(A) All water connections and lines are considered private and belong to the property owner from the connection at the curb stop valve to the property's water meter. It shall be the property owner's responsibility to maintain and repair the connections and lines from the connection at the curb stop valve to the property's water meter.
(1) In the case of failure of any water line or connection, it will be the responsibility of the property owner to make the required repairs. The city may shut off water to the property and will not turn it back on until the water line or connection has been repaired.
(2) When, at the discretion of the city, a failure, leak, or other damage will likely result in a significant wasting of water or when damage to persons or property is likely to occur as a result from the failure, leak, or damage, the water will be turned off if the property owner does not immediately proceed with the repair.
(B) The New Prague Utilities Commission (NPUC) will repair or replace all service lines (at the discretion of the NPUC) that meet the following criteria:
(1) Must be one inch or smaller in size and that serve a dwelling that has an individual water meter.
(2) The NPUC will be responsible for the section of water service lines that is connected to the city water main to include the corporation at the water main and curb stop valve and standpipe located in public right-of-way or utility easement.
(3) The NPUC will repair all sections of the street, curb and sidewalk that are required to be removed to make the repairs.
(4) Should the water service line be located in a driveway, the NPUC will remove the required amount of driveway to make repairs safely and backfill accordingly, but the property owner shall be responsible for all costs associated to repair the driveway surface after the repairs are completed.
(5) Damages to the public right-of-way will be repaired by the NPUC if the service leak is on the city side of the curb stop valve. If the service leak is determined or discovered to be on the property owner's side of the curb stop valve, it will be the property owner's responsibility to make repairs and restore all property in the public right-of-way.
(6) The property owner is responsible for any settling of the water lines that occurs within the public right of way including those settling of water lines located in the driveway.
(7) The NPUC shall not be responsible for irrigation service lines connected to the city water main, such as with homeowners associations, where the associations will be responsible for all related repairs.
(8) The NPUC shall not be responsible for restoring or maintain any landscaping near a curb stop.
(C) In the event that water service lines to a building or property are no longer in service or unfit for future service, it shall be the property owner's responsibility to shut down the services at the connection to the city's water main. All expenses incurred are to be the property owner's responsibility.
(D) Deficiency of water and shutting off water. The city is not liable for any deficiency or failure in the supply of water to customers whether occasioned by shutting the water off for the purpose of making repairs or connections or by any other cause whatever. In case of fire, or alarm of fire, water may be shut off to ensure a supply for the fire fighting. In making repairs or construction of new water lines, water may be shut off at any time and kept off so long as may be necessary.
(E) Increasing size of water service. When it is desired to increase the size of water service from the main, the property owner must apply for a new permit and pay the regular tapping charge as if this were a new service.
(F) Service lines. Every service line must be laid in such manner as to prevent rupture by settlement. The service line shall be placed not less than seven feet below the surface in all cases and shall be so arranged as to prevent rupture and stoppage by freezing. Frozen service lines between the main and the building shall be the responsibility of the property owner. Service lines must extend from the curb stops to the inside of the building, or if not taken into a building, then to the hydrant or other fixtures which they are intended to supply. A valve, the same size as the service pipe, shall be placed close to the inside wall of the building, ahead of the meter and well protected from freezing. Joints on copper tubing shall be compression-fitted and kept to a minimum. Not more than one joint shall be used for a service line up to 90 feet in length. All joints shall be left uncovered until inspected. Minimum size connection with the water mains shall be one inch in diameter.
(G) Private water supplies. No water service line that is part of the city water system shall be connected with any pump, well, pipe, tank or any device that is connected with any other source of water supply and when such are found, the city shall notify the owner or occupant to disconnect the same and, if not immediately done, the city water shall be turned off. Before any new connections to the city system are permitted, the city shall ascertain that no cross connections will exist when the new connections are made. When a building is connected to the city water system, all private water supplies shall be disconnected.
(H) Opening hydrants. It is unlawful for any person, other than members of the Fire Department, NPUC or other person duly authorized by the city, in pursuance of lawful purpose, to open any fire hydrant or attempt to draw water from the same or in any manner interfere therewith. It is also unlawful for any person so authorized to deliver or allow to be delivered to any other person any hydrant key or wrench, except for the purposes strictly pertaining to their lawful use.
(I) Water meters.
(1) All water meters shall be purchased, owned and maintained by the city. Costs for water meters in new construction will be billed to the property owner as part of the building permit application. Installation of new meters shall be the responsibility of the property owner or their contractor. All repairs to water meters not resulting from normal usage shall be the responsibility of the property owner. All repairs due to normal usage and replacement of non-functioning meters shall be the city's responsibility.
(2) After installation of the water meter the city shall do testing of such meter, from time to time, to determine accuracy. A fee, as determined by the NPUC, shall be imposed upon any consumer who requests a meter change or request testing of an existing meter. If testing of a meter indicates that it registers in excess of 10% error, the testing fee shall be reimbursed and the charge to the consumer for the billing period within such test is made, shall be adjusted.
(3) When a multi-unit residential building has only one water meter, that water meter account must remain in the landlord's name.
(J) Code requirements. All piping, connections and appurtenances shall be installed and performed strictly in accordance with the current Minnesota Plumbing Code, and only plumbers or authorized employees of the city shall be permitted to do any work on service pipes or fixtures connected with the water system. Plumbers requesting connection shall give notice at least 16 business hours in advance of their need. Failure to install or maintain the same in accordance therewith, or failure to have or permit required inspections shall, upon discovery by the city, be an additional ground for termination of water service to any consumer.
(K) Charges and fees. No water will be turned on until all charges, deposits and fees are paid in full, including any unpaid usage charges for the premises.
(Ord. 151, passed 10-4-76; Am. Ord. 224, passed 7-9-07; Am. Ord. 274, passed 7-21-14; Am. Ord. 329, passed 9-19-22)