§ 24-166. Potable water.

(a)

User charges. The charges fixed in Appendix A—User Charge Tables for Okaloosa County Water and Sewer User Charge Ordinance, are hereby designated and fixed as the basic charges for potable water sold to customers within the county service area and which shall be paid by each customer of the board using potable water within the county service area and these charges shall be included and become part of the combined water and sewer charges as fixed hereof in Appendix A—User Charge Tables for Okaloosa County Water and Sewer User Charge Ordinance.

A customer shall be deemed to mean a connection to this system which receives one billing even though many "users" may receive service from the system through such "customers." "User" shall be deemed to mean one of a multiple number being provided service together with others of that number through one "customer." For example, the apartment house is the "customer" and each apartment is a "user," and a mobile home park is a "customer," while each of the mobile homes parked therein is a "user."

The inter-utility emergency water rate which is set by inter-local agreements shall remain unchanged at $1.00 per 1,000 gallons.

(b)

Capacity expansion charges. The water and sewer department will perform all connections and disconnections to the water and sewer system. The fees fixed in Appendix A—User Charge Tables for Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Charge Ordinance, are hereby designated and fixed as water capacity expansion charges (formerly referred to as "tapping fees") and shall be paid by each new connection to the water system. These charges are for the purpose of defraying the cost of providing water supply capacity to serve each new connection. The actual cost of construction of any line required to make the connection will be charged to the customer in addition to the charges specified herein. The cost of construction and cost of meter sets over one inch may include a fifteen percent administrative charge, added to the subtotal of material, labor, and contracted services.

(c)

Maintenance responsibility. It is the responsibility of the property owner to install and maintain water service lines from the end of the county's water service line to the property owner's building or facility. The county's maintenance responsibility for water service lines is for that portion of the service line which is within county rights-of-way or dedicated or public easements. Water service lines are defined as the following: the water service line itself plus the meter box or vault, the water meter and all associated plumbing, valves and fixtures inside the meter box or vault. If the customer's water service line or lines are connected to a private water main on private property controlled by a private subdivision, mobile home park, condominium, townhouse, apartment or similar entity, then only the meter box or vault, the water meter and all associated plumbing, valves and fixtures inside the meter box or vault will be the responsibility of the water and sewer department. If the county provides water service to a customer, then the county owns and maintains the meter box or vault, the water meter and all associated plumbing, valves and fixtures inside the meter box or vault — regardless of the location of the meter box or vault. Further, the county has the right to perform any meter-related duties on meters owned by the county, including, but not limited to reading, maintenance, replacement, service initiation, and service termination. If there exists a leak on a privately owned main or service line, it is the responsibility of the owner to report and repair the leak in a timely manner. Failure to do so shall result in the service being terminated by the water and sewer department until the repairs are completed to the satisfaction of the water and sewer department.

( Ord. No. 16-16 , § 1, 9-6-16)