The Water Utility and the Light Utility shall
be combined as one utility, pursuant to § 66.0819, Wis.
Stats., and shall be designated the "Waterloo Water and Light Utility."
A.
Meetings. The Water and Light Utility Commission shall
hold regular monthly meetings and such special meetings called by
the Chairperson or by a majority of the Commission as may be deemed
necessary. Notice of every special meeting shall be given to each
member. The times of holding regular meetings and the manner of calling
special meetings shall be prescribed by the rules or bylaws of the
Commission. Notice of all meetings shall be given in compliance with
the Wisconsin Open Meeting Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See §§ 19.81
to 19.98, Wis. Stats.
B.
Quorum. Three Commissioners shall constitute a quorum.
C.
Record of proceedings to be kept. The Commission shall
keep a full and accurate record of its proceedings and transactions.
D.
Powers and duties.
(1)
General. The Commission shall take entire charge and
management of the Utility, appoint a manager and authorize such subordinates
as may be necessary and fix their compensation and shall supervise
the operation of the Utility under the general control of the Council,
pursuant to § 66.0805, Wis. Stats.
(2)
Construction, contracts and equipment. The Commission
shall construct, extend, improve, operate and maintain the Utility,
subject to the general control of the Council and the powers and jurisdiction
of the Public Service Commission, provided that contracts for public
works projects shall be let by the Council according to law. (See
§ 62.15, Wis. Stats.)
[Amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-15]
(3)
Policy. The Commission shall establish written policies
to govern the Utility operations to cover employees' duties, customer
rates, services, rules and termination procedures, expenditures of
funds and other appropriate policies.
(4)
Surety bonds. The Commission may require surety bonds
for any of the officers and employees of the Utility in such amounts
as the Commission deems necessary. The premiums for the bonds shall
be paid by the Utility in the same manner as any other operating expense.
(5)
Extension of water services. The Utility may extend
water services beyond the City limits only to the extent authorized
by the Council, pursuant to § 66.0813, Wis. Stats.
(6)
Rates. Rates shall be sufficient to pay all operating
and maintenance expenses of each respective utility operation and
all bond interest and redemption costs of the respective utility operation.
All electric, heat and water rates shall be established by the Wisconsin
Public Service Commission.
(7)
Disbursements. No money shall be drawn from the funds
of the Utility, nor shall any obligation for the expenditure of money
be incurred, except in conformity with authorization by the Commission.
No claim against the Utility shall be paid unless evidenced by a voucher
approved by the Commission. All bills of the Utility shall be approved
by the Commission, and said bills shall be paid out of the City treasury
pursuant to § 66.0607(4), Wis. Stats., and shall be signed
by the Clerk/Deputy Treasurer and Utility Superintendent.
[Amended 2-16-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-01]
(8)
Investment of surplus funds. The Commission may invest
surplus funds of the Utility only as authorized by § 66.0811(2),
Wis. Stats.
(9)
Budget. The Commission shall, annually, supervise
and be responsible for the preparation of a separate budget for each
utility.
(10)
Audit. The funds and accounts of the Utility shall
be audited annually by a certified public accountant and shall be
open to public inspection.
B.
Powers and duties. The Utility Superintendent, subject
to the control of the Utility Commission, shall:
(1)
Appoint, discharge and supervise all employees of
the Utility.
(2)
Execute or cause to be executed the ordinances, rules
and regulations of the Council and the Utility Commission relative
to the Utility.
(3)
Superintend the operation of the Utility and all property,
buildings, pipes, mains and machinery thereof belonging to the City
and the execution of all contracts relating to said departments entered
into by the Utility Commission or the Council.
(4)
Keep accurate records of all accounts and claims for
and against the Utility and of all extensions, additions, changes,
alterations and attachments to the water, heat and electric systems
and of all meters and the location thereof.
A.
General. The rates, rules and regulations of the Utility
shall be those approved by the Council and on file and approved by
the Wisconsin Public Service Commission.
B.
Operating rules. All persons now receiving a water,
steam heat or electric supply from the Utility or who may hereafter
make application therefor shall be considered as having agreed to
be bound by all rules and regulations as filed with the Wisconsin
Public Service Commission.
C.
Public Service Commission rules and regulations applicable.
All applicable Public Service Commission rules and regulations which
are presently in existence or as subsequently amended are incorporated
herein by reference. Copies of all current Public Service Commission
rules and regulations shall be kept on file in the offices of the
Clerk-Treasurer and the Utility.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 340-5, Fluorination of water
supply, as amended, was repealed 4-6-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-05.
[Amended 9-7-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-10]
A.
Purposes. The purposes of this section are:
(1)
To protect the public health, safety and welfare and
to prevent contamination of the public water system by providing for
the inspection of properties to assure compliance with cross-connection
requirements.
(2)
To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program
of cross-connection control, which will systematically and effectively
prevent the contamination or pollution of all potable water systems
under the direct authority of the City of Waterloo.
B.
BACKFLOW
BACK-PRESSURE
BACK SIPHONAGE
CROSS-CONNECTION
CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL DEVICE
PERSON
POTABLE WATER
Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the
following definitions shall apply:
The unwanted reverse flow of liquids, solids or gases.
A pressure greater than the supply pressure which causes
backflow.
The creation of a backflow as a result of negative pressure.
A connection or potential connection between any part of
a water supply system and another environment containing any substance
in a manner that, under any circumstances, would allow the substance
to enter the water supply system by means of back siphonage or back
pressure.
Any mechanical device which automatically prevents backflow
from a contaminated source into a potable water supply system.
A natural person, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited-liability
company, corporation or association.
Water that is both safe for drinking, personal use or culinary
use; and free of impurities present in amounts sufficient to cause
disease or harmful physiological effects.
C.
Prohibitions.
(1)
No person shall establish or permit to be established
or maintain or permit to be maintained any cross-connection.
(2)
No person shall remove or permit to be removed a cross-connection
control device.
(3)
No person shall establish an interconnection whereby
potable water from a private, auxiliary or emergency water supply,
other than the regular public water supply of the City of Waterloo,
may enter the supply or distribution system of said municipality,
unless such private, auxiliary or emergency water supply and the method
of connection and use of such supply shall have been approved by the
City of Waterloo and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
in accordance with Section NR 811.09, Wisconsin Administrative Code.
D.
Property owner responsibilities. The property owner
shall be responsible for the protection of the potable water supply
by the elimination of or protection from all cross-connections on
the property. The property owner, at the property owner's expense,
shall install, maintain and test any and all backflow protection devices
on the property in compliance with the provisions of this section.
The property owner shall inform the City of any proposed or modified
cross-connections.
E.
Inspection. The City of Waterloo shall have the power
and authority at all reasonable times to inspect all properties served
by a connection to the public water system of the City of Waterloo
for cross-connections. The frequency of inspections and reinspections
based on potential health hazards involved shall be established by
the City of Waterloo and shall be in accordance with Section NR 811.09,
Wisconsin Administrative Code. If entry is refused, such representative
may obtain a special inspection warrant under § 66.0119,
Wis. Stats. A copy of any testing conducted on any backflow prevention
device shall be provided to the City of Waterloo. Upon request by
a representative of the City of Waterloo, the owner, lessee or occupant
of any property so served shall furnish to the inspection agency any
additional pertinent information regarding the piping system or systems
on such property if such information is known to such owner, lessee
or occupant.
F.
Discontinuance of water service. The City of Waterloo is hereby authorized and directed to discontinue water service to any property wherein any connection in violation of this section exists, and to take such other precautionary measures deemed necessary to eliminate any danger of contamination of the public water system. Water service may be discontinued only after reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing pursuant to the provisions of this section, except as provided in Subsection F. Water service to such property shall not be restored until the cross-connection(s) has been eliminated or a backflow prevention means, approved by the City, has been installed in compliance with the provisions of this section.
G.
Emergency action. If it is determined by the City
of Waterloo that a cross-connection or an emergency causes imminent
danger to the public health, safety or welfare and requires immediate
action, service may be immediately discontinued or ordered disconnected.
The person aggrieved shall receive notice of the disconnection and
shall have the right to appeal action pursuant to the provisions of
this section.
H.
The provisions of Section Comm. 82.41 of the Wisconsin
Administrative Code, as amended from time to time, relating to cross-connection
control are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth
herein.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to prevent
unused and/or improperly constructed wells from serving as a passage
for contaminated surface or near-surface waters or other materials
to reach the usable groundwater. These wells must be properly filled
and sealed.
B.
Coverage. All private wells located on any premises
which is served by the public water system of the City shall be properly
filled by December 31, 1987. Only those wells for which a well operation
permit has been granted by the Clerk-Treasurer may be exempted from
this requirement, subject to conditions of proper maintenance and
operation. Those areas outside the corporate boundaries of the City
which are connected to the City distribution system shall adopt their
own ordinance to comply with Ch. NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code, and this
section.
C.
Well operation permits. A permit may be granted to
a well owner to operate a well for a period not to exceed five years
if the following requirements are met. Application shall be made on
forms furnished by the Clerk-Treasurer.
[Amended by Ord. No. 96-7; 11-17-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-4; 12-19-2013 by Ord. No.
2013-07]
(1)
The well and pump installation meet the requirements
of Ch. NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code, and a well constructor's report is
on file with the Department of Natural Resources, or certification
of the acceptability of the well has been granted by the Private Water
Supply Section of the Department of Natural Resources.
(2)
The well has a history of producing safe water and
presently produces bacteriologically safe water as evidenced by three
samplings two weeks apart. A fee as stated in the City of Waterloo
Fee Schedule may be charged for the purpose of conducting tests.
(3)
The proposed use of the well can be justified as being
necessary in addition to water provided by the public water system.
(4)
No physical connection shall exist between the piping
of the public water system and the private well.
(5)
Renewals for the well operating permit may be obtained at five-year intervals following issuance of the original permit and shall require only one water sampling as set forth in Subsection C(2) above. All permits shall expire on June 30, 2014, and shall be eligible for renewal at recurring five-year intervals from that date.
D.
Method of abandonment. Wells to be abandoned shall
be filled and sealed according to the procedures outlined in Ch. NR
812, Wis. Adm. Code. The pump and piping must be removed and the well
checked for obstructions prior to the plugging. Any obstruction or
well liner must be removed. All costs of required work and materials
shall be paid for by the property owner.
E.
Reports and inspection. A well abandonment report
must be submitted by the well owner to the Department of Natural Resources
on forms provided by that agency which are available at the office
of the Clerk-Treasurer. The report shall be submitted immediately
upon completion of the filling and sealing of the well. The well filling
and sealing must be observed by an authorized representative of the
Utility Commission.
F.
Penalty. Any person violating any provision of this
section shall, upon conviction, be punished by a forfeiture of not
less than $200 nor more than $1,000, together with the costs of prosecution.
Each twenty-four-hour period during which a violation exists shall
be deemed and constitute a separate offense.
A.
Opening and closing fire hydrants or stop cocks. No
person shall open or close any fire hydrant valve or stop cock connected
with the water works system of the City without the permission of
the Utility Superintendent, except in case of fire, and then only
under the direction of the Fire Chief.
B.
Tampering with meters; using false meters. No person
shall tamper with a utility meter or use a false utility meter.
C.
Covering or concealing meters prohibited. No person
shall cover or conceal from view or remove any meter placed by the
City, its employees or agents, except authorized City officials or
City employees when acting in their official capacity.
D.
Connections with main, line or service system of utilities.
No person, unless acting under the authority of the Council, the Utility
Commission or the Utility Superintendent, shall make or permit to
be made any connections with a main, line or service system of any
utility or turn on or use any water, electricity or heat, or service
of any utility, without first obtaining a permit therefor from the
Superintendent.
[Added 12-15-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-04; amended 11-14-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-09]
A.
Every water service lateral connected to the Waterloo Utilities Water
System (Utility) shall be made of suitable material as determined
by the Waterloo Utility Commission.
B.
Intent and purpose. The Common Council of the City of Waterloo finds
that it is in the public interest to establish a comprehensive program
for the removal and replacement of lead water laterals in use within
both the public Utility and in private systems and to that end declares
the purposes of this section to be as follows:
(1)
To ensure the water quality at every tap of Utility customers
meets the water quality standards specified under the Federal Safe
Drinking Water Act;
(2)
To reduce the lead in City drinking water to meet Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) standards and ideally to reduce the lead contaminant
level to zero in City drinking water for the health of City residents;
(3)
To eliminate the constriction of water flow caused by mineral-rich
surface water flowing through lead water service pipes and the consequent
buildup of mineral deposits inside lead pipes; and
(4)
To meet the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)
requirements for local compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule.
C.
Owner to replace lead service. Existing lead water service laterals
connected to the Utility shall be replaced with water service laterals
made of suitable materials and at the owner's expense. Replacement
shall be completed either before or in conjunction with the next water
project in the area of the affected property.
D.
Water system improvements. Property owners in a property area where
water system improvements are taking place will be notified, in writing,
of capital improvement projects involving the public or private water
system. The notification shall be at least 60 days prior to the commencement
of the water-system-related construction, and shall be issued by Waterloo
Utilities.
E.
Inspection required. The Waterloo Utilities Superintendent or his/her
designee shall inspect all private connections to the public water
system for presence of lead or lead-causing pipes prior to, if possible,
or at the time that the Utility water system is to be reconstructed
and, if unable to gain access for inspection, may pursue an inspection
warrant. In the event the lateral is found to contain lead, the Clerk/Treasurer,
or his/her designee, shall notify the owner, in writing, by United
States Mail within 10 working days, of the fact, along with information
about the City's Lead Water Service Replacement Program. The affected
property owner shall provide proof of arrangements for replacement
of the private lead water service lateral within 90 days of the date
of the notification letter.
F.
Authority to discontinue service. As an alternative to any other
methods for obtaining compliance with the requirements of this Municipal
Code regarding replacement of illegal private water laterals, the
Utility may, as provided in Water Utility Operating Rules approved
by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, discontinue water service
to such property served by illegal private water service laterals
after reasonable notice and an opportunity for hearing before the
Waterloo Utility Commission.
