§ 154-70. Using water through unauthorized connection.

(a)

Written authorization required for plumbing installations. It shall be unlawful for any person to connect any plumbing, pipe, valve fixture or apparatus in any premises to any pipe or main containing water from the city system or make any alterations or additions to any pipe, valve, fixture or apparatus already installed, unless that person first obtains authorization from the department of watershed management. Each day in such illegal activity continues shall constitute a separate violation.

(b)

Connection of private water system to city system. It shall be unlawful to connect any private water pipe, which takes water from any point, well, reservoir or other source, to pipes which are connected with the system of the city, except with written authorization of the department of watershed management. Any violation of this section shall cause the water to be turned off until each such connection or cross connection to the private well, pond, reservoir or other system is disconnected and removed. Each day in such illegal activity continues shall constitute a separate violation.

(c)

Written authorization required for extending pipes or adding fixtures. It shall be unlawful for any person to make changes in water pipes or fixtures, either by extending those pipes to other premises or within the premises to which water is supplied, which will in any way effect a change in the rate classification for the premises without first obtaining authorization from the department of watershed management. Each day in such illegal activity continues shall constitute a separate violation.

(d)

Interfering with the city water system; tapping, using water without permission. It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with any part of the city water system, to insert any plug or to make any connection thereto by tapping any of the mains or pipes, adding straight line connection or other apparatus to the water system without the permission of the department, permitting any such connections or tapping to be made on premises under such person's control as owner or tenant, using water from unauthorized connections, or supplying water through unauthorized connections without written authorization for that use of water. Each day in such illegal activity continues shall constitute a separate violation.

(e)

Responsibility of owner. It shall be unlawful, whenever water service has been turned off for any reason, for a property owner to knowingly or unknowingly allow occupants to use water through another meter or service.

(f)

Imposition of charges. If any person uses water through any unauthorized pipe or connection or without the permission of the department of watershed management, a bill shall be made against the premises for the time the water has been used or for the quantity shown to have been used. If the bill is not paid, the water shall be turned off and not turned on again until the bill is paid and permission given for continuance of the supply.

(g)

Amount of charges. If unmetered water is used from an unauthorized connection or fire hydrant, there may be a charge fixed by the council.

(h)

Removal of unauthorized apparatus. The commissioner or designee, upon discovery of any unauthorized connection, including a straight line connection, shall immediately terminate the water service and remove the apparatus.

(i)

Costs of labor and materials. Costs of all labor, materials and equipment needed to terminate the unauthorized connection shall be assessed against the person who receives the benefit of the service, including the retail cost of water at the current rate.

(j)

Restoration of service. All charges must be paid in full, and application for water service must be on file before water service can be restored.

(k)

Penalty. In addition to the costs and charges listed above, any violation shall subject the offender to punishment pursuant to the penalty set forth in section 1-8 of the Code of Ordinances, as may be amended from time to time, for each day the violation continues.

(Code 1977, § 9-4076; Ord. No. 1998-87, § 20, 12-10-98; Ord. No. 2006-53, § 27, 8-29-06)