(a)
Written
application shall be made to the city upon forms furnished therefor
for water, sewer, garbage collection or any other utility service
which may be furnished by the city. Such application shall state the
name and address of the applicant, the type of utility service desired,
the purposes for which the application is made, and such other information
as the city may request.
(b)
All applicants
are required to have water, sewer service, garbage collection or any
other utility service which may be furnished by the city.
(c)
Exceptions.
(1)
Applicants
not occupying the home may request water only (but if water usage
for any month is over 300 gallons, all services will be added to the
billing in an amount as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A
of this Code); or
(2)
Applicants
not living in the city limits where these services are not provided.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 1, adopted 9/13/10)
(a)
Amount
of deposit.
Along with the application for water service,
the applicant shall pay to the city a deposit on such property in
the amount as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code.
(b)
Refund
of deposit.
Any deposit made in the city by any applicant
shall be held by the city until such applicant’s utility service
for which the deposit was made shall be terminated. Upon termination
of such service, the applicant shall be entitled to a refund of said
deposit, less any amount which is due and owing to the city.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 2, adopted 9/13/10)
(a)
The city
shall install and maintain all service connections from water mains
to the customer’s meter within the city and it shall be unlawful
for any other person to repair or renew the service pipe from main
to meter.
(b)
It shall
be unlawful for any plumber or other person, other than the tapper
employed by the city, to tap any street main, make connection with
the street main or extend service pipe from the main; said work to
be under exclusive control of the city.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 3, adopted 9/13/10)
Meters shall be required to measure the consumption of each
utility service furnished by the city, except garbage collection and
sewage service.
(1)
Control
of meters.
All meters, curb cocks, goosenecks, valves,
and meter boxes connected with the city’s water main and service
pipe, including those furnished at the expense of consumers or property
owners, shall remain under direct control of the city.
(2)
Tampering
with meters.
It shall be unlawful for any person other
than those authorized by the city to connect, disconnect, move, or
tamper with any such meter, or to turn on or off the water at the
curb cock, valve, or meter; or to open or tamper with any meter box.
A tampering fee plus a connect fee as provided in the fee schedule
in appendix A of this Code will be charged by the city.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 4, adopted 9/13/10)
The city council shall fix and approve the rates charged by
a privately owned public utility company doing business within the
city. It shall be unlawful for any such public utility company, or
any officer or employee thereof, to assess or charge for services
rendered at any rate other than the rate so fixed or approved.
(1)
Tap
charges inside the city limits.
A charge shall be made
by the city for each water tap and sewer tap made to the city’s
water and sewer system as provided in the fee schedule in appendix
A of this Code.
(2)
Tap
charges outside city limits.
Tap charges shall be two
times the inside city limit rates as provided in the fee schedule
in appendix A of this Code plus any additional expenses.
(3)
Garbage
collection and disposal charges inside city limits.
a.
The monthly
charges shall be made for the weekly collection and disposal of garbage
or trash by the city as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A
of this Code for residential dwellings, commercial containers and
commercial dumpsters.
(4)
Garbage
collection and disposal charges outside city limits in required service
areas.
a.
Charges
for garbage collection and disposal outside the city limits shall
be two times those for inside the city limits rates as provided in
the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code.
b.
Residential
or commercial property within 300 feet of the city limit line is to
have trash and garbage collected.
(5)
Sewer
rates inside city limits.
The schedule of monthly charges
and rates for sanitary sewer service furnished by the city shall be,
and such is hereby adopted and established, as provided in the fee
schedule in appendix A of this Code:
a.
Residential.
For the purpose of computing the sewer charge due, each family
dwelling unit shall constitute a separate residence and be subject
to all the applicable rates and charges as provided in the fee schedule
in appendix A of this Code.
b.
Commercial
(including schools).
There is a minimum charge as provided
in the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code for two sewer facilities,
outlet and/or extra wastewater drainage and as provided in the fee
schedule in appendix A of this Code per each additional sewer facility,
outlet and/or extra wastewater drainage.
c.
Churches.
There is a minimum charge as provided in the fee schedule in
appendix A of this Code for the first two sewer facilities, and each
additional sewer facility will be charged an additional amount as
provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code.
(6)
Sewer
rates outside city limits.
a.
All sewer
rates shall be two times the inside city limit rates as provided in
the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code. (This provision shall
not be construed, however, as requiring the city to furnish any sewer
outside the municipal limits of the city.)
b.
No sewer
utilities will be extended outside the city limits to any area, land,
subdivision or lot that has not complied with all the requirements
of the subdivision regulations of the city.
(7)
Water
rates inside city limits.
The schedule of monthly rates
or charges for water service furnished by the city shall be as provided
in the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code.
(8)
Water
rates outside city limits.
a.
All water
rates outside the city limits shall be as provided in the fee schedule
in appendix A of this Code.
b.
No water
utilities will be extended outside the city limits to any area, land,
subdivision or lot that has not complied with all the requirements
of the subdivision regulations of the city.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 5, adopted 9/13/10)
The rates and charges fixed and prescribed by the provisions
of this chapter and as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A
of this Code shall be due and payable in the office of the city secretary
at city hall on or before 5:00 p.m. on the 15th of the month. A ten
percent penalty as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this
Code will be charged if not paid by the 25th of the same month, and
service will be discontinued. Schools, churches and government agencies
are exempt from late payment penalties.
(Ordinance 101308, sec. 6, adopted 10/13/08)
(a)
Disconnection
of service for nonpayment.
In the event that any consumer
of utility services furnished by the city does not pay the rates and
charges on or before the due date for the same, the city secretary
shall have the authority to disconnect or terminate, or cause to be
disconnected or terminated, all utility services furnished such consumer.
(b)
Resumption
of service reconnection fee.
(1)
After
repairs.
Any consumer of utility services furnished by
the city, whose utility services have been disconnected for repairs
may have such utility services resumed after paying a reconnection
fee in an amount as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of
this Code. Any consumer of utility services furnished by the city,
whose utility services have been disconnected for transfer to a new
location inside the city limits may have such utility services resumed
at the new location after paying a reconnection fee as provided in
the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code.
(2)
After
nonpayment.
Any consumer of utility services furnished
by the city, whose utility services have been disconnected or terminated
for the nonpayment of the rates and charges therefore, may have such
utility services resumed by paying all rates, charges and penalties
due the city by such consumer, and in addition thereto, a reconnection
fee of as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 7, adopted 9/13/10)
(a)
Required.
All owners or occupants of buildings, or agents for owners,
situated within 150 feet of a sanitary sewer are hereby required to
construct or cause to be constructed suitable water closets on their
property, and to connect the same with the city sanitary sewer system
under the direction and supervision of the city.
(b)
Maintenance.
It shall be the duty of any owner or occupant of any building
connected with the city sanitary system to keep and maintain the connection
to the sewer system in perfect condition and free from obstruction.
(c)
Restriction.
It shall be unlawful for any person to build, construct, dig,
maintain or use any dry toilet, surface privy, cesspool or septic
tank within the city; provided, however, when connection to the city
sanitary sewer system is impossible or impracticable at any time,
the construction, maintenance and use of a septic tank constructed
in conformity to state law and the requirements of the county and
approved by the health officer may be permitted until such time as
connection to the sewer system may be made.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 8, adopted 9/13/10)
The city shall constantly inspect all parts of said water system
and maintain them in good condition; and shall keep in good repair
at all times for constant service, all pumps, machinery, hydrants
and all other waterworks fixtures and property. The city shall at
all times endeavor to keep a sufficient supply of water in the tanks:
(1)
To ensure
adequate fire protection and pressure;
(2)
To make
taps and connections to mains and repairs, etc.; and
(3)
To keep
said water system in good condition.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 9, adopted 9/13/10)
All property owners, their agents and/or tenants shall be held
responsible as consumers for loss of water due to leakage in pipes
or plumbing on the discharge side of the meter or on the property;
and if this water is not paid for according to the rates provided
in the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code, when the charges become
due, the water shall be cut off by the city and not turned on again
until all claims are paid or adjusted to the satisfaction of the city.
In the event of any change during this time of payment of billing
for past leakage, the landlord and/or property owner shall be held
accountable for payment of this billing before service will be extended
and water furnished to a second or other tenant.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 10, adopted 9/13/10)
No plumber or any other person shall turn water service on or
off from the street stopcock without a written permit being first
obtained from the city utility department, except in cases of emergency.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 11, adopted 9/13/10)
After water is introduced into a building, or upon any premises,
the same shall not be extended by any plumber or any other person
to any other premises for additional fixtures without written permission
of the city.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 12, adopted 9/13/10)
(a)
Continuous
and adequate service.
The city must provide continuous
and adequate service to every customer and every qualified applicant
for service in accordance with 30 T.A.C. sec. 291.114. Qualified applicants
for service include those property owners whose primary point of use
is within the area certified under the city’s certificate of
convenience and necessity to receive water and wastewater services.
(b)
Cost
of extension.
(1)
Each
qualified applicant requesting service must pay the city for the full
cost of extension of water and wastewater lines.
(2)
Payment
due from the qualified applicant for the extensions will be calculated
at cost plus 15 percent for material and cost plus 44 percent for
labor as provided in the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code.
All costs must be paid in advance prior to the beginning of any work.
(3)
The
city must pay the difference attributable to oversizing the lines
for line extensions that are in excess of the size required by the
qualified applicant.
(c)
Right-of-way
acquisition.
It shall be the obligation of the qualified
applicant requesting the utility extension to acquire the right-of-way
needed to extend water and wastewater lines from the line’s
present location to the requestor’s property. All right-of-way
acquired for utility extensions by a qualified applicant shall be
dedicated or otherwise conveyed to the city prior to the construction
of the extensions. Should the requesting qualified applicant be unable
to acquire the needed right-of-way, the city may at its own discretion
assist in acquiring the right-of-way.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 13, adopted 9/13/10)
Every person taking service from the city shall at all reasonable
times permit the city, its superintendent, or agents, to enter any
premises and building for examination of pipes, connections and fixtures
and to determine how the water is being used. Refusal of the right
of entry by any consumer shall result in refusal of a water supply
from the city water until such permission is granted.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 14, adopted 9/13/10)
(a)
Repair
of service pipes.
The city water service reserves the
right to make all repairs and renewals of service pipes from the main
to the curb, and it shall be unlawful for any other person to repair
or renew service pipe from the main to the meter.
(b)
Repair
of mains.
It shall be unlawful for any plumber or person,
other than the tapper employed by the city, to tap any street main,
make connection with the street main or to extend service pipes from
the main; said work shall be under the exclusive control of the city.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 15, adopted 9/13/10)
All consumers’ water heaters and boilers for heating water
shall be provided with safety valves to protect the water meter from
hot water. All steam boilers connected directly with the city water
supply are required to provide a tank or tanks for storage purposes.
Any consumer failing to comply with this provision shall have his
water supply cut off and not turned on again until such valve has
been installed; and, if a water meter has been damaged by failure
to comply with this section, then the consumer shall pay for such
damages.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 16, adopted 9/13/10)
All service pipe shall be laid at least 18 inches under the
ground and provided with a gate valve inside the property line, such
as to properly drain all pipes above ground.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 17, adopted 9/13/10)
Consumers shall install and have an approved gate valve inside
of the property line within six inches from the meter box in case
of emergency, and shall not use the curb cock at the meter in lieu
thereof. When no gate valve is found and it is necessary for the homeowner
to have water cut off at the meter, there will be a charge as provided
in the fee schedule in appendix A of this Code added to the utility
bill.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 18, adopted 9/13/10)
(a)
Fire
hydrants shall be provided for the sole purpose of use in extinguishing
fires, and shall be used or opened only by the water and fire departments
or such persons as may be given authority by the city.
(b)
It shall
be unlawful for any person to carry away water from a hydrant without
written permission from city, or to place upon or about any fire hydrant,
gate valve, curb cock, meter, or meter box, any object, material debris,
or structure of any kind so as to prevent immediate access to same.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 19, adopted 9/13/10)
(a)
Property.
It shall be unlawful for any person in any manner to deface
the houses, walls, machinery or fixtures connected with or pertaining
to the city and its water system.
(b)
Water
system.
It shall be unlawful for any person to break,
damage, or tamper with any part of the water system of the city for
any purpose whatsoever, or in any other manner maliciously interfere
with or prevent the running and operation of such system and the water
supply therein.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 20, adopted 9/13/10)
It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully or negligently
waste water in any manner whatsoever. Any person having knowledge
of any condition whereby water is being wasted shall immediately notify
the city.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 21, adopted 9/13/10)
In case of fire or other emergency or a shortage in the water
supply, water consumers shall be required to shut off lawn sprinklers
or any steady flow of water in use when fire or emergency occurs,
and keep the same off until the emergency is under control.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 22, adopted 9/13/10)
The city may, at any time, without notice, order the water cut
off for repairs, extension, or other purposes from any premises connected
to the system.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 23, adopted 9/13/10)
(a)
Restricted.
It shall be unlawful for any customer of the city water service
to knowingly resell, give or otherwise furnish water to any land or
premises outside of the corporate limits of the city without first
having received a permit therefore approved by the city council.
(b)
Permit
required.
Any consumer of city water within the corporate
limits of the city who desires to resell, give, permit or otherwise
furnish water to land or premises outside of the corporate limits
shall first make application in writing for a permit to do so with
the city secretary stating the use to be made of such water, and the
maximum amount of water estimated to be resold or furnished monthly
outside the corporate limits. Upon receipt of such application for
said permit, the city secretary shall forthwith refer such application
to the city council, who shall have the sole and absolute authority
to grant or refuse such application for such permit in accordance
with what it believes to be the best interest of the city, its citizens,
and residents.
(c)
Violation.
In the event that any consumer of city water violates or continues
to violate the provisions of this section after the effective date
of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived and refuses to
immediately discontinue the resale or the furnishing of water to land
or premises outside the corporate limits of the city, the city secretary
shall have the authority after giving written notice to such consumer
by certified United States mail, return receipt requested, to immediately
cease and desist from such violation, to disconnect and suspend all
water service to the land or premises of the consumer from which the
water is being supplied to the land or premises outside the corporate
limits of the city.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 24, adopted 9/13/10)
All of the provisions of this article shall be deemed to be
incorporated into every contract between the city water service and
its consumers, and each consumer shall be charged with the responsibility
for knowledge of the provisions of this article, and by applying the
responsibility for knowledge of the provisions of this article, and,
by applying for an accepting water from the city water, to have assented
to the provisions hereof.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 25, adopted 9/13/10)
(a)
Permit
fee regulations.
Any person desiring to drill a water
well within the limits of the city shall be governed by the following
rules, regulations and procedures:
(1)
A
permit shall be obtained from the building inspector, who shall issue
the same upon a form prepared for that purpose before any drilling
operations of any kind whatsoever are conducted or commenced.
(2)
A
fee shall be paid to the city in accordance to the city’s building
permit fee schedule as provided in appendix A of this Code.
(b)
Construction
of a windmill.
In the event of the erection of a windmill
over a well or to generate power within the corporate limits of the
city, such windmill shall be kept at a distance of not less than 30
feet from all overhead electric wires, and the erection of the same
shall be under the supervision and control of the building inspector.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 26, adopted 9/13/10)
The city shall not be liable for any damage to property of any
consumer of any utility service furnished by the city.
(Ordinance 091310-01, sec. 27, adopted 9/13/10)
