90.01 DEFINITIONS.
The following terms are defined for use in the chapters in this Code of Ordinances pertaining to the Water Service System:
- “Combined service account” means a customer service account for the provision of two or more utility services.
- “Customer” means, in addition to any person receiving water service from the City, the owner of the property served, and as between such parties the duties, responsibilities, liabilities and obligations hereinafter imposed shall be joint and several.
- “Superintendent” means the Public Works Director of the City or any duly authorized assistant, agent or representative.
- “Water main” means a water supply pipe provided for public or community use.
- “Water service pipe” means the pipe from the water main to the building served.
- “Water system” or “water works” means all public facilities for securing, collecting, storing, pumping, treating and distributing water.
90.02 SUPERINTENDENT’S DUTIES.
The Superintendent shall supervise the installation of water service pipes and their connection to the water main and enforce all regulations pertaining to water services in the City in accordance with this chapter. This chapter shall apply to all replacements of existing water service pipes as well as to new ones. The Superintendent shall make such rules, not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, as may be needed for the detailed operation of the water system, subject to the approval of the Council. In the event of an emergency the Superintendent may make temporary rules for the protection of the system until due consideration by the Council may be had.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13[4])
90.03 MANDATORY CONNECTIONS.
All residences and business establishments within the City limits intended or used for human habitation, occupancy or use shall be connected to the public water system, if it is reasonably available and if the building is not furnished with pure and wholesome water from some other source.
90.04 ABANDONED CONNECTIONS.
When an existing water service is abandoned or a service is renewed with a new tap in the main, all abandoned connections with the mains shall be turned off at the corporation stop and made absolutely watertight.
90.05 PERMIT.
Before any person makes a connection with the public water system, a written permit must be obtained from the City. The application for the permit shall include a legal description of the property, the name of the property owner, the name and address of the person who will do the work, and the general uses of the water. If the proposed work meets all the requirements of this chapter and if all fees required under this chapter have been paid, the permit shall be issued. Work under any permit must be completed within sixty (60) days after the permit is issued, except that when such time period is inequitable or unfair due to conditions beyond the control of the person making the application, an extension of time within which to complete the work may be granted. The permit may be revoked at any time for any violation of these chapters.
90.06 TAPPING CHARGE.
The person who makes the permit application shall pay to the City a tapping charge of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00), plus the costs of materials.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)
90.07 COMPLIANCE WITH PLUMBING CODE.
The installation of any water service pipe and any connection with the water system shall comply with all pertinent and applicable provisions, whether regulatory, procedural or enforcement provisions, of Division 4, Plumbing Rules and Regulations, of the State Building Code.
90.08 PLUMBER REQUIRED.
All installations of water service pipes and connections to the water system shall be made by a plumber approved by the City. The Superintendent shall have the power to suspend the approval of any plumber for violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. A suspension, unless revoked, shall continue until the next regular meeting of the City Council. The Superintendent shall notify the plumber immediately by personal written notice of the suspension, the reasons for the suspension and the time and place of the Council meeting at which the plumber will be granted a hearing. At this Council meeting the Superintendent shall make a written report to the Council stating the reasons for the suspension, and the Council, after fair hearing, shall affirm or revoke the suspension or take any further action that is necessary and proper. The plumber shall provide a surety bond in the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) secured by a responsible surety bonding company authorized to operate within the State, conditioned to indemnify and save the City harmless against all losses or damages that may arise from or be occasioned by the making of connections to the water system or excavations therefor or by carelessness, negligence or unskillfulness in making the same. Such bond shall remain in force and must be executed for a period of one year except that on such expiration it shall remain in force as to all penalties, claims and demands that may have accrued thereunder prior to such expiration. In lieu of a surety bond, a cash deposit of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) may be filed with the City.
90.09 EXCAVATIONS.
All trench work, excavation and backfilling required in making a connection shall be performed in accordance with applicable excavation provisions as provided for installation of building sewers and/or the provisions of Chapter 135.
90.10 TAPPING MAINS.
All taps into water mains shall be made by or under the direct supervision of the Superintendent and in accord with the following:
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13[4])
- Independent Services. No more than one house, building or premises shall be supplied from one tap unless special written permission is obtained from the Superintendent and unless provision is made so that each house, building or premises may be shut off independently of the other.
- Size and Location of Taps. The standard size of a tap shall be three-fourths (3/4) inch except when determined by the Superintendent that a larger tap is required. The location of the tap shall be determined by the Superintendent.
- Corporation Stop. A brass corporation stop, of the pattern and weight approved by the Superintendent, shall be inserted in every tap in the main. The corporation stop in the main shall be of the same size as the service pipe.
- Location Record. An accurate and dimensional sketch showing the exact location of the tap shall be filed with the Superintendent in such form as the Superintendent shall require.
90.11 INSTALLATION OF WATER SERVICE PIPE.
Water service pipes from the main to the meter setting shall be Type K copper. The use of any other pipe material for the service line shall first be approved by the Superintendent. Pipe must be laid sufficiently waving, and to such depth, as to prevent rupture from settlement or freezing. A tracer wire shall be installed running parallel with the pipe on all new and replacement water service lines. The type of wire to be used, the depth that it is to be placed and other installation details shall be as approved by the Superintendent.
90.12 RESPONSIBILITY FOR WATER SERVICE PIPE.
All costs and expenses incident to the installation, connection and maintenance of the water service pipe from the main to the building served shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the City from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation or maintenance of said water service pipe.
90.13 FAILURE TO MAINTAIN.
When any portion of the water service pipe, including the curb box, which is the responsibility of the property owner becomes defective or creates a nuisance and the owner fails to correct such nuisance the City may do so and assess the costs thereof to the property.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3a & h])
90.14 CURB VALVE.
There shall be installed within the public right-of-way a main shut-off valve on the water service pipe of a pattern approved by the Superintendent. The shut-off valve shall be constructed to be visible and even with the pavement or ground.
90.15 INTERIOR VALVE.
There shall be installed a shut-off valve on every service pipe inside the building as close to the entrance of the pipe within the building as possible and so located that the water can be shut off conveniently. Where one service pipe supplies more than one customer within the building, there shall be separate valves for each such customer so that service may be shut off for one without interfering with service to the others.
90.16 INSPECTION AND APPROVAL.
All water service pipes and their connections to the water system must be inspected and approved by the Superintendent before they are covered, and the Superintendent shall keep a record of such approvals. If the Superintendent refuses to approve the work, the plumber or property owner must proceed immediately to correct the work. Every person who uses or intends to use the municipal water system shall permit the Superintendent to enter the premises to inspect or make necessary alterations or repairs at all reasonable hours and on proof of authority.
90.17 COMPLETION BY THE CITY.
Should any excavation be left open or only partly refilled for twenty-four (24) hours after the water service pipe is installed and connected with the water system, or should the work be improperly done, the City shall have the right to finish or correct the work, and the Council shall assess the costs to the property owner or the plumber. If the plumber is assessed, the plumber must pay the costs before receiving another permit, and the plumber’s bond or cash deposit shall be security for the assessment. If the property owner is assessed, such assessment may be collected with and in the same manner as general property taxes.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3a & h])
90.18 SHUTTING OFF WATER SUPPLY.
The Superintendent may shut off the supply of water to any customer because of any violation of the regulations contained in these Water Service System chapters that is not being contested in good faith. The supply shall not be turned on again until all violations have been corrected and the Superintendent has ordered the water to be turned on.
90.19 OPERATION OF WATER VALVE AND HYDRANTS.
It is unlawful for any person except the Superintendent to turn the water valve, and no person, unless specifically authorized by the City, shall open or attempt to draw water from any fire hydrant for any purpose whatsoever.
90.20 EMERGENCY WATER CONSERVATION.
Upon resolution duly adopted by the Council, the City may invoke emergency water conservation practices upon a determination by the Council that an emergency water supply shortage exists, restricting the use of water supplied by the City to users purchasing water from the City.
- Use of water sold by the City to its users for the following purposes is prohibited:
- Watering lawns, trees, shrubs, gardens, flowers and other vegetation, provided however, that such prohibition does not include use of water by commercial enterprises in the ordinary course of maintaining such vegetation held for resale;
- Water used for swimming pools, saunas, Jacuzzi and other similar structures or devices used for personal or recreational purposes;
- Washing vehicles, provided however, that such prohibition does not include the operation or use of commercial car washing facilities, nor does such prohibition include washing of vehicles held for resale by commercial enterprises;
- Bulk tank water sales from City premises.
- Prohibited water uses shall be implemented by a resolution duly adopted by the Council upon a determination that an emergency water supply shortage exists. A resolution determining that an emergency water supply shortage exists and prohibiting certain uses of water sold by the City shall become effective upon passage and publication of such resolution as provided by law and shall continue until such time as a resolution is duly adopted by the Council determining that an emergency water supply shortage no longer exists