Minnesota Rural Water Association

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Sample Water Ordinance

SECTION 4 WATER PIPES AND EQUIPMENT 

10-4. 01  DEFINITIONS 

A.    “Back Flow Device’ is a device designed to restrict water flow into the water system. 

B.    “Corporation” is a device designed to connect a water service sized 2” or smaller to a water main. 

C.    “Curb Box” is a device designed to provide access to a curb stop. 

D.    “Curb Stop” is a device designed to control the flow of water within a service line from a water main. 

E.    “Meter” is a device that records gallons of water used. 

F.    “Water Main" is a pipe, or system of pipes and fittings, designed and used to distribute water to the water service of any customer. 

10-4.02  LINE MATERIAL 

The line from the water main to the meter must be copper on all new construction or replacement.

Any line larger than 2” is to be ductile material. 

10-4.03  BACK FLOW DEVICE 

A back flow device must be installed on all new and replacement water lines. 

10-4.04  RESPONSIBILITY 

A.    City. The city shall maintain ownership of the water main, the corporation, the curb box and the curb stop on the city’s side of the property line. 

B.    Property Owner. Property owners shall bear responsibility for their water system beginning at the curb box facing their property line and ending with their home water pipes, including the cost of installation, maintenance, repair, replacement or abandonment, except that: 

1.            Installation of the meter shall be performed by the city. The cost of the meter and any costs associated with its installation shall be the responsibility of the property owner. 

2.            The replacement or repair of a defective meter shall be performed by the city at its expense. The repair or replacement of a damaged meter shall be performed by the city. 

3.            Repair, replacement or abandonment of a water service by a property owner must be performed by a contractor hired or approved by the city. The cost shall be borne by the property owner. 

4.            The City shall at all times have the right to inspect, repair or otherwise service the meter, pipes and equipment. 

10-4.05  RATES

The cost for the water system connection will be determined based on the size of the project and current market costs.

(Source: Ordinance No. 173)   

SECTION 3 RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL SEWER AND WATER RATES
   

SEWER RATES 

The sewer charge for residential and commercial users (Note:  Industrial users are charged according to section 10-2) is calculated from the volume of metered water usage. The per quarter billable flow shall be based on the following: 

Jan./Feb./March   (Winter Qt.) = Actual Metered Water Usage

April/May/June   (Spring Qt.) = Actual Metered Water Usage

July/Aug./Sept.   (Summer Qt.) = Based on Spring Qt. Usage

Oct./Nov./Dec.   (Fall Qt.) = Actual Metered Water Usage

At a rate of $2.50 per 1,000 gallons of metered water. (Effective January 1, 1996) (Revised 12/11/95) 

WATER RATES 

Effective October 1, 1993, the quarterly rates for the sale of water by the municipality and for the availability thereof, shall be as follows:   

A.  Basic charge for each single-family residential dwelling unit connected to the
      Municipal Water System; or
$20.00
B.  Basic charge for any other premises connected to the Municipal Water System;  $40.00
C.  Minimum usage charge for the first 5,000 gallons of water metered.  $15.00
      Charge per 1,000 gallons (or fraction thereof) in excess of 5,000 gallons usage $ 1.75

 

 10-3.03  RESPONSIBLE PARTY

The owner(s) of any premises shall be solely responsible for the payment of any water or sewer usage or service charge, whether the water or sewer, usage or service have been used by the owners or their tenant(s). 

10-3.04  PAYMENT DATES AND LATE PENALTIES 

Owners shall be billed quarter-annually on or about the first day of January, April, July and October of each calendar year. 

The amounts duly billed shall be payable on or before the 25th day in the month of billing. 

Late Payment Fee 

If any water or sewer, usage or service charge is not paid on or before the 25th day in the month of billing, the City Clerk shall attach a penalty of $20.00

In addition, the City Clerk shall serve a copy of this Code upon one or more of the owners of said premises by certified mail, which shall constitute notice to said owners, that water service to the premises will be turned off by the city unless: 

A.       The delinquent charges and penalty owed to the city are paid on or before the 8th day of the month following the month of the certified notice; or 

B.       The owner(s) submit a written request to the City Clerk on or before the 8th day of the month following the month of the certified notice to appear at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting. For good cause shown, the Council may grant an extension of time to pay all or a portion of said charges. 

Finally in the event of non-payment the City Clerk may certify the entire amount of the bill and any penalty, along with interest, at the rate of eight percent (8%), to the County Auditor to levy said charges in the same manner as special assessments against the real estate upon which the particular bill was incurred. 

10-3.05            SERVICE REINSTATED 

In the event water service is turned off for non-payment of a city utility bill, water service shall not be reinstated by the city until said bill plus interest and any applicable penalty together with a $50.00 hook-up fee are tendered in advance to the City Clerk.

SECTION 1 CITY PLAT AND WATER/SEWER MAPS 

10-1.01  RESPONSIBILITY 

A.       Developed Property. A developer or property owner who develops or plats property located within the corporate limits of the city shall be obligated to reimburse the city for the expense of updating the city’s plat maps and water/sewer maps. 

B.       Existing Property. Whenever the City Council deems it necessary that the city’s plat, and/or water/sewer maps should be updated, upon receiving a bill for the expense of updating said maps, the City Clerk shall equitably and reasonable prorate the expense of bringing said maps current amongst all property owners or developers who have platted, re-platted, altered, improved or developed property within the city limits in such manner as to render an existing city plat or water/sewer map obsolete. 

10-1.02  PAYMENT 

A bill shall be forwarded to each such owner and developer who has and obligation under this Code to reimburse the city, which shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days. 

In the event a property owner or developer who is obligated under this Code to reimburse the city, in good faith believes that their pro-rated share of the expense of updating the city’s maps is excessive or otherwise unreasonable, they may, within thirty (30) days following receipt of their bill, request a hearing before the City Council to review the matter.

 

 

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Minnesota Rural Water Association

217 12th Avenue SE
Elbow Lake, MN  56531
Phone: 218-685-5197
Fax: 218-685-5272
E-mail: mrwa@mrwa.com