§ 5-2. Utility construction standards, general.

(a)

Excavations. All excavating required for the installation of water or sewer lines shall be open trench work unless otherwise approved by the public works director. Pipe laying and backfill shall be performed in accordance with the city's rules and regulations. Tunneling may be permitted but no tunnel shall exceed six feet in length and the pipe shall be installed to permit inspection of all joints. Excavations for water and sewer construction under this Code shall be dug to ensure the least possible inconvenience to the public and to provide for the passage of water along the gutter of the street. Warning lights operable from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise shall mark the excavation and shall comply with the noise regulation provisions of this Code. If the opening is made, for any purpose, exposing water mains or service pipes, sufficient measures shall be taken by the person or persons making the excavation to protect the water system from freezing.

(b)

Notification of inspector. The person responsible for water or sewer construction shall notify the public works director, or the director's designee, when the water line and/or building sewer and connection is ready for inspection and connection to the public water or sewer system. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the department of public works during regularly scheduled business hours of the department. Any inspection requested outside regularly scheduled business hours is subject to a double inspection fee as set forth in the city's fee schedule.

(c)

Tampering. It shall be unlawful for any persons not authorized by the city to connect to, tamper with, alter, or injure any part of the city water works or supply system, or any meter, or any portion of the sewer system, or to interfere with the operation of any drain.

(d)

Backfilling. Backfilling above the cover level of any cesspool, septic tank or similar tanks, or any building sewer, or water line shall not commence until permission has been granted by the public works director.

(e)

Barricades. All excavations for water or building sewer installations shall be adequately guarded by the person responsible for the excavation with barricades and lights so as to protect the public from hazard. Streets, sidewalks, parkways and other public property disturbed in the course of the work shall be restored in a manner satisfactory to the city in the city's sole discretion.

(f)

Protection from damage. No person shall maliciously, willfully or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, or tamper with any structure, appurtenance, or equipment which is a part of the municipal sewage works.

(g)

Power and authority of inspectors. The city engineer and other duly authorized employees bearing the proper credentials and identification of the city's department of public works or department of fire and safety shall be permitted to enter upon all properties for the purposes of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing, in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

(h)

Costs paid by owner. All costs and expenses incidental to the installation and connection of the water and sewer system shall be borne by the owner of the connecting premises. The owner shall indemnify the city from any loss or damage that may directly or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building sewer.

(Ord. No. 15-13, § 1, 12-14-2015; Memo. of 2-5-2018)