Tehama Municipal Code Art. I General Provisions

A. The purposes of the ordinance codified in this chapter are as follows:

1. To provide revenue for the maintenance and operation of the water system of the city of Tehama;

2. To provide revenue for the replacement and extension thereof;

3. To provide for the repayment of any debt.

B. The policy of the city with respect to the matters herein covered is declared as follows:

1. To rescind previous ordinances relating to the water system and revise the same in accordance with this chapter.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)

The water service area is that area located within the city limits.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)

Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever the words or terms defined in this section, or pronouns used in their place, occur in this chapter, they shall have the following meanings:

"City" means the city of Tehama, California.

"City council" means the city council of the city of Tehama, California.

"City limits" means the corporate limits of the city of Tehama, California.

"City manager" means the city administrator of the city of Tehama or his or her authorized representative.

"City water distribution system" means all pipes, transmission and distribution mains and other facilities owned or operated by the city to supply, provide, or deliver water to its customers.

"Commercial service" means the provision of water to premises used for a business, trade, manufacturing or processing activity, including without limitation schools, irrigation service connections and all other services not hereinafter defined as a "domestic service." The provision of water to premises used for both commercial and domestic purposes shall be considered commercial service.

"Cross-connection" means any actual or potential connection between the city's or consumer's potable piping system and any other source or piping system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the potable piping system any used water, industrial fluid, gas or substance other than the potable water with which the piping system is supplied. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or change-over devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow can or may occur are considered to be cross-connections.

"Customer" means the owner of the property receiving water service.

"Department" means the department of water of the city of Tehama, California.

"Director" means the director of the department of water of the city of Tehama, or his or her authorized representatives.

"Distribution main" means a water pipeline used to convey potable water from a transmission main to the customer's property.

"Domestic service" means the provision of water solely for household and domestic irrigation purposes to premises with one or more residential dwelling units, excluding the provision of water defined herein as "commercial service."

"Fire service" means the water pipe and appurtenant facilities dedicated to provide water solely for fire fighting purposes.

"Irrigation season" means May through October, inclusive, unless a different time period is specified by resolution of the city council.

"Irrigation service" means a water pipe dedicated to provide water solely for irrigation of landscaping.

"Metered rate" means the periodic rate charged for the provision of water in measured quantities based on the quantity delivered, that may include a minimum rate or service charge.

"Person" means any person, company, partnership, agency or other public or private entity.

"Point of service" means the location where the city's distribution main delivers water to the customer's private water line. The point of service for water services in public streets lacking curb, gutter, and sidewalk improvements is located at the street right-of-way line. Where the exact location of the point of service is unclear, the location shall be determined by the director.

"Premises" means the property or area, including improvements thereon, to which water service is or will be provided.

"Private water line" means a water pipeline that is owned and maintained by a party other than the city, beyond the city's point of service.

"Public fire hydrant" means a fire hydrant that is owned and maintained by the city.

"Public water main" means a transmission or distribution main that is owned and maintained by the city.

"Service connection" or "water service connection" means any tap, pipe, or other means of taking water from the city water distribution system. A water service connection occurs at the time that a tap, pipe, or other means of taking water is physically attached to the city water distribution system in a manner capable of taking water from the distribution system. The water service connection includes the corporation stop/valve on the distribution main, and the meter and curb stop on a metered water service or the curb stop on an unmetered water service.

"Standard specifications" means the standard specifications of the city of Tehama.

"Transmission main" means a water pipe used to convey potable water from a well or treatment plant to a distribution main.

"Temporary water service" means the provision of water for a period of twelve (12) months or less.

"Water conservation device" means any mechanical or electrical equipment employed to efficiently use water.

"Water meter" means a water meter provided or approved by the city that is installed on a water service connection in a manner that measures the volume of all water taken from the city water distribution system through that water service connection. As used in Article III of this chapter, water meter shall include the water meter, the meter box containing the water meter and all related attachments and equipment.

"Water service" means the provision of water from the city water distribution system in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable ordinances, laws and regulations.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)