Chapter 13.04
DEFINITIONS

Sections:

13.04.010    Applicability.

13.04.020    Definitions.

13.04.010 Applicability.

As used in this title, unless otherwise provided, or the context otherwise requires, the words and phrases set out in this chapter shall have the meaning set forth in this chapter. [Ord. 02-27 § 1, 2002; Ord. 85-25(A) Div. 5, 1985].

13.04.020 Definitions.

“Air-gap separation” means the free-flowing discharge end of a potable water supply pipeline and an open or nonpressure receiving vessel. An “approved air-gap separation” shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel in no case less than one inch.

“Apartment” means a room or suite of rooms, occupied by one family doing its cooking therein.

“Approved,” as used in this title in reference to a water supply, means a water supply that has been approved by the Public Works Department; as used in this title in reference to air-gap separation, a double check-valve assembly or a reduced-pressure principle backflow-prevention device or method, means an approval by the Public Works Department.

“As-built” means a set of drawings describing a project exactly as it was actually constructed, which includes references to visible permanent features for exact location.

“Backflow” means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, gases or other substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any source or sources.

Backflow-Prevention Device, Approved. “Approved backflow-prevention device” means a device that has been investigated and approved by the Public Works Department. The approval of backflow-prevention devices by the Public Works Department should be on the basis of a favorable report by an “approved testing laboratory” recommending such an approval.

Check Valve, Approved. “Approved check valve” means a check valve that is drip-tight in the normal direction of flow when the inlet pressure is one pound per square inch and the outlet pressure is zero. The check valve shall permit no leakage in a direction reverse to the normal flow. The closure element (e.g., clapper) shall be internally weighted or otherwise internally loaded to promote rapid and positive closure.

“City Inspector” is an individual employed by the City of Homer, who shall monitor construction progress and quality to the satisfaction of the City of Homer, who shall record whether the project is proceeding according to the plans and specifications and who shall receive change requests and documentation related to the project, including “as-built” drawings, inspection field books, and copies of the surveyor’s field notes.

“City standard specifications” means a set of construction specifications and standard details for general application and repetitive use approved pursuant to HCC 13.40.010.

“Consumer” means the owner or operator of a private water system having a service from a public potable water system.

“Contamination” means an impairment of the quality of the water by sewage or industrial fluids or waste to a degree which creates an actual hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease.

“Contractor” means the individual, firm, corporation, or any combination thereof, licensed by the City of Homer to work in the right-of-way.

“Corner lot” means a parcel of land which has road frontage along two or more adjacent sides.

“Cross-connection” means any actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public or a consumer’s potable water system and any other source or system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the potable system any used water, industrial fluid, gas or substance other than the intended potable water with which the system is supplied. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or change-over devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which “backflow” can or may occur are considered to be cross-connections.

“Developer” means a property owner who is developing his property.

“Double check-valve assembly” means an assembly composed of two single, independently acting, approved check valves, including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable connections for testing the watertightness of each check valve.

“Driveway” or “approach” means that section of the roadway or alley right-of-way between the roadway edge or edge of shoulder and the property line which is designed and used for the movement of traffic between the roadway and the adjacent property.

“Duplex dwelling” means a building designed or arranged to be occupied by two families living independently, the structure having only two dwelling units.

Hazard, Health. “Health hazard” means an actual or potential threat of contamination or pollution of a physical or toxic nature to the public potable water system or the consumer’s potable water system to such a degree or intensity that there would be a danger to health.

Hazard, Pollution. “Pollution hazard” means an actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the water system or the potability of the public or the consumer’s potable water system but which would not constitute a health or system hazard, as defined. The maximum degree or intensity of pollution to which the potable water system could be degraded under this definition would cause a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable or could cause minor damage to the system or its appurtenances.

Hazard, Safety. “Safety hazard” means any condition which is likely to cause injury or death.

Hazard, System. “System hazard” means an actual or potential threat of severe damage to the physical properties of the public or the consumer’s potable water system or of a pollution or contamination which would have a negative effect on the quality of the potable water in the system.

“Hospital” means any institution, place, building, or agency which maintains and operates organized facilities for one or more persons for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of human illness, including convalescence and including care during and after pregnancy, or which maintains and operates organized facilities for any such purpose, and to which persons may be admitted for overnight stay or longer. “Hospital” includes sanitarium, nursing home and maternity home.

“Inspector” is an individual employed by the developer, who shall monitor construction progress and quality on a daily basis, and who shall prepare daily inspection reports for submittal to the City.

“Intersection” means the area where two or more street rights-of-way intersect.

“Main line” is a general term referring to water and sewer lines normally six and eight inches in diameter or larger which primarily serve a distribution area.

“Multiple-family dwelling” means a building or a portion thereof designed for occupancy by three or more families living independently in separate dwelling units which may or may not share common entrances and/or other spaces.

“Pollution” means an impairment of the quality of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely and unreasonably affect such waters for domestic use.

“Premises” means a lot, parcel of land, building or establishment.

“Pressure vacuum breaker” means a device containing within a single body a single, loaded check valve to prevent the backflow of nonpotable water and a loaded air-opening valve which shall open to admit air whenever the pressure within the body of the device is reduced so that there is a tendency toward back-siphonage. The body of the device is to be equipped with two tight-closing shutoff valves, one immediately upstream from the body and one immediately downstream of the body.

“Reduced-pressure-principle backflow-prevention device” means a device containing within its structure a minimum of two independently acting, approved check valves, together with an automatically operating pressure-differential relief valve located between the two check valves. The first check valve reduces the supply pressure a predetermined amount so that during normal flow and at cessation of normal flow the pressure between the checks shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve, by discharging to atmosphere, shall operate to maintain the pressure between the checks less than the supply pressure. The unit shall include tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the device and each device shall be fitted with properly located test cocks.

“Right-of-way” means land, property or interest therein, usually in a strip, acquired for or dedicated to the public for a street, road or utility.

“Road frontage” means the portion of a parcel of land which abuts the street or road right-of-way.

“Service connection” means the terminal end of a service connection from the public potable water system, i.e., where the water supplier loses jurisdiction and sanitary control over the water at its point of delivery to the consumer’s water system. If a meter is installed at the end of the service connection, then “service connection” means the downstream end of the meter. There should be no unprotected takeoffs from the service line ahead of any meter or backflow-prevention device located at the point of delivery to the consumer’s water system.

“Sewage” means a combination of liquid or water-carried human waste conducted away from residences, business buildings and institutions, which is known as domestic sewage, together with the liquid or water-carried waste resulting from a manufacturing process employed in industrial establishments, including the washing, cleaning or drain water from such process or establishment, which is known as industrial waste.

“Sewer connection” means that part of the sewage collection system between the sewer main and the abutting property.

“Sewer extension” means that part of the sewage collection system extending from the sewer connection into the premises served.

“Sewer main” means that part of the sewer system intended to serve more than one sewer connection.

“Sewer service” means the conduit, all of its fittings and attached parts which function to provide a means of transferring sewage from the customer to the main.

“Sidewalk” means that portion of the roadway primarily constructed for the use of pedestrians.

“Single-family dwelling” means a detached dwelling unit with kitchen and sleeping facilities, designed for occupancy by one family.

“Stabilized material” means any aggregate such as gravel, stone, slag or a mixture of such as to provide a smooth, stable, all-weather surface, not subject to raveling.

“Storm drain” means any portion of an organized drainage system for collection and discharge of rain water or runoff water.

“Street or road” means any dedicated public right-of-way 21 or more feet in width, which may or may not be in use as a traveled way.

“Water connection” means the connection of an individual private water service line from the abutting property to the water main line.

“Water extension” means that part of the water distribution system extending from the water connection into the premises service.

“Water main” means that part of the water distribution system intended to serve more than one water connection.

Water, Potable. “Potable water” means water from any source which has been investigated by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and which has been approved for human consumption.

“Water service” means the conduit, all its fittings and attached parts which function to provide a means of transferring water from a main to a consumer. [Ord. 02-27 § 2, 2002; Ord. 95-21(S)(A) §§ 6, 8, 9, 1995; Ord. 87-28 §§ 1, 2, 1988; Ord. 85-25(A) Div. 5, 1985. Code 1981 §§ 13.04.020 – 13.04.490].