Tracy Municipal Code Art. 7 Drawing Water from Fire Hydrants and Construction Water

(a) No person or persons, other than City personnel, shall open any fire hydrant or attempt to draw water therefrom, except through a City-owned hydrant meter, and except pursuant to a permit obtained from the City and approved by the Director or his/her designee in control of such hydrant.

It is unlawful and a misdemeanor to violate this section. (See TMC Section 1.04.030(b).) Sworn peace officers and other City staff with training in the powers of arrest and designated by the Police Chief are authorized to enforce this section.

(b) A true copy of the obtained permit must, at all times, be in the possession of any person taking water from any fire hydrant. If any such person fails to display the permit copy upon demand, the City reserves the right to discontinue service and take possession of the City-owned meter and any appurtenances thereto. A service reinstatement fee will be charged to the applicant for reinstatement of such service.

(c) If no City-owned meter is available to the customer, the customer may use load counts, if approved by the City, and notify the Development Services Department of the count each and every Friday.

(d) Regardless of whether a City-owned meter or load count is utilized, a per day fee will be paid by the permittee for each and every day the permit is in effect, including weekends and holidays, regardless of whether water is used or not used.

In addition to the per day fee, the permittee will be charged for the amount of water metered or a load or loads counted at the prevailing rate schedule plus an administrative fee.

(e) When a City-owned meter is utilized, a deposit in an amount determined by City Council resolution shall be required. The deposit will be returned to the permittee upon closure of the water permit and payment of all applicable fees. The City may use the deposit for any of the unpaid fees.

(Prior code § 11-7.701)

(Ord. No. 1227, § 1(Exh. A), 10-18-2016)

(a) The use of fresh water for construction uses during a period of declared drought or during water emergencies is prohibited except with the City's written approval.

(b) The use of fresh water for dust control or other construction purposes is prohibited during a declared drought or water emergency when an alternative approved water source is available. The City's Wastewater Treatment Plant may, in a drought or water emergency, provide recycled wastewater or stormwater, at the per day permit fee, plus actual water consumption, plus an administrative fee, to water trucks for construction purposes whenever feasible.

(1) The Director may waive this prohibition on days of extreme winds which cause a dust control problem, if he or she determines that extreme winds are prevalent which are creating a dust control nuisance which must be abated immediately.

(2) In such instances, a one-day permit may be arranged through the Director. The permit will expire at the end of the work day, and usage of potable-quality water will be billed at the per day permit fee, plus actual water consumption, plus an administrative fee.

(Prior code § 11-7.702)

(Ord. No. 1196, § 1 (Exh. A), 6-16-2015; Ord. No. 1227, § 1(Exh. A), 10-18-2016)