Chapter 13.04 DEFINITIONS

Unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the meaning of terms used in Chapters 13.04 through 13.24 SMC shall be as set out in this chapter. (Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.020 Air gap.

“Air gap” means the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device, and the flood level rim of such vessel. All approved air gaps shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe, measured vertically, above the top of the rim of the vessel, and in no case less than one inch. When an air gap is used at the service connection to prevent the contamination or pollution of the public potable water system, an emergency bypass shall be installed around the air-gap system, and an approved reduced pressure principle device shall be installed in the bypass system. (Ord. 833 § 2, 1986; Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.030 Auxiliary water supply.

“Auxiliary water supply” means any water supply on or available to the premises, other than the city’s approved public potable water supply. These auxiliary waters may include water from another purveyor’s public potable water supply, or any natural source(s) such as a well, spring, river, stream, harbor, etc., or “used waters” or “industrial fluids.” These waters may be polluted or contaminated, or they may be objectionable and constitute an unacceptable water source over which the city does not have sanitary control. (Ord. 833 § 2, 1986; Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.040 Backflow.

“Backflow” means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances under pressure into the distributing pipes of a potable water supply from any source or sources other than its intended source. (Ord. 833 § 2, 1986; Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.050 Backflow preventer.

“Backflow preventer” means a device or means designed to prevent backflow or back-siphonage. (Ord. 833 § 2, 1986; Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.060 Back-siphonage.

“Back-siphonage” means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable water supply system, from any source other than its intended source, caused by the sudden reduction of pressure in the potable water supply system. (Ord. 833 § 2, 1986; Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.070 Building service line.

“Building service line” means all water service piping on the customer’s side of the main service meter where the meter is within the public right-of-way or easement. Also, all other service connection piping between the meter and the main located on private property (excluding water meters) where the city does not have existing agreements to maintain and replace such piping. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(k), 1984)

13.04.080 Commercial business.

“Commercial business” means a business establishment which furnishes goods or services to either the general public or other commercial operations. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(b), 1984)

13.04.090 Cross-connection.

“Cross-connection” means any physical connection or arrangement of piping or fixtures between two otherwise separate piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the other nonpotable water or industrial fluids of questionable safety, through which, or because of which, backflow or back-siphonage may occur into the potable water system. Other types of cross-connections include but are not limited to connectors such as swing connections, removable sections, four-way plug valves, spools, dummy sections of pipe, swivel or changeover devices, sliding multiport tube, and solid connections. (Ord. 833 § 2, 1986; Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.100 Cross-connection, controlled.

“Controlled cross-connections” means a connection between a potable water system and a nonpotable water system, with an approved backflow-prevention device properly installed that will continuously afford the protection commensurate with the degree of hazard. (Ord. 833 § 2, 1986; Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.110 Customer.

“Customer” means the owner, agent, tenant or other authorized representative responsible for occupancy of the premises which is served by the city water system. A person, corporation, association or agency which rents or leases premises shall be considered an agent of the property owner; also a “user.” (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(a), 1984)

13.04.120 Developer.

“Developer” means any person, company or corporation who purchases or holds an interest in real property with the intent to increase the value thereof by the installation of utilities, construction of a building or buildings, grading, ditching, improving or enhancing the ground or structures for the purpose of resale. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(c), 1984)

13.04.130 Domestic flow.

“Domestic flow” means volume used during peak-hour usage at a minimum residual gauge pressure of 20 psi. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(d), 1984)

13.04.140 Double-check valve assembly.

“Double-check valve assembly” means an assembly of two independently operating approved check valves with tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve. The entire assembly shall meet the design and performance specifications, and approval of a recognized and city-approved testing agency for backflow prevention devices. To be approved, these devices must be readily accessible for the in-line maintenance and testing. (Ord. 833 § 2, 1986; Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.150 Industrial facility.

“Industrial facility” means an establishment primarily engaged in manufacturing, processing or fabrication of goods. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(e), 1984)

13.04.160 Living unit.

“Living unit” means single-family dwelling or habitable unit of multifamily dwelling(s) or condominium. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(f), 1984)

13.04.170 Mains.

“Mains” means distribution pipelines that are part of the city water system. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(g), 1984)

13.04.180 Multi-user.

“Multi-user” means a customer supplied with water service to more than one living unit, commercial business or industrial facility, or combination thereof, from one water service connection. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(h), 1984)

13.04.190 Premises.

“Premises” means the integral property or area, including improvements thereon, to which water service is or will be provided. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(i), 1984)

13.04.200 Reduced pressure principle device.

“Reduced pressure principle device” means an assembly of two independently operating approved check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve between the two check valves, tightly closing shutoff valves on either side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of the check and relief valves. The entire assembly shall meet the design and performance specifications and approval of a recognized and city-approved testing agency for backflow-prevention assemblies. The device shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between the two check valves at a level less than the pressure on the public water supply side of the device. These devices must be readily accessible for in-line maintenance and testing, and be installed in a location where no part of the device will be submerged. (Ord. 833 § 2, 1986; Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.210 Service connection.

“Service connection” means the pipe, valves, fittings and meter by means of which the city conducts water from its main to and through a meter(s), but not including piping from the meter to the premises served. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(j), 1984)

13.04.220 Service connection charge.

“Service connection charge” means the fee levied to pay for the cost of labor, materials and any inspection required during the construction of the service line from the water main to the property which is to be served, such charges to be itemized on a standard city billing form. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(l), 1984)

13.04.230 Shall and may.

“Shall” is mandatory; “may” is permissive. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(q), 1984)

13.04.240 System improvement fee.

“System improvement fee” means the fee assessed to each commercial business, industry or living unit for the right to connect to the city water system, and used for expansion of the city water system. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(m), 1984)

13.04.250 Temporary service.

“Temporary service” means service of limited duration. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(o), 1984)

13.04.260 Water main.

“Water main” means water pipe and all necessary valves, fittings, hydrant connections and other appurtenances used for the distribution of water. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(n), 1984)

13.04.270 Water, nonpotable.

“Nonpotable water” means water which is not safe for human consumption, or which is of questionable potability. (Ord. 833 § 2, 1986; Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.280 Water, potable.

“Potable water” means any water which, according to recognized standards, is safe for human consumption. (Ord. 833 § 2, 1986; Ord. 807 Art. 1, 1984)

13.04.290 Water system.

“Water system” means all municipally owned facilities of the city used to supply, process and distribute drinking-quality water to each customer service connection or temporary service. (Ord. 807 Art. 1 § 1(p), 1984)