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Who Maintains my Service Line?

This is a question that we hear often. The answer to this question is determined by City Code Section 16-33 which was established by City Officials while organizing the Water Department.

In Kendallville, the Ordinances explain that the City of Kendallville will maintain only the main water lines and the water meter. A main water line is the large lines that run down the streets in front of your homes. The sizes range from four (4) inches in diameter to twelve (12) inches in diameter.

When a business or resident builds a facility and request city water, they must get permission through permits to tap into our main lines and place a corporation stop in the large main (Section 16-34), (Section 16-66), (Section 16-91). A corporation stop is an underground valve that would have the capability of being turned on and off at the main line. At this point, the customer would arrange to have approved underground pipe (Section 16-41) ran from the corporation stop to another underground valve somewhere in front of the home or business.

This second valve would have a curb box mounted on top of it to allow access to the valve, even though it is several feet under the ground. The curb box resembles a pipe that starts at the top of the valve and extends vertically to the surface. A lid is then placed on the pipe-like structure to prevent dirt and debris from entering the curb box assembly and blocking the top of the valve.

Another line is then installed from the second valve to the inside of the home where a meter will be installed to monitor water usage (Section 16-122) The City pays 2/3 of the cost of the meter and remote reader while the resident pays 1/3 (Section 16-124). This meter is then wired for the remote reader, which is installed on the outside of the home to allow the Water Department employee to read the meter without entering the home. All work is to be inspected by the Water Department before any fill can be added (Section 16-36).

The second valve and curb box assembly enables the Water Department employees to access the valve in the case that an owner chooses to be disconnected, or in the case that the owner needs to have the water turned off for plumbing repairs or the case of non-payment of a water bill. There is a fee for water being turned on or off listed in the Current Rates section (Section 16-135), (Section 16-136).

City code (Section 16-32) states that this valve may not be accesses without permission from the Superintendent of the Water Department. This protects the City from having water turned on in a non-paying or non-metered situation.

The owner of the residence or business is responsible for the upkeep of the water line, starting at and including the corporation stop at the main line, all water lines, the curb box and valve, and all plumbing to and including the household plumbing. In addition, the second valve and curb box must be maintained so that it is accessible and working at all times at the owner’s expense (Section 16-33).

The Water Department will maintain the water meter, remote reader and remote wire unless the meter has been abused by force, neglect or freezing. In these cases, the new meter will be installed at the owner’s expense (Section 16-137).

If a future council decides to change this agreement, it is would likely require that the Water Department purchase more equipment and employ more people to be able to maintain and repair these service lines. Many cities have chosen this path and raised rates to accommodate these services. If this law is changed, we will update this sight.

If you have any further questions about this subject, feel free to contact the Superintendent of the Kendallville Water Department.

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