Chapter 13.20 WATER SYSTEM REGULATIONS

Chapter 13.20
WATER SYSTEM REGULATIONS

Sections:

13.20.020 Tampering – Owners to install valves.

13.20.040 Access to premises for inspection.

13.20.050 Responsibility and service preference.

13.20.010 Interference with system.

It is a violation of these rules and regulations for any person or persons to attach to or detach from any water main or service pipe or water connections through which water is supplied by the city, or to interfere in any manner with such pipe or connection without first obtaining the written consent of the water superintendent. (Ord. 164 § 5, 1953)

13.20.020 Tampering – Owners to install valves.

It is a violation of these rules and regulations for any person to use or tamper with any valve, curb stop, etc., which is the property of the city for the purpose of turning water on or off, and the city shall hold any person responsible for the cost of repairing any damage to any of the city’s property caused by such usage or tampering. The city shall require every property owner to install his own valve in his own pipe for the control of service to his premises. (Ord. 164 § 5, 1953)

13.20.030 Use of fire hydrants.

It is a violation of these rules and regulations for any person or persons to cut, alter, change, remove, disconnect or connect with or in any manner interfere, meddle or tamper with any fire hydrant owned or used by the city; provided that, the provisions of this section shall not apply to the city fire department, and/or the city street department. Other departments of the city may be allowed to connect to the fire hydrants but before doing so must obtain a written permit therefor from the water superintendent and must use a spanner or regulation wrench in connection therewith. (Ord. 164 § 5, 1953)

13.20.040 Access to premises for inspection.

Employees of the city shall have access to all parts of any building or premises served by water or sewer utilities of the city for the purpose of inspecting the condition of the pipes and fixtures in the manner in which the utilities are being used. Entry onto private premises shall occur in accordance with the following: (i) by consent of the owner or occupier of the premises; or (ii) pursuant to a warrant issued by a magistrate of the courts of the state. Warrantless and/or nonconsensual entrance may be made only in exigent circumstances, as the circumstances are defined pursuant to case law of the state, which exigent circumstances shall include, but shall not be necessarily limited to, situations where there is smoke or fire coming from or upon the premises; where there is perceived hazard to persons or properties which may be eliminated with prompt and speedy inspection and/or repair of the utility services involved; and where the conduct of the owners and/or occupiers of the premises are such as to manifest an immediate danger to persons or properties or the utilities of the city, unless inspection and remedial measures are immediately taken. (Ord. 489 § 2, 1986; Ord. 164 § 5, 1953)

13.20.050 Responsibility and service preference.

A. The city shall not be liable for any loss or damage of any nature whatsoever caused by any defect in the customer’s line, plumbing or equipment, and the city may, without further notice, discontinue service to any customer when a defective condition of plumbing or equipment upon the premises of the customer results, or is likely to result, in interference with proper service or is likely to cause contamination of the water. The city does not assume the duty of inspecting the customer’s line, plumbing or equipment, and shall not be responsible therefor, and will not be liable for the failure of the customer to receive service on account of defective plumbing or apparatus on the customer’s premises, or for excessive consumption.

B. The city will not permit any physical connection between a private water supply and the city’s distribution system or supply line.

C. The city will exercise reasonable diligence and care to furnish and deliver a continuous and sufficient supply of pure water to the customer, and to avoid any shortage or interruption of delivery of the same. The city will not be liable for high or low pressure conditions, chemical or bacteriological conditions, interruption or shortage or insufficiency of supply, or any loss or damage occasioned thereby. The use of water upon the premises of the customer is at the risk of the customer, and the responsibility of the city shall cease at the point of delivery of water. Unless otherwise specified in agreement, the point of delivery shall be the point where the city’s service line attaches the customer’s line.

D. The city, whenever it shall find it necessary for the purpose of making repairs or improvements to its system, shall have the right to suspend temporarily the delivery of water, but, in all such cases, a reasonable notice thereof as circumstances will permit shall be given to the customers, and the making of such repairs and improvements will be prosecuted as rapidly as may be practicable, and if practicable, at such time as will cause the least inconvenience to the customers.

E. In case of shortage of supply, the city reserves the right to give preference in the manner of furnishing service to customers, as in the judgment of its representatives shall be for the best interests of the city, from the standpoint of public convenience and necessity. (Ord. 164 § 7, 1953)