Chapter 13.12
SERVICE CONNECTIONS

Sections:

13.12.010    Separate service connection requirements.

13.12.020    Application for service.

13.12.030    Regular service – Rules and regulations.

13.12.040    Water main extensions.

13.12.050    Fire-protection service.

13.12.060    Service outside city limits.

13.12.070    Temporary service.

13.12.010 Separate service connection requirements.

A. Every single-ownership property which cannot legally be further subdivided, and including multiple-family apartments, condominiums, mobile home parks and commercial or industrial establishments, constructed after February 6, 1984, the effective date of the ordinance codified in Chapters 13.04 through 13.24 SMC, shall have a separate service connection and stopcock.

B. Multi-users with more than one unit located in common ownership on a single parcel of property shall also comply with the Oregon State Plumbing Specialty Code. (Ord. 807 Art. 2 § 11, 1984)

13.12.020 Application for service.

The following criteria must be met regarding application for water service:

A. No water service will be provided without a signed application containing the following information:

1. The date of application;

2. The location of the premises to be served;

3. The date on which the applicant will be ready for service;

4. Whether the premises has ever been supplied with city water;

5. The purpose for which the service is to be used;

6. The size of the service;

7. The address to which bills are to be mailed or delivered;

8. Whether the applicant is the owner or tenant of the premises. A copy of the signed application shall be mailed to the property owner when the applicant is a tenant or agent of the owner; if the applicant is the tenant, then the owner’s name and address must be provided;

9. An agreement to abide by all rules, regulations and ordinances of the city governing water service;

10. Such other information as the city may reasonably request.

B. Two or more parties who join to make application for service shall be jointly and individually liable, and shall be sent a single billing.

C. Contracts, other than applications, may be required prior to service where, in the opinion of the city, special circumstances exist.

D. If a premises is connected to the city water system without application, the premises will be disconnected. Before a new connection is made, the applicant shall pay double the rate the estimated quantity of water consumed.

E. In no case shall a water service be turned on until the terms of this section have been complied with, and until all appropriate fees and charges have been paid. (Ord. 807 Art. 2 § 10, 1984)

13.12.030 Regular service – Rules and regulations.

A. The city shall furnish and install a service connection of such size and location as a customer requests; provided, that the request is reasonable and is in compliance with provisions of the Oregon State Plumbing Specialty Code and Chapters 13.04 through 13.24 SMC.

B. Such service shall be installed from the main to a point between the curbline and the property line of the premises, if the main is in the street, or to a point in a city right-of-way or easement.

C. The customer shall, at the customer’s own risk and expense, furnish, install and keep in good and safe condition equipment which may be required for receiving, controlling, applying and utilizing water.

D. The city shall not be responsible for loss or damage caused by the improper installation of the equipment, or the negligence, want of proper care, or wrongful act of the customer in installing, maintaining, using, operating or interfering with the equipment.

E. The city shall not be responsible for damage to property caused by a spigot, faucet, valve or other equipment that is open when the water is turned on at the meter.

F. A customer making any material change in the size, character or extent of the equipment or operation utilizing water service, or whose change in operations results in a large increase in the use of water, shall immediately give the city written notice of the nature of the change and, if requested, amend their application.

G. The service connection, whether located on public or private property, is the property of the city, and the city reserves the right to repair, maintain and/or replace it.

H. No booster pumps shall be installed by the user for the purpose of increasing water pressure or delivery without the express written permission of the director of public works. (Ord. 807 Art. 2 § 2, 1984)

13.12.040 Water main extensions.

Whenever a public improvement is to construct or extend a water main, the following shall apply:

A. Extension of all lines will be to the farthest edge of the property requesting service, unless otherwise authorized by the city engineer.

B. A minimum six-inch line shall be used on all extensions, unless a smaller line is approved by the city engineer.

C. The city will share in the cost of water lines larger than six inches in diameter by paying the difference in cost between a six-inch line and the larger size, except:

1. When a new development requires a larger line to provide adequate service, as determined by the city engineer;

2. Only pipe and fitting materials will be paid by the city unless the line size is greater than 10 inches in diameter.

D. The cost for extending new water lines will be paid by the property owner requesting the extension (see Chapter 12.08 SMC, Public Improvements). If a property owner requests service from a portion of the water line provided by the original developer, then the city shall collect a proportionate share of the water line cost, and reimburse the original developer or assignee that amount, less administrative costs. This reimbursement policy shall continue for 10 years from the date of line construction, and then end.

E. When service is requested by a developer from an existing line less than six inches in diameter, the city engineer will determine if both fire protection or domestic flow are adequate.

1. If fire protection is not adequate to either the new structure or neighboring structures, but domestic flow is adequate, then service will be allowed. However, an advance assessment or waiver of remonstrance for the cost of future upgrading of the line will be collected or obtained before any service connections are completed.

2. If both fire protection and domestic flow are inadequate, the developer must replace all lines necessary to adequately supply both fire and domestic flows as determined by the city engineer; however, in no case will the line be replaced to a size less than six inches in diameter. If the property or properties were previously assessed by the city for an undersized line, a credit will be given toward construction of a new line. The developer shall initiate the request for credit, and shall provide written documentation to the satisfaction of the city manager that the assessment is valid. Upon construction of the new line, the developer shall have the right of reimbursement from new water users on the new line. The right to reimbursement shall continue for a period of 10 years and then end.

F. Costs of any construction pursuant to Chapters 13.04 through 13.24 SMC shall include not only the water line, but also the cost of replacing street paving, sidewalks, driveways, and other improvements damaged during construction. (Ord. 807 Art. 2 § 3, 1984)

13.12.050 Fire-protection service.

Fire-protection facilities and their use shall be allowed or required under the following conditions:

A. When a building has a fire-protection service which is separate from the regular service to the building, an approved proportional meter or detector check may be required. The owner of the building shall agree in writing that water supplied through this service will not be used for any purpose except for extinguishing a fire. An authorized city inspector shall be allowed to enter all premises with fire-protection services, for the purpose of determining any irregularities in proper use of the fire-protection facilities. If the city engineer determines a fire-protection facility within the bounds of a private property has been used for purposes other than extinguishing a fire, the city engineer may require immediate installation of an approved proportional meter or detector check, or disconnection of the fire-protection facilities from the city water system. All unauthorized use of fire-protection facilities shall be considered a violation of Chapters 13.04 through 13.24 SMC.

B. Water shall only be obtained from public fire hydrants under the direction of the fire department or department of public works.

C. The fire chief may require installation of fire-protection facilities to any new development which is not readily serviced from a hydrant located on the public right-of-way. The developer shall bear the full cost of installing all fire-protection facilities, including system improvement fees, inspection fees, and user fees required by Chapters 13.04 through 13.24 SMC. In addition, all unmetered fire lines shall be subject to construction standards adopted by the city, and require full inspection by the city engineer, or the city engineer’s designee. (Ord. 807 Art. 2 § 4, 1984)

13.12.060 Service outside city limits.

The following conditions shall apply to providing water outside city limits:

A. Existing Customers. Customers outside the city limits shall continue to receive city water until such time as it may be determined that it is no longer cost-effective to maintain the existing line(s). Such determination shall be made by the city engineer, and must be approved by the city manager.

1. As long as the city continues to supply water to existing customers, the city shall not be liable for the pressure and quantity of water outside city limits.

2. The city shall have no liability for failure to provide service, or for any failure of the system.

3. Any customer being served with water outside city limits shall comply with and be bound by the provisions of Chapters 13.04 through 13.24 SMC.

B. New Customers. New water services outside corporate boundaries will not be allowed unless the property owner and the city first agree to annexation. (Ord. 807 Art. 2 § 6, 1984)

13.12.070 Temporary service.

A. Temporary service connections shall be disconnected and terminated within six months after installation, unless an extension of time is granted in writing by the director of public works.

B. Charges for water furnished through a temporary service connection shall be at the established rates for other customers.

C. The applicant for temporary service will be required:

1. To pay to the city, in advance, the estimated cost of installing and removing the facilities to furnish the service;

2. To deposit an amount sufficient to cover bills for water during the entire period temporary service may be used, or to establish credit approved by the city manager;

3. To deposit with the city an amount equal to the value of equipment loaned by the city. This deposit shall be refundable under the terms of subsection D of this section.

D. The customer shall use all possible care to prevent damage to the meter or other equipment loaned, which equipment is involved in furnishing the temporary service by the city from the time it is installed until it is removed, or until two working days after notice in writing has been given to the city that the contractor or other authorized person has no further need of the equipment. If the meter or other equipment is damaged, the cost of making repairs shall be paid by the customer. (Ord. 807 Art. 2 § 5, 1984)