3.20 - Rules and Regulations Relating to Water Service § 3.20
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Section 3.20:
Rules and Regulations Relating to Water Service
Subdivision 1. Deficiency of Water and Shutting Off Water
The City is not liable for any deficiency or failure in the supply of water to
customers whether occasioned by shutting the water off for the purpose of making
repairs or connections or by any other cause whatever. In case of fire, or alarm of
fire, water may be shut off to insure a supply for fire fighting. In making repairs or
construction of new works, water may be shut off at any time and kept off so long
as may be necessary.
Subdivision 2. Repair of Leaks
It is the responsibility of the consumer or owner to maintain the service pipe from
the curb stop into the house or other building. In case of failure upon the part of
any consumer or owner to repair any leak occurring in his service pipe within
twenty-four (24) hours after oral or written notice has been given the owner or
occupant of the premises, the water may be shut off and will not be turned on until
a reconnection charge has been paid and the water service has been repaired.
When the waste of water is great or when damage is likely to result from the leak,
the water will be turned off if the repair is not proceeded with immediately.
Subdivision 3. Abandoned Services Penalties
All service installations connected to the water system that have been abandoned
or, for any reason, have become useless for further service shall be disconnected at
the main or as directed by the City Manager or his/her designee. The owner of the
premises, served by this service, shall pay the cost of the excavation. The owner or
his agent shall perform the actual disconnection. When new buildings are erected
on the site of old ones, and it is desired to increase the old water service, a new
permit shall be taken out and the regular tapping charge shall be made as if this
were a new service. It is unlawful for any person to cause or allow any service pipe
to be hammered or squeezed together at the ends to stop the flow of water, or to
save expense in improperly removing such pipe from the main. Also, such improper
disposition thereof shall be corrected by the City and the cost incurred shall be
borne by the person causing or allowing such work to be performed.
Subdivision 4. Service Pipes
Every service pipe must be laid in such manner as to prevent rupture by
settlement. The service pipe shall be placed not less than seven and one-half feet
below the surface in all cases so arranged as to prevent rupture and stoppage by
freezing. All service pipes two (2) inches or smaller shall be copper. Frozen service
pipes between the curb stop and the building shall be the responsibility of the
owner. Service pipes must extend from the curb stops to the inside of the building;
or if not taken into a building then to the hydrant or other fixtures which they are
intended to supply. A valve, the same size as the service pipe, shall be placed close
to the inside wall of the building, ahead of the meter and well protected from
freezing. Joints on copper tubing shall be flared or compression-fitted, and kept to a
minimum. Not more than one joint shall be used for a service up to seventy feet in
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length. All joints shall be left uncovered until inspected. Minimum size connection
with the water mains shall be one (1) inch in diameter.
Subdivision 5. Private Water Supplies
No water pipe of the City water system shall be connected with any pump, well,
pipe, tank or any device that is connected with any other source of water supply
and when such are found, the City shall notify the owner or occupant to disconnect
the same and, if not immediately done, the City water shall be turned off. Before
any new connections to the City system are permitted, the City shall ascertain that
no crossconnections will exist when the new connection is made. When a building is
connected to "City Water" the private water supply may be used only for such
purposes as the City may allow.
Subdivision 6. Water Emergencies
A. Whenever in the judgment of the City Manager or his/her designee the water
pressure and available water in the municipal water system reaches a level
which endangers the public health or safety of residents and other persons in
the City, the City Manager or his/her designee may declare a state of water
emergency which shall continue until such time as the City Manager or
his/her designee shall determine that the danger to public health or safety no
longer exists. Forthwith upon the declaration of a state of water emergency
notice thereof shall be given to the news media, and all orders of the City
Manager or his/her designee issued pursuant thereto shall be enforced after
one (1) hour has elapsed from the time of such notice.
B. During the existence of a state of water emergency the City Manager or
his/her designee may by order, (1) prohibit any sprinkling, irrigation or other
utilization of water from the City's municipal water system for lawn, grass or
turf, or (2) prohibit sprinkling, irrigation or other utilization of water from the
City's municipal water system for lawn, grass or turf, except in those areas
stated in the notice that such utilization of water may be used on odd or even
numbered days of the month.
C. Upon written request and approval by the City Manager or his/her designee
and subject to such terms and conditions imposed by the City Manager or
his/her designee with respect to such approval, the following persons may be
authorized to sprinkle, irrigate or otherwise utilize water from the City's
municipal water system at times other than permitted in Subparagraph B
hereof:
1. Any person owning or operating a commercial or business enterprise
whose economic well-being is dependent upon sprinkling, irrigating or
watering of a lawn, grass or turf owned, leased or operated by it;
2. Employees and agents of the City, in such instances wherein lawn,
grass or turf used for play fields or areas owned or operated by the
City require more frequent watering to prevent unreasonable damage
thereto;
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§ 3.20
3. Owners and lessees (their employees and agents) of lands newly
sodded or grass seeded which requires sprinkling or irrigation to
prevent loss of new sod, seed or immature turf or grasses.
D. Unlawful Act. It is a petty misdemeanor for any Person to violate any
Provision of this Subdivision.
Subdivision 7. Fire Hydrants on Public Easements
In order to properly provide for adequate fire protection on privately developed
property (in any zoning district) where no plat is involved (and therefore no publicly
dedicated streets within which watermains and fire hydrants can be provided for),
there is hereby established the requirement that in all of such non-platted areas of
development the owner of the property sought to be thus developed shall provide
and dedicate to the City, without cost to the City, and as consideration for the
granting of any permits respecting the development of or building upon said land,
perpetual easements permitting the location therein of watermains and fire
hydrants in accordance with locations established and approved by the City
Manager or his/her designee. Following the establishment of such easements the
City shall cause to be constructed therein watermains and fire hydrants as
appropriate and sufficient to adequately protect the persons and properties in the
area to be served by the same. The cost of said watermains and fire hydrants shall
be borne and paid by the owner or owners of the property or properties served
thereby, and if said obligation is not voluntarily discharged by said owner, then the
City shall have the option of calling a public hearing and assessing the cost of said
construction as a public improvement in accordance with the provisions of
Minnesota Statutes 429.01 et seq. Following the construction of said improvements
the responsibility for the inspection and maintenance of said watermains and
hydrants shall rest with the Public Works Department. The property owner or
owners shall pay for such services at an annual rate set by resolution of the Council
for each hydrant plus the actual cost of labor and materials involved in the making
of such repairs (including an overhead administrative allowance respecting any such
labor cost). In the event that the owner or occupant of any properties thus served
by the type of fire hydrants and watermains covered by this Subdivision shall desire
to use water from said hydrants other than for the purpose of combating or
controlling a fire or other emergency, then, and in such event such owner or
occupant must make application to the Public Works Department for such purpose.
Subdivision 8. Opening Hydrants
It is unlawful for any person, other than members of the Department of Public
Safety or other person duly authorized by the City, in pursuance of lawful purpose,
to open any fire hydrant or attempt to draw water from the same or in any manner
interfere therewith. It is also unlawful for any person so authorized to deliver or
suffer to be delivered to any other person any hydrant key or wrench, except for
the purposes strictly pertaining to their lawful use.
Subdivision 9. Water Meters
All water meters shall be purchased by the property owner. Maintenance of all
meters shall be performed by the City. Cost of all repairs of water meters not
resulting from normal usage shall be the responsibility of the property owner. Any
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remote type meter in need of replacement by reason of normal usage shall be
furnished and installed by the City, and the City shall thereafter own such meter.
Subdivision 10. Code Requirement
All piping, connections and appurtenances shall be installed and performed strictly
in accordance with the Minnesota Plumbing Code. Failure to install or maintain the
same in accordance therewith, or failure to have or permit required inspections
shall, upon discovery by the City, be an additional ground for termination of water
service to any consumer.
Subdivision 11. Additional Rules and Regulations
The Council may, by resolution, adopt such additional rules and regulations relating
to placement, size and type of equipment as it, in its discretion, deems necessary
or desirable. Copies of such additional rules and regulations shall be kept on file in
the office of the City Manager or his/her designee, and uniformly enforced.
Source: City Code
Effective Date: 6-30-88
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