CODE OF ORDINANCES - CHAPTER 90


WATER SERVICE SYSTEM

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90.01 Definitions   90.12 Responsibility for Water Service Pipe
90.02 Superintendent’s Duties   90.13 Failure to Maintain
90.03 Mandatory Connections   90.14 Curb Valve
90.04 Abandoned Connections   90.15 Interior Valve
90.05 Permit   90.16 Inspection and Approval
90.06 Fee for Permit and Connection Charge   90.17 Completion by the City
90.07 Compliance with Plumbing Code   90.18 Shutting Off Water Supply
90.08 Plumber Required   90.19 Operation of Curb Valve and Hydrants
90.09 Excavations   90.20 Breaks in Service of Fixtures
90.10 Tapping Mains   90.21 Service Pipes Not to be Laid Across Private Property
90.11 Installation of Water Service Pipe    


90.01 DEFINITIONS. The following terms are defined for use in the chapters in this Code of Ordinances pertaining to the Water Service System:
1. “Combined service account” means a customer service account for the provision of two or more utility services.
2. “Customer” means, in addition to any person receiving water service from the City, the owner of the property served, and as between such parties the duties, responsibilities, liabilities, and obligations hereinafter imposed shall be joint and several.
3. “Superintendent” means the Superintendent of the City water system or any duly authorized assistant, agent, or representative.
4. “Water main” means a water supply pipe provided for public or community use.
5. “Water service pipe” means the pipe from the water main to the building served.
6. “Water system” or “water works” means all public facilities for securing, collecting, storing, pumping, treating, and distributing water.

90.02 SUPERINTENDENT’S DUTIES. The Superintendent shall exercise such powers and duties as contained in the service agreement with the City.

90.03 MANDATORY CONNECTIONS. The owners of any houses, buildings or structures used for human occupancy, employment or use, situated within the City and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is located a public water main are hereby required to connect such facilities to the City’s public water system in accordance with the provisions of these Water Service chapters within 60 days after the date of official notice to do so, provided that said public water main is located within 100 feet of the property line of such owner.

90.04 ABANDONED CONNECTIONS. When an existing water service is abandoned or a service is renewed with a new tap in the main, all abandoned connections with the mains shall be turned off at the corporation stop and made absolutely watertight.

90.05 PERMIT. Before any person makes a connection with the public water system, a written permit must be obtained from the City. The application for the permit shall include a legal description of the property, the name of the property owner, the name and address of the person who will do the work, and the general uses of the water. If the proposed work meets all the requirements of this chapter and if all fees required under this chapter have been paid, the permit shall be issued. Work under any permit must be completed within 60 days after the permit is issued, except that when such time period is inequitable or unfair due to conditions beyond the control of the person making the application, an extension of time within which to complete the work may be granted. The permit may be revoked at any time for any violation of these chapters.

90.06 FEE FOR PERMIT AND CONNECTION CHARGE. Before any permit is issued the person who makes the application shall pay $125.00 single family, $250.00 commercial, and $500.00 industrial to the Clerk to cover the cost of issuing the permit and supervising, regulating, and inspecting the work.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)

90.07 COMPLIANCE WITH PLUMBING CODE. The installation of any water service pipe and any connection with the water system shall comply with all pertinent and applicable provisions, whether regulatory, procedural, or enforcement provisions, of the State Plumbing Code.

90.08 PLUMBER REQUIRED. All installations of water service pipes and connections to the water system shall be made by a State-licensed plumber.

90.09 EXCAVATIONS. All trench work, excavation, and backfilling required in making a connection shall be performed in accordance with the State Plumbing Code and the provisions of Chapter 135 of this Code of Ordinances.

90.10 TAPPING MAINS. All taps into water mains shall be made by or under the direct supervision of the Superintendent and in accordance with the following:
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13[4])
1. Independent Services. No more than one house, building, or premises shall be supplied from one tap unless special written permission is obtained from the Superintendent and unless provision is made so that each house, building, or premises may be shut off independently of the other.
2. Sizes and Location of Taps. All mains six inches or less in diameter shall receive no larger than a three-fourths inch tap. All mains of over six inches in diameter shall receive no larger than a one-inch tap. Where a larger connection than a one-inch tap is desired, two or more small taps or saddles shall be used, as the Superintendent shall order. All taps in the mains shall be made in the top half of the pipe, at least 18 inches apart. No main shall be tapped nearer than two feet of the joint in the main.
3. Corporation Stop. A brass corporation stop, of the pattern and weight approved by the Superintendent, shall be inserted in every tap in the main. The corporation stop in the main shall be of the same size as the service pipe.
4. Location Record. An accurate and dimensional sketch showing the exact location of the tap shall be filed with the Superintendent in such form as the Superintendent shall require.

90.11 INSTALLATION OF WATER SERVICE PIPE. Water service pipes from the main to the meter setting shall be Type K copper. The use of any other pipe material for the service line shall first be approved by the Superintendent. Pipe must be laid sufficiently waving, and to such depth, as to prevent rupture from settlement or freezing.

90.12 RESPONSIBILITY FOR WATER SERVICE PIPE.

[Modified by ORDINANCE NO. 545-24]

All costs and expenses incident to the installation, connection, and maintenance of the water service pipe from the main to the meter pit and curb valve to the building served shall be borne by the City. All costs and expense incident to the installation, connection, and maintenance from the meter pit and curb valve to the building served shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the City from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation or maintenance of said water service pipe.

ORDINANCE NO. 545-24
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF RANDOLPH, IOWA, BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO WATER SERVICE PIPE
BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Randolph, Iowa:

SECTION 1. SECTION MODIFIED. Section 90.12 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Randolph, Iowa, is repealed and the following adopted in lieu thereof:
90.12 RESPONSIBILITY FOR WATER SERVICE PIPE. All costs and expenses incident to the installation, connection, and maintenance of the water service pipe from the main to the meter pit and curb valve shall be borne by the City. All costs and expense incident to the installation, connection, and maintenance of the meter pit and curb valve to the building served shall be borne by the owner. The owner shall indemnify the City from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be caused by the installation or maintenance of said water service pipe.

SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. If any section, provision, or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any section, provision, or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.

SECTION 3. WHEN EFFECTIVE. This ordinance shall be in effect from and after its final passage, approval, and publication as provided by law.

90.13 FAILURE TO MAINTAIN. When any portion of the water service pipe which is the responsibility of the property owner becomes defective or creates a nuisance and the owner fails to correct such nuisance, the City may do so and assess the costs thereof to the property.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3a and h])

90.14 CURB VALVE. There shall be installed within the public right-of-way a main shut- off valve on the water service pipe of a pattern approved by the Superintendent. The shut-off valve shall be constructed to be visible and even with the pavement or ground.
1. A curb stop and shut-off for controlling the supply of water to consumers shall be placed on every service. When connections are made in streets or alleys, the stop box shall be placed less than 12 inches inside the sidewalk or sidewalk line on City property; and when made in alleys, it shall be placed within the area located 12 inches outside of the lot lines. The cover of said stop box shall be maintained at the same height as the sidewalk or the surrounding ground. Where area walls or curb lines prevent the location of the stop box and shut off at the point indicated, they shall be placed immediately within the area wall or curb line. All stop boxes must be set on a line drawn at right angles to the main through the service corporation or connection in the main.
2. The stop box in every service must be kept flush with the surrounding ground or surface, and must be visible from the sidewalk. The curb box and shut-off must be kept in good condition and ready for use at all times by the owner. Should the owner neglect to maintain such box and shut off in proper condition to be used, and if the stop box is found to be filled up, or the stop box or shut-off found to be out of repair at any time, the City shall have the right to clean or repair the same when needed without giving notice, and charge the cost thereof to the owner, and if payment is refused, the payment thereof may be enforced in the same manner as that provided in the case of delinquent water bills.

90.15 INTERIOR VALVE. There shall be installed a shut-off valve on every service pipe inside the building as close to the entrance of the pipe within the building as possible and so located that the water can be shut off conveniently. Where one service pipe supplies more than one customer within the building, there shall be separate valves for each such customer so that service may be shut off for one without interfering with service to the others.

90.16 INSPECTION AND APPROVAL. All water service pipes and their connections to the water system must be inspected and approved in writing by the Superintendent before they are covered, and the Superintendent shall keep a record of such approvals. If the Superintendent refuses to approve the work, the plumber or property owner must proceed immediately to correct the work. Every person who uses or intends to use the municipal water system shall permit the Superintendent to enter the premises to inspect or make necessary alterations or repairs at all reasonable hours and on proof of authority.

90.17 COMPLETION BY THE CITY. Should any excavation be left open or only partly refilled for 24 hours after the water service pipe is installed and connected with the water system, or should the work be improperly done, the City shall have the right to finish or correct the work, and the Council shall assess the costs to the property owner or the plumber. If the plumber is assessed, the plumber must pay the costs before receiving another permit. If the property owner is assessed, such assessment may be collected with and in the same manner as general property taxes.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[3a and h])

90.18 SHUTTING OFF WATER SUPPLY. The Superintendent may shut off the supply of water to any customer because of any violation of the regulations contained in these Water Service System chapters that is not being contested in good faith. The supply shall not be turned on again until all violations have been corrected and the Superintendent has ordered the water to be turned on.

90.19 OPERATION OF CURB VALVE AND HYDRANTS. It is unlawful for any person except the Superintendent to turn water on at the curb valve, and no person, unless specifically authorized by the City, shall open or attempt to draw water from any fire hydrant for any purpose whatsoever.

90.20 BREAKS IN SERVICE OF FIXTURES. The City shall not be held responsible by reason of the breaking of any service pipe or water coil, or for failure in the supply of water.

90.21 SERVICE PIPES NOT TO BE LAID ACROSS PRIVATE PROPERTY. No consumer shall be permitted to conduct water pipes across lots or buildings to adjoining premises, but all service pipes shall be laid on streets, alleys, or public grounds to the premises to be served, and entered the building nearest the main.

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