All water and sewer mains must be uncovered by hand digging. As the opening is being made a person must be provided for the purpose of watching the operations as the bucket approaches the pipe so that the hand digging is provided in time to protect the city mains.
The owner of the property for which the opening is done and the person performing the opening or digging are jointly and severally liable and chargeable for any damage or loss suffered by the city because of the breaking of a water or sewer main with a power shovel or ditcher and shall also pay the entire cost of replacing and repairing same. The public works director is authorized and directed to stop the operations at or on any opening or digging until the costs mentioned above are paid to the city, or any other required fee is paid, or until any other requirement set forth in this chapter has been complied with. (Ord. 3013, 2-14-2005)