Merced Municipal Code Ch. 15.40 Water Main Extensions

Water mains may be extended by an applicant in accordance with plans and specifications approved by the city engineer and meeting "Standards of Minimum Requirements for Safe Practices in the Production and Delivery of Water for Domestic Use" of the California section of the American Water Works Association (California Health and Safety Code, Section 4010.5). The construction work shall be performed by a properly licensed contractor. Prior to approval of the plans and specifications, a deposit for engineering and inspection costs equal to three percent of the estimated cost of installation shall be deposited with the city before the applicant begins such work. Upon completion of the work, the finance officer shall determine the actual costs incurred by city in support of such work. Final inspection acceptance of the work shall be withheld until all moneys due the city are paid. In the event the deposit exceeds the actual cost incurred by city, the difference shall be refunded to the applicant.

(Ord. 1223 § 7, 1978: prior code § 31.14).

If the proposed water main extension is to serve a developed or populated area, the city may elect to perform the extension work.

(Prior code § 31.15).

Where a water main is to be extended to serve a parcel of land, the water line shall extend the full frontage of the parcel, unless it is determined by the director that the line is not likely to be extended to serve any other property.

(Prior code § 31.16).

The inside diameter of every water line to be installed shall be not less than six inches, except as may be determined by the director.

(Prior code § 31.17).

In the event the applicant installs water line extension facilities, he shall furnish the city with a corporate surety bond written by a company approved by the city, in an amount equal to at least one-half of the estimate made by the applicant's engineer of the installation costs, to guarantee faithful performance by the applicant, and a like surety bond in an equal amount to guarantee claims of persons employed by the applicant and claims of persons who furnish materials, supplies and implements used by the applicant on such work.

(Prior code § 31.18).

When water lines are installed in public streets or easements pursuant to the regulations of the city and have been accepted by the director, they become the property of the city and a part of the water system of the city.

(Prior code § 31.19).

A. Whenever an applicant applies for a permit to connect property fronting a water line, the installation cost of which was paid by a previous applicant or the city, such applicant shall pay to the city, prior to the granting of such permit, an amount calculated as "A" in the following formula:

A = F × C × 0.75, where:

1. F equals the number of feet of applicant's property fronting on water line.

2. C equals the cost per foot of installing the water line.

3. 0.75 equals the factor composed of 0.50 (for one of the two sides fronting on water line), 0.10 (for street intersection allowance, and 0.15 (for administration and collection of the fee).

B. When the director determines that only one side of a street can be benefited by a water line installed by a previous applicant or city, subsequent applicants for permits to connect thereto shall pay to the city, prior to the granting of such permits, an amount calculated as "A" in the following formula:

A = F × C × 1.35, where:

1. F equals the number of feet of applicant's property fronting on water line.

2. C equals the cost per foot of installing the water line.

3. 1.35 equals a factor composed of 1.00 (the total cost of the installation), 0.20 (for street intersection allowance), and 0.15 (for administration and collection of the fee).

C. Notwithstanding subsections A and B above, an applicant shall not owe an extension fee if the water line was installed by a previous applicant over ten years prior to the date of applicant's application, or if the water line was installed through an assessment district or solely with state or federal grant monies.

D. Amounts collected as provided in this section (excluding the 0.15 fee for administration and collection) shall be paid by the city to the applicant who paid the cost of installing such main until such applicant has received an amount calculated as "R" in the following formula:

R = T (0.60 × C × F), where:

1. T equals costs of installing water line;

2. C equals cost per foot of installing water line; and

3. F equals the number of feet of applicant's property fronting on water line.

E. When the city engineer has determined that only one side of a street can be benefited and has made collections on that basis, amounts so collected (excluding the 0.15 fee for administration and collection) shall be paid by the city to the applicant who paid the cost of installing such water line until such applicant has received an amount calculated as "R" in the following formula:

R = T (1.20 × C × F), where:

1. T equals total cost of installing water line;

2. C equals cost per foot of installing water line; and

3. F equals the number of feet of applicant's property fronting on water line.

(Ord. 2042 § 3, 2000: Ord. 1666 § 3, 1987: prior code § 31.20).

A. Except as otherwise provided under subsection B, for lines installed by applicants, the city shall not make refunds to the installing applicants after the tenth anniversary of the date the water line was accepted by the city.

B. For lines installed pursuant to the Contract for Water and Sewer Services Between the City of Merced and the Regents of the University of California, recorded as Document No. 2003-028581 in the official records of the county of Merced, the city shall not make refunds to the University of California, Merced after the fortieth anniversary of the date of that contract (as amended), entered into as of October 1, 2003.

(Ord. 2167 § 8, 2004: Ord. 1666 § 2, 1987: prior code § 31.21).

(Ord. No. 2580, § 2, 8-18-2025)

A water line more than eight inches in diameter is considered oversize, and the city shall pay directly to the installing applicant the difference in cost between the average cost of installing an eight-inch diameter water line and the actual cost of installing the oversize water line; provided, that the installing applicant does not need more than an eight-inch diameter water line to serve his own premises. The city shall determine the average cost of installing an eight-inch diameter water line, and its findings shall be conclusive.

(Prior code § 31.22).

Applicants subject to the charge identified in Section 15.40.070 shall pay such charge prior to obtaining the permit to connect the property to the water line, except that if the line and/or laterals are installed by the city and the applicant is to connect a single-family residence to the water line and the residence is, or will be owner occupied by a median-income family as determined by the income limits established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or its successor, then the applicant may elect to pay the charge in twenty (20) annual installments, plus interest thereon on the unpaid balance. Interest shall be calculated on an annual basis based on the previous year's average interest rate earned on city investments. Applicants who make the election shall execute a promissory note and deed of trust evidencing the debt to the city.

(Ord. 1844 § 5, 1993: Ord. 1666 § 1, 1987).

(Ord. No. 2462, § 1, 7-5-2016)