Tehachapi Municipal Code Ch. 13.04 Water Service

"Multiple hookup" means service through one meter to more than one living unit. Application for multiple hookup shall in all cases be made by the property owner.

(Ord. 370 § 8, 1971)

Application for water must be made at the office of the water department before a connection will be made or the water will be turned on.

(Ord. 370 § 1, 1971)

A. All applicants for water service shall pay all delinquent city utility accounts in their names prior to receiving water service. All applicants who are not owners of the real property for which water service is requested shall make a deposit at the time of application in an amount established by resolution of the city council.

B. The deposit shall secure payment of the applicant's future water charges as well as all other utility charges which appear on the same billing with the water charges, such as sewer service charges and refuse charges. The deposit shall be returned to applicant when water service is discontinued, provided all utility charges have been paid in full. If the utility charges have not been paid in full when the service is discontinued or if water service is disconnected for nonpayment of the utility bill pursuant to subsection C of Section 13.04.110, the unpaid utility charges, including those for water, sewer and refuse services, and all penalties and interest shall first be deducted from the deposit and the balance thereof paid to the applicant. If the applicant cannot be located, after sixty days have elapsed from the date that water service was disconnected applicant's right to the deposit terminates and the deposit or remaining portion thereof shall be forfeited and paid into the city's general fund.

C. If water service is disconnected pursuant to subsection C of Section 13.04.110 and if applicant thereafter requests reconnection, applicant shall, prior to reconnection, do all of the following: (1) pay any remaining balance and penalties on applicant's unpaid utility account, (2) pay such reconnection fee as is established by resolution of the city council, and (3) pay a deposit in an amount established by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 95-03-627 § 1(part), 1995: Ord. 370 § 2, 1971)

When a new service connection to a main is requested, the labor and materials will be provided by the city. A service charge in the amount of one hundred fifty dollars shall be paid in advance by the applicant for the connection; provided, however, that in case of a service line or meter larger than three-quarter-inch is requested and installed, an additional charge shall be made, equal to the added cost of materials above the three-quarter-inch size. The materials used in any such connection, including the meters, shall become and remain the property of the city.

(Ord. 370 § 4, 1971)

In addition to any installation charge levied under Section 13.04.040, a connection fee in the same amount required of subdividers, as provided in subsection A of Section 10 of Ordinance 202 on subdivisions, as amended, will be paid in advance by the applicant.

(Ord. 370 § 5, 1971)

Except by special permit, all water service provided through the city water system must be through meters, of a kind or type approved by the superintendent of public works. No such special permit shall be given except for temporary or intermittent service, or where the quantity of water used is so small that it does not, in the opinion of the superintendent of public works, justify the installation of a meter.

(Ord. 370 § 3, 1971)

Where a water meter fails to register during any period, a charge shall be made upon an estimate by the superintendent of public works, based on the average of the preceding three months; or, where a meter has not been installed or operating for three months, then during such period as the meter shall have registered.

(Ord. 370 § 7(c), 1971)

All persons are forbidden to interfere with or remove a water meter from any service without first receiving permission from the superintendent of public works. The customer to whom a water meter is registered shall be responsible for maintaining the area around the water meter free of weeds, debris, and other material so as to provide reasonable access to the water meter by city personnel and city shall have the right to charge each customer who fails to perform the foregoing maintenance an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars for each failure to reimburse city for the cost of clearing the weeds, debris, or other material to provide for access to the water meter.

(Ord. 03-05-670 § 1, 2003; Ord. 370 § 7(g), 1971)

Water rates shall be established by resolution of the city council. Individual water service charges shall be billed on the same statement as other city utilities including sewer and refuse services.

(Ord. 95-03-627 § 1(part), 1995: Ord. 370 § 7(part), (a) and (b), 1971)

Charges shall be made for water service to vacated premises until the superintendent of public works shall have been notified of the discontinuance of the use of water and requested to turn the water off.

(Ord. 370 § 7(h), 1971)

A. The person making the application for water service shall be responsible for all charges on the utility bill.

B. All money due for the water service shall be due and payable upon presentation of the utility bill.

C. The city council shall adopt by resolution one or more written policies: (i) on discontinuing residential service for nonpayment and (ii) on delinquent bill collection. Such policies may include penalties and other payments or charges for delinquent bills and for reestablishing water service.

D. Any customer whose service has been disconnected pursuant to this section or any other section of Chapter 13.04 and who reconnects, allows others to reconnect, or causes the reconnection of customer's premises without payment in full of the utility bill for the premises as described herein or without otherwise curing the action which caused the termination of water service or without written authority from the city shall pay all costs otherwise chargeable hereunder including, but not limited to, those costs described in Sections 13.04.130, 13.04.180 and 13.04.240, all penalties described hereunder including, but not limited to, those described in Section 13.04.240, and such additional penalty in an amount established from time to time by resolution of the city council. In the event of the foregoing, the city may also require the customer to post a deposit whether the customer is the property owner of the premises or otherwise in an amount established from time to time by resolution of the city council.

E. If any check offered by a customer for payment in whole or in part for the service described herein is returned without payment for any reason, a charge may be imposed on the customer in an amount set from time to time by resolution of the city council (but not to exceed the actual costs incurred by the city for its processing and collection costs) and such penalty may be added to and become a part of the underlying obligation. The city may also require the customer to post a deposit whether the customer is the property owner of the premises or otherwise in an amount established from time to time by resolution of the city council from time to time.

(Ord. 02-04-662 § 1, 2002; Ord. 95-03-627 § 1(part), 1995: Ord. 370 § 6, 1971)

(Ord. No. 20-01-754, § 1, 2-18-2020)

A. The city council reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to grant rebates from the charges specified in this chapter to charitable institutions and indigent persons, and, in the event of any dispute as to the charges to be paid by any consumer, reserves the right to determine which of such charges shall be paid.

B. No allowance or rebate shall be made in charges so long as the water remains connected, and full rates shall be charged until the superintendent of public works has been requested to shut off or disconnect the water. Upon request by the consumer, the superintendent of public works may shut off or disconnect the water from the premises of any consumer.

(Ord. 370 § 7(d) and (e), 1971)

After a connection has been made and a meter attached, any damage to any of the city water facilities, or contamination of mains resulting from the carelessness or neglect of the owner, agent or tenant, shall be paid upon presentation of a bill therefor; and in case such bill is not paid, the water may be shut off without further notice until all such charges are paid.

(Ord. 370 § 7(f), 1971)

When a water main is installed to serve premises, all service connections must be made to that water main, and any other service shall be disconnected.

(Ord. 370 § 9(i), 1971)

A. No person shall tap any water main, or in any manner whatever meddle or interfere with any part of or access to the waterworks of the city without having first obtained the written permission of the superintendent of public works.

B. When a permit is issued to any person to make a connection to the water mains of the city, it shall be the duty of such person, within twenty-four hours after the completion of such connection, to report the same to the superintendent of public works.

(Ord. 370 § 9(g) and (h), 1971)

Each and every house must be served by a separate service, either from the main directly, or from the lateral at the property line. In cases where services are requested in addition to that already serving the premises, the old service must be disconnected at the main unless permission is given allowing it to remain.

(Ord. 370 § 9(b), 1971)

All new individual service connections for a single-family residence shall be a minimum of one inch in diameter from the city main to the property line. All double service connections to single-family lots shall be a minimum of one and one-fourth inches diameter from the city main to the property line. All other service connections shall be the minimum size specified in the current edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code for the number of "fixture units" to be served, and the length of the service connection.

(Ord. 370 § 9(a), 1971)

All applicants for water service shall be responsible for maintaining the service pipes beyond the meters in good repair at no expense to the city, and will be held responsible to pay for all damage to or contamination of the city water system which may result from failure to do so.

(Ord. 370 § 9(e), 1971)

No boiler or underground sprinkler system shall be connected to the city water system without the installation of a backflow preventer of a type approved by the superintendent of public works. Such a backflow preventer shall be installed in all services not having one within six months after April 19, 1971, the time of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

(Ord. 370 § 9(d), 1971)

Any person intending to take water through, from or by means of any fire hydrant in the city shall first file with the water department an application for a permit to use water from this source. Hydrant wrenches and directions for use of water from fire hydrants shall be provided by the water department.

(Ord. 370 § 9(m), 1971)

A. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to furnish water to anyone within the corporate limits of the city, either for domestic or irrigation purposes, from a plant or system owned or controlled by themselves, or furnish water purchased or received by them from some other person, firm or corporation, except to those persons, firms or corporations, or to stockholders in such corporations, that are the rightful owner or owners of such plants or systems. Except by written permit from the city council, any person, firm or corporation now furnishing water contrary to the aforesaid shall, within a reasonable time, discontinue doing so upon the written request of the superintendent of public works.

B. No person receiving water from the city water system shall regularly furnish water through his connection to any other person, firm or corporation for any purpose whatsoever except by written permission from the superintendent of public works.

(Ord. 370 § 9(k) and (l), 1971)

The superintendent of public works, city building inspector, or other duly authorized officer shall be admitted at all reasonable hours to all parts of any premises supplied with water to determine whether the regulations set out in this chapter are observed.

(Ord. 370 § 9(f), 1971)

The city reserves the right, at any time, without notice, to shut off the water in its mains or services for the purpose of making repairs or extensions, or for other necessary operational purposes.

(Ord. 370 § 9(c), 1971)

Failure to comply with the rules and regulations established as a condition to the use of water, or to pay charges or any penalty imposed, in the time and manner provided in this chapter, shall be sufficient cause for the water to be shut off until payment is made for the damages and/or charges due, plus an additional charge which the city council may establish from time to time by resolution, to pay for the city's costs incurred in following its procedures with regard to same.

(Ord. 02-03-661 § 1, 2002: Ord. 370 § 7(i), 1971)

The city will not be liable as the result of any interruption of the supply of water for operational reasons.

(Ord. 370 § 9(j), 1971)

Every person violating or failing or neglecting or refusing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding the sum of one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment not to exceed six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Every day upon which a violation of any provision of this chapter exists or continues shall constitute a separate offense.

(Ord. 95-03-627 § 1(part), 1995: Ord. 370 § 10, 1971)