[Code 1957, §§ 25.1, 25.8-2]
For the purposes of this chapter:
Residential premises shall include all premises occupied
as a dwelling by not more than two families. All other premises shall
be deemed commercial.
The superintendent of the water department of the city.
The water distribution system of the city.
[Code 1957, § 25.5]
The system of waterworks, together with the pump house, water
mains, hydrants and connections and the engines, dynamos, wires, lamps
and fixtures now constructed and erected, shall constitute the system
of waterworks, subject to such changes and conditions as the board
of city commissioners shall from time to time see fit to make.
[Code 1957, § 25.2]
(a)
The superintendent of the water department shall have personal charge
of the pumping station and shall have control and supervision of all
water mains, hydrants, valves, tools, machinery and supplies used
in connection with the city waterworks.
(b)
The superintendent of the water department shall supervise the making
of all connections with the water main system; shall follow the instructions
of the city auditor in turning on or turning off the water for any
consumer; and shall see that the provisions of this chapter are strictly
complied with.
(c)
It shall be the duty of the superintendent to inspect the waterworks
system each month and ascertain the condition of the same and see
that the water is not wasted and that no person is deriving any benefit
from the waterworks system which is not paid for as provided by this
chapter or other action of the board of city commissioners.
[Code 1957, § 25.4]
The superintendent of the water department shall devote his
entire time to the duties of his office. He shall give a bond in the
sum of $500 for the faithful performance of his duties.
[Code 1957, § 25.3]
The superintendent of the water department shall keep an accurate
account showing when and where all connections are made with the city
waterworks and the location in the streets and alleys of all valves,
cutoffs, connections and other matter connected with the city waterworks
system. He shall make and file with the city auditor a full report
in writing at the close of each month of all of the work of his office.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
Every consumer of water from the city waterworks shall be governed
by and be subject to the rules and regulations provided in sections
22-7 — 22-21. And it is hereby made the duty of the
superintendent of the water department to enforce the same.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
For violation of any of the rules in sections 22-8 — 22-21
and for the nonpayment of rent the city reserves the right to turn
off the water without notice.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
Applications for water must be made to the city auditor upon
blanks provided by the city for that purpose with the written consent
of the property owner and must state fully all purposes for which
the water is required.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
Every applicant for water shall express in his application that
the same is taken subject to all rules and regulations then in force
or that may thereafter be in force and adopted for the government
of the waterworks.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
Consumers must answer without concealment all questions put
to them by the city auditor relating to water and in case of any fraudulent
representations on the part of the consumer the payment will be forfeited
and the water supply will be shut off.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
In all cases where applications for water are granted, the city
will furnish corporation cock and tap the main pipe and pipe the water
from the main to the curb, the expense therefor to be paid by the
applicant or consumer. All pipes from main to curb shall forever be
under the control of the city, the applicant waiving and releasing
all claim thereto. The service pipe, stops and other fixtures must
be laid and attached, kept in repair and protected from frost by the
applicant or consumer, and in opening the street, the paving of whatever
nature and earth must be deposited in such a manner as to occasion
the least inconvenience to the public, and be replaced in as good
condition as previous to removal.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
No person shall be permitted to tap or make any connections
or renewals with the distributing pipe of the waterworks, excepting
such person as may be authorized by the board of city commissioners.
All such taps, renewals or connections shall be made under the direction
and subject to the approval of the superintendent. No addition or
alteration whatever of any tap, pipe, water cup or fixture pertaining
to the waterworks shall be made or caused to be made by any person
taking water except by a person duly authorized to make such addition
or alteration.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
Each water consumer having no cellar, basement or other suitable
place for a water meter must provide a substantial box three feet
square inside measurement of not less than two-inch lumber or brick
or stone curbing with double cover so the meter will at all times
be protected from frost and be conveniently accessible to repair and
read.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
All consumers using hot water in connection with the city waterworks
must provide a suitable check or valve to be used in connection with
the water meter to prevent damage to same by back pressure against
the meter and such consumer shall in all cases where damage results
to the meter by reason of such back pressure be liable for such damage
and for the cost of repairing the same.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
The city reserves the right to change the rate for the use of
water from time to time by resolution and at all times to make such
other and further restrictions and rules in the use of water as in
the judgment of the board of city commissioners may be necessary.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
Consumers of water shall, at all reasonable hours, permit the
superintendent, city auditor or other authorized city official to
enter their premises and examine the plumbing and the manner in which
the water is being used.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
In case of making any repairs or constructing new work, the
city reserves the right to shut off the water at once and to keep
the water shut off as long as may be necessary to accomplish such
purpose; provided, that in case the water is shut off, such notice
as is reasonable and practicable shall be given to consumers thereof
who use steam boilers.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
When the superintendent has turned off the water from any consumer
it shall not be turned on or used unless by order of the board of
city commissioners or the written consent of the superintendent.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
It is hereby expressly provided that the city shall not be liable
under any circumstances for a deficiency or failure in the water supply,
whether by the shutting off of water to make repairs or connections,
nor for any other reason whatever.
[Code 1957, § 25.7]
No person shall open or interfere with any hydrants of the city
without permission of the superintendent or the chief of the fire
department.
[Ord. No. 477, § 2, 8-22-1972]
The meter and all service pipes, curb stops, corporation stops
and fixtures from the water main to and including the curb stop box
must be layed, attached or affixed at the expense of the applicant
or consumer, but they shall remain under the control of the water
department, and said applicant and consumer waives and releases all
claims of ownership thereto, such ownership to vest in total in the
water department.
[Code 1957, § 25.9; Ord. No. 477, § 1, 8-22-1972]
All persons owning the water meter used by them may transfer
the ownership of such water meter to the water department on October
first, 1972, or before July first, 1973. In consideration of this
transfer of meter ownership the water department will assume full
responsibility for servicing, repairing and replacing all such meters,
where ownership is transferred to it on or between the dates above
stated. Such city-owned water meters shall be serviced by the water
department at water department expense when deemed necessary by the
water department. On all water meters remaining in private ownership,
the owner shall pay a service charge of $15 plus the actual cost of
all repairs that may be needed in connection with such service; provided
further that such service may only be done by the water department
or its duly authorized agent. Said payments shall be made to the water
department at the time of repair or the next billing following such
meter service.
[Ord. No. 477, § 4, 8-22-1972]
All water meters shall be inspected, tested and repaired at
such intervals as are deemed necessary by the water department. The
water department shall have the authority to remove meters from the
premises for the purpose of repairing or testing same. It shall be
unlawful for any person other than authorized water department employees
to remove, repair, service or install any water meter.
[Ord. No. 477, § 3, 8-22-1972; Ord. No. 802, 9-9-1997]
If the consumer transfers the ownership of a water meter to the water department under Section 22-23 of this chapter or if ownership is transferred by operation of law under Section 22-22 of this chapter, the water department will be responsible for the repair of the meter and all service pipes, curb stops, corporation stops and other fixtures from the water main to the property line including the curb stop box. Beginning at the curb stop line, water user is responsible for damages to pipes, fixtures and meters from freezing, regarding of fault, and any other damages that could reasonably have been avoided by the exercise of ordinary care. If ownership is not transferred to the water department as provided in Section 22-22 or 22-23 of this chapter the owner of the meter shall be responsible for all repairs and further must keep said pipes and fixtures and meter in repair and free from frost.
[Code 1957, § 25.6]
[Ord. No. 625, §§ 1,
2, 11-15-1983]
(a)
No person shall, without authority from the city public works department,
turn on, damage, remove any meter seals, or otherwise tamper with
or alter any part of the water system of the city. The water system
of the city shall include but not be limited to all pipes, meters,
valves and wires.
[Ord. No. 927, 5-11-2010]
[Added 6-23-2020 by Ord. No. 1112]
(a)
All
unpaid municipal utilities and services shall constitute a lien upon
the respective lots, tracts and premises receiving such utility or
service; and all such charges which have been billed to the owner
and/or occupant of the premises served, and which are more than 30
days past due, may be charged as an assessment against the lot or
parcel of land. The City shall first place a lien on the property.
Then, once per year, the Board of City Commissioners shall review
all liens and approve the same, and the City, in so certifying such
charges, shall specify the amount thereof, the description of the
premises served and the name of the owner thereof. The amount so certified
shall be extended by the county on the tax rolls against such premises
and collected by the county and paid to the City in the same manner
as other county and municipal taxes are assessed, certified, collected
and returned.
(b)
Tenant
and owner jointly and severally liable. The owner and occupant of
each premises shall be jointly and severally liable for all charges
for all municipal utilities and services provided to the property,
including but not limited to water, sanitary sewer, street lighting,
vector control, solid waste, forestry, and stormwater service during
the period of their respective ownership or occupancy.
