§ 60-348. Repairs to house service lines.

(a)

Authority. The director of water services is hereby authorized to replace and repair all that part of any broken or collapsed private house services line which lies within the confines of street or alley rights-of-way, or within sewer or utility easements under the control of the city for sewer purposes, provided that resources are available to accomplish this work without handicap or neglect to the maintenance and repair of public sewers. Repair of all that portion of house service lines lying outside the confines of streets, alleys or sewer easements shall remain the responsibility of the owner thereof.

(b)

Emergency repairs. Repair of that part of a private house service line on public property may be accomplished by the city as soon as feasible without resort to emergency measures or undue interference with other maintenance and repair activities. If an owner or occupier of property deems that emergency repair is necessary and does not elect to await the repair as may be scheduled by the city, the repair shall be accomplished by a licensed plumber engaged by and at the expense of the owner or occupier of the property.

(c)

Prerequisites for repair of house sewer lines by city. Replacement or repair may be accomplished by the city only when the property owner:

(1)

Is not desirous of having replacement or repair accomplished by a licensed plumber at his own expense; and

(2)

Provides a statement from a licensed plumber certifying that a broken or collapsed house service line does exist on a public right-of-way.

The certification shall give the approximate location of the break and efforts used by the plumber in attempting to determine the location of the break. House service lines broken by an agency of the city or by its contractors or by the contractors in private or public employment shall not be subject to repair under this section.

(d)

Access to private property for repair of house service lines. The water services department shall not repair or cause to be repaired any house service line described in this section unless the owner or occupant of the property directly affected shall permit the city to have access to such property as may be necessary to determine the alignment of the house service line between the building or appurtenances and the public sewer, or to effect the repair in an efficient manner.

(e)

Additional regulations for repair of house service lines. The director is hereby authorized to issue regulations to control the repair program authorized by this section, including but not specifically limited to regulations relating to materials, surface restoration, safety precautions, requirements for operation of owner or occupant, and compliance with building codes.

(Ord. No. 120551, § 1, 6-28-12)