H. Public Hearing - Water Service Rules- .`'..
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MONTANA
To: Doug Russell, City Manager V-
City of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, MT 59903
Telephone: (406) 758-7701
Fax: (406) 758-7758
From: Susie Turner, Public Works Director
Re: Public Hearing for the Proposed Amendments to the Kalispell Rules and
Regulations Governing Water Service
Meeting Date: April 17, 2017
BACKGROUND: Public Works staff has identified and are recommending two changes within
the 2015 Rules and Regulations Governing Water Service. The proposed changes maintain the
Purpose of the Rules and Regulations, while supporting existing and evolving development
techniques.
The first recommended change includes redefining the requirement of service line sizes for meter
accuracy. The City of Kalispell is now purchasing a more robust S30 meter that is capable of
handling higher flow rates allowing a 3/4" meter to be installed on 1" service lines for residential
use. Metron has committed they will warranty the installation as their specifications allow this
method of installation. In order to incorporate the new meter specification into the water rules
and regulations, the suggested change to the rule is highlighted in red below:
Rule XV Metering, 4. Meter Accuracy: 1 " service lines may be reduced to 1/" at the inlet lines may be reduced to at the inlet fittings
to the meter pit using a Muelller MH-15456 (or approved eaual) fittine. For service lines ereater
than 1" Tthe meter size shall match the size of the service connection. Whenever a meter is found
to exceed a limit of two percent fast or slow, it must be adjusted to register as nearly one hundred
percent as commercially practicable or replaced. A manufacturer's certified test will be
acceptable for the accuracy of new meters.
The second recommended change includes adding language to address fire line service options
for residential developments and the associated rules affected by the change. Residential fire
service lines have different requirements for installation in accordance with the fire code. These
proposed changes are considerate of residential fire service line requirements verses commercial
requirements. The suggested changes to the rules are highlighted in red below:
Rule Il Definitions, 5. "Commercial Service" means any water usage other than solely for
residential purposes except in a residence in which the resident operates a neighborhood
business occupying less than thirty percent of the living area and which the water
consumption for the business would be insignificant. Where a single structure has a
neighborhood business exceeding the foregoing or has more than one business combined
with a residence, the water service shall be considered "Commercial Service". Commercial
Service includes, but is not limited to: schools, hospitals, nursing homes, churches, hotels,
motels, trailer parks, apartments, duplexes. condos, multi-plex units, and rooming housing
with two or more rooms on a rental basis are considered Commercial services and not
Residential.
Rule V Uses and Charges, 4. Private Fire Protection Line: For commercial services Tthe
pipeline used for the fire protection system shall be separate, with no inter -connections,
from the service pipe and any piping or fixtures within or outside the structure. The
customer shall pay the cost of installation of the system, including the Water Department's
charge for tapping the main, the fittings at the main, and all piping and appurtenances. The
commercial private fire protection line will not be metered, but a monthly charge will be
levied in accordance with the Rate Schedule. For residential service the fire protection
pipeline shall use the residential tap, service pipe, curb stop, and meter pit.
The extent of the rights of the private fire protection service customer is to receive, but
only at times of fire on his premises, such supply of water as shall be available from the
water system. The Water Department reserves the right to shut off residential fire
protection line service as defined in Rule XII, Discontinuance of Service. The Water
Department shall not be considered in any manner an insurer of property or persons, or to
have undertaken to extinguish fire or to protect any persons or property against loss or
damage by fire or otherwise, and it shall be free and exempt from any and all claims for
damages on account of any injury to property or persons by reason of fire, water, failure to
supply water or pressure, or for any other cause whatsoever.
Rule XXII Source Water Protection. 3. Backflow Assemblies: Backflow assembly testing
shall be performed per manufacture specifications and the certification made available to
the Citupon request.
As part of the consideration for the regulation amendments, notification and public hearing
processes are applicable. As such, the requirement for a public hearing prior to Council taking
action for the proposed amendment is scheduled for the April 17, 2017 Council Meeting.
The proposed amendment was advertised via local newspaper, social media and circulated to the
stakeholder requesting input and comments on the proposed amendments. Thus far, the City has
not received comments from the public.
ATTACHMENTS: 2015 City of Kalispell Rules and Regulations Governing Water Service
document can be found on the City's website using the following link:
http://www.kalispell.com/public works/documents/FINALWATERRULESANDREGS.pdf