3.05.070 Permanent service connection | Coachella Valley Water District Code

3.05.070 Permanent service connection.

1. Division of Premises. When property having a service connection is divided into two or more lots, the existing service connection shall be considered as belonging to the lot to which it directly enters and a new service connection shall be installed for the remaining lot or lots at the applicant’s expense.

2. Single Service Connection. All new properties will be supplied from a single service connection. New mobile home developments are included in this requirement. A single service connection may be installed to each suite within a commercial/industrial building or a single service connection may be installed to each building within a commercial/industrial complex.

All restaurants require a single service connection, regardless of whether the restaurant is located within a commercial/industrial building already being supplied water service through a single service connection.

3. Double Service Connection (Bullhead Service Connection). Only one new property will be supplied from an existing double service connection. The applicant for installation of a meter on a double service connection where one meter is already installed on the double service connection shall pay for a new service connection as provided for in CVWDC 3.05.160.

4. Responsibility. The customer and/or property owner is responsible for loss or damage to a meter and any district-owned appurtenances associated with the service connection from the time it is installed until the time it is removed.

1. Location. Service connections in conventional lot subdivisions shall be installed within five feet of the side property line except when such placement conflicts with other utilities. In addition, service connections shall be installed in accordance with district standard drawings and perpendicular to the water main unless prior approval is obtained by the district. Horizontal bends or curves in the service connection are not allowed.

New service connection meter boxes shall not be installed in sidewalks or paved areas.

New service connections shall not be installed in driveways without prior approval by the district. If such approval is granted, then the following conditions shall be met prior to installation:

a. Property owner executes a recordable hold harmless agreement for liability and agreeing that the district is not responsible for the repair of driveways and other improvements should the repair of the service connection be necessary.

b. Installation of a larger traffic-grade meter box with a metal traffic cover.

c. Property owner shall be responsible for payment of an additional charge for the installation of the larger traffic-grade meter box and metal traffic cover as provided in CVWDC 3.05.160(A)(1).

The above conditions are applicable to all existing service connections without meters installed.

Service connections shall be installed outside decorative paving areas whenever possible. The property owner will be required to execute a recordable hold harmless agreement for liability and agree that the district is not responsible for the repair of decorative paving and other improvements should the repair of the service connection be necessary.

Where the property does not directly abut on a public thoroughfare, the district, at its option, may provide a service connection of conventional length, not exceeding 70 feet, and terminating at some practicable location in public right-of-way and the applicant shall obtain any required easements and provide its connection thereto.

Under no circumstance shall service connections be installed in medians and/or islands in any public thoroughfare.

New service connection saddles shall be located a minimum of 24 inches clear from the ends of all pipe joints, fittings, and other service saddles.

New service connections shall not be located on district water mains greater than 18 inches in diameter. The district may allow a single, standalone service connection. For two or more connections, the district may require a meter manifold and/or a domestic water pipeline extension in accordance with CVWDC 3.05.360.

2. Size. The size (diameter in inches) of a service connection shall be based upon required flow and intended use for the property. service connections to a dwelling unit shall be a minimum of one inch in diameter. Change in intended usage and flow requirements must be approved by the district and may be subject to additional fees and/or charges.

1. Meter Stop, Check Valve, Backflow Prevention Device and Shut-off Valve. All service connections will have a meter stop on the inlet side of the meter, for exclusive use by the district, and a shut-off valve downstream of the meter, check valve or backflow prevention device. If the meter stop, check valve, backflow prevention device or shut-off valve is damaged, the property owner will be responsible for the costs to replace the damaged component(s).

If a service connection is found to have a potential or actual backflow hazard to the public water supply as defined by state, county, and Article XI of this chapter.

Governing domestic water service, a backflow prevention device shall be installed by the district at the expense of the customer in accordance with Appendix A-9 of this chapter.

Customer shall also be assessed the cross connection protection device monthly charge in accordance with Appendix A-7 of this chapter.

2. Meter. Each service connection shall be metered. Customarily, the meter will be installed in public property adjacent to the curb or property line, but, at the option of the district, it may be installed on the property in an appropriate meter box. No rent or other charge will be paid by the district for a meter located on the property.

The normal maximum meter size is two inches. Multiple two-inch meters may be used if the demand exceeds the allowable flow rate. Meters larger than two inches will be permitted in special cases with approval by the general manager.

If a meter is damaged or tampered with, the district will charge the property owner for the replacement or repair of the meter.

3. Meter Box. If the meter box is damaged by the customer, the district may charge the property owner for the replacement or repair of the meter box.

The meter box shall be accessible to the district at all times. The district will not be responsible for damage to improvements (i.e., landscaping, decorative paving) installed by the property owner or customer within public property or an easement around the meter box.

4. Additional Appurtenances. In some locations within the service area, additional appurtenances, including but not limited to pressure reducing valves and sand traps, may be required. The additional appurtenances are always installed on the customer service line; therefore, the property owner is responsible for operation and maintenance of the appurtenance once installed.

D. Charge. The charge for installation of a permanent service connection is provided for in CVWDC 3.05.160(A).

E. Relocation or Extension. The charge for relocation or extension of a permanent service connection is provided for in CVWDC 3.05.160(A).

F. Request for Meter Removal or Reduction. A request for meter removal or size reduction must be made in writing by the customer of record in such format as defined by the district. The customer shall be solely responsible for all costs associated with meter removal or size reduction including the abandonment of the district’s service line, if necessary. The district may approve requests to remove or reduce meter sizes, in its reasonable discretion, and may impose conditions including, but not limited to, the following: (1) submission of minimum fire flow requirements for the subject property and compliance with said requirements; and (2) submission of landscape plans in accordance with the district’s landscape and irrigation system design criteria and compliance with said requirements.

1. Meter Removal. Customer must sever their connection from the water meter and appurtenances prior to the district removing the meter. The district will not perform any plumbing work on the customer service line. The customer will be required to perform any and all plumbing work necessary to prepare for the meter and appurtenance removal, including securing/capping off the customer service line. There is a fee to remove a water meter and appurtenances. The fee is listed in Appendix A-9.

2. Meter Size Reduction. There is a fee to install a new meter to achieve the meter size reduction. The fee is listed in Appendix A-9. (Ord. 1399.16 § 3-2, 2023)