• All water service connections include service lateral, meter, backflow prevention device, disposal of spoils, and street pavement restoration.
• Charges for other sizes shall be based on the cost of materials and labor expended for each installation.
• The City will deduct itemized costs from the total fee when they are not applicable.
• The current fees took effect July 1, 2007 and are subject to periodic review and revision.

• Charges for other sizes will be based on the cost of materials and labor expended for each installation.
  These fees apply to fire services which incorporate detector check valves.
• Charges for fire services that require backflow prevention will be based on the additional cost of materials and labor for each installation.
• The City Fire Marshal requires that the developer provide on-site fire protection and allow a municipal hydrant located in the public right-of-way. The City has the option to install (at developer's expense) a municipal hydrant at less than the normal hydrant spacing.

General Information

• It is unlawful to take water from any City fire hydrant without a meter. The penalty for using water without a meter may be a fine of up to $1,000 and a charge for the water taken at twice the normal rate, or being prohibited from taking water even with a meter (Chapter 13.15.220, City Code). Information on obtaining a portable fire hydrant meter follows:
• Keep the meter and equipment in good condition. You will be charged full replacement cost if it is lost or damaged.
• Always use the spanner wrench for operating the hydrant. If the spanner wrench is lost, a replacement can be obtained from the Water Department at a nominal cost which is less than the cost of repairs you would be required to pay should the fire hydrant be damaged due to improper operation.
• Remember the basic reason for a fire hydrant is fire protection! Remove the meter after each use in order that you do not impede the use of the fire hydrant by the Fire Department.
• Cross-connection control: The California Code of Regulations, Title 17, requires the use of appropriate cross-connection control when there is any potential for backflow contamination of the water distribution system. If the hydrant meter will be used under conditions where contamination is possible, the hydrant meter will be provided with a backflow prevention assembly.
  The City will ascertain the need for a backflow prevention assembly at the time application is made for the hydrant meter. It is the responsibility of the party renting the hydrant meter to inform the City of the intended use of the hydrant water, particularly if it will be physically connected to any on-site equipment using water.
• When the meter is supplied with a backflow prevention assembly, the user agrees to keep the apparatus adequately supported. The apparatus must not be set up in a manner that is a hazard to the public safety.
  

Payment for water used may be handled in one of the following options:

Option 1: Bring the meter to the Water Department Service Center warehouse at 1705 Martin Avenue by the 20th of each month between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. A Water Department employee will read the meter and report the results to the Utility Billing Office. They will bill you for the amount of water consumption for that month.

Option 2: The customer may read the portable water meter and record this reading on stamped, self-addressed card issued with the meter. Mail this card no later than the 20th of each month. Record the reading carefully, as you will be billed for the amount of consumption shown on the card. Enter every number on the dial onto the card. (The monthly minimum charge applies.)

Please note: Under no circumstances is the applicant to keep the meter and/or backflow assembly for more than one year without returning the unit to the City at 1705 Martin Avenue for inspection and repair. ALSO, if the assembly is leaking at any time, the applicant must contact the City's Water Department and we will dispatch a technician to investigate.

• Customers who do not provide their meter reading each month will automatically be assessed a monthly minimum charge for each month the meter is in their possession, which is not refundable and cannot be applied toward payment for water used and reported at a later date.
• The City's regular water rates will apply only to water utilized within the limits of the City of Santa Clara. Water drawn for use outside the City shall be billed at 1-1/2 times the regular rate. It is unlawful to obtain water from a City hydrant for use outside City without paying for that water at 1-1/2 times the regular rate (per current water rate schedule).
• It is unlawful to take water from a City hydrant for such purposes as would be otherwise prohibited under a Water Conservation Plan or any Code or Ordinance of City (Chapter 13.15 Article III, City Code).
• When water is no longer required, return your meter promptly to the Water Service Center Meter Shop to avoid the monthly minimum charge.
• Your deposit, less the non-refundable portion (per current fee schedule) and the cost to repair any damage to the meter, backflow prevention assembly or hydrant, and less the final billing for water usage, shall be returned to you within 30 days.
• For further information contact the City of Santa Clara Water Department, 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, telephone (408) 615-2000 or FAX (408) 247-0784.

Authorization For Use of Hydrant Water Meter (PDF)

• Portable hydrant meter rental -- $1050 deposit, $75 of which is not refundable; $73 minimum monthly charge.
• Application for a hydrant meter must be submitted to the Water Utility's office at City Hall.
• Water meter testing (non-routine testing)--$45 deposit; refundable if meter fails the test.
• When the Water Utility authorizes the developer to construct public water improvements, the developer shall pay the Water Utility for engineering and inspection services (a fee of) 8% of construction costs of those public water improvements installed by the developer.

A. Plans must be reviewed and approved by the City.

• Plans must show all existing and proposed utilities.
• Developer must resolve any conflicts that occur with proposed water facilities.
• Provide a minimum of five feet of horizontal clearance from City water facilities to other underground systems.
• Provide ten feet of horizontal clearance between City water facilities and sanitary sewer facilities (mains, laterals, etc.) and trees. Additionally, City water facilities must be at least one foot above sanitary sewer facilities.