Chapter 14.50
WATER METERS, TEMPORARY CONNECTIONS, HYDRANT CHARGES
Sections:
14.50.030 Testing--Deposit--Adjustment of charges.
14.50.050 Connecting to meter to test pipes.
14.50.060 Temporary service connections.
14.50.070 Fire hydrant installation charges.
14.50.010 Sealing required.
All water meters shall be sealed at the time of installation, and no seal shall be altered or broken except by an authorized employee of the water system. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.50.020 Maintenance.
A. The city shall maintain, repair and replace water meters.
B. If a replacement or adjustment of a meter is necessary due to the act, neglect or carelessness of the owner or occupant of a premises, the expense to the city shall be charged against and collected from the customer. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.50.030 Testing--Deposit--Adjustment of charges.
A. Each customer may request the water system to make a test of the meter serving his premises. The water system shall arrange for the test within five working days after receipt of the request and shall notify the customer twenty-four hours before the time set for the test. When the customer makes the request he shall deposit in cash an amount as follows:
|
Size of Meter |
Amount of Deposit |
|---|---|
|
5/8" or 3/4" |
$ 3.00 |
|
1" |
5.00 |
|
11" |
10.00 |
|
2" |
15.00 |
|
4" |
25.00 |
|
6" |
40.00 |
|
larger |
75.00 |
B. If the meter test shows that the meter is:
1. Registering not more than two percent faster or slower than the actual quantity of water passing through it, the city shall keep the deposit;
2. Registering more than two percent over registration, an accurate meter shall be installed, the deposit refunded and the water bills adjusted to correct the error discovered;
3. Registering more than two percent under registration, an accurate meter shall be installed, the deposit refunded and the customer billed for the amount of the undercharge.
C. The adjustment for overcharge or undercharge shall be for a period of six months or the period during which it was measuring service to the customer, whichever is shorter. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.50.040 Erroneous meters.
When a meter does not register correctly, the city shall charge the customer for a minimum service charge or for an estimated amount of water used, based upon the customer’s previous consumption during the same season of the year if conditions are the same or upon a reasonable comparison with use of other customers during the same period receiving the same class of service under similar circumstances. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.50.050 Connecting to meter to test pipes.
When a person connecting service pipes to the property side of the meter uses the water for testing pipes, he shall shut the water off from unoccupied premises before leaving the work site and shall leave the meter box properly installed to full depth in the ground or sidewalk, with the cover securely fastened in place. No work is authorized under this section without first procuring all necessary permits from the city. (Ord. 273 (part), 1985)
14.50.060 Temporary service connections.
A. All water furnished through a temporary service connection shall be metered. A permit for a temporary service connection is valid for a period not more than sixty days after installation. The city may extend the permit upon request. The temporary service shall be discontinued and dismantled or removed upon termination of the permit period or completion of use.
B. The applicant shall make a deposit with the city before issuance of a permit for a temporary service connection. The deposit shall equal the estimated costs of installing and removing the facilities necessary to provide the service, including the value of materials. If the applicant has not established credit, he shall also deposit in cash the cost of water estimated to be used during the entire period of service.
C. After discontinuance of the temporary service and when the connection is dismantled, the deposit shall be refunded upon request without interest less unpaid charges and less the value of materials used (less salvage value) and materials lost or damaged beyond repair.
D. When it is impractical to supply water for street or building construction through a metered service, the contractor may apply to draw water from a fire hydrant designated by the fire chief. The application shall state the estimated daily use and number of tank trucks, the gallonage of each truck and the length of time the service is desired. The contractor shall submit a statement each week showing the number of loads of water drawn during the previous week. Unless the contractor established credit, he shall make a deposit equal to the estimated use for thirty days.
E. The water service connection to each new home shall be metered whenever practical. The manager may allow unmetered connections whenever necessary, and when this is done the subdivider shall pay in advance at the rate of two times the minimum monthly charge for each connection made. Service under this section shall not be for a period longer than ninety days. (Ord. 546 (Att. A), 2025)
14.50.070 Fire hydrant installation charges.
A. Water mains may be extended by private parties with the approval of the public works department. All work shall be in accordance with city standards and shall be approved by the city engineer.
B. Any person who desires to build an extension to the water system may do so at his own expense upon approval of the public works department. The applicant for an extension shall take the following steps:
1. He shall provide the city with a tentative map and legal description of the property to be served with a plan checking and inspection fee in accordance with the improvement standards.
2. The following items shall be filed with the city as a condition to completing the design of the extension and approval for construction:
a. Improvement plans approved by the city engineer;
b. Deeds to necessary easements or rights-of-way;
c. City’s approval of the contractor;
d. Performance bond by developer or contractor or both, in the form and amount specified by the city improvement standards;
e. Certificate of liability and property damage insurance showing an endorsement which includes the city and the city engineer as co-insured;
f. Approval from necessary regulatory agencies;
g. Property boundary stakes or monuments, set by a licensed surveyor, to be in place before construction staking;
h. The city engineer shall be given not less than forty-eight hours’ notice before start of construction.
C. Within ninety days following any new service connection to the extension, the city will reimburse the original installer at a rate commensurate with the cost of the water main extension, in accordance with the following equation:
|
Reimbursement, R = LC |
|---|
|
L = One-half of the linear feet of lot frontage of customer. |
|
C = Cost per linear foot of water main installation approved by city manager. |
1. "Customer" is defined as a new water connection made at the time of main line installation.
2. The provisions of this section and Sections 8.52.070(B) and (D) do not apply to line extensions within the boundaries of a subdivision.
3. No reimbursement shall be made to the private party pursuant to this section after ten years from the date of acceptance by the city of the installations of the water main extension.
D. A new customer connecting to a water main extension installed pursuant to Sections 8.52.070(B) and (C) shall pay, in addition to the charges imposed under Section 8.52.070(E), the amount determined by Section 8.52.070(C) to be reimbursable to the original installer.
E. The city shall designate locations for installation of fire hydrants. The cost of hydrants shall be part of any water main extension and shall be paid for by the applicant.
1. In preparing plans to extend mains to serve property outside the city but within a fire protection district, the city engineer shall provide for the installation of fire hydrants as recommended by the fire protection district. The cost of hydrants shall be included as a part of the water main extension and shall be paid for by the applicant.
F. The city has prepared improvement standards for the construction of water system facilities, City of Angels Improvement Standards Sections 16.00, Design Standards--Water, and 17.00, Fire Hydrant Requirements. A copy of the improvement standards has been filed with the city clerk. The improvement standards govern all extensions, additions and revisions to the water distribution system. (Ord. 546 (Att. A), 2025)