Norwalk Municipal Code Art. III Installation, Maintenance and Inspection

All service connections, water meters, detector check-valves and housings installed by the City shall be maintained at its expense unless otherwise provided in this chapter. Where a two inch or larger stub pipe is laid to the curb in order to replace one or more surplus connections, such old service connection or connections will be disconnected and abandoned, and the City shall lay, connect and maintain the necessary piping from such new stub pipe to the customer's supply pipe.

(Prior code § 16-3.1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The City's control and responsibility ends at the curb shut-off or meter, and the City shall in no event be liable for damage caused by the running or escape of water from open faucets, burst pipes, or faulty fixtures upon the premises.

(Prior code § 16-3.2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The City shall endeavor to maintain reasonable water service pressure in its water mains wherever possible in the approximate range of 30 pounds per square inch to 100 pounds per square inch. In certain situations of service, such pressure in the water main may exceed 100 pounds per square inch up to a pressure of 250 pounds per square inch or more. The water pressure need not remain constant but may fluctuate within, above or below the above-mentioned range. The City shall not be responsible for any damage to the customer's property or piping caused by water pressure in the City systems.

(Prior code § 16-3.3; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

At the time water is initially applied for, the City shall state the approximate water pressure of the service to be supplied to the customer. Whenever the water main pressure exceeds 100 pounds per square inch, the City shall install pressure regulation equipment on the City's side of the meter, at the customer's expense, in order to regulate the water pressure. In addition to any such equipment installed by the City the customer may, at his or her expense, install pressure regulation equipment on his or her side of the meter to regulate water pressure for his or her convenience.

(Prior code § 16-3.4; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Whenever the City shall install pressure regulation equipment, the customer shall, at his or her expense, install a pressure relief valve on the building cold water plumbing system before water service shall be turned on.

(Prior code § 16-3.5; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The City reserves the right at any and all times to shut off the water for the purposes of installing, repairing, extending or altering water mains, fire hydrants, water service connections, detector check valves, water meters or other parts of the City system. In the event the water supply is to be shut off for any reason, the City shall make a reasonable effort to deliver notice of the shut-off to the customer or to some responsible interested person on the premises, but the City assumes no responsibility for the failure of the customer to receive or to understand such notice.

(Prior code § 16-3.6; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Any person, firm or corporation making improvements or changes, including road repairs, requiring the cutting, refitting, raising, lowering or relocation of service connections, water mains, fire hydrants, stub pipes, meters, valves, or other parts of the water system, shall:

A. Indemnify the City for all cost incurred by the City in making such changes; and

B. When required by the Water Superintendent, make a cash deposit equal to the cost, as estimated by the Director of Public Services/City Engineer, or shall post a suitable indemnity bond, in a form approved by the Director of Public Services/City Engineer.

(Prior code § 16-3.7; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every house or building under separate ownership receiving domestic service shall be provided with a separate service connection or connections; provided, however, that two or more houses or buildings under one ownership and located upon the same lot or parcel of land may be supplied through one service connection, subject to the following provisions:

A. The City may limit the number of houses or buildings, or the area of the land held under a single ownership, to be supplied by one service connection;

B. Such service connection shall not be used to supply property under single ownership where such property is located upon opposite side as of a public street or alley;

C. Such service connection shall not be used to supply adjoining property of a different owner;

D. Where property provided with a service connection is partitioned, the existing service connection shall be deemed to be assigned to the lot or parcel of land nearest to the meter or service terminus.

(Prior code § 16-3.8; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The City reserves the right to determine the size of a service connection and its location in relation to the boundaries of the premises to be served. Where possible, the customer's pipe to the curb should not be laid until the service connection is installed. In the event the customer's pipe is laid to the curb prior to the time the service connection is installed, and its location at the curb does not correspond with that of the service connection at the curb, the customer shall be charged with the additional cost of connecting the service connection pipe to the customer's pipe.

(Prior code § 16-3.9; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every service connection installed by the City shall be equipped with a curb stop or valve, on the inlet side of the meter, to be reserved for the exclusive use of the City in controlling the use of the water through the service connection or meter. For convenience and safety, the customer's pipe should have a wheel valve placed at some known and accessible location between the meter and the building in order to control the supply to the building. Should such curb stop or valve require replacement by reason of damage caused by the customer his or her agent, servant or representative, the City shall charge the cost of such replacement against the customer.

(Prior code § 16-3.10; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Should the applicant require service connection pipe to be extended through a basement wall, he or she shall provide and seal the entranceway for such pipe at his or her own expense, and shall assume all responsibility for damage caused by leakage through such entranceway or by leaking pipes, fittings, or meters.

(Prior code § 16-3.11; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Should the City replace a service connection in advance of paving or for any other reason, the size of such service connection may be enlarged upon the customer's request and at his or her expense, and the estimated cost shall constitute a fixed charge.

(Prior code § 16-3.12; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

On all new, automatic fire sprinkler service connections, a check valve of a type approved by the National Board of Fire Underwriters, together with a bypass meter, shall be installed at the expense of the applicant.

(Prior code § 16-3.13; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The City shall have the right to install and connect with the automatic fire sprinkler service connection at the curb a service connection for rendering any other type of water service to the same premises served by such automatic fire sprinkler service connection.

(Prior code § 16-3.14; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

When an automatic fire sprinkler service connection is installed, the control valve shall be left closed and sealed until a written order to turn on the water is received from the customer. After the water is turned on, the City shall not be liable for damages occurring upon or to the premises served by reason of the installation, maintenance or use of such service connection, fluctuation of water pressure or interruption of water supply.

(Prior code § 16-3.15; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Unless an extension of time is granted by the City, temporary service connections shall be disconnected and terminated within two years after installation. A regular service connection of adequate size may, if available, be used for temporary service during such time as the connection is not required to supply the property which it enters; provided, however, that a temporary service connection number is assigned to it for identification during such usage. If such regular service connection is at any time required to serve the property which it enters, the temporary service must be discontinued.

(Prior code § 16-3.16; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A temporary service connection which conforms to the standard requirements of a permanent service connection installation may be designated as a permanent service connection at any time; provided, all charges for permanent service at its location are paid. The City shall refund to the depositor or his or her assigns the difference in charges between the temporary service connection and the permanent service connection, if the former charge was more than the latter. If the temporary service connection is not metered when converted into a regular permanent service connection, and the permanent service is of a kind requiring metering, the regular meter charge for the appropriate size of meter shall be collected by the City.

(Prior code § 16-3.17; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every service connection shall be equipped with a control valve on the inlet side of the meter which may be used by the customer when necessary to shut off the water supply from the entire premises. For convenience and safety, the water pipe on the consumers premises should be equipped with a wheel valve, placed at some known, accessible location between the meter and the building. Any damage resulting from such customer's action in shutting off the water supply shall be charged to and paid for by the customer on an actual repair cost basis.

(Prior code § 16-3.18; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A. Exclusive Function of City. The City reserves the right to furnish, set and maintain all meters, and is the owner of all meters and of all appurtenances incidental to meters. Unless installation by a contractor is authorized by the Director of Public Services, the City shall install all meters and collect the cost, in accordance with charges prescribed for each size of meter service by this chapter.

B. Transfer of Meters to City. Where the installation of a water meter is required upon premises supplied by the Norwalk Municipal Water System, the property owner and applicant for water service shall be deemed to transfer their title and interest to any existing water meter to the City. Credit for such existing meter may be given as provided in this chapter.

(Prior code § 16-3.21; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

When a change in the location of a meter is requested by a customer for the purpose of constructing a paved driveway, a concrete box equipped with a steel cover-plate to house the meter may be installed in lieu of moving the meter; provided that, in the opinion of the City, the slope of such driveway is not such as to cause the face of the steel plate to be a dangerous condition or hazard to pedestrians.

(Prior code § 16-3.22; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Prior to the replacement of an existing meter, the Water Superintendent, or the contractor authorized to perform such installation shall cause a notice to be left in a prominent place on the premises, notifying the customer that the water service is being shut off for work on the water meter.

(Prior code § 16-3.23; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Authorized inspectors, agents and employees of the City shall have the right of entry and access, at all reasonable times, in, to and upon all buildings, grounds or premises of customers, or any part (including any and all plumbing, water piping, fixtures, or connections located, used, maintained or operated) for the purpose of:

A. Determining the existence, operation, maintenance or use of the following:

1. Any plumbing or water piping which may cause, create or permit back-flow, back-siphonage or any other condition affecting or likely to affect the purity or potability of the water supply furnished by the City;

2. Any source of water supply which might presently or in the future be connected with the water supply system of the City;

3. Any source of pressure, vacua, contamination or pollution (including any and all equipment, fixtures or appliances connected or used) affecting or likely to affect the purity or potability of the water supply for the City.

B. Facilitating the enforcement by the Director of Public Services/City Engineer of the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 16-3.24; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Each inspector, agent and employee of the Public Services Department shall be furnished with, and, upon request of any customer, shall display appropriate evidence of identification.

(Prior code § 16-3.25; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A. Whenever any officer or employee of the City is authorized to enter any building or premises for the purpose of making an inspection to enforce the Norwalk Municipal Code or any other applicable law, the officer or employee may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same; provided that, the officer or employee shall effect entry in the manner provided in subsection B of this section, except in emergency situations, or when consent of the person having charge or control of such building or premises has been otherwise obtained.

B. If the building or premises to be inspected is occupied, the authorized officer or employee shall first present proper credentials and request entry explaining the reasons for entry. If consent to such entry is not given, the authorized officer or employee shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry. If such property is unoccupied the authorized officer or employee shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the property and request entry, explaining the reasons for entry. If such entry is refused or cannot be obtained because the owner or other person having charge or control of the property cannot be found after due diligence, the authorized officer or employee shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure lawful entry and inspect the property.

C. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the authorized officer or employee has reasonable cause to believe that the building or premises is so hazardous, unsafe or dangerous as to require immediate inspection to safeguard the public health or safety, he or she shall have the right to immediately enter and inspect such property, and may use any reasonable means required to effect such entry and make such inspection, whether such property is occupied or unoccupied and whether or not permission to inspect has been obtained. If the property is occupied, he or she shall first present proper credentials to the occupant and demand entry, explaining reasons for entry and the purpose of the inspection.

(Prior code § 16-3.26; amended during 1999 codification; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)