A.
Short
Title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "City of
Blue Lake Water Ordinance."
B.
Words
and Phrases. For the purpose of this chapter all words used herein
in the present tense shall include the future; all words in the plural
number shall include the singular number; and all words in the singular
number shall include the plural number.
C.
Water
System. The City will furnish a system, plant, works and undertaking
used for and useful in obtaining, conserving and distributing water
for public and private uses, including all parts of said system, all
appurtenances to it, and lands, easements, rights in land, water rights,
contract rights, franchises, and other water supply, storage and distribution
facilities and equipment.
D.
Pressure
Conditions. All applicants for service connections or water service
shall be required to accept such conditions of pressure and service
as are provided by the distributing system at the location of the
proposed service connection, and to hold the City harmless for any
damages arising out of low pressure or high pressure conditions or
interruptions in service.
E.
Tampering
With City Water Department Property. No person except an employee
or representative of the City or Fire Department personnel in the
performance of their duties, shall at any time in any manner operate
the water stops or valves, corporation stops or valves of the City's
system; or interfere with meters or their connections, water lines
or any other parts of the water system. No person shall tamper with
or operate fire hydrants except an employee or authorized representative
or a person involved in fighting a fire.
F.
Penalty
for Violation. For the failure of the customer to comply with all
or any part of this chapter, and any ordinance, resolution or order
fixing rates and charges of this City, a penalty for which has not
hereafter been specifically fixed, the customer's service may be discontinued
and, in such event, water shall not be supplied to such customer until
he or she shall have complied with the rule or regulation, rate or
charge which he or she has violated or, in the event that he or she
cannot comply with the rule or regulation, until he or she shall have
satisfied the City that in the future he or she will comply with all
the rules and regulations established by ordinance of the City and
with all the rates and charges of this City.
G.
Ruling
Final. All rulings of the City Council shall be final. All rulings
of the Director of Public Works shall be final unless appealed in
writing to the City Council within five days. When appealed, the Council's
ruling shall be final.
H.
Separability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter
is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall
not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.
(Ord. 538 § 1, 2020)
The City Council finds that the provision of water service outside
of the City limits involves additional costs, charges, and risks in
connection with operating and maintaining the system. The additional
costs include, but are not limited to, obtaining rights-of-way and/or
encroachment permits from other agencies, such as the County of Humboldt,
and complying with their regulatory requirements and standards. The
City Council also finds that a portion of the general taxes received
from City residents offsets and defrays a part of the costs of water
system installation, maintenance, operation, and repair. To equalize
the costs of service provided within the City and outside the City,
the City Council finds that increasing the costs, fees, and charges
to residences located outside the City by a factor of 50% is reasonably
required.
means City of Blue Lake.
means the City Clerk of the City of Blue Lake and any other
person or persons in the City Clerk's office designated by the City
Council or the City Clerk to perform Water Department functions under
this chapter.
means the pipeline and appurtenant facilities such as the
curb stop, meter and meter box, all used to extend water service from
the main to the premises of the customer, the laying thereof and the
tapping of the main. Where services are divided at the curb or property
line to serve several customers, each such branch service shall be
deemed a separate service.
means the cost of labor, material, transportation, supervision,
engineering, overhead and all other expenses for whichever task is
so designated.
means the City Council of the City of Blue Lake, California.
means any physical connection between the piping system from
the City service and that of any other water supply that is not, or
cannot be, approved as safe and potable for human consumption, whereby
water from the unapproved source may be forced or drawn into the City
distribution mains.
means a water user who is serviced by the water supply system
or purchases water from the Blue Lake water supply system.
means the Director of Public Works of the City of Blue Lake
and any other person or persons in the Department of Public Works
designated by the City Council or the Director of Public Works to
perform Water Department functions under this chapter.
means waterlines in streets, highways, alleys and easements
used for public and private fire protection and for general distribution
of water.
are those living accommodations containing rooms to rent
on a frequent, if not daily, basis.
means a single-family living unit.
are those services located within industrial designation
zones, in conformance with Title 17, Zoning, as amended.
means a single-family living unit.
are those living accommodations containing more than one
single-family living unit.
means the person owning the fee title, or the person in whose
name the legal title to the property appears, by deed duly recorded
in the County Recorder's office, or the person in possession of the
property or buildings under claim of, or exercising acts of ownership
over same for him or herself, or as executor, administrator, guardian
or trustee of the owner.
means any human being, individual, firm, company, partnership,
association and private or public or municipal corporation, the United
States of America, the State of California, and any district, political
subdivision, governmental agency and mandatory thereof.
means a lot or parcel of real property under one ownership,
except where there are well-defined boundaries or partitions such
as fences, hedges or other restrictions preventing the common use
of the property by the several tenants, in which case each portion
shall be deemed separate premises. Apartment houses and office buildings
may be classified as single premises.
means water service and facilities for building sprinkler
systems, hydrants, hose reels and other facilities installed on private
property for fire protection and the water available therefor.
means the service and facilities of the entire water supply,
storage and distribution system of the City, including the fire hydrants
affixed thereto, and the water available for fire protection, excepting
house service connections and appurtenances thereto.
means water service and facilities rendered for normal domestic,
commercial and industrial purposes on a permanent basis, and the water
available therefor.
has the same meaning as "Connection."
has the same meaning as "Connection."
means water service and facilities rendered for construction
work and other uses of limited duration, and the water available therefor.
means the City Council of the City performing functions related
to the City water service, together with the Director of Public Works,
the City Clerk and other duly authorized representatives.
A.
Notices
to Customers. Notices from the City to a customer will normally be
given in writing, and either delivered or mailed to the address where
water service is provided or, in the event the customer designates
a different mailing address on the application, to the mailing address
designated on the application. Where conditions warrant and in emergencies,
the City may resort to notification either by telephone or messenger.
B.
Notices
from Customers. Notice from the customer to the City may be given
by him or her or his/her authorized representative in writing (1)
at the office of the City Clerk; or (2) to the Director of Public
Works.
(Ord. 538 § 2, 2020)
A.
Department
Created. The Water Department of the City of Blue Lake, California,
is hereby created. Such department shall have charge and control of
the water system of the City and all things necessary or incidental
to the conduct and management of such department. The management,
control and care of the Municipal Water System of the City of Blue
Lake shall be vested in and under the direction of the City Council.
B.
Responsibility
of Director of Public Works. The City Council hereby designates, appoints,
and charges the Director of Public Works with the duty to regularly
inspect all physical facilities related to the City water system,
to see that they are in good repair and proper working order, and
to note violations of any water regulations. The Director of Public
Works shall have full charge of maintenance, operation, and construction
of the waterworks and system. He or she shall use employees of the
Department of Public Works in fulfilling his or her obligations and
duties. He or she shall perform such other duties as are imposed from
time to time by the Council, and shall report to the Council in accordance
with the rules and regulations adopted by the Council. The Director
of Public Works shall promptly report any violations or disrepair
to the Council. If the work required is in the nature of an emergency,
he or she shall take whatever steps are necessary to maintain service
to customers. The Director shall supervise all repair or construction
work authorized by the Council and perform any other duties prescribed
elsewhere in this chapter or which shall be hereafter prescribed by
the Council.
C.
Responsibility
of City Clerk. The City Council hereby appoints the City Clerk as
the billing clerk in charge of the Water Department, whose duties
shall consist of billing, collecting, and maintaining the bookkeeping
system of the office. The City Clerk shall compute, prepare, and mail
bills as hereinafter prescribed, accept payments, maintain proper
books of account, collect, account for and refund deposits, do whatever
else is necessary as directed by the City Council to set up and maintain
an efficient and economical bookkeeping system, and perform any other
duties now or hereafter prescribed by the Council.
D.
Responsibility
of City Treasurer. The City Treasurer shall deposit all money collected
from water payments.
A.
Application. Application for regular water service must be made on
written or printed forms to be furnished by the City Clerk to the
property owner or his/her agent, and the applicant must state fully
and truthfully his or her name, address, purpose for which the water
is to be used, the expected amount to be used on a monthly basis,
the nature of the use (residential, commercial, or industrial) and
at such time of application must pay the following:
1.
An amount equal to two and a quarter times the monthly base
rate (MBR) for water service in effect at the time of the application,
rounded off to the nearest dollar, refundable at the month following
the date on which the account is closed, or after two years of consecutive
on time payments with no record of delinquency, or insufficient fund
returns, less the amount of any unpaid charges to which the deposit
is applied.
2.
A nonrefundable application fee in the amount of $30.00. Personal
identification will be required for the application.
B.
Undertaking of Applicant. Such application will signify the customers'
willingness and intention to comply with this and other ordinances
or regulations relating to the regular water service and to make payment
for water service required.
C.
Payment for Previous Service. An application will not be honored
unless payment in full has been made for water service previously
rendered by the City to the property, whether or not applicant or
some other person has been previously billed for water service.
(Ord. 544, 3/26/2024)
A.
Regular
water service will be installed at the property location requested
by the applicant and the Department of Public Works shall determine
the precise location of the meter box and shall determine the meter
size. Service installations will be made only to property abutting
on distribution mains which have been constructed in public streets,
alleys or easements or to extensions thereof as herein provided. If
the main is located in the City, the Water Department shall provide
adequate main size for adequate water service. If the main is located
outside of the City or if the demand causes pipeline main sizes within
the City to be inadequate, then the Department of Public Works shall
approve the construction of mains of sufficient size to adequately
provide water to the installation, the costs for which shall be borne
by the ultimate service users. Meter boxes shall be placed on public
right-of-way or easements at the curb line or in a location determined
by the Department of Public Works. Services installed, by the City,
in new subdivisions, prior to the construction of streets or in advance
of street improvements, must be accepted by the applicant in the installed
location.
B.
Installation
Charges.
1.
Charges
inside the corporate limits of the City for the installation of new
services and meters shall be composed of both a water service connection
fee and a physical installation fee and are established as follows:
a.
Water service connection fee, payable in advance, is a fee which
pays for the capacity available of the water system:
|
Meter Installation
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Input
|
No.
|
Size
|
Output
|
Fee/Service Connection
|
Total Fee
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Single
|
$1,534.00
|
$1,534.00
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
3/4″
|
3/4″ Single
|
1,840.80
|
1,840.80
|
|
1″
|
1
|
1″
|
1″ Single
|
2,761.20
|
2,761.20
|
|
1″
|
2
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Dual
|
1,534.00
|
3,068.00
|
|
1 1/2″
|
1
|
1 1/2″
|
1 1/2″ Single
|
3,221.40
|
3,221.40
|
|
1 1/2″
|
3
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Triple
|
1,534.00
|
4,602.00
|
|
2″
|
1
|
2″
|
2″ Single
|
5,522.40
|
5,522.40
|
b.
Physical installation fee is the cost to be paid to the City when
it installs a service. The fee shall consist of the greater of the
following:
i.
The actual total cost, a portion of which may be payable alter installation
is complete, of all labor, materials, equipment, fees, expenses and
all other costs incidental to the installation, including the cost
of the meter; or
ii.
The fee set forth in the following table, which shall be payable
in advance.
|
Meter Installation
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Input
|
No.
|
Size
|
Output
|
Fee/Service Connection
|
Total Fee
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Single
|
$613.60
|
$613.60
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
3/4″
|
3/4″ Single
|
613.60
|
613.60
|
|
1″
|
1
|
1″
|
1″ Single
|
690.30
|
690.30
|
|
1″
|
2
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Dual
|
460.20
|
920.40
|
|
1 1/2″
|
1
|
1 1/2″
|
1 1/2″ Single
|
843.70
|
843.70
|
|
1 1/2″
|
3
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Triple
|
460.20
|
1,380.60
|
|
2″
|
1
|
2″
|
2″ Single
|
1,534.00
|
1,534.00
|
c.
Minimum combined fees to be paid in advance:
|
Meter Installation
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Input
|
No.
|
Size
|
Output
|
Connection Fee
|
Installation Fee
|
Total
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Single
|
$1,534.00
|
$613.60
|
$2,147.60
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
3/4″
|
3/4″ Single
|
1,840.80
|
613.60
|
2,454.40
|
|
1″
|
1
|
1″
|
1″ Single
|
2,761.20
|
690.30
|
3,451.50
|
|
1″
|
2
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Dual
|
3,068.00
|
920.40
|
3,988.40
|
|
1 1/2″
|
1
|
1 1/2″
|
1 1/2″ Single
|
3,221.40
|
843.70
|
4,065.10
|
|
1 1/2″
|
3
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Triple
|
4,602.00
|
1,380.60
|
5,982.60
|
|
2″
|
1
|
2″
|
2″ Single
|
5,522.40
|
1,534.00
|
7,056.40
|
2.
Charges
outside the corporate limits of the City for the installation of new
services and meters, shall be composed of both a water service connection
fee and a physical installation fee and are established as follows:
a.
Water service connection fee, payable in advance, is a fee which
pays for the capacity availability of the water system:
|
Meter Installation
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Input
|
No.
|
Size
|
Output
|
Fee/Service Connection
|
Total Fee
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Single
|
$1,994.20
|
$1,994.20
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
3/4″
|
3/4″ Single
|
2,393.04
|
2,393.04
|
|
1″
|
1
|
1″
|
1″ Single
|
3,589.56
|
3,589.56
|
|
1″
|
2
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Dual
|
1,994.20
|
3,988.40
|
|
1 1/2″
|
1
|
1 1/2″
|
1 1/2″ Single
|
4,187.82
|
4,187.82
|
|
1 1/2″
|
3
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Triple
|
1,994.20
|
5,982.60
|
|
2″
|
1
|
2″
|
2″ Single
|
7,179.12
|
7,179.12
|
b.
Physical installation fee is the cost to be paid to the City when
it installs a service. The fee shall consist of the greater of the
following:
i.
The actual total cost, a portion of which may be payable after installation
is complete, of all labor, materials, equipment, fees, expenses and
all other costs incidental to the installation, including the cost
of the meter; or
ii.
The fee set forth in the following table, which shall be payable
in advance.
|
Meter Installation
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Input
|
No.
|
Size
|
Output
|
Fee/Service Connection
|
Total Fee
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Single
|
$ 767.00
|
$ 767.00
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
3/4″
|
3/4″ Single
|
767.00
|
767.00
|
|
1″
|
1
|
1″
|
1″ Single
|
843.00
|
843.00
|
|
1″
|
2
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Dual
|
536.90
|
1,073.80
|
|
1 1/2″
|
1
|
1 1/2″
|
1 1/2″ Single
|
997.10
|
997.10
|
|
1 1/2″
|
3
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Triple
|
536.90
|
1,610.70
|
|
2″
|
1
|
2″
|
2″ Single
|
1,917.50
|
1,917.50
|
c.
Minimum combined fees to be paid in advance:
|
Meter Installation
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Input
|
No.
|
Size
|
Output
|
Connection Fee
|
Installation Fee
|
Total
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Single
|
$1,994.20
|
$767.00
|
$2,761.20
|
|
3/4″
|
1
|
3/4″
|
3/4″ Single
|
2,393.04
|
767.00
|
3,160.04
|
|
1″
|
1
|
1″
|
1″ Single
|
3,589.56
|
843.00
|
4,432.56
|
|
1″
|
2
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Dual
|
3,988.40
|
1,073.80
|
5,062.20
|
|
1 1/2″
|
1
|
1 1/2″
|
1 1/2″ Single
|
4,187.82
|
997.10
|
5,184.92
|
|
1 1/2″
|
3
|
5/8″
|
3/4″ Triple
|
5,982.60
|
1,610.70
|
7,593.30
|
|
2″
|
1
|
2″
|
2″ Single
|
7,179.12
|
1,917.50
|
9,096.62
|
3.
In
the case of multiple housing developments, inside and outside the
corporate limits of the City, a single charge shall be made, with
all fees, labor and material costs and expenses being borne by the
developer of such multiple housing development in accordance with
the current charge and fee schedule as a minimum.
4.
The
water service connection fee shall be paid in advance of any work
necessary for the installation. For services and meters larger than
two inches, the City Engineer shall evaluate the City's cost of supplying
the necessary capacity and shall prepare a recommendation of a fee,
to be charged the applicant, for the review and approval of the City
Council prior to the City granting approval for a water service installation.
5.
The
physical installation fee, payable in advance for the installation
of a service and meter larger than two inches in size, inside the
City limits, will be based on the City's estimated actual cost of
the total cost of all labor, materials, equipment, fees, expenses
and all other costs incidental to the installation including the cost
of the meter, and including 20% as an additional installation service
charge over the complete cost of the installation.
The physical installation fee, payable in advance for the installation
of a service and meter larger than two inches in size, outside the
City limits, will be based on the City's estimated actual cost of
the total cost of all labor, materials, equipment, fees, expenses
and all other costs incidental to the installation including the cost
of the meter, and including 40% as an additional installation service
charge over the complete cost of the installation.
6.
The
service connection and all equipment appurtenant thereto, including
the meter, shall be the sole property of the City, and no part of
the cost thereof will be refunded to the customer.
7.
Only
duly authorized employees or agents of the City will be authorized
to install service connections.
8.
In
the event the size of a meter or the service lines are increased after
the original installation and connection of a meter, the property
owner shall be charged the entire labor and materials cost of the
installation for such increased size of service and meter. In the
event that an enlarged demand requires a larger meter and service
lines, the customer shall pay for the installation as required in
this paragraph.
9.
The
applicant will provide rights-of-way or easements necessary for the
City to install any and all services.
D.
Changes
in Customers' Equipment. Customers making any material change in the
size, character, or extent of the equipment or operations utilizing
water service, or whose change in operations results in a large increase
in the use of water, shall immediately give the City written notice
of the nature of the change and amend their application.
E.
Size
and Location. The City reserves the right to determine the size of
service connections and their location with respect to the boundaries
of the premises to be served. The laying of customer's pipeline to
the curb should not be done until the location of the service connection
has been approved by the Director of Public Works.
F.
Meter
Stop Valve. Every service connection installed by the City shall be
equipped with a lockable meter stop on the inlet side of the meter.
The meter stop is intended for the exclusive use of the City in controlling
the water supply through the service connection pipe. If the meter
stop valve is damaged by the customer's use to an extent requiring
replacement, such replacement shall be at the customer's expense.
G.
Domestic,
Commercial and Industrial Service Connection. It is unlawful to maintain
a connection excepting in conformity with the following rules:
1.
Separate
Building. Each building or mobile home, where residential, commercial
or industrial activities are carried on, must be provided with a separate
service connection. This does not apply to home use occupations. The
City Council may grant permission for a separate meter with good cause.
Two or more houses under one ownership and on the same lot or parcel
of land may not be supplied through the same meter installation. A
3/4-inch service line, or smaller, shall serve not more than one house.
A one-inch service line shall serve no more than two houses. A 1-1/2-inch
service line shall serve no more than four houses. The Department
of Public Works reserves the right to limit the area of land under
one ownership, to be supplied with one service connection.
2.
Single
Connection. Not more than one service connection for domestic, commercial,
or industrial service shall be installed for one building, except
under special conditions, and when approved by the Department of Public
Works.
3.
Different
Owners. One service connection shall not be used to supply adjoining
property of a different owner or to supply property of the same owner,
across a street or alley, or adjacent property owned by the same owner.
4.
Divided
Property. When property provided with a single service is divided,
provisions shall be made for individual services to each new parcel
prior to approval of the division.
5.
Commercial
and Industrial Service Connections. The Department of Public Works
shall determine the most appropriate service connection to be made
for the differing demands of commercial and industrial water services.
6.
All
services which do not meet the requirements of this paragraph as of
the date of this chapter do not need to conform to this paragraph.
H.
Service
Connections Maintenance. The service connections extending from the
water main to the property line and including the meter, meter box,
union and lockable meter stop shall be maintained by the City. All
pipes and fixtures extending or lying within the property line shall
be installed and maintained by the owner of the property. If the City
determines that the meter, meter box, union and lockable meter stop
shall be installed beyond the property line on private property, the
City shall be responsible for the maintenance of the meter, meter
box, union and lockable stop and any piping up to the discharge union
of the meter. Any pipe and fixtures extending beyond the discharge
union of the meter shall be the maintenance responsibility of the
owner of the property.
A.
General. The City has the option to provide all system expansion as a result of application for service, provided the provisions of this section are complied with by the applicant. All improvements that would be performed outside the City limits shall meet the requirements of this section and Section 13.08.090, Subdivisions, and it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to make arrangements for and to provide and to make payment for rights-of-way, easements and all engineering, legal, and soils investigations and determinations. Costs expended by the City shall also be reimbursed.
B.
System
Expansion. The following rules are established:
1.
Main
Extensions. Any owner of one of more lots or parcels or subdivider
of a tract of land, where in the opinion of the Department of Public
Works, one or more main extensions are required, desiring regular
water service to serve such property, shall make a written application
therefor to the Water Department, said application to contain the
legal description of the property to be served and tract number thereof,
and any additional information which may be required by the Department
of Public Works, and be accompanied by an engineering drawing showing
plan and profile of the proposed extension, street grades, meter locations,
services, existing utilities, and engineered details identifying construction,
materials, and specifications.
a.
Investigation. Upon receipt of the application the Director of Public
Works shall make an investigation and survey of the proposed extension
and shall report his or her findings to the Council with his or her
recommendations and the estimated cost thereof.
b.
Ruling. The Council shall thereupon consider such application and
report and, after such consideration, reject or approve it. The City
Council shall, prior to consideration of any main extension application,
require that the application contain a complete cost estimate for
the work including all construction, engineering design, surveying,
inspection and other expenses. The Council shall, in its deliberations,
consider the economic advantages or disadvantages to the people of
the City of Blue Lake.
2.
Line
Extension Ownership. All extensions approved by the City and constructed
to City standards and accepted by the City in accordance with these
regulations shall be and remain the property of the City. Such lines
may be inside or outside of the City limits. If an industrial user
requires a water main extension that will not be for residential uses,
the City may consider non-ownership of the main extension. Such a
line may be used under the provisions of a specific contract prepared
with the applicant.
3.
Dead-End
Lines. No dead-end lines shall be permitted except as approved by
the City Council. In cases where, subsequent to the approval of a
dead-end line by the Council, another dead-end line is planned in
sufficient proximity to make connection feasible, and such connection
is approved by the Council, the dead-end lines shall be connected.
In cases where circulation lines are necessary, for service to existing
services, the lines shall be designed and installed under the direction
of the Department of Public Works. All costs of the circulation line
are to be paid for by the City. If new circulation lines are required
to support new development, the City Council may allocate costs to
the new development applicants and/or the City.
4.
Main
Extension Extent and Design. All main extensions shall extend to the
far property line of developed property; provided however, that in
any particular case where the Director of Public Works determines
that compliance with this restriction is impractical for topographical
or other reasons, and for those reasons recommends in writing to the
City Council that such compliance be not required in said case, the
City Council may authorize noncompliance. All main extensions shall
be subject to design approval by the City Engineer. All mains shall
have sufficient legal right-of-way or easement width which shall be
available for use by the City at all times.
5.
Pump
Station Capacity. When an application for additional water usage,
in excess of 50,000 cubic feet per month, is made to the Water Department,
the City Engineer shall prepare a report which addresses the capacity
and economic impacts of the increased demand upon the pump station
and the City. The City Council shall determine the amount of special
fee, if any, that shall be allocated to the applicant as reimbursement
for pump station upgrade costs. All costs of the study will be reimbursed
to the City by the applicant.
6.
Water
Storage Capacity. When an application for additional water usage,
in excess of 50,000 cubic feet per month, is made to the Water Department,
the City Engineer shall prepare a report, which addresses the capacity
and economic impacts of the increased demand upon the water system
storage capacity. The City Council shall determine the amount of special
fee, if any, that shall be allocated to the applicant as reimbursement
for additional storage. All costs of the study will be reimbursed
to the City by the applicant.
C.
Construction
Performance.
1.
Where,
in the opinion of the Director of Public Works, with approval of the
City Council, it is in the best interest of the City to have construction
and/or engineering performed by properly licensed private contractors
and/or engineers, rather than by City personnel, work shall be thus
performed.
2.
If the work is to be done under the direction and the authority of the City, applicant shall make an advance payment to the City as required in subsection D, Advance Costs.
3.
If
the work is to be done by the applicant, he or she shall submit plans,
specifications and costs estimates prepared by a registered engineer
and the submission shall be approved by the City Engineer prior to
granting the applicant approval to construct the improvements. Construction
work to become the property of the City shall require full-time inspection
by qualified employees or representatives of the City. Costs for such
inspections shall be paid to the City by the applicant.
4.
Work
done by the applicant or under his or her direction shall require
the contractor to provide a cash deposit or bonding sufficient to
guarantee completion of the work. In addition the City of Blue Lake
shall be included as co-insured under the contractor's liability insurance
policy.
D.
Advance
Costs.
1.
When
improvements are required to serve inside or outside of the City,
the applicant shall advance the amount of the estimated costs to the
City for the construction of the work, prior to beginning the work.
2.
If
the amount of the deposit advanced is insufficient to pay all the
costs of construction, engineering, legal, insurance, right-of-way,
inspection and other charges attributable to the work, the applicant
shall advance a sum sufficient to pay all such costs to the City prior
to the acceptance of the work by the City Council.
3.
If
the amount of the advance deposit exceeds the actual costs to the
City of construction, engineering, legal, insurance, right-of-way,
inspection and other charges attributable to the extension, the balance
shall be refunded to the applicant and such repayment shall be independent
of acceptance of the completed work by the City Council.
E.
Repayment
for Construction.
1.
Whenever
a property owner, including a subdivider, constructs a water main
extension which can be used for the benefit of other properties, the
City may collect for a period not to exceed 10 years from the termination
of construction, from any user of such extension, a fee, prorated
to the cost of the extension. That prorated cost shall be calculated
using the following equation:
|
Total Project Cost x Length of Extension Fronting
Property
Total Length of Extension (ft.) x 2
|
2.
If
special circumstances warrant a revision of the formula, the City
Council shall make that determination. Special circumstances may include
but not be limited to a physical feature or zoning restriction which
prohibits construction on a portion or all of one side of the street.
3.
The
prorated sum shall be paid to the City Water Department which, in
turn, shall be paid by the Water Department to the owner or his/her
assigns, who originally advanced funds for such extension. Where more
than one owner contributed towards the construction of the extension,
such sum shall be refunded to owners, or their assigns, prorata according
to the amounts which they severally contributed toward the cost of
the extension. The Water Department shall in no way be responsible
for the payment of refund monies; nor shall the City assume that refund
payment equal the total cost of the extension; nor shall refund by
made from any revenue derived from water service or other City funds.
4.
A
main extension to an existing main shall be treated by the City as
required by this section and other sections of this chapter.
5.
At
the time of hook-up application, the City Council will determine whether,
and in what amount, a refund will be made to the owner or owners who
have contributed toward the costs of a main extension. The Water Department
is under no obligation to and is not responsible to assure the payments
of any refunds. However, the City shall not approve any water service
connections to main line extensions until a deposit in the amount,
as calculated in this section, and subject to the time limit, be placed
with the City.
6.
Any
water service connections made to main extensions within the City
and paid for by the City or other parties are not subject to these
refund provisions.
7.
Water
service connections made to main extensions outside of the City and
paid for by the City or other parties are subject to these refund
provisions. In the case that the City was financially responsible
for the main line extensions it shall be treated as if it were the
developer under these provisions.
F.
Assessment
Connection Charge. In addition to all other charges of the City, there
shall be collected, prior to the connection to the water distribution
system of the City, special connection charges for any lot or parcel
of property that abuts on or can be served by a water main or facility
of the City, constructed pursuant to special assessment proceedings,
for which the property was not assessed. The charge shall be at the
unit rate or rates established and assessed in said special assessment
proceedings. Such charge shall be payable in cash and in advance within
10 days of the date of the application to the City, or in such installments
as may be provided in the event assessment proceedings are conducted
to finance same.
A.
Interpretation.
Construction of water systems in subdivisions, tracts or housing developments
shall not be interpreted as being main extensions and shall not be
entitled to the main extension refund agreement.
B.
Application.
A person desiring to provide a water system within a tract of land
which he or she proposes to subdivide, shall make written application
therefor to the Water Department and shall comply in all respects
with Title 16, Subdivisions, as now or hereafter amended. The application
fee shall be $100.00 and shall be paid at the time of application.
C.
Application
Contents.
1.
The
application shall include the name and address of the developer, the
assessor's number(s) of the tract(s), the name and location of the
subdivision and the tentative map of the subdivision.
2.
The Director of Public Works shall then make an investigation in accordance with subsection D of this section. The results of this investigation will be used in establishing conditions of approval for the subdivision. Prior to final acceptance of the application for regular water service, under Section 13.08.060, the applicant must submit the final map, construction plans, specifications, construction cost estimates, rights-of-way agreements, and all other engineering and construction details and data requested by the City and required for the construction work to complete the subdivision. All such data shall be prepared by an engineer, registered in the State of California.
D.
Application
Investigation. Upon receiving the application, the Director of Public
Works shall make an investigation of the proposed subdivision, shall
review the submitted data and shall make a written report of his or
her findings, conclusions and recommendations to the Council. The
recommendations shall include a detailed cost estimate of the facilities
required to provide an adequate supply of water to the proposed subdivision.
E.
Council
Determination. If the Council determines that approval of the application
is not within the best financial interests of the City, the Council
may require the applicant to pay for any or all required improvements
in the City-owned supply, treatment, storage or distribution facilities.
F.
Specifications
and Construction. The types, sizes, quantities and qualities of materials
and the locations of all water lines shall be as approved by the Department
of Public Works. The actual construction may be done by the Water
Department or by a contractor acceptable to it. In either event, the
work shall be inspected by the Water Department and completion will
be subject to the approval of the work by the Department of Public
Works. Water service will not be provided until receipt by the applicant
of a written notice of completion from the Department of Public Works.
The fire hydrants shall not be located more than 300 feet apart.
G.
Construction
Deposit. Applicant shall advance to the City 120% of the cost of water
utilities construction as estimated by the Department of Public Works,
if the work is to be constructed by the City. If the applicant's contractor
is to perform the construction, then 20% of the cost of water utilities
construction estimated by the Department of Public Works shall be
submitted to the City prior to approval of the building permit.
H.
Adjustment.
1.
In
the event that the water system is constructed by the City, adjustments
between the estimated cost and actual cost of the installation shall
be made before the commencement of water service. The final payment
to the City will be 120% of the total cost of the water utilities
construction.
2.
In
the event that the water system is constructed by the applicant, adjustments
between the estimated cost and actual cost of the installation shall
be made before commencement of water service. In such case, the applicant
shall pay 20% of the total cost of water utilities construction to
the City.
I.
Connections. The subdivider shall, at his or her cost, provide connections to all domestic, commercial and industrial facilities within the subdivision. The installation charges shall be as specified in Section 13.08.070.
J.
Property
of City. All water lines, fire hydrants and appurtenances thereof
shall be the property of the City. Rights-of-way and easements shall
permit access to all City-owned property by City employees at all
times.
A.
Number of Services per Premises. The applicant may apply for as many services as may be reasonably required for his or her premises provided that the pipeline system from each service be independent of the others and that they not be interconnected. The cost of all services shall be paid by the applicant in accordance with the charges in Section 13.08.070.
B.
Water
Waste. No person shall permit any leaks or waste of water. Where water
is wastefully or negligently used on a person's premises, affecting
the general service, the Water Department may discontinue the service,
until the condition is corrected and approved by the Director of Public
Works. Discontinuance of service will take place on the fifth day
after receipt of notice by the customer or owner.
C.
Responsibility
for Equipment on Customer Premises. All facilities installed by the
Water Department on private property for the purpose of rendering
water service shall remain the property of the City and may be maintained,
repaired or replaced by the Water Department without consent or interference
of the owner or occupant of the property. The property owner shall
use reasonable care in the protection of the facilities. No payment
shall be made for placing or maintaining said facilities on private
property. No persons shall place or permit the placement of any object
in a manner which will interfere with the free access to a meter box
or will interfere with the reading of a meter.
D.
Damage
to Water System Facilities. The customer shall be liable for any damage
to the water service facilities when such damage is from causes originating
on the premises by an act of the customer or his/her tenants, agents,
employees, contractors, licensees or permittees, including the breaking
or destruction of locks by the customer or others on or near a meter,
and any damage to a meter that may result from hot water or steam
from a boiler or heater on the customer's premises. The City shall
be reimbursed by the customer for any such damage promptly on presentation
of the bill.
E.
Ground-Wire
Attachment. All persons are forbidden to attach any ground wire or
wires to any plumbing which is or may be connected to a service connection
or distribution main belonging to the City, except as permitted or
required by the City's duly adopted building codes, rules, or regulations.
The City will hold the customer liable for damage to its property
occasioned by any unauthorized ground-wire attachment.
F.
Control
Valve on Customer's Property. The customer shall provide a valve on
his or her side of the service installation, as close to the meter
location as practicable, to control the flow of water to the piping
on his or her premises. The customer shall not use the service curb
stop to turn water on and off.
G.
Cross
Connections. Cross-connection control shall be as prescribed in Chapter
13.10 of this title.
H.
Special
Cases. In special circumstances, when the customer is engaged in the
handling of especially dangerous or corrosive liquids or industrial
or process water, the Department of Public Works may require the customer
to eliminate certain plumbing or piping connections as an additional
precaution and as a protection to the back-flow prevention devices.
The work done shall be acceptable to and approved by the State Department
of Public Health. The cost of any work necessary to provide the added
precautionary equipment will be paid by the property owner.
I.
Relief
Valves. As a protection to the customer's plumbing system, a suitable
pressure relief valve must be installed and maintained by him or her
at his or her expense when check valves or other protective devices
are used. The relief valves shall be installed between the check valves
and the water heater.
J.
Back-Flow
Device. Whenever back-flow protection has been found necessary on
a water supply line entering a customer's premises, then any and all
water supply lines from the City's mains entering such premises, buildings
or structures shall be protected by an approved back-flow device,
regardless of the use of the additional water supply lines.
K.
Inspection.
The double-check valve or other approved back-flow protection devices
may be inspected and tested periodically for water tightness by the
City. The devices shall be serviced, overhauled, or replaced whenever
they are found defective and all costs of repair and maintenance shall
be borne by the customer.
L.
Discontinued
Service. The service of water to any premises may be immediately discontinued
by the Department of Public Works if any defect is found in the waterlines,
valves, any protective devices or if any dangerous cross connections
exist. Service shall not be restored until such defects are corrected.
M.
Interruptions
in Service. The City shall not be liable for damage which may result
from an interruption in service from a cause beyond the control of
the Water Department. Temporary shutdowns may be made by the Director
of Public Works to make improvements and repairs. Whenever possible
and as time permits, all customers affected will be notified prior
to making such shutdowns. The City will not be liable for interruption,
shortage or insufficiency of supply, or for any loss or damage occasioned
thereby, if caused by accident, act of God, fire, strikes, riots,
war or any other cause not within its control.
N.
Ingress
and Egress. Representatives of the Department of Public Works shall
have the right of ingress or egress to the customer's premises at
reasonable hours for any purpose reasonably connected with the furnishing
of water service.
O.
Direct
Connections to Equipment.
1.
No
direct connection shall be made between City pipes and any stationary
steam boiler, hydraulic elevator, power pump or similar apparatus.
Where City water is used to supply this type of equipment, the City
may require the owner to provide tankage of sufficient capacity to
afford an adequate supply, as approved by City Engineer. Violations
of this section may subject the customer to immediate discontinuance
of service.
2.
Air
gap separation may be required by the City Engineer.
P.
Damages
Through Leaking Pipes and Fixtures. When turning on the water as requested
by the property owner or the customer, the City will not be held liable
for any damages occasioned by water running from open or faulty fixtures,
or from broken or damaged pipes inside the property line.
Q.
Water
Shortage. In the event of water shortage resulting from whatever reason,
the City shall develop a program of allocation of water among its
various users. First priority shall be given to necessary domestic
and fire protection uses. All water customers will be subject to the
minimum monthly charge currently identified by ordinance.
A.
Installation.
All services except those supplying City-owned property shall be metered.
Meters will be installed in the sidewalk area, and shall be owned
by the City and installed and removed by the Department of Public
Works. No rent or other charge will be paid by the City for a meter
or other facilities, including connections. All meters will be sealed
by the City at the time of installation, and no seal shall be altered
or broken except by one of its authorized employees or agents.
B.
Change
in Location of Meters. Persons requesting a change in a meter location
shall make such request, in writing, to the Department of Public Works.
Meters moved for the convenience of the customer will be relocated
at the customer's expense. Meters moved to protect the City's property
will be relocated at the City's expense.
C.
Meter
Tests.
1.
The
Department of Public Works, at its convenience, will test all meters
requested by water customers. All meters will be tested prior to installation
and no meter will be installed which registers more than two percent
fast.
2.
If
a customer desires to have the meter serving his or her premises tested,
he or she shall first deposit $25.00 for meters up to one inch in
size and $50.00 for meters larger than one inch in size and shall
be present when the meter is tested. Should the meter register more
than two percent fast, the deposit will be refunded; however, should
the meter register less than two percent fast, the deposit will be
retained by the Water Department and applied to any undercharge based
upon corrected meter readings.
D.
Adjustment for Meter Errors—Fast Meters. If a meter tested at the request of a customer pursuant to subsection C of this section is found to be more than two percent fast, the excess charge for the time service was rendered to the customer requesting the test or for a period of six months, whichever shall be the lesser, shall be refunded to the customer.
E.
Adjustment for Meter Errors—Slow Meters. If a meter tested at the request of a customer pursuant to subsection C of this section is found to be more than two percent slow, the City Clerk may bill the customer for the amount of the undercharge based upon corrected meter readings for the period, not exceeding six months, that the meter was in use.
F.
Non-Registering
Meters. When a meter is found to be not registering, the charges for
service shall be at the minimum monthly rate or based on the estimated
consumption for a comparable period or by such other methods as is
determined by the City Clerk.
G.
Adjustments—Emergency.
1.
In
the event of a leak in a waterline located on the discharge side of
the water meter, that is repaired within 16 hours of notification
of the customer by the City, there will be an adjustment to their
normal bill by the billing clerk at the rate of the average of the
prior four months water consumption plus one-quarter of the excess
water. If the leakage occurs in the line of a customer outside the
City limits, the adjustment to the normal bill shall be at the rate
of the average of the prior four months water consumption plus one-half
of the excess water.
2.
In
the event the leak is not repaired within 16 hours, the customer will
be billed for the total quantity of water used as recorded by the
customer's meter. In unusual conditions, the City Clerk may determine
if any bill adjustment is required.
H.
Damage
to Meters. The City reserves the right to set and maintain a meter
on any service connection. The water customer shall be held liable,
however, for any damage to the meter due to his or her negligence
or carelessness and in particular for damage caused by hot water or
steam from the premises.
A.
Billing
Period. The regular billing period will be monthly; however, the City
reserves the right to change the billing period at any time.
B.
Meter
Reading. Meters will be read as nearly as possible on the same day
of each month.
C.
Opening
and Closing Bills. Opening and closing bills for less than the normal
billing period will be prorated both as to minimum charges and quantity
blocks. If the total period for which the service is rendered is less
than one month, the bill shall not be less than the monthly minimum
charge applicable. Closing bills may be estimated by the City Clerk
for the final period as an expediency to permit the customer to pay
the closing bill at the time service is discontinued.
D.
Water Charges. Water charges are due and payable at the office of the City Clerk on the date of mailing the bill. Water charges shall become delinquent 30 days after the date of the bill. In the event of a delinquency, service shall be subject to disconnection in accordance with Section 13.08.130 of this code. All bills delinquent one month or more shall be subject to a 10% finance charge for the first month and a two percent finance charge per month thereafter.
E.
Payment
of Bills. Bills for metered water service shall be rendered at the
end of each billing period. Bills shall be payable on presentation.
If a bill is not paid on or before the date of delinquency, service
shall be subject to disconnection. Except in limited circumstances,
a customer with a delinquent account will be required to pay the account
current, including any penalties and reconnection charges, before
water service will be restored.
F.
Customer's
Guarantee. The water charge begins on the day that the service connection
is installed and the meter is set, unless the water is ordered to
be shut off when the service connection is ordered to be installed.
Before water is turned on by the City for any purpose whatever, the
property owner must sign a form in which he or she guarantees payment
of future water bills for the service required. The person signing
the guarantee form or meter set form will be held liable for water
used until the City Clerk is notified in writing to discontinue service
or to transfer the account to another property owner.
G.
Water
Used Without Regulation Application Being Approved. A person taking
possession of premises and using water from an active service connection
without having made application to the City for water service, shall
be held liable for the water delivered from the date of the last recorded
meter reading, and if the meter is found inoperative, the quantity
consumed will be estimated. If proper application for water service
is not made within five days after notification to do so by the City
Clerk, the service may be discontinued without further notice.
H.
Interruption
of Service. In the event of interruption of water service, all water
customers will be subject to the minimum monthly charge currently
identified by ordinance, or the monthly bill, whichever is greater.
I.
Appeals of Water Bill and other Water Charges. Customers who dispute a water bill or the imposition of any penalty may appeal the disputed charges to the Director of Public Works. For residential customers, appeals must be submitted in accordance with the City's residential water disconnection policy. For nonresidential customers, the appeal must be submitted in accordance with Section 13.08.130(A). In all cases, customers shall have the right to present documents and other evidence and be represented by counsel at the time of the hearing. For purposes of an appeal, the water bill or the imposition of penalties shall be presumed valid and the burden shall be on the customer to prove otherwise. The Director of Public Works shall render his or her decision at the conclusion of the hearing and that decision shall be final.
(Ord. 538 §§ 3,4,
2020)
A.
Disconnection
for Nonpayment.
1.
Non-Residential Service. In the event that any customer is delinquent in the payment of his or her water bill to a non-residential service address, the City shall have the right to discontinue water service to the service address after providing written notice by first class mail to the customer's address on file with the City of the delinquency and the intended disconnection of water service. Water service shall not be disconnected until the expiration of 10 calendar days after the date the notice was mailed by the City. A non-residential customer who disputes the delinquency may appeal the delinquency by submitting written notice of the appeal to the City Clerk. The notice of appeal must be received by the City no later than the eighth day after the notice of the intended service disconnection was mailed by the City. All appeals shall be conducted and heard pursuant to Section 13.08.120(I).
2.
Residential
Service. In the event any customer is delinquent in the payment of
his or her water bill to a residential service address, the City shall
have the right to discontinue water to the service address in accordance
with the City's residential water disconnection policy, as the same
may be amended from time to time by resolution, and state law.
B.
Reconnection.
Failure to receive bill does not relieve customer and/or property
owner of liability. Any amount due shall be deemed a debt to the City,
and any person, firm or corporation failing, neglecting or refusing
to pay said indebtedness shall be liable to an action in the name
of the City in any court of competent jurisdiction for the amount
thereof.
C.
Reconnection
Charge. A reconnection charge of $25.00 plus penalties will be made
and charged prior to renewing service following a discontinuance or
short-term disconnection. When bills are delinquent, the Water Department
may demand that the full amount of both delinquent and current bills
be paid prior to reconnection.
D.
Unsafe
Apparatus. Water service may be refused or discontinued to any premises
where apparatus or appliances are in use which might endanger or disturb
the service to other customers.
E.
Cross-Connections.
Water service may be refused or discontinued to any premises where
there exists a cross-connection in violation of city, state or federal
laws.
F.
Fraud
or Abuse. Services may be discontinued if necessary to protect the
City against fraud or abuse.
G.
Noncompliance
with Regulations. Service may be discontinued for noncompliance with
this or any other ordinance or regulation relating to the water service.
H.
Upon
Vacating Premises. Customers and/or property owners desiring to discontinue
service should so notify the City Clerk two days prior to vacating
the premises. Unless discontinuance of service is ordered, the customer
and/or property owner shall be liable for charges whether or not any
water is used.
I.
Short-Term Disconnection. Upon notification to the City Clerk, short-term disconnections will be made by locking the curb stop valve on the delivery side of the meter. The customer will be charged at the rate established in Sections 13.08.180 and 13.08.190 for that month in which the service is connected one day or more.
(Ord. 538 § 5, 2020)
A.
Penalty.
Rates and charges which are not paid on or before the day of delinquency
shall be subject to a penalty of 10% and thereafter shall be subject
to a further penalty of two percent per month.
B.
Suit.
All unpaid rates and charges and penalties herein provided may be
collected by suit and may be referred by the City Clerk to a collection
agency.
C.
Costs.
Defendant shall pay all costs of suit in any judgment rendered in
favor of the City.
A.
Use
of Fire Hydrants. Fire hydrants are for use by the City or by organized
fire protection agencies pursuant to contract with the City. Other
parties desiring to use fire hydrants for any purpose must first obtain
written permission from the Department of Public Works prior to use
and shall operate the hydrant in accordance with instructions issued
by the Department of Public Works. Unauthorized use of hydrants will
be prosecuted according to law.
B.
Type
of Fire Hydrants. Type of fire hydrants installed on the water system
shall be subject to approval by the City and the Fire Protection District.
C.
Cost
of Installation. Installation of all hydrants within the City shall
be paid for by the City. Cost of installation of all hydrants outside
of the City limits shall be paid for by the Fire Protection District.
D.
Moving
of Fire Hydrants. When a fire hydrant has been installed in the location
specified by the City and/or the Fire Protection District, the City
has fulfilled its obligation. Any change in the location or size of
a fire hydrant must be approved by the City Council and the Fire Protection
District. If a property owner or other party desires a change in the
size, type or location of a hydrant, he or she shall bear all costs
of such changes, without refund. If the Fire Protection District requests
changes in the location, size or type of fire hydrant, the costs are
the responsibility of the Fire Protection District, except that the
costs may be refunded if so decided by the City Council.
A.
Application.
Application shall be made to the Department of Public Works for construction
of a private fire protection service connection. The application fee
is $10.00.
B.
Physical
Requirements. A private installation shall be required to consist
of a shut-off valve of the same size as the line, a line of a size
to provide a minimum of 500 gallons per minute (but not less than
two-inch diameter pipe size), a detector check valve, a bypass meter,
a concrete pad and a hydrant approved by the Fire District. Service
may be furnished only if adequate provision is made to prevent the
use of water from such service for purposes other than fire extinguishing.
C.
Payment.
The applicant for private fire protection service shall pay in advance
the estimated cost prepared by the City Clerk of installing the service
connection. The charge for such installation will be based on an estimate
of the total cost of all labor, materials, equipment and other costs
incidental to the installation. Private fire service connections installed
outside of the City limits shall be charged cost of such installation
plus an additional $50.00.
D.
Connection
to Other Systems. No person shall make or allow to exist any connection
between this fire protection system and any other water distribution
system.
E.
Use.
There shall be no water used through the fire protection service except
to extinguish fires and for testing the fire fighting equipment.
F.
Meter Rates. Any consumption recorded on the meter will be charged for at the regular service rates of Sections 13.08.180 and 13.08.190, except that no charge will be made for water used for extinguishing fires where such fires have been reported to the Fire Protection District and the Department of Public Works.
G.
Monthly
Rates.
1.
The
monthly rates for private fire protection within the fire protection
district shall be based on the size of the meter that services the
fire protection system and are as follows:
|
Meter Size (inches)
|
Cost $
|
|---|---|
|
2
|
2.00
|
|
3
|
5.00
|
|
4
|
8.00
|
|
6
|
14.00
|
|
8
|
32.00
|
|
10
|
50.00
|
2.
In
addition to the above, the rate shall add two dollars per month per
acre of property for which protection is provided with a two-dollar
minimum per parcel per month.
3.
In
the event that the private fire protection system does not have a
meter, this chapter shall view the meter size as being the pipeline
size that provides service to hydrants, hose reels, automatic sprinkler
systems or other forms of private fire protection.
4.
Rates
for private fire protection service outside the corporate limits of
the City shall be those listed above, plus 10%.
H.
Water for Fire Storage Tanks. When water is obtained from a private fire service for filling a tank connected with the fire service, written permission must be secured from the City in advance and measurement must be made by the City. The regular water rates of Sections 13.08.180 and 13.08.190 will be applied.
I.
Violation
of Agreement. If water is used from a private service in violation
of the agreement or of these regulations, the City may discontinue
the service.
J.
Water
Pressure and Supply.
1.
The
Water Department does not guarantee pressure or continuous supply,
nor will it accept responsibility at any time for the maintenance
of pressure or its lines, nor for increases or decreases in pressure.
All persons applying for, or receiving private fire protection water
service, shall be deemed to have consented to such conditions of pressure
and service as are provided by the distribution system at the location
served, and to hold the City harmless from any damages arising out
of low-pressure or high-pressure conditions or interruptions of service.
2.
The
Water Department reserves the right at any and all times, without
notice, to shut off water for the purpose of making repairs, extensions,
alterations or improvements, and to increase or reduce pressures as
a part of its operations. Neither the City nor the Water Department
nor its officers, employees or agents shall incur any liability of
any kind whatsoever for any damage to persons or property caused in
any manner by the use of water by the private protection service user.
3.
Customers
depending upon a continuous and uninterrupted supply shall provide
emergency storage, oversize piping, pumps, tanks, pressure regulators,
check valves, or other means for a continuous supply or to safeguard
their facilities.
K.
Rules.
The following rules shall apply to fire service connections:
1.
Valve.
When a fire service connection is installed, the valve governing same
will be closed and sealed and remain so until a written order is received
from the owner of the premises to have the water turned on.
2.
Meter.
If the City does not require a meter, and if water is used through
a fire service connection for any other purpose than extinguishing
of fire, it shall have the right to place a meter on the fire service
connection at the owner's expense, or shut off the entire water supply
to such premises.
3.
Additional
Service. The City shall have the right to take a domestic, commercial
or industrial service connection from the fire service connection
at the curb to supply the same premises as those to which the fire
service connection belongs. City shall also have the right to determine
the proportions of the installation costs properly chargeable to each
service connection, if such segregation of costs shall become necessary.
4.
Check
Valve and Bypass Meter. There shall be installed on all fire line
connections, two-inch pipe size and larger, used exclusively for unmetered
private fire service, a detector check valve of a type approved by
the National Board of Fire Underwriters and equipped with a bypass
meter.
5.
A
right-of-way or easement shall be granted by the applicant that allows
access by City representatives at all times to all parts of the private
protection service.
A.
Application for Temporary Service From Water Main. The applicant shall deposit, in advance with the City, the cost to the City estimated by the Director of Public Works of installing and removing the facilities required to furnish said service. Upon discontinuance of service, the actual cost shall be determined and an adjustment made as to any additional charge, refund or credit. Normal rates for water usage shall be levied as per Sections 13.08.180 and 13.08.190.
B.
Application for Temporary Service From Fire Hydrant. If applicant requests water service supplied through a fire hydrant, the applicant will be charged in accordance with the following schedule and shall be subject to the monthly rates per Sections 13.08.180 and 13.08.190:
1.
A
flat charge for both installation and removal of the service facilities,
including meter—$50.00. Payment shall be made in advance to
the City.
2.
For
each additional move of the facilities to another location—$15.00.
Payment to be made in advance of the move.
|
Service from a fire hydrant may be discontinued without notice,
if the hydrant is needed to help extinguish a fire. The City will
not be held liable for any damages caused by the disconnection.
|
C.
Duration
of Service. Temporary service connections shall be disconnected and
terminated within six months after installation unless an extension
of time is granted in writing by the City.
D.
Installation
and Operation. All facilities for temporary service to the customer
connection shall be made by the Department of Public Works and shall
be operated in accordance with its instructions.
E.
Responsibility
for Meters and Installations. The customer shall use all possible
care to prevent damage to the meter or to any other facilities of
the City which are involved in furnishing the temporary service from
the time they are installed until they are removed, or until 48 hours
notice in writing has been given to the City that the contractor or
other person is through with the meter or meters and the installation.
If the meter or other facilities are damaged, the cost of making repairs
shall be paid by the customer.
F.
Unauthorized
Use of Hydrants. Tampering with any fire hydrant, for any purpose,
is a misdemeanor punishable by law. Unauthorized use of hydrants shall
include damaging of the hydrant through the use of wrenches other
than a proper spanner wrench and shall be classed as a misdemeanor
punishable by law.
A.
Monthly base fees shall be charged for each month in which a meter is in service in the amount shown in Section 13.08.195, Schedule 1, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
B.
Monthly consumption charges shall be charged in addition to monthly base rates in the amount shown in Section 13.08.195, Schedule 3, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
C.
Effective July 1, 2014, and adjusted each July 1 thereafter, all rates charged shall be adjusted to pass through the wholesale costs of water purchases from the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District based on the rate shown in Section 13.08.195, Schedule 5, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
D.
Monthly
demand rates are minimum fees charged on a monthly basis to users
requiring an average of 50,000 or more cubic feet of water each month.
The demand rate charge is in addition to the monthly base rate. If
the monthly use rate charge is less than 90% of the demand rate charge,
then the user will be billed 90% of the demand rate charge. If the
monthly use rate charge is greater than 90% of the demand rate charge,
then the user will be billed the monthly use rate charge.
1.
Upon
application to the City for water and for the first 12 months of water
billings, the monthly demand rate shall be the fee for the quantity
of water that the user states is required monthly, and which quantity
is approved by the City, calculated in accordance with the monthly
use rates.
2.
For
each subsequent 12-month period, the monthly demand rate shall be
the greater of:
a.
The fee for the quantity of water that the user states is required
monthly, and which quantity is approved by the City, calculated in
accordance with the monthly use rate; or
b.
The fee for the average monthly quantity of water actually used,
during the previous 12-month period, calculated in accordance with
the monthly use rate.
E.
Multifamily
units with meters shall be charged as if the units were separate units.
Multifamily units without separate meters shall be charged the greater
of (1) a minimum equal to the monthly base rate for a 5/8-inch meter
inside the City per month per unit; or (2) A rate established applying
the 3/4-inch meter monthly base rate per unit and adding the monthly
use rate of the average cubic feet of usage per unit, multiplied times
the number of units.
F.
Hotels,
motels and other temporary accommodations, on a daily basis, shall
be subject to the fees established in this section and in addition
shall be charged one dollar per bathroom per month.
G.
Separate
housing units serviced by one meter shall be treated as multifamily
units.
H.
Billing
dates are effective on the date that water is delivered through the
meter. In the event of billing on a two-month basis, the minimum charges
shall be doubled and the charges based on the quantity of water consumed
shall be averaged to create a monthly usage that will be subject to
the rates of this section.
I.
Water
rates shall be reevaluated annually in April.
On January 20th of each year, commencing January 20, 2006, each
rate, fee, or charge established by this chapter and then in effect
shall be subject to an increase; provided, however, that the TRF portion
of the monthly base rate for water service inside and outside the
City shall not be subject to the increase under this paragraph. The
amount of the increase shall be based upon the consumer price index
(CPI) of the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division
of Labor Statistics, for November, 2004 (all urban consumers)("Base
Index"). The increase shall be in the same proportion as the index
price for the month of November just preceding the adjustment has
increased over the Base Index. The increase of the fees, rates, and
charges shall be the amount so determined, rounded to the nearest
one cent. Any adjustment to the fees, rates, and charges as hereinbefore
provided shall likewise be adjusted on January 20th of each succeeding
year. If the index price has decreased, rates, fees, and costs will
remain the same until the index price exceeds its previous high. The
rate, fee, or charge shall not be subject to decrease under this section.
A.
Monthly base rates shall be charged for each month in which a meter is in service in the amount shown in Section 13.08.195, Schedule 2, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
B.
Monthly consumption charges shall be charged in addition to monthly base rates in the amount shown in Section 13.08.195, Schedule 4, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
C.
Effective July 1, 2014, and adjusted each July 1 thereafter, all rates charged shall be adjusted to pass through the wholesale costs of water purchases from the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District based on the rate shown in Section 13.08.195, Schedule 5, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
D.
Multifamily
units with meters shall be charged as if the units were separate units.
Multifamily units without separate meters shall be charged the greater
of (1) a minimum equal to the monthly base rate for a 5/8-inch meter
outside the City per month per unit; or (2) a rate established applying
the 3/4-inch meter monthly base rate per unit and adding the monthly
use rate of the average cubic feet of usage per unit, multiplied times
the number of units.
E.
Hotels,
motels and other temporary accommodations, on a daily basis, shall
be subject to the fees established in this section and in addition
shall be charged one dollar per bathroom per month.
F.
Separate
housing units serviced by one meter shall be treated as multifamily
units.
G.
Billing
dates are effective on the dates that water is delivered through the
meter. In the event of billing on a two-month basis, the minimum charges
shall be doubled and the charges based on the quantity of water consumed
shall be averaged to create a monthly usage that will be subject to
the rates of this section.
H.
Water
rates shall be reevaluated annually in April.
|
SCHEDULE 1
MONTHLY BASE FEE PER METER SIZE - INSIDE CITY RATE
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Meter Size (Inches)
|
8/1/2013
|
7/1/2014
|
7/1/2015
|
|
5/8
|
$23.57
|
$24.28
|
$25.01
|
|
3/4
|
$23.57
|
$24.28
|
$25.01
|
|
1
|
$39.36
|
$40.54
|
$41.76
|
|
1 1/2
|
$78.49
|
$80.84
|
$83.27
|
|
2
|
$125.63
|
$129.40
|
$133.28
|
|
3
|
$275.06
|
$283.31
|
$291.81
|
|
4
|
$494.97
|
$509.82
|
$525.11
|
|
6
|
$1,100.01
|
$1,133.01
|
$1,167.00
|
|
SCHEDULE 2
MONTHLY BASE FEE PER METER SIZE - OUTSIDE CITY RATE
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Meter Size (Inches)
|
8/1/2013
|
7/1/2014
|
7/1/2015
|
|
5/8
|
$35.36
|
$36.42
|
$37.51
|
|
3/4
|
$35.36
|
$36.42
|
$37.51
|
|
1
|
$59.04
|
$60.81
|
$62.64
|
|
1 1/2
|
$117.73
|
$121.26
|
$124.90
|
|
2
|
$188.44
|
$194.10
|
$199.92
|
|
3
|
$412.59
|
$424.97
|
$437.72
|
|
4
|
$742.46
|
$764.73
|
$787.67
|
|
6
|
$1,650.02
|
$1,699.52
|
$1,750.50
|
|
SCHEDULE 3
MONTHLY CONSUMPTION FEE PER METER SIZE — INSIDE CITY RATE
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Quantity (cubic feet)
|
8/1/2013
|
7/1/2014
|
7/1/2015
|
|
0-200
|
$ 1.60
|
$ 1.65
|
$ 1.70
|
|
201-400
|
$ 1.70
|
$ 1.75
|
$ 1.80
|
|
401-1200
|
$ 1.80
|
$ 1.85
|
$ 1.91
|
|
1201 and up
|
$ 1.75
|
$ 1.80
|
$ 1.86
|
|
SCHEDULE 4
MONTHLY CONSUMPTION FEE PER METER SIZE — OUTSIDE CITY
RATE
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Quantity (cubic feet)
|
8/1/2013
|
7/1/2014
|
7/1/2015
|
|
0-200
|
$ 2.40
|
$ 2.47
|
$ 2.55
|
|
201-400
|
$ 2.55
|
$ 2.63
|
$ 2.71
|
|
401-1200
|
$ 2.70
|
$ 2.78
|
$ 2.86
|
|
1201 and up
|
$ 2.63
|
$ 2.70
|
$ 2.78
|
|
SCHEDULE 5
HUMBOLDT BAY MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT PASS THROUGH
|
|---|
|
New Rate = Old Rate x [1 + (AM)], where
|
|
A = Increase in wholesale water costs (dollar for dollar based
on increases adopted by HBMWD)
|
|
B = Current annual water revenue
|
B.
Responsibility
for Equipment. The customer shall, at his or her own risk and expense,
furnish, install and keep in good safe condition all equipment that
may be required for receiving, controlling, applying and utilizing
water on his or her premises, and the City shall not be responsible
for any loss or damage caused by the improper installation of such
equipment, or the negligence or wrongful act of the customer or of
any of his or her tenants, agents, employees, contractors, licensees
or permittees in installing, maintaining, operating or interfering
with such equipment. The City shall not be responsible for damage
to property caused by faucets, valves and other equipment that are
open when water is turned on at the meter, either originally or when
turned on after a temporary shutdown.
C.
Validity.
The City Council of the City of Blue Lake hereby declares that should
any section, paragraph, sentence, or word of this chapter be declared
for any reason to be invalid, it is the intent of the City Council
of the City of Blue Lake that it would have passed all other portions
of this chapter independent of the elimination herefrom of any such
portion as may be declared invalid.
D.
Nonconforming Mobile Home Parks. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for all mobile home parks within the City limits of the City of Blue Lake which do not conform to the requirements of Section 17.24.090, Mobile Home Park Standards, because the mobile home park was already in existence at the time the zoning ordinance provision became applicable to the mobile home park, the following provisions shall apply:
1.
Single
Master Meter. The mobile home park, at the option of the applicant,
may utilize a single master meter through which service shall be provided
to all buildings, mobile homes, and temporary mobile home or recreational
vehicle spaces in the park.
2.
Installation Charges. Installation charges for the single master meter shall be as provided in Section 13.08.070.
3.
Water Rates. Rates for water service through the single master meter shall be as provided in Section 13.08.180(E) of this chapter, and the separate housing units serviced by the single master meter shall be treated as multifamily units pursuant to Section 13.08.180(G).
