All private water systems that serve private fire hydrants shall
be metered. All plans shall be reviewed and approved through Public
Works.
A. For new developments, approval of metering vault, isolation valves,
backflow preventer, and metering devices (at a minimum) shall be addressed
through the development and/or redevelopment process of a property.
B. For existing properties, with a private water system, which does
not have the ability to meter the private fire hydrants prior to December
31, 2023, shall install a meter vault, isolation valve, backflow preventer,
and water meter (at a minimum) at the property owner's expense
by June 30, 2028.
C. Water meter and associated appurtenances shall comply with standard
details and shall be installed at the point of service to the private
system.
To protect the integrity of the public water system, each private
fire hydrant shall be secured with a lockable security device approved
by Public Works.
A. A property owner shall obtain a security device by submitting the
applicable fee to the City. Security devices shall be sold only to
authorized water providers. The City shall charge the owner the cost
of the device and shipping. Public Works shall install the device
on the private fire hydrant on the property upon receipt of payment
of the applicable installation fee.
B. A property owner shall inform Public Works if a security device breaks
or is tampered with. The property owner shall be responsible for replacement.
If Public Works or the Fire Department identifies an issue with the
security device during normal use, Public Works shall provide guidance
to the owner regarding repairs or replacement of the security device.
C. A property owner shall coordinate with Public Works to temporarily
remove security device during periods of routine maintenance.
D. If a property owner fails to comply with this section, after notice
to the property owner Public Works may procure and install a security
device on each private fire hydrant. The City shall levy upon the
responsible owner the charge for the performance of said work and
the costs of necessary security devices plus an administrative fee
of 15%, not to exceed $250.
Each private fire hydrant shall be maintained in operable condition
by the property owner. The owner shall promptly repair, and report
immediately to the Fire Department and the Department of Public Works,
any leaks or malfunctions.
Every private fire hydrant shall be exercised, tested, and inspected
to ensure that the device is in good, safe and operable condition.
A. The testing shall be performed by a licensed water utility contractor
in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association 25; Standard
for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection
System (current edition).
B. The property owner shall contact Public Works in advance for any
testing. Barring any emergencies or operational issues with the public
water system, flushing of private hydrants may only occur during the
months of April to October with a seventy-two-hour prior notice to
Public Works. The City shall have the authority to cease and/or suspend
testing in the event of an emergency to the public water system.
C. A certificate indicating compliance with § 268-9 of this
article, signed by the agent of the testing organization, shall be
provided to Public Works by December 31 of each calendar year.
D. In the event that a property owner fails to comply with § 268-9
of this article, Public Works, after notice to the owner, may hire
a third-party contractor to enter onto owner's property and test
the private fire hydrant. The City shall levy upon the responsible
party the charge for the performance of said work and the costs of
necessary repairs plus an administrative fee of 15%, not to exceed
$250.
Public Works shall have the authority to perform emergency actions
necessary to secure and/or isolate a private water system due to an
uncontrolled loss of water caused by a break. The responsible party
shall provide Public Works with plans regarding the location of private
water lines, valves, and private fire hydrants. Upon the completion
of emergency actions, repair of lines and hydrants shall be the responsibility
of the property owner.