(1) When the owner of a property or building desires such service and a main of sufficient size and volume is present, adjacent to or which may be extended to the property (see MMC 11.10.120) in such a manner as to provide the service required. The fee for fire services shall be an advance payment of the estimated cost, as specified by Council resolution, of the work to be done before the installation of the service connection. When the estimated cost is not sufficient to cover the actual cost, the deficit shall be billed to the applicant and must be paid prior to activation of the service. Any excess payment shall be returned to the application;

(2) The owner or agent of such a building shall agree that no water may be used from the system except for extinguishing fires or periodic testing. Before any water for testing can be used, the owner or agent must receive written permission;

(3) All fire systems and private hydrants, wet or dry, shall be equipped with the appropriate backflow prevention assemblies as set forth in MMC 11.10.230(2);

(4) In the case of existing fire services which do not meet the conditions of subsection (3) of this section, the hydrants or hose connection may be sealed in such a manner as to indicate use thereof. If the seal is found to be broken, it will be assumed that water is being used from the fire service, which is a violation of these rules and which results in action being taken as outlined in subsection (5) of this section;

(5) Where any violation of any of the above subsections exists, service may be immediately discontinued. In the case where no detector or proportional meter exists, then one will be required before service is restored. In cases where there is a detector or proportional meter, then the owner or agent must provide satisfactory assurances that the use of water will cease or appropriate means are provided to ensure payment for all the water used. The customer will also be required to pay for all water used. The utility shall estimate this amount in cases where it cannot be determined. The bill must be paid prior to service being restored;

(6) No charge will be made for water used in the extinguishing of fires;

(7) The cost of all detector checks, proportional meters, backflow devices and related appurtenances shall be borne by the customer;

(8) Service connections and all equipment appurtenant thereto, including the meter, shall be the sole property of the utility;

(9) Standby charges for automatic fire service are established by Council resolution; and

(10) Pressure and Supply. The utility assumes no responsibility for loss or damage because of lack of water or pressure and merely agrees to furnish such quantities and pressures as are available in its general distribution system. The service is subject to shut-downs and variations required by the operation of the system. (Ord. 68 § 1, passed 2-19-1991; Code 2014 § 50.15)