(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates, or requires, a different meaning.
CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE. The part of the piping on the customer’s property that connects the service to the customer’s distribution system.
SERVICE CONNECTION. The part of the water distribution system which connects the meter to the main line, and shall normally consist of corporation stop, service pipe, curb stop and box, meter, meter yoke, and meter box.
(B) Ownership, installation, and maintenance. The Water Department shall own, install, and maintain all services and installation, and maintenance shall only be performed by authorized employees of the Water Department. The customer shall own, install, and maintain the service line.
(C) Service connection charge. At the time the applicant files for service where no service previously existed, or if he or she is filing for a change in service size or location, he or she shall submit with his or her application the service connection charge. This charge is to cover the actual cost to the Water Department to install the first 100 feet of service from the main line to, and including, the meter and meter housing. The minimum service connection charge shall be as established by resolution of the Council. If the length of main line to the meter location exceeds 100 feet, the applicant shall pay the extra cost of the line on the basis of actual cost to the Water Department for labor, materials, and equipment plus 15%.
(D) Size of service line. The Water Department will furnish and install a service line of the size and at the locations as the applicant requests; provided, the requests are reasonable and that the size requested is one that is listed by the Water Department. The minimum size of the service line shall be three-fourths inch. The Water Department may refuse to install a service line which is undersized or oversized as determined by a study and report of the Superintendent to the City Council.
(E) Changes in service size. Permanent changes in the size of the service line requested by the customer shall be paid by the customer on the basis of actual cost to the Water Department for making the change.
(F) Length of service line. Where the main line is in a public right-of-way, the meter will be placed at the right-of-way line nearest the property to be served for the standard connection fee; provided, the length of service line does not exceed the width of the right-of-way. Where the main line is on an easement or publicly owned property other than designated rights-of-way, the service shall be installed to the boundary of the easement or public property by the Water Department; provided, the length of service does not exceed 100 feet. If, in either case cited herein, the length of the service line to the meter location exceeds the maximum stated, the applicant shall pay the extra cost of the line on the basis of actual cost to the Water Department for labor, materials, and equipment plus 15%.
(G) Joint service connections. The Water Department may, at its option, serve two or more premises with one connection. On new service connections, the inside diameter of the joint lines shall be sufficient to provide a carrying capacity of not less than the combined capacity of individual service lines of the same size as the meters installed. Service extensions from an existing service to other occupancies or ownerships than that for which the existing service was intended shall not be permitted, nor shall separate residences be permitted to receive service through one meter except under special considerations approved by the City Council.
(H) Number of service connections on premises. The owner of a single parcel of property may apply for, and receive, as many services as he or she, and his or her tenants, may require; provided, his or her application or applications meet the requirements of the policies, rules, and regulations.
(I) Standby fire protection service connections.
(1) Purpose. Standby fire protection service connections of two-inch size and larger will be installed only if adequate provisions are made to prevent the use of water from the services for purposes other than fire extinguishing. Sealed fire sprinkler systems with water-operated alarms shall be considered as having the provisions. The Water Department may require that a suitable detector check meter be installed in the standby fire protection service connections to which hose lines or hydrants are connected. All piping on the customer’s premises shall be installed in accordance with the plumbing code of the state.
(2) Charges for service. Charges for standby fire protection service will be as established by resolution of the Council. No charge will be made for water used in the standby fire protection services to extinguish accidental fires or for routine testing of the fire protection system. The customers shall pay the full cost of the standby protection service connection, any required detector check meters, and any required special water meter installed for the service to the standby connection.
(3) Violations of regulations. If water is used from a standby pipe connection service in violation of these regulations, an estimate of the amount used will be computed by the Water Department. The customer shall pay for the water used at the regular rates, including the minimum charge based on the size of the service connection and subsequent bills rendered on the basis of the regular water rates.
(J) Fire services connections other than standby. A service having fire protection facilities on the premises and water for other purposes flowing through the same service connection shall be considered as an ordinary service and metered as such. All water used through that service, regardless of its use, will be charged at the regular rates.
(K) Temporary service connections. For water service of a temporary nature, applicants shall be required to pay in advance the estimated cost of installation and removal of metering equipment and materials, plus a reasonable depreciation charge for the use of equipment and material furnished by the Water Department. The applicant shall also pay his or her water bill in advance and based on an estimate of the quantity to be used, or he or she shall otherwise establish satisfactory credit.
(1) Time limit. Temporary service connections shall be discontinued and terminated within six months after installation unless an extension of time is granted, in writing, by the Water Department.
(2) Charge for water served. Charges for water furnished through a temporary service connection shall be at the same rates as for regular services as established by resolution of the Council.
(3) Installation charge and deposits. An applicant for temporary service will be required:
(a) To pay the Water Department, in advance, the estimated cost of installing and removing all facilities necessary to furnish each service;
(b) To deposit an amount sufficient to cover bills for water during the entire period the temporary service may be used, or to otherwise establish credit approved by the Water Department; and
(c) To deposit with the utility an amount equal to the value of any equipment loaned by the Water Department to the applicant under the terms of division (K)(4) below.
(4) Responsibility for meters and installation. The customer shall use all possible care to prevent damage to the meter or to any other loaned facilities of the Water Department. If the meter or other facilities are damaged, the cost of making repairs shall be deducted from the deposit fund. If the loaned materials are returned in satisfactory conditions and all bills paid, the full amount of the equipment deposit will be returned to the temporary customer at the termination of service.
(L) Customer’s plumbing.
(1) Plumbing code. The customer’s plumbing, which shall include the customer’s service line and all plumbing, piping, fixtures, and other appurtenances carrying, or intended to carry, water, sewer, or drainage shall comply with the plumbing code of the state.
(2) Control valves. Customers shall install a suitable control valve in the customer service line as close to the meter as possible, the operation of which will control the entire water supply to the premises served. In the event a customer’s service is discontinued for any reason, a control valve must be installed if none exists, as provided by this section. It shall be a violation of these rules and regulations for the customer to operate, cause, or permit unauthorized operation of the meter stop, or any appurtenances on the service connection.
(Prior Code, § 51.07) (Ord. 98-471, passed 5-4-1998)