21.12.260 Water Service in Basements Within the Public Right-of-Way.

City Code Section
  1. A.  A metered water service and associated piping and equipment installed within a building's basement that extends into the public right-of-way (also known as a Vaulted Basement) must be enclosed to prevent damage to the building and its contents. The property owner served, at the owner's expense, must design, fabricate and install a waterproof vault that encloses the entire water service from the open wall to the backside of the meter assembly and separates it from other premises infrastructure, such as electrical panels, wires and equipment. Where premises isolation and backflow protection are required in such instances, the service connection to the premises will be that portion of piping exiting the waterproof vault.  Refer to Section 21.12.320 for additional requirements.
  2. B.  If a metered water service and associated piping and equipment installed within a vaulted basement that extends into the public right-of-way is found to exist at any time without the proper waterproof vault, the Chief Engineer will notify the property owner of the requirements.  
  3. The property owner must have the vault designed and installed within the time allowed by the Chief Engineer. The Chief Engineer may allow additional time for the installation for extenuating circumstances and may, at the Chief Engineer’s discretion, require a waiver and indemnity as provided in Subsection 21.12.260 D., in return for the grant of additional time.
  4. If the property owner does not have the vault installed within the time allowed by the Chief Engineer, the Chief Engineer may deem that a hazard exists, and service to the property may be disconnected as provided in Section 21.12.160.
  5. C.  The property owner must provide design plans that meet the requirements of this Title and any Portland Water Bureau guidelines that are applicable to waterproof vaults and backflow prevention. The design plans must be reviewed and accepted by the Chief Engineer.
  6. The vault must be designed and installed according to the Portland Water Bureau requirements so that Portland Water Bureau staff may safely access the meter and associated equipment 24 hours a day, and so that the meter and associated equipment may be read, tested, serviced and removed from the sidewalk area above.
  7. The vault must be designed and installed to support the meter assembly and the full weight of water that may fill the vault. At the property owner's expense, the Portland Water Bureau will furnish a frame and cover for the meter vault, which must be installed by the property owner.
  8. The vault must be constructed of material that resists corrosion or be protected by a corrosion-resistant coating. The property owner is responsible for the integrity of the vault and must maintain the vault to keep it free of corrosion and in a clean condition.
  9. The property owner must provide an opening through the outside basement wall for installation of the service and must seal the opening after installation of the pipe. The property owner must seal all openings to the vault except those leading to the sidewalk area.
  10. D.  Except in cases of new services, the property owner, as an alternative to compliance with this Section, must execute for the benefit of the City an agreement, in a form satisfactory to the Chief Engineer and City Attorney, including the following:
    1. 1.  The property owner waives any claim for damages for personal injury or property damage against the City and its officers, agents and employees arising out of noncompliance with the requirements of this Section; and
    2. 2.  The property owner defends and holds harmless the City and its officers, agents and employees against any claim by any person for damages for personal injury or property damage arising out of noncompliance with the requirements of this Section.