Ventura Municipal Code Ch. 22.120 Water Mains

No mains shall be connected to the water system unless laid in accordance to specifications of the superintendent. Pipe smaller than six inches in diameter, excepting cul-de-sac streets less than 300 linear feet long, shall not be laid as a main. In said cul-de-sac streets a four-inch main will be acceptable. (Code 1971, § 4551)

Applicants who are owners of a single lot, subdivision or tract of land where there are dedicated streets or where there is a right-of-way for public utilities, said right-of-way being readily accessible from a public highway, which have no water mains thereon, may have water distribution facilities laid in same and shall pay the cost of the construction of such facilities or extension provided such extension is within the designated limits of the area to be served by the water system. Such extension shall include water mains, fire hydrants and services, and, having due regard to the requirements of adjacent land and the growth of the city, shall be of such size and kind as the city engineer shall determine will properly supply such tract and will be a maximum of 10 inches for a primarily residential development and 12 inches for a primarily commercial and industrial development. The waterlines may extend to the limits of the subdivision which abuts upon a public street in which no water mains are laid or in rights-of-way to be provided by the subdivider. Such extension shall include pipelines required to connect the pipelines of the owner or subdivider with the nearest available supply lines of the water system.

The city engineer shall determine, on the basis of the water master plan, if a main in excess of the maximum size specified above is required. The city shall pay the difference between the maximum size specified and the actual size to be installed. The amount to be contributed by the city shall be determined by the city engineer. The amount contributed by the city shall be recovered from future developers based on current costs at the time of development.

Where a subdivision adjoins or fronts on an existing street or right-of-way in which the city has installed or intends to install a main or has paid for pipelines over 10 inches or 12 inches in diameter, the subdivider shall pay the city a sum equal to the cost of a 10-inch or 12-inch main alongside the subdivision, of a kind and type to be determined by the city engineer.

All such water main extensions and installations made under these regulations must be in accordance with the city engineer’s design and specifications. At the option of the city, such extension may be constructed by force account, by contract let by the city on plans and specifications prepared by the city or by contract let by the applicant after plans and specifications have been approved by the city engineer.

Such water main extensions and installations shall be subject to inspection and test by duly authorized city agents at all times during progress of installation work, and the city shall have the right, without liability, to order the stoppage of work for nonconformance to the standards required.

No water main extension or installation shall be laid in any street not formerly dedicated to public use, except by mutual consent of the owner of such street or right-of-way and the council, after the rights of the city in and to such water main extension and all easements and rights-of-way required for the location, installation, maintenance or removal thereof shall be and become the property of the city and shall, thereafter, be maintained by the city at the expense of the city. (Code 1971, § 4552)

The city reserves the right to shut off the water from any premises or from any part of the distributing system as long as necessary without notice to consumers at any time when the exigencies of the occasion may require it. In all cases of extensions or connections, the department will make a reasonable effort to notify consumers of the necessity of shutting off water, and the probable length of time the water shall be shut off, before taking such action. (Code 1971, § 4553)

When subdivisions encompass hillside areas where the water system does not have the facilities for supplying service at adequate pressure, the subdivider of such land will be required to make special provisions for establishing such new pressure area. (Code 1971, § 4554)

No parallel sewer or gas pipe or ditch shall be placed nearer than two feet from any water main, service pipe or fire hydrant, except on written permit from the department. When it is necessary to remove or relocate any water main, service pipe or fire hydrant in order to construct a sewer pipe or other ditch, application shall be made to the department. If approved, relocation will be accomplished or approved by the department, and the expense of relocation shall be paid in advance by the property owner or the property owner’s contractor or by the person, firm, corporation or other city departments ordering such changes. (Code 1971, § 4555)