Article 6. Water Department

§3-601 Falls City Code §3-602

Article 6. Water Department
§3-601 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; WATER CONTRACT.
The
Municipality through its Water Department, shall furnish water to
persons within its corporate limits whose premises abut a street or
alley in which a commercial main now is or may hereafter be laid.
The Municipality may furnish water to persons within its corporate
limits whose premises do not abut a street or alley in which a
Municipal commercial main is now or may hereafter be laid and may
also furnish water to persons whose premises are situated outside
the corporate limits of the Municipality, as and when, according to
law, the Utilities Superintendent may see fit to do so. The rules,
regulations, and water rates hereinafter named in this Article,
shall be considered a part of every application hereafter made for
water service and shall be considered a part of the contract
between every consumer now or hereafter served. Without further
formality, the making of application on the part of any applicant
or the use or consumption of water service by present consumers
thereof and the furnishing of water service to said consumer shall
constitute a contract between the consumer and the Municipality, to
which said contract both parties are bound. If the consumer shall
violate any of the provisions of said contract or any reasonable
rules and regulations that the Governing Body may hereafter adopt,
the Utilities Superintendent or his agent, may cut off or
disconnect the water service from the building or premise or place
of such violation. No further connection for water service to said
building, premise, or place shall again be made save or except by
order of said Superintendent or his agent.
§3-602 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; TERMS DEFINED.
MAIN. The term “main” is hereby defined to be any pipe other than
a supply or service pipe that is used for the purpose of carrying
water to, and dispersing the same in the Municipality.
SUPPLY PIPE. The term “supply pipe” is hereby defined to be any
pipe tapped into a main and extending from there to a point at or
near the lot line of the consumer’s premise where the shut-off,
stop box, or curb cock is located.
SERVICE PIPE. The term “service pipe” is hereby defined to be any
pipe extending from the shut-off, stop box, or curb cock at or near
the lot line to and beyond the property line of the consumer to the
location on the premise where the water is to be dispersed.
SEPARATE PREMISE. The term “separate premise” is hereby defined to
be more than one (1) consumer procuring water from the same service
or supply pipe. The second (2nd) premise may be a separate
dwelling, apartment, building, or structure used for a separate
business.
§3-603 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; OPERATION AND FUNDING. The
Municipality owns and operates the Municipal Water Department
through the Utilities Superintendent. The Governing Body, for the
purpose of defraying the cost of the care, management, and
maintenance of the Municipal Water Department may each year levy a
tax not exceeding the maximum limit prescribed by State law, on the
actual valuation of all real estate and personal property within
the corporate limits that is subject to taxation. The revenue from
the said tax shall be known as the Water Fund and shall remain in
the custody of the Municipal Treasurer. The Utilities
Superintendent shall have the direct management and control of the
Municipal Water Department and shall faithfully carry out the
duties of his office. The Utilities Superintendent shall have the
authority to adopt rules and regulations for the sanitary and
efficient management of the Water Department subject to the
supervision and review of the Governing Body. The Governing Body
shall set the rates to be charged for services rendered by
resolution and shall file a copy of the rates in the office of the
Municipal Clerk for public inspection at any reasonable time.
(Ref. 17-531, 17-534, 19-1305 RS Neb.)
§3-604 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; CONSUMER’S APPLICATION.
Every person or persons desiring a supply of water must make
application therefor to the Utilities Superintendent. The
Utilities Superintendent may require any applicant to make a
service deposit in such amount as he deems necessary subject to the
review of the Governing Body. Water may not be supplied to any
house or private service pipe except upon the written order of the
Utilities Superintendent. The Department shall not supply water
service to any person outside the corporate limits without special
permission from the Governing Body; Provided, the entire cost of
laying mains,service pipe, and supply pipe shall be paid by the
consumer. Nothing herein shall be construed to obligate the
Municipality to provide water service to nonresidents. (Ref. 17-
537, 19-2701 RS Neb.)
§3-605 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; INSTALLATION PROCEDURE.
In making excavations in streets, alleys, or sidewalks for the
purpose of installing pipe, or making repairs, the paving, stones,
and earth must be removed and deposited in a manner that will
occasion the least inconvenience to the public and provide for
adequate drainage. Any person cutting into the public sidewalk or
public streets shall, in addition to all provisions herein, comply
will all rules and regulations required in Chapter 8 relating to
the cutting of curbs and the excavations of the public ways and
property. No person shall leave an excavation made in the street,
alley, or sidewalk open at any time without a barricade, and during
the night, warning lights. After service pipes are laid, the
streets, alleys, and sidewalks shall be restored to good condition.
If the excavation in any street, alley, or sidewalk is left open or
unfinished for a period of twenty-four (24) hours or more, the
Utilities Superintendent shall have the duty to finish or correct
the work, and all expenses so incurred shall be charged to the
plumber doing the work. All installation shall be done under the
supervision and strictly in accordance with the rules, regulations,
and specifications prescribed for such installation by the
Utilities Superintendent; provided that the said rules,
regulations, and specifications have been reviewed and approved by
the Governing Body. No person shall make any excavation in any
street while the ground is frozen or uncover any water pipe and
expose the same during the winter months except under the direction
of the Utilities Superintendent. (Ref. 17-537 RS Neb.)
§3-606 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; LICENSED PLUMBER. It shall
be unlawful for any plumber or pipefitter to do any work upon any
of the pipes of appurtenances of the system of waterworks, or to
make any connection with or extension of the supply pipes of any
consumer taking water from the said system until such plumber or
pipefitter shall have first procured a license or permit from the
Municipality. All plumbing shall be done in the manner required by
the Utilities Superintendent. The said licensed plumber shall be
at all times subject to the inspection and approval of the
Utilities Superintendent and it shall be further unlawful to cover
or conceal willfully any defective or unsatisfactory plumbing work.
§3-607 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; INSTALLATION EXPENSE. The
expense of providing water service from the main to the place of
distribution shall be paid by the consumer. In addition to the
said expense of procuring the services of a licensed plumber and
paying all the expenses of furnishing and installing the necessary
pipe, trenching, and other labor to bring water service from the
main to the place of disbursement, the consumer shall also pay a
tap fee which shall compensate the Municipality for the expense of
installing the meter and tapping the main, and shall buy from the
Municipality, at cost, the curb stop. The Municipality shall own
all such meters. Approval of the Utilities Superintendent shall be
obtained as to location and installation of meters. Persons
desiring service on property not adjacent to a main shall pay the
entire additional cost of pipe and labor required in providing.
(Ref. 17-542 RS Neb.)
§3-608 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE. The
cost of maintaining and repairing the main, supply, curb stop, and
meter shall be paid by the Municipality. The cost of maintaining
and repairing the service pipe and other appurtenances shall be
paid by the customer. Notification of and an approval of the
Utilities Superintendent shall be required for moving or altering
any water service. All water meters shall be kept in repair by the
Utilities Superintendent at the expense of the Municipality. The
Utilities Superintendent shall have the right to test any meter
which he has reason to believe is not measuring with accuracy the
amount of water consumed. The consumer is hereby granted the
reciprocal right to have his water meter tested by the Utilities
Superintendent. If the test of the meter discloses that it is
registering two percent (2%) or more fast, the expense of such test
shall be borne by the Municipality, but if the test of the meter
discloses that it is registering less that two percent (2%) fact,
the consumer shall be billed the reasonable expense of making such
test. When for any reason a water meter is not registering
accurately, the consumer shall be charged for the month or months
in which the meter is inaccurate a sum equal to the charge for the
amount of water used on the premise during the corresponding period
of the preceding year. If no basis for such comparison exists, the
consumer shall pay such reasonable sum as the Utilities
Superintendent shall fix. (Ref. 17-537 RS Neb.)
§3-609 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; WATER BILLS. Water bills
will be due and payable monthly at the office of the Utilities
Superintendent. Meters shall be read one (1) time each month. It
shall be the duty of customers of the Water Department to promptly
present payment monthly at the Office of the Utilities
Superintendent to pay their bills. The Utilities Superintendent
shall charge and collect from each consumer for the amount of water
consumed since the last examination, together with any other
charges, properly itemized, due the Water Department. Bills shall
be due on the first (1st) day of each month and shall be payable by
the fifteenth (15th) day of each month. Bills not paid on or
before the fifteenth (15th) day of each month shall be deemed to be
delinquent. There shall be a five percent (5%) penalty added
on to any bill deemed to be delinquent as herein defined. In the
event that any bill is not paid when the same has been deemed to be
delinquent, the Utilities Superintendent shall give a written
notice as provided in section 3-1102 of this Code. The Utilities
Superintendent shall faithfully account for and pay to the
Municipal Treasurer all revenue collected by him, taking his
receipt therefor. In the event the water is shut off for the
nonpayment of any water bill, there shall be assessed an additional
fee set by resolution of the Governing Body to compensate the
Municipality for the additional hookup necessary to again provide
water service to the delinquent customer. (Ref. 17-542, 70-1605
RS Neb.)(Ord. #2008-110)
§3-610 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; LIEN. In addition to all
other remedies, if a customer shall for any reason remain indebted
to the Municipality for water service furnished, the amount due,
together with any rents and charges in arrears, shall be considered
a delinquent water rent, which is hereby declared to be a lien upon
the real estate for which the same was used. It shall be the duty
of the Utilities Superintendent to report to the Governing Body on
June 1, of each year a list of all unpaid accounts due for water,
together with a description of the real estate upon which the same
was used. The report shall be examined, and if approved by the
Governing Body, shall be certified by the Municipal Clerk to the
County Clerk to be collected as a special tax in the manner
provided by law. (Ref. 17-538 RS Neb.)
§3-611 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; FEES AND COLLECTIONS. The
Governing Body has the power and authority to fix the rates to be
paid by the water consumers for the use of water from the Water
Department. All such fees shall be on file for public inspection
at the office of the Municipal Clerk. No flat rates shall be
quoted or allowed. No water shall be furnished to any customer at
a rate than that provided by ordinance of the Governing Body. The
Governing Body may, in its discretion, set a different uniform rate
schedule for nonresidents if it deems it advisable. (Ref. 17-542
RS Neb.)
§3-612 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; MINIMUM RATES. All water
consumers shall be liable for the minimum rate provided by
ordinance unless and until the consumer shall, by written order,
direct the Utilities Superintendent to shut off the water at the
curb stop, in which case he shall not be liable thereafter for
water rental until the water is turned on again. (Ref. 17-542 RS
Neb.)
§3-613 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; SINGLE PREMISE. No consumer
shall supply water to other families, or allow them to take water
from his premise, nor after water is supplied into a building shall
any person make or employ a plumber or other person to make a tap
or connection with the pipe upon the premise for alteration,
extension, or attachment without the written permission of the
Utilities Superintendent. (Ref. 17-537 RS Neb.)
§3-614 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; RESTRICTED USE. The
Governing Body or the Utilities Superintendent may order a
reduction in the use of water or shut off the water on any premise
in the event of a water shortage due to fire or other good and
sufficient cause. The Municipality shall not be liable for any
damages caused by shutting off the supply of water of any consumer
while the system or any part thereof is undergoing repairs or when
there is a shortage of water due to circumstances over which the
Municipality has no control. (Ref. 17-537 RS Neb.)
§3-615 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; FIRE HYDRANTS. All hydrants
for the purpose of extinguishing fires are hereby declared to be
public hydrants, and it shall be unlawful for any person other than
the Utilities Superintendent or members of the Municipal Fire
Department under the orders of the Fire Chief, or the Assistant
Fire Chief, to open or attempt to open any of the hydrants and draw
water from the same, or in any manner to interfere with the
hydrants.
§3-616 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; POLLUTION. It shall be
unlawful for any person to pollute or attempt to pollute any stream
or source of water for the supply of the Municipal Water
Department. (Ref. 17-536 RS Neb.)
§3-617 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; WATER SERVICE CONTRACTS.
Contracts for water service are not transferable. Any person
wishing to change from one location to another shall make a new
application and sign a new contract. If any consumer shall move
from the premise where service is furnished, or if the said premise
is destroyed by fire or other casualty, he shall at once inform the
Utilities Superintendent who shall cause the water service to be
shut off at the said premise. If the consumer should fail to give
such notice, he shall be charged for all water used on the said
premise until the Utilities Superintendent is otherwise advised of
such circumstances. (Ref. 17-537 RS Neb.)
§3-618 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; INSPECTION. The Utilities
Superintendent, or his duly authorized agents, shall have free
access, between the hours of seven o’clock (7:00) A.M. and six
o’clock (6:00) P.M., to all parts of each premise and building to,
or in which, water is delivered for the purpose of examining the
pipes, fixtures, and other portions of the system to ascertain
whether there is any disrepair or unnecessary waste of water. It
shall be the duty of every customer of the Water Department to
answer all questions asked by the Utilities Superintendent or his
agent relative to the use and consumption of water. (Ref. 17-537
RS Neb.)
§3-619 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; POLICE REPORTS. It shall be
the duty of the Municipal Police to report to the Utilities
Superintendent all cases of leakage and waste in the use of water
and all violations of the Municipal Code relating to the Water
Department. They shall have the additional duty of enforcing the
observance of all such regulations.
§3-620 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. It
shall be unlawful for any person to willfully or carelessly break,
injure, or deface any building, machinery, apparatus, fixture,
attachment, or appurtenance of the Municipal Water Department. No
person may deposit anything in a stop box or commit any act tending
to obstruct or impair the intended use of any of the above
mentioned property without the written permission of the Utilities
Superintendent.
§3-621 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; REQUIRED SHUT-OFF. Hose and
fountains for sprinkling yards, gardens, and streets may be used at
any time. When the fire alarm is sounded, all hose and fountains
used by consumers shall be shut off at once and not turned on again
until the fire is out. The right is reserved to suspend the use of
hose and fountains for sprinkling yards, gardens, streets, or the
washing of vehicles whenever in the opinion of the Council or the
Utilities Superintendent the public exigency may require it. No
vehicle of any nature shall be washed on any street or alley in the
Municipality.
§3-622 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; FIXTURES KEPT CLOSED.
Persons using water shall keep all fixtures allotted to their use
closed, except when obtaining water for use, and shall be
responsible for any damage or injury that may result to others from
the improper use of water.
§3-623 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; DRINKING FOUNTAINS. No
hydrants except public drinking fountains shall be placed within
the limits of any street unless such hydrants are securely closed
and protected against general use. No drinking fountain shall be
erected for public use which has openings by which it can be used
as a source of domestic supply.
§3-624 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; UNSUPPLIED TERRITORY. When
any new addition to the Municipality or any substantial portion of
the Municipality is not being supplied with water from the
Municipal Water Department, and the owner of such addition or
territory desires to have water service extended so as to supply
such territory, he may, on approval of the Governing Body and under
the supervision of the Municipality, install water mains in such
territory and connect the same with the mains of the Municipality
and have water supplied for the residents of such territory under
such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the
Municipality and the owner of such territory subject to the
provisions of this Chapter. No contract shall be made for the
furnishing of such water service at a less or different rate from
that charged to other inhabitants of the Municipality for like
service, but the Municipality may provide by contract to pay the
value of such water mains so laid, in water supplied to the
inhabitants of such territory, but in no event shall the value of
the water exceed the original cost of the mains.
When the Municipality shall enter upon any contract as
hereinbefore provided and water is supplied to such new territory,
it shall be the duty of the Utilities Superintendent to keep a
separate account of all water rents collected in such new territory
and the rents shall be deposited with and kept by the Municipal
Treasurer as a separate fund and shall only be drawn upon to
reimburse the owners of such new addition or territory for moneys
expended by them in constructing such water extension mains.
Whenever the rentals from water supplied under such contract
shall be collected equal to the amount expended by the private
individuals extending the water through any territory, the mains
shall become the property of the Municipal Water Department and
subject to other general rules and regulations relative thereto.
§3-625 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; FLUORIDE PROHIBITED. From
and after the adoption by the City Council or the Voters of this
ordinance, the City of Falls City, Nebraska shall be prohibited
from adding fluoride to the water supply of the City of Falls City,
Nebraska. (Ord. No. 889, passed and approved 11/5/74 by the
voters of the City of Falls City, Richardson County, Nebraska)
§3-626. MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; CROSS -CONNECTION
CONTROL.
The purpose of this ordinance is to protect the public
water supply of the City of Falls City from the possibility of
contamination by isolating real or potential sources of
contamination or pollution which may backflow into the public water
supply. (Amended: Ord. #93-107)
§3-627. MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; CROSS -CONNECTION CONTROL
DEFINITIONS. “AIR GAP”
means the unobstructed vertical distance
through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from a pipe
or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other
device and the flood rim of the receptor.
“BACKFLOW” or “BACK SIPHON-AGE” means the flow of water or
other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the water distribution
system from any other source than the intended source of the
potable water supply.
“BACKFLOW PREVENTER” means an assembly or means that prohibits
backflow into the potable water supply.
“CROSS CONNECTION” means any physical arrangement where the
potable water supply is connected, directly or indirectly, with any
other water supply system, sewer, drain, conduit, tank, pump,
plumbing fixture, heat exchanger, or other mechanical equipment or
device which contains, or may contain, contaminated water, sewage,
or other wastes, liquid, or gas of unknown or unsafe quality which
may be capable of importing contamination or pollution to the
potable water supply as a result of backflow.
“DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY” means a backflow prevention
device consisting of two independently acting check valves,
internally force loaded to a normally closed position between two
tightly closing shut off valves and with means of testing for
tightness.
“HEALTH HAZARD” means an actual or potential threat of
contamination of a physical or toxic nature to the public potable
water system or the customer’s potable water system that would be
a danger to health.
“POLLUTION HAZARD” means an actual or potential threat of
severe damage to the physical properties of the pubic water system
or to the physical properties of the public water system or to the
potability of the public or the customer’s potable water system but
which would not constitute a health or system hazard.
“SYSTEM HAZARD” means an actual or potential threat of severe
damage to the physical properties of the public or the customer’s
potable water system or contamination which would have protracted
effect on the quality of the potable water in the system.
“REDUCE PRESSURE PRINCIPAL BACKFLOW PREVENTER” means a
backflow prevention device consisting of two independently acting
check valves, internally force loaded to a normally closed position
and separated by an intermediate chamber in which there loaded to
a normally open position between two tightly closing shut off
valves and with means for testing for tightness of checks and
opening of relief means.
“VACUUM BREAKER, ATMOSPHERIC TYPE” means a vacuum breaker
which is not designed to be subject to static line pressure.
“VACUUM BREAKER, PRESSURE TYPE” means a vacuum breaker which
is designed to be subject to static line pressure. (Amended: Ord.
#93-107)
§3-628. MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; CROSS -CONNECTION
CONTROL; ADOPTED STANDARDS.
City of Falls City Water Department
Cross – Connection Control Program shall be based on the following
standards:
TITLE 179, Nebraska Department of Health, Chapter 2 -
Regulations Governing Water Supply Systems, which is hereby
adopted and incorporated by reference as if fully set forth
here within.
MANUAL OF CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL, published by the
Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic
Research, University of Southern California, Latest Edition,
is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as if fully
set forth here within.
AMERICAN WATERWORKS MANUAL, M-14, latest edition which is
hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as if fully set
forth here within.
One copy of each of the above documents is on file with the
Municipal Clerk and is available for public inspection at any
reasonable time. (ref. 18-142 R.S. Neb) (Amended: Ord. #93-107)
§3-629. MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; UNSAFE PHYSICAL CONNECTION
TO WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM; PROHIBITED.
No customer or other
person shall cause, allow, or create any physical connection
between the City of Falls City Water Distribution system and any
pipes, pumps, hydrants, tanks, steam condensate returns, engine
jackets, heat exchangers, or other water supplies or any other
connection whereby potentially unsafe or contaminating materials
may be discharged or drawn into the City of Falls City Water
Distribution System. (Amended: Ord. #93-107)
§3-630. MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; SURVEYS AND INVESTIGATIONS.
At least one (1) time every five (5) years, or more often as
requested by the Utility Superintendent, customers of the City of
Falls City water supply system shall be required to access their
water supply system for potential backflow and back siphonage
hazards and report any potential hazards to the City of Falls City
Water Department upon a form supplied by the department to the
customer.
The Utility Superintendent shall have the right to enter a
premises served by the City of Falls City water supply system at
all reasonable times for the purpose of making surveys and
investigations of water use practices within the premises. If the
customer refuses to allow access to the premises, water service
shall be discontinued after due notice to the customer thereof.
The customer shall take any steps necessary for the protection
of public health and safety as determined by the Utility
Superintendent. (Amended: Ord. #93-107)
§3-631. MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; BACKFLOW PREVENTION
DEVICES REQUIRED.
A customer of the City of Falls City Water
Department shall install an approved backflow prevention device at
his/her expense appropriate to the potential hazards as set forth
in Title 179 Nebraska Department of Health, Chapter 2-Regulations
governing Public Water Supply Systems. The customer shall make
application to the Utility Superintendent to install a required
backflow prevention device on a form provided by the water
department. The Utility Superintendent shall approve or disapprove
the application based upon his/her opinion of whether such
installation will protect the City of Falls City Water Distribution
System from potential backflow and back siphonage. Devices, except
for hose vacuum breakers shall only be installed and maintained by
licensed plumbers.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on
each service line to a customer’s water supply system serving the
following types of facilities unless the Utilities Superintendent
or his agent determines that no potential health, pollution, or
system hazard to the public water supply system exists:
1. Hospitals, medical buildings, medical and dental clinics,
mortuaries, and nursing homes.
2. Car wash and servicing facilities.
3. Premises having auxiliary water systems.
4. Commercial laundries and dry cleaners.
5. Metal manufacturing, cleaning, processing and fabricating
plants.
6. Power plants.
7. Water Treatment Plants.
8. Laboratories (including schools), film laboratories, and film
development facilities.
9. Veterinary establishments.
10. Irrigation systems injecting chemicals.
11. Food or beverage processing plants.
12. Chemical or petroleum plants.
13. Packing houses and rendering plants.
14. Premises having radioactive materials.
15. Multi-storied buildings greater than three (3) stories.
16. Temporary services.
17. Other commercial or industrial facilities which may constitute
potential cross-connections.
18. Premises having a repeated history of cross-connections being
established, or re-established.
19. Premises where it is impossible or impractical to make a
complete cross-connection survey.
20. Premises having internal cross-connections that are not
correctable or where plumbing arrangement makes it impractical
to determine whether or not cross-connections exist.
(Amended: Ord. #93-107)
§3-632. MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; TYPE OF PROTECTION
REQUIRED.
An approved backflow prevention device when required
shall be installed at a location in a manner approved by the
Utility Superintendent depending upon the degree of hazard that
exists as follows:
1. Approved air gap separation or an approved reduce
pressure backflow prevention device shall be installed
where a public water supply system may be contaminated
with any substance which could cause a system hazard or
health hazard.
2. An approved double check valve assemble shall be
installed where public water supply system may be
contaminated with any substance which could cause a
pollution hazard.
3. Approved anti-siphon vacuum breaker may be used on an
individual hazard where it is not subjected to back
pressure.
4. All hose bib connections except for water heater drains
and clothes washer connections shall be protected by an
approved, non-removable or integral, frost proof, self
draining, anti-siphoning vacuum breaker.
5. Fire protection systems shall be protected with backflow
devices as described in AWWA Manual M-14, latest edition.
(Amended: Ord. #93-107)
§3-633. MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; TESTING. It shall be the
duty of the customer at any premises where backflow prevention
devices are installed to certify to the City of Falls City Water
Department at least one (1) time annually or at more frequent
intervals if required by the Utility Superintendent that the
backflow prevention device has been tested by a Nebraska Department
of Health grade VI certified water operator if the device is
equipped with test ports. Certification shall be made on a form
available from the Water Department. Testing shall be at the
expense of the customer. The rate of City testing shall be
designated by resolution of the Board of Public Works. (Amended:
Ord. #93-107)
§3-634 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; SAFETY THREAT; DISCONNECTION.
The Utility Superintendent shall deny or discontinue the water
service to any premises where no immediate safety threat exists,
seven (7) days after giving written notice by first class mail to
the customer thereof wherein:
1. Any backflow prevention device required by these regulations
is not installed or maintained in a manner acceptable to the
Utility Superintendent.
2. It is found that the backflow prevention device has been
removed or bypassed.
3. An unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises.
4. The Utility Superintendent or his agent is denied entry to
determine compliance with these regulations.
The Utility Superintendent shall immediately deny or
discontinue, without written notice to the customer thereof, the
water service to any premises wherein a severe cross-connection
exists which constitutes an immediate threat to the safety of the
public water supply system. The water service to such premises
shall not be restored until the customer has corrected or
eliminated such condition in conformance with these regulations and
to the satisfaction of the Utility Superintendent. The Utility
Superintendent shall notify the customer within twenty-four (24)
hours of said denial or discontinuation of service.
The Board of Public Works shall act as the hearing board to
hear differences between the Utility Superintendent and the
customer on matters concerning interpretation and execution of the
provisions of this article by the Utility Superintendent. The
customer must make a written request to the board setting forth the
specific reasons that relief is requested, within seven (7) days of
receipt of the discontinuance notice. Failure of the customer to
make written request as stated above, waives all rights of appeal
of the Utility Superintendent’s decision. (Amended: Ord. #93-107)
§3-635 MUNICIPAL WATER DEPARTMENT; APPROVAL STANDARDS. Any
backflow prevention device required herein shall be a model and
size approved by the Utility Superintendent. To be approved, the
device has to have been manufactured in full conformance with AWWA
C506-84 Standards For Reduced Pressure Principal and Double Check
Valve Backflow Prevention Devices; and have met completely the
laboratory and filed performance specifications of the Foundation
For Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the
University of Southern California established by the SPECIFICATIONS
OF BACKFLOW PREVENTION ASSEMBLIES – Section 10 of the most current
issue of the Manual of Cross-Connection Control. (Amended: Ord.
#93-107)