Redding Municipal Code Ch. 14.08 Water

Sections:

For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases shall be construed as set forth in this section unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended.

A. "AWWA" means the American Water Works Association.

B. "Cross-connection" means any actual or potential connection between a public water supply and a source of contamination or pollution.

C. "Distribution mains" means city water lines in streets and rights-of-way used for general distribution of water from which service is available to the customer.

D. "Premises" means an improved lot, piece or parcel of land or a legally divisible portion thereof.

E. "Private fire protection service" relates to fire hydrants and/or fire sprinkler systems located on private property that are connected to the city's water distribution mains.

F. "Water service" means water for normal domestic, commercial, industrial or irrigation purposes on a permanent basis and for which the general rates and regulations are applicable.

G. "Service connection" means the pipeline and appurtenant facilities, such as the meter valve, meter and meter box, used to extend water service from the distribution main to the premises. Where services are divided at the curb or property line to serve several customers, each such branch service shall be termed a separate water service.

H. "Water Utility" means the division which constructs, operates and maintains the city water distribution system and treatment facilities.

I. "Household equivalent" means any single-family residential premises served by a ⅝-inch or ¾-inch water meter and small commercial businesses served by a standard ⅝-inch meter. Household equivalents for larger meters, ¾-inch, 1-inch, 1½-inch, 2-inch, 3-inch, 4-inch, 6-inch and 8-inch, have been computed using the ratio of the larger meter's AWWA rated capacity to the AWWA's rated capacity of a standard ⅝-inch meter.

J. "Special benefit charge" means a charge applied to developing properties in addition to the normal connection charges to finance master water plan projects in water storage, transmission and supply where deficiencies are uniquely confined to specific geographical areas.

K. "Customer" means any person or persons, all entities, public or private, residential, industrial, commercial, governmental or institutional, who receive water as defined by the California State Department of Health Services, Division of Drinking Water, as either potable or reclaimed at a service connection, fire hydrant, or fire service system that is further defined by the RMC.

L. "Director" means the Director of the Public Works Department or his or her designee.

M. "Service area" means that area set forth in the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Contract No. 14-06-200-5272A-LTR1and as amended by any subsequent amendments.

(Ord. 2283 § 4(A), 2001: Ord. 1655 § 1 (part), 1983)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 1, 1-7-2014)

The director shall have authority to make a determination regarding any questions which may arise and/or are not fully answered by the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2502, § 1, 1-7-2014)

No money, funds or receipts of the water division shall be used for any other purpose than to defray the cost of the service of water, and no money, funds or receipts in the water fund shall be transferred to any other fund of the city except to defray the cost of service of water.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

All distribution facilities, including all mains, valves, meters and related appurtenances shall be the property of the city.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

A. The city will furnish water service in accordance with regulations contained in this chapter and other applicable provisions of this code to any property within the city's service area. When application is made for regular service through an existing previously paid service connection or discontinuance of service, no charge will be made for starting or discontinuing the service and no deposit will be required to establish credit for the service. Where the new use of the property is more dense than the prior use, the applicant shall pay those applicable charges for the increase in density. If application is made for service to property where no service connection has been installed or a part of a service connection has been installed but no regular service has been rendered to the property, the applicant, in addition to making application for the service, shall comply with the regulations governing the installation of service connections. The applicant shall, besides paying the charges for installing a new service connection, pay that water connection fee applicable to the type of service requested.

B. Where an extension of a distribution main is necessary to furnish the service requested, the applicant shall comply with the requirements of this section and also those of Section 14.08.130.

C. Each applicant for water or fire service shall sign an application form provided by the city. The execution of such application shall signify the customer's willingness and intention to comply with all regulations imposed and to pay for water service rendered.

D. Where a water service is located at an elevation that results in a low or a high water pressure condition, the customer may install an auxiliary system to increase or decrease the pressure at the expense of the customer. The auxiliary system shall be on the customer side of the water meter and remain the property of the customer who will be solely responsible for its maintenance and operation. The customer shall hold the city harmless for damage incurred from low or high water pressure conditions.

(Ord. 1655 § 1 (part), 1983)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

Within the authorized water service area set forth in that certain contract with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation designated Contract No. 14-06-200-5272A-LTR1, as amended by any subsequent amendments thereto, water service connections may be made with approval of the director beyond the city boundaries, subject to the following terms and conditions:

A. The connection and any line extensions required shall be at no cost to the city. The applicant shall pay the total construction cost, and, if additional right-of-way acquisition is required in order to construct line extensions to the point of connection, the applicant shall pay all costs of such acquisition. The applicant shall comply with the construction standards of the city for waterline extensions and connections to the satisfaction of the public works director of the city.

B. The applicant shall pay a water connection fee equal to the fee for new connections in the city in effect at the time of the application.

C. The applicant shall pay a monthly water service rate equal to the water service rate established by the city council for service in the unincorporated portions of the city's water service area.

D. The applicant shall be required to comply with the construction standards of the city for waterline extensions and connections to the satisfaction of the director.

E. If the existing water line to which the applicant desires to extend is substandard in size, the applicant may be required to replace the substandard line with a water line of appropriate size in relation to the anticipated development of the area which will be served by the connecting extension. To the extent such line is larger than is required to serve the needs of the applicant, the city may pay the costs of such oversizing in accordance with Section 14.08.130.

(Ord. 2374 § 13 (part), 2006: Ord. 2200 § 2(A), 1997; Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

An application for service will not be honored unless payment in full has been made for water service previously rendered to the applicant by the city.

(Prior code § 29-7)

A. Water services will be installed at size and at the location desired by the applicant where the request is consistent with city policy and ordinances. Service installations will be made only to property abutting on a public street or alley or water utility right-of-way at the convenience of the water utility. Services installed in new subdivisions prior to the construction of streets or street improvements must be accepted by the applicant in the installed location.

B. Title to all equipment and materials furnished shall remain with the city.

C. Where state and federal cross-connection control laws require separation of dual water systems with back-flow protective devices (double-check valve system), the water division will install the back-flow device on city rights-of-way in a separate concrete box immediately adjacent to the water meter box.

(Ord. 1655 § 1 (part), 1983)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

Temporary water service may be obtained through a fire hydrant or existing water service and metered for the purpose of providing water for construction projects or other temporary water use. Fire hydrant meters or service connection meters with control valves can be obtained from the water utility. Each temporary water service shall be protected from potential cross-connection. The rates charged for water service through a fire hydrant meter or temporary water service connection shall be the same as charged for a regular metered service. In addition to the charges for water used, an availability charge for the use of the fire hydrant meter or temporary water service meter shall be due and payable at the time temporary service is requested. Temporary water service connections shall be no more than six months in duration unless otherwise approved by the director.

(Ord. 1655 § 1 (part), 1983)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

Any person desiring to change the location of an existing water service shall make an application to the water utility for the change, and, if the director deems the change to be necessary or advisable, will cause the change to be made. The applicant requesting the change shall pay the city for the cost of all labor, equipment and materials expended in the change, plus fifteen percent for supervision. A cash deposit in the amount estimated to be the cost of relocating facilities will be required at the time the work is requested. If the actual cost of work exceeds the cash deposit, the difference shall be due and payable upon completion of the job.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

A. Whenever a driveway or crossing to be used for vehicular traffic is constructed within that portion of the city street lying between the curb line and the property line, the water utility will cause the removal and relocation of any water service connection or any part thereof which may be within the lines of such driveway or crossing, or the water service connection shall be placed in a meter box having a minimum proof load test of eighteen thousand pounds. The customer shall be responsible for all costs associated with relocating or protecting the water service connection.

B. The cost of removal, relocation, or maintenance of water service connections as provided in this section shall be charged against the property for which driveway or crossing was constructed and to the owner thereof.

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

A. Water service may be refused or discontinued to any premises where apparatus or appliances are in use which will endanger the service to other customers, or damage the city's water system.

B. Water service may be refused or discontinued to any premises where there exists a cross-connection or unapproved cross-connection control device in violation of state or federal law.

C. Water service may be discontinued if necessary to protect the city against fraud practiced by the customer.

D. Customers desiring to discontinue service shall notify the customer service department two days prior to vacating the premises. Unless discontinuance of service is ordered, the customer shall be liable for charges whether or not any water is used.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

All water meters and meter boxes installed by the city shall remain the property of the city, and where replacements, repairs or adjustments of any meter are rendered necessary by the act, negligence or carelessness of the customer, any expense caused the city thereby shall be charged against, and collected from, the customer. If the customer or owner fails to pay the charges, the water may be shut off until the charges are paid. Each separate pipe connection in any meter box shall be separately metered. All water meters shall be safely accessible at any reasonable hour to authorized employees of the city at all times for inspection, testing, maintenance, and reading.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

There shall be a meter control valve at the inlet of the water meter inside the meter box within the city easement, at a point to be designated by the city. The meter control valve and its box shall be for the city's exclusive use and under its exclusive control.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2502, § 2, adopted Jan. 7, 2014, changed the title of § 14.08.120 from "Curb cocks" to "Meter control valves."

Applicants for service beyond the limits of the existing water system may secure service, providing the service is located within the city's water service area and they comply with the following provisions:

A. A request shall be filed with the director indicating the property proposed to be served and the use to be made thereof. The director shall analyze the request with respect to the city's water master plan and engineering factors related to the site and the city's existing water system.

B. The general policy concerning the assignment of construction costs for such service shall be as follows:

1. All water lines required for the orderly development of the applicant's property shall be constructed at the applicant's cost.

2. Where the city requires a water line to be constructed greater in size than required for applicant's development, the city shall assume the cost of oversizing the water line. The city will pay the invoice pipe price difference between the size needed for the development and the size, required by the city, plus fifteen percent, provided an agreement is entered into with the city prior to commencement of work and when funds are available. All agreements and/or contracts shall be approved by the city council before work commences.

3. All water main construction in new subdivisions shall extend to the limits of the property and shall include all looping, interties with adjacent water agencies, and other supplementary lines that are necessary in order that future contiguous subdivisions can connect directly onto such subdivisions to maintain water quality and provide for the orderly development of the system.

4. If any additional construction is necessary to extend lines from existing mains to the applicant's property or subdivision, it shall be constructed at applicant's cost, unless the city council authorizes extension of such main at city expense because of special circumstances such as (a) size and nature of future service area, (b) distance from existing main, or (c) conformance to the water master plan.

C. Funds or money collected for installing service connections and water connection fees shall be deposited into the water fund of the city.

D. When it is necessary for the city to make an expenditure, the following interests of the city shall be considered:

E. When it is necessary for the city to make an expenditure, the following interests of the city shall be considered:

1. Will it improve service with respect to water quality, pressure, reliability of service and adequacy of water for fire protection?

2. Will the investment prove to be a financial benefit to the water department operation?

3. Is the investment a justifiable social or indirect economic benefit to the city?

4. Does the investment benefit the city in contrast to the individual?

5. Is the investment required by a federal or state mandate to meet new water quality or other such regulations?

F. Reimbursement agreements may be made where a main is extended by a developer beyond the terminus of the existing system and which makes individual domestic service available to other property owners along the frontage of the extension. Duration of the agreement is ten years.

G. Where a parcel of real property fronts upon a substandard main less than six inches in diameter in which the property owner or his or her predecessor in interest has a vested interest, he or she shall pay a front footage construction charge at the established rate set forth in this chapter, minus a percentage credit in the same ratio as the diameter of the substandard main bears to the diameter of a six-inch water pipe. Where a parcel of real property requesting connection fronts on a substandard main in which it has no vested interest, it shall be charged the established front footage construction charge in effect at the time of application. It is the stated intention of the city to replace the substandard main as soon as economically practicable, and, in the event that such replacement is accomplished by means of an assessment district, those who have been charged a front footage construction charge in accordance with the provisions of this subsection shall not be assessed any additional sum in any subsequent assessment district proceedings for the replacement of the substandard main with one of adequate size.

H. Reimbursement agreements may be made where a main is extended by a developer beyond the terminus of the existing system and which makes individual domestic service available to other property owners along the frontage of the extension. Funds reimbursed shall be from the front footage charges set forth in this chapter. Duration of the agreement is ten years.

(Ord. 2200 §§ 2(B) and (C), 1997; Ord. 1655 § 1 (part), 1983)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

A. It is unlawful for any person or organization to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, relocate, abandon or demolish a city system water line, without first filing an application and obtaining an encroachment permit from the department of public works. An application shall be made by the owner of the property involved, or an authorized agent employed in connection with the proposed work.

B. Encroachment permits are required and may be granted by the department of public works for the following improvement categories:

1. Connection to the city water system;

2. Improvements which are or will become public facilities owned and maintained by the city;

3. Improvements within dedicated but unimproved street rights-of-way;

4. Improvements which are, or will be, connected to the city water system.

C. Connection to the city water system shall be performed only by contractors who meet the following requirements as a minimum:

1. They shall possess a Class A or Class C-34 contractor's license as duly issued by the California Contractors State License Board;

2. They have posted a bond with the city in the amount determined by the department of public works; and

3. They provide insurance as required by the city's risk manager.

(Ord. 2359 § 1, 2006)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

The applicant for water service may apply for as many services as may be reasonably required for his or her premises; provided, that the pipeline system from each service shall be independent of the others and that they not be interconnected.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

The customer shall have a valve on his or her side of the service installation to control the flow of water to the piping on his or her premises. The customer shall not use the meter control valve to turn water on and off to his or her premises.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

No water service connection shall be installed or maintained by the city unless the water supply is protected in accordance with the city's cross-connection control program. Service of water to any premises shall be discontinued by the city if a required cross-connection control device is not installed and maintained or if it is found that a cross-connection control device has been removed or bypassed or if an unprotected cross-connection exists. Service will not be restored until such conditions or defects are corrected.

All cross-connection control devices shall be safely accessible to authorized employees or agents of the city at all times for inspection, testing, and maintenance. The city will certify cross-connection control devices on an annual basis, and customer shall solely bear all costs of repair and replacement if device fails inspection test.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

The city shall not be liable for damage which may result from an interruption in service from a cause beyond the control of the city. In addition, as a condition precedent to service, the city reserves the right to make temporary shutdowns without liability in order to make improvements and repairs. Whenever possible and as time permits, all customers affected will be notified prior to making shutdowns.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

Not more than one premises shall be served from each service connection.

(Prior code § 29-19)

Fire hydrants are provided for the purpose of extinguishing fires and are to be opened and used only by the water utility, fire department, or such persons as may be specially authorized therefor by the director. Other parties desiring to use fire hydrants for any purpose shall apply for, and obtain, temporary service in accordance with Section 14.08.075 - Temporary service.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

Fire hydrants will be moved at the request of property owners where such requests are reasonable and practicable in the sole judgment of the director. All costs shall be borne by the party requesting the relocation.

(Ord. 2374 § 13 (part), 2006: Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

In all cases where water is supplied to several tenants from one connection or tap, the city contracts only with the owner of the property or his or her authorized agents, and on owner's failure to comply with these regulations or to pay the monthly charges, the services will be disconnected until regulations are complied with or the charges paid.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

Customers shall prevent leakage of water and shall keep their service pipes, fixtures, control valves, pressure regulators, and other appurtenances, excepting the service installed and owned by the city, in good repair and free from leakage at customer's own expense, and each customer shall be liable for all damages which may result from customer's failure to do so. If customers fail to make necessary repairs to prevent water loss and related nuisance, the city may disconnect the services upon ten days' notice to the occupant.

(Ord. 1655 § 1 (part), 1983)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

No one except an authorized employee of the water utility or customer service department shall turn the water on or off from any building or premises at city, meter control valve or connect or disconnect or in any way tamper with any pipes in the meter boxes or with any other part of the water system of the city.

(Ord. 1934 § 1, 1990; Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

In order to ensure that the public water of Redding is safe to drink, it is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person, agent, or any public or private water system, to add any product, substance, or chemical to the public water supply for the purpose of treating or affecting the physical or mental functions of the body of any person, rather than to make water safe or potable, unless the substance meets the following criteria:

A. The substance must have been specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness with a margin of safety that is protective for all adverse health and cosmetic effects at all ranges of unrestricted consumption.

B. The substance, at maximum use levels, must contain no contaminants at concentrations that exceed U.S. Maximum Contaminant Level Goals or California Public Health Goals, whichever is more protective.

If any provision of this act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are severable.

(Ord. 2345 § 1, 2005)

No user of water supplied by the city shall supply water to users on a piece of property owned by another.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

All faucets, sprinklers, hose nozzles or other continuous streams must be shut off promptly upon the alarm of fire or other emergency or major disaster; the water not to be turned on again until the fire is known to be extinguished.

(Prior code § 29-27)

No person shall drill for water within the corporate limits of the city without first obtaining approval from the director and a permit from the Shasta County Environmental Health Department. Any premises connected to the city water system and served by a water well shall protect the city water system with an approved cross-connection control device.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

Opening and closing bills for less than the normal billing period shall be prorated as to minimum charges. Closing bills may be estimated by the customer service department for the final period as an expediency to permit the customer to pay the closing bill at the time service is discontinued.

(Ord. 1244 § 1 (part), 1976: prior code § 29-31)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

Separate bills shall be rendered for each metered water service connection.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

Connection charges, service rates, and other fees schedules in connection with the water distribution system as set forth in this chapter shall be adopted by a resolution of the city council. Connection charges are established by RMC Section 16.20.080.

(Ord. 2283 § 4(B), 2001: Ord. 2200 § 2(D), 1997: Ord. 1655 § 1 (part), 1983)

(Ord. No. 2435, § 1, 6-2-2009; Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

A service fee and other nondevelopment related fees in connection with the water distribution system shall be paid to the city in accordance with the rate schedule in effect, as duly adopted by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 2359 § 2, 2006; Ord. 2317 § 2, 2003: Ord. 2296 § 3 (part), 2002: Ord. 2283 § 4(C), 2001: Ord. 2247 § 2(A), 1999; Ord. 2200 § 2(E), 1997)

(Ord. No. 2435, § 1, 6-2-2009)

In fixing and establishing water rates for service within the city's water service area, the city council shall be guided by and must conform to and abide by the provisions of this section. Water rates shall be sufficient to produce sufficient revenue to pay all the costs of operation and maintenance of the water utility and the water system, and to discharge and pay all costs in connection with the additions and betterments to the water system, and to discharge and pay all costs of depreciation and obsolescence of the water system, and to discharge and pay the bonded indebtedness, including the principal and interest amounts thereof incurred by the city to construct the water system, and to establish and maintain a reserve fund not to exceed ten percent of operating costs.

(Ord. 2247 § 2(B), 1999: Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

If a meter is found to be not registering, the charges for service shall be based on the estimated consumption. Such estimates shall be made from previous consumption for a comparable period or by some other equitable method.

(Prior code § 29-35)

All water rates and other fees set forth in this chapter are due and payable on the date of billing thereof, and become delinquent twenty days thereafter. If the bill remains unpaid thirty-five days after the billing date, the customer service department or water utility of the city shall have the discretionary power to cut off water for nonpayment if nonpayment continues after demand. This discretionary power shall not be exercised where a good-faith basis exists to dispute the correctness of the billing tendered.

(Ord. 2220 § 2 (F), 1997: Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

Water rates and other fees set forth in this chapter shall be charged for premises vacated, until the city is notified in writing of the vacancy and is requested to turn the water off.

(Ord. 2200 § 2(G), 1997: Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

No person shall place trash, dirt, building materials or other objects or obstructions on meter boxes or around or adjacent to city fire hydrants and no person shall allow the facilities to become obstructed or obscured by vines, trees, shrubs or other plants in any manner so as to make the location difficult to determine, or to in any way interfere with or render difficult free access to or use of city meter boxes and city fire hydrants. In the event of such obstruction, notice shall be given to the property served by the meter or adjacent to the hydrant. The notice shall contain the requirement that the obstruction, whether a growing thing or otherwise, be removed. Penalty for nonremoval within five days after such notice shall be twenty-five dollars, to be added to the water bill and collected in the same manner and under the same condition as water rates are collected.

(Ord. 2296 § 3(part): Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)

A. Fire service systems shall be furnished in conformity with Uniform Building Code and Uniform Fire Code requirements applicable and as provided for herein:

1. The installation of fire service lines through public rights-of-way to serve private fire hydrants or private sprinkling systems shall be the responsibility of the owner requesting such service, including all work required to install the fire service line from the city's distribution main to the city's right-of-way line. All work on private rights-of-way shall be done in accordance with city construction standards for fire service construction and shall be performed by a licensed contractor approved by the city. All work on public right-of-ways shall be done under encroachment permit and in accordance with city construction standards for fire service construction and shall be performed by a licensed contractor approved by the city.

2. All commercial fire service lines shall be equipped with a cross-connection control device installed in accordance with city construction standards.

3. There shall be no water used through the fire service line except to extinguish fires or for testing of fire fighting equipment.

4. There shall be no connection between a fire service line and any other water distribution system on the premises.

5. Any consumption recorded on the fire service line detector meter will be charged for at four times the regular service rates, except that no charge will be made for water used to extinguish fires where such fires have been reported to the fire department.

B. The city water utility shall inspect and maintain all fire hydrants on public and private property. The property owner shall maintain free access at all times that the premises are open for business so that the water utility can inspect and maintain the fire service and hydrant. All leads and hydrants located on private property shall be in an easement. The easement shall be defined as a fire hydrant extension easement.

(Ord. 2296 § 3(part): Ord. 1655 § 1 (part), 1983)

(Ord. No. 2502, § 2, 1-7-2014)

Representatives from the water division shall have the right of ingress and egress to the customer premises at reasonable hours for reasonable or necessary purposes connected with the provision of water service to the premises.

(Ord. 1453 § 1 (part), 1979)