La Palma Municipal Code Art. I In General

The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Applicant means an individual or agency of record applying for water services.

Customer means an individual or agency of record receiving water service from the Water Division of the City.

Date of presentation means the date upon which a bill or notice is mailed or delivered personally to the customer.

Employee means and includes any person designated by the City Manager or the City Water Superintendent to perform work and labor for the Water Division and in and about the business of the City Water Division.

Mains means distribution pipelines located in streets, public ways or private rights-of-way which are used to serve the general public.

Premises means that integral parcel of property or area, including the improvements thereon, to which water service is or will be provided.

Service connection means piping, valves, meters, boxes, and other division-owned materials and equipment used for delivering water from the main to the customer.

Temporary service means a service for circuses, fairs, construction work, irrigation, or vacant property and similar uses which, because of their nature will not be used steadily or permanently.

Water division means that certain division, branch, or function of the City which cares for, maintains, and operates pumps, plants, mains, and all necessary facilities for the acquiring, distributing, and selling of water within the City.

Water Superintendent means the Community Services Director.

(Code 1975, § 25-1; Ord. No. 142, § 100)

(a) The Water Division is hereby established for the purpose of furnishing to the residents, businesses, and industries within the City a supply of water at a flow rate and pressure and of such quality as to satisfy their normal requirements.

(b) The Water Division shall have a Water Superintendent who shall be responsible for the management and direction of the Water Division. The Superintendent shall be the Community Services Director of the City.

(c) The Water Division shall conduct its activities in accordance with the various sections of this article and any subsequent ordinances and resolutions of the City Council.

(Code 1975, § 25-7; Ord. No. 142, § 101)

(a) The area in which service is or will be furnished by the Water Division is that area which is within the City boundaries as the boundaries now prevail or may from time to time exist.

(b) The area does not exclude those areas outside the City boundaries which may be served upon approval of the City Council.

(Code 1975, § 25-8; Ord. No. 142, § 102)

(a) An official identification card shall be carried or worn by inspectors, foremen, meter readers, and all employees of the Water Division who in line of duty may be required to enter upon private premises.

(b) Every officer or employee, upon resignation or dismissal from the Water Division, shall forthwith surrender and deliver to the proper officials all identification cards, badges, and credentials of the Water Division.

(c) No unauthorized person shall possess, carry, wear, or exhibit any badge or other official identification of the Water Division nor shall any person, whether or not possession is authorized, display, exhibit, or cause to be exhibited any badge or other official identification of the Water Division at any time, place, or in any manner or for any purpose which is not authorized by the Water Superintendent.

(Code 1975, § 25-9; Ord. No. 142, § 160)

(a) Upon presentation of official identification, any officer, inspector, foreman, meter reader, or authorized employee of the City on official business shall be allowed free access at all reasonable hours to any premises supplied with City water.

(b) Any person who, as owner or occupant of any premises, refuses admittance to or hinders or prevents inspection by an authorized employee of the Water Division, may, after service of 24 hours' notice of intention, have all the water cut off.

(Code 1975, § 25-10; Ord. No. 142, § 160)

The City shall in no way whatsoever be responsible for any damage to person or property because of a leakage, breakage, or seepage from, or accident or damage to any meter or pipe situated within any private premises, and City shall not be responsible for any leakage, breakage, or seepage for any pipe situated between any meter installed properly at the curb and the private premises served thereby nor shall the City be responsible for or on account of any damage, injury, or loss occasioned directly or indirectly by the existence of any meter or pipe situated upon private property.