HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIRE HYDRANT USE POLICY
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FIRE HYDRANT USE POLICY
CITY OF AUGUST A, GEORGIA
Item #:61
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FIRE HYDRANT USE POLICY
PURPOSE:
To control unauthorized usage of the City of Augusta, Georgia owned fire
hydrants, to protect the distribution system's integrity, protect the water
quality, preserve fire protection, yet provide temporary water needs to the
City of Augusta, Georgia's Customers.
The following policy has been developed regarding temporary use of the City of Augusta,
Georgia's water from the City of Augusta, Georgia's owned Fire Hydrants. For the Purpose of
this policy, two categories of hydrant usage have been defined. Stationary (non-movable) and
Non-stationary (movable from one location to another). Definitions of these categories are
defined in section 1 and 2. '
SECTION I: FIRE HYDRANT USE PERMITS NON- MOVABLE or STATIONARY:
Temporary Hydrant Use Permits will be required on all stationary sources such as new
developments, new residential or commercial customers, site-specific construction, etc. Such
permits will allow temporary water usage for up to ninety days.
1. Application
Any entity requesting temporary water will be required to complete an application for a
hydrant use permit. Application will indicate various information needed to establish a
temporary account for the customer. In order to be approved, customer must first also
.' apply and pay for permanent water service for the proposed property if a permanent
. facility is proposed. Hydrant Use Permits will be issued and approved only on the City of.
Augusta Utilities Department's existing water mains not new construction.
In extreme emergency situations, the City of Augusta Utilities Department will designate
the hydrant that can be utilized to supply water on a short-term, temporary basis for water
tankers, etc to transport to usage site until the new service (and hydrant use permits)
applications can be processed. In such cases, the applicant will be instructed to contact
the City of Augusta Utilities Construction and Maintenance and Backflow Prevention
Departments for guidance.
In no case will hydrant hoses be allowed to traverse areas exposed to vehicle traffic.
2. Payment and Permit Tags
Any customer needing hydrant-supplied water will pay a one time non-refundable fee
before receiving the Hydrant use permit tag of$750. This permit tag will be good for up
to a 90 days usage period, and shall be displayed at the job site on the fire hydrant being
used. Extensions can be made for $750 for UP TO NINE (9}ADDITIONAL MONTHS.
Customer will be required to pay additional charges on water consumption, which will be
billed monthly, as a hose, meter, backflow prevention assembly, and a shutoff valve will
be set. Financing of hydrant usage fees will not be allowed.
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If customer needs water for only thirty (30) days or less, a $300 non-refundable fee will
be required. All other requirements remain unchanged.
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SECTION II. FIRE HYDRANT USE PERMITS NON-STATIONARY OR MOVABLE
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The City of Augusta Utilities Department will allow temporary -metered hydrant usage from
non-stationary permits under the below-described conditions. Examples include: street sweepers,
hydro seeders, landscape contractors, road contractors, sewer cleaners, etc/ or any other similar
business utilizing water on a frequent basis at various locations.
1.
APPLICATION
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Movable permit customers will be required annually to make an application for
permission to utilize The City of Augusta Hydrants. (See application Form)
In order to receive application approval customer must show proof of approved air gap or
a Reduced Pressure Zone Backflow device installed on tanker. Non-Stationary Customers
must also provide proof of knowledge and competency to operate hydrants properly.
Customers in this category may be required to attend City of Augusta sponsored hydrant
operating training, etc., in order to become eligible for this privilege. All Customers in
this category will be provided a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for hydrant
operations.
2.
PAYMENT
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A non-refundable annual fee per vehicle or tanker will be required once an approval for
the application is processed. The annual fee is $1,500 for the first year, and if a second
year is requested, the fee will be $750. If a meter is requested at the end ofthe two-year
period, the meter must be returned to Augusta Utilities for maintenance and a new
application must be filed. The fee structure will be the same as any other new applicant.
A copy of the City of Augusta permit decal to use water will be required to be displayed .
on the driver's side window of each vehicle used. A copy of this permit must be attached
to fire hydrant during use. Failure to display permit properly will result in penalties for
unauthorized hydrant use. A hydrant meter will be furnished with each decal. Customers
will be required to call in their weekly or monthly consumption as designated by the City
of Augusta Utilities Department for billing purposes. Financing of fees will not be
allowed. Decals will be color coded for each calendar year.
If the customer desires, they may apply for a stationary hydrant use permit on a case by
case basis, rather than pay an annual fee; if so they will be required to follow all the
requirements contained in Section I of this policy, plus $50 for setting the meter.
3.
RESPONSIBILITYILIABILITY (CITY OF AUGUSTSA UTILITIES
DEPARTMENT and CUSTOMER)
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At Application, customer will be required to sign an affidavit that they are responsible for
contacting the City of Augusta Utilities Department Dispatcher for the location and
hydrant number that may use each time they need water; responsible for displaying City
of Augusta annual hydrant usage permit decal on each authorized vehicle and on each
hydrant during use; responsible for any hydrant or water appurtenance damage (including
parts and labor) as a result of utilizing the City of Augusta owned hydrant assembly;
responsible for any and all private property damage to the City of Augusta's property.
Therefore, annual permits must be reapplied for in January of each year. The customer
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HYDRANT USE PERMIT APPLICATION
General Information for all Avv/icants
(Please Print Legibly)
Applicant's Name
Physical Address
Include city, state, and zip code
Billing or Mailing Address
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Responsible Party
Include city, state, and zip code
Phone Number
Include area code
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Cell Phone Number
Federal Tax ill No.
Est. Monthly Volume
Pager Number
Water used for
gallons
TANK USERS:
Capacity of tank (gallons) for:
Vehicle ill Numbers
Vehicle License Number
Principal Drivers: Names and Driver's License Numbers
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Call Citv Augusta Utilities Department Dispatcher at 706-842-3060 when hvdrant is operated.
NOTE: One Application will be required for each vehicle or tanker used.
This box for City of Augusta Utilities Department use only. Cross Connection Control
Inspection Date: Results: Approved Disapproved
Air Gap correctly installed: Yes_ No_Inspectors Signature
Comments:
Stationary or Fixed Site Users:
Location of hydrant to be used:
City of Augusta Hydrant Number:
This box for City of Augusta Utilities Department use only. Cross Connection Control
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Permanent Service applied for: Yes_No_
Account Number:
Permit Number: Expiration Date:
Device Number:
Comments:
Size Issued
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FLOW CHART AND RESPONISIBILITY ASSIGNMENTS
(MOVABLE or NON-STATIONARY HYDRANT USE PERMITS)
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Customer calls requesting temporary water service, customer is referred to Metering Division
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Application is completed and reviewed, work order or delivery order written, upon payment of appropriate
fee.
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Augusta Utilities Metering Division obtains meter, hydrant hose and backflow prevention device from shop
and issues to customer. Initial hydrant activation reviewed and approved by the City of Augusta Utilities
Metering Division.
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Customer Service updates billing account and Metering Division records location, etc. in Hydrant Meter
Spreadsheet.
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Hydrant hoselbackflow/meter location database updated by the Backflow Prevention Section of the
Augusta Utilities Department. Metering Division takes monthly reading, customer is billed for
consumption.
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After the initial year, an additional one-year extension is requested and a fee is collected or the permit decal
is void. After two (2) years, customer must reapply for permit. At the end of the permit period the
metering assembly is returned and damages are assessed to customer.
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NOTE:
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L Augusta Utilities Department Backflow Prevention Section responsible for annually testing and repairs of the backflow devices and all
hydrant assemblies issued.
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Adniinistrative Procedures for Applying for a Hydrant Assembly
(Stationary Sources)
Customer inquires about using a hydrant and is referred to the Metering Division. This
person must have an official right to make decisions for the compariy. Policies, procedures,
and fees are explained to the customer. The HYDRANT USE PERMIT APPLICATION
form is completed and reviewed and the appropriate fee is collected. The HYDRANT USE
PERMIT CONTRACT is completed and signed, the permit is issued, a work order is
generated and a date is scheduled for the meter set. A copy of the standard operating
procedures for hydrant use is issued to the customer.
AUD uses the maps or hydrant location information on the GIS system to verify the hydrant
location. The Metering Division tests and sets the Hydrant Assembly for the customer on the
scheduled date. Billing personnel updates billing account for that meter with customer
demographics and the Metering Division records all pertinent information in the Hydrant
Meter Spreadsheet. Hydrant hoselbackflow/meter location database is updated by the
Backflow Prevention Section. A copy ofthe permit will be will be used as a work order for
the Backflow Prevention section to keep track of hydrant usage.
The Metering Division takes a monthly meter reading and the customer is billed for
consumption. After 90 days, permit is either extended and additional fee is collected, or
Hydrant Assembly is removed by AUD Metering Division or returned by the customer. The
Assembly condition is checked and appropriate charges for damage are assessed.
Administrative Procedures for Applyiug for a Hydrant Assembly
(Stationary Sources, less thau ninety (90) days or no permanent meter needed)
If customer needs water for only thirty (30) days or less, a $300 non-refundable fee will be
required. An extension can be made to a ninety (90) period and the permit will be handled as
any other ninety day permit. All other requirements and procedures are the same as above.
Administrative Procedures for Applying for a Water Truck Permit
(Non-Stationary Sources)
Customer inquires about using a hydrant and is referred to the Metering Division. This
person must have an official right to make decisions for the company. Policies, procedures,
and fees are explained to the customer. The HYDRANT USE PERMIT APPLICATION
form is completed and reviewed and the appropriate fee is collected. The HYDRANT USE
PERMIT CONTRACT is completed and signed, the permit is issued, and a Hydrant
Assembly is issued to the customer. Initial assembly activation is reviewed and approved by
AUD Metering Division.
Billing personnel updates billing account for that meter with customer demographics and the
Metering Division records all pertinent information in the Hydrant Meter Spreadsheet.
Hydrant hoselbackflow/meter location database is updated by the Backflow Prevention
. Section. A copy of the permit will be will be used as a work order for the Backflow
Prevention section to keep track of hydrant usage.
The Metering Division takes a monthly meter reading and the customer is billed for
consumption. After one year, the permit decal is void and customer must reapply for service
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SAMPLE MOVEABLE HYDRANT PERMIT DECAL
City of Augusta, Georgia
Utilities Department Backflow Prevention Section
20
08
HYDRANT USE PERMIT
NUMBER 0001
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Item #131