This article is intended to provide rules and regulations for the construction and use of the water system, including installation, alteration, and repair of facilities within or connecting to the water system.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
The city will furnish a water system for obtaining, conserving and distributing water for public and private uses. The delivery of water will be made subject to any terms and conditions established by the city council and in accordance with California law.
A.
Supply. The city will endeavor to furnish each customer, so far as is reasonably possible, but cannot guarantee, a continuous, safe and potable supply of water at a reasonable pressure at the city's water meter, and will endeavor to avoid any shortage or interruption in water service. In the event that the city is unable to provide satisfactory water service by reason of insufficient or high pressure, inadequate volume of water, or intermittent supply, the city will not be liable to any consumer for any damage or inconvenience that may occur as a result thereof.
B.
Continuity of Service.
1.
Emergency Interruptions. The city reserves the right to implement temporary emergency shut downs of or interruptions in the water system due to operational difficulties, natural catastrophes, and other causes which may prevent the provision of water service. The city will not be liable for any loss or damage resulting from or arising out of such interruption. The city will make all reasonable efforts to prevent interruptions in service and when such interruptions occur will make every effort to reestablish service with the shortest possible delay consistent with the safety of the water system, its customers and the general public. Where an emergency interruption in service may affect a public or private fire protection service the city will notify the fire protection agency or the affected property owner of the interruption and of the subsequent restoration of service.
2.
Scheduled Interruptions. The city, whenever it may find it necessary or convenient for the purpose of making repairs or improvements to the water system, reserves the right to implement temporary suspensions or scheduled interruptions in water service, and it will not be liable for any loss or damage resulting from or arising out of such interruption. Whenever the city finds it necessary to schedule an interruption in water service, it will, when possible, notify those customers affected by the interruption, giving the approximate time and anticipated duration of the interruption. Scheduled interruptions will be made at such hours as will provide the least inconvenience to the customers consistent with reasonable operations. Repairs or improvements will be implemented as rapidly as practicable. Where a scheduled interruption in service may affect a public or private fire protection system, the city will notify the fire protection agency or affected property owner of the interruption and of the subsequent restoration of service.
The city will not be liable to any customer for damages resulting from any interruption of service or for damage caused by faucets, valves, or other equipment or fixtures that are open for any reason when water is turned on at the meter, either originally or after a temporary interruption.
C.
Pressure Conditions. In the installation of all new water mains, the city will endeavor to maintain normal operating pressures of not less than twenty pounds per square inch (psi) nor more than one hundred twenty-five psi at the service connection. Notwithstanding normal operating pressures, during periods of hourly maximum demand at peak seasonal loads and periods of hourly minimum demand, pressures of forty psi and eighty psi, respectively, will be considered reasonable. All applicants for service connections or water service will be required to accept such conditions of pressure and service as are provided by the distribution system at the location of the proposed service connection, and to hold the city harmless for any damages, injuries, or losses arising out of low pressure or high pressure conditions or interruptions in service.
Customers are responsible for installation and maintenance of privately owned pressure regulators or other devices as may be required. In accordance with the California Plumbing Code, individual pressure reducing valves are required to be installed and maintained by the owner whenever static water pressure exceeds eighty psi.
The city may adjust pressures as the need arises in its sole discretion.
D.
Quality of Water. The city will endeavor to supply safe and potable water at all times; provided, however, that the city specifically disclaims and gives no warranty, express or implied, as to merchantability, fitness for purpose, chemical composition, quality, or any other matter, of water supplied. The city assumes no responsibility for loss or damage, including, but not limited to, personal injury, wrongful death, damage to real or personal property, or loss of profits, because of the lack of merchantability, fitness for purpose, chemical composition or quality of water supplied. The city will not be responsible for any loss or damage arising from leaks, breaks or corrosion in or to city facilities or non-city facilities as a result of the quality of water supplied.
E.
Resale or Redistribution of Water. It is unlawful for any person or entity other than the city to resell or redistribute water within the corporate limits of the city without having first received permission to do so from the city council. Bottled water and vending machines are exempted from this provision. Except by special agreement with the city, no customer will resell any of the water supplied by the city, nor will the city furnish water to premises other than those specified in an application for service.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
The customer will, at customer's own risk and expense, furnish, install and keep in good and safe condition all equipment that may be required for receiving, controlling, applying and utilizing water, and the city will not be responsible for any loss or damage caused by the improper installation of such water equipment, or the negligence, want of proper maintenance or wrongful act of the customer or of any of customer's tenants, agents, employees, contractors, licensees, or permittees in installing, maintaining, using, operating, or interfering with such equipment. The city will not be responsible for damage to property caused by faucets, valves, or other equipment or fixtures that are open for any reason when water is turned on at the meter, either originally or after a temporary interruption.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
No person will break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, connect to, or tamper with any structure, appurtenance, or equipment, which is a part of the water system. Persons causing damage to, or tampering with, city property will be responsible for payment of costs incurred, and any and all penalties as prescribed by law.
No person except an authorized city employee or its agent will, at any time or in any manner, operate or interfere with the water system, including, but not limited to, opening or closing any valve, or tapping on any of the water pipes of the main line or distribution system, or inserting tees, stopcocks or ferrules therein. The customer will be liable for any damage to the city's facilities caused by an act or failure to act of the customer or customer's tenants, agents, employees, contractors, licensees, permittees, guests, or invitees. Such damage may include, but is not limited to damage to a meter or curb stop or destruction of locks on or near a meter. If repair or replacement is required, as determined by the director of public works or designee, the customer will be assessed by the city for the total cost of such repair or replacement, including all costs of equipment, materials and labor; labor rates charged will be as set forth in the cost allocation plan. This charge will appear on the customer's utility bill and if unpaid, will subject the customer to service disconnect pursuant to Chapter 3.26.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
The city will not be liable for damage to property occasioned by water running from open or faulty piping or fixtures on the customer's property. Customers who request activation of a service will be responsible for damage resulting from such activation due to open or faulty piping and/or fixtures on the customer's property. The city may, at its discretion, opt to return the water service to a shut-off condition if there is indication of running water on the customer's property at the time of service activation. When this occurs, the city will endeavor to leave notice of explanation for the customer.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
Unless prohibited by law, authorized city representatives will at all reasonable times have the right to enter or leave the customer's premises for any purpose reasonably connected with service to the customer, or at any time in emergency situations needed to protect the integrity or quality of the water system.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
No connection to the water system will be installed, altered, or repaired without authorization from the city and the payment of all fees required in the cost allocation plan, plus any special costs for work incurred by city as set forth in this chapter or in a separate resolution adopted by the city council.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
All persons engaged in construction or street work will give at least ten days' written notice to the city for removal or displacement of water system facilities that may interfere or conflict with construction or street work. Any damage to the water system resulting from such failure to give notice will be the responsibility of and will be charged to the person engaged in such work. All costs involved in the removal or displacing of water facilities will be paid by the person engaged in such work, except where provisions of city permits or contracts state otherwise.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
Contractors engaged in street construction or site development must obtain a temporary water permit and may only take water at a location specified by the director of public works. All water will be metered unless exempted by the director of public works for good and sufficient reason. Charges will be in accordance with the cost allocation plan.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
Individual builders or contractors engaged in building construction or development not connected with subdivision construction must, upon compliance with the applicable provisions of administrative policy and of this chapter, obtain a temporary water permit and must agree to the provisions of administrative policy.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
Title to all meters, service pipes, and appurtenances used in providing a service connection will remain with the city and the charges described herein and set forth in the cost allocation plan are for connections and do not convey any right of title.
Whether recorded or not, the city has, or has the right to obtain through eminent domain, at least a twenty-foot easement on each side of a water main for purposes of maintaining, repairing and replacing it. The city will not be responsible if any permanent or unique improvements, including, but not limited to vegetation, fences, paving or structures, on or within the easement area are removed or damaged in the course of the city's maintenance, repair or replacement of the distribution main.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
The city may from time to time adopt standard plans and specifications and construction details, and/or requirements for the design and construction of water facilities and lines, which are incorporated herein by reference. All customers must comply with the applicable standard plans and specifications for the design, construction or repair of any facilities connected to or within the city's water system.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
All water system facilities installed by the city on private property are and remain the property of the city and may be maintained, repaired, or replaced by the city without consent or interference of the owner or tenant of the property. The property owner or tenant will use reasonable care in the protection of the facilities. No payment will be made to any property owner or tenant for placing or maintaining the facilities on private property. No person will place or permit the placement of any object that will interfere with the city's ability to freely access any city facility for maintenance, repair, or replacement. In addition, the city will not be responsible for restoring or replacing any improvements or obstacles on private property that interfere with the maintenance, repair or replacement of city facilities.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
If a customer makes any material change in the size, character or extent of the customer's equipment connected to the meter located in the meter box or to the operation of the equipment resulting in a material change in the use of water, the customer will immediately notify the city in writing of the nature of the change and, if necessary, amend his or her application for water service. The customer will bear the actual costs of the installation of a larger meter and service connection and any additional charges set forth in the cost allocation plan.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
The customer will install a control valve on the customer's side of the service connection as close as is practical to the meter location to control the flow of water to the piping on the customer's premises. The customer is prohibited from using the service connection curb stop to turn water on and off to the customer's premises.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
Each water heater must be equipped with a suitable pressure relief valve of type and nature required by the then current edition of the California Plumbing Code and California Building Code.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
All water wells within the city must comply with the Ordinance Code of Contra Costa County, all regulations of the California Department of Public Health, and any applicable federal regulations pertaining to same. Failure to so comply may result in enforcement by the applicable government agency. All water wells within the city must include, at the customer's sole expense, the prevention devices set forth in Section 14.01.385, or as otherwise required by the city to prevent backflow into the city water system.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
Customers must comply with all cross-connection regulations pursuant to Chapter 14.10. If a customer's premises has another source of water supply or the customer is engaged in industrial processes using or producing processed water or liquid industrial waste, or is engaged on the premises in handling sewage or any other substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and potable, the city may discontinue water service until the customer installs a working, suitable, approved double check valve to the service connection on the customer's side of service connection to protect against backflow of water from the customer's premises into the city's water system. If required by the director of public works, a customer will be required to install protective measures (e.g., locks and cages) to protect backflow devices from being tampered with and/or vandalized.
The customer is responsible for complying with all city, county, state and federal laws governing the separation of dual water systems and installation of backflow protection devices to protect the public water supply from the danger of cross-connections. The customer is also responsible for the maintenance, annual testing, repair or replacement of the backflow protection device. Failure to comply will subject the customer to disconnection of water service and assessment of water disconnect fee as set forth in the cost allocation plan.
The director of public works is authorized immediately to remove any cross-connection which he or she believes has the potential to jeopardize public health and safety and to charge the customer for costs associated with such removal.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)
The customer will be liable for any damage to the city's water system facilities caused by the attachment of an electrical service ground-wire or wires to any plumbing, which is or may be connected to a service connection or main belonging to the city, by the customer or his or her tenants, agents, employees, contractors, licensees, permittees, guests or invitees unless such plumbing is adequately connected to a lawfully driven ground installation on the premises. Neither the city nor its officers, agents or employees will incur any liability of any nature whatsoever by reason of the use of any facility for grounding purposes, which is or may be connected to the city's water system.
(Ord. 918 § 2, 2013)