For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:
"Apartment"
shall mean a room, living unit, or suite of rooms which is designed for, intended for, and/or occupied by one (1) family doing cooking therein.
"Boardinghouse"
shall mean a dwelling, other than a hotel, wherein meals for four (4) or more persons are provided for compensation.
"Business"
shall mean a place wherein persons are engaged in the manufacture, processing, fabricating, servicing, selling, and/or buying for sale or resale of produce, articles, merchandise, or any goods whatsoever; and shall also apply to the rendering of service for compensation, whether as a trade or a profession.
"Church"
shall mean a place of worship, whether as a part of another building or on separate property, and shall not include a parsonage, separate gymnasium, or classroom.
"Commercial service"
shall mean and include any service that is not defined as a residential service or an industrial service.
"Condominium"
shall mean an estate in real property consisting of an undivided interest in common in a portion of a parcel of real property, together with a separate interest in space in a building on such real property. A condominium may include, in addition, a separate interest in other portions of such real property.
"Connection charge"
shall mean one (1) or more of the initial charges made at the time of connection to the City water system.
"Construction water"
shall mean and include on-site water taken from fire hydrants and used for dust control or construction purposes. Permission must be granted by the City and fees paid.
"Cut water service"
shall mean and include any service that has been physically disconnected from the City water system.
"Director"
shall mean the Municipal Services Director or designee.
"Discontinued service"
shall mean and include any service that has been shut off by the City at the City's curb stop or main.
"Dormitory"
shall mean a building having cooking facilities with rooms without cooking facilities or intended to be occupied by more than two (2) persons. Every one hundred (100) square feet of superficial floor area shall be considered the equivalent to a guest room.
"Dwelling"
shall mean a building designed, occupied, or intended for living purposes and shall include single-family dwellings, buildings containing apartments, and rooming and/or lodging houses.
"Fire hydrant installation"
shall mean the complete installation of a fire hydrant assembly.
"Fixture unit"
shall mean and include a unit of measure representing water load based on the size of the trap required or the rated discharge capacity in gallons per minute of plumbing fixtures, and devices installed on the premises per TMC 6-4-801.
"Guest room"
shall mean a room which is intended, arranged, or designed to be occupied by one (1) or more persons but in which no provision is made for cooking.
"Hotel"
shall mean any building, or portion thereof, containing six (6) or more guest rooms which are used, designed, or intended to be used, let, or hired to be occupied or which are occupied by six (6) or more individuals for compensation.
"Industrial service"
shall mean and include any service to a substantial industrial user as defined in TMC 6-4-103.
"Limited irrigation and sprinkling"
shall mean limited irrigation and sprinkling for landscaping, beautification, small gardening, construction and dust control related to construction, and similar purposes only.
"Living unit"
shall mean and include a dwelling designed for a single family.
"Lot"
or a parcel of land shall mean a parcel of land consisting of one (1) or more contiguous lots of record in one (1) ownership to which service is provided for any purpose.
"Main"
shall mean a water line eight (8") inches or larger in diameter and appurtenant valves and fittings providing water to one (1) or more laterals or service connections.
"Meter"
shall mean all of the equipment, electronics and parts needed to complete the installation of a water meter per City specifications including any automatic meter reading (AMR) device.
"Mobile home park"
shall mean any lot or parcel of land where one (1) or more sites are rented or leased or intended to be rented or leased, with or without compensation, to accommodate mobile homes or recreational vehicles.
"Motel"
shall mean one (1) or more buildings containing guest rooms, with automobile storage space provided with such rooms, and designed, used, or intended to be used primarily for the accommodation of travelers.
"Motel"
shall include auto cabins, motor lodges, automobile courts, and similar businesses.
"New service"
shall mean and include any new water service that is connected to the City water system.
"Pipeline"
shall mean all water mains and services constructed in or under City streets.
"Project"
shall mean and include, but not be limited to, any development of the following types:
(1) 
"Community, office, or apartment or business project"
shall mean a project in which an undivided interest in the land is coupled with the right of exclusive occupancy of any office, apartment, or business unit located thereon.
(2) 
"Condominium"
shall mean an estate in real property consisting of an undivided interest in common in a portion of a parcel of real property, together with a separate interest in space in a building on such real property. A condominium may include, in addition, a separate interest in other portions of such real property.
(3) 
"Condominium project"
shall mean the division of real property to create five (5) or more condominiums.
(4) 
"Stock cooperative"
shall mean a corporation which is formed or availed of primarily for the purpose of holding title to, either in fee simple or for a term of years, improved real property, if all or substantially all of the shareholders of such corporation receive a right of exclusive occupancy in a portion of the real property, title to which is held by the corporation, which right to occupancy is transferable only concurrently with the transfer of shares of stock in the corporation held by the person having such right of occupancy.
"Residence"
shall mean a dwelling designed to be occupied by a single family.
"Residential service"
shall mean and include any service that conveys water to a single-family residence.
"Residential fire sprinklers"
shall mean a wet pipe sprinkler system only designed for one (1) and two (2) family residences and manufactured homes.
"Rooming and/or lodging house"
shall mean a building or portion thereof containing guest rooms and having no cooking facilities whatsoever.
"Service connection"
shall mean a privately owned and maintained pipe conveying water to a single building or lot and connected or to be connected to a water service.
"Service date" or "service period"
shall mean and include the service period for which charges are billed.
"Services"
shall mean and include any water line connected to the City water main that conveys water from the City system to private property.
"Water system" or "system"
shall mean the City of Turlock water system, which includes, but is not limited to, wells, storage tanks, main water lines, fire hydrants, and any and all connections, valves, plumbing, and appurtenances thereto.
(768-CS, Amended, 02/25/1992; 1019-CS, Amended, 02/12/2004; 1027-CS, Amended, 06/10/2004; 1155-CS, Amended, 09/22/2011; 1236-CS, Amended, 11/09/2017; 1274-CS, Amended, 02/13/2020)
(a) 
All off-site water lines or water lines within a public utility easement, connections, valves, plumbing, and appurtenant water facilities and the construction and installation thereof shall be constructed or installed at the consumer's expense and shall be to City standards and approved by the City Engineer prior to water service turn-on.
(b) 
One (1) City water connection shall be provided to each lot, unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer and Municipal Services Director or their designee. All off-site lines shall be constructed to City standards.
(c) 
No lot line adjustment, parcel map, or similar instrument shall be approved or recorded until the City has verified that separate City water services have been provided to each lot or parcel, except that the installation of a separate City water service at a vacant lot or premises may be postponed until the issuance of a building permit.
(d) 
For each project, individual shutoff valves, gate valves, and necessary on-site lines under private ownership shall be provided.
(e) 
The Building Official shall test and inspect the mains and services on private property unless an agreement is reached with the City Engineer and the Building Official to have the City Engineer test and inspect. The City Engineer shall test and inspect the water mains for the general distribution system whenever such mains are within the City right-of-way or public utility easement.
(f) 
No person shall supply water in any way for use outside of the premises to which the service is assigned, except by permission of the Municipal Services Director.
(g) 
Prior to connection to the City's water system, the property owner shall make any necessary right-of-way dedications or irrevocable offers of dedication, as determined by the City Engineer, for ultimate street improvements.
(1027-CS, Amended, 06/10/2004; 1155-CS, Amended, 09/22/2011; 1236-CS, Amended, 11/09/2017)
When mains and laterals are in place or are within a reasonable distance from a particular parcel, as determined by the Director, the City may furnish water service to the parcel upon complete installation of the water service and the payment of the appropriate charges and costs.
(1027-CS, Amended, 06/10/2004; 1236-CS, Amended, 11/09/2017)
If more than one (1) consumer is served from one (1) service connection, the owner of the property or his agent shall be required to sign for and guarantee the payment of such service connection, and the owner shall be liable for all water served through such connection, except that a project, association, corporation, or other governing body shall be responsible for the payment of water charges to the City.
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-303)
(a) 
The City shall approve the type and installation of all meters.
(b) 
The City shall provide and install any meter the City deems necessary with ten (10) days' written notice to the tenant and the owner for any service and may thereafter charge for water at metered rates.
(c) 
New water services shall be metered at the time of construction. All existing water services shall be metered.
(d) 
All installed water meters and meter reading equipment shall become the property of the City. The retrofit of existing water services shall be performed by the City at the City's expense, unless stated otherwise in this section.
(e) 
The City shall install all meters and meter reading equipment at the owner's expense for all new construction.
(f) 
Upon installation of a water meter and start of water service, customers shall be charged a set-up fee as adopted by City Council and the applicable metered service rates pursuant to TMC 6-5-501.
(758-CS, Amended, 11/26/1991; 1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-304; 1027-CS, Amended, 06/10/2004; 1047-CS, Amended, 09/08/2005; 1155-CS, Amended, 09/22/2011; 1209-CS, Amended, 06/25/2015; 1236-CS, Amended, 11/09/2017)
All water lines on private property shall belong to the property owner, unless stated otherwise in this section. All water lines and appurtenant facilities constructed in or under City streets, easements, or alleys shall become the property of the City upon the completion of the installation and upon the final inspection and approval of the lines by the City Engineer.
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-104; 1236-CS, Amended, 11/09/2017)
When a line is to be constructed across private property to serve more than one (1) parcel of land, a utility easement shall be granted to the City, and the easement line, size, and installation shall be approved by the City Engineer and Municipal Services Director.
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-105; 1155-CS, Amended, 09/22/2011)
The City shall maintain all water connections, mains, water service lines and appurtenances within City rights-of-way on City property or easements including curb valves and meters. The property owner shall maintain all other service connection lines and appurtenances to or on his/her property up to the meter or curb valve.
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-106; 1027-CS, Amended, 06/10/2004; 1236-CS, Amended, 11/09/2017)
Access to service connections, turn-off valves, meters, and appurtenant facilities on private property shall be provided for the City at all times.
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-107)
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-109; 1027-CS, Amended, 06/10/2004; 1155-CS, Repealed, 09/22/2011)
No water well shall be drilled or reconstructed within the City without the consent of the City. When City water is available and a request to connect to the City system has been approved, or a request to reconstruct a well has been made, the existing non-City-owned well on the property shall be capped and plugged in accordance with State regulations, unless otherwise authorized by the City. Residential wells will be closed free of charge by the City.
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-306; 1027-CS, Amended, 06/10/2004)
Each service connection to the water system which supplies water to premises having a private source of water supply shall be protected against the backflow of water from the private source into the City system by an approved backflow prevention device. Such backflow device shall be installed on all such service connections within forty-five (45) calendar days of notice by the City. Any residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed with approved potable material and shall be designed and installed as a flow-through system so that fire suppression water does not become stagnant. Any deviation from this type of installation shall require installation of an approved backflow device.
Upon failure to comply with the provisions of this section, water service shall be discontinued until compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the payment of inspection and turn-on fees.
All new commercial and industrial water services shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention device as determined by the Director. Any water connection that has the potential to contaminate the City water system must have an approved backflow prevention device.
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-111; 1027-CS, Amended, 06/10/2004; 1155-CS, Amended, 09/22/2011)
City water may be used for limited irrigation and sprinkling in compliance with Chapter 6-7 TMC, Water Conservation and Education, except during declared emergencies, power failures, or when requested by the City. The use of City water for such purposes in such situations shall constitute a violation of the provisions of this chapter.
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-112; 1209-CS, Amended, 06/25/2015)
When water main extensions are necessary before water service can be provided to a parcel or parcels outside the City limit, the City shall require an agreement with the record owner and lessee(s), if there is one. Such agreement shall be approved by the City Council and shall provide the basis upon which such extension will be constructed and financed. Such agreement shall include the property owner's consent not to oppose the future annexation of the property. Any additional requirements deemed necessary by the Municipal Services Director and/or the Development Services Director or his or her designee may be added to the agreement.
Before water service may be provided to a parcel or parcels outside the City limit, the City shall require an agreement with the record owner of the property and the lessee(s), if there is one. Such agreement shall provide the basis on which the water service will be provided, including the property owner's consent not to oppose the future annexation of the property. Any additional requirements deemed necessary by the Municipal Services Director and/or the Development Services Director or his or her designee may be added to the agreement.
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-113; 1027-CS, Amended, 06/10/2004; 1155-CS, Amended, 09/22/2011; 1236-CS, Amended, 11/09/2017)
The provisions of this chapter shall not prohibit the Council from entering into contracts with a business, industry, or governmental agency to supply water, water service, and all things pertaining to the furnishing of water to such agencies at rates different than those set forth in this chapter.
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-114)
(a) 
No person shall make, or cause to be made, a connection with, or tamper or interfere with in any manner, the City water system, as defined by TMC 6-5-101, without first obtaining a permit from the City.
(b) 
No person shall turn on or off, otherwise interfere with, or cause to be turned on or off or otherwise interfered with, any part or portion of the City water system, as defined by TMC 6-5-101, without first obtaining a permit from the City.
(c) 
No person shall install or connect with the water system any evaporative type air-conditioning cooler or unit unless it is equipped with a recirculation pump and equipped with a thermostat or pressure control valve properly adjusted to regulate the flow of cooling water through the units so that the minimum amount of cooling water, as determined by the manufacturer's specifications, shall be used.
(d) 
No person shall connect to the water system any refrigerating or air-conditioning equipment unless such equipment is air-cooled or has a water tower or evaporation condenser so that only makeup water is used.
(e) 
No person shall waste water as defined by TMC 6-7-408.
(f) 
No Person shall install or maintain any pipe, faucet, hose bib, fixture, or appliance connected to the water system in such condition or state of disrepair that water may be or is lost or wasted.
(g) 
No Person shall supply City water to anyone without City authorization, and no person shall use City water without authorization or without paying the required fees. The City shall have the right, upon five (5) days' written notice to cease, to disconnect the water service for the person supplying the water.
(h) 
No person shall construct a bypass around any meter or service without the prior consent of the City.
(i) 
No person shall use water for any purpose by the method of "return wells" wherein water is discharged into a well so that such water is injected into a water-bearing strata below a depth of fifty (50') feet below the surface of the ground.
(j) 
No person shall steal, take, carry away, transport, lead, drive away, or cause the same to be done, water from the City water system, as defined by TMC 6-5-101.
(k) 
No person shall fraudulently appropriate, or cause to be fraudulently appropriated, or by any false or fraudulent representation or pretense appropriate water from the City water system, as defined by TMC 6-5-101.
(l) 
No person shall make unauthorized repairs to the City water system.
(m) 
All persons shall abide by the restrictions contained in TMC 6-7-302.
(768-CS, Amended, 02/25/1992; 1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-115; 1027-CS, Amended, 06/10/2004; 1032-CS, Amended, 08/26/2004; 1155-CS, Amended, 09/22/2011; 1209-CS, Amended, 06/25/2015)
The City Engineer shall be responsible for the location, size, design approval, and acceptance of water lines, appurtenances, and fire hydrants within the public right-of-way, public utility easement, or City-owned property. The Building Official shall supervise and inspect the construction and installation of water lines, appurtenances, residential fire sprinkler systems, and fire hydrants on private property.
(1019-CS, Renumbered, 02/12/2004, Renumbered from 6-5-200; 1027-CS, Amended, 06/10/2004; 1155-CS, Amended, 09/22/2011)