A. 
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
“Building”
means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
“Building (existing)”
means a building erected prior to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, and/or one which has not been constructed, but for which a legal building permit has been issued.
“CBS”
means the city and borough of Sitka.
“CBS water service line”
means that portion of a water service line that connects the water main with the curb stop. See graphical representation at the end of this section.
“CBSS”
means the city and borough of Sitka standard specifications.
“Contractor”
means a person who constructs, installs, repairs, excavates or connects water services.
“Curb box”
means a device usually consisting of a long piece of pipe or tubelike casing placed over a curb stop through which a key (valve wrench) is inserted to permit the operation of the curb stop.
“Curb stop (curb valve or property valve)”
means a valve placed in the water service line, usually at a point near the right-of-way or property line, that allows the passage, interruption and control of water flow.
“Owner”
means one who holds a lawful title to the property.
“Owner’s water service line”
means that portion of the water service line that connects the curb stop with the plumbing system within the building being served. The owner’s water service line includes the curb stop and valve box (curb box). See graphical representation at the end of this section.
“Person”
means any individual, firm, company, corporation, partnership, association, society or group.
“Public water system”
means the potable water system owned and operated by the city and borough of Sitka.
“Water hook-up”
means the process of installing the complete water service line from the main to the building.
“Water main”
means that part of the city water distribution system intended to serve more than one water service line and that is located within the public right-of-way or easement.
“Water service line”
means the entire water service line connecting the water main with the plumbing system of the building being served. See graphical representation at the end of this section.
“Water tap”
means the cutting or drilling of an opening in the water main and attaching a saddle and/or corporation stop.
B. 
Graphical representation of:
•
Owner’s Water Service Line.
•
CBS Water Service Line.
•
Water Service Line.
(S.G.C. 15.05.010; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The CBS will exercise reasonable diligence and care to deliver a continuous and sufficient supply of water to the customer at a proper pressure and to avoid any shortage or interruption in delivery. The CBS will exercise reasonable diligence to supply safe and potable water at all times.
(S.G.C. 15.05.020; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
All water mains, valves, fittings, hydrants, meters and other equipment and appurtenances that the CBS has accepted into the municipal system, except owner’s water service line, shall be the property of the CBS. The CBS will not pay rent or any other charges for water appurtenances, including housings and connections, located on a customer’s premises.
(S.G.C. 15.05.030; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The customer shall be liable for any damage to the CBS system or equipment which is caused by an act of the customer, his tenants, agents, employees, contractors, licensees or permittees. Damage to the system or equipment shall include but not be limited to breaking of seals and locks on meters, tampering with meters, tampering with backflow preventers, injury to meters, including but not limited to damage by hot water or steam, and damage to meter boxes, remote counters, curb stops, curb boxes, meter stops and other service appurtenances.
(S.G.C. 15.05.040; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
CBS equipment on the customer’s premises remains the property of the CBS and may be repaired, replaced or removed by CBS employees or agents at any time without consent of the customer.
B. 
No payment will be made to the property owner for the right to install, maintain, replace or remove CBS equipment, and the property owner must in no way interfere with its operation. The property owner must keep vicious dogs or other animals secured or confined to avoid interference with the utility operation and maintenance.
(S.G.C. 15.05.050; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The duly appointed employees of the CBS, under the direction of the public works director, shall have free access at all reasonable hours of the day to any and all parts of structures and premises in which water is or may be delivered for the purpose of inspecting connections, the conditions of conduits and fixtures, and the manner and extent to which the water is being used. The CBS does not, however, assume the duty of inspecting the customer’s line, plumbing and equipment, and shall not be responsible therefor.
(S.G.C. 15.05.060; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The CBS shall not be liable for any loss or damage of any nature whatsoever caused by any defect in the owner’s water service line, plumbing or equipment, nor shall the CBS be liable for loss or damage due to interruption of service, temporary changes in pressure, or water quality.
(S.G.C. 15.05.070; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
Notices from the CBS to customers will normally be given by public service announcement through local media. Where conditions warrant and in emergencies, the CBS may notify either by telephone, messenger, or door hanger notice.
B. 
Notices from customers to the CBS may be given by the customer or his authorized representative, orally or in writing, at the CBS public works department, or to an agent of the CBS duly authorized to receive notices or complaints.
(S.G.C. 15.05.080; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
Where water is wastefully or negligently used on a customer’s premises, the CBS may discontinue service if such conditions are not corrected after due notice by the CBS.
B. 
It is unlawful for any person to allow any water to run from any water tap or outlet continuously unless such water is metered and paid for on a metered rate.
C. 
If the owner’s water service line is determined to be leaking, or is otherwise compromised, the owner shall repair and address the leak within 10 days after receipt of notice by the CBS unless additional time is granted by the public works director. Owner shall notify the CBS of repair work per SGC § 15.10.310(A).
(S.G.C. 15.05.090; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
Where water service has been discontinued for any reason, and the water is turned on by the customer or other unauthorized person, the water may then be shut off by the CBS and secured. The charges for shutting off and securing the water shall be computed at current CBS billing rates. These charges shall be billed to the offending customer, and water shall not be furnished to the premises until such charges are paid and the CBS has reasonable assurances that the violation will not recur.
(S.G.C. 15.05.100; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The CBS will refuse or discontinue service to any premises where it is deemed necessary to protect the CBS from fraud, abuse, or threat of contamination of the public water supply. Discontinuance of service from one or both of these causes will be made immediately upon receipt of knowledge by the CBS that the condition or conditions exist.
(S.G.C. 15.05.120; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The public works director shall have the authority to inspect any building or premises served by the public water system for any violation of relevant CBS or state law. The public works director or his designee shall furthermore have the authority to turn off any water service when any such violation exists. No person shall refuse to admit, after notice and at reasonable hours, the premises owned or occupied by him, or hinder any authorized agent of the CBS entering such premises for the purpose of inspecting any piping in connection with the water distribution system.
Every person convicted of a violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and penalties assessed as prescribed in SGC Title 10.
(S.G.C. 15.05.130; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The CBS may refuse to furnish water and may discontinue services to any premises where plumbing facilities, appliances or equipment using water are dangerous, unsafe or not in conformity with federal, state or local laws and regulations.
(S.G.C. 15.05.140; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The CBS may, upon five days’ notice, discontinue service to a customer’s premises for failure to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter.
(S.G.C. 15.05.150; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
Any person who is dissatisfied with the action of the public works director, under this chapter, in denying a permit or granting a permit where conditions are imposed or in modifying a permit or with any other order by which such person may be affected, may, within 10 days from the notice of such action, appeal to the CBS administrator by giving notice thereof to the CBS municipal clerk. An applicant for a permit shall not be in fault of his duty to apply for or amend a permit during the period in which an appeal made pursuant to this section is pending. In the event of such appeal, the public works director shall present to the CBS administrator a written report setting forth the reason or reasons for any order affecting the persons appealing. Any person who is dissatisfied with the appeal decision of the CBS administrator, may, within 10 days from the notice of such action, appeal to the CBS assembly by giving notice thereof to the CBS municipal clerk. An applicant for a permit shall not be in fault of his duty to apply for or amend a permit during the period in which an appeal made pursuant to this section is pending. In the event of such appeal, the CBS administrator shall present to the CBS assembly a written report setting forth the reason or reasons for any order affecting the persons appealing.
B. 
The CBS assembly shall have full power to review any action or order issued by the CBS administrator under this chapter, and the determination of the CBS assembly shall be final.
(S.G.C. 15.05.160; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The CBS may refuse to furnish water or restrict flow and volume, and may discontinue service to any premises where excessive demand by one customer will result in inadequate service to others.
(S.G.C. 15.05.170; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The municipality will use reasonable diligence to provide an adequate and uninterrupted supply of water, but if the supply shall be interrupted without notice for any cause, the municipality shall not be liable for personal injuries, loss or damages resulting therefrom, nor will such failure constitute breach of agreement for service. The municipality reserves the right to temporarily suspend service for the purpose of making repairs or improvements to the system, but in such cases, whenever practical, public notice shall be given and every effort will be made to make such interruption as short as possible. The same policy pertains to sewer service.
(S.G.C. 15.05.180; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
Should a serious water shortage develop, and should it become mandatory that the municipality place into effect a curtailment program, then the municipality reserves the right to limit the use of water as may become necessary.
(S.G.C. 15.05.190; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
Unless otherwise provided for by contract, the customer shall not resell water furnished by the municipality. Reference CBS Ordinance 95-1296 for further details.
(S.G.C. 15.05.200; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The customer shall not supply water furnished by the municipality to others unless otherwise provided for by contract with the CBS.
(S.G.C. 15.05.210; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
Consumers will be responsible for all frozen water service lines, and the CBS will not be responsible there-for. The CBS will maintain all CBS water service lines (main to curb stop) except for damages resulting from freezing. The owner shall be solely responsible for repairs to water service lines damaged by freezing.
(S.G.C. 15.05.220; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
Each applicant for water service shall complete an application form provided by the CBS public works department, giving the date of application, location of premises, whether the property has been served before, the date on which applicant desires to have service begin, purposes for which service is to be used, the address for mailing or delivery of bills, the applicant’s address (owner, tenant or agent), the class and size of service, and such other information as the CBS may reasonably require. In signing the application, the customer agrees to abide by the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
The customer or his designee shall be required to be on the premises when the water is turned on, or provide written request for the water to be turned on, and shall be responsible for valves on his premises being turned off when the water service is turned on.
1. 
Water tap to CBS water main shall be installed only by CBS-approved contractors and then, except as provided elsewhere in this chapter, only upon payment of the fee as provided by the rules and rates schedules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
2. 
No person shall install a water service line without first obtaining and paying for a written permit from the person designated to issue such permit or from the CBS public works director.
(S.G.C. 15.05.230; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
At the time the applicant files for a connection permit where no service previously existed; or, if the applicant is filing for a change in service location, or size, or to serve a new structure, the applicant shall submit with this application the service connection charge in accordance with SGC § 15.10.620. This charge is to cover permit fees, inspection and administrative costs.
B. 
The connection of a water service line to a water main located in the state highway right-of-way may be subject to state utility permit fees. Said fees shall be paid by the property owner.
(S.G.C. 15.05.240; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005; Ord. 14-19 § 4, 2014; Ord. 15-10 § 4, 2015; Ord. 16-25 § 4, 2016; Ord. 17-21 § 4, 2017; Ord. 18-26 § 4, 2018; Ord. 23-07 § 4, 2023; Ord. 24-12 § 4, 2024; Ord. 25-08 § 4, 2025)
A. 
The property owner is responsible for all costs for installation of a service line or fire line from the water main to the structure. Only a licensed contractor qualified to install municipal water systems and approved by the public works director shall perform the installation of the water service line from the water main to the structure being served. All installations shall be made according to the Uniform Plumbing Code adopted by the state of Alaska and the CBS, and as shown on the applicable standard details of the CBSS. The property owner shall obtain a permit from the CBS prior to installation.
B. 
All water service lines shall be installed and mains tapped by a contractor licensed by the state. As a prerequisite to commencing any work on the utility, the contractor shall furnish:
1. 
Contractor’s license (state of Alaska);
2. 
Proof of workers’ compensation insurance, if required by law;
3. 
Other proof of capability to perform such work as required by the public works director.
C. 
No person, firm or corporation shall be allowed to install a water connection or tap into the main without first obtaining a written permit from the CBS.
(S.G.C. 15.05.250; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A water tap is accomplished with an appropriate tapping machine which has the capability of drilling, and inserting a corporation stop under pressure with a minimum loss of water. All taps must be done by a licensed/bonded contractor, approved by the CBS public works director and inspected by the CBS. Accepted tap sizes include: one inch, one and one-half inches, two inches, four inches and larger.
All water taps within the roadway will require a right-of-way permit from the CBS public works department in addition to a water main tap permit from the CBS.
(S.G.C. 15.05.260; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
If there is one building per lot, there will be one main line tap and one on-property service to serve the building. The size of the service can be determined by the following table:
1. 
One-inch or one-and-one-half-inch service connection: zero to two living units, unless required otherwise by the building official;
2. 
One-and-one-half-inch service connection: three or four living units, unless required otherwise by the building official.
B. 
The plumbing system for all structures larger than four units must be engineered by a professional engineer, and the calculations and connection size shall be indicated by the applicant’s engineer.
(S.G.C. 15.05.270; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
Any excavation made by a contractor in a right-of-way or immediately adjacent thereto shall be protected and guarded by adequate barricades and marked with warning lights from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and other times when visibility problems may exist. Such barricades and warning devices shall be placed in number and location as required by the Alaska Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and as may be required by the public works director or designee. The protection of the public from the danger of such excavation shall be the responsibility of the contractor, and the contractor shall be liable for any damage caused by his failure to properly protect and guard such excavation as herein required. If the contractor fails to protect and properly guard such excavation as herein required, the CBS may protect and properly guard such excavation and charge the costs thereof to the contractor, who shall upon receiving written notice of the amount of charge promptly pay the same to the CBS.
(S.G.C. 15.05.280; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
All materials, supplies, equipment and personnel required for the installation of the water service line, including tapping into the main, shall be provided by the contractor. Materials shall conform to the standards outlined in the CBSS. All work performed must be done in accordance with all applicable safety laws and regulations.
B. 
The contractor shall be responsible for any repair and maintenance on the CBS’s water service line for a period of one year from the date of its installation.
C. 
The contractor shall be responsible for repair of all damage to streets, sidewalks, and other structures affected by water service line installation.
D. 
The contractor shall fulfill warranty requirements per SGC § 15.10.340.
(S.G.C. 15.05.290; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
Customers will be responsible for the repair of damages to the owner’s water service line.
B. 
Customers will be responsible for the repair of the complete water service line as a result of freezing.
C. 
The CBS will be responsible for the repair of damages resulting from freezing for water mains only.
D. 
The CBS will be responsible for the repair of damages to the CBS’s water service line excluding damages resulting from freezing, except as provided in SGC § 15.10.040.
E. 
Warranty responsibility by the bonded contractor is outlined in SGC § 15.10.290.
(S.G.C. 15.05.300; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
Forty-eight hours’ notice shall be given to the environmental superintendent prior to commencing work. CBS inspectors will be available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inspections requested and granted outside of normal business hours shall be reimbursed on a time and expenses basis, with billings at current CBS rates.
B. 
The CBS will inspect all water service line work within the right-of-way and on private property without exceptions. No water tap shall be made without the CBS inspector present. The CBS inspector shall be allowed access to all parts of the work at all times and shall be furnished with every reasonable facility for ascertaining whether or not the work as performed is in accordance with the requirements of the specifications. The contractor’s responsibility for work performance under the permit shall in no way be relieved because of the presence or the absence of an inspector. Inspectors shall be authorized to inspect all work done and materials furnished.
C. 
The owner may make emergency repairs to the owner’s water service line without providing the prior notice required in subsection A of this section. “Emergency,” for the purposes of this chapter, means an unforeseen situation requiring prompt repair to eliminate immediate or impending public health hazards or damage to private or public property. The owner is required to provide details of the repair (time/date, location, specific problem, method of repair and by whom) to the environmental superintendent within two working days of the emergency repair.
D. 
The CBS will not approve any service which is not in accordance with the Uniform Plumbing Code and the CBSS. The water permit must be on-site during water service line construction. The inspection shall be done in the presence of the contractor or representative. No water system or part thereof shall be covered, concealed or put into use until it has been inspected and accepted by the CBS as prescribed in this chapter. The inspection shall include but not be limited to the following: excavation, pipe laying, curb box, curb valve, water tap, acceptable materials, backfill and compaction, one service per structure or undeveloped lot. Service extensions cannot cross adjoining property lines.
E. 
The inspector will inspect the work performed for compliance with workmanship and material requirements of the CBSS.
F. 
If the inspector finds that any work is being performed in an unsafe manner or in a manner that may expose the CBS or its property to any risk of personnel or property damage or liability, the inspector is authorized to order that all work be stopped until the deficiencies or undesirable conditions are alleviated or corrected.
G. 
Curb boxes shall be approved by the CBS and shall be installed in a manner as to not damage curb valves, service lines, or the curb box. Minimum separation of water taps shall be per the CBSS.
(S.G.C. 15.05.310; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The owner shall obtain a permit from the CBS public works department prior to installing, repairing, modifying or replacing a water service line. A separate permit shall be obtained for each lot to be served. No licensed/bonded contractor listed on the permit shall allow any other person to do or cause to be done any work under a permit secured by permittee except persons in his employ. Every water connection permit issued by the CBS under the provisions of this chapter shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the work authorized by such permit is not completed within 180 days of date of issue.
The owner may make emergency repairs to the owner’s water service line without first obtaining a permit to do such work. “Emergency,” for the purposes of this chapter, means an unforeseen situation requiring prompt repair to eliminate immediate or impending public health hazards or damage to private or public property. The owner is required to complete an after-emergency work permit with the public works department within two working days of such work being initiated. This after-emergency work permit will also fulfill the requirements of SGC § 15.10.310(C).
It is prohibited for any person to construct, repair or modify a water service that is considered bootlegged. “Bootlegged,” for the purposes of this chapter, means lines constructed without permits or utilized without being accepted by the CBS. This includes service lines crossing adjacent property lines. The CBS will not be held liable for any bootlegged services. The CBS will not be obligated to perform any maintenance, repairs or rerouting because of bootlegged lines freezing, breaking, etc.
(S.G.C. 15.05.320; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The water permit must be on site during water service line construction. The CBS will not approve service connection/extension which is not in accordance with the Uniform Plumbing Code as adapted by the state of Alaska and the CBS. The on-property inspection permit must be at the location and posted in a conspicuous place prior to the inspection. The inspection will be performed in the presence of the contractor or representative.
(S.G.C. 15.05.330; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A one-year warranty period is begun on the date of the final inspection. The contractor will be responsible for maintaining and making repairs on the CBS water service line installation and road surfaces during the warranty period.
(S.G.C. 15.05.340; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
The CBS shall own and maintain all water mains and CBS water service lines to the customer’s curb box and maintenance shall be performed by authorized employees or agents of the CBS. The customer shall own, install and maintain the owner’s water service line from the curb valve to the structure, including the curb box. Installation shall be performed according to SGC § 15.10.250.
B. 
The location of the service line within the right-of-way shall be at the discretion of the CBS water department.
C. 
The customer is responsible for locating right-of-way boundaries, property lines, obtaining easements and state right-of-way permits if necessary for the installation of water mains and service lines.
(S.G.C. 15.05.350; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The municipality may refuse to connect or may discontinue service for violation of any of its service policies, or for customer’s failure to pay charges for service when due, or for violation of rate schedules or contract provisions, or for theft or illegal diversion of water. The discontinuance of service for any of these causes does not release the customer from an obligation to pay for services received or charges specified.
(S.G.C. 15.05.360; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
Where a customer’s service is at too high an elevation to be served by normal public water system pressure, the CBS may, at its option, require the customer to provide a suitable pumping system, which may include a backflow preventer, as a condition of service. The installation shall be subject to approval by the environmental superintendent. The pumping system shall be designed by a qualified engineer retained at customer’s expense.
(S.G.C. 15.05.370; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
When an abnormally large quantity of water is desired for filling a swimming pool, or for other purposes, arrangements must be made with the environmental superintendent prior to taking such water.
B. 
Permission to take water in unusual quantities will be given only if the CBS facilities and other consumers are not inconvenienced.
C. 
Payment for unusual quantities of water will be in accordance with the regular schedule for water rates if service is through a meter or will be fixed by the environmental superintendent in the case of nonmetered service.
(S.G.C. 15.05.380; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The owner of a single parcel of property may apply for and receive as many services as he and his tenants require; provided, that his application or applications meet the requirements stated in this chapter and meet the approval of the environmental superintendent and public works director.
(S.G.C. 15.05.390; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
Backflow prevention devices shall be installed on any premises where, in the judgment of the environmental superintendent and/or building official, the nature and extent of the activities, or the materials used or stored on the premises, could present a hazard to the water supply in the event a cross-connection were to be made.
A. 
Cross-connections. No water service shall be installed or continued in use unless the water supply is protected by backflow prevention devices as may be required by subsection B of this section. The installation or maintenance of a cross-connection that will endanger the water quality of the potable water supply of the CBS shall be unlawful and is prohibited. Any such cross-connection now existing or hereafter installed is declared to be a public nuisance and the same shall be abated. The control or elimination of cross-connections shall be in accordance with this section, together with the latest edition of appropriate manuals of standard practice pertaining to cross-connection control. The environmental superintendent shall have the authority to establish requirements more stringent than state regulations if he deems that the conditions so dictate. The CBS shall adopt rules and regulations as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
B. 
Use of backflow prevention devices.
1. 
Backflow prevention devices shall be installed on water service lines or within any premises where, in the judgment of the CBS, the nature and extent of the activities, or the materials stored on the premises, would present an immediate and dangerous hazard to health and/or be deleterious to the quality of water should a cross-connection occur; even though such cross-connection does not exist at the time the backflow prevention devices shall be installed under circumstances including but not limited to the following:
a. 
Premises having an auxiliary water supply.
b. 
Premises having internal cross-connections that are not correctable, or intricate plumbing arrangements which make it impracticable to ascertain whether or not cross-connections exist.
c. 
Premises where entry is restricted so that inspections for cross-connections cannot be made with sufficient frequency or at sufficiently short notice to assure that cross-connections do not exist.
d. 
Premises having a repeated history of cross-connections being established or re-established.
e. 
Premises on which any substance is handled under pressure so as to permit entry into the public water supply, or where a cross-connection could reasonably be expected to occur. This shall include the handling of process waters and cooling waters.
f. 
Premises where materials of a toxic or hazardous nature are handled in such a way that if back siphonage should occur, a serious health hazard might result.
g. 
The following types of facilities will fall into one of the above categories where a backflow prevention device is required to protect the public water supply. A backflow prevention device shall be installed at these facilities unless the CBS determines that no hazard exists:
i. 
Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics;
ii. 
Laboratories;
iii. 
Metal plating industries;
iv. 
Piers and docks;
v. 
Sewage treatment plants and pump stations;
vi. 
Food or beverage processing plants;
vii. 
Chemical plants using a water process;
viii. 
Petroleum processing or storage plants;
ix. 
Radioactive material processing plants or nuclear reactors;
x. 
Others specified by the environmental superintendent.
h. 
Other premises, as specified by the environmental superintendent and/or building official, where backflow prevention devices are required to protect the public water supply.
2. 
The type of protective device required shall depend on the degree of hazard which exists.
a. 
An air-gap separation or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed where the public water supply may be contaminated with sewage, industrial waste of a toxic nature, or other contaminant which could cause a health or system hazard.
b. 
In the case of a substance that may be objectionable but not hazardous to health, a double check valve assembly, air-gap separation, or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device shall be installed.
3. 
Backflow prevention devices required by this section shall be installed near the water meter, or at a location designated by the CBS. The device shall be located so as to be readily accessible for maintenance and testing and, furthermore, where no part of the device will be submerged and installed in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
4. 
It is the responsibility of the building owner to maintain compliance with this section.
5. 
The policies, procedures, and criteria for determining appropriate levels of protection shall be in accordance with the “Accepted Procedure and Practice in Cross-Connection Control Manual – Pacific North-west Section – American Waterworks Association,” Seventh Edition.
6. 
Any protective device required by this section shall be a model approved by the environmental superintendent. A double check valve assembly or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device will be approved if it has successfully passed performance tests of the University of Southern California Engineering Center or other testing laboratories satisfactory to the environmental superintendent. These devices shall be furnished and installed by and at the expense of the customer.
7. 
Backflow prevention devices installed pursuant to this section, except atmospheric vacuum breakers, shall be inspected and tested by a certified backflow assembly tester upon installation and annually thereafter, or more often if necessary. Maintenance is the sole responsibility of and shall be at the customer’s expense. Whenever the devices are found to be defective, they shall be repaired, overhauled, or replaced at the customer’s expense. Inspections, tests, repairs, and records thereof shall be accomplished under CBS supervision by certified testers. Testing records shall be provided by the owner to the CBS building official within 10 days of test date. Testing records shall be provided on a CBS backflow assembly test report form.
8. 
No underground sprinkling device will be installed without adequate backflow prevention devices at the point from which the water for irrigation is taken from the public water supply.
9. 
Failure of the customer to cooperate in the installation, maintenance, testing or inspection of backflow prevention devices required by this section shall be grounds for the termination of water service to the premises, or, in the alternative, the installation of an air-gap separation at the customer’s expense.
C. 
Cross-connection inspection.
1. 
No water shall be delivered to any structure hereafter built within the CBS or within areas served by the CBS water until the same shall have been inspected by the CBS for possible cross-connections and been approved as being free of same.
2. 
Any construction for industrial or other purposes which is classified as a hazardous facility pursuant to subsection (B)(1)(g) of this section, where it is reasonable to anticipate intermittent cross-connections, or as determined by the environmental superintendent, shall be protected by the installation of one or more back-flow prevention devices at the point of service from the public water supply or any other location designated by the CBS.
3. 
Inspections may be made periodically of all buildings, structures, or improvements of any nature now receiving water through the CBS system, for the purpose of ascertaining whether cross-connections exist. Such inspections shall be made by the CBS.
D. 
Installation permits. If cross-connection control devices are found to be necessary, the owner of the property served must apply to the CBS public works department for an installation permit.
E. 
Additional remedies. In the event an improper cross-connection is not corrected within the time limit set by the environmental superintendent, or, in the event the CBS is refused access to any property for the purpose of determining whether or not cross-connections exist, delivery of water to the property shall cease until the deficiency is corrected to the CBS’s satisfaction. In addition, the CBS may effect the necessary repairs or modifications at the expense of the property owner and refuse delivery of water to the property until the cost thereof shall have been paid.
(S.G.C. 15.05.400; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005; Ord. 15-14 § 4, 2015)
A separate water service connection shall be provided for each separate residential or commercial structure. Exceptions will be allowed only by special permission granted by the public works director for good cause shown. The minimum diameter shall be no less than one inch. It is prohibited to intertie two or more residential structures into a single and/or common service connection. It is prohibited by Section 308 of the Uniform Plumbing Code for a water service to cross property lines unless the lines are within CBS-approved utility easements. This shall apply even though the property may be owned by the same person. Lease lines are to be treated in the same manner as if they were property lines. If the lot is subdivided, the owner shall, if needed, relocate his service connection or extend the water main in order to comply with the regulations of this chapter.
(S.G.C. 15.05.410; Ord. 05-15 § 4C, 2005; amended during 3/2015 supplement; Ord. 24-14 § 4, 2024)
A. 
Every building in which plumbing fixtures are installed and every premises having water piping thereon shall have a connection to a public water system if such system is within 300 feet from any lot. Otherwise the owner’s water system shall be ADEC approved.
B. 
Such connection shall be made entirely at the expense of the owner.
C. 
The rearrangement or subdivision into smaller parcels of a lot which abuts and is served by a public water main shall not be deemed cause to permit the construction of a private water system, and all water systems on any such smaller parcel or parcels shall connect to the public water main.
D. 
The public water system may be considered as not being available when such public water system is located more than 300 feet from any lot.
E. 
In case of existing buildings, such connection shall be made within 90 days after the public works director notifies the owner in writing of the availability of a public water system.
F. 
In the case of buildings under construction, occupancy of such buildings is unlawful until such connection has been made.
(S.G.C. 15.05.420; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
Emergency maintenance and repair of owner’s water service lines will be performed by the CBS when it is in the best interest of the public health and welfare. The CBS will make necessary repairs and bill owner on a time and expenses basis at current rates.
(S.G.C. 15.05.430; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The CBS may require that a water meter be installed on any water service. Any property owner may elect to install a water meter on any connection to the public water system.
Installation of water meters shall be performed only by a licensed plumber retained by the owner or authorized employees or agents of the CBS and shall be undertaken at a time convenient to the CBS in terms of water system improvements, construction and extension. All meters shall be sealed at the time of installation, and no seal shall be altered or broken except by one of its authorized employees or agents. If a meter is damaged as a result of the owner’s actions, it shall be repaired and all costs borne by the owner.
(S.G.C. 15.05.440; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
All meters will be tested prior to installation. No meter will be placed in service or allowed to remain in service which is known to have an error of registration in excess of five percent under conditions of normal operation.
(S.G.C. 15.05.450; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
The CBS reserves the right to determine the type of meter to be installed. An applicant may purchase any size meter regularly stocked by the CBS; provided, that the request is reasonable; and provided further, that the meter is not greatly oversized or undersized, as determined by the environmental superintendent.
(S.G.C. 15.05.460; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
If, for any reason, a change in size of a meter and service is required, the installation will be accomplished on the basis of a new connection, and the customer’s application shall be amended. Meters or services moved for the convenience of the customer will be relocated only at the customer’s expense.
(S.G.C. 15.05.470; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
Customer shall install a suitable control valve in the customer service line as close to the meter as possible, the operation of which will control the entire water supply to the premises served. It shall be a violation of this chapter for the customer to operate or cause unauthorized operation of the curb stop or any other appurtenances on the water service line.
(S.G.C. 15.05.490; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
If, upon comparison of past water usage, it appears that a meter is not registering properly, the CBS may, at its option, test the meter and adjust the charges accordingly if the meter either over-registers or under-registers. No charge for meter testing will be made to the customer for the meter test under these conditions.
(S.G.C. 15.05.500; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
A customer may, giving not less than seven days’ notice, request the CBS to test the meter serving his premises.
B. 
The CBS will require the customer to deposit the testing fee. This fee shall be an estimate of the cost of testing the meter as determined by the environmental superintendent.
C. 
The deposit will be returned to the customer if the test reveals the meter over-registers more than five percent under conditions of normal operation. If the meter is operating satisfactorily or if the meter under-registers more than five percent under the standard test conditions, the deposit shall be forfeited to the CBS.
D. 
Customers may, at their option, witness any meter tests which they request.
(S.G.C. 15.05.510; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
Notice. On or about 40 days after an account becomes delinquent, a turnoff notice shall be sent to the customer. Said notice shall state a date on which water will be turned off if the delinquent account is not paid in full prior thereto.
B. 
Authorized. A customer’s water service or other municipal utility service may be discontinued if any part of the utility bill is not paid in accordance with this chapter.
(S.G.C. 15.05.520; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
If an account becomes delinquent and it is necessary to turn off the service, the deposit shall be applied to the unpaid balance due. Water service will not be restored to that customer at the same or different premises until all outstanding bills due the CBS have been paid and a new cash deposit paid.
(S.G.C. 15.05.530; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
A customer’s water service may be discontinued if the water bill is not paid in accordance with the procedures set forth in this chapter.
B. 
In cases of extreme hardship, the CBS finance director shall have the discretion of renewing service to a delinquent account upon receipt of a satisfactory installment plan for the payment of the overdue amount.
(S.G.C. 15.05.540; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
On the turnoff date, the environmental superintendent or his designee shall deliver a written notice to the customer stating that the water service is being turned off until all delinquent amounts have been paid.
B. 
The environmental superintendent or his designee shall immediately thereafter turn off the service.
C. 
A delivery to any person residing at the address served by the water service shall be considered a delivery to the customer.
D. 
If there is no person present at the address served, then the notice may be left on the premises stating that water service will be discontinued on the following morning. If delinquent bills are not paid by the following morning, the environmental superintendent or his designee shall return to the premises, shut off the water service, and leave a notice that the water service has been turned off until all delinquent accounts have been paid. The CBS is not liable for damages resulting from this procedure.
(S.G.C. 15.05.550; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
Amounts owed the CBS under this chapter shall be considered delinquent if not paid when due. Each bill shall indicate the due date for payment, which shall be the billing date of the following month. Any amount not paid when due shall be charged an interest rate of 12 percent per year until paid in full.
(S.G.C. 15.05.560; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005; Ord. 07-22 § 4, 2007)
In case of shortage of supply, the CBS reserves the right to give preference in the matter of furnishing service to customers and interests of the CBS from the standpoint of public convenience or necessity. Water service to persons or entities not connected to the water utility shall, at all times, be subject to the prior and superior rights of the customers connected to the water system.
(S.G.C. 15.05.580; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
Purpose. Standby fire protection service connections of two inches to eight inches in size will be installed only if adequate provisions are made to prevent the use of water from such services for purposes other than fire extinguishing. Sealed fire sprinkler systems with water-operated alarms shall be considered as having such adequate provisions. The CBS may require that a suitable detector check or meter be installed in standby fire protection service connections to which hose lines or hydrants are connected.
B. 
Charges for service. No charge will be made for water used in routine testing of the fire protection system. The customer shall pay the full cost of the standby fire protection service connection, any required detector check or meter, and any special water mains installed solely for service to the standby connection.
C. 
Fire service connection other than standby. A service having fire protection facilities on the premises and water for other purposes flowing through the same service connection shall be considered as an ordinary service and shall be metered. All water used through that service, regardless of its use, may be charged at the regular rates; however, no additional charge will be made for the fire protection facilities on the premises.
D. 
Violations of regulations. If water is used from a standby fire protection service in violation of these regulations, an estimate of the amount used will be computed by the environmental superintendent, and the customer shall pay for the water used at the regular rates, including the minimum charge based on the size of the service connection. In addition, the CBS may require that a service meter be installed in the service connection and subsequent bills rendered on the basis of the regular water rates. Every person convicted of a violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and penalties assessed as prescribed in SGC Title 1.
E. 
Pressure, supply, and quality. The CBS assumes no responsibility for loss or damage because of lack of water supply, water pressure, or water quality, and merely agrees to furnish such quantities and pressures as are available in its general distribution system. The service is subject to shutdowns and variations required by the operation of the system.
F. 
Public fire hydrants.
1. 
No person, corporation, or other association may open, attempt to draw water from, close, or tamper with a public fire hydrant except a firefighter or utility employee in the discharge of duties, or a person, corporation, or other association that has received specific written approval from the CBS.
2. 
A written application for a permit to use a public fire hydrant shall be submitted to the CBS and shall be on a form supplied by the CBS and shall contain such information as may be required by the CBS.
3. 
The permit may be issued after payment of a refundable security and damage deposit of $100.00 for any backflow prevention device, water meter, fire hoses or other equipment provided by the CBS. Upon presentation of the receipt given for the deposit, the applicant shall be entitled to a refund of the deposit less such amount as the CBS determines is appropriate for damage or loss of the backflow prevention device, meter, fire hoses or other equipment provided the applicant and less such amount as may be due for the hydrant use.
4. 
The charge for water used from a public fire hydrant shall be $0.50 per 1,000 gallons with a $50.00 minimum. If a meter is not available, the charge for unmetered use of a fire hydrant is $50.00 per day or any part thereof.
(S.G.C. 15.05.590; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005; Ord. 15-20 § 4, 2015)
A. 
There shall be no charge for water used in a metered or unmetered fire protection system for the extinguishment of a fire to which a municipal fire department has responded. The environmental superintendent shall make a good faith estimate of the amount of water used in the extinguishment of a fire and the customer’s water bill for that or a subsequent month shall be adjusted in accordance with that estimate.
B. 
An unmetered fire protection service used in any manner as a domestic source shall be charged at the unmetered rate determined by the environmental superintendent to be most appropriate for the domestic uses involved for the period of time between the installation of the unmetered fire protection system service until the domestic use ceases or the fire protection system is metered. Every person convicted of a violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and penalties assessed as prescribed in SGC Title 1.
C. 
Fire hydrants on private property may not be connected to the municipal water system unless they meet requirements of the CBS with respect to location, color, fitting size and threads, feedline size and other requirements established for the purpose of ensuring the hydrant will be usable by the fire department in a fire emergency. Unmetered fire hydrants on private property may be used only for fire extinguishment.
(S.G.C. 15.05.600; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005; Ord. 15-20 § 4, 2015)
If a property owner or other party desires a change in the size, type or location of the hydrant, he shall bear all costs of such changes without refund. Any changes in the location of the fire hydrant shall be approved by the public works director.
(S.G.C. 15.05.610; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005)
A. 
Unmetered water. Base rate: $63.12 per unit.
Unit Description
 
Unit
Residential/Dwelling Unit(1)
1.0(2)
Commercial (General, Miscellaneous)(3)
1.0
Clubs and lodges without bar or restaurant
 
Garages, service stations
 
Offices including medical (10 or less employees)
 
Shops and stores without food processing
 
Commercial Specifics(3) (1 Minimum) Plus
Per Each
 
Bar, lounge, restaurant, snack bar
seat or stool
0.05
Barber, beauty shop (one station = 1.0)
station
0.6
Bowling alley
lane
1.0
Church
10 seats
0.1
Office/office space
over 10 employees
0.2
Hospital
bed
0.8
Meat market
 
3.0
Supermarket, grocery store with food process
 
8.0
Rest home
bed
0.2
Hotel, motel(4)
room
0.3
Dormitory, boardinghouse(4)
bed or room
0.3
RV park(4)(6)
RV space
0.3
Bed and breakfast(4)
room
0.15
Commercial laundry
wet machine
8.0
Launderette
wet machine
1.0
Schools, college, day care(5)
10 students
0.4
Theater
10 seats
0.2
Car wash (no minimum)
stall
2.0
Notes:
(1)
Including apartments and trailers, per each. (Apartments shall be assessed as if on a separate meter.)
(2)
Base rate.
(3)
Business in homes shall be assessed for the additional appropriate commercial rate.
(4)
Hotel, motel, B&B may count rooms only. Dormitory or boardinghouse must count beds or rooms. RV parks count RV spaces with utility hookups.
(5)
Approximate enrollment – may be reviewed annually.
(6)
RV parks have all mobile units able to be underway on the road with a minimal amount of time and not require special permits to drive on the road. Underway can be under its own power, pulled by a vehicle or in the bed of a pickup. Rental rates are based on the day and utilities are included.
B. 
Metered water service.
1. 
General metered water service.
Meter Size
Allowance (GAL)
Minimum Charge
Up to 1"
15,000
$90.00
2"
50,000
$197.36
3"
100,000
$296.04
4"
250,000
$592.07
6" and above
500,000
$1,184.19
All over allowance charged at minimum charge plus $1.96 per 1,000 gallons. The over allowance charged at minimum charge plus $0.91 per 1,000 gallons will apply to major fish processing plants (Seafood Producers Cooperative, Sitka Sound Seafoods, Inc., aka North Pacific Seafoods, and Stikine Holdings, LLC, aka Silver Bay Seafoods).
2. 
Gary Paxton Industrial Park.
a. 
Metered water: $197.36 per month minimum.
i. 
Treated water: $3.93 per 1,000 gallons.
ii. 
Treated water, fish processing use: $2.99 per 1,000 gallons.
iii. 
Raw water for heating: $1.25 per 1,000 gallons.
iv. 
Raw water for industrial processing: $1.77 per 1,000 gallons.
v. 
Raw water for water bottling at Gary Paxton Industrial Park in container sizes of five gallons or less: $2.58 per 1,000 gallons.
vi. 
Raw water for bottling at Gary Paxton Industrial Park in container sizes greater than five gallons: $0.01 per gallon.
C. 
Curb stop/service valve operation fee. Except for the initial turn-on that occurs when property is first connected to the municipal water system, each customer or applicant for service shall pay a fee of $69.53 for turning on or turning off the water service to the property. The fee shall be paid for each turn-on and turn-off whether at the customer’s or applicant’s request or due to nonpayment for water services. The water service to a property may not be turned on unless all water system fees associated with the property have been paid in full.
D. 
Fire hydrant use fee. Provided in SGC § 15.10.590.
E. 
Connection fee. Eight hundred fifty-three dollars per connection.
(S.G.C. 15.05.620; Ord. 05-15 § 4(C), 2005; Ord. 09-60 § 4, 2009; Ord. 10-13S § 4, 2010; Ord. 11-25 § 4, 2011; Ord. 12-16 § 4, 2012; Ord. 13-30 § 4, 2013; Ord. 13-32 § 4, 2013; Ord. 14-19 § 4, 2014; Ord. 15-10 § 4, 2015; Ord. 15-46 § 4, 2015; Ord. 16-25 § 4, 2016; Ord. 17-21 § 4, 2017; Ord. 18-26 § 4, 2018; Ord. 20-19 § 4, 2020; Ord. 21-10 § 4, 2021; Ord. 22-11 § 4, 2022; Ord. 23-07 § 4, 2023; Ord. 24-12 § 4, 2024; Ord. 25-08 § 4, 2025)