§ 18-29-603

Water Service.

§ 18-29-603.1 Size of water service pipe.

The service pipe is the pipe which conveys the water from the mains of the Chicago Waterworks System to the building, structure, or premises served. Each service pipe shall be of sufficient size to permit the continuous and ample flow of water to supply adequately all floors at any given time. No service pipe of a nominal pipe size less than 1 inch (25 mm) shall be installed in any public way or other public place of the city, nor connected to the mains of the Chicago Waterworks System.

§ 18-29-603.1.1 Size and meter spreader connection.

Service pipes shall be sized according to the formula prescribed in Section § 18-29-604.10.1, plus any additional requirements for fire protection purposes. Each service pipe shall include a meter spreader connection of like size and of sufficient length to accommodate a full-size meter.

§ 18-29-603.1.2 Sizing of connections.

City connection shall be increased 2 inches where used to serve domestic and fire protection demands when the domestic exceeds 2 inches.

§ 18-29-603.1.2 Increased connection required.*

City connection shall be increased by 2 inches where used to serve both domestic and fire protection demands when the domestic exceeds 2 inches.

* Note As set forth in Coun. J. 3-28-01, p. 55444, 1; section numbering and text duplicate that of the immediately preceding section, sizing of connections.

§ 18-29-603.1.3 Permits to install water supply in buildings.

Application. No person shall install in any building or structure in the city any pipe or pipes or systems of piping which receives its service from the Chicago Waterworks System, nor shall make any alterations in, or additions or extensions to, any structure which was erected previous to August 3, 1938, until such person shall have made application to the department of water for permission for such installation, alteration, addition, or extension; provided, however, that wherever such installation or construction work is done, wherever an emergency exists for the purpose of preventing the loss or damage to property, such application may be dispensed with.

Application in Writing. All applications for permits for the installation in any building or structure, of water supply or water distribution pipes, or systems of piping, shall be in writing upon printed forms furnished by the department of water.

Service Shut Off Until Permit Issued. The commissioner of water may withhold or shut off service from any building, structure, or premises, or to any portion thereof, in which shall be found any plumbing work, fixture, or any apparatus which has not been installed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, until such plumbing work, fixture, or apparatus has been disconnected or until a proper permit has been issued.

§ 18-29-603.2 Separation of water service and building sewer/drain.

All service pipes in public ways or other places exposed to the weather shall be installed at a depth of not less than 60 inches (1525 mm) below the surface of the ground or pavement and at right angles to the main to which they are connected.

§ 18-29-603.2.1 Individual trench.

Each service pipe shall be installed in a separate individual trench. Such trench shall be not less than 72 inches (1830 mm) distance from any other trench or excavation of greater depth than that in which service pipe is laid, except in public ways where permanent pavement exists.

§ 18-29-603.2.2 Permanent pavement.

Where permanent pavement exists, service may be laid on a solid earthen shelf not less than 1 foot (300 mm) from a trench in which a house sewer or other parallel conduit is installed, provided that a service pipe may cross at right angles any trench which may be excavated on a line parallel with the centerline of the public way in which the service pipe is installed.

§ 18-29-603.2.3 Backfill.

No ashes, cinders or refuse shall be used in backfllling any trench or excavation in which service pipes are installed. Each service pipe trench from the water main to the property line shall be filled with sand and compacted by flooding with water. When a service pipe is to be installed in soil which may have a destructive or deleterious effect it must be protected by methods approved by the department of water.

Exception: The required separation distance shall not apply where the bottom of the water service pipe within 60 inches (1524 mm) of the sewer is a minimum of 12 inches (300 mm) above the top of the highest point of the sewer and the pipe materials conform to Section § 18-29-703.1.

§ 18-29-603.3 Metered service.

No building, structure, or premises shall be allowed to have service from the Chicago Waterworks System until an application in writing has been made to the commissioner of water by the person desiring such service, and until said commissioner has given permission.

§ 18-29-603.3.1 Authority.

Where application has been made for permission to connect at the main for water service for any projected building or structure, or for any alteration or addition in any building or structure, which from the information given in such application, would appear to come under any provision of this Article, said permit shall be authority to install metered service only.

§ 18-29-603.3.2 Connection of nonmetered to metered service.

Where this chapter requires the water supply for any building, structure, premises, or any part thereof to be under meter control, it shall be unlawful for any person to connect any building, structure, or premises, or any part thereof or addition thereto, with any service or supply pipe other than a service or supply controlled by meter.

§ 18-29-603.3.3 Licensed and bonded contractor.

Where this chapter or the rules or regulations of the department of water provide for the installation of a water meter on any service pipe supplying water from the Chicago Waterworks System to any building, structure, or premises, such meter shall be installed by a licensed and bonded plumbing contractor.

§ 18-29-603.3.4 Location.

The location of such meter, either inside or outside of any building or structure, shall be determined by the water commissioner. The installation of any water meter at any location other than that determined by the said commissioner is prohibited. Installation of any water meter shall be in accordance with the following locations:

1. No meter may be installed in the living quarters of a building.
2. For services 1 inch (25 mm), 1 1/2 inches (40 mm) or 2 inches (50 mm) diameter: Meters shall be installed within 2 feet (610 mm) of the front wall of the building. The maximum distance a meter may be installed from the property line to meter is 50 feet (15.25 m). Any installation of a service 1 inch (25 mm), 1 1/2 inches (40 mm) and 2 inches (50 mm) over 50 feet (15.25 m) will require the installation of a meter vault in the public way.
3. For services 3 inches (75 mm) diameter and above: Meters shall be installed within 4 feet (1220 mm) of the front wall of the building. The maximum distance the meters may be installed from property line is 100 feet (30.5 m). A meter vault is required in the public way in any circumstance in which the distance from the property line to the meters exceeds 100 feet (30.5 m). Any installation in excess of 100 feet (30.5 m) will require the installation of a meter vault in the public way.
4. All new combination (fire and domestic) service shall require a domestic meter and an approved backflow device with bypass meter for the fire system. If these services are in excess of the 50' for 2 inches (15.25 m:50 mm) or 100"* for 3 inches (30.5 m:75 mm) they must meet the above requirement and shall require the backflow preventer to be installed in an above ground-heated enclosure 'hot box' located as close to the property line as physically possible. * Note As set forth in Coun. J. 3-28-01, p. 55444, 1; correct measurement appears to be 100'.
5. Service used in conjunction with trunk lines (private water mains) requiring private fire hydrants shall have compound meters installed in a meter vault in the public way. Private hydrants are to be painted federal safety green, annually inspected and tested by the commissioner of fire. Results and inspection reports are to be filed with the department of water within 30 days of inspection or test.

§ 18-29-603.3.5 Construction of meter vaults.

Wherever water meter is installed in the ground, either inside or outside of any building or structure on public or privately owned property, it shall be enclosed in a meter vault. Such vault shall be built of hard pressed common brick or portland cement concrete blocks laid up in portland cement mortar, poured portland cement concrete, extra heavy, salt-glazed vitrified clay tile pipe, portland cement concrete pipe, or equally durable material. This meter vault shall be provided with a cast iron cover frame and removable cast iron cover. Each meter vault shall be built to conform to the specifications and dimensions for meter vaults on file at the offices of the department of water.

§ 18-29-603.3.6 Installation of taps.

No water main shall be tapped other than by a tapper employed by the department of water, and all tapping shall be performed only under the authority of the commissioner of water. All service cocks or ferrules must be inserted at or near the top of the street main, and not nearer than 6 inches (150 mm) from the bell of the pipe. The size of the cock shall be that specified in the permit. Each service pipe shall have its own independent tap at the main and said tap shall be of the type in use by the department of water.

§ 18-29-603.3.7 Plans accompany permit application.

No permit for the installation of any pipe or system of piping taking water from the Chicago Waterworks System for distribution in any building or structure shall be granted until plan of such water supply or distribution system has been examined and approved by the department of water. Such plan or plans shall be presented with the application for permit to the department of water in duplicate, and shall clearly show the complete water supply piping system from the service to the plumbing fixtures and other appliances including fire protection equipment, to which such water supply piping system is connected, together with detail drawings of connections to surge tanks, storage tanks, pressure tanks, filters, swimming pools, bathing and display pools, hydrotherapy pools, sterilizers, condensers, compressors, reservoirs, and washers. Said plans shall be drawn to a scale of not less than 1/8 inch to the 1 foot; provided, however, that detail plans shall be drawn to 1/4 inch scale and diagrams may be presented in either horizontal and vertical plans or isometric form.

For private water systems within the city of Chicago the owner, agent, contractor or permittee shall provide to the department of water an as built drawing within 30 days of completion of private water system. The as built drawing shall identify the location and size for every main, control valve, meter vault, fire hydrant, line valve, service valve, meter and individual service location connected to the Chicago Water Works System.

§ 18-29-603.3.8 Notification of wrecking buildings.

No building, structure, or premises shall be permanently abandoned, wrecked, or destroyed without the previous notification, in writing, to the commissioner of water of such abandonment, wrecking or destroying, in order that the water service may be shut off, and leaking or wasting water shall be eliminated or prevented; and accompanying said notification, ample financial provisions, such as the deposit of the estimated costs of disconnection and sealing of water service pipes or posting of a surety bond, shall be made to the satisfaction of said commissioner of water to ensure the payment of all costs and charges for the shutting off of said water service. Such notification and assurance of payment shall be given by the person in charge of the wrecking or destroying of the building or by the owner of the building, structure, or premises.

No water service pipe shall be permanently sealed by other than an employee of the department of water and all such permanent sealing shall be performed only under the authority of the commissioner of water.