Beverly Hills Municipal Code Art. 2 Water Service

The city shall endeavor to provide a dependable supply of water from available sources in amounts which are adequate to meet the reasonable needs of those users within the city service area. The public works administrator shall develop regulations for administration of water service, and these regulations shall become effective upon approval by the council. (1962 Code § 5-7.01 et seq.)

The city provides three (3) types of water service which includes:

A. Potable water for the consumption of domestic, commercial and industrial users.

1. Domestic service: Water services for single-family residences or multiple-unit residences not exceeding two (2) units.

2. Commercial services: Water services for premises devoted primarily to business or professional activities and shall include water services rendered to multiple unit residences in excess of two (2) units.

3. Industrial service: Water services for premises where the use is primarily in manufacturing or processing activities.

B. Water for fire protection service for city, commercial and industrial users. "Fire protection service" shall mean water services to premises solely for fire protection purposes.

C. Water for temporary service use. "Temporary service" shall mean water services for construction work and other uses where the services are required only for a limited time. (1962 Code § 5-7.01 et seq.)

Water service is supplied to users subject to the following conditions:

A. Compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations as set forth by the public works administrator as approved by the council;

B. Acceptance of the available pressure and service at the location serviced, and the city shall not be liable for any damages that may be caused due to excessive high or low pressure, fluctuations of pressure, shortages or insufficiency of supply, and/or any conditions not within the control of the city;

C. Installation by the user of facilities for water use which meet the city's specifications;

D. The right of the city to temporarily interrupt water supply without notice for purposes of making emergency repairs;

E. The right of the city to interrupt service for purposes of repair or maintenance of the water system, provided further, that the city shall endeavor to give at least twenty four (24) hours' notice prior to such interruption in the water supply;

F. The right of the City to apportion the available water supply in an equitable manner in case of an emergency or water shortage with due consideration for public health and safety;

G. The right of the City to discontinue service where the user's equipment or operations cause excessive fluctuations in use or pressure which disrupts or impairs service to other users; provided further, that service may be continued when the user rectifies the problem;

H. That the user is responsible for any loss or damage to City water meters or other City water facilities which is caused by the use, operation, or appliances on the user's premises; including, but not limited to, hot water, steam, or chemicals;

I. That the City's responsibility for delivery of water service shall terminate at the curb stop valve or the water meter, and the City shall not be responsible in any way for damages or injuries caused by the escape of water from faucets, pipe connections, appliances or other facilities on the user's premises;

J. That the City is relying upon the information in the application for service relative to the size, type and location of requested water service, and that the applicant is responsible for any additional costs incurred by the City because of erroneous information furnished by applicant;

K. The paramount right of users within the City boundaries to the available water supply, and that portion of water which is surplus is available to users outside of the City boundaries. (1962 Code § 5-7.01 et seq.)

Any user of City water service shall comply with the following provisions:

A. Install and maintain service connections and water facilities on the user's premises which comply with City specifications and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Public Works Administrator;

B. Install a valve between the meter and first outlet being supplied with water service for purposes of facilitating or impeding the flow of water;

C. Installation of a quick closing valve or other device which causes excessive and disruptive pressure surges in the City water system shall be prohibited;

D. Provide and maintain reasonable access to all water system facilities installed on the user's premises and allow authorized City personnel into and upon the user's premises at all reasonable hours for purposes of inspection of water facilities or for any other purposes reasonably related to maintenance or operation of the water system;

E. Control valves on the inlet side of the City water meter shall be operated only by authorized City personnel;

F. All meters, housings, valves and service connections installed by the City on the user's premises shall be and remain the property of the City, and the City shall have the right to remove or relocate such devices;

G. Multi-family residential dwellings comprising of six (6) or fewer units for which a building permit is issued after June 30, 2019 shall install a separate water meter for each unit in the manner approved by the Director of Public Works or his or her designee.

1. Every water meter installed pursuant to this section shall be installed by the City on the public right-of-way such that the water meter can be read and maintained by designated City employees to ensure accurate billing.

2. Every water meter installed pursuant to this section shall be subject to the rates and fees established pursuant to article 1, "General Provisions Relating To City Utility Service", of this chapter including but not limited to fees for water meter connection, capacity, and supply.

3. The service provided to every water meter installed pursuant to this section shall be billed at the single-family residential rate;

H. Multi-family residential dwellings comprising of seven (7) or more units for which a building permit is issued after June 30, 2019 shall install a master meter on the public right-of-way such that the water meter can be read and maintained by designated City employees to ensure accurate billing for the total water use of the multi-family project.

1. The master water meter installed pursuant to this section shall be subject to the rates and fees established pursuant to article 1, "General Provisions Relating To City Utility Service", of this chapter including but not limited to fees for water meter connection, capacity, and supply.

2. The owner of the multi-family residential project subject to this section shall also install on-site sub-meters to measure the water consumption of individual residential units. The sub-meters shall be read and maintained by the owner or his or her designee;

I. Nothing in this chapter exempts a building owner from complying with the requirements in title 9, chapter 4, article 4, "Water Efficient Landscaping", of this Code, if such requirements are applicable to the project. (1962 Code § 5-7.01 et seq.; amd. Ord. 19-O-2782, eff. 7-1-2019)

In addition to the provisions of section 6-1-108 of this chapter, the City may discontinue water service:

A. Upon forty eight (48) hours' notice where water supplied for private fire protection water service to any user is used for any purpose other than fire suppression or for filling or refilling the facilities of the user which have been drained in connection with tests or repairs.

B. Without advance notice to a temporary use from a fire hydrant when the Fire Department requires the use of such fire hydrant. (1962 Code § 5-7.01 et seq.)

No person shall tamper with a City water meter; and no person shall turn on a City water meter except authorized City personnel. Where a meter has been turned off or otherwise disconnected by the City, for nonpayment of water service, or for violation of the provisions of this Code, the user shall be required to pay the charges designated by Council resolution prior to reconnection of water service. (1962 Code § 5-7.01 et seq.)

The city may provide water service to users beyond the city boundaries when requested to furnish such service. The city may provide water service to a customer outside its service area if the property to be served is contiguous to the city's service area, and the user obtains a release from its existing water service supplier. The city may, upon request, release an existing water service user, if the user desires to secure water services from another supplier. (1962 Code § 5-7.01 et seq.)

The city may provide temporary water service where rendering such temporary service will not be detrimental to operation of the city water service. The user of temporary water service shall comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the public works administrator, and shall pay the costs and charges set forth in the resolution of council. Temporary service may be terminated at any time upon notice to the user. (1962 Code § 5-7.01 et seq.)

The city may authorize use of a city fire hydrant for a temporary water supply, provided use of the water or the hydrant is not detrimental to operation of the city water service. The user of water from a fire hydrant shall comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the public works administrator, and shall pay the costs and charges set forth in the resolution of council. (1962 Code § 5-7.01)

"Water distribution system" shall mean the mains and appurtenant facilities linked with reservoirs, wells, water treatment plants, and pumping facilities for the purpose of delivering water to users including all supply mains, pumping facilities, storage facilities, or other facilities required for service. Extensions, enlargements, or alterations of the water distribution system shall be subject to the following provisions:

A. Compliance with city rules and regulations as promulgated by the transportation/engineering official.

B. Payment of any charges established by council resolution.

C. Title to facilities shall be vested in the city, and title to any facilities which are not constructed by the city shall be conveyed to the city upon city acceptance of the facilities.

D. The city may require construction mains in excess of the capacity necessary to serve a specific development in order to facilitate general water system capacity and orderly expansion; however, the city shall not charge for any portion which exceeds the required capacity to serve the specific development.

E. City charges for extension, expansion, or alteration of water mains to serve a new subdivision or development shall be on a linear foot basis as established by council resolution.

F. City charges for any special facilities required by the user, or adjustments to the water system requested by the user shall be on the basis established by council resolution.

G. Private contractors may be permitted to construct extensions or enlargements of the water system to facilitate subdivision or development projects; provided however, all work and materials shall comply with the rules, regulations, plans, and specifications of the public works administrator and payment shall be in accordance with the charges as established by council resolution. (1962 Code § 5-7.01 et seq.)