(a) Every person who constructs or owns a private water main and connection to the Chicago Water Works System and every consumer of water having service therefrom, whether owner, occupant, or person in possession, charge, or control of any building, structure, or premises, collectively “Owners”, shall be governed by and subject to the provisions of this Code governing the use of water.
(b) It shall be the duty of the owner or Owners of the property under which the private water main is located to maintain any private water main to the point where it connects to the Chicago Water Works System and to make any necessary repairs to the private water main. If any line providing service from the private water main is a lead service line, then it is the duty of the owner or Owners to replace the lead service line in the case of its damage.
(c) If the property owner or Owners fail to maintain or repair the private water main in violation of subsection (b), or if there is damage to a lead service line connected to the private water main, the Commissioner may notify the property owner or Owners in writing of the duty to maintain or repair the private water main, or replace the lead service line. The notification shall be sent via certified mail and shall contain the following information: (i) a statement describing the maintenance, repair, or replacement to be made; (ii) the penalty for noncompliance; and (iii) the date the notification was sent.
(d) The Commissioner may, subject to the availability of appropriated funds and subject to the owner or Owners executing a right-of-entry agreement with the City, cause the maintenance, repair, or replacement to the private water main and, subject to the Commissioner’s authority in Article IX of Title 11, the replacement of the lead service line connected to the private water main to be done at the owner's or Owners’ cost and expense. The owner or Owners shall pay the City in full for any costs and expenses which the City incurs in connection with the performance of that work.
(Added Coun. J. 11-15-23, p. 6542, Art. VIII, § 4)