The general management, care, control and supervision of the city water system shall be in the superintendent of water and sewage, who shall be appointed by the mayor with the consent of the governing body.

(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

(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, 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 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

(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 fees and/or costs specified in Section 15-207.

(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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.

(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

The fees for connection to the city waterworks system shall be as follows:

Cost of materials + 20 percent + contract labor + tax.

(Code 1978, 26-110; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

There shall be a curb cock in every service line attached to the city main, the same to be placed within the meter box.

(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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 city superintendent or city clerk.

(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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

(b)   Meters shall be located between the sidewalk or property line and curbing or within three (3) feet of curb side sidewalk 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. In the business district the meters may be installed in the basement at a location specified by the city.

(c)   The city’s responsibility stops at the property line.

(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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 the customer shall be responsible for reimbursing the city for its costs incurred in obtaining the test, to include freight, plus $25.00.

(Ord. 550; Code 2015)

In the event that during any 12-month period, it becomes necessary for the city to perform services to repair or place in service a frozen water meter more than once, there shall be a service charge of $25 plus materials for the second and any subsequent callbacks.

(Ord. 387, Sec. 16-116; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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.

(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

No allowances shall be made for water used or lost through leaks, carelessness, neglect, or otherwise after the same has passed 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 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

The governing body shall establish, by ordinance, a water service disconnection and reconnection charge. Whenever the city receives a request from a customer for termination of water service the disconnection charge shall be added to the customer’s final bill. Any service disconnected for nonpayment of delinquent bill shall be reconnected only upon payment of the delinquent bill, interest penalty thereon, and the reconnection charge. The reconnection fee shall be $50 plus tax.

(Ord. 575; Code 2015)

At the time of making application for water service, the property owner or customer shall make a cash deposit in the amount and manner specified in Section 15-105 to secure payment of accrued bills or bills due on discontinuance of service.

(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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

(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

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

(a)   Water Meter Demand Charge. There is hereby established a water demand charge of $12.00 per month per water meter to which city water is supplied.

(b)   Water Rates; Inside City. The price for water for users within the city limits shall be $1.40 per 1,000 gallons or any part thereof, per month.

(c)   Water Rates; Outside City. The charges and rates as set forth in Subsections (a) and (b) of this Section will apply to those users who reside outside the city limits of the city with an additional $8.50 service charge per month.

(d)   Water bills shall be rendered monthly as provided in Section 15-222.

(Ord. 581; Code 2015)

Sections 15-221 and 15-301 of this article shall apply to all apartment houses in the following manner:

(a)   In each and every apartment house and duplex, each apartment shall constitute a separate entity whether an electrical meter and/or water meter shall be installed or not installed, each apartment, while occupied, shall be required to pay the minimum if the occupants of such apartment use city current and city water.

(Code 1978, 16-114; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

Water and electricity accounts owed the city are due and payable on the first day of each month for utilities used during the previous month. Water and electricity accounts may be paid between the first and 15th of each month without penalty. If the accounts are not paid in full on the 15th of each month, a $20 penalty shall be added to the utility bill account on the 15th day. If any account is not paid in full, including the penalty, services will be terminated by the city on or about 10:00 a.m. on the 25th day of the month, with the customer given notice of his right to a hearing, and a hearing, if requested, prior to termination of service as provided by Sections 15-103:104.

(Ord. 576; Code 2015)

Water service shall be terminated for nonpayment of service fees or charges as provided in Sections 15-102:104.

(Ord. 426, Sec. 16-105; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

No person owning or occupying premises connected to the municipal water system shall use or 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 cases of emergency during the fire.

(Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

(a)   Backflow Preventer, Reduced Pressure Principle Type: An assembly of differential valves and check valves including an automatically open spillage port to the atmosphere.

(b)   Cross Connections: Any physical connection or arrangement between the otherwise separate piping systems, one of which contains potable water, and the other, water of unknown or questionable safety, or stream, gases, or chemicals, whereby there may be a flow from one system to the other. No physical cross connection should be permitted between public or private water distribution systems containing potable water and any other system containing water of questionable quality or containing contaminating or polluting substances.

(c)   Free Water Surface: A water surface that is at atmospheric pressure.

(d)   Frost Proof Closet: A hopper with no water in the bowl and with the trap and water supply control valve located below the frost line.

(e)   Plumbing: The practice, materials, and fixtures used in the installation, maintenance, extension, and alteration of all piping fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with any of the following: Sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, the venting system and or the private water supply systems, within or beyond the supply point to any building, structure, or conveyance; also the practice and materials used in the installation, maintenance, extension, or alteration of storm water, liquid waste, or sewage, and water supply systems or any premises to their connection with any point of public disposal or other acceptable terminal.

(f)   Pollution: The presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic, radiological or biological) in water that tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard or impair the usefulness of the water.

(g)   Vacuum: Any absolute pressure less than that exerted by the atmosphere.

(h)   Vacuum Beaker: A device that permits air into a water supply distribution line to prevent backsiphonage.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 1; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That the potable water supply system of the City and the potable water system of private users shall be designated, installed, and maintained to best prevent contamination from non-potable liquids, solids, or gases from being introduced into the potable water supply through cross-connections or any other piping connections to the system. Any water being provided by the City will fall under the Rules and Regulations of the Cross-Connection Program. All public or private users being supplied by City Water directly or indirectly shall conform to standards set up by the City.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 2; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That Cross Connection between potable water systems and other systems or equipment containing water or other substances of unknown or questionable safety are prohibited except when and where suitable protective devices such as the reduced pressure zone backflow preventer are installed, tested, and maintained to insure proper operation on a continuing basis. The device that is installed shall be approved by the city superintendent and if controversy arises it may be appealed to the city council.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 3; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That interconnections between two or more public water supplies shall be permitted only with the approval of the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 4; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That Cross-connections between an individual water supply and a potable public supply shall not be made unless specifically approved by the Kansas State Department of Health and Environment.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 5; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That potable water connections to boilers shall be made through an airgap or provided with an approved backflow preventer.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 6; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That connection to the potable water supply system for the following is prohibited unless protected against backflow in accordance with Sections 15-230 or as set out herein.

(a)   Bidets.

(b)   Operating, dissection, embalming, and mortuary tables or similar equipment: in such installation the hose used for water supply shall terminate at least 12 inches away from every point of the table or attachments.

(c)   Pumps for non-potable water, chemicals, or other substances: priming connections may be made only through an airgap.

(d)   Building drainage, sewer, or vent systems.

(e)   Commercial buildings of Industrial plants using a contaminating or pollution substance.

(f)   Any other fixture of similar hazard.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 7; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That except when potable water provided for a refrigerator condenser or cooling jacket is entirely out of the piping or tank containing a toxic refrigerant, the inlet connection shall be provided with an approved check valve. Also adjacent to and at the outlet side of the check valve, an approved pressure relief valve set to relieve at 5 psi above the maximum water pressure at the point of installation shall be provided if the refrigeration units contain more than 20 pounds of refrigerants.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 8; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That potable water system shall be protected against backflow and back siphonage by providing and maintaining at each outlet:

(a)   Airgap. An airgap, as specified in Section 15-234 between the potable water outlet and the flood level rim of the fixture it supplies or between the outlet and any other source of contamination, or

(b)   Backflow Preventer. A device or means to prevent backflow.

(Ord. 424, Sec. 9; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That the minimum airgap shall be determined as follows:

(a)   How Measured. The minimum required airgap shall be measured vertically from the lowest end of a potable water outlet to the flood rim or line of the fixture or receptacle into which it discharges.

(b)   Size. The minimum required airgap shall be twice the effective opening of a potable water outlet unless the outlet is a distance less than three times the effective opening away from a wall or similar vertical service, in which case the minimum required airgap shall be three times the effective opening of the outlet. In no case shall the minimum required airgap be less than shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1—MINIMUM AIRGAPS FOR GENERALLY USED PLUMBING FIXTURES

(1)   Side wall, ribs, or similar obstructions do not affect airgaps when spaced from inside edge of spout opening a distance greater than 4 times the diameter of the effective opening for 2 intersecting walls.

(2)   Vertical wall, ribs, or similar obstructions extending from the water surface to or above the horizontal plane or the spout opening require a greater airgap when spaced closer to the nearest inside edge of spout opening than specified in note above. The effect of 3 or more such vertical walls or ribs has not been determined. In such cases, the airgaps shall be measured from the top of the wall:

(3)   2 times diameter of effective opening.

(4)   4 times diameter of effective opening.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 10; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That before any device for the prevention of backflow or backsiphonage is installed, it shall have first been certified by a recognized testing laboratory acceptable to the City. Devices installed in a building potable water supply distribution system for protection against backflow shall be maintained in good working condition by the person or persons responsible for the maintenance of the system. The city superintendent or his designee shall inspect routinely such devices and if found to be defective or inoperative shall require the repair or replacement thereof.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 11; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That devices for the prevention of backflow shall be installed as follows:

(a)   Vacuum Breakers. Vacuum breakers shall be installed with the critical level at least 6 inches above the flood level rim of the fixture they serve and on the discharge side of the last control valve to the fixture. No shutoff valve or faucet shall be installed beyond the vacuum breaker.

(b)   Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Preventer. A reduced pressure principle type backflow preventer may be installed subject to full static pressure.

(c)   Devices of All Types. Backflow and backsiphonage preventing devices shall be accessibly located preferably in the same room with the fixture they serve. Installation in utility or service spaces, provided they are readily accessible.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 12; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That where a potable water outlet terminates below the rim of a tank or vat the following provisions shall apply:

(a)   Where a potable water outlet terminates below the rim of a tank or vat and the tank or vat has an overflow of diameter not less than given in Table 2, the overflow pipe shall be provided with an airgap as close to the tank as possible.

TABLE 2—SIZE OF OVERFLOW PIPES FOR WATER SUPPLY TANKS

(b)   The potable water outlet to the tank or vat shall terminate a distance not less than 1 1/2 times the height to which water can rise in the tank above the top of the overflow. This level shall be established at the maximum flow rate of the supply to the tank or vat and with all outlets except the airgap overflow outlet closed.

(c)   The distance from the outlet to the high water level shall be measure from the lowest point of the potable water supply outlet.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 13; Code 1994; Code 2003; Code 2015)

(a)   That approved devices to protect against backflow backsiphonage shall be installed at all fixtures and equipment where backflow and/or backsiphonage may occur and where a minimum airgap cannot be provided between the water outlet to the fixture or equipment and its flood level rim.

(b)   Connections Not Subject to Backpressure. Where a water connection is not subject to backpressure, a vacuum breaker shall be installed on the discharge side of the last valve on the line serving the fixture or equipment. A list of some conditions requiring protection devices of this kind is given in Table 3, “Cross-Connections Where Protective Devices are Required and Critical Level (C-L) Settings for Vacuum Breakers.”

TABLE 3—CROSS-CONNECTIONS WHERE PROTECTIVE DEVICES ARE REQUIRED AND CRITICAL LEVEL (C-L) SETTING FOR VACUUM BREAKERS (@)

@ Critical level (C-L) is defined as the level to which the vacuum breaker may be submerged before backflow will occur. Where the C-L is not shown on the preventer, the bottom of the device shall be taken as the C-L.

(c)   Connections Subject to Backpressure. Where a potable water connection is made to a line, fixture, tank, vat, pump, or other equipment with a hazard of backflow or backsiphonage where the water connection is subject to backpressure, and an airgap cannot be installed, the city superintendent may require the use of an approved reduced pressure principle backflow preventer. A partial list of such connections is shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4—PARTIAL LIST OF CROSS CONNECTIONS WHICH MAY BE SUBJECT TO BACKPRESSURE

That water connections where an actual or potential backsiphonage hazard exists may in lieu of devices specified in section 15-238 be provided with a barometric loops shall precede the point of connection.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 15; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That Plumbing Inspector may authorize installation of approved, double check-double gate valve assemblies with test cocks as protective devices against backflow in connections between a potable water system and other fluid systems which present no significant health hazard in the judgment of the Plumbing Inspector.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 16; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That when a booster pump is used on a water pressure booster system and the possibility exists that a positive pressure of 10 psi or less may occur on the suction side of the pump, there shall be installed a low-pressure cutoff on the booster pump to prevent the creation of a vacuum or negative pressure on the suction side of the pump, thus cutting off water to other outlets.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 17; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That no other devices may be used for the prevention of backflow or backsiphonage unless approved by the City, as being in their judgment equally effective.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 18; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That it shall be the responsibility of building and premise owners to maintain all backflow preventers and vacuum breakers within the building or other arrangements for the purpose of bypassing backflow devices.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 19; Code 2003; Code 2015)

Inspection schedules shall be established by the City for all backflow preventers and the intervals between such testing and inspections and overhauls of each device shall be established in accordance with the age and condition of the device. Inspection intervals should not exceed one year, and overhaul intervals should not exceed five years. These devices should be inspected after the initial installation to assure that nothing has interfered with the functioning of the device. The testing procedures shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions when approved by the City.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 20; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That testing of the backflow devices will be done by plumbers that meet the requirements set up by the City. The maximum charge for the inspection shall be established by the City upon consultation with an established plumbers association and shall be reviewed each year by the City.

(Ord., 423, Sec. 21; Code 2003; Code 2015)

That every corporation, railway, common carrier company or individual that shall fail to comply with the rules and regulations shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $499.

(Ord. 423, Sec. 22; Code 2003; Code 2015)