Arcata Municipal Code Art. 2 Definitions

Distribution mains mean water lines in streets, highways, alleys and easements used for public and private fire protection and for general distribution of water.

Service or service connection means the pipeline and appurtenant facilities such as the curb stop, meter and meter box, if any, all used to extend water service from distribution main to premises. Where services are divided at the curb or property line to serve several customers, each such branch service shall be deemed a separate service.

Public fire protection service means the service and facilities of the entire water supply, storage and distribution system of the City, including the fire hydrants affixed thereto, and the water available for fire protection excepting house service connections and appurtenances thereto.

Regular water service means water service and facilities rendered for normal domestic, commercial and industrial purposes on a permanent basis, and the water available therefor. (Ord. 1567, eff. 3/22/2024)

Temporary water service means water service and facilities rendered for construction work and other uses of limited duration, and the water available therefor. (Ord. 1567, eff. 3/22/2024)

Private fire protection service means water service and facilities for building sprinkler systems, hydrants, hose reels and other facilities installed on private property for fire protection and the water available therefor. (Ord. 1567, eff. 3/22/2024)

Premises means a lot or parcel of real property under one ownership, except that any separate structure may be deemed separate premises. Apartment houses, motels, office buildings and structures of like nature may be classified as single premises.

Backflow means the undesirable reversal of the flow of water, or other liquids, mixtures, gases, or other substances into or towards the City’s water system from any source or sources.

Cross-connection means any unprotected actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public potable water system and any other source or system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the potable system any used water, industrial fluid, gas or substance other than the intended potable water with which the system is supplied. Bypass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or change-over devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow can or may occur are considered to be cross-connections.

Owner means the person owning the premises in fee, or the person in whose name the legal title to the property appears, by deed duly recorded in the County Recorder’s Office, or the person in possession of the property or buildings under claim of, or exercising acts of ownership over same for himself, or as executor, administrator, guardian or trustee of owner.

Person means any human being, individual, firm, company, partnership, association and private or public or municipal corporation, the United States of America, the State of California, and any district, political subdivision, governmental agency and mandatory thereof.

Cost means the cost of labor, material, transportation, supervision, engineering and all other necessary expenses.

Living unit means any residence, apartment house, habitation or other structure customarily occupied by a single person or family and which contains facilities for the preparation of meals.

Backflow prevention assembly (BPA) means a device or means designed to prevent backflow or back-siphonage. (Ord. 1578, eff. 7/4/2025)

Public water system (PWS) means a system that provides water for human consumption to fifteen (15) or more connections or regularly serves twenty-five (25) or more people daily for at least sixty (60) days out of the year, specifically the "City of Arcata." (Ord. 1578, eff. 7/4/2025)

Cross-connection control program coordinator (CCCPC) means the official, or their delegated representative, in charge of the Public Water System, who is invested with the authority and responsibility for the implementation of an effective cross-connection control program and for the enforcement of the provisions of this Chapter. (Ord. 1578, eff. 7/4/2025)