payment by the customer or this authorized agent of the prescribed service charge, permit the installation of a deduct meter for recording such water usage that does not enter the sanitary sewer system. The metering of such water shall be accomplished after the incoming water has passed through the master meter. Water for such use shall only be for exterior hose connections, yard hydrants, and lawn sprinkling systems or use on the outside of the building. Sprinkler meters will be installed accordance to § 52.12 herein.
(b) All costs of the meter and installation are the customers. If a customer is found not using the sprinkler meter as it is intended, the Public Utilities Billing department will discontinue deduct metering for that customer.
(Ord. 315, passed 5-1-2006; Ord. 315, passed 3-22-2017)