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§ 52.09 SHUT-OFF FOR NON-PAYMENT OF UTILITY BILL.
   (A)   The city shall endeavor to collect delinquent utilities accounts promptly. In any case where satisfactory arrangements for payment have not been made, the city may, after the procedural requirements of division (B) below have been complied with, order the appropriate city department to disconnect the utility service to the delinquent customer.
      (1)   When water service to any premises has been discontinued, service shall not be restored except upon the payment of all delinquent amounts, plus a reconnection charge, and the meter deposit if it had been consumed for past amount due.
      (2)   The city shall not be liable for any damage to persons or property caused in whole or in part by the discontinuance of water service.
      (3)   Service that has been disconnected for any reason will not be restored until the owner is present or access to the property is granted.
   (B)   Disconnection will be handled in the manner outlined in Chapter 50.
   (C)   A check that is returned as insufficient funds will be considered non-payment and shut-off procedures will continue as such.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013; Ord. 112, passed 2-9-2015)
§ 52.10 PLUMBING RULES.
   (A)   The corporation cock into the main water line shall be installed in the top half of the pipe preferably at a 45-degree angle to avoid bringing sediment in the main into the service line. The customer will be liable for any damage or further repair due to the line tap.
   (B)   The service pipe from the main to the curb stop at the property line will be installed at a depth to prevent freezing. Service line shall be of material approved by the city and the state.
   (C)   The corporation cock or curb stop at or near the property line will be set at a depth to prevent freezing and the box will be kept at an accessible level at all times.
   (D)   The service line from the curb stop to the meter shall be installed at a depth to prevent freezing and preferably copper. Joints on this line will be as few as possible, and not more than one joint shall be used for each 70 feet of length. Each joint shall be left uncovered until inspected. The service pipe in the house will not exceed 24 inches of exposed pipe.
   (E)   A shut off or stop cock with a waste valve of the size and strength required for the service intended will be placed at the house end of the service line. This valve will be positioned for meter installation.
   (F)   The bottom of the meter shall be between six and 12 inches horizontally from the inside line on the basement wall unless a different position is approved by the Water Department. A suitable bracket shall be provided by the customer to support the meter in a proper position to prevent noise and vibration.
   (G)   The household plumbing that piping serving the customer from the meter shall be attached firmly enough so as to prevent any damage if meter repair is necessary. The city will not be liable for any damage if this pipe is not so secure. A valve should be placed on the house side of the meter to prevent backflow during meter servicing.
   (H)   At no time will cross connections be allowed. This is the connection of any private pump, well, cistern or other source of water to the same line furnishing city water. When any such connection is found, the city shall notify the owner to sever the connection and if this is not done immediately (within eight hours), the city shall turn off the water supply. Before service is restored, the city shall inspect the system to ascertain no cross connection exists, the owner will pay the current reconnection charge and service will be restored.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 52.11 RESPONSIBILITY OF OWNERS.
   (A)   The city shall own the water line up to the designated curb line. In the event that there is no curb on the property, the city shall own the water line up to the edge of the dedicated street. All of the service line from the meter to the designated curb line, or edge of dedicated street. And all valves, boxes and parts thereof are owned by the customer and are to be maintained by them. Only the meter is owned by the city and shall be so maintained. Any damage through malicious mischief, neglect, freezing or whatever to destroy the meter shall be the liability of the customer, whether it is an owner or the renter of the property.
   (B)   The Superintendent or designated employee shall have free access at all reasonable hours to any premises to ascertain the location or condition of all water equipment. Any person desiring to discontinue the use of city water shall notify the city in writing and the inspection and shut-off work must be done by a duly authorized city representative. The city shall gave the right of access on the home owner’s property in order to dig to the curb stop, and the right of access on the home owner’s property for access to the curb stop.
   (C)   No more than one house or building shall be supplied from one service connection, except by special permission of the Council. Whenever two or more parties are supplied from one pipe connecting with a service main, each building or part of the building separately supplied shall have a separate stop box and a separate meter. No person shall permit city water to be used for any purpose, except upon his or her own premises except when permission is first obtained from the Water Department officials.
   (D)   When a customer complains that the bill for any past service period is excessive, the city shall have the meter reread upon request. If the customer remains dissatisfied, and he or she may, upon written request and a deposit of $20, have the meter removed and tested. If the tests show an error in the city’s favor exceeding 5% of the water consumed, the deposit shall be refunded, an accurate meter shall be installed and the bill shall be adjusted accordingly. The adjustment shall not extend back more than one service period (one quarter) from the date of the written request.
   (E)   When time warrants and the city finds water rationing necessary to protect city supply, and after sufficient notice has been given to this rationing, a customer is found in violation, the Water Department will shut off the water to that customer and will not be re-supplied until the customer has a hearing with the City Council. Sufficient notice will be given as outlined in the city’s Emergency Water Contingency Plan.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013)
§ 52.12 HYDRANT USE.
   Hydrant use shall be restricted to the Water Department and Fire Department personnel only. Any other use must be approved by the Water Superintendent. Anyone wishing to obtain water from a hydrant for any purpose shall make application through the City Clerk or Water Superintendent for such service.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013)
§ 52.13 CITY RESPONSIBILITY.
   (A)   The city reserves the right to restrict use to anyone for reasons it feels exceeds the purpose of the Water Department.
   (B)   The city reserves the right to inspect any water service at any reasonable hour for violations or just to ascertain the proper operation thereof. If this inspection finds a violation of water use in any way or leaks in the customer line and fails to repair or correct any violation upon reasonable notice, the reconnection fee is paid. The city shall also, at its discretion, be able to shut the water off immediately, repair the damage either on its own, or through a subcontractor, and bill the landowner for the cost of repair.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013)
§ 52.14 PRIVATE WELLS.
   The drilling of new private wells for domestic use on any property to which city water utility service is available within 1,000 feet is prohibited. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.
(Ord. 104, passed 7-8-2013) Penalty, see § 10.99