Subd. 1. 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 insure a supply for fire fighting. In making repairs or construction of new works, water may be shut off at any time and kept off so long as may be necessary.
Subd. 2. Repair of Leaks. It is the responsibility of the consumer or owner to maintain the water service from the curb stop into the house or other building. In case of failure upon the part of any consumer or owner to repair any leak occurring in his or her water service within 24 hours after oral or written notice has been given to the owner or occupant of the premises, the water may be shut off and will not be turned on until a reconnection charge has been paid and the water service has been repaired. When the waste of water is great or when damage is likely to result from the leak, the water will be turned off if the repair is not proceeded with immediately.
Subd. 3. Increasing Size of Water Service. When it is desired to increase the size of water service from the main, a new permit shall be taken out and the regular tapping charge shall be made as if this were a new service.
Subd. 4. Service Pipes. Every service pipe must be laid in such manner as to prevent rupture by settlement. The service pipe shall be placed not less than eight feet below the surface in all cases so arranged as to prevent rupture and stoppage by freezing. Frozen service pipes between the curb stop and the building shall be the responsibility of the owner. Service pipes 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. Type "K" copper tubing shall be used up to and including two-inch services. Joints on copper tubing shall be flared and kept to a minimum. Not more than one joint shall be used for a service up to 70 feet in length. All joints shall be left uncovered until inspected. All services of more than two inches in diameter shall be composed of cast iron mechanical joint pipe. Minimum size connection with the water mains shall be three-fourths inch in diameter for single-occupancy residences and one inch in diameter for all other establishments.
Subd. 5. Private Water Supplies. No water pipe 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 connection is made. When a building is connected to "city water" the private water supply may be used only for such purposes as the city may allow.
Subd. 6. Prohibited Uses or Restricted Hours. Whenever the city shall determine that a shortage of water threatens the city, it may entirely prohibit water use or limit the times and hours during which water may be used from the city water system for lawn and garden sprinkling, irrigation, car washing, air conditioning and other uses or either or any of them. It is unlawful for any water consumer to cause or permit water to be used in violation of the determination after public announcement thereof has been made through the news media specifically indicating the restrictions thereof.
Subd. 7. Private Fire Hose Connections. Owners of structures with self-contained fire protection systems may apply for and obtain permission to connect the street mains with hydrants, large pipes and hose couplings, for use in case of fire only, at their own installation expense and at such rates as the Council may adopt by resolution as herein provided.
Subd. 8. Opening Hydrants. It is unlawful for any person, other than members of the Fire Department 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 suffer to be delivered to any other person any hydrant key or wrench, except for the purposes strictly pertaining to their lawful use.
Subd. 9. Unmetered Service. Unmetered service may be provided for construction, flooding skating rinks and any other purpose. The service shall be at a duly adopted rate. Where it is difficult or impossible to accurately measure the amount of water taken, unmetered service may be provided and the unmetered rate applied; provided, however, that, by acceptance thereof the consumer agrees to have the city estimate the water used. In so estimating, the city shall consider the use to which the water is put and the length of time of unmetered service.
Subd. 10. Water Meters. All water meters shall be purchased by the property owner and maintained by the city. All repairs of water meters not resulting from normal usage shall be the responsibility of the property owner. Any other meter in need of replacement shall be replaced with a remote type which shall be furnished and maintained by the city. All water meters shall be installed and controlled by the city and the cost of installation shall be the responsibility of the property owner. Any remote type meter in need of replacement by reason of normal usage shall be furnished and installed by the city, thereafter, the city shall own the meter.
Subd. 11. Code Requirement. All piping, connections and appurtenances shall be installed and performed strictly in accordance with the Minnesota Plumbing Code. 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.
Subd. 12. Tampering With Water Meters. It is unlawful for any person other than those duly authorized by the city to adjust the reading, disconnect the recording mechanism or in any way deliberately damage any water meter or remote meter. Upon installation of the meter and the remote meter, a seal shall be placed upon the unit by a city employee. To the extent that the seal is broken or there is other evidence of tampering with the meter or the remote, the owner of the premises or the individual known to be personally responsible for the tampering is guilty of violation of this section.
Subd. 13. Additional Rules and Regulations. The Council may, by resolution, adopt such additional rules and regulations relating to placement, size and type of equipment as it, in its discretion, deems necessary or desirable. Copies of such additional rules and regulations shall be kept on file in the office of the City Administrator and uniformly enforced.