G13-12 Ordinance No. G13-12
• AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CHAPTER 14.04 OF THE ELGIN MUNICIPAL CODE, 1976;
AS AMENDED, ENTITLED "WATER REGULATIONS"
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS:
Section 1. That Section 14.04.005 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended;
entitled "Definitions" be and is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"14.04.005: DEFINITIONS:
For the purpose of this chapter, the words set out in this section shall have the
following meanings:
AUTOMATIC METER READING UNIT: A device as designated by the water
director which collects water meter readings electronically via a telephone line or
a radio signal.
BEGINNING READ: An inside reading made when a customer is added to an
account.
• BILLING PERIOD: The period between each reading as set forth in subsection
14.04.200A of this chapter.
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT: A building or complex which houses
stores, offices or businesses that engage in trade, sales and service.
CUSTOMER OR CONSUMER: Jointly and severally, any person or persons
receiving or contracting for water service from the city at a particular metered
property and the owner or owners of the property served. The foregoing persons
shall be jointly and severally liable for all water charges at the metered property.
DISCONNECTION: The physical severing of a metered property from the city
water system by removing existing pipes, valves, meters or portions thereof.
ESTIMATED BILL: A bill based upon projected charges when a reading is not
available.
FINAL READ: An inside reading made when a customer is deleted from an
account.
FINANCE DIRECTOR: The finance director of the city.
•
INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT: A building or complex which houses
• mechanical or manufacturing activities.
INSIDE READING: The direct and actual reading of a properly functioning
meter by a city employee or agent or a reading obtained electronically by an
automatic meter reading (AMR) system operated by the city.
INSTITUTIONAL ESTABLISHMENT: A building or complex which houses
activities such as health, educational, social or religious such as but not limited to
churches, charitable organizations, sanitariums, hospitals, correctional facilities or
sports facilities.
METER: A device as designated by the water director and used by the city to
measure consumption of water for billing purposes.
METERED PROPERTY: Any property or part thereof, such as, but not limited
to, an apartment, house, business, condominium or office, receiving water from
the city and which has a meter utilized by the city to determine water charges for
the property served.
MULTIPLE METER SERVICE LOCATION: A service location at which there
are two (2) or more metered properties.
• READING: The process of checking a meter to determine the amount of water
usage at any metered property.
REMOTE READING: The reading of a meter at a remote reading register.
REMOTE READING REGISTER: A device as designated by the water director
located outside of a building in an area accessible to city personnel and which
displays water consumption as measured by the meter.
SERVICE LOCATION: Any property or part thereof receiving water from the
city and which is served by a shutoff box. Note: Each service location will include
one (single meter service location) or more (multiple meter service location)
metered properties.
SERVICE PIPES: Those pipes connecting the shut off box to the metered
property.
SHUT OFF: The termination of water at a service location by closing the valve on
a shut off box.
SHUT OFF BOX: A valve box or other device as designated by the water director
capable of terminating water at a service location. Generally, a shut off box
•
includes, but is not necessarily limited to, a ball valve, curb stop and buffalo
• pattern curb box of a make and manufacturer as designated by the water director.
SINGLE METER SERVICE LOCATION: A service location at which there is
only one metered property.
WATER ACCOUNT: The total cumulative charges for water service at any
metered location.
WATER DIRECTOR: The director of water operations for the city of Elgin."
Section 2. That Section 14.04.020 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Water Main, Service Piping and Housing Piping Requirements" be and is hereby further
amended to read as follows:
"14.04.020: WATER MAIN, SERVICE PIPING AND HOUSING PIPING
REQUIREMENTS:
A. All service pipes placed in connection with the city water main shall be of
copper water tube or ductile iron pipe and must be at least five and on half
feet (5 1/2 ') below the surface of the earth. The service pipes from the shut
off box shall be not less than the size of pipe as that extending from the
main to the shut off box and shall be installed and maintained at the
expense of the customer. No service pipes shall be installed of a size less
than one inch (1") in diameter. The service pipes shall meet with the
following standards:
1. Copper water tubing, type K.
E
No
Pipe I Weight Test
4 Diameter (Pounds ` Pressure
Inches Per Foot) 1 (Psi Min
1 0.839 0.780
E
11/4 1.04 0.630
l 1'/Z 1.36 0.580
a
J
2 2.06 0.460
• 2. Any service pipes having an inside diameter of three inches (3") or
greater shall be a ductile iron pipe. All ductile iron pipe must
conform with specifications of the American Water Works
• Association and those of the water director.
3. The water department may require the installation of backflow
protection devices of approved design in any service line where
danger of back pressure is apparent.
4. The shut off box required by this chapter shall be used in copper
water tube services and shall be of the "ora seal" or ball valve type.
Underground copper joints shall be flanged, and no solder joints
are permitted.
5. A shut off box shall be set as required by the water director.
6. All copper water tube service pipes shall be laid in waves and
curves in such a manner as to use at least one foot (1') more pipe
than would be used if a straight line of pipe was laid and where
acid or cinder conditions exist in the ditch, the pipe shall be laid in
a bed of sand.
B. All other pipes used in connection with the water service located inside of
any building after the meter must be galvanized iron, copper or brass.
• C. A twenty foot (20') wide permanent easement shall be dedicated to the city
for any water main located outside the city's right of way. The easement
shall grant the city access to the water main to perform any necessary
maintenance, repair, relocation or replacement of the water main. In lieu
of the dedication of such an easement, the city may enter into an
agreement with the owner of any water main located outside the city right
of way, said agreement providing the terms and conditions for the
continued maintenance of the water main by the owner.
D. Connections between domestic service pipes and the water main shall be
made within the city's right of way, with the curb stop set at the right of
way line. The water director may permit a manifold connection between
the domestic service pipes and the water main when a service location
requires service by multiple meters and the water main is located on the
opposite side of the street in which the building or facility is located. The
individual curb stops for any such manifold connection shall be set at the
city's right of way line and not more than four (4) 1-inch taps shall be
provided per manifold. Each manifold will be set in a concrete pad and
stamped with unit designation. The manifold system shall not be within
10' of a building foundation. .When a building or facility at a service
location does not front a street, the water director may permit the
installation of an extended water main provided an easement for such
• purposes is created within an area located in the front of the building or
facility. The extended water main and curb stops shall be installed upon
Sthe approval of the water director and the individual taps and curb stops
shall be located within three feet (3') of the extended water main. All curb
stops, manifolds and b-boxes shall be within an easement granted to the
city, if not within the right-of-way.
E. Buildings or facilities located within commercial or industrial zoning
districts that are erected without frontage on a street or public right of way
may obtain domestic water service from a private water main located on
the site provided separate curb stops are installed and provided an
easement is executed granting the city access to the shut off box. Private
water mains and their appurtenances shall not be maintained by the city
nor shall the city be liable for any incidental or consequential damage
resulting from the city's use or operation of a curb stop installed on a
private water main."
Section 3. That Section 14.04.065 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Cross Connection with Public Water Supply Prohibited" be and is hereby further
amended to read as follows:
"14.04.065: CROSS CONNECTION WITH PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY
PROHIBITED:
• A. All industrial, institutional or commercial establishments shall install a
reduced pressure zone device on the domestic line.
B. All lawn irrigation systems require a Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ)
device.
C. If in accordance with the Illinois plumbing code, or in the judgment of the
water operations director, an approved cross connection control device is
necessary for the safety of the public water supply system, the water
operations director shall give notice to the water customer to install such
an approved device immediately. The water customer shall, at his own
expense, install such an approved device at a location and in a manner in
accordance with the Illinois plumbing code and all applicable local
regulations and shall have inspection and tests made by a certified cross
connection control device inspector, of such approved devices as required
by the Illinois plumbing code and local regulations.
D. No person, firm or corporation shall establish, or permit to be established,
or maintain, or permit to be maintained, any connection whereby a private,
auxiliary or emergency water supply enters the supply or distribution
system of the city, unless such private auxiliary or emergency water
supply and the method of connection and use of such supply shall have
•
been approved by the water operations director and the Illinois
ienvironmental protection agency.
E. It shall be the duty of the water operations director to cause surveys and
investigations to be made of premises served by the public water supply to
determine whether actual or potential hazards to the public water supply
may exist. Such surveys and investigations shall be made a matter of
public record and shall be repeated not less than every two (2) years.
Inspections shall be conducted at a greater frequency when the water
operations director deems it necessary. Records of such surveys shall be
maintained by the city water department as a public record and available
for review for a period of at least five (5) years.
F. The water operations director, or his authorized agent, shall have the right
to enter at any reasonable time any property served by a connection to the
public water supply or distribution system of the city for the purpose of
verifying the presence of cross connections, or of verifying information
submitted by the customer regarding the required cross connection control
inspection. On demand, the owner, lessees, or occupants of any property
so served shall furnish to the water operations director any information
which he may request regarding the water piping or systems, or water use
on such property. Failure to provide information when demanded, shall be
deemed evidence of the presence of improper connections as provided in
this section.
G. The water operations director of the city is authorized and directed to
discontinue, after reasonable notice to the occupant thereof, the water
service of any property wherein any connection in violation of the
provisions of this section is known to exist, and to take such other
precautionary measures as he may deem necessary to eliminate any danger
of contamination of the public water supply distribution mains. Water
service to such property shall not be restored until such conditions have
been eliminated or corrected in compliance with the provisions of this
section and until a reconnection fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00)
is paid to the city. Immediate disconnection with verbal notice may be
effected when the water operations director is assured that imminent
danger of harmful contamination of the public water supply system exists.
Such action shall be followed by written notification of the cause of
disconnection.
H. The customer is deemed responsible and must bear the cost of cleanup of
the potable water supply system if contamination of the potable water
supply system occurs through any means under the control of the customer
including, but not limited to, an illegal cross connection or an improperly
installed, maintained or repaired device, or a device which has been
• bypassed.
• I. The regulations of cross connection control attached to the ordinance
codified in this section are incorporated as an integral part of this section
and are approved and supported by the full authority of this section."
Section 4. That Section 14.04.070 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Water Meter Required; Pits; Ball Valves" be and is hereby further amended to read as
follows:
"14.04.070: WATER METER REQUIRED; PITS; BALL VALVES:
A. All services now in use or hereafter installed shall be provided with water
meters of a size and type approved by the water director. No water shall be
turned on at any service location until a water meter is installed except as
herein provided. All city water used on any premises wheresoever situated
in the city, except as hereinafter provided, must pass through a water
meter. Except as provided below no bypass or connection around the
water meter from the water main or service shall be made, allowed or
maintained.
B. All meters shall be furnished by the city and shall remain the property of
the city. Not more than one water meter shall be utilized at any service
location. Any additional meters required for internal private use at a
• service location shall be provided and paid for by the customer but shall
not be considered a metered location or be read or billed by the city. All
meters herein required for air conditioning and air cooling systems shall
be paid for by the customer and shall be subject to regulations of the water
director regarding installation, inspection and maintenance to the same
extent and in the same manner as meters furnished by the city.
C. All meters up to and including one inch (1") in diameter shall be installed
by the city. Meters in excess of one inch (I") in diameter shall be installed
by the customer as directed by the water director. Every meter shall be set
and calibrated by or at the direction of the water director.
D. Every service location shall be individually metered and shall be provided
with water through a separate service pipe to which a shut off box has
been installed. The shut off box shall be located in the city's right of way
as closely as possible to the city's right of way line. Not more than one
meter shall be installed on any single service pipe for which the city
generates a water and sewer bill. Service locations with multiple tenants,
lessees, condominiums or other similar multioccupant arrangements may
install a single meter to service the multiple occupants at the service
location provided there is one person, partnership or corporate entity
lawfully designated as being solely responsible for the payment of water
• and sewer billing generated by the city. In the event any such service
location, whether being used for residential or commercial use, is sold or
• otherwise divided in any manner that legally requires more than one
owner or occupant to make payment on the water and sewer billing
generated by the city, each independently owned or occupied portion of
the service location shall provide a separate water service pipe, shut off
box and meter before receiving water service, or an association of owners
or occupants shall be formed that is legally responsible for the payment of
a single water and sewer bill.
E. All meters for residential service locations shall be required to have an
automatic meter reading (AMR) unit as directed by the water director. All
other meters shall be required to have an AMR unit as site installation
conditions permit to be determined by the water director. All automatic
meter reading units shall be of a type of unit that collects meter readings
electronically
F. Meters shall be placed and located within the building served as directed
by the water director to enhance accessibility and protection of the meter.
Meters shall be located at the point of entry within 3 feet of an exterior
wall, unless otherwise accepted by the water director. The area where the
meter is installed should have walk-in accessibility and working
headroom. Water meters used for external irrigation systems shall be
installed above grade with backflow preventers and shall be installed,
• subject to the water director's approval, within a hot box designed to
protect the meter and backflow preventer from the elements and
unauthorized tampering. No water meter shall be permitted in a crawl
space or manhole/meter pit.
G. In the event that after installation, the meter becomes inaccessible for any
reason, including, but not limited to, flooding or freezing of a meter pit,
the water director may direct the customer, at the customer's expense, to
take those actions which, in the water director's opinion, are necessary to
render the meter readily accessible.
H. There shall be installed, on the inlet side of the meter, ball valves of an
approved design. There shall also be installed on the outlet side of the
meter a ball valve of like design. The meter shall be set in a place so that
the meter and the ball valves are easily accessible for removal and for
reading, and set in such a manner as to prevent freezing or submersion in
water. All meters shall have a working clearance on top of not less than
sixteen inches (16") and on all other sides of not less than twelve inches
(12").
1. A bypass shall be installed for all meters of three inches (Y) or larger and
in businesses where water service cannot be interrupted during normal
business hours. The bypass shall meet standards and requirements as
determined by the water director and shall include tamper proof lockable
ball valves. All bypass lines shall have similar cross connection control
devices as specified under section 14.04.065 as the main water line. The
water director shall be notified prior to the unlocking of any such locked
bypass valve. Failure to so notify the water director prior to the unlocking
of any such locked bypass valve shall constitute unauthorized use of
water."
Section 5. That Section 14.04.075 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Meter Conversion" be and is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"14.04.075: METER CONVERSION:
All water department meters shall be converted to an automatic meter reading
(AMR) unit that collects meter readings via radio signal. The water director shall
undertake a systematic program to convert all existing water department meters to
AMR units. The conversion to an AMR unit shall be installed at no expense to the
customer. The customer shall be required to allow the city to install the AMR unit
in a location approved by the water director."
Section 6. That Section 14.04.150 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended;
entitled "Fire Hydrants; Authority to Open" be and is hereby further amended to read as follows:
• 14.04.150: FIRE HYDRANTS; AUTHORITY TO OPEN:
A. Any fire hydrants installed in the city for the purpose of extinguishing
fires in the city are declared to be public hydrants, and no person or
persons other than the members of the fire department, for the uses and
purposes of said department and those specially authorized by the director
of the water department, shall open any of the hydrants or attempt to draw
water from the same, or in any manner interfere with or injure any of the
fire hydrants.
B. No person shall use any wrench or device for opening or shutting fire
hydrants except such as has been furnished by the water department or
approved by the director. A deposit in the amount identified per the most
recently enacted ordinance establishing fees shall be paid for every wrench
furnished by the water department.
C. Any person convicted of violating subsection A of this section shall be
punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five
hundred dollars ($500.00)."
Section 7. That Section 14.04.200 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Readings" be and is hereby further amended to read as follows:
L ' `
14.04.200: READINGS:
A. Billing for water shall be on a monthly basis and shall be based on actual
meter reading; provided, however, that every alternate monthly bill may
be based upon an estimated amount of water used by each
owner/occupancy, which estimate shall be made by the City in its sole
discretion.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, readings of water meters
shall be taken by way of an automatic meter reading unit. Inside readings
shall be taken on properties in the event the water director or finance
director determines there is a reason to believe the automatic meter
reading unit may be inaccurate or that an inside reading is otherwise
necessary to accurately register the quantity of water consumed. All
customers shall provide reasonable access to the city or its designated
agents for the purpose of conducting inside readings.
C. If a meter fails to accurately register the quantity of water consumed, or if
the city is unable to read the meter, such quantity shall be estimated based
upon a like period during the preceding year, or in such manner as the
finance director may direct. An estimated bill shall be prepared and sent to
the customer.
D. Any estimated bill shall be adjusted to correctly reflect actual consumption
when an inside reading has been taken."
Section 8. That Section 14.04.210 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Sprinkler and Fire Protection Service" be and is hereby further amended to read as
follows:
"14.04.210: SPRINKLER AND FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE:
A. Whenever sprinkler or fire protection services are desired, application
must be made for the privilege of installing such service. Complete plans
for such installation shall be attached to such petition. When the
application is approved, a contract shall be entered into with the water
department for connection from city mains to the property line, which
connection will be made by the department, the cost of the same to be paid
by the petitioner before installation is completed.
B. City water will not be turned into any sprinkler or fire protection service
unless all pipes in connection with such system are left exposed for
inspection until a pressure test is made. Water shall not be turned on in
such service until costs of such installation are paid in full. The Water
Department shall require meters for such services. A valve shall be
. installed with a rising stem on each side of the check valve.
• C. No additional sprinkler heads shall be installed or new connection of any
kind whatsoever shall be made to a sprinkler or fire protection system
unless a permit for such connection has been granted by the Water
Department.
D. Every fire protection and sprinkler service system shall be equipped with a
cross connection control device as follows:
Pipe Size Device Required With No Device Required With
Chemicals Chemicals
Up to 2" Double Check Valve (DCV) Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ)
2.5" or Double Detector Check Detector Reduced Pressure
larger Valve (DDCV)* Zone (DRPZ)*
*Meter to read in cubic feet
The cross connection control device shall have inspection and tests made by a
certified cross connection control device inspector, of such approved devices as
required by the Illinois plumbing code and local ordinance 14.04.065.
E. Any service location requiring on-site fire protection, including, but not
• limited to, an interior fire suppression sprinkler system or an on-site fire
hydrant, shall install a dedicated service pipe that is independently
connected to the City's water distribution system for the on-site fire
protection system at the service location. Water supplied for domestic use
on any such premises shall be provided with an independent service pipe
with a dedicated shut-off box.
F. A customer shall be charged the water service installation rate as provided
in this Chapter for any domestic water service tap or fire suppression
system tap that is installed by the City.
G. When the water main is located on the opposite side of the street in which
the building or facility to be serviced by a dedicated service pipe for an
on-site fire protection system, the Water Director may permit a domestic
service pipe to be connected to the dedicated service pipe for an on-site
fire protection system provided the individual taps and curb stop is located
at the property line of the building or facility being serviced."
Section 9. That Section 14.04.230 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Billing" be and is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"14.04.230: BILLING:
•
A. Bills shall include all charges associated with the delivery of water to the
• customer including charges related to water usage; installation, repair and
maintenance of water service, including meters: authorized surcharges;
fees and deposits.
B. Water usage charges shall be based upon the reading, estimated charge or
customer submitted postcard as provided in Section 14.04.200 of this
Chapter.
C. 1. Liability: All customers, including, but not limited to, the owner, at
any metered property shall be jointly and severally liable for all
water charges. Billing shall be sent to the owner. At the owner's
request, the billing may be sent to any other customer, subject to
the sole discretion of the Finance Director, provided there is a
separate meter and separate shutoff for each such building and the
proposed customer has a favorable credit history with the City.
2. Single-Meter Service Locations: Such billing of non-owner
customers is done as a convenience to the owner and shall not
relieve the owner of responsibility for the bill. Any agreement
between a property owner and his tenant regarding payment of
water bills shall not be binding on the City. The City shall not
provide such billing to non-owner customers where there are
• multiple meters but only one shutoff.
3. Multiple-Meter Service Locations: Separate bills shall be sent for
each metered property.
D. All bills for water service not paid within the first twenty (20) days after
the same become due and payable shall be considered delinquent accounts
and subject to an additional late payment charge equal to ten percent
(10%) of the unpaid bill. The past due amount, including the late payment
charge, shall be included on the subsequent water bill demanding
immediate payment. Provided, whenever a water bill becomes delinquent,
and there have been no prior delinquencies within the same calendar year
for the metered location, the above described late payment charge shall not
be assessed if all arrearages are paid within ten (10) days of the issuance
of the subsequent water bill. If a customer's account remains delinquent
after the issuance of the subsequent water bill which includes a past due
amount, such customer shall be given written notice pursuant to Section
14.04.235 of this Chapter that water service will be shut off or
disconnected if the past due amount and late charges are not paid within
five (5) days of the mailing of such notice.
•
E. The City may cause water service to be shut off at a metered property for
Snonpayment of water bills after notice as set forth in subsection D of this
Section.
F. The delinquent water bills of a customer at any metered location may be
applied to the water bills of that same customer at any other metered
location.
G. A request to the City for a final reading of the water meter shall be made
three (3) days prior to the date the final reading is requested. Upon receipt,
the City shall take a final reading and prepare a bill to be submitted to the
consumer or user for payment prior to issuance of any real estate transfer
stamps."
Section 10. That Section 14.04.260 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended,
entitled "Leakage; No Rate Deduction When" be and is hereby further amended to read as
follows:
"14.04.260: LEAKAGE; NO RATE DEDUCTION WHEN:
No deduction shall be made on account of leaking after water has passed
through a meter except as is hereinafter provided. In the event that meter
registration amounts to more than six (6) times the average monthly usage
for the preceding six (6) months and inspection reveals that the increase in
meter registration was caused by a leak as a result of defective plumbing
or plumbing fixtures or such other conditions as are beyond the control of
the customer occurring prior to customer's knowledge of the defect, the
Water Director and Finance Director, in the exercise of reasonable
discretion, may abate or refund an amount equal to seventy five percent
(75%) of the excess over an amount equal to six (6) times the amount of
the average monthly bill; provided, however, that no rebate or refund shall
be allowed unless and until the defect is repaired. No rebate will be
granted for leakage that occurs five (5) days after notification of a leak."
Section 11. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of
this ordinance be and are hereby repealed.
Section 12. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and
publication in the manner provided by law. MWA
vC�
avid J. Ka-Win, Nfayor
Presented: March 21, 2012
• Passed: March 21, 2012
FtUMIry
Omnibus Vote: Yeas: 6 Nays: 0
Recorded: March 21, 2012
Published: March 23, 2012
Attest:
Kimberly Dewis, Ci