Watsonville Municipal Code Art. 4 Water Service Provisions

(a) It is unlawful for any person to resell water at a rate higher than established by resolution of the City Council. Water service may be discontinued upon written notification to the customer of the violation.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to install or cause to be installed any metering device for the resale of water. Water service may be discontinued if the metering device is not removed within ten (10) days of written notification to the customer of the violation. A metering device may be authorized, upon application, if used only to prorate a water bill among several customers.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

The City assumes no responsibility or liability for personal injury or property damage resulting from a lack or inadequate water supply or pressure fluctuations.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Upon the discretion of the Director, the City may refuse to furnish water and may limit or discontinue service to any customer where the demand is in excess of past average or seasonal use, or where such excessive demands by one customer are, or may be, detrimental to the service furnished to other customers.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

The City may refuse to furnish water and may discontinue service to any customer where the plumbing or equipment using water is unsafe, substandard, or not in conformity with the applicable codes of the City. The City does not assume liability for inspecting apparatus on the customer’s property.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

The City will furnish water service in accordance with the regulations set forth in this Chapter and other applicable provisions of this Code to any property within the City, and to such areas outside the City limits, as the Council may designate.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Multiple residential and/or commercial units, located on the same parcel, may have service through a single master meter. However, new master meters are prohibited whenever it is apparent that each unit could be plumbed independently or sold separately.

(a) Master Meters. Where master meters are used, the property owner shall be responsible for City utility service bills or charges.

(b) Additional Units. An additional unit charge will be assessed for each unit served by a meter, including laundry rooms and swimming pools.

(c) Multiple Classifications. If there is more than one class of service provided by a master meter, service shall be charged at the class with the highest rate.

(d) Individual water meters are required for restaurants, bakeries, and laundries.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Water service will be installed in the City and the water service area outside the City limits only on the following basis:

(a) Installation of Connections. Water service connections will be installed in the size and at the location requested by the applicant and approved by the Director, when the Director reasonably believes that an adequate supply of water at the proper pressure is available.

(b) Limitations. Service connections will be made only to property abutting a water main, unless the Director determines that a main extension is not in the best interest of the City.

(c) Development. Service connections will be installed in new developments prior to the construction of streets, or, in advance of other street improvements.

(d) Authorization to Install Connections. Only duly authorized employees, agents of the City, or authorized individuals will be permitted to install a service connection to the POWW.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

All costs of relocating the POWW, requested or necessitated by the applicant, shall be the sole responsibility of the applicant or requesting party.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Customers shall sign an application form, pay water connection fees and all other applicable fees and deposits prior to the provision or installation of water services.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Service connections (except fire services) including but not limited to mains, water services, meters, and meter boxes, up to and including the meter become the property of the City upon City acceptance of the installation, whether located on public or private property. Any service connection facility located on private property except water meters and meter boxes shall be owned and maintained by the property owner. All fire service facilities located in the public right-of-way are the property of the City. Fire service detector checks, including associated electronics and wiring, are owned by the City, regardless of location. Fire service facilities on private property are owned and maintained by the property owner, except the fire service detector check and associated electronics and wiring, which are City property.

Representatives of the Public Works Department shall have access to any City-owned meters, service connections, City-owned fire service facilities, and other water facilities located on private property for purposes reasonably associated with the furnishing of water or fire service. Representatives of the Water Department shall have access at reasonable hours (except in emergencies) to service connections on private property, such as shut-off valves and exterior hose bibs, for the purposes associated with furnishing water or fire service. Such access shall be with notice except in the case of emergency.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1437-22 (CM), eff. October 13, 2022)

Under no circumstance shall the City be responsible for any damage to the water service line owned by the customer. The water service line from the building to the meter is the property of the owner and must be maintained in a condition which will readily permit a service renewal, meter repair, or meter replacement without breakage. Water service may be withheld or discontinued where a water shutoff valve does not exist. (See Sec. 6-3.431)

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Except as provided in Sec. 6-3.406, no more than one (1) parcel shall be served from each metered connection. The customer shall not permit any water received to be used on any parcel other than that specified in the application for water service.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

No person shall operate a fire hydrant, without first obtaining a hydrant meter issued by the Director and paying the appropriate fees and deposits. The deposit will be refunded upon the return of the hydrant meter in good condition. Application for a hydrant meter shall be made at least twenty-four (24) hours before the service is required. There will be a charge for moving the meter from one location to another. Service shall be subject to service availability and consumption charges.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

No person(s) other than those authorized by the Director shall operate fire hydrants.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

No irrigation use shall be permitted from fire hydrants.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

If a fire district or a property owner desires a change in the size, type or location of a fire hydrant, they shall bear all costs of such changes. Any change in location of a fire hydrant must be approved by the Director.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

It is unlawful for any person to remove a water meter or to take City water from any unmetered source.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Meters shall be installed by the City at the curb, property line, in City utility easements, or at the locations approved by the Director. The City shall meter all services.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

All costs associated with moving or resizing water service connections shall be paid by the applicant customer.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

No adjustment shall be made for any loss of water from a customer’s water lines beyond the meter coupling without the approval of the Director.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

All water meters placed in service shall meet American Water Works Association (AWWA) water meter standards. Customers may request the City to test the water meter servicing the premises. The City shall require the customer to pay a water meter testing fee. Such fee shall be refunded if the water meter is found to register more than two (2%) percent fast under conditions of normal operation. All water meter testing shall be conducted by a certified laboratory. A written report giving the results of the test shall be available to the customer.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

(a) Over or Under-Registering Meters. If under normal operation conditions a meter is found to be registering two (2%) percent fast or more, the City shall refund or credit the customer the amount found to be in error. If a meter is found to be registering two (2%) percent slow, the City shall bill the customer the amount based on the corrected reading, plus a meter testing fee. Such refunds or charges shall be for a period no longer than the last twelve (12) months prior to the testing of the meter.

(b) Non-Registering Meters. When it is found that a meter is not registering, the customer will be billed upon an estimate of consumption based upon prior use during the same period or under similar circumstances and conditions, as may be reasonably determined by the Director.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Whenever a principal tart of parcel is not contiguous to an existing water main, a water main extension may be required and additional upgrades may be required to serve the parcel adequately. Water main extensions shall extend across the entire frontage of the parcel. All water mains shall be designed in accordance with the Public Improvement Standards and shall require written approval of the Director. Water main extensions installed by the City shall be charged at rates established by resolution of the Council. Water main extensions or special facilities installed outside the City limits shall be constructed in accordance with the terms and conditions as approved by the Council.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

(a) Installation of Water Facilities. All water main extensions and other water facilities shall be installed by the City or by agreement between the applicant and the City in accordance with approved plans and specifications.

(b) Easements. If an easement is required for construction, access, maintenance, repair, or replacement of any component of the POWW, the applicant shall obtain and have accepted by Council an easement for the construction, access, repair, or replacement of any component of the POWW. The easement width shall be determined by the Director.

(c) Installations Serving Other Property. Water facilities or equipment installed by the applicant that serve an area other than the property of the applicant may, in the Director’s reasonable discretion, be reimbursed through the City pursuant to a written payback agreement.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

When the cost of a water main extension has been paid by a previous applicant, the new customer shall be required to assume the obligation to pay charges as established by the appropriate pay-back agreement, before water service may be provided. This sum shall be reimbursed to the previous applicant in accordance with the terms of the pay-back agreement. In no case shall the reimbursement exceed the standard charge of City-installed water mains within the City limits in effect on the date of the agreement. Reimbursements for applicant-installed mains shall be in effect for a period of ten (10) years after the date of the agreement with the applicant installing the water mains eligible for reimbursement, thereafter no payback will be paid. No reimbursement shall be made on water mains or facilities installed within the boundaries of property owned by the applicant.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

The provisions of Title 17 of the State of California Code of Regulations (as amended) and any applicable Federal laws shall be enforced to prohibit cross connections between the City water main and any potential hazard to that supply.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1176-04 C-M, eff. June 8, 2004)

Backflow prevention devices shall be installed, at owners expense, in all industrial, commercial, or dedicated irrigation lines, and any other services where the potential for backflow exists. Facilities or activities requiring backflow prevention devices are listed in the City of Watsonville Improvement Standards, as adopted by resolution of the City Council from time to time. The Director shall determine the level of protection and type of device required to the degree of actual or potential hazard present on the premises or plumbing system connected thereto. All critical water service customers are required to have a backflow protected bypass.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1176-04 C-M, eff. June 8, 2004)

If any defect is found in a backflow prevention device or if it is found that a cross-connection exists, the City may temporarily discontinue City utility services until the backflow prevention device is repaired or the cross-connection is corrected.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

All backflow prevention devices shall be tested by the City or an AWWA certified tester approved by the City on an annual basis. The costs associated with the tests shall be borne by the customer.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

In special circumstances, in order to protect the public health, the Director may require the customer to modify or eliminate certain plumbing or piping connections.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

(a) All customers shall install an accessible water shut-off valve on the customer’s water service line, within five (5') feet of the meter.

(b) Except in an emergency, the operation of the curb stop in the meter box by the customer is prohibited.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

It is unlawful for any person to use water for any of the following:

(a) Watering of grass, lawn, ground cover, shrubbery, open ground, crops, trees, including agricultural irrigation, or an indiscriminate running of water or washing with water in a manner or to an extent which allows water to run to waste;

(b) Permit the loss of water through leaks, breaks, or malfunction within the customer’s plumbing;

(c) The use of a hose without a quick-acting positive shut-off nozzle;

(d) Maintenance or operation of any new ornamental fountain which does not recirculate 100 percent of water used;

(e) Operation of a new car wash that does not use the best available water conservation technology;

(f) Irrigation of turf, lawns, gardens or ornamental landscaping between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except by drip irrigation or hand watering with a quick-acting shut-off nozzle.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

All development shall utilize water conservation, water recycling, and xeriscaping to the maximum extent possible.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Separate landscape water meters shall be required in locations with a combined landscaped area greater than 5,000 square feet.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Irrigation systems shall be designed and maintained to avoid runoff, over-spray, low head drainage or other similar conditions where water flows to waste.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Turf shall not be used in median strips, parking islands, or in areas less than eight (8') feet wide, or on slopes that will result in excess irrigation water runoff. These limitations may be exempted if required for storm water erosion control by the Public Improvement Standards.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Water use, in combined landscaped areas greater than 5,000 square feet, shall be monitored for comparison to the MAWA. Landscaped areas with water use lower than or equal to the MAWA shall be designated as water efficient. Landscaped areas with water use greater than MAWA will require an audit. The Director shall determine the appropriate mitigation measure to reduce water usage so as not to exceed the MAWA. Failure to implement such mitigation measure is a violation of this Code.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

It is the purpose of this section to regulate the construction, repair and reconstruction of water wells, in order to ensure that groundwater will not be polluted or contaminated. Water obtained from wells should be suitable for the purpose used and will not jeopardize the public health, safety, or welfare. Well water shall not be transported or used other than for reasonable beneficial use on the parcel where the well is located. Abandoned wells found to be a public nuisance shall be abated and destroyed.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Nothing contained in this Chapter shall be deemed to release any person from compliance with the provisions of Article 3 of Chapter 10 of Division 7 (Bulletin 74-81 and 74-90) of the Water Code of the State or any successor or amendment thereto.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

It shall be unlawful for any person within the City to construct, repair, reconstruct, or abandon any well unless a written permit has first been obtained from the Director as provided in this Chapter and the work conforms to the conditions of such permit and this Chapter. Applicant shall pay a nonrefundable filling fee set by resolution of the Council. A permit shall not be issued if, in the judgment of the Director based upon written findings, the well may jeopardize the public health, safety, or welfare. The construction, reconstruction, repair, and destruction of wells shall be performed only by a contractor with a C-57 State Contractor’s license or equivalent.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

The Director shall inspect the well location before the issuance of a well permit. The person responsible for the construction of a well shall notify the Director forty-eight (48) hours before work commences. The person performing the work shall file a notice of completed work or a copy of the State Department of Water Resources Well Driller’s Report when construction has been completed. The Director shall inspect the completed work to determine compliance with well standards.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Standards for construction, repair, reconstruction, or abandonment of wells shall be as set forth in Chapter 11 of the State Department of Water Resources Bulletin No. 74, “Water Well Standards” (December, 1981) or as subsequently revised or supplemented, which is incorporated in this section with the following modifications:

(a) Distance to Sewage Leaching Fields. The minimum distance between all wells and subsurface sewage leaching fields or septic tanks shall be 100 feet.

(b) Distance to Sewer Lines. The minimum distance between all wells and sewer lines or laterals shall be fifty (50') feet.

(c) Distance to Property Line and Other Wells. No well shall be constructed within fifty (50') feet from the property line or within a 500-foot radial distance from any existing well.

(d) Well Seals. Well seals shall be a minimum of fifty (50') feet below the surface of the ground.

(e) Backflow Prevention Device Required. At a location determined by the Director, an approved backflow prevention device shall be installed and maintained by the owner, if the property is also connected to the POWW.

(f) Reports. The permittee shall forward to the City a copy of the water quality sampling report required by Bulletin No. 74 of the State Department of Water Resources.

(g) Use of Water. The use of well water shall be for the exclusive use and benefit of the overlying parcel. No person shall be permitted to sell, transport, or export water from the overlying parcel.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

In order to ensure that the public water of Watsonville is safe to drink, it shall be unlawful and a public nuisance for any person, agent, or any public or private water system, to add any product, substance, or chemical to the public water supply for the purpose of treating or affecting the physical or mental functions of the body of any person, rather than to make water safe or potable, unless the substance meets the following criteria:

(a) The substance must have been specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness with a margin of safety that is protective for all adverse health and cosmetic effects at all ranges of unrestricted consumption.

(b) The substance, at Maximum Use Levels, must contain no contaminants at concentrations that exceed U.S. Maximum Contaminant Level Goals or California Public Health Goals, whichever is more protective.

(§ 1, Ord. 1151-02 C-M, eff. November 15, 2002)

Private fire protection service will be furnished in conformity with applicable general regulations, and as additionally specified in this section.

(a) Installation and Charges. The installation of private fire services shall conform to the City of Watsonville Improvement Standards, as adopted by resolution of the City Council from time to time. When private fire services are to be installed by City forces, the applicant shall pay, in advance, all applicable fees. When installed by a contractor, the applicant shall, in advance, obtain a permit from the City and pay all applicable fees.

(b) Restrictions on Use of Service. There shall be no connections between a fire protection system and any private water distribution system. There shall be no water used through the fire protection service except to extinguish accidental fires or for testing the fire service and appurtenances.

(c) Pressure and Supply. The City shall not be responsible or liable for personal injury or property damage resulting from a lack of or inadequate water supply or pressure fluctuations.

(d) Utility Accounts for Dedicated Fire Services. The property owner shall be responsible for City utility service bills or charges for dedicated fire service accounts.

(§ 1, Ord. 1176-04 C-M, eff. June 8, 2004)