Norwalk Municipal Code § 13.04.760 Suspension of service

The City may, whenever it deems it necessary to do so for reasons of public health and safety or water system maintenance and operation, temporarily or intermittently suspend service to any customer, and the City shall not be liable for any loss or damage, but such service shall not be suspended for more than 24 hours continuously unless it is physically impossible to resume service. If service is to be suspended for more than 24 hours continuously, then written notice of such suspension shall be given to the applicant. Causes for temporary suspension of service will be removed by the City without unnecessary delay and with the least inconvenience to customers.

(Prior code § 16-5.1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Whenever the Director of Public Services/City Engineer determines that over-consumption of water, loss of pressure in the system, a breakdown, or similar occurrence requires emergency restrictions or prohibitions upon the use of water from the system or any portion thereof, he or she shall, with the approval of the City Engineer, order such restrictions. When the Director of Public Services/City Engineer determines that the emergency no longer exists, he or she shall order the restrictions or prohibitions previously imposed to be relieved.

A. Scope. Such order may restrict the use of water for irrigation, sprinkling, manufacturing, or non-essential uses. The use of water for particular purposes may be limited to specified days or hours of the day or altogether prohibited; provided, however, that the use of water for drinking, cooking or sanitary purposes shall not be prohibited.

B. Noncompliance. The water supply to any premises upon which the use of water is being made in violation of an order of the Director of Public Services/City Engineer may be summarily shut off.

C. Notice. Any order restricting the use of water shall be communicated by the Director of Public Services/City Engineer, either in writing or orally, to water customers served by the affected system or portion. An order relieving the restrictions or prohibitions previously ordered shall be communicated by the Director of Public Services/City Engineer to the affected water customers in the same manner in which the order imposing the restrictions or prohibitions was communicated.

(Prior code § 16-5.2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The City Council shall adopt by resolution one or more written policies: (A) on discontinuing residential service for nonpayment; and (B) on delinquent bill collection. Such policies may include penalties and other payments or charges for delinquent bills and for reestablishing water service.

(Prior code § 16-5.3; amended during 1999 codification; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A. The City may discontinue the supply of water and may seal or disconnect the services to premises of any customer whom the City has determined to have committed a violation of the requirements of this chapter.

B. A customer shall be entitled to reasonable notice, as provided in this chapter, of intent of the City to discontinue water service because of non-compliance with or violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, or of any administrative rule or regulation promulgated by this chapter, and shall be entitled to a reasonable opportunity to comply with or cease the violation, provided, however, that no such notice or opportunity to comply with or to cease such violation need be given in those instances where the noncompliance or violation has created, is creating, or is likely to create in the water system conditions dangerous or detrimental to public health, safety or welfare.

(Prior code § 16-5.4; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

No charge shall be made for shutting off the water supply or for reading the meter upon the closing of an account. However, a customer shall be required to give at least 24 hours notice to the City before the service is to be discontinued. Bills for water service to any premises may be continued to be rendered to such customer until he or she orders the water service to such premises discontinued, and such customer shall be liable therefor.

(Prior code § 16-5.5; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A. Except in the event of an emergency, or pursuant to a permit issued by the Director of Public Services/City Engineer, no person other than an authorized employee of the City shall at any time or in any manner operate or cause to be operated any valve in or connected with any water main, service connection, or fire hydrant, nor shall any other such person at any time or in any manner tamper or otherwise interfere with any water meter, detector check valve, or other part of the water system.

B. Any person who digs out or uncovers a curb-cock or wheel valve controlling a water supply, or lifts or removes a meter cover or its centerpiece, or causes or suffers any such act to be done, shall be liable for any injury or damage resulting from such action.

(Prior code § 16-5.6; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)