Division 2 — INSTALLATION OF SERVICE

25-6: APPLICATION FOR SERVICE GENERALLY; CONNECTION CHARGES:

Before water shall be supplied to any premises, the consumer or owner shall file a written application with the department of community development and services. The public works director or designee, as a condition precedent to the granting of such application and furnishing any water to such owner or consumer, is authorized to and shall require payment in advance therefor at rates as fixed by resolution of the city council.

On payment of the proper service charge, as above specified, the public works director, or designee, shall make connection by installing a water meter of the designated size, and the consumer, at his own cost, shall extend the pipe therefrom to his property. The city shall be required to make service connections only where there is a water main passing along the street or alley adjoining the applicant's property.

Nothing in this section shall obligate the city to install a meter of larger size than two inches (2"); but a meter of larger size with service enlargement may be installed by special agreement at actual cost to the consumer, including cost of meter. (Ord. 1537 § B79, 8-6-1996; Ord. 1614 § 3, 9-17-2002)

25-7: APPLICATION FOR SERVICE FOR FIRE PROTECTION:

Whenever water service, exclusively for fire protection, is requested by a consumer or owner and the service pipe is in excess of two and one-half inches (21/2") in diameter, the city shall install such service to the property line on payment by the applicant of the cost thereof, and no water meter shall be installed unless the service line shall contain a suitable valve for controlling the water supply to the premises. No charge is to be made for water consumed in the event of fire or water used for testing fire equipment. Periodically the fire department shall inspect the service and satisfy themselves that no water is being used through such service except for fire purposes or in testing fire equipment on the premises. (Ord. 1537 § B80, 8-6-1996)

25-8: GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT OF WATER BILLS BY PROPERTY OWNERS; AUTHORIZED GENERALLY; LIEN:

The owners of any property where water is furnished by the city may assume responsibility for the payment of such water by filing with the water department a written acceptance of such responsibility in a form approved by the city attorney, guaranteeing payment of all water bills accruing against such property or utilized by consumers on such property. The writing shall provide that unpaid water bills may be a lien on said property and the amount of said unpaid water bill may be added to the tax statement for said real property and collected in the same manner as real property taxes. (Ord. Code § 3543; Ord. 845 § A, 11-16-1965)

25-9: GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT OF WATER BILLS BY PROPERTY OWNERS; REQUIRED WHEN MULTIPLE USERS OCCUPY PREMISES UNDER SINGLE OWNERSHIP:

Where there is more than one consumer occupying premises held under the same ownership, each owner shall file with the finance department a written acceptance of responsibility in the same form as provided for in section 25-8 of this article for payment of all water bills accruing against such property or utilized by consumers on such property and guaranteeing payment of said water bills.

In the event of a refusal by an owner to do so, the city shall after thirty (30) days' notice to the consumer so served, and to the owner of such premises, or the person in charge thereof, cut off the water from such premises until an independent service is provided from the curb line to each independent consumer for which the owner has not assumed such responsibility. (Ord. 1537 § B81, 8-6-1996)

25-10: DEPOSIT; REQUIRED WHEN PROPERTY OWNER DOES NOT GUARANTEE PAYMENT OF BILL:

In the event of the refusal of the property owner to become responsible for utility bills as set forth in section 25-8 of this article, the city shall require a cash deposit to be made with the department of finance by the consumer or the owner as follows:

A. In the amount of twenty dollars ($20.00) before beginning water service.

B. In the amount of five dollars ($5.00) before beginning refuse removal service only.

C. In the amount of five dollars ($5.00) before beginning sewer rental service only.

D. In the amount of ten dollars ($10.00) before beginning refuse removal service and sewer rental service only.

E. In the amount of twenty dollars ($20.00) before beginning water service, refuse removal service, and sewer rental service.

F. In no case shall the combined deposits exceed twenty dollars ($20.00). (Ord. Code § 3545; Ord. 704 § 2; Ord. 845 § C, 11-16- 1965; Ord. 925 § A, 10-1-1968)

25-11: DEPOSIT; REFUND:

Deposits made to secure payment of utility bills shall be returned to the person making the deposit under the following conditions:

A. When change of ownership or occupancy shall relieve such person from liability for the utility services, provided that all charges against such services shall have been paid.

B. When, in the opinion of the administrative services director or designee, the person has established a good payment record by paying all utility bills without tardiness or penalty for a minimum of one year.

No charge shall be made for beginning or terminating a utility service when same is made at the request of the owner or consumer, after all charges due against that service are paid. (Ord. Code § 3546; Ord. 925 § B, 10-1-1968; Ord. 1614 § 1, 9-17-2002)

25-12: LIMITS OF COMMON SERVICE GENERALLY:

No service connection shall be hereafter made for the purpose of supplying through a common service, two (2) or more independent consumers occupying premises held under the same ownership, unless such houses are on the same lot, or the property is what is known as a court, campground, apartment house, or building covering more than one lot, and then only provided the owner of such premises shall agree in writing to pay all charges for water service thereto. (Ord. Code § 3547.1)

25-13: COMMON SERVICE UNAUTHORIZED FOR PREMISES SEPARATELY OWNED:

No water shall be served to two (2) or more parcels of separately owned property through a common service pipe. (Ord. Code § 3547)

25-13.1: CITY NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WATER DAMAGE:

The city shall not maintain or repair any water pipe from the meter or the premises served, and the city shall in no case be liable for damages occasioned by water running free from open or faulty fixtures or from broken or damaged pipes. When city personnel are called by the consumer for turnon and/or turnoff service, the consumer shall pay the city the actual cost of time spent for such service performed as adopted by resolution of the council. (Ord. 1228 § A, 2-17-1981)

25-13.2: CONSUMER RESPONSIBLE FOR EQUIPMENT RECEIVING WATER:

The consumer, at his own expense, shall furnish, install, and keep in repair, free from leakage and in safe condition, all service pipes, fixtures, stopcocks, and other apparatus and appliances, which may be required for receiving and controlling water. The city shall not be responsible for any loss or damage caused by the improper installation of such apparatus and appliances, negligence, want of proper care, or wrongful act of the consumer, or any member of his family, or any person in his employ. (Ord. 1228 § B, 2-17-1981)