Chapter 15 · Utilities

Article 2. Water

Sections 15-201 to 15-233 · 33 sections

15-201 Ownership and responsibility.

The water meter shall represent the division between ownership and responsibility between the city and the water consumer. All water that passes through the meter shall be the responsibility of the consumer. In addition, all water used or leaked and all water piping on the consumer side of the meter shall be the responsibility of the consumer. The city shall be responsible only for the water and maintenance of piping from the meter to the water main.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-202 Regulations.

The furnishing of water to customers by the city through its waterworks system shall be governed by the regulations set out in this article.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-203 Service not guaranteed.

The city does not guarantee the delivery of water through any of its mains and connecting services at any time except only when its mains, pumping machinery, power service connection are in good working order, and the supply of water is sufficient for the usual demand of its consumers.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-204 Service connections required.

(a)The owner of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purpose, situated within the city abutting on any street, alley, or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located near public water mains, is hereby required at his or her own expense to make connection to such public water main.

(b)Before any connection is made to the city’s water system an application must be made in writing to the city clerk by the owner of the premises, or his or her authorized representative, for a permit to make such connection.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-205 Application for service.

(a)Any person, firm or corporation desiring a connection with the municipal water system shall apply in writing to the city clerk, on a form furnished by the city for that purpose, for a permit to make the connection.

(b)The application shall:

(1)Contain an exact description including street address of the property to be served;

(2)State the size of tap required;

(3)State the size and kind of service pipe to be used;

(4)State the full name of the owner of the premises to be served;

(5)State the purpose for which the water is to be used;

(6)State any other pertinent information required by the city clerk;

(7)Be signed by the owner or occupant of the premises to be served, or his or her authorized agent.

(c)Each application for a connection permit shall be accompanied by payment of a $35 fee and costs specified in section 15-207.

(d)The consumer shall make an appointment to turn the water on or off not less than 24 hours before such activity takes place. Arrangements for this service can be obtained from the City Clerk at City Hall, 207 North Randall, Potwin, Kansas or call 620-752-3422.

(Ord. 532; Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-206 City to make connections.

(a)All taps shall be given, street excavations made, corporation cocks inserted, pipes installed from main to curb, and the curb cock installed in a meter box to which the service pipe is to be connected by city employees only.

(a)The city shall install, maintain and replace the meter including at times the installation of a pigtail on the consumer side of the meter to accommodate the connection of the consumer water service line to the consumer’s structure. The consumer’s plumber shall attach the service line to the meter and/or pigtail, which shall be tested by the plumber, inspected and approval by the city. After meter installation, the city or its contractor shall perform meter maintenance and replacement of the water meter.

(a)Residential meters have a ten (10) year life span. During this period, the city shall replace residential problem meters at no cost to the consumer. If a residential consumer requests replacement of the meter during the normal life span of the meter replacement shall be charged to the consumer. Normal of commercial meters, both new and replacement, shall be at cost of the commercial consumer.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-207 Connection fees and charges.

All charges for water service installation in the amounts as hereafter fixed shall be paid to the city clerk when application is made for a new service installation for the supply of water from the city mains. The city shall make such installations when the applicant shall have extended his or her service line to the proper location or meter as determined by the city. The charges to the customer for making such installation shall be, respectively:

(a)3/4 or 5/8 inch meter - $185.00

(b)1 inch meter - $250.00

(c)1 1/2 inch meter - $375.00

(d)All meters larger than 1 1/2 inch - $100.00 plus the cost of materials and installation.

Provided, that temporary installation for meters shall be $25.00 if water is supplied during the course of any construction and before the final inspection is made. Also provided that a sum of $25.00 shall be paid for the installation of a meter box. An additional charge shall be made for the amount of the actual cost for all the additional pipe, ditching, and labor required for installation.

(Ord. 532; Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-208 Curb cock.

There shall be a curb cock in every service line attached to the city main, the same to be placed within the meter box. Curb cocks shall be supplied with strong and suitable “T” handles.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-209 Check valves.

Check valves are required on all connections to steam boilers or on any other connection deemed necessary by the water superintendent. Safety and relief valves shall be placed on all boilers or other steam apparatus connected with the water system where the steam pressure may be raised in excess of 40 pounds per square inch.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-210 Unauthorized service.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation, other than duly authorized city officials or employees to turn water on or off at the water meter or curb cock shut off, with a key or in any other manner, without first obtaining written permission from the mayor or the governing body.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-211 Meters.

(a)All water furnished to customers shall be metered.

(b)Meters shall be located between the sidewalk or property line and curbing when the main is in the street, and on private property within three feet of the alley line when the main is in the alley.

(Ord. 532; Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-212 Same; testing.

Meters shall be tested before being set and at any other time thereafter when they appear to be measuring incorrectly. If a test is requested by the customer and the meter is found to be accurate within two percent, the meter will be deemed correct and a charge of $10.00 will be made to the customer.

(Ord. 532; Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-213 Tampering with meter.

It shall be unlawful for any person to break the seal of any meter, to alter the register or mechanism of any meter, or to make any outlet or connection in any manner so that water supplied by the city may be used or wasted without being metered. It shall be unlawful for any person except an authorized employee of the water department to turn any curb cock on or off.

(Ord. 532; Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-214 Leaks prohibited; penalty.

No allowances shall be made for water used or lost through leaks, carelessness, neglect or otherwise after the same has pass through the meter. However, every customer shall have the right to appeal to the city from water bill or meter reading which he or she may consider excessive.

(Code 1990)

15-215 Shut-off/turn-on fee charges.

The city shall charge a $45.00 fee for shutting off the water for non-payment of the water bill. The city shall charge a $45.00 fee to turn on the water after a shut-off for non-payment of the water bill. All payment shall be paid in full prior to the water turn on, including but not limited to, the water bill (past due amount and current amount), turn-off and turn-on fees, late payment penalty fee. An additional $25.00 shall be charged to the consumer if said service noted above occurs after 5:00 p.m., on the weekend or on any official city holiday

(Ord. 586; Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-216 Water connection fee.

A $45.00 connection fee shall be charged for each connection of a water service. The water consumer shall arrange a meeting at which time the meter shall be turned on and the system inspected for leaks. Water cannot be turned on in a vacant structure unless the city can confirm that a valve outside of the structure has closed off the water supply to the structure.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-217 Interrupt service.

The city reserves the right to interrupt water service for the purpose of making repairs or extensions to water lines or equipment.

(Ord. 532, Sec. 10; Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-218 Prohibited acts.

It shall be a violation of this article for any unauthorized person to:

(a)Perform any work upon the pipes or appurtenances of the city’s waterworks system beyond a private property line unless such person is employed by the city;

(b)Make any connections with any extension of the supply pipes of any consumer without written permission to do so having been first obtained from the governing body;

(c)Remove, handle or otherwise molest or disturb any meter, meter lid, cutoff, or any other appurtenances to the water system of the city.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-219 Wasting water.

Water users shall prevent unnecessary waste of water and shall keep sprinklers, hydrants, faucets and all apparatus, including the service line leading from the property to the meter in good condition at their expense.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-220 Water rationing.

The city reserves the right to restrict or prohibit the use of water and to specify the purposes for which it may be used whenever the governing body determines the public exigency so requires.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-221 Same; Procedure.

Whenever the governing body determines that water use must be restricted or prohibited, it shall forthwith issue a proclamation of emergency through the news media and use other appropriate methods of making public the proclamation.

(Ord. 595; Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-222 Same; priority use.

In the event a proclamation of emergency is issued, water usage will be restricted or prohibited first for uses in the following priority:

(a)Water lawns, garden, trees, shrubs, plants and water outside dwellings for such purposes as car, boat, or trailer, washing or washing exterior of dwellings;

(b)Industrial uses of water, including but not limited to car wash operations and packing plant operations;

(c)Business use, other that industrial;

(d)Home uses other than those set forth in subsection (a).

(Ord. 571, Sec. 23; Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-223 Right to access

Authorized employees of the city may enter upon any premises at reasonable hours for the purpose of reading the meter or servicing or inspecting meters or water lines.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-224 Water meter accessibility.

Water bills are read monthly. Access to read the water meter is the responsibility of the consumer. City employees unable to access the meter shall estimate the meter read with a 10% increase over the previous month’s reading. No consumer shall be permitted to have two consecutive estimated meter readings. Arrangement for actual reads shall be required or the City will proceed to turn-off the meter. All fees and costs associated with obtaining the final read shall be charged to the consumer.

(Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-225 Rates.

The rates per month for the use of water in the city shall be as follows:

(a)For water used within the corporate limits of the city:

(1)0 – 1,000 gallons - $25.00 per month

(2)Over 1,000 gallons used per month - $7.16 per 1,000 gallons.

(3)Over 1000 gallons “Senior” rate $6.89 per 1,000 gallons

“Senior” rate is defined as single persons who are 65 years of age or older.

(b)For water used outside the corporate limits of the city, the schedule of charges shall be 175 percent of those set forth in subsection (a).

(c)For water obtained in bulk quantities, the charge shall be $20.00 per 1,000 gallons, plus $20.00 for each hook up.

(d)Water used from a hydrant requires the purchase of a permit obtained at City Hall. The water user shall install or have installed a meter provided by the city that will measure the use of all water. The water user shall pay a fee of $20.00 per 1,000 gallons or parts thereof. A permit fee of $100.00 is required at the time of permit issuance for use of the city’s meter with said permit valid for no mort: than 90 days from date of issuance. The water user shall be required to pay for the balance of the water used upon return of the meter and the calculation of the water used.

(e)Government, not-for-profit and similar agencies in need of hydrant water, including the fire department shall make arrangements to use a designated hydrant for non-emergency purposes and such hydrant shall be metered to determine usage.

(Ord. 532; Code 1990; Ord. 680; Ord. 683; Ord. 693; Ord. 713; Ord. 715)

15-226 Payment of bills.

All water bills for the previous month’s water service shall be paid on or before the 30th day of the month in which it was billed. For any billing not paid when due a late charge of 10 percent will be added to the bill.

(a)LATE FEES. Water bills are due upon receipt by the consumer. Late payment shall be issued on all water bills not paid by the 30th of each month by 5:00p.m. If the 30th of the month falls on a weekend or city holiday, the consumer must deposit their payment in the city drop-off box no later than 9:00 a.m. the first city working day following. the 30^th The city is not responsible for payments delayed in the mail or not received by the deadlines noted above. A late fee is equal to 10% of the overdue amount, compounded monthly. Late fees shall not be waived. Failure to pay the late fee will result in termination or water service.

(b)FULL PAYMENT. Full payment is required each month, which includes all water used and any late payment due.

(c)PAYMENT PLAN ARRANGEMENTS. In special situations, the city clerk can approve a payment plan to pay for water services over a period of time. The intent of this authority is to assist the consumer that has incurred a unique situation. The 10% penalty fee may be waived under an approved payment plan.

(d)The city clerk may grant a seven (7) clay extension for payment. Past due balance must be paid in full.

(Ord. 532; Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-227 Delinquent accounts; notice; hearing; finding; liability.

Water service shall be terminated for nonpayment of service fees or charges as provided in sections 15-102:104. Water bills not paid by the 10th of the month are subject to water service termination without notice. If a consumer moves out of a structure without full payment, the City will lien the property and/or submit the outstanding bill to a collection agency.

(Ord. 532; Code 1990; Ord. 680)

15-228 Shut-off notice.

Any consumer that has not paid their utility bill for services provided by the city by the 1st of each month shall be subject to water shut-off. The city shall forward to each consumer a “Notice to Stop Service” that requires full payment or arrangements thereof within ten (10) days. Without such payment or arrangements for payment, the city shall terminate water service.

(Ord. 680)

15-229 Use during fire.

No person owning or occupying premises connected to the municipal water system shall use allow to be used during a fire any water from the water system except for the purpose of extinguishing the fire. Upon the sounding of a fire alarm it shall be the duty of every such person to see that all water services are tightly closed and that no water is used except in extraordinary cease of emergency during the fire.

(Ord. 680)

15-230 Repairs.

All customers shall keep their own service pipe from the meter to the buildings, stop cocks and boxes and apparatus in good repair and protected from freezing at their own expense, and shall prevent all unnecessary waste of water; and no claim shall be made against the city by reason of the breaking or leaking of any service pipe or service cock.

(Ord. 680)

15-231 Injury to property.

Any person who shall willfully and maliciously injure or destroy any machinery, meter, pipes, hydrants or other fixtures or property belonging to the city, or carry away from the waterworks system of the city any water for private use without a written permit from the water superintendent shall. upon conviction thereof, be lined in any sum not exceeding $250.00 for each offense.

(Ord. 680)

15-232 Every premises to have separate connection

Unless special permission is granted by the governing body, each premises shall have a separate service connection, and where permission is granted for a branch service, each service must have a separate meter and cut off.

(a)CONSUMER SHUT-OFF VALVE. The City requires each consumer to have an operational shut-off valve installed and maintained at the head of their water system between the meter and the first water outlet that can be used as an emergency shut-off in times where the homeowner/renter need to respond to any emergency. The City shall not be liable for any damages created because a valve was not installed or installed incorrectly.

(Ord. 680)

15-233 Penalty.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this Article shall, be fined in any sum not less than $100.00, for the first offense and any sum not less than $200.00 for the second offense, and any sum not less than $300.00 for any subsequent offenses.

(Ord. 680)