13.6.010 Water: service line--general regulations

1. Every person, firm, corporation, or licensee under this chapter wishing to install, repair, extend, alter, relocate, replace, or otherwise modify any water service line or pipe, or wishing to excavate any trench for the purpose of laying or repairing any water service line or pipe, shall obtain a proper license for such work from the Community Development Department. All the expense of laying and maintaining the service pipes from the mains to the consumer's premises must be borne by the consumer. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh B (part), 1984, §13.04.040).
2. No plumber or other person will be allowed to make a connection with any conduit, pipe or other fixture connecting therewith, or to connect pipes when they have been disconnected, or to turn water off or on, on any premises without permission from the Public Works Department. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Ex. B (part), 1984, §13.08.070).
3. Service pipes shall be so arranged that each separate building and/or house shall be supplied by a separate service line from the City main. A valve or curb stop (with box) shall be installed in each service line so that the supply may be controlled from the street side of the property line, under rules established by the City or civil authorities. This curb valve and box must be kept in repair and easily accessible to City utility crews. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984, §13.08.080 #A and 13.08.040 (part)).
4. At no time will it be allowed to extend a water service which is intended to supply water to a property facing one avenue or street to another property facing another avenue or street if said water service has to cross a public right-of-way such as an avenue, street or alley. (Ord. 2645, 1993).
5. Where water is now supplied through one service to several houses, families, or persons, the City Manager may either decline to furnish water until separate services are provided, or may continue the supply on the condition that one person shall pay for all on the same service, and assume full responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the entire service line. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984, §13.08.080 #B).
6. When the owner fails to properly maintain the curb valve and box and it becomes necessary for the City to shut off the water, necessary repairs or restoration will be made by the City, or if the service line fails between the City main and the curb shut off and the owner does not take prompt action for its repair, the City will shut the service line off at the corporation cock (connection to the main) but will not repair or replace the service line. In both of the foregoing instances reasonable written notice will be given the owner regarding the action to be taken by the City. The entire cost of time and materials will be charged to the owner. This charge shall be paid before the water service is restored. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984, §13.08.080 #C).
7. Water will not be turned on at any new building until all water used during construction has been paid for. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984, §13.08.110 (part)).
8. 1. Water services 3/4 inch through two (2) inches shall be of Type K soft copper from the corporation stop (connection to the main) to the entrance valve in the building or residence. Water services less than one hundred (100) feet in length from the curb stop to the building or residence shall be Type K soft Copper from the curb stop to the entrance valve inside the building or residence. From the entrance valve to a point a minimum of one foot past the meter setting, the service material shall be of Type M of L hard copper pipe. Water services greater than one hundred (100) feet in length from the curb stop to the building or residence shall be Type K soft copper or HDPE, 200 psig meeting AWWA C-901 Standards. When HDPE, 200 psig is used a meter pit approved by the City shall be installed two feet from the curb stop on the property side of the curb stop at the property owner’s expense. Type K soft copper shall connect the curb stop and the meter pit. Pipe from the meter pit to the entrance valve inside the building or residence can be HDPE, 200 psig. Fittings used to connect the copper pipe to HDPE, 200 psig shall be all brass similar to Mueller “Insta Tight” fittings. When HDPE, 200 psig is used #14 THNN copper tracer wire shall be installed from the curb stop to the house in the trench with the service line. (Ord. 2946, 2006)
   2. Fire lines and domestic lines over 2 inches in diameter shall be of C900 Class 200 PVC or ductile or iron. When C900 Class 200 pipe is used, it can run to a point ten feet outside the building foundation. From that point the material used shall be of ductile iron the remainder of the way into the building up to the water meter or fire system apparatus. (Ord. 2714, 1996; Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord 2356 Exh. B(part), 1984, §13.08.040(part)).
9. The service pipe must be laid below final street grade and on the consumer's premises, at a standard depth (no less than six feet) as designated by the City to prevent freezing. If shallower at the water main, insulation, shall be used to protect the service pipe from freezing until the standard depth is obtained. (Ord. 2714, 1996).
10. Within two feet of the point of service entrance to a building, and from one to three feet above the floor, an approved valve of good quality and good hydraulic characteristics must be placed so that the water can be readily shut off from the building. Full way gate valves or rotary valves, which include ball, cone and plug types are recommended. However, better quality compression stops or globe valves are permissible. The inlet side of any entrance valve shall be mechanically joined to copper service lines three-fourths-inch through two-inches by means of copper flare connections. If inlet side of any entrance valve on service lines larger than two-inches diameter shall be mechanically joined to the service pipe and property supported and restrained against movement in accordance with Public Works Department specifications. (Ord. 2714, 1996; Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B(part), 1984, §13.08.050(A)).
11. No branch connection shall be made to a service line between the main and the entrance valve. Where a meter is required no branch connection shall be made between the main and the meter. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984, §13.08.050 #B).
12. In areas where water service lines have been stubbed to properties with established property lines and said properties are replatted in order to enlarge lot size, only one service line shall be used to supply the replatted property with water. (Ord. 2645, 1993).
13. All other service lines shall be abandoned at the City main. Excavating shall be done by a properly licensed and bonded person or firm. All cost for such work shall be charged to the property owner. (Ord. 2645, 1993).

13.6.020 Water: license--application—fee

The application for a license for running water service pipes shall be endorsed by the Building Official, who shall be satisfied as to the responsibility and ability of the applicant for doing such work. The annual fee for this license shall be in accordance with City resolution, payable in advance, except to those paying the plumbers' annual license fee in accordance with City resolution. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984, §13.04.010(B and C)).

13.6.030 Water: license—conditions

Upon the granting of such a license and before the same has been issued, the licensee shall file with the Community Development Department a general liability policy or a written certificate of the same with bodily injury limits in the amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) per claimant, and property damage limits of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) per claimant and one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence which shall protect the City against all losses or damages which may occur on account of such license, or the carelessness or negligence of the licensee or employees during the time for which such a license is in force; and further conditioned that the licensee shall properly refill any and all trench or trenches made in the streets of the City, and shall keep and maintain the same in a safe and passable condition, level and even with the street surface for a period of two years from and after the time the same has been refilled. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984, §13.04.020).

13.6.040 Water service line--permit--inspection—fees

For any such water service line, the person, firm, corporation, or licensee under this chapter shall obtain from the Community Development Department a water service line permit, which will give the location, nature, and purpose of the proposed work. This permit must be available at the site of the work at all times during the progress of the work and must be shown to any officer of the City upon demand. Permits and inspections are as shown in the subsections below. Fees shall be as established by City resolution.

1. Permit Requirements and Fees.
   1. Permit requirements shall be based on the type and nature of the work anticipated and may include one or all of the following:
      1. Right-of-Way Permit. This permit shall be issued prior to any excavation in a dedicated right-of-way.
      2. Fire Line Permit. This permit shall be issued prior to the repair or installation of any water service line to be used as a dedicated fire line.
      3. Curb Permit. This permit shall be issued prior to any excavation, removal, replacement of concrete curb or curb and gutter in a dedicated right-of-way.
      4. Sidewalk Permit. This permit shall be issued prior to any excavation, removal, and replacement of concrete sidewalk in a dedicated right-of-way.
   2. Two-inch and smaller diameters. Size of service to be stated on permit.
   3. Over two-inch diameter. Plans shall be submitted containing the following:
      1. Plot plan showing the exact location and depth of the entire line being installed; all fitting and valve locations; all with dimensions from property line and existing and proposed building improvements.
      2. A complete list of proposed materials by type and brand name, all of which must comply with the Public Works Department standard specifications as outlined in the Montana Public Works Standard Specification, current edition, or other applicable rules and regulations of the City, for water mains and appurtenances.
   4. . General Plumbing Permit. This permit shall be issued when any water service piping is repaired, altered or installed. (For lines two inches and smaller, fee schedules shall be as per the Uniform Plumbing Code or by City resolution. For lines larger than two inches, fees for this inspection permit shall be as per City resolution).
      1. Connection Fee. This fee shall be added to at the time of water service extension from the curb box to the building. The connection fee is not applicable to fire lines.
2. Inspection. The Building Official, or authorized representative, shall inspect and approve all water service work for water service pipes two-inches diameter and smaller.
   1. For two-inch and smaller diameter pipes, all materials and installation shall conform to the Uniform Plumbing Code, State law and this title. Before any trench containing such water service is filled, or pipes covered, all pressure tests shall be conducted satisfactorily.
   2. For fire lines and domestic lines larger than two inches in diameter, pressure, leakage, and bacteriological tests shall be conducted in accordance with the Public Works Department standard specifications, and in the Montana Public Works Standard Specifications, current edition, before acceptance Section 13.06.010(H)(2) the Director of Public Works, or authorized representative, shall inspect, and improve all water service or fire line work for lines larger than two-inches diameter from the water main to the building entrance valve. The Building Official, or authorized representative, shall inspect and approve all piping beyond the entrance valve.      3. The Director of Public Works, or authorized representative, shall inspect, and approve all replacement of pavement, right-of-way landscaping, concrete curb, curb and gutter, and sidewalk removed for the construction or maintenance of water service or fire lines.
3. Tapping Fee Conditions: This fee shall be issued for any new or replacement tap being made on a water main.
   1. Test Taps: The permittee shall pay by direct billing for all test taps, testing equipment, overtime and chemicals used in making tests.
   2. Lines larger than two inches: The permittee shall pay by direct billing for all test taps, testing equipment, overtime and chemicals used in making tests. The fees for inspection of these lines shall be as per City resolution. All time and materials furnished by the City for services greater than two inches in diameter will be billed separately to the permittee directly by the Fiscal Services Department.
   3. Lines two inches and under: The fee includes installation of corporation cock on the main, and furnishing of corporation, curb valve and curb box. Saddles, clamps and other extraneous fittings are not included in this fee and will be billed extra by the Fiscal Services Department.
   4. To obtain a reduced fee for multiple taps, the conditions are:
      1. Greater than five taps required.
      2. All excavations shall be ready for tapping crews at the same time.
      3. The maximum distance between taps shall be one thousand feet.
      4. Lost crew time due to unsafe or incomplete excavations shall be billed directly to the permittee in addition to permit fees.
   5. Whenever a tap is made through which regular service is not immediately desired, the applicant will bear the entire expense of tapping, subject to a refund whenever regular service is begun. (Ord. 2714, 1996; Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984, §13.04.050 and 13.08.120 (part)).

13.6.050 Excavations--general regulations

1. No water pipe shall be placed in a sewer trench.
2. Utility separations shall meet State health requirements. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984, §13.04.060 (part)).

13.6.060 Excavations--streets or alleys

Excavations in public streets or alleys shall not unnecessarily impede travel.

1. When it is necessary to excavate entirely across a street, barricades or distinctly legible signs shall be placed at each end of the block per MUTCD and the most current edition of Montana Public Works Standards Specifications.
2. At all times, reflective or lighted barricades shall be placed around the excavation. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984, §13.04.070, 13.04.080).

13.6.070 Excavations—refilling

Trenches for water pipes shall be excavated to give the pipe an even bed of solid earth. Trenches shall be backfilled to meet ninety-five percent of maximum dry density as determined by AASHTO T-99 Specifications. All materials, pavement, and adjacent improvements shall be restored and replaced in-kind. The trench shall be guaranteed against settlement for two years by the permittee, under terms of the street opening bond as provided in Section 13.06.030. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984, §13.04.060 (part), 13.04.090).

13.6.080 Water service—razed buildings—regulations

Water service lines supplying water to a building or buildings that are to be razed shall be plugged at the City water main if they are not copper.  If the service line is copper from the curb stop to the City water main, it shall be physically disconnected from the building side of the controlling curb stop.  The curb box shall be reset over curb stops for live water services remaining. 

All excavating in City right-of-ways shall be done by the contractor razing the building or a subcontractor who is properly licensed.  Service lines will be inspected for material type by a City inspector.  Service lines being plugged at the City main will be plugged by City personnel after the main is exposed by the contractor or sub-contractor.  (Ord. 2645, 1993)