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§ 51.03 METERED RATES.
Publisher's Note: This Section has been AMENDED by new legislation (Ord. 1655 , adopted 12-16-2024). The text of the amendment will be incorporated below when the ordinance is codified.
   (A)    Each metered consumer or owner to which water shall be furnished by the city, shall pay the city for the same in accordance with the following schedule of rates and minimum charges, which shall be for each gallon.
   (B)   Residential, commercial, public and industrial:
 
Water Used
Rate
Base charge for each meter per month
$18.37 flat rate
0-2,500 gallons of water per month
$0.0078 per gallon
2,501 and over gallons of water per month
$0.0070 per gallon
 
Size of Meter
Minimum per Month
Allowance
Size of Meter
Minimum per Month
Allowance
5/8 inch
$24.22
750 gallons
3/4 inch
$30.07
1,500 gallons
1 inch
$37.87
2,500 gallons
1-1/2 inch
$72.87
7,500 gallons
2 inch
$125.37
15,000 gallons
3 inch
$230.37
30,000 gallons
4 inch
$615.37
85,000 gallons
6 inch
$1,770.37
250,000 gallons
8 inch
$3,520.37
500,000 gallons
 
   (C)   The customer shall pay the minimum charge only when the amount resulting by applying the meter rate to the quantity of water consumed is less than the minimum charge. When such amount is greater than said minimum charge, then that amount shall constitute the bill for service rendered.
   (D)   Residential unit multiplier. 
      (1)   A structure serviced by a single water meter which supplies water to multiple residential dwelling units shall be charged a multiple of the base fee established per this section.
      (2)   Examples.
         (a)   A duplex would be billed two times the base fee in addition to the water usage rate.
         (b)   A structure containing 25 individual residential dwelling units would be billed 25 times the base fee in addition to the water usage rate.
(Ord. 1565, passed 12-19-2016; Ord. 1574, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 1587, passed 12-17-2018; Ord. 1599 , passed 12-2-2019; Ord. 1606, passed 12-7-2020; Ord. 1613, passed 12-20-2021; Ord. 1627, passed 12-19-2022; Ord. 1647, passed 12-18-2023)
§ 51.04 FLAT RATES.
   Each consumer or owner who installs, or has installed, hydrants or fire service connections to which water shall be furnished by the city, shall pay the city for the same in accordance with the following schedule; the fee stated below is the annual rate:
   (A)   Public fire hydrant connection (six inch max): $60 per year;
   (B)   Private fire hydrant connection (six inch max): $50 per year; and
   (C)   Fire connection lines for standpipes and sprinklers:
 
Connection
Rate
4 inch diameter service connection
$60 per year
6 inch diameter service connection
$155 per year
8 inch diameter service connection
$225 per year
Other connections
As negotiated
 
   (D)   All rates shown in this section are for furnishing water or making water available, and for maintenance of the connection within the public right-of-way. The cost of installation is not included.
   (E)   Since the Fire Department is neither a “consumer” or “owner”, as those terms are defined in this chapter, neither the city or any of its departments nor any affiliates or authorities thereof, may charge the Fire Department any fees in connection with any public fire hydrant connections.
(Ord. 1348, passed 5-20-1991; Ord. 1574, passed 12-18-2017)
§ 51.05 SPECIAL RATES.
   (A)   Construction work. For water furnished for construction work, where, in the opinion of the city, it is not practical to install or use meters, the rate to be charged for water shall be fixed by resolution of City Council. The per diem rate shall not include any required tapping fees or the costs of running a service to the point within the premises where a meter would normally be installed, but shall include the connection and disconnection of the temporary service, which shall only be done by city forces.
   (B)   Circus, bazaar or fair.
      (1)   A circus, bazaar, fair or other type of business which will temporarily exist at a location from one to ten days, and where the city deems such charge applicable, and where the city deems it not practical to install or use meters, shall pay in advance on a per diem basis for water supplied. Such charges shall be in the amount fixed by resolution of City Council. The per diem rate shall not include any required tapping fees or the costs of running a service to the point within the premises where a meter would normally be installed, but shall include the connection and disconnection of the temporary service, which shall only be done by city forces.
      (2)   Temporary water: construction, circus, bazaar or fair:
 
Size of Service
First Day
Each Additional Day
2 inch or less
$32
$18
3 inch
$50
$30
 
   (C)   Non-fire hydrant use.
      (1)   For water furnished from a hydrant for purposes other than fighting a fire, when the city’s Water Department shall approve such use, and when the city deems it not practical to install or use a meter for such use, the rate to be charged shall be fixed by resolution of City Council.
      (2)   In addition to the rates provided for herein above, the user shall pay the current hourly rate of pay for the services of an employee of the city to operate the hydrant. This may be waived in cases where the city considers such use in the public interest, or in cases where the city decides no city employee is required for hydrant operation.
      (3)   Non-fire hydrant use:
 
Type of Use
Rate
Metered flow from hydrant
Actual cost of water, plus setup and teardown labor
Unmetered flow through one 2-1/2 inch hydrant nozzle
$1 per minute
 
   (D)   Deposit required. A deposit, in the amount fixed by resolution of City Council, to be applied against unpaid bills or damage claims may be required with each new application for service or renewal of service application. Said deposits shall be returned to the customer upon termination of the service, or after 12 consecutive months of billing paid without penalty, if no other charges remain unpaid. Six percent simple interest (not compounded) shall be paid on all deposits at the time the deposit is returned. Interest shall start on the first of the month following the date of deposit and shall end on the first of the month in which the deposit is returned.
(Ord. 1179, passed 2-5-1973; Ord. 1283, passed 3-1-1982; Ord. 1626, passed 12-19-2022)
§ 51.06 APPLICATION FOR SERVICE.
   (A)   Application required.
      (1)   Water will be furnished, or service connection made, upon written application by the property owner, tenant, consumer or agent thereof on a form furnished by the city for the purpose, and after approval of such application by the city.
      (2)   Where a water connection has been previously installed and water is desired, a proper application shall be signed by the owner, tenant, consumer or agent.
   (B)   New application upon change in ownership or tenancy. A new application must be made and approved by the city’s Water Department upon any change in ownership of the property when the owner is the customer, upon any change in tenancy where the tenant is the consumer or upon any change in the service, as described in the application. The city may, with five days’ notice, shut off the service pending an application.
   (C)   Renewal of service. Service will be renewed under a proper application when the conditions under which such service was discontinued are corrected and upon the payment of all charges provided in the schedule of rates or tariff of the city, including the turn-on charge and all bills for labor, supplies and permits required in shutting off and turning on the water.
   (D)   Deposit required. A deposit of $50 to be applied against unpaid bills or damage claims may be required with each new application for service. Said deposits shall be returned to the customer, without interest, upon termination of service, or after 12 consecutive months of billing paid without penalty, if no other charges remain unpaid.
(Ord. 1179, passed 2-5-1973; Ord. 1495, passed 4-6-2009 ; Ord. 1626, passed 12-19-2022)
§ 51.07 SERVICE CONNECTIONS.
   (A)   SERVICE CONNECTION shall mean and include the corporation cock or stop at the main, the water pipe line from the corporation cock to the curb stop-cock, the curb stop-cock and curb box.
   (B)   The city shall determine the size of all service connections.
   (C)   (1)   No person except an authorized employee of the city’s Water Department shall tap any main or distributing pipe. Service connections shall be tapped and installed by the city from the street main, where a main exists, to the curb line of the same, including all pipe and stop cock and box, and a fee shall be charged to the owner of the property with which the connection is made. The fee for such service connection shall be fixed by resolution of City Council.
      (2)   Service connection fees are set by the most recent fee schedule, as amended from time to time and which is on file in the city offices.
   (D)   The entire service connection shall be and remains the property of the city, and accessible to and under its control, and shall be maintained by the city. The cost of all permits required for excavation, street opening, or street or road occupancy, as may be required by the state or local governments, shall be added to the above fees, if such permits are required.
(Ord. 1179, passed 2-5-1973; Ord. 1256, passed 5-5-1980; Res. 10-02, passed 1-18-2010 ; Ord. 1626, passed 12-19-2022) Penalty, see § 51.99
§ 51.08 BUILDING CONNECTIONS.
   (A)   BUILDING CONNECTION shall mean and include the water pipe line from (but not including) the curb box and stop to the meter location in the building, or such other point on the premises where the meter is to be placed.
   (B)   The city shall determine the size of all building connections.
   (C)   (1)   The city shall install and charge for such installation, or may permit the owner or his or her agent to install at his or her expense, the building connection for single-family houses on a street where a water main exists. For two-family housing, multi-family housing, commercial or industrial users, trailer courts and/or developments, the city may require that the owner or customer, or his or her agent, install the building connection or connections, or the city may install said connection. All such installations shall be made in accordance with city specifications and shall not be less than four feet below final grade.
      (2)   All connections between the curb stop and the meter for ordinary single-family domestic installations shall be of three-fourths inch Type K tubing one-half inch diameter, if approved) and approved fittings for such tubing. Larger services shall be of such material and of such size as the city may direct. The building connection shall include an approved shut-off valve at the meter location. These connections shall be installed in a workmanlike manner and shall be inspected by the city prior to backfilling of the trench, and if such installation is not in accordance with good workmanship, the city may refuse to provide water service. A request for such inspection shall be made to the city at reasonable hours and with as much advance notice as practical.
   (D)   The building connection shall be and remains the property of the city, and accessible to and under its control, and shall be maintained by the owner.
   (E)   The city shall not be liable for defective condition of pipes or connections. The city shall in no case be liable on account of any defective condition in any water pipe, or in any trench or ditch dug for the purpose of laying water pipe by any person or persons desiring to make connections with any of the city’s mains. It shall always be expressly understood that the person or persons using such water shall, at all times, keep the pipes and other connections in a good condition or repair, and shall be liable for all damages occasioned to any person or property by reason of any defective condition arising through the want of repair or otherwise, to the water pipe or the ditches in which the same are laid. The city shall make any repairs in any building connection when the city deems such repair necessary to conserve water or because of contamination hazards. Said repair may be made without prior notice and the cost shall be borne by the owner of the premises.
   (F)   Alterations between the street and the meter due to installation of an additional meter, relocation of meter, changes of grade, or changes in building walls will be made at the expense of owner or tenant.
   (G)   No water service line may be laid in the same trench or within three feet of gas or sewer lines or electrical wires, so that repairs or alterations can be made without damage to either.
   (H)   All meter pits shall be furnished and maintained by the owner or tenant where such pits are required by the city, such as for service to unheated buildings or trailers.
   (I)   The owner shall give prompt notice in the case of leakage, and afford access to the line at any reasonable time. The applicant’s connections and fixtures shall be maintained in good order, avoiding waste.
   (J)   All plumbers or workers, working on any piping connected to, or to be connected to, any part of the city water system, shall observe the following regulations and requirements.
      (1)   No plumber or workman shall do any work that would result in a violation of any of the provisions of these regulations.
      (2)   Every plumber or worker shall, within 24 hours after the completion thereof, report to the city of all work done by him or her that might in any way effect a change in the water rate on the premises on which such work is done. He or she shall also report any plumbing installation or use of water that is contrary to any of the provisions of these regulations which might come to his or her notice.
   (K)   All pipes, meters and fixtures shall at all reasonable hours be subject to inspection by employees of the city with proper identification.
(Ord. 1179, passed 2-5-1973 ; Ord. 1626, passed 12-19-2022) Penalty, see § 51.99
§ 51.09 FIRE SERVICE.
   (A)   No person shall take water from any fire hydrant except for fire purposes, or with written permission of the city.
   (B)   It shall be expressly understood and agreed by and between the parties receiving public or private fire service and the city that the city does not assume any liability as insurers of property or persons; and that the agreement does not contemplate any special service, pressure, capacity or facility, other than the ordinary or changing conditions of the city water system which exist from day to day. The city hereby declares, and it is agreed by the consumer, that the city shall be free and exempt from any and all claims for injuries to persons or property by reason of fire, water, or failure to supply water, pressure or capacity.
   (C)   There shall be filed as part of each application for public or private fire service (and, if required, of all applications for special services or supplies) full details, plans or copies thereof, showing the location of all pipes, valves and hose connections.
   (D)   (1)   All fire connection lines for standpipes and sprinkler systems, or related fire protection needs, shall be installed at the expense of the customer, whether public or private. The city shall, in all cases, make the tap to the main (or install the tee) and shall provide the service to and including a valve, said valve being located in a curb box on the side of the street, or within the street. The fee to be charged by the city to the customer for the service connection from the main to, and including, the valve and box shall be fixed by resolution of City Council.
      (2)   Fire connection fees are set by the most recent fee schedule, as amended from time to time and which is on file in the city offices.
   (E)   The fire line from the above mentioned valve into the property shall be at the expense of the customer, and shall be installed by the customer or his or her agent, unless the city shall agree to make such installation for costs as may be agreed upon. All such lines shall be maintained at the expense of the customer outside of public rights-of-way.
   (F)   The fire service connection from the main, through and including the curb box and valve, and all portions of the service which are within public rights-of-way, shall be and remain the property of the city, and shall be accessible to and under its control.
   (G)   The city may, if it so elects, provide a domestic water service off a fire service line, if the service is for the same customer. The city shall, in such cases, provide all extra valving necessary for proper functioning in case of fire service shut-off.
   (H)   All hydrants shall be furnished at the customer’s expense, including all pipes and valves. All hydrants shall meet city specifications, except that nozzle threads may be as requested by the political subdivision in which the hydrant is to be located. All hydrants in public rights-of-way shall be maintained and owned by the city.
(Ord. 1179, passed 2-5-1973; Ord. 1256, passed 5-5-1980; Res. 10-02, passed 1-18-2010 ; Ord. 1626, passed 12-19-2022) Penalty, see § 51.99
§ 51.10 METERS.
   (A)   All meters shall be furnished and installed by the city, complete with couplings, and shall remain the property of the city and subject to its control. The size and kind of meter shall be as the city deems necessary. They shall be accessible and conveniently located at a point approved by the city so as to control the entire supply, and a suitable place and protection therefore shall be provided by the applicant. It is required by the city that each applicant shall furnish a flat head (stop-cock or lock wing) meter stop on the inlet side of the meter. Where pressure reducing valves are required or installed by the applicant, this installation shall be on the customer’s side of the meter. Prior to connection to the city water system, applicants having wells or private water supply shall disconnect their water supply from plumbing to be metered.
   (B)   Separate meters shall be used for each building supplied with water and the city may require a separate meter for each tenant in any building. Where buildings are remodeled to provide individual apartments, the city may require the installation of a meter for each apartment. A group of buildings on one site, occupied by one tenant for nonresidential purposes, may be served through one meter.
   (C)   The separate meter requirement for each tenant, however, shall not apply to hotels, rooming houses (where light housekeeping is not done) or houses where the owner or occupant lets only one or more rooms that are not separated as apartments with separate water fixtures.
   (D)   Separate meters shall be required for all mobile homes or trailers.
   (E)   A customer shall notify the city of any damage to, or the nonworking of, any meter as soon as it comes to his or her knowledge.
   (F)   (1)   Meters will be maintained by the city so far as wear and tear are concerned. The consumer, shall, however, at all times, properly protect the meter upon his or her property from damage, by frost or other cause, and shall be responsible for the cost of all repairs to any such meter damaged through his or her negligence or that of any of the members of his or her family, his or her agents, workmen, servants or employees. Such charge shall be payable in full at the time when his or her next water bill shall be due and payable. The fee for such repair of a frozen meter shall be fixed by resolution of City Council.
      (2)   Frozen meter charges are set by the most recent fee schedule, as amended from time to time and which is on file in the city offices.
   (G)   No person or persons, except duly authorized employees of the city, shall repair or work on meters.
   (H)   In case of a disputed account involving the accuracy of a meter, such meter shall be tested upon the request of the applicant. In the event the meter so tested is found to have an error in registration of 4% or more, the bills will be decreased or increased accordingly.
   (I)   (1)   Each request for the test of a meter for accuracy shall be accompanied by a deposit, the amount of which shall be determined by the size of the meter as follows: the fee for such meter test shall be fixed by resolution of City Council.
      (2)   Meter test for accuracy rates are set by the most recent fee schedule, as amended from time to time and which is on file in the city offices.
   (J)   If the meter so tested shall be found to have an error in registration of less than 4%, the deposit shall be retained by the city as compensation for such test. If the error is found to be 4% or more, then the cost of the test shall be borne by the city and the amount of the deposit shall be returned to the applicant.
   (K)   Where water is furnished through a meter, the quantity recorded by it shall be conclusive for both the applicant and the city, except when the meter has been found to be registering inaccurately or has ceased to register. In such case, the quantity may be determined by the average registration of the meter when in order, or by such other fair and reasonable method as shall be based upon the best information obtainable.
   (L)   No bypass or connection between the meter and the main shall be made, maintained or permitted except as may be directed or installed by the city or upon written permission from the city.
   (M)   The city may require a sealed bypass on any meter where water service is critical, and such a bypass, or a tandem meter installation, shall be required on all services one and one-half inch or larger. The cost of the necessary valves and piping and the cost of their installation shall be borne by the customer as part of the building connection.
   (N)   (1)   No charge shall be made for the furnishing of any meter, but a fee as fixed by resolution of City Council shall be charged for the furnishing and installation of an “outside reading” attachment to any present meter installation, if requested by the customer. Such installations shall be made by city forces when scheduling allows, and the cost included with the first water billing following installation. All new services provided by the city, except those in meter pits, shall be equipped with such attachments on the meters and shall be charged as an addition to the original cost of connection for water service.
      (2)   Outside reading attachment rates are set by the most recent fee schedule, as amended from time to time and which is on file in the city offices.
   (O)   (1)   Temporary meter removal shall be made upon request and the fee for such removal shall be fixed by resolution of City Council. Such fee shall include reinstallation of the meter during normal working hours upon request of the customer.
      (2)   Temporary meter removal (reconnection fee): flat fee of an amount set by the most recent fee schedule, as amended from time to time and which is on file in the city offices.
(Ord. 1179, passed 2-5-1973; Ord. 1256, passed 5-5-1980; Res. 10-02, passed 1-18-2010 ; Ord. 1626, passed 12-19-2022) Penalty, see § 51.99
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