17.105 Prohibition of Cross Connections with City Water System.

(1) “Cross Connection” Defined. A cross connection shall be defined as any physical connection or arrangement, whether direct or indirect, between two otherwise separate systems, one of which contains potable water from the City of Manitowoc water system, and the other water from a private source, water of unknown or questionable safety, or steam, gases, or chemicals whereby there may be a flow from one system to the other, the direction of the flow depending on the pressure differential between the two systems. This definition shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) Any connection between the Manitowoc water system and any waste pipe, soil pipe, sewer, drain, or any unapproved source or system;

(b) Any connection between the Manitowoc sewer system and a potable water supply outlet, such as a hose or pipe, which is submerged or can be submerged in wastewater and/or any other source of contamination.

(2) Cross Connections Prohibited. No person, firm, or corporation shall establish any cross connection, or permit a cross connection to be established or maintained. No interconnection shall be established whereby potable water from a private, auxiliary, or emergency water supply other than the regular public water supply of the City of Manitowoc may enter the supply or distribution system of said municipality, unless such private, auxiliary, or emergency water supply and the method of connection and use of such supply shall have been approved by the Manitowoc Public Utilities and by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in accordance with Wis. Admin. Code NR 810.15(2).

(3) Inspections. It shall be the cooperative duty of the Department of Building Inspection and the Manitowoc Public Utilities to cause inspection to be made of all properties served by the Manitowoc water system where cross connection with the public water system is deemed possible. The frequency of inspections and re-inspections based on potential health hazards involved shall be as established by the respective departments above, and as approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Generally, responsibility for inspections shall be as follows:

(a) All residential properties shall be inspected by the Manitowoc Public Utilities.

(b) All industrial, commercial, retail, multi-family and institutional buildings serviced by the utility shall be inspected on a two-year interval or as determined by the Department of Building Inspection and approved by the WDNR. The property owner must, at their own expense, have the plumbing inspected for cross connections by a State of Wisconsin-certified Cross Connection Control Device Tester, ASSE Series 5000 Cross Connection Control Professional, or by a State of Wisconsin-licensed master plumber.

(c) The frequency of required inspections and re-inspections, based on potential health hazards involved, may be shortened by the Department of Building Inspection or the Manitowoc Public Utilities; provided, that the property owner is given notice of the new frequency by certified letter.

(4) Right of Entry. Upon presentation of credentials, the representative of the local agency listed in subsection (3) of this section shall have the right to request entry at any reasonable time to examine any property served by a connection to the public water system of the City of Manitowoc for cross connections. If entry is refused, such representative shall obtain a special inspection warrant under Wis. Stat. § 66.0119. On request the owner, lessee, or occupant of any property so served shall furnish to the inspection agency any pertinent information regarding the piping system or systems on such property. Failure to allow inspection is subject to prosecution under this section.

(5) Enforcement/Penalties. Properties determined to have a cross connection violation shall be notified to take corrective action to eliminate the violation. If the violation is not corrected within two months, the Department of Building Inspection will initiate enforcement.

(a) Authority to Discontinue Service. The Manitowoc Public Utilities are hereby authorized and directed to discontinue water service to any property wherein any connection in violation of this section exists, and to take such other precautionary measures as may be deemed necessary to eliminate any danger of contamination of the public water system. Water service shall be discontinued only after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing under Wis. Stat. Ch. 68, except that if it is determined that a cross connection or an emergency endangers public health, safety, or welfare and requires immediate action, a written finding of that fact shall be filed with the City Clerk and delivered to the offender’s premises and service may be immediately discontinued. The offender shall then have an opportunity for hearing under Wis. Stat. Ch. 68 within 10 days of such emergency discontinuance. Water service to such property shall not be restored until the cross connection or cross connections have been eliminated in compliance with the provisions of this section.

(b) Forfeiture. Violations of this section shall also be subject to the forfeitures provided for in MMC 17.110.

(c) Construction. This section shall not be deemed to supersede either the State Plumbing Code or any other City of Manitowoc ordinances, but shall be considered as supplementary to them.

(6) Owner Responsibility. The property owner shall be financially responsible for the elimination of or protection from all cross connections on their premises in compliance with Wis. Admin. Code SPS 382.

[Ord. 24-1126 § 11, 2024; Ord. 11-180 §§ 1 – 4, 6, 2011. Prior code § 17.105]