(A) All service pipe on either public or private property shall be laid on a solid bottom not less than six feet below the established grade measured to the top of the pipe. The location of the service pipe shall be approved in writing by the Department prior to installation.
(B) From the water main to the meter, all service pipe shall be Type K copper, not less than 1 inch in diameter. The curb box shall be set on a suitable foundation that will prevent settling. All service curb boxes shall be at least 1-inch diameter, extra heavy, round way stop and water type, placed approximately one foot inside the public right-of-way line.
(C) (1) A meter horn assembly must be placed on the service pipe just inside the building wall in a location not subject to flooding. This requirement shall apply to all new construction and to all residential meters at the time that a meter is replaced. The cost of the meter horn assembly for residential customers shall be borne by the City.
(2) Where a meter horn assembly or a downstream shut off valve does not exist, the owner shall cause a valve to be installed in a location approved by the City or shall allow the City to install the necessary meter horn assembly at the owner's expense. The work shall be done when the water meter is replaced or when the owner requests that water be shut off for internal water system repairs or upgrades.
(3) Existing valves shall be maintained in proper working order. The Department shall not be responsible for valves that fail to operate when needed.
(D) (1) The service pipe from the water main to the curb box shall be placed as designated by the Department. Service pipe from the main to the curb box, including the curb box, valves, and piping, shall be repaired and maintained by the Department, with 50% of service pipe repair cost charged to the property owner receiving water through the service pipe, and the charges shall be a lien against the property until paid.
(2) The service pipe from the curb box to and on the owner’s property shall be repaired and maintained at the sole expense of the property owner.
(E) All service pipe on private property and all water pipe in all premises shall be installed by a licensed contractor, or plumber. Such contractor shall not interfere in any way with service pipes installed by the Department, and shall not turn water on or off at the curb box except for the purpose of testing his work, in which case the curb box shall be left in the same condition and position as he found it. Any plumber called upon to shut off water and drain pipes in any premises shall do so inside the building only. The license of any plumber violating the provisions of this division will be subject to revocation.
(F) Installation of all appurtenances, including but not limited to water service pipe, curb boxes, and customer isolation valves, shall be installed in accordance with the City of Big Rapids standard construction specifications, or as authorized in writing by the Department.
(G) City Water Department repair of service pipe in the public right-of-way involving rusted, corroded, broken, frozen, or otherwise inoperable service pipe shall be charged to the property owner receiving water through the service pipe at 50% of the cost of the time and materials, and the charges shall be a lien against the property until paid. Service pipe outside the public right-of-way shall be repaired and maintained at the sole expense of the property owner.
('88 Code, Title II, Ch. 22, § 2.34) (Am. Ord. 476-02-01, passed 2-5-01; Am. Ord. 572-10-06, passed 10-2-06; Am. Ord. 692-01-16, passed 1-4-16)