(A) Service connections to the city mains 3/4-inch or 1-inch (minimum 3/4-inch) shall be made by the Utility. This connection will extend to a meter pit location determined by the Utility to the consumers' property line or easement right-of-way. Whenever possible, meters must be placed on adjoining property lines so that one tap can feed two meters in the same tile. When this method is used, a one-inch water tap will be made; therefore, each resident shall pay a tap on fee.
(B) Service connections larger than 1-inch for commercial, industrial or multiple residential structures shall be made by the contractor with the approval and inspection of the Utility. The contractor/engineer shall determine the size of all connections and the size of the meter. The Utility will supply 5/8-inch and 1-inch meters. Anything larger than 1-inch is to be purchased and installed by the property owner. The installation shall be inspected by a Utility employee. All connections made to the Utility system, regardless of who makes them will have a tap fee/inspection fee and an availability fee charge of an approved amount per connection. This charge shall be paid in full before service will be furnished.
(C) All new service installations shall be made with type K copper (3/4-inch is tap fee anything larger is time, material, and tap fee.) A 2-inch service may be type K copper or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) SDR-21 200 PSI, larger services shall be made of PVC-900 150 PSI. All buried copper services must be joined with compression fittings prior to the meter or stop and waste valve. Locator wire #10 solid THHN (THWN) is to be installed with all PVC pipe.
(D) (1) Whenever it becomes necessary to extend a main water line into a subdivision, plot of ground, or group of lots owned or purchased by a builder or contractor, the extension will be made at no expense to the water department. A minimum of 8-inch for residential and 12-inch for industrial and commercial is to be ran unless approved by the water superintendent. The developer shall loop their mains in a manner approved by the Utility. Only C-900 PVC of required size will be used in a new main construction. The owner/developer or contractor will also pay the water department a tap fee and an availability fee in the amount of the current rates and charges. The water mains must be tested by the owner/developer and a copy of the results must be submitted to a Water Utility representative for approval. After the approval of the lines and after the Board of Works accepts the water lines by a deed of dedication, the owner will guarantee the water lines for one year from the date of dedication. The city may assume responsibility for the water lines following the one year guarantee provided there have been no problems incurred within that year. If so, the responsibility will be revisited on a month to month basis.
(2) Fire hydrants located in subdivisions will be charged for private fire protection from the time of approval of the lines until the end of the one year warranty period, regardless of when the deed of dedication was presented to the city.
(E) All persons taking water shall have their plumbing fitted with shut off valves at some convenient place where the property owner's line enters the residence or building. This allows the consumer to shut off the water source when needed repairs are required. At no time is the consumer or property owner allowed to shut off the water in the meter pit. It is especially stipulated and agreed that no claim shall be made against the Utility by reason of the breaking of any service pipe. If leaks are reported after due notice to the consumer or property owner, and the same is not repaired, service may be discontinued 72 hours after notification from city personnel as designated by the Water Superintendent. The Water Superintendent can terminate or initiate repair for any leak that he or she deems as an emergency in which endangers the personal property, public health, or the environment.
(F) The Utility in every instance reserves the right, at its option, to designate and prescribe the size and kind of service connections. This pertains to either new or replacement of old connections. The Utility is responsible for the line from the main to the meter pit and/or shut off valve. The consumer is responsible from the meter or shut off valve to the residence or building. Any excavating is subject to the Indiana Underground Plant Protection Service laws.
(G) Consumers having boilers and/or pressure vessels receiving a supply of water from the Utility must have a check valve on the water supply line and a vacuum valve on the steam line to prevent collapse in case the water supply is discontinued or interrupted for any reason, with or without notice.
(H) Should a consumer at any time question the accuracy of their 3/4-inch or 1-inch meter, the Utility will, upon written application, remove and test the meter. Fees for this service are listed in the current rates and charges ordinance. If the test shows that the meter has been over-registering more than 2%, the above fee for each meter shall be returned to the consumer and the bill rendered, based on the last reading of such meters, shall be corrected accordingly. If the test shows that the meter is not over-registering more than 2%, the bill rendered, based on the last reading of such meter or meters shall be found correct. The Utility reserves the right to remove and test any 3/4-inch or 1-inch meter, at any time, and if such meter is found to be inaccurate, to substitute another meter of the same size in its place, either permanently or temporarily. Should any consumer, at any time, request a two hour meter test to check for leaks within the premise, the Utility will do so for a fee listed in our current rates and charges ordinance.
(I) All water passing through a meter will be charged for, whether used or wasted. The quantity of water recorded by the meter shall be conclusive on both the Utility and the consumer, except when the meter has been found defective or ceases to register. No allowance will, under any circumstances, be made for water used, lost or wasted through leaks, carelessness, neglect, or otherwise, after the same has passed through the meter.
(Ord. 2007-07-23, passed 11-15-07) Penalty, see § 51.99