What is the responsibility for maintenance and repair of service connections?

Customer is solely responsible for maintenance and repair of private water/sewer lines from the building (typically, the lines installed by a building contractor or plumber). City is responsible for maintenance and repair of service taps (typically, the portion installed by the City or underground utility contractor.)

City Owns

On water taps, the City owns and maintains the service tap from the water main up to and including the water meter assembly box, or, up to the property line (if no in-ground water meter is present such as on a fire sprinkler service.) On sewer taps, the City owns and maintains the service tap from the sewer main up to the right-of-way/property line or up to the first cleanout in situations such as condominiums where a right-of-way line may not exist. The gravity sewer cleanout that is required just inside the customer’s property is the customer’s responsibility. On pressurized sewer connections, the plug and check valves are the City's responsibility.

Abandoned Property

In the case where utility service to a property has been inactive, abandoned or otherwise unused without payment of service or flow through the service either water or sewer in excess of ten years from the last known paid utility bill, the property is considered abandoned and carries no credit for flow based fees for the property. To re-establish service the application is treated as new service whereby new taps, service line, laterals and payment of the flow proportional connection charges shall be required in accordance with City Code as if a new property.

Commercial Projects

For commercial projects, all existing water and sewer utility services that will no longer be utilized must be properly abandoned by contractor by cutting, capping and repairing service connections at the utility main locations by methods directed by the City Inspector and under City Inspector’s observation. Excavation may be required in order to determine proper abandonment methods.

For commercial projects, all existing water and sewer utility services intended to be reused must be investigated by the contractor and contractor is responsible for repairs and/or replacement to renew existing services, meter assemblies and sewer laterals and return to good working order. All investigative and repair/replacement methods will be as directed by the City Inspector and under City Inspector’s observation. Excavation and other procedures such as closed-circuit TV may be required in order to determine proper repair/replacement methods.

Show All Answers

1. How can I get information about utility service?
2. What are utility flow-based fees for typical uses?
3. What are the payment options for utility connection charges?
4. How long will it take to provide water/sewer service to a residence?
5. When should I pay utility connection charges?
6. When will the city install new utility services to a residence?
7. Where will the new water/sewer services be located for my residence?
8. How do I unlock my water meter, set up, activate or change a city utility account?
9. Why are utility connection fees charged?
10. What do I need to do if I have a change-of-use, increase in use or additional use at my property?
11. If my water/sewer is already connected, why do I need an availability request form?
12. Are utility connection charges transferable or refundable?
13. Do utility connection charges expire?
14. What needs to happen if a building connected to city water and sewer is being demolished?
15. The property is outside city limits; why should I contact the City for utility service?
16. Is city water/sewer connection mandatory?
17. What is the difference between gravity sewer versus pressurized (forcemain) sewer?
18. How do I get installation and connection of private building service line to water/sewer service?
19. What are the requirements for existing well and septic tank after connection to city water/sewer?
20. What is the responsibility for maintenance and repair of service connections?
21. What is the landscape irrigation water meter?
22. What are the backflow prevention requirements?
23. Is the city responsible for water/sewer service installation?