Chapter 4.104 — WATER DISTRICT REGULATIONS

Unless the context otherwise, terms used herein have the following meaning:

(a)

Board shall mean the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

(b)

District shall mean County Service Area No. 7.

(c)

Customer shall mean any Person who purchases water from a district.

(d)

Customer Advisory Committee shall mean a sub-committee of district customers established to advise the Director of Public Works concerning issues affecting the water district.

(e)

Meter shall mean the district's water meter which measures the amount of water furnished to the customer.

(f)

Rates for water service shall mean those rates for water service furnished by the district which rates may be established by Ordinance adopted by the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

(1)

Service Connection Charges.

District Meter Size

⅝″  ¾″  1″  1½″  2″ Fire
Detector

CSA 7 $690 $720 $800 $1,260 $1,435 $1,150

(2)

Facilities Buy-In Charge.

Service Size Charge

All Meter Sizes $3,905.00

Buy-In Charges reflect July 1, 2020 ENR Construction Cost Index. Buy-In Charges to be adjusted annually on July 1 according to the ENR Construction Cost Index.

(3)

Account Set-Up Fee.

Meter Size Charge

All Meter Sizes $100.00

(4)

Deposit for Rental Meter.

Meter Size Charge

Rental Meter—⅝″ x ¾″ $200.00

Rental Meter—2″ $900.00

(5)

Flat Monthly Service Charge.

CSA 7 2021—22 2022—23 2023—24 2024—25 2025—26

All Meter Sizes $85.16 $87.71 $90.34 $93.05 $95.84

Rates for each fiscal year effective with June billings.

(6)

Water Charge.

CSA 7 2021—22 2022—23 2023—24 2024—25 2025—26

Unit (per 100 cubic foot unit $20.45 $21.06 $21.69 $22.34 $23.01 of water delivered)

Rates for each fiscal year effective with June billings.

(7)

Bulk Rate Water Permits (Permits issued on a per tank basis).

Tank Capacity Charge

1,500 gallons or less $2,000.00

Over 1,500 gallons $4,000.00

(8)

Miscellaneous Fees.

Reason Amount

Restoration of service turned off for non-payment

 — Normal business hours $130.00

 — After normal business hours $300.00

Returned Check Charge $25.00

Meter test (at customer's request) $300.00

Removal of flow restrictors $150.00

Reinstall meter (removed for non-payment):

 Meter size under 1″ $275.00

 Meter size over 1″ $350.00

Reconnection of service from the water main One-half (½) the service connection charge for a new water service

Relocate water meter (from obstructions) 100% of the service connection charge for a new water service

Meter replacement at customer's request:

 Meter size under 1″ $275.00

Meter size over 1″ $350.00

Fire Hydrant Flow Test Permit (for pressure determination) $100.00

Late payment charge $35.00

(9)

Escrow Accounts.

Reasons Amount

Special services Estimated by district

Escrow accounts shall be established prior to the beginning of the special services requested of the district. The costs for special services shall be charged directly to the escrow account. An administrative surcharge of 15% shall be added to all district costs charged the escrow account.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97; Ord. 3909, 06/01/99)

(Ord. No. 04652, § 1, 3-26-2013; Ord. No. 04687, 2-11-2014; Ord. No. 04843, § 1, 5-4-2021)

A customer advisory committee may be established in any district. The committee will consist of not more than twelve members selected by the majority of the customers in the district. The customer advisory committee shall establish by laws covering organizational structure, meetings, quorum, voting or other decision-making process, documentation of the committee actions/proceedings and other appropriate matters. The customer advisory committee shall be advisory to the Director of Public Works.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

A service connection charge shall be collected from all customers where a new connection to the district water main is required for service. The district may require proof that their property has had a previous water connection with the district. The district may also require proof that efficient, water conserving plumbing fixtures are installed in facilities as a condition of approval for issuing a Permit for a new service connection to the district mains.

Facilities "Buy-In" Charge. A district facilities "buy-in" charge shall be collected in addition to a service connection charge for all water service connection to the district mains for new parcels created after July 1, 1993, pursuant to procedures of the California State Subdivision Map Act.

Connections for Irrigation of Landscaping. District may require customers with parcels zoned for use other than single family residential to install separate meters for landscaping.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

An account set-up fee shall be collected from all customers who wish to have an account set-up after July 1, 1997 in order to receive water service from the district. The fee must be paid prior to the furnishing of water service by district. Customers who previously paid a refundable meter deposit when opening their account shall have that deposit returned to them at the time the account is closed.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

Payment for water service shall include a fixed service charge and a charge for water as measured by the meter. The payment must be received by the district on or before the due date (21 days after the billing date) or a late charge will be applied to the customer account. A "returned check" fee shall be charged to the customer's account for checks that are submitted to the district in payment for water service and returned from the bank unpaid.

Charges for Water Service When Meters Cannot be Read. When district personnel are prevented by a fence, automobile, trash, hostile dog or other such obstruction, from accessing the meter box to determine the amount of water furnished a customer, the quantity of water used may be estimated for billing purposes by the district based on 150 percent of the preceding 12 months average usage. Customers, whose meter cannot be read shall receive a written notice to take appropriate action to make the meter available for reading by district readers. The district shall have the option to discontinue water service to customers when a meter continues to be obstructed from reading after the two reading periods.

Water Meter Relocation. Where a meter is obstructed because fences, walls or other structures have been constructed over or around the meter by customer and thus preventing ready access by district, said meter may be relocated by the district to be readily accessible for reading and maintenance.

(a)

Prior to relocating a meter that has been obstructed, district shall give said customer sixty (60) calendar days written notice to remove the said obstruction.

(b)

Meters that remain obstructed 60 days after the written notice may be relocated by district.

(c)

The customer shall be charged by district for the cost of relocating said meter and said charges shall be added to the customer's account.

(d)

Re-plumbing the customer's service line to the relocated meter box shall be the complete responsibility of the customer. Meter connections shall be approved by district.

Appeals. Customers who dispute water charges and/or conditions required of them for water service in accordance with these rates and regulations may submit an appeal to the Director of Public Works. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Director of Public Works, County of San Mateo and describe the basis for the dispute. The decision of the Director of Public Works shall be final.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

The district may make special arrangements for payment by individual customers on a case-by-case basis.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

A late payment charge shall be assessed on accounts where payment is not received by the district by the due date. The due date shall be twenty-one (21) days after the billing date.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

When charges for water service furnished to any customer of the district remain outstanding and unpaid for a period of forty-two (42) days after the billing date the district will shut-off water service to the customer until all of the charges including the shut-off fees have been paid in full and the customer has complied with all applicable terms and conditions.

(a)

Water service discontinued for non-payment shall be restored the same day when all terms, conditions and charges are completed satisfactorily during normal business hours before 4:00 P.M. Accounts settled after 4:30 P.M. shall be restored the following working day.

(b)

After hours "turn-on's" will be provided upon payment of an "after hours service restoration charge."

(c)

The district may remove a meter when necessary to enforce discontinuance of a customer's water service for non-payment. Restoration of service in this event shall require a payment of a "re-install meter" fee in addition to all other applicable fees and charges.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

Where said outstanding charges are billed to accounts coded as multifamily dwellings, district may install a flow restrictor at the customers's meter in lieu of said discontinuance. Installation of said flow restrictor shall not be in lieu of discontinuance of service if said delinquent charges remains unpaid after an additional thirty (30) days.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

When water service by district has been discontinued to a customer for non-payment of outstanding charges and the service is altered or otherwise tampered with for the unauthorized purposed of taking water, the district may disconnect the service line at the main in the street without further notice to the customer. In the event that a water service is disconnected for unauthorized activities, the district shall notify the San Mateo County Department of Environmental Health. Customer accounts for water service that has been restricted, disconnected by removing the meter or by disconnection from the main, shall as a condition precedent to full reinstatement of water service by the district be assessed a charge to cover the cost of reinstating service. The charge shall be in addition to all other charges which may be required and is not refundable.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

Customers may request of district that their meter be tested. The district shall charge a fee for testing a meter at a customer's request, except that if said meter is found to be inaccurate in favor of customer no charge shall be made. Customers requesting a meter test shall receive a written report of the results of said test.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

Customers who damage district facilities shall be charged the cost of repairs or replacement of said facilities in addition to all other charges, or fees which may be required. Service may be discontinued until all such fees are paid. The district reserves the right to file complaints for prosecution under applicable sections of the Penal Code and/or Water Code(s) of the State of California.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

As a measure of protection to the public system against contamination, customers may be required by local ordinance or other special regulations, to install fire detector checks, backflow prevention devices or other such special equipment at or near their service connection. Any said special equipment shall be installed at customer expense under district specifically for the purpose of fire protection, said services shall be equipped with an approved detector Permit and shall be the property of the customer for operation and maintenance.

Detector Check Assemblies. Where services are installed and accounts are opened with the district specifically for the purpose of fire protection, said services shall be equipped with an approved detector check assembly installed by customer and retrofitted for district meters. When detector checks are placed within private property and not within an easement, customer shall authorize district implied permission to enter said property to inspect the equipment and to read and maintain meter. Customers may provide remote reading meters for routine reading by district personnel. The location and technical details of said remote reading meter shall be approved by district and shall be designed and installed at customers cost and expense. All valves to said detector check assemblies on the district side of the meters shall be within an easement suitable for such purpose.

Detector Check Assembly Connection Charges. District shall collect charge for each new detector assembly check installed.

Repair and Certification of Special Equipment.

Special equipment installed by customer shall be kept functional for its intended use and in good repair at all times.

(a)

When testing and certification of said equipment is required by any State or local agency and district has been notified in writing that said equipment is not in compliance, district may discontinue water service without further notice.

(b)

If any of said special equipment is suspected of being faulty, district may require customer to have it tested and certified by a properly licensed and certified technician to be fit for its intended use.

(c)

The district may require reasonable routine periodic inspection and certification of special equipment where no other regulatory agency has such a requirement.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

Waterline taps, connections, alterations, valve adjustments or any other such nonemergency activity to district facilities, by individuals other than district personnel shall require a Permit issued by district. District shall be notified at the earliest opportunity by any Person or agency performing "any" work on district facilities.

License Requirement. Persons authorized to perform work on district facilities shall be properly licensed for such work under California State Contract License Law and may be required to show proof that they possess, in force, minimal insurance determined necessary by the district.

Notice Required. An authorized Permit holder shall notify Underground Service Alert (USA) before digging for any district facility within the public right-of-way.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

The district may issue day permits for bulk water users to take water from fire hydrants for filling water tank trucks.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

The district may make special arrangements for water use and payment by public agencies and public utilities.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

Water facilities constructed by individuals or agencies with the intention of connecting to district mains shall be inspected and approved by district prior to connection. Said projects shall be considered "private" projects until accepted in writing by district.

Acceptance of New Water Mains by the District.

Non-district projects may be accepted by the district for operation and maintenance provided that the individual(s) or agency offering the proposed facilities has entered into an agreement with the district prior to acceptance. No new water mains shall be constructed in district easements or physically connected to any district facilities prior to the execution of such an agreement with district.

Requests for New Services that may Require Modification to Mains. Requests for water service which may require modification to existing district mains shall be considered, provided that the individual(s) or agency requesting the service deposit funds into an escrow account to cover the district costs for a detailed review of the project. After the review, if the individual(s) or agency decides to proceed with the project and construct necessary modification(s) and/or additions to district facilities, an agreement for the work shall be executed with the district by the requesting party.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

Special services may be provided by the district at the option of the Director of Public Works. Special services, not designated in this schedule shall be charged at the district cost for labor, equipment and material plus an administrative surcharge. Special services may include but not be limited to plan checking, inspection, administrative costs and repair services (where district water lines have been damaged). Before the district will provide requested special services, an escrow account from which the district can draw payment shall be funded by the requesting party. When special services have been completed and all necessary district approvals have been met, the depositor may make a written request for the unused or uncommitted amount remaining in the amount to be refunded.

(Ord. 3781, 6/24/97)

(1)

Purpose. The district has a responsibility of protecting the potable water supply from contamination occurring through cross connection or backflow. This can only be achieved by implementing an effective cross connection control program. This program is designed to:

a)

Protect the potable water supply against actual or potential cross-contamination or pollution that may occur because of some undiscovered or unauthorized cross connection on a water user's system;

b)

Eliminate existing connections between drinking water systems and other sources of water that are not approved as safe and potable for human consumption;

c)

Protect the drinking water supply within the premises where plumbing defects or cross connections may endanger the drinking water supply available on the water user's system;

d)

Mitigate the burden on rate-payers arising from costs associated with remediating contamination of the district water supply due to backflow from private water sources caused by a water user's failure to comply with the requirements of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

(2)

Incorporation of Regulations. The regulations of the California Department of Public Health, Title 17, California Code of Regulations, sections 7583—7605, inclusive, hereinafter referred to as Title 17, the ordinance codified in this chapter, County Ordinance Code chapter 4.72 (Backflow Prevention Ordinance) and all amendments thereto, are hereby adopted, incorporated by references herein and made a part hereof, insofar as the same are applicable to the protection of the district's water distribution system.

(3)

Requirements.

a)

No water service connection to any premises or facilities shall be installed or maintained by the district unless the district's water supply is adequately protected in accordance with the requirements and regulations of Title 17, the ordinance codified in this chapter, and the Backflow Prevention Ordinance, as determined by the District or its designee.

b)

The property owner or water user is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and appropriate testing, including any associated costs, of any protective device or assembly as required and as directed by the district or its designee. The district, or its designee, shall be furnished with a copy of any backflow prevention assembly test results as required by Title 17, the Backflow Prevention Ordinance, or the district. Such testing and submittal of test results shall be performed and submitted as directed and in the time frames defined in the Backflow Prevention Ordinance.

c)

The water user's system should be open for inspection at all reasonable times, or in case of emergency at any time, to authorized representatives of the district to determine whether cross connections or other structural or sanitary hazards, including violations of the ordinance codified in this chapter, exist.

d)

Failure to comply with any section of the ordinance codified in this chapter may be cause for the discontinuance of water service, as ordered by the Director of Public Works or his designee. The Director of Public Works shall give notice in writing of any violations of this chapter to the property owner and water user. If appropriate action is not taken by the property owner or water user within ten (10) calendar days after such notice has been mailed or delivered in Person, the Director of Public Works may discontinue delivery of water. However, if the Director of Public Works or his designee determines that the violation constitutes an immediate threat to the public health or safety or to the integrity of the public water system,

the district may discontinue delivery of water immediately without prior notice; in such an instance, the district shall deliver notice of discontinuance as soon as practicable to the property owner and water user. Delivery of water shall not be resumed until an appropriate protective device has been properly installed, tested, and approved as provided in this section.

(4)

Program Administration. The administration of the Cross Connection Control Program shall be considered as special services provided by the district in accordance with County Ordinance Code section 4.104.190; however, property owners or water users required to procure, install, test, maintain, repair and replace backflow prevention devices, shall be charged an equal share of the actual costs in a fiscal year incurred by the district for labor, equipment and material for the implementation and annual maintenance of the Cross Connection Control Program. The charges, when assessed, shall be included as part of the water user's water bill and must be paid by the water user in the same manner as the water bill.

(Ord. No. 04687, 2-11-2014)