The fee or charge for making taps on city water distribution lines shall be as follows:

(a)   On each tap made within the city, $300.00.

(b)   For each tap made outside the limits of the city, $500.00, plus a charge to be determined by the city to cover the cost of line extension, either to be extended or already in place.

Such fee or charge shall be paid in advance by the person or party desiring such tap.

(Ord. 354; Ord. 105-2007; Code 1999, 54-71; Code 2016)

(a)   Purpose. The purpose of this section is to:

(1)   Protect the public water supply of the city from contamination due to backflow or backsiphonage from any cross connection;

(2)   Prohibit and eliminate all cross connections to the public water supply; and

(3)   Provide for the maintenance of a continuing effective cross connection control program.

This program shall include regularly scheduled inspections to detect and eliminate current cross connections and to prevent future cross connections.

(b)   Cross connections prohibited. No person shall establish or permit to be established or maintain or permit to be maintained any cross connection whereby a private water supply or any source of contamination may enter the regular public water supply of the city unless the source is approved by the governing body and the state department of health and environment.

(c)   Protective backflow preventers required. Approved devices to protect against backflow or backsiphonage shall be installed at all fixtures and equipment where backflow or backsiphonage may occur and where there is a hazard of contamination of the potable water supply system.

(d)   Inspection. The city superintendent or other designate of the governing body shall have the right of entry into any building or premises in the city as frequently as necessary in order to ensure that plumbing has been installed in a manner as to prevent the possibility of contamination of the public water supply of the city.

(e)   Protection from contaminants. Pursuant to the authority given under home rule powers and K.S.A. 65-163a, the city may refuse to deliver water to any premises where a condition exists which might lead to the contamination of the public water and may continue to refuse to deliver water until the condition is corrected to the satisfaction of the city. In addition, the city may immediately terminate water service to a premises where a backflow or backsiphonage condition exists which may be hazardous to the health of customers served by the public water supply system of the city.

(f)    Incorporation by reference. There is incorporated by reference for the purpose of regulating cross connections between the public water supply and any sources of contamination that certain manual adopted by the governing body known as, “Manual of Regulations Regulating Backflow and Backsiphonage of Contaminants Due to Cross Connections for the City of Gas Public Water Supply.” No fewer than three copies of the manual shall be marked or stamped, “Official Copy as Adopted by Ordinance No. 392,” to which shall be attached a copy of this section and filed with the city clerk, to be open to inspection and available to the public at all reasonable hours.

(Ord. 392; Code 1999, 54-72; Code 2016)

The users of the water system of the city shall pay the following rates per month for water beginning with the water statement that will be due following and as a result of the meter readings in the month of April 2023.

(a)   Residents within the city limits:

(1)   First 100 cubic feet, $15.00 minimum.

(2)   All over minimum, $5.61 per each 100 cubic feet.

(b)   All other customers outside the city limits, not including rural water districts:

(1)   First 100 cubic feet, $25.00 minimum.

(2)   All over minimum, $6.29 per each 100 cubic feet. 

(c)   All Rural Water Districts:

(1)   First 100 cubic feet, $55.00 minimum.

(2)   All over minimum, $6.29 per each 100 cubic feet.

(Ord. 395; Ord. 104-2001; Ord. 101-2005; Ord. 102-2011; Code 1999, 54-73; Ord. 467-2015; Ord. 470-2015; Code 2016; Ord. 477-2018; Ord. 489-2023)

Water bills shall become due and payable on the first day of each month, and shall be delinquent after the tenth day of the month.

(Ord. 367; Ord. 105-2007; Code 1999, 54-74; Code 2016)

Any person who shall damage a water meter, a meter tile, or any connections and shall not take proper precaution to keep his meter in working order shall be assessed the costs involved in repair and/or replacing the meter, tile or connections.

(Ord. 367; Code 1999, 54-75; Code 2016)

If a water customer questions the accuracy of the meter supplying his/her premises, the city shall, upon request of the customer, cause an official test to be made. Should the meter be found to register more than two percent in excess of the actual quantity of water passing through it, no charge shall be made to the customer for the test, but if the meter is found to be registering less than two percent in excess of the actual quantity of water passing through it, the customer shall pay the actual cost of the test plus a $25.00 service fee on the customer’s next water bill.

(Res. 2012-24; Code 1999, 54-76; Code 2016)