Chapter 90 – Water Service System

90.13 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. 90.14 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. 90.15 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. 90.16 COMPLETION BY THE CITY. Should any excavation be left open or only partly refilled for twenty-four (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 & h]) 90.17 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. 90.18 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. 90.19 WELLS PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS. Privately owned and maintained wells inside the City are prohibited if a City water main abuts the property line by either right-of-way or easement. The City may require owners of existing private wells to connect to a city owned distribution water main if a City water main abuts the property line by either right-of-way or easement. Such connection shall be made within ninety (90) calendar days after official notice to do so. The owner of the property on which the well or water system is located shall cause all service lines that furnish water to a residence from the well to be permanently cut off. The existing private well may continue to be used for purposes that do not include providing water to the residence, provided that it is not connected by any means to the City water system, and no water from the well is allowed to enter the City sanitary sewer system. However, if required, the existing well must be abandoned as required by state law. New wells may be sunk if the Council certifies to a property owner that the City is not prepared to provide water service within a reasonable time after the application is made for the service. A property owner may petition the Council for approval of a well constructed and used for non-potable purposes, and the Council may grant such an exception if it finds the well is not intended for residential or commercial use and it is otherwise in the best interest of the City to grant such an exception. The City shall refer all applications for such exceptions to the City Engineer for review and comment. The property owner shall remain liable for meeting all other applicable State and County regulations and laws governing the location and operation of wells. 90.20 PERMIT FEE. Before any permit is issued, the person who makes the application shall pay $250 to the Clerk.