§ 122-152. Water system.

(a)

Conditions for use of private wells. See section 122-221.

(b)

Responsibility for meter and meter box. Anyone receiving water service from the county water system shall be responsible for the meter and meter box from the time it is installed until it is removed. Any changes in the slope or grade of the premises shall be made so as not to damage the meter or meter box, or cover the meter box. Anyone damaging the meter or meter box, or covering same with earth, shall be liable for the cost of the damage or subject to prosecution for a violation of this Code. Water users shall not remove the box from the meter or leave the meter exposed to possible freezing or other damage.

(c)

Backflow prevention. Certain county water system users shall be required to provide backflow prevention. For specific backflow prevention requirements, see section 122-121.

(d)

Use of three-inch fire hydrant meter.

(1)

All persons who withdraw water from a fire hydrant other than for bona fide emergency purposes shall have the water metered through a three-inch fire hydrant meter and pay the proper charges in accordance with the rates set forth in section 122-85.

(2)

The county shall have the authority to contract with commercial businesses and private citizens to supply such three-inch fire hydrant meters as are necessary for the customer's use and to inspect and repair at the customer's expense meters that are damaged through the customer's negligence. The county shall also collect and account for a deposit on each meter maintained by the county.

(e)

Assured water pressure; pressure reducing valves, the user's responsibility. The county will provide all users in the county located at or below the elevation of 1,150 feet mean sea level with a minimum of 20 psi pressure.

(1)

Excess water pressure above 20 pounds per square inch (psi) is the users' responsibility. Determining the need for and the installation and maintenance of pressure reducing valves shall be the sole responsibility of the user.

(2)

Fire protection for developments above 1,150 feet mean sea level will require adequate gravity flow from a properly designed elevated water storage tank for meeting fire flow requirements.

(f)

Use of master meters.

(1)

Buildings containing two or more family dwelling units or an integrated complex of buildings containing the same shall be served by a water master meter, unless otherwise authorized by the water system director or his representative. The owner of such buildings, or a homeowners association provided there are multiple owners, shall be responsible for payment for all water and wastewater services rendered to such buildings and units by the county as set forth in subsection 122-81(d). Further, the owner or homeowners association shall be responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of water facilities on the user side of the master meter. If an exception to this water master meter requirement is authorized, the building shall comply with section 122-113(b).

(2)

For all new multifamily buildings where a water master meter is utilized, installation of a sub-unit water meter for each dwelling unit is required at the time of construction. Purchase and installation of sub-unit water meters are the responsibility of the owner. The owner, or a homeowners association for such buildings provided there are multiple owners, shall be solely responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of water facilities on the user side of the master meter. The county shall bill the owner or homeowners association for water and wastewater service based on the master meter readings. The owner or homeowners association shall seek reimbursement for water and wastewater usage by dwelling unit through an economic allocation methodology which is based on the measured quantity of water used by each unit.

(3)

For all new multiunit retail and light industrial buildings, installation of a sub-unit water meter for each unit is required at the time of construction. The county shall bill the owner or operator of such building's water and wastewater service based on the master meter readings. The owner or operator of the building shall seek reimbursement for water and wastewater usage by unit through an economic allocation methodology which is based on the measured quantity of water used by each unit. This subsection is not intended to apply to newly constructed multiunit office buildings or office units in mixed use developments. The owner or operator of multiunit office buildings and mixed use developments may seek reimbursement from office tenants for water and waste-water use through an economic allocation which approximates the water use of each tenant based on square footage. Installation of a sub-unit water meter and reimbursement for water and wastewater usage for the retail units of a mixed use development is required.

(4)

The total amount of the charges to the units or residences under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection shall not exceed the total charges paid by the owner, operator or homeowners association for water and wastewater service for such building plus a reasonable fee for establishing, servicing, and billing for water and wastewater service, except that the charges may include reimbursement for common area water and wastewater use through an economic allocation which approximates the portion of the common area water and wastewater services to each unit. The terms of the charges shall be disclosed prior to any contractual agreement.

(5)

The water master meter provided in this section shall be installed at or near the customer's property line as the water system director or his/her representative may designate.

(g)

Use of irrigation meters. Irrigation meters may be used for the purpose of obtaining water to be used exclusively for the irrigation of landscaped areas. Fees for such usage shall be in accordance with section 122-83.

(Ord. of 6-28-88, § 3-26-82; Ord. of 2-27-07; Amd. of 2-23-10; Amd. of 2-26-13; Amd. of 5-23-17)