Chapter 13.12
CONNECTIONS
Sections:
13.12.010 Frontage requirements.
13.12.020 Temporary connections.
13.12.030 Meter and service connection sizes.
13.12.040 Water meter locations.
13.12.050 Developer-installed service connections.
13.12.010 Frontage requirements.
Any owner desiring a permanent connection to a main served by the City Water System must have not less than a 20-foot frontage on the street, public road or easement in which the main is situated. A legal description of the property to be served must be given and verified by proper authority. Water mains served by the City Water System shall extend across the full frontage of the legally described property whose owner desires a permanent connection and across the full frontage of any property that may lie between the legally described property to be served and the street or road in which the main lies. If the property to be served is part of a recorded plat, the water mains serving or about to serve the plat must be laid across the full frontage of all lots before any water service connections will be made to any of the lots. On dead-end streets, the City Water System must extend all the way to the curbline at the street’s end before any property at the end of the street may be connected to water mains. (Ord. 1091 § 3.01, 1971).
13.12.020 Temporary connections.
A. Temporary connections may be obtained for property which does not meet the requirements of IMC 13.12.010 as to frontage; provided, that the owner shall make payment to the City of $7.00 per foot of equivalent frontage, in addition to the established charges for service connection, and shall convey to the City by easement such rights-of-way as set forth in this chapter. The City Engineer shall approve temporary connections, and shall use 1 of the following methods to determine the equivalent frontage:
1. The average width of the tract, measured parallel to the water main to which connection is desired;
2. The actual frontage on another street or road right-of-way in which no water main exists, but where the construction of such main may be reasonably anticipated;
3. The actual frontage on a proposed street or road for which the owner shall convey a 30-foot right-of-way to the City by easement for road and utility purposes.
B. The payment shall be used by the City Water Department for new construction but shall be considered as “unearned surplus by plant donations” for accounting purposes. Receipt therefor shall be given by the City, describing the property for which payment has been made, and the City shall agree in writing to pay the owner’s fair share of the cost of constructing a standard water main which enables the property to become permanently connected if and when such a main is constructed. After the new main has been constructed, the owner shall connect to it by installing a new service line to the new meter location set by the City.
C. There shall be a service connection charge of $300.00 for the relocation of the connection by the City. The temporary service will be disconnected. All payments received for temporary connections shall become deferred liabilities of the City Water System and shall be so recorded in the Water System records until the liability shall have been discharged by the construction of the standard water main. No refund shall be made if the owner’s fair share of the cost is less than the payment to the City; neither shall the City claim any additional amount due if it incurs a greater cost for construction. (Ord. 1342 § 1, 1978; Ord. 1091 § 3.02, 1971).
13.12.030 Meter and service connection sizes.
A. The size of a service connection and meter shall be determined by the number of dwelling units and shall not be less than the following:
|
Number of Dwelling Units |
Meter Size |
Rated Capacity |
|
1 to 2 |
3/4" |
30 GPM |
|
3 to 6 |
1" |
50 GPM |
|
7 to 20 |
1-1/2" |
100 GPM |
|
20 to 50 |
2" |
160 GPM |
|
Over 50 |
Submit Design for Approval |
|
B. All multiple unit residences, apartments and motels shall be serviced by 1 connection and 1 meter, except that duplexes or row houses shall be treated as separate single residences with individual meters.
C. The pipe size for a service connection shall be not less than the size of the meter as set forth in the water application. At the discretion of the Water Superintendent, larger pipes may be installed to provide water to more than 1 meter from a single connection, provided such single pipe installation results in appreciable savings in total installation cost.
D. The maximum allowable distance from the water main to the meter shall be 60 feet. Any service connection of greater length shall be designed by an engineer and be approved by the City Engineer prior to installation. Any owner who requires a longer service connection to the meter from the main shall pay all costs involved to extend the service the extra distance. (Ord. 1091 § 3.03, 1971).
13.12.040 Water meter locations.
A. Water meters belonging to the City Water System shall be placed in service in the public right-of-way or easement in which the mains of the City Water System are situated. Special exceptions may be made where, in the opinion of the City Superintendent, it would be mutually benefitting to the City and the owner to locate the meter on private property. In the event that a meter is located on private property, it shall be understood that the City has the right of entry to read, service or remove the meter at any time. At no time shall access to the meter be obstructed. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to protect the meter from damage. Where a meter is located on private property, the City shall install a valve at the property line.
B. All water meters to be serviced and read by the City shall be purchased through the City to ensure compliance with standard specifications regarding accuracy of connectors and interchangeability. (Ord. 1091 § 3.04, 1971).
13.12.050 Developer-installed service connections.
A. Developers of all new subdivisions who desire a connection to the City water main shall be required to install all of the service connections before paving the street.
B. Developers shall install all their own service connections, excluding meter and meter box, and provide that they comply with specifications of the City. All service connections shall be installed and tested. The service connections shall be shown on the water extension drawing and shall be subject to approval by the Water Superintendent. These service connections must be conveyed to the City as a condition to obtaining water service. All service connections shall be made using Type “K” copper line.
C. Upon building a home on a lot, the standard service installation fee shall be paid when application for water service is made. For each service installation fee so collected, the sum of $50.00 shall be refunded to the developer for each such service connection installed by him. This refund shall be made for a period of 5 years from the date of acceptance of the main by the City. (Ord. 1091 § 3.05, 1971).