(a)
There shall be appointed by the city manager or designee, a superintendent
of the waterworks, who shall be the administrative officer of the
waterworks system, including all engine houses, engines, pumps, reservoirs,
standpipes, elevated tanks, pipelines, hydrants, meters, whenches,
stopcocks, gate valves, fireplugs, testing equipment, and all other
property and machinery used in or connected with the waterworks system.
He shall have general supervision over all employees of the waterworks
system and shall make frequent trips of inspection over all pipelines
and all other property used in or connected with the waterworks system,
and shall make all repairs deemed necessary and consistent with his
duties.
(b)
He shall also report all violations of this article to the public
works director and shall forthwith proceed to have prosecuted offenders
as set forth in this article or any amendment thereof.
(c)
He shall also attend to and control the water supply and all times
see to the sufficiency thereof, and shall notify the community, unless
emergency requires otherwise, of the necessity of shutting off any
pipeline for the purpose of making repairs, extensions, connections,
etc., should he know beforehand the necessity to so shut off the water
from any line or lines of the system.
(d)
In the performance of his duties as required by this section, the
superintendent shall be subject at all times to the city ordinances,
rules, and regulations. He shall serve for such term and receive such
compensation as may be fixed by the council.
(Ordinance 1239-2019, sec. 77, adopted 8/13/19; 1965 Code, sec. 24-16)
No free water service shall be rendered to any individual, corporation,
institution, or municipality except water used by the city fire department
in fighting fires.
(1965 Code, sec. 24-4)
It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person or persons to
do, commit or assist in committing any of the following acts:
(1)
To open or close any fire hydrant or stopcock connected with the
waterworks system of the city, or lift or remove the covers of any
gate valves or shutoffs thereof, without the permission of the superintendent
of the waterworks, except in case of fire, and then under the direction
of officers of the fire department.
(2)
To interfere with, destroy, deface, impair, injure, or wantonly force
open any gate, or door, or in any way whatsoever destroy, injure,
or deface any part of any engine house, reservoir, standpipe, elevated
tank, building or buildings, or appurtenances, fences, trees, shrubs,
or fixtures or property appertaining to the waterworks system.
(3)
To go upon or ascend the stairway or steps, on any elevated water
storage tank or standpipe of the waterworks system, except by permission
of the waterworks superintendent.
(4)
To place any telegraph, telephone, electric light pole, or any obstruction
whatsoever within three (3) feet of any fire hydrant.
(5)
To resort to any fraudulent device or arrangement for the purpose
of procuring water for himself or others from private connections
on premises contrary to the city regulations or ordinances.
(6)
To interfere with or injure any reservoir, tank, fountain, hydrant,
pipe, cock, valve or other apparatus pertaining to the waterworks
system, or to turn on or off without authority the water in any street
hydrant or other water fixture, or to hitch or tie any animal thereto.
(7)
To make or permit to be made any connections with the main or service
pipes of the waterworks system or to turn on or use the water of the
system without first obtaining a permit therefor.
(8)
To cover over or conceal from view any water valve box, service or
meter box.
(9)
To remove any water meter that has been placed by the city, or in
any manner change, interfere with or tamper with any water meter;
providing that the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to
the employees of the city when acting in their official capacity.
(10)
To turn on the water supply to any building or to any supply pipe
where the supply has been turned off for the nonpayment of the monthly
water charge or for the violation of any rule or ordinance governing
the waterworks system.
(11)
To connect any unapproved water system or source of supply to any
municipal water line or to any private water line connected to the
municipal water system.
(12)
To swim or fish in any waters or to hunt or picnic in any area located
within one-half mile of the filtration plant of the city’s waterworks
system on the Trinity River.
(1965 Code, sec. 24-17)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to
make any connection to the mains or pipes of the waterworks system
without first making application to the city, stating fully the several
and various uses for which water is wanted, giving the name of owner
of the property, the number of uses for which water is wanted, the
number of the lot and block, name of the street and house number.
(1965 Code, sec. 24-18)
(a)
Individual service connection.
Upon the payment of the tapping fee, as set forth in section 13.03.010, the superintendent shall make, or have made, the necessary connections and furnish a water meter box, water meter and curb stop, the cost of which is included in the tapping fee, and every premises connected with any water main, or being supplied with any water from the city waterworks, shall have a separate service connection. If the application is approved, by the superintendent of waterworks, a permit will be issued. All fees and charges shall be paid for at amounts and rates fixed by this article or by resolutions of the city council.
(b)
Exception.
This provision shall not be applicable to
multifamily zoning uses when designated as such in accordance with
the city’s zoning ordinance as amended, those commercial or
residential premises or properties existing prior to the adoption
of this section where there are multiple units on the same water service
connection unless the property and/or premises is conveyed to a new
owner hereafter requiring a certificate of occupancy for ownership
change or in the event the property or premises is deemed to be substandard
and is ordered vacated and not approved for human occupancy.
(Ordinance 907-2011 adopted 10/25/11)
In order to discontinue water service, a customer must give
written notice to the city, otherwise charges for water will continue.
(Ordinance 471A adopted 11/28/95)
All meters, whether private or belonging to the waterworks system,
shall be installed by the employees of the city.
(1965 Code, sec. 24-21)
The water superintendent shall set up a system for the periodic
inspection, adjustment, and repair of all water meters in use in the
city’s water system.
(1965 Code, sec. 24-22)
(a)
Water meter deposit.
Each water customer shall put up
a water meter deposit, which may be applied to the payment of any
unpaid balance on the customer's water bill. When a deposit is used
to pay the unpaid portion of a bill, the customer must restore the
original amount plus the new application deposit amount for delinquent
charges. The following water meter deposits shall be made:.
|
Occupancy Type
|
Description
|
Amount of Deposit
|
|---|---|---|
|
Single-family residential
|
Owner responsible for payment of bill
|
$100.00
|
|
Single-family residential
|
Renter responsible for payment of bill
|
$200.00
|
|
Single-family residential
|
New application for owner due to account being finaled for delinquent
charges
|
$150.00
|
|
Single-family residential
|
New application for renter due to account being finaled for
delinquent charges
|
$300.00
|
|
Two-family residential (duplex)
|
(Separate deposit for each family unit) Owner responsible for
payment of bill
|
$100.00
|
|
Two-family residential (duplex)
|
(Separate deposit for each family unit) Renter responsible for
payment of bill
|
$200.00
|
|
Two-family residential (duplex)
|
(Separate deposit for each family unit) New application for
owner due to account being finaled for delinquent charges
|
$150.00
|
|
Two-family residential (duplex)
|
(Separate deposit for each family unit) New application for
renter due to account being finaled for delinquent charges
|
$300.00
|
|
Commercial
|
Restaurant
|
$400.00
|
|
Commercial
|
Office
|
$150.00
|
|
Commercial
|
Day care
|
$325.00
|
|
Commercial facility
|
Church
|
$200.00
|
|
Commercial
|
Retail
|
$150.00
|
|
Commercial
|
Beauty shops and barber shops
|
$225.00
|
|
Commercial
|
Automotive service and repair
|
$250.00
|
|
Commercial
|
Convenience and grocery stores
|
$300.00
|
|
Industrial
|
Manufacturing
|
$300.00
|
|
Multifamily
|
Apartments (per unit)
|
$75.00
|
|
Construction
|
Fire hydrant meter1
|
$2,000.00 + $30.00 service fee
|
|
Commercial
|
Other/not otherwise listed
|
$150.00
|
|
Commercial
|
New application due to account being finaled for delinquent
charges
|
$100.00 plus initial deposit amount
|
|
1 Fire hydrant meter subject to the
following conditions:
| |
|
1.
|
A monthly rental fee of $50.00.
|
|
2.
|
A requirement of a monthly meter reading sent in between the
5th and 10th of each month.
|
|
3.
|
A requirement that a failure to submit meter readings, location
changes, or any other information required by the city's fire hydrant
meter agreement on time will result in a fee of $50.00 per violation
added to the account for each offense.
|
|
4.
|
The contractor must have pulled permits at the address the meter
is needed for.
|
|
5.
|
The contractor must complete all applications and pay the deposit
in full.
|
|
6.
|
The city has the right to terminate the contract at any time.
|
|
7.
|
Upon termination of contract the contractor must return the
meter within 2 business days.
|
(b)
Other utility deposit fees.
For customers that make application for other city utilities including sanitation and wastewater and have no available water service or for other water occupancy types not before mentioned in subsection (a) above are required to put up a utility deposit, which may be applied to the payment of any unpaid balance on the customer’s bill. When a deposit is used to pay the unpaid portion of a bill, the customer must restore the original amount plus the new application deposit amount for delinquent charges. The following other utility deposits shall be made:
|
Occupancy Type
|
Utility Type
|
Amount of Deposit
|
|---|---|---|
|
Residential (single- or two-family owner)
|
Sanitation only
|
$25.00
|
|
Residential (single- or two-family owner)
|
Wastewater only
|
$50.00
|
|
Residential (single- or two-family owner)
|
Sanitation and wastewater
|
$75.00
|
|
Residential (single- or two-family renter)
|
Sanitation only
|
$50.00
|
|
Residential (single- or two-family renter)
|
Wastewater only
|
$100.00
|
|
Residential (single- or two-family renter)
|
Sanitation and wastewater
|
$150.00
|
|
Residential (single- or two-family owner)
|
Irrigation or landscaping water (separate meter on lot)
|
$50.00
|
|
Residential (single- or two-family owner)
|
New application due to account being finaled for delinquent
charges
|
$50.00 plus initial deposit amount
|
|
Residential (single- or two-family renter)
|
New application due to account being finaled for delinquent
charges
|
$100.00 plus initial deposit amount
|
|
Commercial
|
New application for a separate irrigation or landscape water
meter deposit fee
|
$150.00
|
|
Commercial
|
Sanitation only
|
$50.00
|
|
Commercial
|
Wastewater only
|
$100.00
|
|
Commercial
|
Sanitation and wastewater
|
$150.00
|
|
Commercial
|
New application due to account being finaled for delinquent
charges
|
$100.00 plus initial deposit amount
|
|
Commercial/residential
|
Temporary deposit. Good for 15 days only
|
$50.00 plus service charge
|
|
Commercial/residential
|
Realtor/property management sanitation only
|
$50.00
|
|
Commercial/residential
|
Realtor/property management sanitation only
|
$50.00
|
|
Commercial/residential
|
Realtor/property management wastewater only
|
$75.00
|
|
Commercial/residential
|
Realtor/property management sanitation and wastewater
|
$125.00
|
|
Commercial/residential
|
Realtor/property management sanitation, wastewater and water
|
$150.00
|
(c)
In addition to the meter deposit, water customers will be charged
the following fees:
(1)
Service charge for initiating water service: $15.00.
(3)
Transfer fee: $25.00.
(4)
Meter rereads. Customers requesting rereadings of the meter after
the monthly bills have been mailed out will be charged a fee according
to the schedule below. All fees are based on a calendar year:
(5)
Administrative fee for nonpayment by the 25th day after billing:
$25.00.
(6)
Pull meter charge. If the meter has to be pulled, it is required
that prior to reconnection of service that the customer pay an additional
fee of $25.00 for the charge of pulling the meter plus any other applicable
fee(s).
(8)
After-hours reconnection fee: $75.00 in addition to the administrative
fee and any other applicable fee(s).
(Ordinance 1030-2014 adopted 6/24/14; Ordinance 1046-2014 adopted 10/28/14; Ordinance 1376-2023 adopted 4/11/2023)
The tapping charges for connection with the city water mains
and laterals shall be as follows:
|
For 3/4" connection
|
$45.00 meter included
|
|
For 1" connection
|
$50.00 plus extra cost of meter
|
|
For 1-1/2" connection
|
$60.00 plus extra cost of meter
|
|
For 2" connection
|
$75.00 plus extra cost of meter
|
(1965 Code, sec. 24-24)
(a)
The following uniform monthly rates shall be charged all persons
for the use of the city water inside and outside the city limits:
(1)
Residential customers:
|
|
|
Base Minimum
|
Usage Rate Charge Per Cubic Feet
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
(A)
|
Customers inside the city and inside the district (RII)
|
$29.00
|
$0.0500000
|
|
(B)
|
Customers inside the city and outside the district (RIO)
|
$29.00
|
$0.0500000
|
|
(C)
|
Customers outside the city and inside the district (ROI)
|
$49.00
|
$0.1350000
|
(2)
Commercial customers:
|
|
|
Base Minimum
|
Usage Rate Charge Per Cubic Feet
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
(A)
|
Customers inside the city and inside the district (CII)
|
$41.50
|
$0.0650000
|
|
(B)
|
Customers inside the city and outside the district (CIO)
|
$41.50
|
$0.0650000
|
|
(C)
|
Customers outside the city and inside the district (COI)
|
$51.00
|
$0.1400000
|
(b)
Water rates shall be billed on a monthly basis as follows:
(1)
Base minimum is the rate for customers using 400 cubic feet or less
of water for each month billed.
(2)
Usage rate charge per cubic feet is the rate for each cubic feet
of water consumption over the minimum of 400 cubic feet for each month
billed.
(3)
For customers with a water usage each month over 400 cubic feet they
will be billed the base minimum plus the usage rate charge per cubic
feet for the cubic feet of water used over 400 cubic feet.
(Ordinance 1325-2021 adopted 9/14/21; Ordinance
1389-2023 adopted 10/10/2023; Ordinance 1389-2023 adopted 10/10/2023)
Editor’s note–Former section 13.03.012,
pertaining to when and where water bills were payable, and deriving
from sec. 24-26 of the 1965 Code, was repealed and deleted in its
entirety by Ordinance 986-2013 adopted 6/25/13.
It shall be the duty of all employees of the city, including
officers and members of the police force, to report to the superintendent
of the waterworks system, upon blanks furnished for that purpose,
any leaks or unnecessary waste of water that may come to their attention,
also any violations of this article.
(1965 Code, sec. 24-28)
(a)
In all cases except as otherwise provided for herein under subsection (b) where more than one living or business unit is supplied water through one meter, not less than a minimum charge for such unit for such water shall be made, and each living unit or business unit supplied through such meter shall be paid for at a rate of not less than the minimum for each unit so supplied, and all additional “water excess charges” above the minimum for each such unit shall be based upon the quantity of water passing through the meter, divided by the number of units, and be charged for as set forth in the applicable rate schedule in section 13.03.011 of this code, and referred to as “water rates.”
(b)
Exception.
In cases where more than one living unit
is supplied water through one meter being occupied by one or more
persons who are related by blood, marriage, adoption, or foster assignment,
or a group of not more than three adults, living together as a single-housekeeping
unit with or without single-kitchen facilities, on a nonprofit cost-sharing
basis shall not be charged a multiple living unit rate for water service
following city inspection verifying that the living units are being
occupied solely as a single-housekeeping unit and providing that the
pre-existing property use has been previously registered with the
city as a legal nonconforming use of the property in that the nonconformity
existed prior to the adoption of the city’s zoning ordinance
as amended.
(Ordinance 923-2012, sec. 2, adopted 4/24/12)
(a)
It is a violation to unlawfully connect or tamper with any water
service within the city water system. Tampering of a water service
includes but is not limited to:
(1)
Opening any water meter box for the purpose of connecting water service
to any residence or business that has been disconnected due to a delinquent
bill by the water department.
(2)
Cutting or removing any locking system that has been installed on
any water service that is owned and controlled by the water department
and its authorized employees.
(3)
Installing a “jumper mechanism” for the purpose of unlawfully
acquiring water from the city water system.
(4)
Damage to any water service appurtenances which includes the meter,
meter box, water valves or cutoffs, and water piping that connects
to the customer’s line in the meter box.
(b)
Any owner, occupant, tenant, agent, person or persons who has on file in the water department their name as the water applicant is responsible to pay any and all tampering charges if the water service is found to be tampered with by any of the reasons as described in subsections (a)(1), (2), (3), and (4) above, and the responsible applicant may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and shall pay an assessed charge for such action prior to the water service being reconnected by the city water department.
(c)
In case that there is no record of applicant filed in the office of the water administration the owner, agent, occupant, tenant, person or persons listed on the county tax record is responsible to pay any and all tampering charges as described in subsections (a)(1), (2), (3), and (4), and the responsible owner, agent, occupant, tenant, person or persons may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and shall pay an assessed charge for such action prior to the water service being reconnected by the city water department.
(d)
The tampering of the water service charges are as follows:
(1)
Turning on the water without paying all delinquent fees
(tampering charge): $55.00.
(2)
Metering damage.
Any damages to the water meter will
be charged against the responsible applicant at a minimum fee of $55.00
plus the actual cost of the meter repair up to and including the cost
of a new meter. If the water superintendent determines that the meter
damage is extensive enough to warrant a new meter the charges will
be assessed according to the size of the water meter as follows:
|
3/4-inch meter
|
$100.00 (includes the tampering charge)
|
|
1-inch meter
|
150.00 (includes the tampering charge)
|
|
1-1/2-inch meter
|
250.00 (includes the tampering charge)
|
|
2-inch meter
|
500.00 (includes the tampering charge)
|
|
3-inch and above
|
based on the actual cost of the meter plus labor and plus the
tampering charge of $55.00
|
|
No water service will be reconnected until all charges have
been paid in full.
|
(3)
Damage to the water valve or cutoff.
Any damages to
any valve or cutoff in an attempt to reconnect the water service that
has been disconnected for any reason by the city will be assessed
a minimum charge of $80.00 or the actual costs of the valve plus labor
costs and the tampering charge of $55.00, whichever is greater. No
water service shall be reconnected until this charge has been paid
in full.
(4)
Damage to the locking device.
Any damages to any lock
or locking mechanism in an attempt to reconnect the water service
that has been disconnected for any reason by the city will be assessed
a minimum charge of $65.00 or the actual costs of the lock or locking
mechanism plus labor costs and the tampering charge of $55.00, whichever
is greater. No water service shall be reconnected until this charge
has been paid in full.
(5)
Damage to miscellaneous appurtenances including piping and fittings.
Any damages to water appurtenances including piping and fittings
that are connected to the city water service in an attempt to reconnect
water service that has been disconnected by the city for any reason
will be assessed a charge of $55.00 plus the actual costs of the repairs
plus any labor charges. No water service shall be reconnected until
these charges have been paid in full.
(e)
All water service tampering charges shall be paid in conjunction
with any delinquent amounts and charges prior to any water service
being reconnected to the city water system.
(Ordinance 577 adopted 3/27/01)
