Torrance Municipal Code § 76.1 General

As used in this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them:

a) "Distribution main" is a water main, or part of the capacity thereof, designed or used to distribute water for fire protection and domestic use within a given territory served by the City.

b) "Supply main" is a water main, or a part of the capacity thereof, designed or used for the purpose of transporting water to a distribution main.

c) "Water main" is the principal pipe or conduit laid in a street or right-of-way through which water is transported or delivered by the City.

There is hereby established in and for the City, a municipal water department, which department shall have jurisdiction, supervision and control of all the water development and distribution activities and systems of waterworks owned by the City and acquired or constructed from the proceeds of bonds issued by or on behalf of Municipal Water District No. 1, Municipal Water District No. 2, Municipal Water District No. 3 and Municipal Improvement District No. 1 of the City or otherwise, and which shall include, but shall not be limited to all water subfacilities attached thereto or subdivision lines and appurtenant connections thereto heretofore or hereafter laid in the streets of the City, whether located within the water districts or outside the respective boundaries thereof in other portions of the City, and such works and facilities may be referred to as the municipal waterworks system, excepting only those mains and distribution systems owned by individuals or by private water companies operating within the City. The department may be referred to as the Torrance Municipal Water Department or Water Department.

The Water Department, subject to the general control of the City Council, shall be under the direct supervision of the Water Superintendent of the City, which office is hereby created.

The Water Superintendent shall receive such compensation for his services as the City Council may from time to time determine.

It shall be the duty of the Water Superintendent to devote his entire working time to the affairs of the Water Department and to keep the City Council generally advised respecting the Department, its status, requirements and activities. He shall also see that the rules and regulations for water service from the system as provided in this Chapter are enforced.

All employees of the City, including but not limited to the Water Superintendent, heretofore and now employed by the City in connection with the administration, maintenance and operation of the various water districts owned by the City and who are employees in the classified service of the City shall continue in the classified service.