TITLE VI PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
CHAPTER 3 UTILITIES – WATER SYSTEM
6-3-1 – Enforcement
6-3-2 – Adoption of State Plumbing Code
6-3-3 – License Required
6-3-4 – Mandatory Connections
6-3-5 – Permit
6-3-6 – Fee for Permit
6-3-7 – Water Supply Control
6-3-8 – Making the Connection
6-3-9 – Excavations
6-3-10 – Inspection and Approval
6-3-11 – Completion by the City
6-3-12 – City Owns Meters
6-3-13 – Remote Meters
6-3-14 – Meter Tests
6-3-15 – Operation of Curb Stop
6-3-16 – Property Owners Responsibility
6-3-1 – ENFORCEMENT.
The Superintendent of public utilities shall supervise the installation of water
service pipes and their connections to the water main and enforce all regulations
pertaining to water services in this City in accordance with this chapter. This
chapter shall apply to all replacements of existing service pipes as well as to
new ones. The City Council shall make such rules, not in conflict with the provisions
of this chapter, as needed for the detailed operation of the waterworks. In the
event of an emergency the Superintendent may make temporary rules for the protection
of the system until due consideration by the City Council may be had. (Code of Iowa,
Sec. 372.13(4))
6-3-2 – ADOPTION OF STATE PLUMBING CODE.
The installation of any water-service pipe and any connection with the municipal
water system shall comply with all pertinent and applicable provisions, whether
regulatory, procedural or enforcement provisions, of the State Plumbing Code as amended
and as published by the Iowa Department of Public Health, which is hereby adopted.
An official copy of the State Plumbing Code as adopted and a certified copy of this
Ordinance are on file in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection.
6-3-3 – APPROVAL REQUIRED.
All installation of water service pipes and connections to the municipal water system
shall be made by a competent plumber. The Superintendent shall have the power to
suspend any plumber for violation of any of the provisions of this Ordinance. A
suspension, unless revoked, shall continue until the next regular meeting of the
City Council. The Superintendent shall notify the plumber immediately by personal
written notice of the suspension, the reasons for the suspension, and the time and
place of the City Council meeting at which the plumber will be granted a hearing.
At this City Council meeting the Superintendent shall make a written report to the
City Council stating the Superintendent’s reasons for the suspension, and the City
Council, after fair hearing, shall revoke the suspension or take any further action
that is necessary and proper.
6-3-4 – MANDATORY CONNECTIONS.
All residences and business establishments within the City limits intended or used
for human habitation, occupancy or use shall be connected to the public water supply
if it is reasonably available and if the building is not furnished with pure and
wholesome water from some other source. A test determining whether the water source
is pure and wholesome shall be done by a competent lab at the owner’s expense, with
the results provided to the City. All residences and business shall be charged for
water service as in 6-5-8 whether or not they are connected to the municipal water
system. A meter shall be installed on the water source which shall be accessible
to city staff to read monthly.
6-3-5 – PERMIT.
Before any person, firm, corporation, or other association shall make a connection with the public water system, a written permit must be obtained from the Superintendent. The application for the permit shall be filed with the Superintendent on blanks furnished by the Superintendent. The application 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. No different or additional uses shall be allowed except
by written permission of the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall issue the
permit, bearing the Superintendent’s signature and stating the time of issuance,
if the proposed work meets all the requirements of this Ordinance and if all fees
required under this Ordinance have been paid. Work under any permit must be begun
within six (6) months after it is issued. The Superintendent may at any time revoke
the permit for any violation of this Ordinance and require that the work be stopped.
The owner or plumber may appeal such action in the manner provided in Section 6-3-3
of this Ordinance. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))
6-3-6 – FEE FOR PERMIT.
Before any permit is issued the person who makes the application shall pay $150.00
to the Clerk to cover the cost of issuing the permit and supervising, regulating
and inspecting the work. (See footnote at end of chapter)
6-3-7 – WATER SUPPLY CONTROL.
The plumber who makes the connection to the municipal water system shall install
a main shut-off valve of the inverted key type on the water-service pipe near the
curb with a suitable lock of a pattern approved by the Superintendent. The shut-off
valve shall be covered with a heavy metal cover having the letter “W” marked thereon,
visible and even with the pavement or ground.
The plumber also shall install a shut-off valve and waste cock on every service
pipe inside the building near the entrance of the water-service pipe into the building;
this must be located so that the water can be shut off conveniently and the pipes
drained. Where one service pipe is installed to supply more than one customer, there
shall be separate shut-off valves inside the building for each customer so that
service to one customer can be shut off without interfering with service to the
others.
6-3-8 – MAKING THE CONNECTION.
Any connection with the municipal water system must be made under the direct supervision of the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s authorized assistant. All taps in
the water main must be at least (12) inches apart and on the side and near the top
and not in any case within 18 inches of the hub. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))
6-3-9 – EXCAVATIONS.
Excavations to do work under this Ordinance shall be dug so as to occasion the least
possible inconvenience to the public and to provide for the passage of water along
the gutter. All such excavations shall have proper barricades at all times, and
warning lights placed from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise.
In refilling the excavation the earth must be laid in layers and each layer tamped
thoroughly to prevent settlement, and this work, and any street, sidewalk, pavement
or other public property that is affected, must be restored to as good a condition
as it was previous to the excavation. The plumber must maintain the affected area
in good repair to the satisfaction of the City Council for three months after refilling.
All water service pipes must be laid so as to prevent rupture by settlement or freezing.
No excavation shall be made within six (6) feet of any laid water or sewer pipe
while the ground is frozen, and no water or sewer pipe shall be exposed to frost,
except by special written permission of the Superintendent.
6-3-10 – INSPECTION AND APPROVAL.
All water-service pipes and their connections to the municipal 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 owner must proceed immediately to correct
the work so that it will meet with the Superintendent’s approval. Every person who
uses or intends to use the municipal water system shall permit the Superintendent
or the Superintendent’s authorized assistants to enter the premises to inspect and
make necessary alterations or repairs at all reasonable hours and on proof of authority.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13(4))
6-3-11 – COMPLETION BY THE CITY.
Should any excavation be left open or partly refilled for twenty-four (24) hours
after the water-service pipe is installed and connected with the municipal water
system, or should the work be improperly done, the Superintendent shall have the
right to finish or correct the work, and the City Council shall assess the costs
to the property owner or the plumber. If the plumber is assessed, the plumber must
pay the costs before the plumber can receive another permit, and the plumber’s bond
required by the Plumbing Ordinance shall be security for the assessment. If the
property owner is assessed, such assessment shall be collected with and in the same
manner as general property taxes. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12(3)(h))
6-3-12 – CITY OWNS METERS.
All meters shall be installed, repaired or replaced by the City. However, customers
will be responsible for maintaining and ensuring that care is taken to protect the
meters from damage. There will be a charge of $25.00 plus the cost of a meter if
a meter has to be replaced because of customer’s failure to maintain. The City reserves
the right to determine the size and type of meter used. No meter shall be tampered
with, removed, altered, changed, or replaced unless prior written approval is obtained
from the Superintendent.
6-3-13 – REMOTE METERS.
All properties served by the municipal water system shall have installed a remote
meter reading device. It shall be the property owner’s responsibility to maintain
the area around said device so that City personnel are able to read the meter. If
City personnel are unable to access the device, the City shall inform the customer
that they are responsible to insure that the device is properly located and to maintain
the area to permit free access. If the customer fails to comply, the City shall
move the device or remove obstacles as needed and submit an itemized bill for the
cost of such service to the customer.
6-3-14 – METER TEST.
Upon the written request of any customer, the meter serving said customer shall
be tested by the City. Such test shall be made without charge to the customer if
the meter is determined to be defective greater than two (2%), a refund of estimated
overcharges for the previous two (2) months shall be made to the customer. If the
meter is found not to be defective and within a limit of two (2%) percent accuracy,
the customer requesting the test shall be charged $25.00 in addition to the cost
of the meter to be added to the water bill.
6-3-15 – OPERATION OF CURB STOP.
It shall be unlawful for any person except the water superintendent or plumbers
authorized by the City Councilor Superintendent to turn water on or off at the curb
stop.
6-3-16 – property owners Responsibility
Property owners are 100% responsible for the curb stop and water lines to the house.
Footnote: See. 384.38(3)concerning establishing districts and connection fees(H.F. 2343, 1994 legislative session).
