Tooele City amends water-supply code to clarify hydrant placement and criminal penalties

Chief of Police Adrian Day and City Engineer Paul Hansen presented proposed changes to Tooele City Code Title 9, Chapter 4, and the council approved Ordinance 2025‑21 on July 16. Day told the council the ordinance clarifies that minimum fire-hydrant spacing will be 400 feet for single-family developments and 300 feet for multifamily and nonresidential developments. The ordinance also specifies criminal classifications for various water-related violations. Day listed examples the code now classifies as class B misdemeanors: tampering with a fire hydrant; possession of a fire-hydrant wrench by a person without authority; using water without payment; defacing the water supply; turning on water after it has been shut off for nonpayment or violation; interfering with a mayor‑appointed employee performing duties; and interconnecting an irrigation line with city water lines. Day said class C misdemeanors will cover matters such as connecting two separate water users to one meter, using water for an unauthorized purpose, using water to power machinery unless approved by the mayor, and watershed nuisances. The ordinance creates one infraction for digging, removing or repairing a water line without direction from the public-works director. Councilwoman Manzione moved to approve Ordinance 2025‑21; Councilman McCall seconded. The council voted 5–0 to adopt the ordinance. Why it matters: the amendments standardize hydrant placement requirements by development type and create clearer enforcement categories and potential penalties the city can seek for unauthorized use or tampering with the municipal water system. City staff said the provisions give them tools to address theft of services and other interference with the water supply. No additional amendments were made at the meeting.