La Palma Municipal Code Div. 2 Equipment

All water services and water meters installed or caused to be installed by the Water Division shall remain at all times the property of the City and shall be maintained, repaired and renewed by the Water Division when rendered unserviceable by normal wear and tear.

(Code 1975, § 25-30; Ord. No. 142, § 140)

(a) The Water Superintendent shall be given a written notice a minimum of ten days prior to any street improvements which are to be performed which will cause the relocation of existing water mains, fittings, meters, or other water equipment. Any changes which are required or any damages which may occur to such mains, fittings, meters, or other water equipment without fault or negligence of the City shall be chargeable to the person or agency requiring such work to be done.

(b) Any person desiring to change the location of a service that has already been installed shall make application to the Water Division and, upon payment in advance of the cost of time and materials including excavating and repaving and overhead as estimated by the Superintendent's office, the Water Division shall cause or permit such change to be made.

(Code 1975, § 25-31; Ord. No. 142, §§ 120, 140)

The Water Division is empowered to install or cause or permit to be installed such water stands as may be deemed necessary so that water may be drawn therefrom for spraying and for other legitimate purposes. No person shall draw water from any such stands without first obtaining a permit as provided in this section. Permits shall only be issued to applicants holding a valid business license in the City. A charge to be established by resolution of the City Council shall be made for such permit, which shall specify the approximate amount of water and the purposes for which it is to be used. Such applicant shall make such additional deposit and furnish such equipment and fittings for taking water from such stands as the Water Division may require.

(Code 1975, § 25-32; Ord. No. 142, § 120; Ord. No. 82-8, § 5)

Fire hydrants shall be installed in the location specified by the superintendent. If a property owner or other party desires a change in the size, type or location of such hydrants, he or she shall bear all costs of such changes without a refund. Any change in the location of a fire hydrant must be approved by the Community Services Director or the Water Superintendent as his or her delegate.

(Code 1975, § 25-33; Ord. No. 142, § 120)

Any customer may demand that the meter through which water is being furnished be examined and tested by the Water Division for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not it is registering accurately the amount of water which is being delivered through it. Such demand shall be made in writing to the Water Division and shall be accompanied by a deposit in an amount established by resolution of the City Council. Upon receipt of such demand, it shall be the duty of the Water Superintendent to cause the meter to be examined and tested. If on such an examination and test the meter shall be found to register over three percent more water than actually passes through it, another meter will be substituted therefor, and the fee deposit shall be returned to the person making the application and the water bill for the current period adjusted in such a manner as the Superintendent may deem fair and just. If the meter is found to register not over three percent fast, the deposit shall then be forfeited to the City and the water bill paid as rendered. A customer or his or her authorized representative shall be present to witness the test.

(Code 1975, § 25-34; Ord. No. 142, § 120; Ord. No. 80-1, § 2; Ord. No. 81-5, § 2; Ord. No. 82-8, § 6)

(a) No person shall tamper with, remove or cause, permit or allow to be tampered with or removed, any meter which has been attached to any service, without first having made application to the Water Division and receiving a permit therefor.

(b) Where replacements, repairs, or adjustments of any meter are rendered necessary by any act resulting from malice, carelessness, or neglect of the customer or any member of his or her family or anyone employed by him or her and any damages thereto result from hot water or steam from water heater, boiler or otherwise, they shall be charged to and paid for by such customer to the Water Division on presentation of a bill therefor and in case such bill is not paid, the water shall be shut off from such premises and shall not be turned on again until all charges are paid. No person shall interfere with or remove or cause to be interfered with or removed from any service any water meter where it has been attached. No person shall place dirt, trash, leaves, or lawn cuttings or other obstructions on or over the meter boxes and no person shall place garbage or rubbish boxes, cans, or barrels on them.

(Code 1975, § 25-35; Ord. No. 142, §§ 140, 170)

No person shall tap, open or connect to or cause, permit or allow to be tapped, opened or connected to any water main or pipe without first having made application to the Water Division and received a permit therefor.

(Code 1975, § 25-36; Ord. No. 142, § 170)

Any bypass connection around the meter between the service and the main shall be prohibited. All water used, except as provided in case of private fire service, shall pass through the meter.

(Code 1975, § 25-38; Ord. No. 142, § 140)

Any and all connections shall be prohibited between any private water source and the water supply of the City; provided, that subject to the approval of the State Board of Health, the City may maintain emergency connections with other public utilities supplying water.

(Code 1975, § 25-39; Ord. No. 142, § 140)

All shut-off valves and service cocks which are installed or caused to be installed by the Water Division are for the use of the City. Such shut-off valves and service cocks shall not be used or molested in any way or manipulated by the customer, except in extreme emergency. For ordinary usage, all customers shall provide their own valves and shut-off cocks between the water meter and the first outlet placed by the customer. There shall be no liability on the part of the City for damage, loss or inconvenience resulting from sand, gravel, rust, sediment, foreign matter, air, excessive pressure or hydraulic water hammer in the water system.

(Code 1975, § 25-40; Ord. No. 142, § 140)