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Sample Water Ordinance
An ordinance relating to the Administration, Operation & Protection of
the City Water Works of ______________, Minnesota
The City Council of __________ does ordain:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
A.
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Water Works: This shall include but not be limited to
the following property now owned or hereafter acquired by the City, used
in providing a water supply for the City: Wells, pumping stations,
pumps & pumping equipment, water tanks and towers, fire hydrants,
water mains, service connections including curb cocks. |
B.
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Service Connection: That portion of the water pipe
that lies between the main and up to and including the curb cock at each
dwelling or other structure having water service. |
C.
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Service Pipe: That portion of the water service lying
from, but not including the curb cock and extending to the building and
affixed to the meter. |
D.
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Water Rate Resolution: The most recent resolution
passed by the City Council setting forth the charges to be made for water
and other water works services. |
SECTION 11. HOOK-UP REGULATIONS
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1.
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No new service shall be connected to the City water system
without the approval of the City Council. The owner shall supply the
following information to the City Council or authorized City employee:
a. Size and type of pipe to be used.
b. Location of pipe within the lot.
c. Location of meter.
d. Name of person to install pipe. |
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2.
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The City Council shall have the right to refuse to accept
any installation that is installed before the owner has secured the proper
approval and reserves the right to refuse water to such an installation. |
| B. |
Materials and Installation |
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1.
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The pipe shall be of copper or other approved material at
least 3/4" in diameter and placed a minimum of 6 feet below the
surface. |
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2.
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The curb cock shall be furnished by the City and installed
as near the property line as practical. |
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3. |
An employee of the City shall tap the main. |
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4.
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Each water customer shall have a separate and distinct water
connection. Branch service connections may be attached to a service
connection, provided written approval for such an installation is secured
from the City Council and a separate curb cock shall be installed for each
branch service. |
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5.
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A suitable location shall be provided for the meter in the
service pipe. Such location shall be convenient for reading and free
from the danger or freezing and must not have any branch line between it
and the curb cock. |
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6.
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No installation may have the trench backfilled until it has
been inspected by a representative of the City appointed for this purpose. |
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7.
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Any dispute concerning materials or installation, the state
plumbing code shall be deemed to be final authority. |
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8.
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The cost of maintenance of the service connection shall be
borne by the City and maintenance of the service pipe shall be the
responsibility of the owner of the real estate. |
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9.
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Any leak in the service pipe shall be cause for the curb
cock to be shut off until such leak is repaired. |
SECTION 111. REPLACEMENT
Any owner of a piece of real estate now having a water service may be
required to replace this service if its condition is beyond repair or is of
inferior quality as determined by the representative of the City Council.
Any owner of real estate may also request such replacement. The cost of
such replacement shall be borne by the owner and the connection fee shall be
one-half of the current fee charged for new installations.
SECTION IV. FINANCING
A.
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Charges: The City Council shall
establish fees and charges for water and related services and such fees
and charges shall be established by Council resolution contained in the
official minutes. Such resolution shall contain fees and charges
for, but not limited to, the following: water, surcharges, hook-up
fees, materials, meters, reinstallation of service. The most recent
resolution shall be the one in effect at a given time. |
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1.
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The City shall read the meters 4 times per year, every 3
months, and the charge determined by actual gallons used. Should the
meter quit working, the charge for that quarter will be estimated from
prior usage. |
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2. |
A reading may be made more frequently at the discretion of
the Council. |
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3.
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A penalty of 10% of the amount of the bill may be charged
for any bill delinquent over 90 days from the billing date. |
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4.
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Any water bill remaining unpaid after 4 months shall be
considered cause for termination of service. Following 10 days
notice, the Council or their representative shall be authorized to turn
off the water at the curb cock. A fee shall be charged to disconnect
and reconnect services. |
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5.
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Water provided to property that is unmetered shall be
charged at a flat fee per quarter as set forth in the rate and fee
resolution. |
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6.
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Any bill remaining unpaid for 4 months may be assessed
against the property and the County Auditor shall be instructed to add it
to the taxes. |
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1. |
The owner of the real estate shall pay a hook up fee as
stated in the water rate resolution. |
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2.
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The owner of the real estate shall pay the City for the cost
of any pipe, curb cock tapping fitting, or any other material furnished by
the City. |
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3.
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The owner of the real estate shall pay all trenching and
labor costs, exclusive of any labor furnished by the City, for installing
both the service connection and service pipe. |
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4.
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The owner of the real estate shall purchase the meter from
the City and the City shall maintain and/or replace this meter for no charge
except for damage caused by the real estate owner's negligence such as, but
not limited to, freezing, impact, or mechanical damage. |
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5. |
Renters of property in the City will be required to pay an
initial fee as stated in the most recent resolution. |
SECTION V. PROTECTION
A.
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It shall be unlawful for any person except a City official,
employee, member of the fire department or other person acting under the
direction of such official or employee of the City to:
1. Climb upon or attempt to climb upon any water
tank, tower, or pumping station.
2. Take or draw water from any hydrant.
3. Open, close or tamper with any fire hydrant or
curb cock. |
B.
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It shall be unlawful for any person to take or draw water
from the connection of another person without permission of such other
person. |
C.
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It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with any
official or employee while such official or employee is engaged in the
lawful performance of any duty in connection with the operation of the
water works or to prevent such official or employee from entering upon
property for the reading of a water meter or for making an inspection of a
water connection and plumbing. |
| D. |
Any person violating the provision of this section shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. |
SECTION VI. REPEAL
The following ordinances of the City of ______________, ________ County,
Minnesota are hereby repealed: _______, ___________,
__________, and all other provisions of ordinances inconsistent with this
ordinance.
SECTION VII. EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance becomes effective upon its passage and publication according
to law.
Passed by the _____________ City Council this ________ day of _______,
_______.
_____________________________
Mayor
_____________________________
Clerk
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