§ 51.002 OPERATIONS AND FUNDING.

   (A)   The city owns and operates a waterworks plant and water system in and for the city through the Utilities Superintendent, and said city hereby adopts the following as the rules, regulations, services and usage of the city waterworks plant and water system, which will govern the operation of the system.

   (B)   For the purpose of defraying the costs of the care, management and maintenance of the city waterworks plant and water system, the city may each year levy a tax not exceeding the maximum limit prescribed by state law on the actual valuation of all real estate and personal property within the corporate limits that is subject to taxation. Revenue from said tax shall be known as the Water Fund and shall remain in the custody of the City Treasurer. The Utilities Superintendent shall have the direct management and control of the city water system and shall faithfully carry out the duties of his or her office. Said Utilities Superintendent shall have the authority to prepare rules and regulations for the sanitary and efficient management of the water system subject to the approval, supervision and review of the City Council. The Council shall set by ordinance the rates to be charged for services rendered and shall file a copy of the rates in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection at any reasonable time.

(Prior Code, § 6-101)

§ 51.003 LICENSED PLUMBERS.

   It shall be unlawful for any plumber or pipe fitter to do any work upon any of the pipes or appurtenances of the system of waterworks or to make any connection with or extension of the supply pipes of any consumer taking water from said system. In addition, no plumber shall do any work upon the service pipe or any other portion of the plumbing system of any premises, either within or without a building, in an amount of $50 or more without first securing a permit from the City Council to do such work. All plumbing shall be done in the manner required by the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code or according to acceptable plumbing practices of the area. Said plumber shall be at all times subject to the inspection and approval of the Plumbing Inspector, and it shall be further unlawful to cover or conceal willfully any defective or unsatisfactory plumbing work.

(Prior Code, § 6-137) Penalty, see § 51.999

§ 51.004 COMPLAINTS.

   Any consumer feeling himself or herself aggrieved by reason of any controversy with the Superintendent may appear before the City Council and present such grievance. Any consumer who considers himself or herself aggrieved by being required to pay the charge demanded for the use of water or for the resumption of water service after the same shall have been shut off shall pay such charge under protest, in which event, the City Clerk shall write on the receipt given such customer the words “Paid Under Protest.” Said consumer may then present his or her verified claim in the manner provided for presenting claims to the City Council for a refund of the amount so paid under protest. Such claims shall then be considered by the City Council in the same manner as other claims against the city.

(Prior Code, § 6-120)

SERVICE CONNECTION AND MAINTENANCE

§ 51.015 MANDATORY HOOKUP.

   All persons whose property abuts a water main that is now or hereafter may be laid shall be required, upon notice of the City Council, to hook up with the city water system.

(Prior Code, § 6-119)

§ 51.016 APPLICATION FOR CONSUMERS.

   (A)   Every person or persons desiring a supply of water must make application to the City Clerk upon a form to be furnished by him or her. The applicant shall be required to accompany his or her application with a meter deposit, said fee to be set from time to time by resolution of the City Council. Water may not be supplied to any house or private service pipe except upon the order of the Utilities Superintendent. The Department shall not supply water service to any person outside the corporate limits without special permission from the City Council; provided, the entire cost of laying mains, service pipe and supply pipe shall be paid by the consumer.

   (B)   Nothing herein shall be construed to obligate the city to provide water service to nonresidents.

(Prior Code, § 6-103) Penalty, see § 51.999

§ 51.017 WATER CONTRACT.

   (A)   The city, through its water system, shall furnish water to persons within its corporate limits whose premises abut a street or alley in which a commercial main now is or may hereafter be laid. The city may furnish water to persons within its corporate limits whose premises do not abut a street or alley in which a city commercial main is now or may hereafter be laid and may also furnish water to persons whose premises are situated outside the corporate limits of the city, as and when, according to law, the City Council may see fit to do so. The rules, regulations and water rates hereinafter named in this chapter shall be considered a part of every application hereafter made for water service and shall be considered a part of the contract between every consumer now or hereafter served.

   (B)   Without further formality, the making of an application on the part of any applicant or the use or consumption of water by a present consumer and the furnishing of water service to said consumer shall constitute a contract between the consumer and the city, to which said contract both parties are bound. If the consumer shall violate any of the provisions of said contract or any reasonable rules and regulations that the City Council may hereafter adopt, the Utilities Superintendent or his or her agent may cut off or disconnect the water service from the building or premises or place of such violation. No further connection for water service to said building, premises or place shall again be made except by order of said Utilities Superintendent or his or her agent.

(Prior Code, § 6-104)