(A) Water service supplied by the city is for the use of the consumer at the location given and the consumer agrees not to resell service, nor furnish service to others. This will not, however, prevent a tenant from assuming the obligation of payment.
(B) All consumers before piping a place for water, shall obtain from the office of the utility the location of meter and service and other equipment necessary for service.
(C) Written application shall be made for each service which shall be for not less than one year. Unusual conditions shall be covered by special contracts. Services of all classes shall be by meter, except temporary services (contractors, fairs, and the like, of short duration) and fire service.
(D) The utility will place the fire service to the property line nearest the main, placing such valves as are necessary for the control of the service. The consumer will be charged with the cost of making the connection and placing the service. Fire services are for connection to sprinkler system and fire protection systems, and using this connection for any other purpose is prohibited. When it is found that a consumer is using water from fire service for any other purpose than fire protection, the service shall be discontinued. Before renewing the service, a meter of type approved for this service by the Underwriters, shall be placed on the service, and all costs, of meter and placing, shall be paid by consumer.
(E) The utility will bring services to the curb line and place curb stop and box. The utility will place meter setting at curb, and the consumer will be charged time and materials with the cost of this setting. The meter is furnished by the utility. If, in the judgment of the Superintendent the meter should be set at any other place, the line from the curb to the meter must be suitable copper, brass, or cast iron pipe, except where exposed, and approved by the Superintendent.
(F) Each property or separate location must have a separate service. Service is given for the use of the applicant and no consumer shall be permitted to furnish others, or other premises or property with water service.
(G) Each consumer must have a stop and waste cock installed in such manner that the consumer may turn water off and on without using curb cock. If meter is in the building stop and waste cock must be ahead of and behind the meter.
(H) Any change in service meter or connections after once installed, shall be paid for by the consumer, except that the utility will make such changes as necessary to provide required service. Any alteration in any building, equipment, or plumbing which makes any change in meter location or connection must be approved by the utility.
(I) Any negligent or willful damage to curb box, hydrant, meter or meter setting will be paid for by the consumer.
(J) Meter settings are the property of the utility and no person but an authorized representative of the utility may move, alter, connect, disconnect, tamper with or change the meter setting in any way. Any interference with the meter or the meter set is strictly prohibited subject to the penalties in § 52.99.
(K) When it is necessary to place a meter in a building, the location will be selected by the utility and will be as close as possible to the water main. Meters will not be placed in closets, bathrooms, bedrooms, coal bins, attics, behind furnaces, or in any other place where the meter will not be plainly visible and cannot be kept clean and free from injury.
(L) The readings of one meter will not be subtracted from readings of another meter to obtain a consumer's consumption.
(M) New meter installations must be approved by the Utility Superintendent. Old meter installations may be changed at the discretion of the Utility Superintendent. If the Utility Superintendent determines the installation inappropriate for any reason, the Utility Superintendent may order the change of the location at the meter setting.
(N) When a meter is placed in a building any repairs necessary, except those resulting from ordinary wear, must be paid for by the consumer. Repairs to any meter whether at the curb or in the building, which is damaged by hot water, electricity or heat, must be paid by the consumer. The utility may require the consumer to place check valves and relief valves or other protective devices in the line to prevent damage to meter.
(O) No person shall turn on or off or change in any way the curb cock or meter setting on any water service, or any valve controlling any water service, except as deemed necessary by the utility. When it is necessary to change the curb cock or valve controlling the water service to work on water lines, it shall be changed back to its original position on completion of the work. No person except a representative of the utility has any authority to change the status of a water service. No person, shall change, alter, move, remove, tamper with, damage or operate any line, valves, machinery, equipment or property belonging to or being a part of the system of the utility.
(P) Private wells are not permitted and customers are required to connect to the city water utility, except existing wells may be used for purposes of watering plants so long as the water has been tested and approved by the utility. If any wells that are found not to be compliant with the Indiana State Health Department rules regarding wells, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, then the Superintendent shall order these persons to close their wells as required by state law. Testing shall be done at suitable labs and shall be paid by the customer at his expense at the time of connection to the system. Any existing well must be detached from the system under the house and cut off and run septic to outside of residence at the owner’s or customer’s expense. Separation of the well will also be done at the owner’s expense. This separation must be inspected to the satisfaction of the Utility Superintendent. The city may require testing of these private wells at any time at the expense of the customer. Failure to do so will cause enforcement under the terms of this chapter. Cross connections between the utility system and any other source of water supply is absolutely prohibited. When the utility furnishes water service to any firm, corporation, person or persons using or being connected to another source of water supply, the utility will require that the rules of the State Board of Health be followed. Any use of private wells that are used in conflict with this chapter shall constitute a violation of this chapter and shall constitute a $2,500 fine, with each day constituting a separate violation and a fine of $2,500.
(Q) The utility may, at the discretion of the Utility Superintendent, disconnect any customer who prevents the utility from reading, inspecting or servicing any meter valves or appurtenances in any way or manner, including, but not limited to, any animals that prevent the representatives of the utility from inspections, readings or any other activities associated with the meter setting or appurtenances in any manner necessary for utility purposes.
(R) The Utility Superintendent has the authority to make discretionary decisions concerning any connection, disconnection, locations, or any other necessary decisions to continue the city utility operations pending presentation of this rationale to the Utility Service Board.
(1992 Code, §13.04.140) (Ord. 1969-24, passed 2-3-1970; Am. Ord. 2005-22, passed 11-15-2005)