HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Regulating Private Connections to Waterworks, Repealing Certain Ordinances L
ORDINANCE NO. 854
N ORDINANCE REGULATING THE INSTALLATION OF ALL PRIVATE
CONNECTIONS TO THE WATER WORKS SYSTEM, AND THE ISSUANCE OF
PERMITS THEREFOR; PROVIDING FOR THE CARE, OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF ALL MAINS, SERVICES, METERS AND OTHER APPUR-
TENANCES FOR PUBLIC OR PRIVATE USE, OR FOR FIRE PROTECTION;
AND FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS
REPEALING ORDINANCES NOS. 545, 604, 842 AND ALL OTHER ORDINANCE
OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND TO PRESCRIBE
PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION THEREOF.
BE IT ORDAINED B Z THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA:
Section 1. Application of Rules and Regulations. The rules and
regulations specified herein shall be considered a part of the contract with
very person, firm or corporation who is supplied with water through the
water system of the City of Ames, .Iowa and every such person, firm or
corporation by taking water, shall be considered to have expressed his or their
assent to be bound thereby, and whenever any of them are violated, or such
others as the city may hereinafter adopt, the city manager is empowered to
cut off the supply of water from the property where such violation occurs,
although two or more parties, firms or corporations may receive a supply of
water through the same service pipe. Any charge for cutting off the water
supply shall be charged to the property owner or consumer, as the circum-
stances shall warrant.
Section 2. Permit Required. No person, firm or corporation shall
begin work on the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair of any
water pipes connected to the city water system in any building or connect
water pipes to any main or part of said water system, unless he is a licensed
master plumber, or a person, firm or corporation having in its employ a
master plumber, (except as provided in section 6 of this ordinance), and before
beginning such work has first obtained a permit for the same from the building
official.
Section 3. Application for Permit. Any person, firm or corporation
desiring such permit shall file with the building official an application in
writing on the standard form provided by the city for such application.
Section 4. Permit to -Whom Issued. Upon the building official' s approval
of the application for a permit as provided in section 5 hereof, he shall issue
a water permit to the person, firm or corporation, applying therefor.
Saidpermit shall not be in force or effect until all inspection and other fees
have been paid. No master plumber's license may be used to secure a permit
for anyone other than the person, firm or corporation to whom such license
has been issued.
Section 5. Permit Fee. A charge of one dollar ($1. 00) shall be made
for each new, renewal or abandonment permit issued, which fee shall be paid
to the building official who shall issue his receipt therefor and retain a record
thereof in his ol'fice.
Section 6. Permits Not Required. No permit will be required for the
replacing of broken fixtures, or for resetting old fixtures, provided such
fixtures conform to the regulations contained in this ordinance, nor the
replacing of tanks, other than hot water tanks, or faucets or repairing
leaks in water pipes and appurtenances in the distribution system.
Section 7. Main Extensions Outside City. Extensions of water mains
beyond the corporate limits of the city shall be made only upon approval
by the city council. All cost of such extensions and maintenance shall be paid
by the applicant.
Section 8. Connections to Buildings Outside City. The same requirements
as set forth jn section 2 of this ordinance shall apply to all connections to the
water system of the city for buildings located outside the corporate limits of
the city. Before the initial service connection may be made to any building
outside the 6orporate limits of the city, authorization for the connection shall
be obtained from the city manager before making application for the required
permit.
.Section 9. Work to be Done by Licensed Journeyman Plumbers. All
plumbing work under the provisions of this ordinance shall be done by
licensed journeyman plumbers, except that an apprentice may assist a regularly
licensed journeyman plumber but must be actually with and in his presence
while so doing.
Section 10. Authority of Plumbing Inspector. The plumbing inspector
shall have authority to enforce the provisions relating to the installation
and testing of all plumbing and water services installed under the provisions
of this ordinance.
Section 11. Duration of Permit. When a water permit has been issued,
the work included therein shall be started within sixty (60) days from date of
the permit, and be compfted within one (1) year from the date of issuance of
permit, otherwise, such permit is null and void and a new permit must be
obtained.
Section 12. Revocation of Permit. The city manager may revoke said
permit at any time when such work is not being done in accordance with the
provisions of this ordinance or the approved plans or permit; and if such
permit is revoked, it will be unlawful for any person to proceed further with
said work without approval of the plumbing inspector and the written consent
of the city manager. All matters pertaining to the cutting of pavement of
excavation and filling of trenches and ditches, within the limits of streets and
alleys, shall be in accordance with the provisions of the city ordinances relat Lg
thereto.
,Section 13. Notification of ,Inspection. When the water service pipe
has been completed from the water main to the stop and waste in the basement
and before such work has been covered or in any way concealed from view
or any fixture set, the work shall be tested and inspected as provided herein.
Section 13. 1. Time of Notification. It shall be the duty of the master
plumber, or his authorized representative, to notify the plumbing inspector
not less than eight (8) working hours and between the hours of 8:00 o'clock
a.m. and 4:00 o'clock p. m. before the work is to be inspected and tested,
giving the permit number, location of work, and the time when such work °
will be ready.
Section 13. 2. Work to Stand Test Before Notification. It shall be the
duty of the plumber to make sure that the work wll stand the test prescribed
before giving the above notification.
If, after inspection, the plumbing inspector finds that the work will not
stand the test, the plumber shall be required to renotify, as above and to
pay a sum sufficient to cover all expenses for each such additional inspection.
Section 13. 3. Work Completed Without .Inspection. If the plumbing
inspector, or his authorized representative, after having been notified in
writing, fails to appear within twenty four (24) hours after receipt of said
written notice, exclusive of Sundays and holidays, the inspection or test
shall be deemed to have been made. The plumber shall thereafter file an
affidavit with the city manager that the work was installed in accordance with
the ordinance and permit, and that it was free from defects and that the
required tests had been made and the system was found free from leaks.
Section 14. Right to .Inspect Buildings. The plumbing inspector, or
his authorized representatives, shall have access to all buildings, at any
reasonable time, for the purpose of examining or inspectingthe work and
carrying into effect the provisions of this ordinance.
Section 15. Certificate of Approval. Upon satisfactory completion and
final test of the water supply system a certificate of approval will be issued
to the owner by the plumbing inspector and a record thereof filed with the city
manager.
Section 16. Matei:ial and Labor for Test. The equipment, material,
power and labor necessary for the inspection and all tests shall be furnished by
he plumber.
Section 17. Testing Service Wipes and Connections. At the time of
nspection, each house connection and all service pipe, and connections,
shall satisfactorily withstand a test pressure without loss for fifteen (15)
minutes, of one hundred twenty-five (125) pounds per square inch. If any house
onnection, service pipe or connection shall fail to stand such test, it shall be
ondemned for use and shall be either replaced or repaired in such manner as
o stand above mentioned test pressure.
Section 18. Supply From One Connection. Not more than one building
hall be supplied with water from one service connection, except in ease two or
ore apartments are located in one buildirg and each tenant desires water
Furnished through a separate meter. In case two or more services are supplied
rom one connection a curb cock and curb box must be supplied for each tenant
r user and a separate service must be laid from the curb to the meter.
Section 19. Service Connections. All service connections with the city
ater supply from the main to the meter, including the corporation coc. ,
ervice pipe, curb cock, curb box and stop and waste cock shall be installed an
aintained at the expense of the property to be served.
Section 20. Repair of Service to Curb Cock. Whenever anypart of the
ervice line between the city water main and the curb cock develops a leak or
ecomes out of repair, it shall be the duty of the city manager to notify the
roperty owner, his legal agent, or the consumer, of such defect and if such
efect is not repaired within ten (10) days after such notice, the city manager
hall cause such repairs or renewal of service pipe as may be necessaryto be
ade and the cost thereof shall be certified by the city manager to the city
Jerk, and, if not paid within 30 days, the water service to the consumer may b
iseontinued until such charge is paid. The city manager is authorized in
mergency cases to repair service leaks without prior notice to the property
wne r.
Section 21. Repair of Service Between Curb Cock and Meter. Whenever
any part of the service line between the stop cock and the consumer's meter
evelops a leak or becomes out of repair, it shall be the duty of the city
anager to notify the property owner, his legal agent, or the consumer, of
uch defect and if such defect is not repaired within ten (10) days after such
oti&e, the city manager may discontinue water service until satisfactory
epair s are made.
Section 22. Discontinuance of Service. When requested by the occupant
f the property, the city will cause the water to be turned off at the curb box, ,
rovided the curb cock is in working order and is accessible. A fee of one
ollar ($1. 00) may be charged to the occupant for such service. The cost of
ocating and servicing an inaccessible or damaged curb cock or curb box will
e at the expense of the occupant ordering discontinuance of service. Should
t become ne cessary to cut off the water at the corporation cock in the main,
he expense thereof shall be charged to the property owner. Water rents and
ervice charges will be =nade until notice of discontinuance of service is given
o the city at the office of the city clerk. When water service is discontinued,
11 water rentals and charges of the city for water service to the consumer shall
e immediately due and payable.
Section 23. Abandoned Water Services. Whenever a water service
s permanently abandoned the property owner shall at his expense cause such
ater service to be permanently shut off at the corporation cock-in the street
main. The master plumber doing such work shall notify the plumbing
inspector in writing gvhen such work was completed in order that an entry
thereof may be made in the city records.
Section 24. Claims for Damages. It is expressly stipulated that
no claim shall be made against the city by reason of the breaking of any
service pipe, meter or other appurtenance, or if from any cause the supply
of water shall fail, or from damage arising from shutting off the water to
repair the mains, make connections or extensions or for water turned on at
the customer's request, or from any other purpose that may be deemed
necessary. The -right is hereby reserved to cut off the supply of water at any
time notwithstanding any permit granted to the contrary.
It is also expressly stipulated that the water supplied by the city through
its mains is for human consumption and no claims will be allowed by the city
for damages to plants, flowers, vegetables, or marine animals.
Section 25. Right to Restrict or Suspend Use. The right is reserved to
restrict or suspend the use of water whenever, in the opinion of the city mana ,
the public exigency requires it.
Section 26. Private Fire Hydrants. If the proprietors of buildings desi e
to lay pipes with hydrants and hose couplings to be used only in case of fire,
they will be permitted to connect with the street mains, at their own expense,
upon application to the city manager and under his diree:,ion will be allowed
to use the water for fire purposes only, free of charge.
Section 27. Sprinkler Systems. Sprinkler systems may be permitted
to be attached to the water mains by direct connection without meters under
the direction and supervision of the city manager. No open connection can be
incorporated in the system, and there shall be no valves except a main control
valve at the entrance to the building which must be sealed open. The property
owner or tenant shall promply report to thecity manager any seal which has
been broken for the closing of the system. A detailed drawing of the
sprinkler system shall be filed with the city manager and free access to the
building shall be granted the city for inspection purposes. No charge will be
made for water used f9r fire purposes throughout a sprinkler system.
Section 28. Opening or Closing of Valves or Hydrants. No person
except an authorized employee of the City of Ames in the discharge of his
duty is permitted to open or close any city owned or sealed valve or hydrant a' _z
c onnected to the city water supply without the specificcon sent of the city mana er
to do so. No person except firemen in case of emergency, shall attempt to
open any fire hydrant with a wrench other than a special hydrant wrench
designed to fit the spindle nut. Any person violating the provisions specified
above shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine as provided in
this ordinance.
Whenever it is necessary to open or close valves or hydrants in the
city water supply for the purpose of making plumbing repairs to private
services., the master plumber doing such work shall make application to the
city manager who shall cause such valves or hydrants to be opened or closed
as may be necessary by a city employee authorized to perform such work.
Section 29. Service to be metered. A water meter, the property of
the city, shall be furnished and installed by the city to every private service
connection in use except as provided in sections 27 and 28 hereof. A charge
shall be made for all water passing through the meter, whether used or
wa sted.
Whenever a meter is removed by a person other than an authorized
city employee, a minimum charge of twenty-five (25) dollars will be made
for water used during each thirty (30) days, or less, since the last preceding
meter reading.
Section 30. Meter Repairs. Whenever a water meter owned by the city
is found to be out of order, then the city manager shall have the same repaired
and if it is found that damage to the meter has resulted through carelessness
and negligence on the part of the 'donsumer, then the consumer shall be liable
for the expense of the repair of the meter. In event that a plumber is called
for any emergency repairs, and it is discovered by him that the meter is out
of order to such an extent as to cause property damage by leakage, he will be
permitted to remove the meter and deliver the same to the water works
department for repair, but in no case will he be allowed to repair such meter
or to remove same from service except as above specified.
In case a meter gets out of repair and fails to register, then the
consumer will be charged the average rate as shown by the previous readings
of the meter when inorder.
Section 31. Private Meters. All charges for water used will be
made on the basis of the amount of water passingthrough meters owned by the
city, but the city manager may grant permission to private individuals to
install and maintain private meters at their expense.
Section 32. Turning on Water. Any licensed plumber may admit water
to service pipe or connections for the purpose of test but upon completion of
the test he shall turn the water off at the curb cock. New services when
completed by the plumber shall in all cases be left turned off at the curb cock.
Section 33. Shutting Off Water. Any plumber shutting off water from a
private service, except for short periods of time shall report the same to the
plumbing inspector.
Section 34. Authority to Tap Water Mains. No person except authorized
city employees and those having a valid plumber's license registered with the
plumbing inspector of the City of Ames will be permitted to tap any water
main. The issuance of a water permit shall be deemed sufficient authority
for a master plumber to tap any city main subject to the restrictioxis imposed
in sections 35 and 36 hereof,
Section 35. Method of Tapping Water Mains. The following table
establishes the maximum number and sizes of taps which can be made in
water mains,
4" mains
1 - 3/4 inch tap for a 3/4 inch service
2 - 3/4 inch taps for a 1 inch or 1 and 1/4 inch service
3 - 3/4 inch taps for a 1 and 1/2 inch service
6 '1 mains
1 - 3/4 inch tap for a 3/4 inch service
1 - 1 inch tap for a 1 inch or a 1 and 1/4 inch service
2 - 1 inch taps for a 1 and 1/2 inch service
Services two (2) inches and larger require a tapping valve and
sleeve of equal size for the tap of any water main.
All services having two taps shall be combined through a tAClow" brass
wye pipe connection, or equal. The maximum length of service from the
main to the wye shall be four (4) feet. U
The use of common pipe fittings, nipples, and unions to make a header
for combined taps is prohibited.
When a greater capacity of service than a one ineh (1 in. ) tap is
required, a two inch (2 in. ) tap may be used and such tap in the main will
be made by the city and the pr operty owner charged the actual cost of making
such connection.
Section 36,. Locati n of Taps. All taps in mains shall be made on the
upper one-half (1/2) of th pipe at least eighteen inches (18 in. ) apart, and on
opposite sides of the pipe No main shall be tapped nearer than one foot
(1 ft. ) to a joint.
Section 37. Depth of Service Pipe. All water service pipe shall be laid
not less than five (5) feet below the surface of the ground at all points. In
placing service pipe Conn: city
ctions on streets not to final grade such final grade
shall be obtained from th manager before the work of excavation is
begun and the pipe so laid as to have not less than five (5) feet of cover at all
Dints below such grade.
Section 38. Provision For Expansion. All lead or copper service pipe
shall be laid with sufficient waving so as to provide not less than one and one-
alf feet ( 1 1/2 ft. ) extra length for expansion and to prevent possible damage
o the service due to settlement.
Section 39. Corporation Cock. A corporation cock of either a Mueller
or Glauber make, or its equivalent, shall be inserted in every tap one inch
1 in. ) or less in diameter made in the water main, The connection to the
main shall be made by a regulation corporation cock and connected to lead
service with solder nipple and full wiped joint, and to copper service with a
swedged or beaded joint. All connections to the water main shall be adequately
supported against breakage from ditch settlement. All joints to service pipes
hall be tested in the presence of and approved by the plumbing inspector before
being covered.
Section 40.. Service Pipe. All service pipe concealed from view between
he water main and the house service valve, including visible service pipe in
its and manholes shall be of cast iron, copper, or lead.
All piping, either lead, copper, or cast iron must be capable of
ithstanding an internal pressure of not less than one hundred twenty-five (125)
ounds per square inch. Due precaution must be taken to prevent "short
ending" of the goose neck in the service pipe.
Section 41. Flushing of Service Pipe. Service pipe shall be thoroughly
lushed before the meter is attached .
Section 42. Curb Cock. There shall be a curb cock in every servic-e
onnection to the main, lateral or extension service supply in streets. It shall
e located on the property line or as close as possible thereto and in alleys
within one foot (1 ft. ) of the alley line, except two inch (2 in. ) and larger
which shall have a street valve box over the valve at the water main. The
urb box cock to be used for services from three-fourth inch (3/4 in. ) to
wo inches (2 in. ) ishall be the style known as "Inverted Key" Mueller or
lauber make curb cock, or equal, provided with T handle and extension rod
eyed and locked to curb cock and shall be the same diameter as the pipe
erved. The curb cock shall be kept in an operative condition at all times.
Section 43. Curb Box. The curb cock shall be .covered by a stop box
f the Western pattern No. 100, or equal, extending to the curb grade. In
ases where the surface of the ground is higher than the curb grade to such ex-
ent that the curb box will not extend sufficiently to be in plain view, then the
urb box shall be extended to the ground surface.
Whenever a water service is renewed or repaired the curb box shall be
rought to the curb grade or present natural ground level and moved to the
roperty line. .In placing the curb cock in position care must be exercised
o provide against settlement of the curb box, by providing a base of brick,
stone or concrete block set on solid earth for support. A support shall be
placed across the ditch and wired to curb box near the top to keep it in a
vertical position while filling the ditch.
Section 44. Stop and Waste Cock. There shall be compression stop
and waste cock of Mueller or Glauber pattern, or equivalent, attached to
every service inside the building wall so as to admit of the water being shut
off in severe weather, and the pipe and meter drained. Such compression
stop and waste cock shall be set not less than two (2) feet above the basement
floor. The stop and waste cock shall be kept in an operative condition at
all times.
Section 45. Location of Meters. All meters shall be so located that
they may be easily accessible at all times to meter readers and meter repair
men, and shall be located not less than 2 1/2 feet above the basement floor.
Plumbers shall exercise care in locating meters so that there will be enough
flexibility in the service pipe to afford easy installation of the meter by the
city. There shall be a globe type valve installed on the discharge side of the
meter. Meters shall not be located in coal rooms, or places where they will
be covered by coal, or other material, at any time,, If any meter is to be
located in any premises where there is likelihood of meter being damaged by
freezing, such as in unheated buildings, rooms or basements, then the
piping must be so arranged that the meter will be in a horizontal position
when set. Meter pits may be used only upon approval of the plumbing
inspector and shall be of a design and construction approved by the city.
Section 46. Changing Location of Meters. The location of any water
meter owned by the city, shall in no case be changed without permission being
obtained from the plumbing inspector and in no case shall water be used without
a meter except as herein provided.
Section 47. Excavation and Filling Ditches. In excavating service
ditches within the limits of pavements or surfaced streets care shall be taken
to prevent damage to the street surfacing adjacent to the ditch. Tunnels
under the surface of pavements or surfaced streets will not be permitted in
excess of four (4) feet when measured from a vertical line produced from the
edge of the pavement cut at the street surface.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation doing plumbing
work to begin any excavation or pavement cht or to place any obstruction within
the limits of any street, avenue, alley or public place within the corporate
limits of the City of Ames, .Iowa, without first having made application for,
and received, a permit therefor.
Section 48. Water for Building Purposes. Contractors, builders, or
others desiring water for building purposes, shall first make application to
the city clerk for such service. The charge for water will be based on the
consumption shown by water meter which will be installed by the city at such
time as he: desires to begin using the water. All water meters for use in
freezing weather shall be protected at the consumer's expense, from damage
by freezing.
Section 49. Validity of Ordinance. Should any provisi n of this ordina ce
be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such decision
shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the ordinance
Section 50. Violation of Ordinance. Any person, firm or corporation
violating any provision of this ordinance shall, upon convicti n thereof, be
fined a sum not exceeding one hundred (100. 00) dollars and c sts, and in defa It
of payment thereof shall be committed to the city or county jail until such
fine and costs are paid, not exceeding thirty days.
Section 51. Repeal. Ordinances Nos. 545, 604, 842 and all other
ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Section 52. Ordinance .In Effect. This ordinance shall take effect
and be in force from and after its passage and publication as required
y law.
Passed this 3rd day of July 1956.
J. W. Prather, City Clerk J. P. Lawlor, Mayor
Moved by Schilletter and seconded by Judge that Ordinance No. 854 be passed
on its first reading.
I
Voting Aye; Armstrong, Judge, Smilh, De Hart and' Schilletter
Voting Nay: None
Absent': Bolton
Moved by De Hart and seconded by Smith that the rules governing the passage
Of ordinances be suspended, the second and third readings be omitted and
Ordinance No. 854 be placed on its final passage.
Voting Aye; Armstrong, Judge, Smith, De Hart and Schilletter
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Bolton
Moved by Schilletter and seconded by Smith that Ordinance No. 854 do now
pass.
Voting Aye: Armstrong, Judge, Smith, De Hart and Schilletter
Voting; Nay: None
Absent: Bolton
Mayor Lawlor declared Ordinance No. 854 duly adopted.
1, J. W. Prather, City Clerk of the City of Ames, Iowa, do hereby certify
that the above and foregoing Ordinance No. 854 was duly and properly passed
at a meeting of the City Council on the .3rd day of July and published by
codifying on the = day of 1956,
J. W. Prat er, I Clerk