Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever the words or terms defined in this section, or pronouns used in their place, occur in this chapter, they shall have the following meanings:
"Air conditioning or refrigeration system" means any combination of equipment, whether compressor or other type, by which heat is removed from or added to the air, that maintains temperatures that are not less than sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit, and from which the accumulated heat is wholly or partially removed or added by the use of water. Evaporative coolers are included in this definition.
"Backflow prevention assembly" means a mechanical assembly designed and constructed to prevent backflow, such that while in-line it can be maintained and its ability to prevent backflow, as designed, can be field tested, inspected, and evaluated or, for an air-gap separation backflow prevention assembly, inspected and evaluated.
"City" means the city of Sacramento, California.
"City council" means the city council of the city of Sacramento, California.
"City limits" means the corporate limits of the city of Sacramento, California.
"City manager" means the city manager of the city of Sacramento or his or her authorized representative.
"City water distribution system" means all pipes, transmission and distribution mains and other facilities owned or operated by the city to supply, provide, or deliver water to its customers.
"Commercial service" means the provision of water to premises used for a business, trade, manufacturing or processing activity, including without limitation hotels, motels, rest homes, schools, irrigation service connections and all other services not hereinafter defined as a "domestic service." The provision of water to premises used for both commercial and domestic purposes shall be considered commercial service.
"Cross-connection" means any actual or potential connection between the city's or consumer's potable piping system and any other source or piping system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the potable piping system any used water, industrial fluid, gas or substance other than the potable water with which the piping system is supplied. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or change-over devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow can or may occur are considered to be cross-connections.
"Customer" means the owner of the property to which water service is rendered, or an association or other entity managing a common interest development billed for water service pursuant to subsections (A)(1), (A)(2), or (A)(3) of Section 13.04.220. As used herein, "association" and "common interest development" have the meanings specified in Section 13.12.010.
"Department" means the Department of Utilities of the city of Sacramento, California.
"Director" means the director of the Department of Utilities of the city of Sacramento, or his or her authorized representatives.
"Distribution main" means a water pipeline used to convey potable water from a transmission main to the customer's property.
"Domestic service" means the provision of water solely for household and domestic irrigation purposes to premises with one or more residential dwelling units, excluding the provision of water defined herein as "commercial service."
"Fire chief" means the fire chief of the city of Sacramento or his or her authorized representative.
"Fire service" means the water pipe and appurtenant facilities dedicated to provide water solely for fire fighting purposes.
"Flat rate" means a fixed periodic rate charged for the provision of water based on factors related to the amount of water used, that may include a minimum rate or service charge, but that does not involve measurement of and billing for the actual quantity of water delivered.
"Irrigation season" means May through October, inclusive, unless a different time period is specified by resolution of the city council.
"Irrigation service" means a water pipe dedicated to provide water solely for irrigation of landscaping.
"Metered rate" means the periodic rate charged for the provision of water in measured quantities based on the quantity delivered, that may include a minimum rate or service charge.
"On-site fire protection facilities" mean privately-owned fire protection facilities installed on private property in accordance with the provisions of this code, whether installed before or after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
"Person" means any person, company, partnership, agency or other public or private entity.
"Point of service" means the location where the city's distribution main delivers water to the customer's private water line. For a metered water service connection, the city's point of service generally is located at the downstream side of the meter where it connects to the private water line; provided that in any location where the meter is outside of the city right-of-way containing the city distribution main, the city's point of service is located at the boundary of the city right-of-way. For an unmetered water service connection, the city's point of service generally is located as follows:
Public Alleys. The point of service for an unmetered water service connection to a city distribution main in a public alley, paved or unpaved, is located at the alley right-of-way line.
Public Streets. The point of service for an unmetered water service connection to a city distribution main in a public street is located at the edge of the public sidewalk adjoining the property served when the sidewalk is continuous with the curb and gutter; at the edge of the curb adjoining the property served when the sidewalk is separated from curb and gutter by a planter strip; and at the street right-of-way line for a public street lacking curb, gutter, and sidewalk improvements.
Public Utility Easements, Abandoned Streets and Alleys, and Private Streets and Alleys. The point of service for an unmetered water service connection to a city distribution main in a public utility easement, abandoned public street or alley, private street or alley, or other private parcel is located at the corporation stop/valve at the main.
Where the exact location of the point of service is unclear, the director shall determine the location.
"Premises" means the property or area, including improvements thereon, to which water service is or will be provided.
"Private fire hydrant" means a fire hydrant that is not located in a city right-of-way or other city property that is owned and maintained by a party other than the city.
"Private water line" means a water pipeline that is owned and maintained by a party other than the city, beyond the city's point of service.
"Public fire hydrant" means a fire hydrant that is owned and maintained by the city.
"Public water main" means a transmission or distribution main that is owned and maintained by the city.
"Rendered," when used to describe water service or other utility services being rendered, means that the service is provided or otherwise made available for use.
"Room" means an area with a minimum of fifty (50) square feet that is structurally or functionally distinct from other rooms or areas in a residential dwelling unit receiving domestic service, as determined by the department in accordance with the department's billing criteria.
"Service connection" or "water service connection" means any tap, pipe, or other means of taking water from the city water distribution system. A service connection occurs at the time that a tap, pipe, or other means of taking water is physically attached to the city water distribution system in a manner capable of taking water from the distribution system.
"Standard specifications" means the city's Standard Specifications for Public Construction dated June 2007, including any subsequent amendments.
"Transmission main" means a water pipe greater than twelve (12) inches in diameter used to convey potable water from a well or treatment plant to a distribution main.
"Temporary water service" means the provision of water for a period of twelve (12) months or less.
"Water conservation device" means any mechanical or electrical equipment employed to efficiently use water.
"Water distribution facilities" means city transmission mains and distribution mains, unless the context indicates otherwise.
"Water meter" means a water meter provided or approved by the city that is installed on a water service connection in a manner that measures the volume of all water taken from the city water distribution system through that water service connection. As used in Article III of this chapter, water meter shall include the water meter, the meter box containing the water meter and all related attachments and equipment.
"Water service" means the provision of water from the city water distribution system in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable ordinances, laws and regulations. Unless the context, or the city, in its discretion, requires otherwise, the term "water service" as used in this chapter shall not include the provision of city water on a whole-sale basis to another water purveyor that, in turn, will supply such water to its own retail customers. (Ord. 2024-0021 § 1; Ord. 2013-0014 § 1; Ord. 2011-051 § 3; Ord. 2005-090 § 2; Ord. 2001-033 § 1)