11-12-240 Private fire protection systems.

   The supply of water through any service pipe on which there are installed or maintained for fire protection purposes, and within the premises of the consumer, either standpipes, fire hydrants, pumps, fire protection tanks or any other outlets or devices from which water may be drawn to extinguish fire, shall, except as hereinafter provided in this section, be entirely controlled by a meter or meters which shall accurately measure all of the water used through said service pipe.

   The commissioner may, at his discretion and in order to insure more accurate measurement of water supplied through said service pipe, require the installation of separate meters and separate lines leading from said meters to said premises, one or more of said lines to be connected only to fire protection devices and one or more of said lines to be used for supplying water for domestic or industrial purposes.

   Or the commissioner may, at his discretion, require the installation of separate pipe line for the domestic or industrial uses of water and for fire protection purposes, installing on the former lines a meter or meters to register accurately all of the water used for said domestic or industrial purposes; and installing on the line or lines which are to be used only for fire protection, devices capable of detecting and recording every instance in which any water may be drawn through said fire protection lines, said devices being so constructed and installed as to permit, in case of necessity, an uninterrupted flow through said fire protection lines.

   All meters or detecting devices installed on any pipeline to be used only for fire protection, including vaults, whenever required, shall be constructed, installed and maintained by and at the expense of the owner or consumer. All such meters or detecting devices installed or replaced on or after July 15, 2010, shall be equipped with remote reading technology in accordance with regulations promulgated by the commissioner.

   There shall be no charge for any registration occasioned on any meter as the result of the use of water for fire purposes and the commissioner is authorized to reduce by an amount corresponding to such registration the charge for metered water against the consumer. No water for other than fire purposes shall be used through any fire line.

   It shall be the duty of the commissioner to read, or cause to be read, all fire meters or detecting devices and to inspect seals on same, at least annually.

   For any violation of any of the provisions of this section, the commissioner may, at his discretion, cause the water supply to be shut off.

(Prior code § 185-24; Amend Coun. J. 12-4-02, p. 99026, § 1.12; Amend Coun. J. 6-30-10, p. 95374, § 1)

11-12-250 Interference with meters or other devices.

   No person shall be permitted to tamper, test, repair, remove, relocate or in any way interfere with any water meter, proportional, indicating or recording device, installed in any building, structure or premises for the control of the water supply thereto, excepting under authority granted by the commissioner. The owner of the building, structure or premises for which such meter is installed shall be held responsible for any unauthorized tampering or interference in violation of this section. Such owner shall be subject to a fine of not less than $500.00 nor more than $750.00 for each violation; and the water supply to such owner's building, structure or premises may be cut off, and shall not again be permitted to be turned on until such owner or person shall have paid to the department of finance the cost and expense of cutting off and turning on such water supply; provided, however, where such owner can show that such tampering was done contrary to his efforts to prevent same there shall be no such cutting off of the water supply nor shall such owner be subject to a fine.

(Prior code § 185-25; Amend Coun. J. 12-4-02, p. 99026, § 1.12; Amend Coun. J. 12-2-09, p. 78837, Art. 5, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 14596, Art. IV, § 1)

ARTICLE IV. WATER CHARGES (11-12-260 et seq.)

11-12-260 Annual statement – Rate establishment.

   At the close of each fiscal year, the department of water management shall prepare a statement of the revenues and expenditures of the water system of the city and a balance sheet thereof. The department shall then prepare an ordinance, for submission to the city council, establishing the rates to be charged for water service in the following year. The fees, charges, and rates established by said ordinance shall be sufficient in all times to pay the cost of operation and maintenance of the water system, to make principal and interest payments on any outstanding bonds, and to establish and maintain any reserve funds or accounts as may be covenanted for in bond ordinances authorizing the issuance of outstanding bonds.

(Prior code § 185-25.1; Added Coun. J. 12-12-84, p. 11883; Mayoral veto. 12-18-84, p. 11998; Corrected. 2-4-85, p. 13433; Amend Coun. J. 12-4-02, p. 99026, § 1.12)

11-12-270 Nonmetered service.

   The minimum amount to be charged for water service to any building, structure or premises fronted by a public street, in or to which such building, structure or premises any water supply is laid, but excepting such service which is wholly controlled by meter, shall be as follows as of January 1st of the years indicated:

	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
For buildings having a front width of 12 feet or less	$63.01	$78.76	$90.58	$104.16	$119.79
For buildings having a front width:
Exceeding 12 feet but not exceeding 15 feet	$87.00	$108.75	$125.06	$143.82	$165.40
Exceeding 15 feet but not exceeding 18 feet	$118.68	$148.35	$170.60	$196.19	$225.62
Exceeding 18 feet but not exceeding 21 feet	$143.31	$179.14	$206.01	$236.91	$272.45
Exceeding 21 feet but not exceeding 24	$151.95	$189.94	$218.43	$251.19	$288.87
Exceeding 24 feet but not exceeding 27 feet	$175.94	$219.93	$252.91	$290.85	$334.48
Exceeding 27 feet but not exceeding 30 feet	$206.97	$258.71	$297.52	$342.15	$393.47
Exceeding 30 feet but not exceeding 33 feet	$229.52	$286.90	$329.94	$379.43	$436.34
Exceeding 33 feet but not exceeding 36 feet	$238.31	$297.89	$342.57	$393.96	$453.05
Exceeding 36 feet but not exceeding 40 feet	$277.51	$346.89	$398.92	$458.76	$527.57
Exceeding 40 feet but not exceeding 44 feet	$295.25	$369.06	$424.42	$488.09	$561.30
Exceeding 44 feet but not exceeding 48 feet	$318.46	$398.08	$457.79	$526.45	$605.42
Exceeding 48 feet but not exceeding 52 feet	$342.76	$428.45	$492.72	$566.63	$651.62
Exceeding 52 feet but not exceeding 56 feet	$366.43	$458.04	$526.74	$605.75	$696.62
Exceeding 56 feet but not exceeding 62 feet	$391.23	$489.04	$562.39	$646.75	$743.76
Exceeding 62 feet but not exceeding 67 feet	$405.61	$507.01	$583.06	$670.52	$771.10
Exceeding 67 feet but not exceeding 72 feet	$429.77	$537.21	$617.79	$710.46	$817.03
Exceeding 72 feet but not exceeding 77 feet	$453.92	$567.40	$652.51	$750.39	$862.94
Exceeding 77 feet but not exceeding 82 feet	$478.07	$597.59	$687.23	$790.31	$908.86
Exceeding 82 feet but not exceeding 87 feet	$509.58	$636.98	$732.52	$842.40	$968.76

 

   For each additional five feet, or major fraction thereof, in excess of 87 feet, the following charges shall be made as of January 1st of the year indicated:

 

2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
$24.00	$30.00	$34.50	$39.68	$45.63

 

   Wings, bays, or projections of a depth not greater than 75 percent of the depth of the main portion of the structure shall have but one-half of their front width included in computing the front width of the building.

   In applying the aforesaid schedule to buildings, structures or premises where the outline is a right-angle triangle; only two-thirds of the measurement of the base of such triangular outline shall be taken as the front width.

   Where the measurement of the front width of a building of a rectangular outline is greater than the measurement of its depth, the measurement of such depth may be taken instead of the measurement of the front width in applying the schedule of frontage charge.

   For each story in height of building in excess of one story, the following charges shall be made in addition to the foregoing as of January 1st of the years indicated:

 

2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
$38.55	$48.19	$55.42	$63.73	$73.29

 

   The term “story” as used in the foregoing shall include:

   (a)   Basements containing two or more finished rooms, not including laundry rooms;

   (b)   Basements or attics used for business purposes, other than those used exclusively for storage, and in which no person is regularly employed;

   (c)   Attics containing two or more finished rooms. Outbuildings, rear buildings or buildings on alleys shall be exempt from a service charge when located in the rear of other buildings assessed such service charge; but such buildings shall not be considered as rear buildings when fronted by any street.

   For the purpose of assessment, the occupancies of buildings, structures or premises shall be classified as nearly as possible as follows:

   Class A. Buildings used as private residences exclusively, which are occupied by members of one family only, and in which no portion of the building is rented or maintained for rent to other persons.

   Class B.

   (b1)   Flat or apartment buildings containing one or more flats or apartments with a minimum of one water closet, one bath and one sink.

   (b2)   Flat or apartment buildings not having baths for any of the flats or apartments.

   The amounts to be charged for service to buildings in Class A shall be the amount heretofore specified as minimum charge for service. This charge shall include service for all ordinary domestic fixtures and openings, but shall not include service for outbuildings, air conditioning, or use of hose for sprinkling, washing or like purposes, or other devices which require large quantities of water. Such service as is not included shall be charged for additionally at rates hereinafter specified.

   The amounts to be charged for service to buildings in Class B shall be the amounts heretofore specified as minimum charge for service, and this charge shall include, in Class (b1), one flat or apartment equipped with not less than one water closet, one bath and one sink, and in Class (b2), one water closet and two-family sinks, each of such sinks being open to use of not to exceed one family. If either sink is open to use of other families charges per annum, as of January 1st of the year indicated, shall be made for each such other family:

 

2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
$79.33	$99.16	$114.04	$131.14	$150.81

 

   For each other flat or apartment equipped with not less than one water closet, one bath and one sink, the following charges per annum, as of January 1st of the year indicated, shall be made:

 

2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
$182.81	$228.51	$262.79	$302.21	$347.54

 

   For fixtures for use of apartments having less than the above equipment, the following:

   For each water closet – per annum, as of January 1st of the year indicated:

 

2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
$79.33	$99.16	$114.04	$131.14	$150.81

 

   If such water closet is open to the use of more than one family, an additional charge per annum shall be made for each such family as of January 1st of the year indicated:

 

	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
For each bath per annum	$79.33	$99.16	$114.04	$131.14	$150.81
For each wash basin per annum	$24.15	$30.19	$34.72	$39.92	$45.91
For each family sink which is open to the use of not more than one family per annum	$24.15	$30.19	$34.72	$39.92	$45.91

 

   If such sink is open to the use of more than one family, additional charges per annum, as of January 1st of the year indicated, shall be made for each such family:

 

2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
$24.00	$30.00	$34.50	$39.68	$45.63

 

   All openings at trays used for private laundry purposes shall be allowed with service charge, but service for outbuildings, air conditioning, use of hose for sprinkling, washing or like purposes, or other devices which require large quantities of water, shall not be included. Such service as is not included shall be charged for additionally at rates hereinafter specified.

   For other special water fixtures or for any other special or unusual use of water for which no charge is specified, the commissioner shall determine the amount to be charged for such special fixtures and for such use of water, such charge to be based upon an estimate of the water used.

(Prior code § 185-26; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-84, p. 11883; Mayoral veto. 12-18-84, p. 11998; Amend Coun. J. 1-23-85, p. 12937, 4-26-89, p. 425; Amend Coun. J. 6-28-91, p. 2475; Amend Coun. J. 6-23-93, p. 34793; Amend Coun. J. 11-15-95, p. 11995; Amend Coun. J. 11-10-99, p. 14998, § 7.2; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-99, p. 17487, § 7.2; Amend Coun. J. 12-4-02, p. 99026, § 1.12; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-03, p. 14216, § 7.1; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 15814, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 14596, Art. III, § 1)

11-12-280 Additional charges.

   In addition to other rates and charges assessed against any building, structure or premises the supply to which is not controlled by meter, annual rates, or rates for other periods where so specified, charges shall be assessed where fixtures, devices or occupancies are found, as follows:

   For hose such as is ordinarily used for sprinkling, washing or like purposes, per season, as of January 1st of the year indicated:

	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
For a frontage of 30 feet or less	$56.14	$70.18	$80.70	$92.81	$106.73
For a frontage exceeding 30 feet but not exceeding 50 feet	$79.33	$99.16	$114.04	$131.14	$150.81
For each additional 25 feet of frontage or major fraction thereof	$16.16	$20.20	$23.23	$26.71	$30.72
For aquariums with water connection, with a capacity not to exceed 10 cubic feet of water per season	$56.14	$70.18	$80.70	$92.81	$106.73
For each additional 10 cubic feet or major fraction thereof	$56.14	$70.18	$80.70	$92.81	$106.73
For fountains, per season:
each jet of 1/16 of an inch or less	$127.80	$159.75	$183.71	$211.27	$242.96
exceeding 1/16 of an inch but not exceeding 1/8 of an inch	$509.58	$636.98	$732.52	$842.40	$968.76
exceeding 1/8 of an inch but not exceeding 1/4 of an inch	$1,264.54	$1,580.68	$1,817.78	$2,090.44	$2,404.01

 

   Gardens sprinkled or irrigated which are not part of the adjoining premises:

 

	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
For 3,000 square feet or less, per season	$56.14	$70.18	$80.70	$92.81	$106.73
For each additional 3,000 square feet or major fraction thereof	$24.15	$30.19	$34.72	$39.92	$45.91

 

   For other special water fixtures, or for any other special or unusual use of water for which no charge has been heretofore specified, the commissioner shall determine the amounts to be charged for such special fixtures or for such use of water, such charge to be based upon an estimate of water used.

(Prior code § 185-27; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-84, p. 11843; Mayoral veto. 12-18-84, p. 11998; Amend Coun. J. 1-23-85, p. 12937; Amend Coun. J. 4-26-89, p. 425; Amend Coun. J. 6-28-91, p. 2475; Amend Coun. J. 6-23-93, p. 34793; Amend Coun. J. 11-15-95, p. 11995; Amend Coun. J. 11-10-99, p. 14998, § 7.2; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-99, p. 17487, § 7.2; Amend Coun. J. 12-4-02, p. 99026, § 1.12; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-03, p. 14216, § 7.2; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 15814, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-07, p. 17167, § 10; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 14596, Art. III, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-29-15, p. 3537, § 1)