Paramount Municipal Code Art. 2 Water Code Definitions

Definitions of this Code shall govern the construction of the provisions of this chapter unless otherwise apparent from the context.

Air-gap separation.

Any physical break between a supply pipe and a receiving vessel. The air-gap shall be at least double the diameter of the supply pipe measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel, in no case less than one inch.

Applicant.

The person or persons, firm, association, corporation or governmental agency of record applying for water services.

Approved backflow prevention device.

Any backflow prevention device which has passed laboratory and field evaluation tests performed by a recognized testing organization which has demonstrated their competency to perform such tests to the California Department of Health Services.

Approved water supply.

A potable water supply of safe, sanitary quality which is approved for human consumption by the authorities having jurisdiction thereof.

Auxiliary supply.

Any water supply on or available to the premises other than the approved water supply.

AWWA standard.

The official standard developed and approved by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

Backflow.

Any flow condition, caused by a differential in pressure, that causes the flow of water or other liquids, gases, mixtures or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any source or sources other than an approved water supply source. Back siphonage is one cause of backflow. Back pressure is the other cause.

Billing period.

The time interval between two consecutive meter reading dates used for billing purposes.

Capital improvement charge.

A charge based on response fire flow and shall be per acre.

City Manager.

The City Manager of the City of Paramount.

Commercial service.

Water service for premises devoted primarily to businesses or professional activities.

Contamination.

Any degradation of the quality of the potable water by any foreign substance which creates a hazard to the public health or which may impair the usefulness or quality of the water.

Cost.

The actual cost to the City including all labor, material, supplies, equipment, and miscellaneous items, together with any applicable indirect overhead and general charges, in accordance with the accounting practices of the Department.

Cross-connection.

Any unprotected actual or potential connection between a potable water system used to supply water for drinking purposes and any source or system containing unapproved water or a substance that is not or cannot be approved as safe, wholesome, and potable. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices, or other devices through which backflow could occur, shall be considered to be cross-connections.

Customer.

Any person, persons, firms, associations, corporations or governmental agencies of record supplied or entitled to be supplied with water service by the City in accordance with established rates and charges of the City.

Date of presentation.

The date on which a bill or notice is mailed or delivered by the Department to the customer.

Department.

The Water Department of the City of Paramount responsible for operating the City's water system.

Distribution mains.

Distribution pipelines located in streets, highways, public ways or private rights-of-way, exclusive of service connections, which are used to serve the general public with water.

Distribution system.

The network of conduits used for the delivery of water by the City to the customer's connection.

Domestic service.

Single or multiple-family dwellings predominantly for residential household and related purposes as distinguished from commercial and industrial purposes.

Double check valve assembly.

An assembly of at least two independently acting check valves including tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check valve assembly and test cocks available for testing the water tightness of each check valve.

Easement.

Right-of-way in which the water service has the right to install and maintain water mains or waterworks or both.

Employee.

Any person designated by the City Manager of the City to perform work and labor for provision of water service by the City.

Flat rate service.

Flat rate service means unmetered service for which the charges are based on the type of service or number of units served.

Health agency.

The California Department of Health Services, or the local health agency with respect to a small water system.

Highway.

Any public highway, street, road, alley, lane, court, or walk or other public easement, and above and below the same which now exists or which may hereafter exist in any incorporated territory of the City.

Industrial service.

Water service for premises where the use is primarily in manufacturing or processing activities.

Local health agency.

The County Health Authority.

Main extension.

The extension of water mains beyond existing facilities, exclusive of service connections.

Main line valve.

Any valve used to control the flow of water in a distribution water main or to a fire hydrant, but does not include the valve to a service connection.

Manager.

The City Manager of the City of Paramount, or authorized representative.

Metered service.

Water service for which charges are based on measured quantities of water.

Metered service connection.

Service connection including meter and meter box.

Minimum charge.

A charge for all types and classes of meters.

Person.

Any individual, person, firm partnership, or public or private corporation.

Potable.

Suitable water for drinking purposes.

Premises.

Integrated land area including improvements thereon undivided by public thoroughfares or water distribution mains of the department and where all parts of the premises are operated under the same management and for the same purpose.

Private fire protection service.

Water service to premises solely for fire protection service.

Quantitative charge.

A charge based on the amount of water used, measured in cubic feet.

Rates.

The rates or amount established by resolution to be charged for water service supplied to customers.

Reclaimed water.

Any waste water which as a result of treatment is suitable for uses other than potable use.

Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device.

Any backflow prevention device incorporating two or more check valves and an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two checks, a tightly closing shut-off valve on each side of the check valve assembly, and equipped with necessary test cocks for testing.

Service connection.

The pipeline or conduit including valves and other equipment installed in place, necessary for conducting water from the City's water main to the meter or meter location installed on or near the property line, but does not include the meter or meter box.

Temporary service.

Water service for construction work and other uses where service is required only for a limited time, generally not to exceed six months.

Transmission water mains.

Those lines from source facilities to distribution facility and may be either pressure or gravity mains.

Water Department.

That certain department 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 mains.

Any pipeline or conduit laid along or approximately parallel with and in any highway, easement or within the grantee's property, for the transmission or distribution of water, but does not include service connections or service laterals.

Water quality.

Whenever domestic service is furnished the City will endeavor to furnish at all times a safe and potable supply.

Water service.

The availability of water to a premises through facilities of the City and any water supplied through such facilities.

Water utility.

Water utility means any person, firm, private, quasipublic or public agency of record, supplying or purporting to supply other than at wholesale, water for any purpose other than irrigation or water replenishment to more than one retail customer or stockholder. The term, water utility includes a corporation, delivering water only to its stockholders, whether such corporation or such stockholders own the water delivered. "Water utility" does not apply to the supply of water: (1) at wholesale; or (2) to water utilities; or (3) for underground water replenishment; or (4) for underground water conservation.

(Prior code § 46-2)