[Adopted 3-26-1928 by Ord. No. 198]
All applications for the use of water through a service pipe, all applications for the introduction of service pipes, and all applications for meters shall be made at the office of the Water Department.
All applications shall state in full detail the purposes for which the supply is required, with correct street address, lot number and any other information required on printed forms supplied by the Water Department.
All expenses incurred by reason of incorrect information given in an application shall be charged to and paid by the plumber taking out the application.
[Amended 3-16-1942 by Ord. No. 405; 3-30-1942 by Ord. No. 406]
Installation of service pipes from main to curb stop shall consist of tapping the main, inserting corporation stop with proper couplings, laying pipe from main to curb stop, providing a stop with improved type of stop box and a cover marked "Water." The curb stop shall be located between the curbline and the property line and shall normally be in the street seven feet from the property line. The City shall not be responsible for the installation and maintenance of any service pipe beyond the curb stop.
In all cases where any unusual circumstances make it necessary to deviate from the regular rules, special permission must first be received from the office of the Water Department.
[Amended 3-16-1942 by Ord. No. 405]
All service connections and service pipes from the City's mains to the curb stop shall be put in only by authorized employees of the Water Department under direction of the Superintendent. The amount required by the City to cover cost of installing service connection must be paid before a permit is issued.
[Amended 3-30-1942 by Ord. No. 406; 10-2-1944 by Ord. No. 452; 8-24-1970 by Ord. No. 70-11; 8-20-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-14]
All new water service pipes shall be of copper or cast iron material, and shall have a minimum inside diameter of one inch. In the case of replacement of existing water service pipes, such replacement pipes shall also have a minimum inside diameter of one inch, except that the Building Official shall have the power to authorize the use of replacement pipes having a minimum inside diameter of not less than 3/4 inch upon a satisfactory showing by the applicant that such smaller diameter water service pipe will provide adequate water supply for ordinary domestic use for the building to be served by such water service.
A.
The lead pipe used for service connections, either in the ground or within buildings, shall weigh per linear foot not less than three pounds for three-fourths-inch; four pounds for one-inch; six pounds four ounces for one-and-one-half-inch; and eight pounds for two-inch pipe. All connections between lead and copper pipes and lead, copper and brass pipes made by means of wiped, soldered joints shall be not less than two inches in length, prepared, tinned and fused. All joints shall be uniform and of the size known to the plumbing trade as "Heavy." Soldering nipples shall be of extra heavy cast brass or thoroughly annealed, seamless drawn extra heavy brass or copper pipe tubing of standard iron pipe gauge.
B.
Copper service pipe shall be a seamless copper tubing cold drawn to size and furnished with the proper bending temper. It shall be made from phosphorized copper completely deoxidized and have a purity of at least 99.90% copper as determined by electrolytic assay, silver being counted as copper.
| Standard Weights and Dimensions for Copper Service Pipe | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter (inches) | ||||||
| Equivalent Iron Pipe Size | Actual Outside | Actual Inside | Thickness (inches) | Thickness BWG Equivalent | Nominal Weight Per Foot (pounds) | |
| 1/2 | 5/8 | 0.527 | 0.049 | 18 | 0.343 | |
| 3/4 | 7/8 | 0.745 | 0.065 | 16 | 0.640 | |
| 1 | 1 1/8 | 0.995 | 0.065 | 16 | 0.838 | |
| 1 1/4 | 1 3/8 | 1.245 | 0.065 | 16 | 1.036 | |
| 1 1/2 | 1 5/8 | 1.495 | 0.072 | 15 | 1.360 | |
| 2 | 2 1/8 | 1.959 | 0.083 | 14 | 2.062 | |
C.
The pipe shall be round and of uniform thickness throughout. It shall be free from cracks, seams, slivers, scales, grooves, scratches, and other inner and outer surface defects.
The caulked joints for cast iron service pipe shall be made as follows: The inner portion of the annular space between the hub and spigot shall be first packed with clean, sound jute packing yarn. The remaining space in the hub shall then be run full of lead at one pouring and the joints shall be well caulked with proper tools and made watertight. In pouring joints, sufficient metal shall be provided so that when the joint is caulked the lead shall be flush with the face of the hub. The lead used shall be of the best quality pure soft lead practically free from all impurities. No cold lead shall be used for caulking or filling in. The depth of lead joints up to eight inches pipe shall be 2 3/8 inches and for larger pipe it shall be three inches
All valves in service pipes shall be of the left-hand-gate type nonrising stem with a two-inch square head and may be constructed with iron body or all brass. Inverted key type, round way, tee handled stop cocks must be used as curb valves up to and including two inches on lead or copper connections.
The top of all service pipes must be at least five feet below pavement or grade, and in unpaved streets or areas where final grades are not known six feet below the surface of the earth. A service pipe can only be laid in a sewer ditch when laid on a shelf at least 15 inches from the side of the sewer.
When premises have a cellar or basement, service pipes must be extended into same before any branches are taken therefrom for any purpose whatever. This restriction includes connections for hose and all outbuildings.
[Amended 1-20-1947 by Ord. No. 511]
It is expressly forbidden for any plumber to lay inside of premises a service pipe along the outside wall or in any position where there is danger of frost; also to make new connections or to install any new attachments of fixtures to old connections that shall require a running stream to prevent freezing. Every service pipe, when directed by an officer of the City Inspection Department, must be furnished with a valve with waste below the action of frost, so situated that the water can be completely shut off and drained from the pipe to prevent freezing. When such valve with waste is placed under sink, the rod for operating the valve shall extend above the floor, and be so arranged that when the valve is open, the handle of the rod shall be parallel to the back of sink.
Each and every single house must have a separate service connection with the street main, except where two buildings are on the same lot, one in rear of the other. All buildings divided into separate business places may be supplied by a manifold job or separate connections, but in case of a manifold there must be a master stop, also a stop for each branch taken therefrom. All manifold jobs must be installed within three feet of property line. In cases where a new service pipe is required, the owner of said premises must disconnect all old service pipes at the street main. Plumbers will therefore inform themselves as to the condition in all old premises before taking out a permit.
[Amended 6-2-1970 by Ord. No. 70-9]
Discontinuance of a water service shall be accomplished only by City Water Department personnel. The fee for every such discontinuance shall be paid to the City by the property owner or tenant. Such fee shall be established by resolution of the City Commission from time to time and shall represent the cost to the City for making such discontinuance.
In no case shall there be any connection between water pipes receiving their supply from the City mains, and pipes, pumps or tanks receiving their supply from any other service. The use of such a connection is prohibited whether or not it is provided with one or more check valves.
No person shall make any attachment or connection with the pipes of the Water Department, nor make any repairs, additions to, or alterations of any fixtures connected with service pipes, unless licensed as a plumber by the City of Royal Oak.
The license of any plumber may at any time be suspended by the City Manager and revoked by the City Commission for violation of any of its rules or regulations. Plumbers, to obtain such licenses, must comply with such regulations as the Inspection Department, with the approval of the City Manager, may adopt from time to time. No plumber shall allow his name to be used by any other party, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of doing work or obtaining permits under his license.
All work performed by plumbers shall be subject to inspection by the Building or Plumbing Inspector. The Plumbing Inspector shall have authority to order any part of such work to be discontinued or changed in order that the same shall comply with the regulations and requirements of the City.
The failure to perform work in accordance with the rules and regulations of the City shall subject the plumber to a temporary or permanent suspension of his license. A fine of not to exceed $25 may also be imposed by the City upon charges being preferred and a hearing given the accused, and until such fine is paid license shall be suspended.
The supply of water may be withheld from premises when the ordinances of the City of Royal Oak and rules and regulations of the City have in any manner been violated. If any person shall, after the water has been shut off from any premises, cause or suffer such premises to be supplied with water without permission from the Water Department, such premises shall be disconnected from the distribution pipe of the Water Department.
No person shall tap or connect any water main or insert a service cock therein excepting employees of the Royal Oak Water Department duly authorized to do so.
No person other than an employee of the Water Department shall open or close any valve in the public main, nor molest nor interfere with any valve or valve box cover.
Temporary taps must be followed within 30 days by an order to kill same. If the tap is to be used more than 30 days, permission must be obtained from the Water Department to continue use of same.
All connections with the water mains must be prepared for the use of water through a meter purchased from the City by the owner or occupant of the premises.
Meters for terraces and apartment houses may have a single connection with meter for all connecting houses, or separate connections to each.
More than one meter may be used for business property occupied by more than one tenant. In case more than one meter is used, an agreement must be signed by the owner protecting the City in treating this property in its entirety should it necessitate a shutoff to enforce payment of rates.
Meters 1 1/2 inches or larger in size must be of the compound type except in special cases where in the judgment of the Water Department other types of meters would be satisfactory.
Coupling for meter will be furnished on receipt, at the City office, of application blank properly filled out by a licensed plumber. The coupling must be set before the property becomes occupied. Failure to comply with this rule will entail a penalty of $1.
When, due to faulty work, it is necessary to make more than one trip to set a meter, a charge of $1 will be made for each additional trip.
All persons are forbidden to interfere with or remove a water meter from any service connection without first receiving permission from the City.
The owner of any premises where a meter is installed shall be held responsible for its care and protection from freezing or damage by hot water and from injury or interference by any person or persons.
Meters and their valves will not be allowed in closets or compartments that are kept locked, in coal bins, in or under toilet room floors, under buildings, porches, show windows, show boards, or where they are difficult of access.
All meters shall be set horizontally in dry, clean, sanitary places, perfectly accessible, with valves on both sides, and where a small leak or the spilling of water will do no damage.
A pipe entering a building through a coal bin shall be run exposed to the meter and shall be provided with a valve where it enters the building and with two valves at the meter. No connections shall be taken off service line ahead of meter.
All services 1 1/2 inches or larger must have a tee between the meter and outlet valve, to be used for testing the meter without its removal. The size of the side opening of this tee shall be 1 1/2 inches for one-and-one-half-inch service pipes, two inches for all service pipes up to four-inch and three inches for larger service pipes, according to blueprint which can be had on application. The side opening of such tee shall be plugged. All meters 1 1/2 inches or larger must be set by the plumber after the settings have been inspected and approved by the Building or Plumbing Inspector.
Meters must be set below grade line, in a brick or cement well, or in a cellar or basement. A meter can only be set in a cellar or basement when its nearest wall is 100 feet or less from the lot line nearest the main and then on the service pipe at its entrance to the basement or cellar.
[Added 10-14-1968 by Ord. No. 68-13; amended 8-6-1973 by Ord. No. 73-7]
A.
Outside meter reading devices shall be installed in the following instances:
(1)
In the case of all new water services with meter sizes of two inches and under.
(2)
In all cases on existing services in accordance with a master installation plan, adopted by the City Commission and developed for the purpose of minimizing the costs of such installations.
(3)
In every case where the water customer requests such an installation, which will result in a deviation from the master installation plan, and pays the required charge for early installation.
B.
A charge, established by resolution of the City Commission, shall be made for every such installation. Such charge shall be in addition to the service connection charge. All such devices shall remain the property of the Water Department and may not be removed from location. In the event the water customer requests the installation as provided by Subsection A(3) above, said charge shall be payable upon completion of the installation; provided that, if payment is not made at such time, the cost shall be prorated over the next three water billing periods and shall constitute a lien upon the property.
On all premises where there are two or more meters on separate service pipes, where they are connected, there shall be a swing check on each pipe at the outlet of meter, with waste cock on the bottom of pipe each side of check, as to drain pipes and meters.
In private houses or buildings used for residence purposes only, it shall be at the option and risk of the owner whether he shall use check valves or not on feed pipes entering range boilers. A safety valve must be used whenever a check valve is set.
A plugged tee, or any other accessible outlet, between the meter and the main will not be allowed.
All pipes shall be arranged so as to allow one-half inch spring.
All clearance distances from wall or any other object to center of service pipe shall be not less than five inches for five-eighths-inch, three-fourths-inch, one-inch and one-and-one-fourth-inch pipes; 12 inches for one-and-one-half-inch; 14 inches for two-inch; 18 inches for three-inch; 22 inches for four-inch; and 30 inches for six-inch pipes. Meters shall be less than four feet above the cellar floor. All pipes shall be so arranged as to allow one-half-inch spring for setting or removing meter.
All meter wells must be of brick or concrete with cover openings directly over meters, according to drawings furnished by the City. Devices designed to take the place of wells may be used if approved by the City. The plumber will be held responsible for the condition of all wells in which he installs meter fittings at time of installation.
Outside wells shall have iron covers. No part of iron cover shall weigh more than 100 pounds, and the clear entrance opening shall be at least 24 inches in diameter, except with meters six inches in diameter or larger, when wells shall be provided with double square iron covers with openings 24 inches by 44 inches. The manhole shaft from cover to well shall not exceed one foot in length, and wells must be provided with iron steps and other proper means of access.
Inside meter wells shall be constructed of brick or concrete, and shall be built up full size to the floor with cover of iron or wood not less than 24 inches by 50 inches with ring or handle attached and weighing not over 100 pounds.
All three-fourths-inch and one-inch connections shall have wells at least three feet square and five feet deep, with iron covers, and shall have at least three feet from floor to ceiling; one-and-one-half-inch and two-inch connections shall have wells at least three feet square by 5 1/2 feet deep with not less than 3 1/2 feet from floor to ceiling; three-inch connections shall have wells at least three feet square and 6 1/2 feet deep with not less than 3 1/2 feet from floor to ceiling; four-inch connections shall have wells at least four feet square and 6 1/2 feet deep with not less than four feet from floor to ceiling; and six-inch connections shall have wells at least five feet square and 6 1/2 feet deep, with not less than four feet from floor to ceiling.
All wells shall be drained to sewer if within 100 feet of sewer and must, in such case, have trap next to well. If not drained, they must have sump for pumping out.
If impossible to drain a meter well, the owner or occupant must, under penalty of having the water shut off, pump out said well whenever required by the City.
A well under a building with outside entrance shall have a door at least two feet wide by four feet high and cellar steps leading to same, according to blueprint furnished by the City.
No risers will be allowed inside or taken through top of well. Wells shall be used for no other purpose than the reception of water meter and valves.
Bypasses of the same size as meters are required on one-and-one-half-inch to six-inch connections. Bypasses will not be allowed by one-inch meters or smaller. The bypasses shall be constructed according to blueprints furnished by the City.
The City requires all private fire lines and sprinkler systems to be metered. The owner shall purchase the meter and deliver it to the City for testing, and the meter must meet the requirements of the City.
No reciprocating pump, unless the same shall be used exclusively for fire purposes, shall be attached directly to the City mains.
Any person, firm or corporation violating the terms of this article shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $100 or may be imprisoned not to exceed 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the court.
