The Westminster municipal water system is hereby created to serve the area within the city and area outside the city to which the city council may approve extension of service. The water system may be placed in any department of the city for purposes of administrative control.
(Prior code § 6301)
All water furnished and delivered by the city shall pass through meters and connections as provided or required by the city. Every parcel and every separate building on every parcel shall have a separate metered service connection; provided, that when two or more buildings on the same parcel are owned or leased by the same person, such buildings, with the approval of the city, may have one service connection.
(Prior code § 6302)
All water services and water meters connected to the water system are and shall remain at all times the property of the city, and the city shall maintain and repair them when necessary. Replacements, repairs or adjustments on any meter made necessary by any act of malice, carelessness or neglect of the consumer or any member of his family or anyone employed by him, shall be paid for by such consumer on presentation of bill therefor and in case such bill is not paid, the water shall be shut off from such premises and shall not be turned on again until all charges are paid.
(Prior code § 6303)
All money received from the operation of the water system, from whatever source, shall be deposited in the water fund.
(Prior code § 6304)
The water department will endeavor to maintain such pressures as recommended by the National Board of Underwriters. If the consumer deems that the pressures are inadequate or excessive, the consumer may, at his expense, make adjustments to his plumbing to adjust pressure.
(Prior code § 6306)
Any consumer of water may require that the meter through which water is being furnished to him be tested by the city to ascertain whether or not it is registering correctly the water being delivered through it. Application for such service shall be in writing, and the city may require a deposit as specified by city council resolution. If, upon such test, the meter is found to register over three percent more water than actually passes through it, another meter will be substituted therefor and the deposit refunded to the consumer and the water bill for the current period adjusted in an equitable manner by the finance department. If, upon such test, the meter is found to register not over three percent fast, the deposit shall be retained by the city in the water fund and the bill shall be paid as rendered.
(Prior code § 6307)
All fire hydrants installed in the city for the purpose of extinguishing fires are declared to be public hydrants and shall be installed in the location specified by the city. Any property owner requesting a change in size, type or location of such hydrants shall bear all cost of such changes. Application for any change shall be filed with the city.
(Prior code § 6308)
Any service installed for private fire protection shall be used only in case of fire; except, that the city may, upon written request authorize use of water through a fireline meter for the purpose of testing and maintaining a private fire prevention system or fire department. The written request shall state:
A. 
Date and time of use;
B. 
Purpose;
C. 
Estimated maximum flow.
The city may restrict such nonemergency flows which may be detrimental to or tend to impair the system.
(Prior code § 6309)
A. 
Emergencies.
1. 
The city shall have the right in any emergency to turn the water off or on without notice; but it shall be the duty of the city to make reasonable effort to notify all consumers in advance of such emergency that water is to be turned off or on.
2. 
The owner and/or consumer shall be conclusively presumed to have made all necessary precautions in compliance with the building codes and regulations of the plumbing code in anticipation of emergency shutoffs.
B. 
Repairs. The city reserves the right to shut off the water in mains for the purpose of making extensive repairs or for any other purpose found necessary.
C. 
City Not Responsible for Damage Due to Shutoffs. The city shall not be responsible for any damages which may occur due to water shutoffs.
D. 
Admittance to Private Premises. Upon proper presentation of official identification, any city water system employee on official business shall be allowed free access at all reasonable hours to premises supplied with city water.
(Prior code § 6310)
A. 
Application for extensions of water distribution mains to any lot, subdivision or tract of land shall be in writing and, if solely for the benefit of said land, shall be accompanied by a cash deposit in the amount determined by the city to be the total estimated cost of such mains, including all labor, pipes, valves, fittings, fire hydrants and all appurtenances necessary for a complete system, and overhead charges. The deposit shall include the tapping fee and service charges, as set forth by city council resolution. When all requirements have been met, the city shall install such mains and services, which shall become and remain the property of the city.
B. 
Any person applying for a service connection to any water line which the city has installed or agreed to install to serve his property shall pay to the city a water main installation charge and meter installation charge, as provided by city council resolution.
C. 
Water mains larger than eight inches in diameter are designated as transmission mains. When it is necessary to extend transmission mains designed with a capacity to provide water in excess of the ultimate needs of the applicant, the cost shall be paid for jointly by the city and the person or persons for whose immediate requirements such extension is made. The applicant shall pay a main installation charge on a frontfoot basis, according to rates provided by city council resolution.
(Prior code § 6313)
The water system shall be given a written notice a minimum of ten days prior to any work or improvements which are to be performed which will cause the relocation of existing water mains, fittings, meters or other water equipment. Any changes which are required or any damages which may occur to such mains, fittings, meters or other water equipment without fault or negligence of the city, shall be chargeable to the person or agency requiring said work to be done.
(Prior code § 6316)
A. 
Cross-Connection Protection Requirements.
1. 
General provisions.
a. 
Unprotected cross-connections with the public water supply are prohibited.
b. 
Whenever backflow protection has been found necessary through a hazard assessment, the city will require the water user to install an approved backflow prevention device by and at the water user's expense for continued services or before a new service will be granted.
c. 
Wherever backflow protection has been found necessary on a water supply line entering a water user'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 backflow prevention device. The type of device to be installed will be in accordance with the requirements of the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook.
2. 
Where protection is required.
a. 
Each service connection from the city water system for supplying water to premises having an auxiliary water supply, pumping systems, or pressure systems, shall be protected against backflow of water from the premises.
b. 
Each service connection from the city water system for supplying water to any premises on which any substance is handled in such fashion as may allow its entry into the water system shall be protected against backflow of the water from the premises into the public system. This shall include the handling of processed waters and waters originating from the city water system which have been subjected to deterioration in sanitary quality.
c. 
Backflow prevention devices shall be installed on the service connection to any premises having: (i) internal cross-connections that cannot be permanently corrected and controlled to the satisfaction of the state or local health department and the city, or (ii) intricate plumbing and piping arrangements accessible for inspection purposes, making it impracticable or impossible to ascertain whether or not cross-connections exist.
3. 
Type of protection required.
a. 
The type of protection that shall be provided to prevent backflow into the approved water supply shall be commensurate with the degree of hazard that exists on the consumer's premises. The type of protective device that may be required (listing in an increasing level of protection) includes: Double Check Valve Backflow Prevention Assembly (DC), Double Check Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly (DCDA or DCDA II), Pressure Vacuum Breaker Backsiphonage Prevention Assembly (PVB), Spill-Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker Backsiphonage Prevention Assembly (SVB) Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly (RP), Reduced Pressure Principle Detector Backflow Prevention Assembly (RPDA or RPDA-II), and an Air-gap separation (AG). The water user may choose a higher level of protection than required by the city. The minimum types of backflow protection required to protect the approved water supply, the user's water connection to premises with varying degrees of hazard are given in Table 1. Situations which are not covered in Table 1 shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and the appropriate backflow protection shall be determined by the city or State Water Board.
Table 1
TYPE OF BACKFLOW PROTECTION REQUIRED
Degree of Hazard
Minimum Type of Backflow Prevention
A.
Sewage and Hazardous Substances
(1)
Premises where the public water system is used to supplement the reclaimed water supply.
AG
(2)
Premises where there are wastewater pumping and/or treatment plants and there is no interconnection with the potable water system. This does not include a single-family residence that has a sewage lift pump. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the State Water Board and/or the city.
AG
(3)
Premises where reclaimed water is used and there is no interconnection with the potable water system. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the State Water Board and/or the city.
AG
(4)
Premises where hazardous substances are handled in any manner in which the substances may enter a potable water system. This does not include a single-family residence that has a sewage lift pump. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the State Water Board and/or the city.
AG
(5)
Premises where there are irrigation systems into which fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides are, or can be, injected.
RP
B.
Auxiliary Water Supplies
(1)
Premises where there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply which is interconnected with the public water system. A RP may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the State Water Board and/or the city.
AG
(2)
Premises where there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply and there are interconnections with the public water system.
RP
C.
Fire Protection Systems
(1)
Premises where the fire system is directly supplied from the public water system and there is an unapproved auxiliary water supply on or to the premises (not interconnected).
RPDA
(2)
Premises where the fire system is supplied from the public water system and interconnected with an unapproved auxiliary water supply. A RPDA may be provided in lieu of an AG if approved by the State Board and/or the city.
AG
(3)
Premises where the fire system is supplied from the public water system and where either elevated storage tanks or fire pumps which take suction from the private reservoirs or tanks are used.
RPDA
D.
Premises where entry is restricted so that inspections for cross-connections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or at sufficiently short notice to ensure that cross-connections do not exist.
RP
E.
Premises where there is a repeated history of cross-connections being established or re-established.
RP
F.
Structures of three floors or more in height or more than thirty feet above the city water supply shall be protected by an approved backflow assembly at the downstream side of a service connection.
RP
4. 
Two or more services supplying water from different street mains to the same building, structure, or premises through which an inter-street main flow may occur, shall have a RP on each water service to be located adjacent to and on the property side of the respective meters.
B. 
Backflow Prevention Devices.
1. 
Backflow prevention device testing and maintenance.
a. 
The owners of any premises on which, or on account of which, backflow prevention devices are installed, shall have the devices tested by a person with valid certification from a certifying organization recognized by the State Water Board. Backflow prevention devices must be tested at least annually and immediately after installation, relocation, or repair. The city may require a more frequent testing schedule if it is determined to be necessary. No device shall be placed back in service unless it is functioning as required. A report in a form acceptable to the city shall be filed with the city each time a device is tested, relocated, or repaired. These devices shall be serviced, overhauled, or replaced whenever they are found to be defective and all costs of testing, repair, and maintenance shall be borne by the water user.
b. 
The city will supply affected water users with a list of certified backflow testers acceptable to the city to test backflow prevention devices. The city will notify affected customers by mail when annual testing of a device is needed and also supply users with the necessary forms which must be filled out each time a device is tested or repaired.
2. 
Backflow prevention device removal. Approval must be obtained from the city before a backflow prevention device is removed, relocated, or replaced.
a. 
Removal. The use of a device may be discontinued and the device removed from service upon presentation of sufficient evidence to the city to verify that a hazard no longer exists or is not likely to be created in the future.
b. 
Relocation. A device may be relocated following confirmation by the city that the relocation will continue to provide the required protection and satisfy installation requirements. A retest will be required following the relocation of the device.
c. 
Repair. A device may be removed for repair, provided the water use is discontinued until repair is completed and the device is returned to service.
d. 
Replacement. A device may be removed and replaced, provided the water use is discontinued until the replacement device is installed. All replacement devices must be approved by the city and must be commensurate with the degree of hazard involved.
C. 
User Supervisor. At each premises where it is necessary, in the opinion of the city, a user supervisor shall be designated by and at the expense of the water user. This user supervisor shall oversee water use and be responsible for the monitoring of the backflow prevention devices and for the avoidance of cross-connections. In the event of contamination or pollution of the drinking water system due to a cross-connection on the premises, the city shall be promptly notified by the user supervisor so that appropriate measures may be taken to overcome the contamination. The water user shall inform the city of the user supervisor's identity on, as a minimum, an annual basis and whenever a change occurs.
D. 
Administrative Procedures.
1. 
Water system survey.
a. 
The city shall review all requests for new services to determine if backflow protection is needed. Plans and specifications must be submitted to the city upon request for review of possible cross-connection hazards as a condition of service for new service connections. If it is determined that a backflow prevention device is necessary to protect the public water system, the required device must be installed before service will be granted.
b. 
The city may require an on-premises inspection to evaluate cross-connection hazards. Any customer which cannot or will not allow an on-premises inspection of their piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention device that the city considers necessary.
c. 
The city may, at its discretion, require a reinspection for cross-connection hazards of any premises to which it serves water. Any customer that cannot or will not allow an on-premises inspection of their piping system shall be required to install the backflow prevention device that the city considers necessary.
2. 
Customer notification — Device installation. The city will notify the water user of the survey findings, listing corrective action to be taken if required, and the time period in which these corrections must be made. If the corrections have not been made in the allotted time period, the city may terminate water service to the affected water user until the required corrective actions are taken.
3. 
Customer notification — Testing and maintenance.
a. 
The city will notify each affected water user when it is time for the backflow prevention device installed on their service connection to be tested. This written notice shall give the water user thirty days to have the device tested and supply the water user with the necessary form to be completed and resubmitted to the city.
b. 
A second notice shall be sent to each water user that does not have the backflow prevention device tested as prescribed in the first notice within the thirty-day period allowed. The second notice will give the water user a two-week period to have the backflow prevention device tested.
c. 
A final notice shall be sent to each water user that does not have the backflow prevention device tested as prescribed in the second notice within the two-week period allowed. The final notice will give the water user a seven day period to have the backflow device tested. If no action is taken within the seven day period, the water service may be terminated.
d. 
Termination of water service. The city will attempt to make direct contact with the water user prior to terminating water service. A maximum of seven additional days may be provided, if the water user is deemed responsive. Water service will be terminated if the water user is non-responsive or the additional seven days have passed.
E. 
Water Service Termination.
1. 
General. When the city encounters water uses that represent a clear and immediate hazard to the potable water supply that cannot be immediately abated, the city shall institute the procedure for discontinuing the city water service.
2. 
Basis For termination. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for water service termination shall include, but are not limited to, the following items:
a. 
Refusal to install a required backflow prevention device.
b. 
Refusal to test a backflow prevention device.
c. 
Refusal to repair a faulty backflow prevention device.
d. 
Refusal to replace a faulty backflow prevention device.
e. 
Direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a sewer line.
f. 
Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and a system or equipment containing contaminants.
g. 
Unprotected direct or indirect connection between the public water system and an auxiliary water system.
h. 
A situation which presents an immediate health hazard to the public water system.
3. 
Water service termination procedures.
a. 
For conditions a, b, c, or d, the city will terminate service to a customer's premises after three written notices have been sent specifying the corrective action needed and the time period in which it must be done. If no action is taken within the allowed time period water service will be terminated.
b. 
For conditions e, f, g, or h, the city will take the following steps:
(1) 
Make reasonable effort to advise water users of intent to terminate water service.
(2) 
Terminate water supply and lock service valve. The water service will remain inactive until correction of violations has been approved by the city.
F. 
Requirements for the Certification as a Backflow Prevention Device Tester. All backflow prevention device testers must hold a current city of Westminster Business License and a valid certification from a certifying organization recognized by the State Water Board.
(Prior code § 6316; Ord. 1959 § 1, 1983; Ord. 2139 § 3, 1990; Ord. 2620, 6/11/2025)
A. 
Irrigation, Sprinkling, Etc. The use of water for irrigation, sprinkling, wetting, construction or industrial purposes may be restricted if and when such use may be contrary to the public health, safety or welfare.
B. 
Pools and Tanks. When an abnormally large quantity of water is desired for filling a swimming pool or for other purposes, arrangements must be made with the city prior to taking such water.
C. 
Permission. Permission to take water in unusual quantities shall be given only if it can be safely delivered through the water system's facilities, and if other consumers are not inconvenienced.
(Prior code § 6320)
The city council reserves the right and power to, and may from time to time, by resolution, adopt rules and regulations for the operation and maintenance of the water system of the city, and for furnishing water to users; and may likewise, by resolution, modify the rates, charges and penalties established and imposed; and may from time to time, by resolution, prescribe rules for the extension of water mains within the boundaries and outside the boundaries of the city. The city council may, by resolution, prescribe the procedure for reevaluation of water usage charges related to the cost of wholesale water purchase or produced for use in the city water system.
(Prior code § 6321)