8-1-1: SEPARATE WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM:

The waterworks and sewerage systems of the Village are hereby declared to be separate and distinct systems. Both systems shall be operated for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Village, and charges and rates 1 for the operation and use thereof shall be established sufficient to pay the cost of maintenance, operation, depreciation and payment of interest to principal on any revenue bonds that may be issued by the Village for the purpose of making repairs or constructing improvements and extensions to said systems. (Ord. 85-05, 6-5-84)

 

Notes

1	1. See Chapter 3 of this Title.

8-1-2: WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT:

   A.   Supervision: The Water and Sewer Department of the Village shall be under the supervision of the Commissioner of Department of Public Property, who shall also be the Superintendent of Water and Sewer. In the absence of the Commissioner the Department shall be under the direct supervision of the Mayor.

   B.   Management of Department:

      1.   Powers and Duties of Commissioner of Department of Public Property: The active supervision of the Water and Sewer Department and of any and all property pertaining thereto, shall be in the hands of the Commissioner in charge of the Department of Public Property or his designated employee. It shall be his duty to:

         a.   Protect the same from unnecessary damage or loss and keep the Water and Sewer Department in good running order and repair, and he shall superintend and direct all work pertaining to the future extension of the Water and Sewer Department and all the repairs upon the same of every kind and nature; subject however, to the advice and approval of the Commissioner of the Department of Public Property and the Council.

         b.   Keep a correct map and profile of all the mains now or hereinafter laid in the Village on file in his office with their dimensions, locations and connections, hydrants and cut- offs.

         c.   Keep just, true and correct books of account in such a manner as at all times to show the true condition and state of business of his office. Such books shall at all times be subject to inspection by the Council.

         d.   Deliver such books of account, maps and profiles to his successor in office, and he shall also perform such other duties as shall be encumbered upon him.

      2.   Purchases: The Commissioner of the Department of Public Property shall make the necessary purchase of material and supplies for use in the Department to the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00), but when the cost of the same would exceed the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00), a written estimate, previously made by him, must be presented to the Council and said material estimate shall be approved by them before ordered or contracted for by him, and when the cost shall exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) an estimate shall be furnished the council and they shall advertise for bids according to law before contracting for the same, unless approved by four (4) council members to be done without bids.

   C.   Employees Of Department:

      1.   Appointment: The commissioner of the department of public property shall have the authority to appoint all employees necessary for the proper operation and management of the water and sewer department subject to the approval of the council.

      2.   Salaries: The salaries of all employees of the water and sewer department shall be fixed by the council.

   D.   Agents Of Departments; Badges: Inspectors, foremen, meter readers or any other employees of the water and sewer department, whose duty it may be to enter upon private premises to make inspection and examination of water meters, pipes, fixtures or appurtenances thereto, for any reason whatever in connection with the village water supply, will be provided with a badge or other credential to identify him or them as authorized agents and representatives of the water and sewer department. (Ord. 84-05, 6-5-1984)

8-1-3: RULES PART OF CONTRACT:

The following rules and regulations shall be considered a part of the contract with every person who takes water supplied by the village through the water and sewer department, and every such person who takes water shall be considered as having expressed his agreement to be bound thereby. (Ord. 84-05, 6-5-1984)

8-1-4: WATER AND SEWER CONNECTIONS:

   A.   Application For Water Service Connections; Water Tap Fees:

      1.   Applications for water service connections must be made in writing to the superintendent of water and sewer by the owner or agent of the property to be served. Such application shall state the official house number or numbers of the premises to be served, the size of pipe required and the approximate location where such service will enter the premises. (Ord. 84-05, 6-5-1984)

      2.   Taps or connections to the water mains must be done by a licensed plumber, with inspection by the village before being covered. The applicant will pay a fee of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) per connection. Taps shall be paid for before they will be made. No taps or connections to the water main shall be made by anyone except an authorized employee of the water and sewer department without written permission from the commissioner of public property.

      3.   The village reserves the right to render special services in connection with furnishing water, such as installing and maintaining water service connections, repairing leaks, etc., at prices and terms to be determined from time to time by the council upon recommendations of the superintendent. When no prices have been determined, charges shall be made at the actual cost of labor and material, plus twenty percent (20%) for overhead expenses.

      4.   No person, either owner or tenant, who in changing residence from one location to any other location served by the department, shall be given water service until any and all delinquent water rentals which were charged at former place of residence, shall have been paid in full. No water at a new location shall be turned on and if so, shall be turned off until settlement of such delinquent water rental at former location is made. A charge of ten dollars ($10.00) will be made for turning on water and renewing service.

      5.   Proper records and accounts of each consumer shall be made in the department office.

   B.   Sewer Connection Permit: Unless specifically stated otherwise, "connection", when used in this chapter, means permit to connect to any sewer in the village and adjacent to the property sought to be connected. No permits shall be issued for the connection of any lot or premises which has not paid the sewer connection fee in full, which fee is fixed at one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) per connection. Each building or residence on a lot or lots requires a separate connection. (Ord. 84-05, 6-5-1984; amd. Ord. 92-13, 6-2-1992; 1994 Code; Ord. 05-13, 11-1-2005; Ord. 24-10, 5-6-2024)

8-1-5: EXTENSION OF WATER MAINS AND SANITARY SEWERS OUTSIDE VILLAGE:

No extensions of water mains or sanitary sewers shall be made outside the village limits, unless such property to be serviced shall first have been annexed to the village, and any such extension shall be at the cost of the property owner and subject to installation plan acceptable to the village. (Ord. 84-05, 6-5-1984)

8-1-6: WATER SERVICE PIPES AND APPURTENANCES:

   A.   Service Pipes Across Private Property: No consumer shall be permitted to connect water pipes across lots or buildings to adjoining premises, but all service pipes shall be laid on streets, alleys, or public ground to the premises to be served, and enter at the front or rear of the building nearest the main.

   B.   Separate Connections: There shall be separate service pipes laid from the main to each building wherever there is a water main adjacent to the property on which such building is located, with such extensions as may be allowed by the Commissioner of Public Property in writing. Such service pipe shall be laid on as near a straight line as possible from the point on the water main nearest to such building to where it enters such building with such exceptions as may be allowed by the Commissioner in writing. No two (2) or more services shall be interconnected. (Ord. 85-05, 6-5-1984)

   C.   Service Curb Cocks:

      1.   A curb stop box and shutoff for controlling the supply of water to consumers shall be placed on every service. When connections are made in streets or avenues the stop box shall be placed twelve inches (12") outside the sidewalk line on the owner's side; and when made in an alley it shall be placed twelve inches (12") outside the lot line. The cover of said stop box shall be maintained at the same height as the sidewalk or the surrounding ground. Where area walls or curb lines prevent the location of stop box and shutoff at the point indicated, they shall be placed immediately within the area wall or curb line. All stop boxes must be set on a line drawn at right angles to the main through the service corporation or connection in the main. (Ord. 99-21, 8-3-1999)

      2.   Every service pipe must also have a stop placed in the building within nine inches (9") of the point where the pipe enters the building. Said stop must have a handle or wrench attached to turn the same, and be kept in working order at all times so that the water may be shut off by the occupant of the premises. There shall also be a gate valve placed on the outlet side of the water meter not more than three feet (3') from the meter so that the meter can be taken out or replaced without draining the pipe system in the building.

      3.   All stopcocks on the line of service must have round ways of the same diameter as the pipe with which they are placed with proper locking device, and with proper handles for turning on and off, and of a make and pattern approved by the assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Department.

      4.   The outside shutoff and stop box shall be under the sole control of the Water and Sewer Department and no one except an employee or person specially authorized by the Water and Sewer Department shall open the cover of such box, or turn on or off water. Provided, however, that licensed plumbers may turn on or off water for testing plumbing or making repairs, but whenever so used the shutoff must be left closed if found closed, and open if found open, by the plumber who uses it.

      5.   The stop box on every service must be kept flush with the surrounding ground or sidewalk surface, and must be visible from the sidewalk. The curb box and shutoff must be kept in good condition and ready for use at all times by the owner. Should the owner neglect to maintain such a box and shutoff in proper condition to be used, and if stop box is found to be filled up, or the stop box or shutoff found to be out of repair at any time, the Water and Sewer Department shall have the right to clean or repair the same when needed after giving notice and charge the cost thereof to the owner and if payment is refused may turn off the water in the service until the same is paid.

      6.   Owners of premises having water services which do not have separate curb stopcocks and boxes for each building or which otherwise do not conform to the requirements in this Chapter at the time of its passage shall be required to put in such curb stopcock or make such other changes as are necessary to conform to these requirements when so instructed by the Superintendent of Water and Sewer.

   D.   Service Pipe Specifications:

      1.   That portion of the water service pipe from the water main to the meter up to one and one-half inches (11/2") in size inclusive must be laid of Type "K" copper or polybutylene plastic meeting the requirements of ASTM specification D-2666. Said service line shall be capable of withstanding an internal pressure of one hundred sixty (160) pounds per square inch. For two inches (2") or over services polyvinyl chloride (PVC 1120) Class 22, or cast iron, may also be used, all nonmetallic service lines shall be marked with a continuous wire or metallic tape capable of detection with Village equipment and meeting the approval of the Plumbing Inspector or Commissioner of Public Property.

      2.   No water service pipe or tap for any building shall be less than three-fourths inch (3/4") internal diameter, and pipes supplying sill cocks or hydrants outside of buildings shall not be less than one-half inch (1/2") internal diameter.

      3.   Plumbers installing water service pipes shall close the curb shutoff and leave it closed upon completion of their work, and when pipes are laid to the curb only they shall close the end of the pipe or fitting with a tight metal plug or cap.

   E.   Depth Of Water Service Pipe: Service pipes must be laid at least four feet (4') below the surface of the ground. When pipes are laid in streets or grounds subject to fixed grades, where the surface of the ground is higher than the established grade, they shall be so laid that they will be at least four feet (4') below the established grade, except in sandy soil formation, the Commissioner of Public Property may require pipes be laid to a depth of at least five feet (5') below the established grade. (Ord. 85-05, 6-5-1984)

   F.   Repairs And Maintenance:

      1.   Maintenance Of Service Pipes: All service pipes and fixtures from the street water main up to and including the service curb stop and box described in subsection C of this Section shall be maintained at the expense of the Village. All service pipes and fixtures from the premises up to the service curb stop and box shall be maintained at the expense of the owners, and any leaks or other defects in the same shall be promptly repaired by them, or if not promptly repaired the water shall be turned off until such repairs have been made, and the expense thereby shall be charged against such owner and must be paid before water shall be turned on again. (Ord. 99-21, 8-3-1999)

      2.   Breaks In Service Or Fixtures: The Village shall not be held responsible by reason of the breaking of any service pipe or apparatus, or for failure in the supply of water.

   G.   Abandoned Service Pipes:

      1.   All service pipes that may become useless because of laying of larger or other new services, or because water will be no longer used through them, must be permanently closed off at the water main at the expense of the owner of the premises, and so reported to the Superintendent of Water and Sewer. No plumber or owner of property shall disconnect or remove water supply fixtures or piping from any premises served by Village water, or alter the same in such a way as to make the service connection unnecessary for the premises, without permanently closing off the connections at the water main and reporting the same to the Superintendent of Water and Sewer or Commissioner of Public Property in writing.

      2.   If a service pipe or connection which is not being used is found to be leaking, the Water and Sewer Department may, after giving notice, repair or turn off the same and charge the expense thereof to the owner of property for which the connection was made. (Ord. 85-05, 6-5-1984)

8-1-7: WATER METERS:

   A.   Metered Water Required: All water furnished consumers shall be metered.

   B.   Village To Furnish Meters: All meters shall be furnished and set by the Water and Sewer Department at customer expense, but owners must provide suitable location in piping system for same.

   C.   Installation:

      1.   Meters shall be placed on service pipe not to exceed two feet (2') from the wall where such pipe enters the premises. There shall be a stop between the meter and the wall, and a suitable place provided for the meter so as to keep it dry and clean, and readily accessible at all times to the meter reader and inspectors of the Department. A gate valve shall also be placed on the pipe on the meter. All valves and fittings necessary to comply with these requirements and to provide connection to meter, except a coupling or flange at each end of meter, shall be provided by the owner of premises to be served.

      2.   Where a service pipe larger than two inches (2") in diameter is used, the plumber shall call at the Department office for instructions regarding the fittings and space to be provided for the water meters.

      3.   In the case that two (2) or more meters are desired for measuring water to different tenants in the same building from one service connection, they shall be so placed that no one of them shall measure water which has passed through another one.

      4.   Every mobile home park or multiple-family dwelling shall have a separate water meter for each dwelling unit or shall pay such minimum rates or charges for water service under subsection 8-3-1A of this Title, based upon the number of mobile homes or individual dwelling units located within a multiple-family building or structure, and such other rates and charges as provided in Chapter 3 of this Title.

      5.   When it is necessary to install a meter or meters in newly constructed houses or buildings, or when it is necessary by reason of alterations in a house or building to install one or more additional meters, or when it is necessary to install a larger size meter in a house or building, the owner of the premises or the contractor doing the construction or alterations on said premises shall reimburse the Water and Sewer Department for the actual cost of the meter or meters furnished by the Department plus ten percent (10%) for overhead expenses.

   D.   Type of Meter:

      1.   All meters to new dwellings or new connections shall be of the "remote read" variety. The owner shall protect the reading device and maintain accessibility and visibility for reading of the meter.

      2.   Customers may request a remote reading adapter to be attached to their present meter or the Village may install such a device if the owner is habitually absent during working hours, or the Village elects to install such devices. The fee for installation of the remote reading adapter is thirty dollars ($30.00) and the same shall be paid by the customer.

   E.   Replacement Meters: The Village Council may from time to time institute a water meter replacement program to the extent that it deems the same necessary and advisable for the efficient operation of the water system. All water meters installed under any such program shall be of the remote reading variety, and all customers shall permit access to their premises for the purpose of implementing the program.

   F.   Protection and Maintenance of Meters: The owner or occupant of premises where a meter is installed shall be held responsible for its care and protection from freezing or hot water and from other injury or interference from any person. In case of any injury to the meter, or in case of its stoppage or imperfect working, he shall give immediate notice to the office of the Water and Sewer Department. In all cases where meters are broken or damaged by negligence of owners or occupants of premises, or by freezing, hot water, or other injuries, the necessary repairs to the meter shall be made by the Department and the cost of such repairs paid for by such owner or occupant, and in case payment thereof is neglected or refused, the water supply shall be turned off and shall not be turned on until full payment has been made, together with ten dollars ($10.00) for turning on the water again. Damaged meters may be repaired by the Department without first giving notice thereof to the owner of premises served by such meter.

   G.   Tampering with Meters Prohibited: No one shall in any way interfere with the proper registration of a water meter, and no one except an authorized employee of the Department shall break a seal on a meter; provided, however, that the Superintendent of Water and Sewer Department may grant written permits to licensed plumbers in case of emergency to break such seal for draining pipes or stopping water leaks.

   H.   Removal of Unused Meters: Wherever a water meter is installed on a water service in premises that is to be remodeled, removed or destroyed, or where the service is discontinued so that the water meter is no longer needed, the owner of such premises shall give notice in writing to the Superintendent to remove such meter, and free access to such meter must be provided at least twenty four (24) hours after notice is given so that the meter may be removed. The owner of the premises shall be held responsible for the meter until such written notice is given, and if the meter is covered or lost, he shall be required to pay for the same at the actual value.

   I.   Service Calls; Costs: When the Water and Sewer Department is called by the owner or occupant of a premises to inspect the water system or perform some service to the water connections of said premises to the Village water system, on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays or any other day except between seven o'clock (7:00) A.M. and three thirty o'clock (3:30) P.M., the owner or occupant who has requested such inspection or service call shall pay the Village man hour cost at a minimum of two (2) hours for each such inspection or service call, except that no such payment shall be required if a leak, flaw, break or other defect is found to exist in the Village water system adjacent to the premises rather than on the premises of the owner or occupant. (Ord. 85-05, 6-5-84; 1994 Code)

8-1-8: TURNING WATER ON AND OFF; DISCONTINUANCE OF USE:

   A.   Turning on Water: In turning on water, the Village or the Water and Sewer Department shall not be responsible for any damage that may occur by reason of improper fixtures, open or improper connections, or for any other causes.

   B.   Turning Off Water:

      1.   The Village may, when necessary, shut the water off in its mains for the purpose of making repairs or extensions or for other purposes and no claims shall be made against the Village by reason of the breaking of any service pipe or service cock, or from any other damage that may result from shutting off water for repairing, laying or re-laying mains, hydrants or other connections. The Water and Sewer Department shall give notice of shutting off water if conditions are such that it is possible to do so.

      2.   When water is shut off for making repairs in premises having water heat-coils in heaters, consumers should turn off the water at the basement shut-off and open a faucet in the hot water pipe and leave it open until water is turned on in order to protect piping and fixtures from excessive pressures from hot water or steam.

   C.   Water Use Discontinuance: Owners or consumers desiring to discontinue the use of water shall give notice thereof in writing to the Superintendent of Water and Sewer at the Village office who shall then cause the water to be turned off and the meter removed. Water rents or charges for services shall be made until such notice is given. When water service is discontinued all water rentals for such service shall become due and payable. When water service is again desired after having been discontinued, a charge of ten dollars ($10.00) shall be made and collected before turning on water and renewing service. (Ord. 85-05, 6-5-1984)