City water shall be limited in use to domestic, commercial, or industrial use including normal yard upkeep only. The use of city water for extensive irrigation is prohibited.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989)
The applicant may apply for as many services as may be reasonably required for his premises; provided, that the pipe line system for each service be independent of the others and that they not be interconnected; and provided further, that larger service lines may be required by the council at their discretion for purposes of insuring adequate service pressures. The cost of all services shall be borne by the applicant. There will be a separate connection charge for each service.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989)
Each dwelling unit, house, or other structure for which application for water service is hereafter made which fronts on a public street or private road shall have a separate service connection.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989)
A.
Purpose and Intent. The city finds that water is an important and limited resource which all residents of the city of Hughson should conserve and avoid wasting. The purpose of this section is to establish conservation measures for all residents of the city to follow in using water as well as prohibit the wasting of water.
B.
Waste of Water Prohibited. No customer shall knowingly permit leaks or waste of water. Where water is wastefully or negligently used on a customer's premises, the city may discontinue the services if such conditions are not corrected within five days after giving the customer written notice.
C.
Outdoor Use of Potable Water. In accordance with the other restrictions identified herein, the following are the requirements and restrictions set for outdoor watering:
1.
Irrigation of all exterior landscaping including, but not limited to, turf areas, open ground, crops, trees, grass, lawn, ground cover, shrubbery, or decorative plantings using an irrigation system, hose, or outdoor potable water faucet shall be allowed only three days a week as follows:
a.
Odd-numbered addresses: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 12:00 noon, and 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
b.
Even-numbered addresses: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 12:00 noon, and 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
c.
Watering by hand (with cans, wands, handheld hoses) is allowed on days as per address.
2.
Vehicle, equipment or boat washing is permitted on days and times as per address as set forth in subsections (C)(1)(a) and (b) of this section providing a handheld, automatic shut-off nozzle hose and bucket are used, and minimal runoff occurs, and is limited to one washing per week.
3.
Outdoor irrigation or vehicle, equipment or boat washing between the hours of 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m. is prohibited at any time.
4.
Commercial and fleet vehicle washing facilities are exempt from the preceding restrictions.
D.
Water Using Equipment and Devices.
1.
All evaporative coolers shall be equipped with operating recirculation pumps.
2.
Decorative fountains, ponds, and other water displays shall be equipped with operating recirculation pumps, and shall not be operated during any water rationing emergency.
3.
Automatic shut-off devices, such as a hose sprayer, shall be required on all handheld water devices.
E.
Maintenance of Water Using Devices.
1.
All irrigation systems, irrigation controllers, hoses, sprinklers, sprinkler heads, fountains, pools, connections, plumbing, and other water conveyance devices shall be maintained in good condition so as to prevent leakage, or unscheduled or unpermitted discharges of water or the unnecessary or excessive consumption of water.
2.
All irrigation systems, controllers, sprinklers, and sprinkler heads shall be properly designed, maintained, and adjusted as frequently and completely as necessary to prevent the runoff of water beyond turf and landscaped areas, and to prevent runoff onto driveways, walkways, sidewalks, paths, curbs, gutters, streets, vehicles, buildings, fences, or adjacent properties.
3.
All repairs necessary to comply with these provisions shall be completed within 24 hours after notification by the city of a violation.
F.
Emergency Restrictions.
1.
The city council may declare a water shortage emergency by resolution following a public hearing and upon finding that additional water use restrictions are necessary for the immediate protection of health and safety or are required by state law.
2.
While a water shortage emergency declaration is in effect, all water conservation and waste restrictions in this section shall remain in effect and the following activities shall be prohibited:
a.
The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures;
b.
The use of a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a motor vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use;
c.
The application of potable water to rinse down/off driveways and sidewalks;
d.
The use of potable water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is part of a recirculating system;
e.
Outdoor irrigation of lawns, ornamental landscapes, or turf with potable water shall only be allowed between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on the days allowed as set forth in subsections (C)(1)(a) and (b) of this section.
3.
While a water shortage emergency declaration is in effect, the city council may by resolution prohibit additional activities, including, but not limited to, further restricting the days on which irrigation of outdoor landscapes is allowed, upon proper findings as required by subsection (F)(1) of this section.
4.
A water shortage emergency declaration shall remain in effect until the city council finds and declares by resolution that the water shortage emergency condition has abated, has changed in degree, or no longer exists.
5.
Use of private wells shall be limited to the same use restrictions as that of the city water supply system.
6.
Use of untreated, raw water from a non-city provider shall not be subject to these restrictions.
G.
Reporting Violations. A person's name is kept confidential when they report a watering restriction. You can report violations in many ways; it helps to leave an exact address and the date and time of the violation. Anonymous reports of water use violations will not result in any notice of violation unless the infraction is witnessed by the code enforcement officer or other designated city staff.
H.
Penalties for Violations. A violation of any provision of this section is an infraction as specified under Chapter 1.12 HMC (General Penalty). In addition, persons cited for violations of this section may be required to pay for the installation of one or more of the following devices:
1.
On automatic sprinkler systems, a moisture sensor may be required, when determined by the city. This is a probe placed in the ground that determines when the soil needs water and then turns on the sprinkler.
2.
Drip irrigation systems.
3.
Flow restriction devices for showers, and sinks.
4.
Low-flow toilets.
5.
Other water regulation or control devices.
I.
Variances.
1.
The following circumstances may qualify for a variance to be issued by the city, at the sole discretion of the city, from portions of the water use restrictions:
a.
Irrigation of new lawns and landscaping may be every day of the week for a 14-day establishment period, or until the second mowing; however, such irrigation is still prohibited between the hours of noon and 7:00 p.m. An approved variance must first be issued by the city prior to any deviation in the irrigation schedule set forth in subsections (C)(1)(a) and (b) of this section.
b.
An automatic system equipped with a moisture sensor approved by the city which effectively limits both the watering times and watering quantities in a manner deemed by the city to provide more effective water conservation measures.
c.
Multi-property system maintenance. Owners of multiple non-residential properties, including commercial, industrial, and municipal uses, may apply for a variance to the normal watering schedule dates, based on providing evidence that an alternate schedule will provide the equivalent water conservation measures.
d.
Other circumstances determined by the community development director to be in the best interests of the city.
2.
All requests for variances shall be applied for on a form provided by the city, and a non-refundable fee shall be paid for the processing of the variance application form. The city may condition the terms of any variance. The city may revoke any existing variance, or deny the issuance of a variance to any applicant found to be in violation of any water use restriction provision or variance condition. All variance decisions by the city manager shall be final.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989; Ord. 04-13 § 1, 2004; Ord. 14-04 § 1, 2014; Ord. 15-06 §§ 1 – 4, 2015; Ord. 17-06 § 1, 2017)
All facilities installed by the city 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 where installed.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989)
The customer shall be liable for any damage to the city-owned customer water service facilities when such damage is from causes originating on the premises by an act of the customer or his 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 a bill.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989)
The customer shall provide a valve on his side of the service installation as close as is practicable to the street, highway, alley or easement in which the water main serving the customer's property is located to control the flow of water to the piping on his premises. The customer shall not use the service curb stop to turn water on and off for his convenience.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989)
A.
Purpose.
1.
The city council declares that the purpose of this section is to protect the public water supply against actual or potential cross-connections by:
a.
Requiring abandonment of private wells before premises connect to city water supply or by isolating within the premises contamination or pollution that may occur because of some undiscovered or unauthorized cross-connection on the premises;
b.
To eliminate existing connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption;
c.
To eliminate cross-connection between the drinking water systems and other sources of water or process water used for any purpose whatsoever which jeopardize the safety of the drinking water supply;
d.
To prevent the making of cross-connections in the future;
e.
To encourage the exclusive use of public sources of water supply;
f.
To protect the drinking water supply within the premises where plumbing defects or cross-connections may endanger the drinking water supply available on the premises.
2.
This section is to be reasonably interpreted. It is the intent of this section to recognize that there are varying degrees of hazard and to apply the principle that the degree of protection should be commensurate with the degree of hazard.
B.
Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them by this section:
1. "Air-gap separation"
means a physical break between a supply pipe and a receiving vessel. The air-gap shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe, measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel. Supply pipes less than one-inch diameter shall have a minimum air-gap of one inch.
2. "Approved"
as used in this chapter in reference to air-gap separation, a double check valve assembly, or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device or method, means as approved by the Stanislaus County health officer and the city.
3. "Approved double check-valve assembly"
means an assembly of two independently acting, approved check valves, including tightly closing shut-off valves on each end of the check-valve assembly and suitable connections available for testing the watertightness of each valve. To be approved these devices must be readily accessible for maintenance and testing and in no case shall be less than 12 inches above the flood level of the surrounding ground or floor and in a location where no part of the assembly will be submerged.
4. "Approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device"
means a device incorporating two or more independently acting, approved check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two checks, two shut-off valves, and equipped with necessary appurtenances for testing. The device shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between the two check valves less than the pressure on the public water supply side of the device. At cessation of normal flow, the pressure between check valves shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief valve shall operate to maintain this reduced pressure by discharging to the atmosphere. When the inlet pressure is two pounds per square inch or less, the relief valve shall open to the atmosphere thereby providing an air-gap in the device. To be approved, these devices must be readily accessible for maintenance and testing and installed not less than 12 inches above the flood level of the surrounding ground or floor in a location where no part of the valve will be submerged.
5. "Approved water supply"
means any water supply approved by, or under the public supervision of a public health agency of the state or Stanislaus County.
6. "Auxiliary water supply"
means a water supply originating on the premises that is used exclusively for fire protection or irrigation and is not connected in any manner to the domestic supply system on the premises. An auxiliary supply shall be a water supply that has been developed exclusively for the purpose of either fire protection or irrigation or both.
7. "City"
means the city of Hughson acting through the city manager or his designated representatives.
8. "Cross-connection"
means any physical connections 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.
9. "Health hazard"
means an actual or potential threat of contamination of a physical or toxic nature to the public potable water system or the consumer's potable water system to such a degree or intensity that there would be a danger to health.
10. "Pollutional hazard"
means an actual or potential threat to the physical properties of the water system or the potability of the public water supply but which would not constitute a health or system hazard as defined.
11. "Stanislaus County health officer"
means the operating head of the Stanislaus County department of environmental health or his designated representative.
12. "System hazard"
means an actual or potential threat of severe damage to the physical properties of the public potable water system, or the consumer's potable water system, or of a pollution or contamination which would have a protracted effect on the quality of potable water in the system.
C.
Abandonment of Wells.
1.
The owner of property upon which a private well is located shall have the well destroyed before being connected to the city water supply.
2.
The standards to be followed for abandonment of wells shall be the "Well Destruction" standards, as set forth in Stanislaus County Well Ordinance 443, Section 3-310, or as subsequently revised or supplemented, which are adopted by reference.
3.
Destruction of the well shall be done at customer expense. All work shall be inspected by and completed to the satisfaction of the Stanislaus County health officer and the city.
D.
Protection of Public Water System at Service Connection. No water service connection to any premises shall be installed or maintained by the city unless the water supply is adequately protected in accordance with the requirements and regulations of Title 17 of the California Administrative Code and these regulations:
1.
Each service connection from the public water system for supplying water to premises having an auxiliary water supply shall be protected against backflow of water from the premises into the public water system.
2.
Each service connection from the public water system for supplying water to premises on which any substance is or may be handled in such fashion as to permit entry into the water system shall be protected against backflow of the substance from the premises into the public system. This shall include the handling of process water and waters originating from the public water supply system which have been subject to deterioration in sanitary quality.
3.
Approved backflow prevention devices shall be installed on service connections to any premises where internal cross-connections exist. It shall be the responsibility of the water user to provide, test and maintain protective devices as required.
E.
Type of Protection.
1.
The protection device required shall depend upon the degree of hazard. An air-gap separation or a reduced pressure backflow prevention device shall be used where there is an existing or potential health or system hazard. A double check-valve assembly may be used where there is an existing or potential pollutional hazard.
2.
The public water system shall be protected at the service connection as specified below:
a.
At the service connection to any premises where there is allowed an auxiliary water supply, handled in a separate piping system with no known or easily established cross-connection, the public water supply shall be protected by an approved double check-valve assembly. When the auxiliary water supply may be contaminated, an air-gap or approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed at the service connection.
b.
At the service connection to any premises on which a substance that would be objectionable, but not hazardous to health, if introduced into the public water supply, is handled so as to constitute a cross-connection, the public water supply shall be protected by an approved double check-valve assembly.
c.
At the service connection to any premises on which there is an auxiliary water supply where cross-connections are known to exist, the public water supply shall be protected by an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device.
d.
At the service connection to any premises on which a material dangerous to health or toxic substance in toxic concentration is or may be handled in such a manner as to permit its entry into the water system, the public water supply shall be protected by an air-gap separation. The air-gap shall be located as close as practicable to the meter and all piping between the meter and receiving tank shall be entirely visible. If these conditions cannot be reasonably met, the public water supply shall be protected with an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device, providing the alternative is acceptable to both the city and the county health officer.
e.
At the service connection to any sewage treatment plant, sewage pumping station, or stormwater pumping station, the public water supply shall be protected by an air-gap separation. The air-gap shall be located as close as practicable to the meter and all piping between the meter and receiving tank shall be entirely visible. If these conditions cannot be reasonably met, the public water supply shall be protected with an approved reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device, providing there are no direct connections to sewage pumps or waste lines and this alternative is acceptable to both the city and county health officer. Final decision in this matter shall rest with the State Department of Health.
f.
At the service connection to hospitals, medical buildings, mortuaries and other premises where the county health officer and/or the city determines that a special hazard exists, the public water supply shall be protected by an approved reduced pressure principle backflow device.
g.
Where a health or safety hazard exists on a premises by reason of any existing plumbing installation, or lack thereof, the owner or his agent shall install additional plumbing or make such connection as deemed necessary to abate the hazard and bring the plumbing system into compliance with applicable provisions of this chapter.
3.
The property owner or consumer who is responsible for any protective device shall have such device inspected and tested in accordance with requirements of the city and county health department. The city shall be furnished with a copy of the test result on an annual basis July 1st. Persons testing protective devices shall be qualified and approved by the city and county department of public health.
F.
Failure to Comply. Failure to comply with any part of this section may be cause for the discontinuance of water service by the city and/or the county department of public health. The city shall give notice in writing of any violations of this chapter to the property owner and consumer. If no action is taken within 10 days after such notice has been mailed or delivered in person, the city may discontinue delivery of water. If it is determined by either the city or the Stanislaus County health officer that any immediate hazard exists as a result of failure to comply, the city may immediately discontinue service to the premises. Delivery of water shall not be resumed until a protective device has been properly installed and approved as provided in this section.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989)
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 water department 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.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989)
Representatives from the water department shall have the right of ingress and egress to the customer's premises at reasonable hours for any purpose reasonably connected with the furnishing of water service.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989)
Any person desiring to connect with the mains of the city shall pay in addition to any other charges set out in this chapter, all applicable inspection fees.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989; Ord. 07-07 § 1, 2007)
No water coolers shall be installed or operated in any premises served water by the city unless such water coolers are equipped with a recirculating pump.
(Ord. 89-06 § 2, 1989; Ord. 07-07 § 1, 2007)