[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Watertown as Ch. 7 of the 1949 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction administration — See Ch. 101.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 148.
Sewers — See Ch. 253.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 265.
[Amended 2-25-1985; 12-1-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986]
When used in this chapter, unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPROVED
Accepted for use in connection with water service by the Superintendent.
CONSUMER
A person owning and/or occupying real property, who is receiving water for use thereon from the municipal mains.
CURB STOP
The outside control valve on the water service.
CURB-STOP-TO-METER SERVICE
That portion of the water service line lying between the curb stop or outside gate valve and the water meter.
[Amended 3-19-2012 by L.L. No. 1-2012]
DEPARTMENT
There shall be a Department of Water.
[Amended 3-19-2012 by L.L. No. 1-2012[1]]
FIRE SERVICE
The service pipe and all required appurtenances from the street main to the outlets inside the consumer's building, intended and to be used solely for fire-protection purposes. That portion from the main to the property line of the consumer shall be known as "main-to-line fire service" and that portion from the property line to the outlets shall be known as "line-to-outlet fire service."
INSPECTOR
An inspector from the Department of Water having such authority as may be conferred upon him by the Superintendent of the Water Department in conformity with this chapter.
MAIN
Any water main owned by the city and supplying or capable of supplying water to more than one consumer.
MAIN-TO-CURB-STOP SERVICE
That portion of water service from the supplying street main to the curb stop.
SUPERINTENDENT
There shall be a Superintendent who shall be in charge of water, wastewater, and hydroelectric generation.
[Amended 3-19-2012 by L.L. No. 1-2012]
WATER SERVICE
The service pipe and all required appurtenances from the street main to the first stop cock or valve inside the consumer's building.
[1]
Editor’s Note: The former definition of "Division of Water," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 3-19-2012 by L.L. No. 1-2012.
[Amended 2-25-1985; 3-5-2012]
A. 
A Department of Water is hereby created, which shall include all water, wastewater, and hydroelectric operations.
B. 
The head of such Department, acting under the City Manager, shall be the Superintendent.
C. 
The Department, through its officers and employees, shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and shall have the jurisdiction and power to take such steps as may be necessary to carry out the provisions hereof as well as any other orders and regulations of the City pertaining to waterworks, water supply, water use in the City, wastewater treatment, and hydroelectric generation.
[Amended 6-1-2009]
No water service shall be laid, enlarged, repaired or discontinued without authority from the Department. Applications for permits shall be made on forms furnished by the Department.
[Amended 2-6-1967; 5-30-1980; 12-1-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986; 9-7-1993; 6-1-2009 by L.L. No. 3-2009; 9-15-2025]
A. 
The consumer shall pay the following charges for the installation or renewal of main-to-curb-stop service or fire service:
Size of Service Pipe (inches)
Charge
3/4
$1,500
1
$1,600
1 1/2
$2,000
2
$2,500
Larger than 2
Actual cost
B. 
A tapping charge will be added to the above charges for main-to-curb-stop service or fire service, whenever a new tap is required. The consumer shall pay the following tapping charges, when required:
Size of Service Pipe (inches)
Charge
3/4
$112.50
1
$150
11/2
$225
2
$300
Larger than 2
$150 per inch of tap size
C. 
When employees of the Department perform this service for a contractor or developer, the contractor or developer shall be charged $150 per inch of tap, plus actual costs for labor, equipment, and materials provided in the performance of this service.
D. 
The term "actual cost," as used in this section, shall mean all reasonable costs associated with the installation or renewal of the main-to-curb-stop service or fire service, or the tapping of a water main, including but not limited to labor, materials, equipment, road repairs, and curbing repairs.
[Amended 3-5-2012]
The entire cost of installing, maintaining, repairing and replacing any curb-stop-to-meter service shall be borne by the consumer. Consumers shall cause leaky or defective curb-to-meter service to be repaired within a reasonable time after being notified so to do by the Department. When such repairs are not made as required by the Department, the furnishing of water through such defective service will be discontinued and will not be resumed until the repairs have been completed. Frozen curb-stop-to-meter service shall be thawed at the consumer's expense.
A. 
Meters for all water services within the city, except fire service, shall be furnished and installed by the Department.
[Amended 3-5-2012]
B. 
The consumer shall be responsible for the safeguarding of the meter.
C. 
If so required by the Department, the meter shall be housed at the expense of the consumer.
[Amended 3-5-2012]
D. 
When service is temporarily discontinued, the Department will, when so requested in writing, remove, store and reset the meter without expense to the consumer.
[Amended 3-5-2012]
E. 
Meters must be in an accessible location for the purpose of servicing and ascertaining the quantity of water used and the manner of its use.
[Added 12-1-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986]
F. 
The Department shall be allowed to install receptacles and related appurtenances on or inside the consumer’s building, structure, or premises to accommodate the use of remote-reading-type water meters.
[Added 3-5-2012]
[Amended 3-5-2012]
Meters shall not be interfered with or removed by any person except an authorized employee of the Department. Seals placed on meters, valves or other fittings shall not be tampered with or broken. If a seal is broken, the meter will be removed, tested and replaced at the expense of the consumer.
[Amended 3-5-2012]
A. 
For water service lines two inches in diameter and smaller, the pipe shall be type K soft copper water tube.
B. 
For water service lines larger than two inches in diameter, the pipe shall be cement-lined ductile iron pipe.
C. 
Existing service lines may be repaired with the like or similar materials, such as galvanized wrought iron, if approved by the Department. Replacements or renewals of existing service lines shall be made with appropriate materials as outlined in Subsection A or B, above, or as otherwise directed by the Department.
[Amended 3-5-2012]
A. 
Service fittings used on two-inch and smaller service lines shall be cast of red brass and designed for a minimum working pressure of 200 p.s.i. All brass service line fittings shall be as specified by the Superintendent and/or the City Engineer.
B. 
Service fittings used in service lines larger than two inches in diameter shall be cement-lined, ductile iron and shall be furnished with mechanical or flanged joints as specified by the Superintendent and/or the City Engineer.
C. 
Service fittings used in the repair or modification of existing service lines may be of like or similar material and installed as approved by the Department.
[Amended 3-28-1955; 3-5-2012]
A. 
Pipe used in connection with the City’s water distribution system, other than for service lines two inches and smaller, shall be centrifugally cast ductile iron with cement mortar lining. The pipe shall meet AWWA (American Water Works Association) specification C151, and the cement mortar lining shall meet AWWA specification C104.
B. 
On bridges or other structures where conditions dictate that the use of ductile iron pipe is not practical or appropriate, cement-lined, welded steel pipe and fittings may be used. Welded steel pipe and fittings shall meet or exceed the requirements of AWWA specification C200.
C. 
All ductile iron fittings, couplings, etc., shall meet or exceed all applicable AWWA standard specifications.
A. 
Copper pipe used in water service shall be of seamless copper tubing, American Society For Testing and Materials, Class K specifications, having uniform thickness and shall withstand an internal hydrostatic pressure sufficient to subject the material to a fiber stress of 6,000 pounds per square inch and shall have the following minimum weights:
(1) 
Three-fourths-inch pipe: 10.25 ounces per foot.
(2) 
One-inch pipe: 13.4 ounces per foot.
(3) 
One-and-one-fourth-inch pipe: 16.64 ounces per foot.
(4) 
One-and-one-half-inch pipe: 21.75 ounces per foot.
(5) 
Two-inch pipe: 32.96 ounces per foot.
B. 
Fittings, stops, and valves used in copper pipe service lines shall be made of brass, with iron pipe threads, conductive compression, or flared-type ends, especially adapted for use in copper pipe water service lines or for joining copper pipe and wrought iron pipe or fittings, and shall meet applicable AWWA standard specifications.
[Amended 3-5-2012]
[Amended 3-5-2012]
PVC pipe and pipe made of polyethylene or other plastic materials shall not be used for potable water supply water mains or water service lines, except under special or unusual conditions, and only by special approval of the Department.
[Amended 3-5-2012]
A. 
Wrought iron pipe used in water services shall be genuine wrought iron pipe, galvanized, having the dimensions and weights of standard pipe. All such pipe shall comply with the standard specifications for welded wrought iron pipe of the American Society for Testing and Materials (serial designation A72-27) and shall have the following minimum weights:
(1) 
Three-fourths-inch pipe: 18 ounces per foot.
(2) 
One-inch pipe: 26 ounces per foot.
(3) 
One-and-one-fourth-inch pipe: 41 ounces per foot.
(4) 
One-and-one-half-inch pipe: 43 ounces per foot.
(5) 
Two-inch pipe: 58 ounces per foot.
B. 
Fittings for galvanized wrought iron pipe shall be malleable iron fittings for threaded galvanized wrought iron pipe.
C. 
Galvanized wrought iron pipe and fittings shall be used only in the repair of existing service lines of like or similar materials, or for adapting ductile iron service lines for meter installation purposes.
[Amended 3-5-2012]
A. 
Brass fittings with iron pipe thread, conductive compression, or flared connections shall be used to join copper pipe to wrought iron pipe or copper pipe to copper pipe. Soldered or sweat connections are not acceptable for use on any portion of a water service line, or for making connections to water meters or their appurtenances.
B. 
Malleable iron fittings shall be used in joining iron pipe to iron pipe.
C. 
Joints for ductile iron pipe shall be mechanical, flanged, or push-on as directed by the Department.
[Amended 6-2-1952; 6-16-1952; 11-15-1954; 10-3-1955; 2-6-1967; 4-17-1967; 5-28-1971; 6-27-1983; 6-25-1984; 6-9-1986; 6-22-1987; 6-27-1988; 6-5-1989; 6-18-1990; 8-20-1990; 6-1-1992; 6-30-1994; 6-19-1995; 6-20-2005; 11-6-2006; 6-2-2008;[1] 6-21-2010; 7-5-2011; 6-5-2017; 6-4-2018;[2] 6-5-2023;[3] 6-3-2024; 6-2-2025]
The rate for both domestic and industrial metered water within the City of Watertown shall be as follows:
A. 
Meter rates:
(1) 
Quarterly meter rates:
Usage
Rate [per 1,000 cubic feet (7,480 gallons)]
First 1,200 cubic feet (8,976 gallons)
$47.76 per 1,000 cubic feet (7,480 gallons)
Over 1,200 cubic feet (8,976 gallons)
$32.28 per 1,000 cubic feet (7,480 gallons)
(2) 
Monthly meter rates:
Usage
Rate [per 1,000 cubic feet (7,480 gallons)]
First 400 cubic feet (2,992 gallons)
$47.76 per 1,000 cubic feet (7,480 gallons)
Over 400 cubic feet (2,992 gallons)
$32.28 per 1,000 cubic feet (7,480 gallons)
B. 
Minimum charge for City use:
(1) 
Quarterly charge for City use:
Meter Size
(inches)
Cubic Feet
Gallons
Minimum Charge
5/8
900
6,732
$42.98
3/4
1,500
11,220
$66.99
1
2,700
20,196
$105.72
1 1/2
5,100
38,148
$183.18
2
8,400
62,832
$289.68
3
15,900
118,932
$531.73
4
26,400
197,472
$870.58
6
51,900
388,212
$1,693.53
8
84,000
628,320
$2,729.47
10
120,000
897,600
$3,891.28
(2) 
Monthly charge for City use:
Meter Size
(inches)
Cubic Feet
Gallons
Minimum Charge
5/8
300
2,244
$14.33
3/4
500
3,740
$22.33
1
900
6,732
$35.25
1 1/2
1,700
12,716
$61.06
2
2,800
20,944
$96.55
3
5,300
39,644
$177.24
4
8,800
65,824
$290.20
6
17,300
129,404
$564.51
8
28,000
209,440
$909.83
10
40,000
299,200
$1,297.10
C. 
For those customers billed on a monthly basis, the step rate quantities, water allowance and minimum charge shall be one-third (1/3) of the quarterly quantities, allowances and charges. Where quarterly consumption regularly exceeds 25,000 cubic feet, the consumer shall be billed monthly.
D. 
Where water is supplied to premises situated outside the City and not covered by contract, the rates for both domestic and industrial metered water shall be as follows:
Usage
Rate
[per 1,000 cubic feet (7,480 gallons)]
First 1,200 cubic feet
(8,976 gallons)
$57.31
Over 1,200 cubic feet
(8,976 gallons)
$38.75
E. 
Minimum charge quarterly for outside-City use:
Meter Size
(inches)
Cubic Feet
Gallons
Minimum Charge
5/8
900
6,732
$51.58
3/4
1,500
11,220
$80.40
1
2,700
20,196
$126.87
1 1/2
5,100
38,148
$219.82
2
8,400
62,832
$347.63
3
15,900
118,932
$638.02
4
26,400
197,472
$1,044.69
6
51,900
388,212
$2,032.23
8
84,000
628,320
$3,275.37
10
120,000
897,600
$4,669.52
F. 
For those outside the city customers billed on a monthly basis, the water allowances and charges shall be 1/3 of the quarterly allowances and charges. Billing periods shall be determined as in Subsection C.
G. 
A penalty of 10% of the total amount shall be added to any bill which is not paid on or before the 20th day of the month in which payment is due.
H. 
Partial tax exemption rates.
(1) 
For those customers who qualify under the partial tax exemption for real property of aged persons and who reside within the City of Watertown, the quarterly basis on which they will be billed for water usage shall be the amount of water actually used by such a property owner. The rates set forth in § 301-17A, B and C shall not apply to these property owners.
(2) 
The rates set forth within this subsection shall only apply to that portion of a residence which is actually inhabited by the elderly property owner who qualifies for the partial tax exemption of real property. If other portions of the residence are occupied by nonqualified rate payers, they shall pay the standard City rates.
(3) 
The rate structure for this subsection shall be as follows:
Unit
Charge
1
$4.79
2
$9.57
3
$14.36
4
$19.14
5
$23.93
6
$28.71
7
$33.50
8
$38.27
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that it shall take effect 7-1-2008.
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that it would take effect 7-1-2018.
[3]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that it would take effect 7-1-2023.
[Amended 6-2-1952; 3-5-2012 ]
No water shall be furnished to, or drawn from, a fire service until a permit therefor has been secured from the Superintendent. Application for such permit must be accompanied by plans showing the location of the premises to be supplied, together with the location of all valves, pipes, hydrants, tanks, sprinkler heads and other appurtenances on the premises. Such plans will become and remain the property of the city. Each fire service shall conform to the approved plan upon which the permit therefor is based, and no deviation therefrom shall be made without the written permission of the Superintendent. Service pipe of any fire service shall not exceed in size that of the supplying main. There shall be installed on each fire service, if directed by the Superintendent and at the consumer's expense, a detector check-type or protectus-type of meter, approved as to make by both the National Board of Fire Underwriters and the Superintendent. Main-to-line fire service shall be installed by the Department, but the actual cost and expense of such installation shall be paid by the consumer as the charge therefor. The entire cost of installing, maintaining and repairing fire service shall be borne by the consumer. No water shall be drawn from any fire service for any purpose other than that of extinguishing fires, except that reasonable use of water therefrom for fire drills, draining to prevent freezing and other uses necessary for the preservation of a fire protection system are not prohibited. When properly sized, a water service line may be used for both fire and domestic service, subject to the approval of the Department. When a water service line is used for combined fire and domestic use, separate valves or shut-offs shall be required to enable the isolation of the service branches, and approved backflow prevention devices must be installed in conformance with all governing regulations and approved by the City’s Code Enforcement Officials and by the Superintendent or City Engineer.
[Amended 6-2-1952; 11-15-1954; 2-6-1967; 4-17-1967; 6-27-1983; 6-25-1984; 6-9-1986; 6-22-1987; 6-27-1988; 6-5-1989; 6-18-1990; 6-20-2005; 11-6-2006; 6-2-2008; 6-5-2017; 6-4-2018[1]; 6-5-2023[2]; 6-3-2024; 6-2-2025]
The charge for fire service pipes shall be as follows:
Monthly Charges
Size of Service
(inches)
Inside City
Outside City
2
$4.31
$8.62
3
$8.73
$17.46
4
$12.59
$25.18
6
$25.33
$50.66
8
$37.69
$75.38
10
$50.62
$101.24
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that it would take effect 7-1-2018.
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that it would take effect 7-1-2023.
[Amended 12-1-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986]
A. 
Whenever the City Council shall deem it necessary to extend any water main for the benefit of the property owners abutting a street in which it is necessary to lay and extend a water main, the cost of laying such water main shall be paid for in the following manner:
[Amended 3-19-2012 by L.L. No. 1-2012]
(1) 
The cost per foot of installing the water main and fire service shall be divided into thirds based on the cost of installing a water main eight inches in diameter.
(2) 
The abutting property on each side of the street shall be charged on a foot-frontage basis at a rate equal to 1/3 of the total cost per foot of such eight-inch water main.
(3) 
A property already served by a water main on an intersecting street shall:
(a) 
If vacant at the time of construction of the water main, be exempt for a maximum depth of 125 feet, and any balance of frontage shall be included in the charge.
(b) 
If occupied by structures which are necessary to the existing occupation or use, have an exemption to include the existing structures and their property line restrictions, as provided in the Building Code,[1] provided that such exemption shall not exceed 250 feet.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 101, Building Construction Administration.
(4) 
After the charges have been made against the property owners, the balance of the costs, including 1/3 of the total cost per foot of any exempt corner property and street intersection costs, shall be paid for by the Water Department.
B. 
All charges shall be paid within 90 days of the date of billing, and if not paid in full within said 90 days, interest of 1/2 of 1% per month shall be charged to date of payment.
[Amended 6-2-1952; 2-6-1967; 5-30-1980; 12-1-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986; 4-3-1995 by L.L. No. 3-1995; 6-1-2009 by L.L. No. 4-2009]
In the event that any consumer fails to pay for water furnished to his account within 30 days following the issuance of a bill therefor by the Water Department, the Water Department may cease and refuse to serve such delinquent consumer with water or water service, and the amount due for water or water service shall be added to the tax roll as due by said consumer, or the City may sue for such amount and take judgment therefor on behalf of the City and issue execution thereon. If the water service is shut off hereunder but the amount due on any unpaid bill is paid prior to the taking of judgment as aforesaid, then water will be restored only upon payment of all costs actually incurred by the City for the collection of such unpaid bill, together with an added charge of $50 for restoring water service. In terminating water services to a delinquent consumer, the City shall follow the notice procedures contained at § 89-b of the New York Public Service Law, as amended.
[Amended 6-2-1952; 3-5-2012]
Each building or structure that is supplied with water shall be equipped with suitable full flow valves on the water service line inside the building or structure. One valve shall be located on the inlet side of the meter or meters. In addition, a suitable full flow valve shall be installed on the outlet side of each meter. The purpose for having valves on each side of the meter is to afford a means of removing or replacing the meter without requiring the closing of the curb stop or draining the entire internal water supply system.
[Amended 6-2-1952; 2-6-1967; 3-5-2012]
A. 
Consumers may discontinue use of water from any service upon prior notification to the Department in writing or by phone to the business office at City Hall. Water charges shall be prorated if applicable when the service is discontinued partway through a billing period. Reinstatement of water service may be resumed by like notice, and charges shall be prorated in a like manner. Notification for discontinuance or reinstatement of water service shall be made during normal business hours, and the action must be scheduled at least one full business day in advance, except in emergency or unusual situations. The Department reserves the right to schedule actions up to 10 days from the date that the request is received.
B. 
Water service will not be terminated or discontinued under this section to any premises that is occupied except for a short period of time for the purpose of repairing the plumbing on the premises.
[Amended 6-2-1952; 3-5-2012]
In the event of breaks or other emergencies, the Department may shut off the supply of water through the mains. When possible, notice of such shutoff will be given in advance, but neither the city nor its instrumentalities, officers or employees shall be liable for any damage that may result to any persons or premises by reason of any such shutoff, irrespective of whether notice is given or not.
[Amended 6-2-1952; 3-5-2012]
The Superintendent, an inspector or any employee of the Department, when designated by the Superintendent to so do, may at any reasonable time enter the premises of any consumer or water user for the purpose of examining the pipes and fixtures or for ascertaining the quantity of water used and the manner of it use.
[Amended 6-2-1952; 6-1-2009]
A. 
Hydrants or gate valves, either in the street or on public or private property, shall not be opened, closed, or interfered with in any way by unauthorized persons, nor shall they be obstructed or purposely damaged in any manner. Hydrants may be used to supply water in connection with the construction or repair of local or municipal improvements. Permits for such use shall be procured from the Department.
B. 
Other than for fires and emergency use, water from hydrants shall be taken only through an approved device, preferably a hydrant meter with an appropriate backflow prevention device and supplementary operating valve attached. The approved device shall be attached and removed, and the main hydrant valve will be operated, in such cases only by an employee of the Department or a person who has been specifically authorized by the Department to do so. Charges for water used in this manner will be made at the bulk rate amounts set forth in § 301-28, Bulk water charges.
C. 
In addition to the charges for water consumption, the user shall pay the cost of setting and removing the hydrant meter or device at the actual cost to the Department, including, but not limited to, all reasonable costs of labor, equipment and materials used to perform the service. The user shall also be responsible for the protection of the hydrant, meter, and all other equipment and shall pay for any and all repairs or replacement costs resulting from failure to properly protect this equipment.
[Amended 6-2-1952; 3-5-2012]
In addition to other penalties provided, the Department is authorized to refuse to supply water or to furnish water service to any consumer or water user who has violated any of the provisions of this chapter.
[Added 6-1-2009; amended 6-5-2017; 6-4-2018[2]; 6-20-2022; 6-5-2023[3]; 7-3-2023; 6-3-2024; 6-2-2025]
A. 
The charges for water obtained from the bulk fill station at the Water Treatment Plant, 1707 Huntington Street, or through fire hydrants, if proper permits have been obtained and authorization has been given by the Department for such use, or from any other authorized source within the City, shall be as follows:
(1) 
Zero to 1,000 gallons: $8.39.
(2) 
For each additional 100 gallons or fractional portion thereof: $0.84.
B. 
There shall be a minimum charge of $8.39 plus a service and processing fee of $2.50 for each bill sent to a consumer or user of bulk water. Bills shall normally be sent once per month for each month in which water is obtained. Payment is due within 30 days from the date of the invoice. Failure to pay the outstanding balance within 30 days will result in termination of service. There shall be a fee of $10 to reinstate the bulk-fill-station account after the outstanding balance has been paid in full.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 301-28, Water service for use outside city, added 4-15-1985, was repealed 8-7-2000.
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that it would take effect 7-1-2018.
[3]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that it would take effect 7-1-2023.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 301-29, Restrictions on new extensions of service or increase in supply outside city limits, added 4-15-1985, was repealed 8-7-2000.
[Added 4-15-1985; amended 6-19-2000]
A. 
No water supplied to a property located inside the corporate limits may be diverted from that location to one outside the corporate limits of the City of Watertown.
B. 
No water supplied to a property located both within the corporate boundaries of the City of Watertown and without the corporate boundaries shall be diverted outside the City of Watertown corporate limits through that property, unless such property shall remain under single ownership under one parcel. If such property shall ever be severed such that the outside portion is in separate ownership, said outside portion shall be subject to the city's outside user rate as set forth in § 301-17, as amended.
[Added 3-5-2012]
Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter 301, or as provided by local, state, or federal statutes, any person, firm, or corporation who violates, disobeys, neglects, refuses to comply with, or resists the enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter 301 shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $250. Each day of continued violation is a separate and distinct offense.