(A) Private water systems and wells unlawful. It shall be unlawful to construct, drill, maintain, or install any new private water system or water well within the city.
(B) Zoning or building permit. No zoning or building permit can be issued for construction, expansion, or remodeling of any new or existing building used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purpose where water is required unless and until municipal water service is extended to a public right-of-way or easement that is adjacent to the property prior to or contemporaneous with that construction, expansion, or remodeling. Under no circumstances will new water systems or wells be allowed to be installed in the city. All new or existing buildings used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purpose where water is required must be connected to the municipal water system at the time they are constructed, expanded, or remodeled.
(C) Connection deadline. Existing buildings where water is supplied by a private water system or private well within the city as of June 13, 2005 that currently are not connected to the municipal water system and have private water supply systems must connect the municipal water supply system at the property owners expense within one year after the municipal water supply system is extended to an easement or right-of-way adjacent to the property. Existing buildings on lands annexed to the city after June 13, 2005 that have operable private wells less than five years old and in compliance with all current codes as of the date of annexation are not required to be connected to the municipal water supply system until five years after the date of annexation or until one year after the municipal water supply system is extended to an easement or right-of-way adjacent to the property, whichever occurs last. All connections to the municipal water supply system shall be at the property owners’ expense.
(D) Application deadline. The owner or owners of each and every existing building located in the city as of June 13, 2005, to which water is supplied from a private water supply system or private well within the city that currently are not connected to the municipal water supply system must make application for a permit to connect to the municipal water supply system no later than January 1, 2006. Upon determination of the City Council that it is not currently feasible to connect the applicant’s building to the municipal water supply system, the applicant may be granted a permit to continue use of the private water supply system or private well for a maximum of two years. Prior to expiration of that permit, the applicant must again apply for a permit to connect to the municipal water supply system and the same process will apply. A fee may be charged for these permits as set by the City Council by resolution.
(E) Existing private wells sealed. All private water supply systems and private wells currently located within the city or which become located within the city by future annexation must either be maintained for use such as irrigation, or sealed and abandoned at the property owner’s expense and in accordance with the Minnesota Water Well Construction Code or other applicable state regulations.
(F) City may make connection. In the event a property owner shall fail to connect a building used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purpose to which water is supplied to the municipal water supply system in compliance with this chapter, a notice shall be mailed to the property owner by first class mail at the property owner’s last known address requiring compliance with this chapter within 90 days of the date of the notice. In the event the property owner fails to comply with the chapter and connect the to municipal water supply system the city may undertake to have said connection made.
(G) Recovery of cost. The owner of the property which the city has connected to the municipal water supply system pursuant to the terms of this chapter is personally liable to the city for the cost of the work, including administrative costs. As soon as the connection is complete and the costs determined, the City Clerk-Treasurer shall present the owner of the property with a demand for reimbursement of those costs, after which the sum shall be immediately due and payable to the city. Failure to pay shall entitle the city, on or before September 1 of the year following connection, to assess the cost against the property as a local improvement pursuant to M.S. §§ 429.01 et seq., as they may be amended from time to time, and collect the same along with current taxes the following year or in annual installments as the City Council may determine. This right of the city shall be in addition to any other remedial or enforcement provisions of this chapter.
(H) Authorized personnel. Service connections to the public water supply system will be done by the Water Department or other authorized personnel.
(I) Service taps. All service taps up to and including two inches will be done under pressure. Service taps larger than two inches need not but may be done under pressure.
(J) Curb box. When a service lateral was installed with a water main project (out to the curb box), the property owner will connect at the curb box. If any additional service is needed, the fore-mentioned described service connection will apply.
(K) Code compliance. All service lines, connections, piping, and appurtenances shall be installed and performed strictly in accordance with the Minnesota Plumbing Code and be approved by the Water Department. Failure to install or maintain the same in accord with that code, or failure to have or permit required inspections shall be grounds for termination of water service.
(Ord. 17-8, passed 2-12-2001; Ord. 17-8, passed 6-13-2005) Penalty, see § 52.99