Chapter 15.12
CONNECTIONS
Sections:
15.12.010 Connection made by authorized representatives—Connection charges.
15.12.020 Permit application and issuance.
15.12.040 Conditions applicable to all water service connections.
15.12.050 Water service easements—When required.
15.12.060 Conditions applicable to new or modified water service connections.
15.12.070 Ownership of permanent facilities.
15.12.080 Owner’s service piping specifications.
15.12.090 Plumbing specifications.
15.12.100 Lawn sprinkler specifications.
15.12.110 Fire protection service.
15.12.010 Connection made by authorized representatives—Connection charges.
A. No person other than authorized personnel of the city, or a properly permitted, licensed and bonded contractor who is approved by the city, shall make any connection to or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any part of the city water system or appurtenance thereto without the express consent of the city, after obtaining any applicable permits the city requires. Any work performed on city water utilities must be witnessed by a representative of the city.
B. All charges incurred in establishing a connection to the city’s water system shall be at the sole expense of the applicant.
C. The charges for connection to the city’s water system shall be as established by the city council and may be amended by the council from time to time, as necessary.
D. The director of public works may establish administrative policies and procedures as necessary to implement the provisions of this section. (Ord. 1921-0518 (part), 2018; Ord. 1902-0717 § 1, 2017: Ord. 1611-0104 § 3 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 3 (part), 2003)
15.12.020 Permit application and issuance.
A. An application for a permit shall be made by the owner of the property on which the work is to be performed or by a properly licensed and bonded contractor representing the owner.
B. The permit application shall include such information as may be required by the city for determination as to whether the proposed work conforms to the requirements of this title and any other applicable city rules, regulations and/or standards.
C. The permit application shall be accompanied by the permit fee established by the city council.
D. If the city determines that the work conforms to all existing ordinances, rules, regulations and standards, and if all fees have been properly paid, the permit for such work may be issued.
E. The application, once approved by the city, shall constitute a binding obligation whereby the owner agrees on behalf of him/herself and all successors in interest to conform to the provisions of this title and any other applicable rules and regulations as now enacted or hereafter amended. (Ord. 1921-0518 (part), 2018; Ord. 1611-0104 § 3 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 3 (part), 2003)
15.12.030 Permit duration.
A permit issued under this title shall be valid for a period of ninety days unless extended or renewed by the city prior to permit expiration. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 3 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 3 (part), 2003)
15.12.040 Conditions applicable to all water service connections.
A. All service connections shall be metered.
B. Each building, structure, or premises served must have a separate connection to the main, unless special circumstances exist and the city approves a waiver of the separate connection requirement.
C. Water will not be provided to more than one customer or building, structure or premises through a single service connection, and separate service applications are required for each premises. If the city discovers service is provided to more than one customer, building, structure, or premises through a single service connection, the city shall require the installation of a new service.
D. When any building, structure, or premises for which service is sought fails to abut a main with sufficient pressure and capacity to provide the required flow at the property line, the application for service shall be rejected.
E. No application for water service will be accepted or approved for locations outside of the city water service area.
F. Water customers are prohibited from furnishing water to anyone beyond the customer building, structure, or premises of record at the city, except that which has been approved by the city, or in the case of emergency. Such emergency service shall not continue for a period of more than thirty days and an application for emergency service shall be made to the city within forty-eight hours of the onset of the emergency.
G. A request for a change in the size or location of a service connection shall be treated as a request for new service.
H. A change of use of any served building, structure or premises will require a new service connection, unless the existing service is adequate for the changed use, as determined by the city.
I. Each commercial structure shall have no more than one connection to the water system, even if the structure is divided into components or individual dwelling units. (Ord. 1729-0608 § 7, 2008: Ord. 1611-0104 § 3 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 3 (part), 2003)
15.12.050 Water service easements—When required.
A. Before water service may be located on property other than that of the water service owner, and before the city issues a permit authorizing the water service, the owner of the water service shall secure a written easement from the owner of the property to be crossed. The easement shall be duly acknowledged and shall grant the right to occupy the property for water service or utility purposes. The easement shall be recorded in the office of the county auditor by the owner of the water service and the recording number shall be provided to the city.
B. Where water service is to be connected and/or located in the city right-of-way, written permission for such connection and/or location must be obtained from the city before a permit authorizing such connection is issued. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 3 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 3 (part), 2003)
15.12.060 Conditions applicable to new or modified water service connections.
When buildings are replaced by new buildings, the existing water service connection shall not be used, unless the city determines that such connection is acceptable. The customer shall be required to bear the cost of installing a new water service connection in accordance with the terms of this title when the existing water service is determined by the city not to be acceptable for use. (Ord. 1902-0717 § 2, 2017: Ord. 1611-0104 § 3 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 3 (part), 2003)
15.12.070 Ownership of permanent facilities.
A. The ownership of all water mains and service connections in the public right-of-way shall be solely vested in the city, except those mains which are designated as private mains.
B. The ownership and responsibility for the maintenance of individual service pipe extensions from the meter to the premises served shall be that of the owner of the premises served and the city shall not be liable for any part thereof. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 3 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 3 (part), 2003)
15.12.080 Owner’s service piping specifications.
A. All water service piping from the water meter to the premises shall be sized, installed, properly permitted, and inspected as required by the city’s plumbing code.
B. Valves or customer-owned equipment are not permitted to be installed within the city’s water meter box, unless approved by the city.
C. The city may require any customer to install a pressure-reducing valve, backflow prevention device, pressure relief valve or similar device at any location where the city determines the need to protect the city’s water system. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 3 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 3 (part), 2003)
15.12.090 Plumbing specifications.
A. All persons installing fixtures or appliances to be supplied water from the city water mains shall be subject to the applicable requirements of the city’s plumbing code.
B. The city shall have the right to refuse or discontinue water service in any situation where it is discovered that applicable city standards and codes have not been complied with in making any installation.
C. Persons installing, adding, or making repairs to existing plumbing systems shall not use the city’s meter valve but, instead, shall call for an activation or deactivation as directed under this title. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 3 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 3 (part), 2003)
15.12.100 Lawn sprinkler specifications.
A. A lawn sprinkler system connected to any city water connection shall be sized, installed, properly permitted, and inspected as required by the city’s plumbing code.
B. Water service may be refused for existing lawn sprinkler systems that are not installed in accordance with the city’s plumbing code and for systems that may present a danger to the operation of the city’s water supply system.
C. All lawn sprinkler connections shall comply with applicable state and local cross-connection control rules and regulations. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 3 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 3 (part), 2003)
15.12.110 Fire protection service.
A. A water service connection to be used solely for fire protection purposes may be installed to service any premises subject to the provisions of this title.
B. Fire protection systems shall be installed in accordance with regulations established by the city including all city building, fire and related codes.
C. Plans of the proposed fire protection system shall be submitted and approved as required by the city prior to construction.
D. Fire protection systems shall be maintained by the customer in a manner approved by the city. Delinquency in payment of expense for fire protection services or failure of the customer to follow the regulations set forth by the city shall be sufficient cause for the city to file a lien on the property and/or discontinue all water service to the property. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 3 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 3 (part), 2003)