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RELEVANT LINKS: <br /> <br />League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 6/22/2016 <br />Securing Payment of Utility Charges Page 26 <br /> <br /> G. Residential property remaining shut off <br /> Sometimes city-provided water is shut off for nonpayment or because the <br />consumer fails to repair the lateral line (from the street main to the house). <br />In some cases, the water service is not restored for long periods of time <br />because the inhabitants fail to pay or fix the line. The same issues arise <br />with city sewer systems, but “shutting off” sewers poses serious potential <br />threats to public safety. Adults and, in some cases, children continue living <br />in the residence for months or years with no connection to drinkable water. <br />World Health Organization, <br />Water and sanitation, <br />Household water security. <br />Centers for Disease Control <br />and Prevention, Typhoid <br />fever. <br />The World Health Organization (WHO) finds that unhygienic conditions <br />and practices at the household level create a dangerous environment with <br />immediate health risks to children. Insufficient quantities of safe water for <br />drinking, cooking, and personal and domestic hygiene causes negative <br />health outcomes, including diarrheal diseases; Typhoid A, E, and F; and <br />hygiene related diseases such as trachoma (which causes infectious <br />blindness) and scabies. <br />Minn. R. 1300.0180. If a city has adopted the State Building Code, the building inspector shall <br />order any building or portion of a building vacated if continued use is <br />dangerous to life, health, or safety of the occupants. The order must be in <br />writing and state the reasons for the action. The building inspector shall <br />have the authority to order disconnection of utility services to the building, <br />structure, or system, regulated by the code, in case of an emergency to <br />eliminate a hazard of life or property. <br /> The building inspector may also revoke the certificate of occupancy, direct <br />the responsible person that no one can live in the residence with no water, <br />and order it corrected. If water is shut off because the property owner fails <br />to repair the lateral line, the city may provide the owner notice and a <br />chance to discuss the situation and then go in and fix the line or abate the <br />problem. Cities must consult with the city attorney before entering private <br />property, which generally requires written permission or a court order. <br />A.G. Op. 387-G-5, (April <br />17, 1952). <br /> <br />Minn. Stat. § 326B.43, <br />subd.1. <br />Minn. R. 4714.0100 (A). <br />Minn. R. 4714.0601. <br /> <br />A.G. Op. 477b-33, (May 12, <br />1967). <br />A city may address this issue by ordinance if the city has not adopted the <br />State Building Code. It is long established law that cities may use police <br />power to pass an ordinance prohibiting the use of sanitary facilities that do <br />not connect to the public water supply. The State Plumbing Code applies <br />throughout the state and requires potable (drinkable) water that meets code <br />specifications in every premise that is equipped with plumbing fixtures and <br />used for human occupancy. Permanent residences must have hot water for <br />bathing, washing, laundry, cooking purposes, dishwashing, and <br />maintenance.