CHAPTER 52: WATER
Section
   52.01   Purpose
   52.02   Definitions
   52.03   Water Department defined
   52.04   Duties of the Superintendent
   52.05   Rules
   52.06   Application
   52.07   Rates, fees and billing
   52.08   Billing
   52.09   Shut-off for non-payment of utility bill
   52.10   Plumbing rules
   52.11   Responsibility of owners
   52.12   Hydrant use
   52.13   City responsibility
   52.14   Private wells
§ 52.01 PURPOSE.
   (A)   There is hereby established a Water Department, which shall be under the supervision of the City Council. The Department shall be responsible for the management, maintenance and operation of the water system of the city.
   (B)   A Superintendent shall be hired by the City Council to carry out the duties of the Water Department.
   (C)   The City Clerk shall work with the Superintendent to assure proper billing, and deposits are collected as prescribed by the Department.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013)
§ 52.02 DEFINITIONS.
   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   DOMESTIC USE. Water used for drinking or potable water, non-potable water or irrigation purposes, but shall not include water from wells drilled for such purposes as dewatering, groundwater monitoring, heating or cooling, elevator borings or environmental bore holes.
   IRRIGATE. To supply (land) with water by artificial means, as by diverting streams, flooding or spraying; to moisten; wet.
   PRIVATE WELLS FOR DOMESTIC USE. Any well not owned by the city water utility which is drilled for potable water, non-potable water or irrigation purposes including sand point or drive point wells. PRIVATE WELLS FOR DOMESTIC USE shall not include wells drilled for such purposes as dewatering, groundwater monitoring, heating or cooling, elevator borings or environmental bore holes.
   SAND POINT OR DRIVE POINT WELL. A shallow well that is a one and one-quarter to two-inch steel casing constructed by driving or pounding the casing down into the ground until an aquifer is encountered.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013)
§ 52.03 WATER DEPARTMENT DEFINED.
   The Water Department controls all well, pumps and associated piping to deliver water to the customer. This shall include hydrants, service pipes, valves, meters and customer piping; also, the structures and buildings housing the Water Department equipment.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013)
§ 52.04 DUTIES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
   (A)   Operate the Department in accordance with the State Health Department regulations;
   (B)   Maintain reports necessary to fulfill the information required by the State Health Department and the City Council. Assure necessary reports are sent in a properly and timely manner;
   (C)   Keep all equipment of the Water Department in proper repair to assure constant and trouble free service to the customer;
   (D)   Read water meters as needed and provide information to the City Clerk for proper billing;
   (E)   Work with the City Clerk for water service to customers as changes become necessary; and
   (F)   Notify the City Council of any irregularities or ordinance violations.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013)
§ 52.05 RULES.
   (A)   All provisions of this chapter, where the term customer is used, shall be construed as the owner of the premises served. The person desiring the use of city water shall notify the City Clerk in writing of changes or cancellation.
   (B)   This contract made with the customer shall provide that any delinquencies in the payment of water bills on the premises shall be a lien and charges against the premises so serviced regardless of whether the same be homestead or not. The lien in the case of delinquency, shall be reported to the County Auditor by the City Clerk at the same time and in the same manner as special assessment on real estate and shall be collected in the same manner as taxes against real estate provided, however; that nothing herein shall change the provisions of this chapter with reference to shutting off water for nonpayment of charges.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013)
§ 52.06 APPLICATION.
   (A)   In addition to § 52.05, this application will include intended use and estimated volume thereof for purposes of regulating water consumption. A copy of this chapter and rate structure will be provided upon request.
   (B)   No person except a plumber duly approved by the Water Department will be permitted to tap into the city water supply and then under the supervision of the Superintendent. Any fees will be due at this time.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 52.07 RATES, FEES AND BILLING.
   (A)   No water will be supplied to any customer without receipt of a meter deposit as set by the City Council. This deposit is refundable upon termination of contract with the city and after inspection assures all equipment left in acceptable condition. Interest will be paid by the city on the deposit on an annual basis at the interest rate as determined according to the procedures outlined in M.S. § 325E.02, as it may be amended from time to time.
   (B)   The City Council shall adopt by resolution a schedule of water rates, fees and meter deposits. The resolution shall be published once in time official newspaper of the city. The city may make an annual revision of the schedule based upon annual reports together with a working budget to determine any needs for change in this schedule.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013; Ord. 114, passed 6-8-2015)
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