P.O. Box 3307
601 E. Middle St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325-3307
Phone: (717) 334-6738 / Fax (717) 334-0733
E-mail Questions to: mguise@gettysburgma.com
STATEMENTS OF FACT
SECTION 1 - DEFINITIONS
c.
Installed or continued in existence and operated at all times in strict
compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
1.4 AUTHORITY: The word
“Authority”, whenever the same appears herein, means Gettysburg Municipal
Authority, a body corporate and politic organized and existing under the laws of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with its principal place of business at 601
East Middle Street, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
1.5
BACKFLOW: The flow
of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution system
of the Authority from any source or sources other than its intended source.
Back Siphonage and back pressure are two types of backflow specifically
contemplated by these Rules.
1.6 BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE: Three types of devices, reduced pressure principal device (RPPD),
double check valve assembly (DCVA), and air gap (AG), which are designed to
prevent the occurrence of backflow.
1.7 BUILDING SEWER:
Shall mean the pipe leading from the sewage drainage system of any
structure to the Collection Sewer (Authority Main).
1.8 COLLECTION SEWER:
Shall mean the Authority’s collection sanitary sewers located under
highways, roads, streets, and rights-of-way, which collect and convey Sanitary
Sewage or Industrial Wastes or a combination of both to a pumping or treatment
facility.
1.9
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT:
Shall mean any room, group of rooms, building or enclosure used or
intended for use in the operation of one business enterprise for the sale and
distribution of any product, commodity, articles or service used or intended for
use for any social, amusement, religious, educational, charitable or public
purpose and containing plumbing. “Commercial
Establishment” includes institutional dormitories.
1.10
COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM OR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM:
Shall mean the distribution system that furnishes water for general use,
is owned and operated by the Authority and is recognized by regulatory agencies
as a community water system.
1.11 CONNECTION UNIT: Shall mean each individual building or portion of a building, which is designed or adaptable to separate ownership whether for commercial, industrial, or residential use. A school, factory, apartment house, office building, or other multiple unit structure whose individual apartments or units are connected to a common internal sewage system and which are not commonly subject to separate ownership shall be considered as one connection unit.
1.12
CONTAMINATION: An
impairment of water quality to a degree which creates an actual or potential
health hazard such as but not limited to chemical poisoning or spread of
diseases, or impairs the composition and odor of the water to such an extent
that it is considered by said odor or composition to be not acceptable by the
Authority for human consumption.
1.13
CROSS CONNECTION:
An arrangement allowing either a direct or indirect connection through
which backflow, including backsiphonage, can occur between the drinking water in
a public water system and a system containing a source or potential source of
contamination, or allowing treated water to be removed from any public water
system, used for any purpose or routed through any device or pipes outside the
public water system, and returned to the public water system.
The term does not include connections between public water systems and
connections between water mains.
1.14
CUSTOMER: The word
“Customer”, as used herein, means the owner or tenant contracting for or
using water and/or sewer service on a single Premises, or connection unit; and
the word “Customers” means all so contracting for and using service.
1.15
DATE OF PRESENTATION: The date upon which a bill or notice is mailed, as evidenced
by the United States Post Office mark.
1.16
DEP: Department
of Environmental Protection of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any agency or
successor thereto.
1.17
DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY: A device composed of two independently operating approved
check valves with tightly closing shut-off valves on each side of the check
valves, plus necessary appurtenances for testing.
To be approved by the Authority or its designated agent the device must
be readily accessible to maintenance and testing and installed in a location
where no part of the device will be subject to outside flooding.
The device shall be used on service connections, which may be subject to
backflow and where there is a possibility of pollution that constitutes an
actual or potential pollution hazard.
1.18
EQUIVALENT DWELLING UNIT (EDU): Shall mean a unit of measure for the engineering design flow
of Sanitary Sewage and/or Industrial Wastes from an Improved Property.
Equivalent Dwelling Unit is a unit intended to represent discharge of
sewer by a typical residence as measured by metered water usage.
The flow from Non-Residential Establishments is converted to EDU’s by
dividing the estimated daily flow by typical daily residential flow.
1.19 GSHP: Ground
source heat pump.
1.20
HEALTH HAZARD:
An actual or potential threat of contamination or pollution to the
Authority water system to such a degree or intensity that there would be a
danger to the public health of the Authority’s water system Customers.
1.21
IMPROVED PROPERTY:
Any property upon which there is erected a structure intended for
continuous or periodic habitation, occupancy or use by human beings or animals
and to which the Authority supplies water or from which structure Sanitary
Sewage and/or Industrial Wastes shall be or may be discharged.
1.22
INDUSTRIAL WASTES:
Any solid, liquid or gaseous substance or waterborne wastes or forms of
energy rejected or escaping in the course of any industrial, manufacturing,
trade or business process or in the course of the development, recovery or
processing of natural resources, as distinct from Sanitary Sewage.
1.23
INTERCONNECTION: Interconnection
is a physical arrangement whereby a public water system is connected with
another water system, public or private, in such a manner that a flow of water
into such public water supply system from other water system is possible.
Specifically it is the intent of these Rules to regulate any source or
system containing water or substances the quality and quantity of which cannot
be approved by the County, State or Federal regulatory agencies.
1.24 MAINS: Distribution
and collection pipelines which are located in streets, highways, public ways or
private rights-of-way and which are used to serve the general public.
1.25
MAIN EXTENSIONS:
Extensions of distribution or collection pipelines beyond existing
facilities and exclusive of service line connections.
1.26 NONPOTABLE WATER:
Water, which is not safe for human consumption or is of questionable
potability.
1.27 OWNER: The word
“Owner”, whenever the same appears herein, means the person, firm or
corporation or association having an interest as owner, or a person, firm or
corporation representing itself to be the owner, whether legal or equitable,
sole or only partial, in any Premises which is or is about to be supplied with
water and/or sewer by the Authority; the word “Owners” means all so
interested.
1.28 POLLUTION/HAZARD: The
presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic or biological) in water
which tends to degrade its qualities so as to constitute a hazard or impair the
usefulness or quality of the water to a degree which does not necessarily create
an actual public health hazard but which does adversely or unreasonably effect
such water for domestic use.
1.29 POLLUTION: An actual
or potential impairment to the physical properties and potability of the
community water system, which constitutes a nuisance or is aesthetically
objectionable or can be dangerous or threatening to public health.
1.30 POTABLE WATER:
Water, which is safe for human consumption according to, recognized state
and federal standards.
1.31
PREMISES: The word
“Premises”, as used herein, means the property or area, including
improvements thereto, to which water and/or sewer service is or will be provided
and, as used herein, shall be taken to designate:
a.
A building under one roof owned or leased by one Customer and occupied as
one residence or one place of business: or
b.
A building or group of buildings owned by one Customer and located on one
lot, with one service connection: or
c.
The one side of a double house having a solid vertical partition wall: or
d.
Each side of each part of a house or building occupied by one family,
including a one-person family, even though the closet and/or other fixtures be
used in common; or
e.
Each apartment, office or suite of offices, and/or place of business
located in a building or group of buildings, even though such buildings in a
group are interconnected by a tunnel or passageway, covered area way, or a patio
or by some similar means or structure; or
f.
A public building devoted entirely to public use, such as a town hall,
schoolhouse, fire engine house; or
g.
A single vacant lot or park or playground; or
h.
Each house in a row of houses; or
i.
Each dwelling unit in a row of houses, a dwelling unit being defined as a
building or a portion thereof with exclusive culinary facilities designed for
occupancy and used by one person or one family (household); or
j.
Each individual and separate place of business and/or occupancy located
in one building or group of buildings commonly designated as shopping centers,
supermarket areas and by such other terms; or
k.
Each dwelling unit in a public housing development owned and operated by
the United States of America, a municipal subdivision of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, or an agency or instrumentality of the United States or the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by a philanthropic foundation or organization or
some such similar body or organization; or operated under private ownership; or
l.
Each mobile home, whether located on owned or leased land.
1.32
RATE SCHEDULE:
The entire body of effective rates, rentals and changes, as adopted by
the Authority from time to time are made a part of these Rules.
A Rate Schedule stating charges and rates effective as of the date of
adoption of these Rules is attached hereto as
Appendix 1 and incorporated by
reference.
1.33
REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPAL DEVICE: A device that shall incorporate two or more check valves and
an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two
check valves, two tightly closing shut-off valves, and equipped with necessary
appurtenances for testing. The
device shall operate to maintain the pressure in the zone between the two check
valves, less than the pressure on the Authority water system side of the device.
At cessation of normal flow, the pressure between the check valves shall
be less than the supply pressure. In
case of leakage of either check valve, the differential relief shall operate to
maintain this reduced pressure by discharging to the atmosphere, thereby
providing an air gap in the device. To
be approved by the Authority or its designated agents, the device must be
readily accessible for maintenance and testing and installed in a location where
no part of the device will be subject to outside flooding.
The device shall be used on service connections, which may be subject to
backflow and where there is a possibility of contamination that constitutes an
actual or potential health hazard.
1.34 RULES: These
Rules Governing Water and Sewer Service, as adopted by the Authority, together
with Appendices and Exhibits hereto, as they may be amended or supplemented from
time to time.
1.35
SANITARY SEWAGE:
Shall mean the normal water-carried household and toilet wastes from any
Improved Property.
1.36 SERVICE: Provision
of water and/or sewer service to or from a Premises.
1.38
SERVICE LINE CONNECTIONS: (Authority Service Line)
The pipe, valves and other facilities by means of which the Authority
conducts water from its distribution mains to the curb stop to be located at the
curb line or property line of the Premises, and specifically includes the
corporation stop or other means of connection to the main, the service line
connected to the corporation stop and extending to the point of connection to
the curb stop, the curb stop, the service box and such other facilities.
1.39 SERVICE LINE EXTENSIONS: (Customer Service Line) The pipe, valves and other facilities
by means of which water is conducted from the curb stop to the Premises, and
specifically includes the service line extending from a point of connection to
the curb stop to a point inside the walls of the Premises or meter box, where
approved, a stop cock or compression valve and backflow preventer on the line at
this point, connections for the inlet and outlet sides of the meter, a stop and
waste cock on the outlet side of the meter and such other facilities.
1.40
SEWER: Shall mean
any pipe, main or conduit constituting a part of the Sewer System and used or
usable for collection and transportation of Sanitary Sewage and Industrial
Wastes.
1.41 SEWER SYSTEM:
Shall mean all facilities and property owned by the Authority, as of any
particular time, including but not limited to facilities for collecting,
pumping, conveying and treating Sanitary Sewage and Industrial Wastes.
1.42
STANDARD CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS: Shall mean the current standard construction and material
specifications for both water and sanitary sewer extensions of the Authority and
duly approved by resolution of the Authority.
1.43
TEMPORARY SERVICE:
A service for circuses, bazaars, fairs, construction work, irrigation of
vacant property, trailers or trailer camps and similar uses that because of
their nature will not be used steadily or permanently.
1.44
TENANT: The work
“Tenant”, whenever the same appears herein, is anyone other than the owner
occupying the Premises and obtaining water from the mains of the Authority.
2.1 GENERAL: The
Authority will furnish water and sewer service only in accordance with these
Rules as they may be amended from time to time.
These Rules are hereto made and are a part of every application;
contract; agreement or license entered into between the Owner or Customer and
the Authority. These Rules are
applicable alike to all service districts of the Authority.
The Authority hereby reserves the right, so often as it may deem
necessary, to alter, amend, and/or repeal the Rates and/or these Rules, or any
part, and in whole or in part to substitute new Rates, Rules, which when altered
and amended shall forthwith, without notice become and thereafter be a part of
every such application, contract, agreement or license for water service in
effect at the time of such alteration, amendment and/or adoption.
2.2
SERVICE CONDITIONS - GENERAL: Before water or sewer service will be provided by the
Authority, the applicant for service shall be in compliance with all of the
terms of these Rules, and the applicant shall have paid any applicable
connection fees, customer facilities fees and tapping fees, as referenced
herein, and shall have paid any other fees and charges due to the Authority.
2.3
METERED WATER SERVICE:
a.
General Rule. Each Premise shall be served through a separate service line
connection, a separate service extension line and through a separate meter.
b.
Waiver by Board.
The Board of the Authority may, in its sole discretion, permit multiple
services to be provided through a single meter.
Provided, however, that every such request shall be made in writing and
approved by the Authority before such service is installed.
c.
Multiple Premises - One Meter.
In situations pre-dating these Rules, or under subparagraph b. above
where water service to separate buildings (or separate Premises within a
building) owned by the same party, whether on the same or separate lots and
occupied by separate tenants, is supplied through one meter, each separate
building (or Premises) so supplied shall be subject to the same charge as would
be applied if separate appropriately sized service connections had been made.
The Authority shall determine the appropriate size of such connections,
along with meter sizes, and its determination shall be conclusive. Charges for service where more than one Premises are billed
through one meter shall be billed to the owner only (not to tenants).
2.4
DUTY TO NOTIFY AUTHORITY OF CHANGES IN “PREMISES”:
The Customer or Customers shall notify the Authority promptly relative to
any changes in the number of Premises, the number at any time being subject to
determination by the Authority.
2.5 BILLING TENANTS:
Should the owner desire that the Authority conduct business directly with
the tenant of each Premises, he must first provide means of controlling the
supply and housing of the meter or meters for each Premises and/or provide means
of billing and collecting the water charges therefore.
The property owner shall be secondarily liable on all tenant billings
according to the terms of Act 217 of 1990, 53 P.S.
306B (h.1) and 306b (h.2).
2.6
DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE:
a.
By Customer: Any Customer may terminate his service contract with the
Authority and have his water service discontinued upon giving notice thereof to
the Authority, and upon the lapse of a reasonable time thereafter to permit the
Authority to take final meter readings and attend to other details in connection
with such discontinuance of service. The Customer shall remain liable for water furnished to the
Premises described in his application until the Authority has received notice
from him and the termination of service has taken effect as stated above.
Discontinuance of service by the Authority for nonpayment of a bill or
violation of these rules shall not cancel the application for service nor
constitute a waiver of this rule.
b.
By Authority: Service may be discontinued by the Authority for any of the
following reasons:
i. For non-payment
in accordance with paragraphs 14.4 and 14.5 hereof;
ii.
For misrepresentation in the application;
iii. For the use of
water for or in connection with, or for the benefit of, any other Premises or
purposes than those described in the application.
iv. For willful waste of water through improper or imperfect pipes, fixtures or otherwise.
v. For failure to
maintain in good order the service lines and fixtures owned by the customer or
leased by him.
vi. For tampering
with or in any other way interfering with any service pipe, meter, meter box,
curb stop, curb box or with any seal on any meter or other fixtures and
appliances of the Authority.
vii. In case of continued vacancy of the Premises.
viii. For refusal of
reasonable access to the Premises for purposes of inspecting the piping,
fixtures and other water system appliances therein, or for installing, reading,
caring for, repairing or removing meters.
ix. For neglecting
or refusing to make or renew advance payments where required or for nonpayment
of water service, or for any other charge accruing under the application.
x. Where the
contract has been in any way terminated by the Customer.
xi. For making or
refusing to sever, upon notice, any cross connection between a pipe or fixture
carrying water furnished by the Authority and a pipe or fixture carrying water
from any other source, except an Acceptable Interconnection.
xii. For Premises
where the demand for water is greatly in excess of past average or seasonal use,
or where such excessive demands for water by the Premises are or may be
detrimental or injurious to, or in any way impair water service furnished to
other Customers.
xiii. For Premises
where apparatus, appliances or equipment using water is dangerous, unsafe and
not in conformity with any laws or ordinances.
xiv.
For fraud or abuse.
xv. For failure to
abide by the Rules, specifically regarding Cross-Connections and
Interconnections, as set forth in Section 15 hereof.
xvi. For violation
of these Rules in general, or other requirements governing water or sewer
service furnished by the Authority.
2.7
REINSTATEMENT OF SERVICE AFTER DISCONTINUANCE:
Service may be reinstated under a proper application when the conditions
under which such service was discontinued are corrected and upon the payment of
all proper charges or amounts provided in the schedule of rates or rules of the
Authority due from the applicant, including payment of any required deposit.
2.8
TURN-OFF WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION: The Customer shall not turn the water off at any corporation
stop or curb stop, or disconnect or remove the meter, or permit its
disconnection or removal without the consent of the Authority.
Breach of this provision shall subject the Customer to permanent
discontinuance of service.
2.9
SUSPENSION OF SERVICE DUE TO EMERGENCY: The Authority shall have the right as necessity may arise in
any case of breakdown, emergency or for any other unavoidable cause, to shut off
the water supply temporarily in order to make necessary repairs, connections,
and to do such other work. The
Authority will use all reasonable and practical measures to notify the Customer
of such discontinuance of service. In
such cases, the Authority shall not be liable for any damage or inconvenience
suffered by the Customer or any claim against it at any time for interruption in
service, lessening of the supply, inadequate pressure, poor quality of water or
for any other causes beyond its control; and such temporary shut-off of the
water supply shall not entitle the Customer to any abatement or deduction in or
from the water service charges, nor the refund of any portion of such service
charges paid in advance during or for the time of such shut-off.
When a supply of water is to be temporarily shut off, notice shall be
given, when practicable, to all Customers affected by the shutting off, stating
the probable duration of the interruption of service and also the purpose for
which the shut-off is made. Nothing in these Rules contained, however, shall be construed
as a guarantee, convenant or agreement of the Authority to give notice of any
shut-off due to emergencies or otherwise.
2.10 RESERVE SUPPLY: The
Authority shall have the right to reserve a sufficient supply of water at all
times in its storage facilities to provide for fire and other emergencies, or
may restrict or regulate the quantity of water used by Customers in case of
scarcity or whenever the public welfare may require it.
3.1 APPLICATION FOR WATER OR SEWER SERVICE: A written application, prepared on the form furnished by the
Authority, must be submitted to the Authority for the purpose of requesting
service; said application to be signed by the owner of the Premises or his duly
authorized agent, except that such application may be signed by a tenant,
1), In the case of a tenant signing then the application must be counter
signed by the landlord who upon signing guarantees the payment of all sums in
default by the tenant, and said application to be subject to the requirements
relative to deposits and fees as hereinafter set forth.
Where more than one Premise is served by a single meter, and where the
Authority specifically agrees to serve on that basis, the landlord shall be the
applicant for service. The Customer
and/or applicant must certify that no lead exists within the Premises.
3.2 INFORMATION ON APPLICATIONS: Each applicant for a water or sewer service line connection
and/or water service will be required to sign a form or forms, provided by the
Authority, giving such data as may be required by the Authority.
3.3 APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS: Applications are merely written requests for service line
connections and/or water or sewer service.
All applications are subject to approval of the Authority and are subject
to payment of all required fees and compliance with all regulations relative
thereto prior to commencement of the work or service requested therein.
3.4 APPLICATIONS, A CONTRACT:
The application for service shall be a binding contact on both the
Customer and the Authority upon approval by the Authority.
Rates for water and sewer service shall accrue from the date the water
and/or sewer service has been connected and water is available to the Premises.
3.5 CONTRACT WITH DELINQUENTS: No agreement will be entered into by the Authority with an
applicant for water or sewer service, whether owner or tenant until all arrears
for water or sewer, rents, bills for meter repairs or other charges due from
applicant at any Premises now or theretofore owned or occupied by him, shall
have been paid or until satisfactory arrangements for payment of such unpaid
bills shall have been made.
3.6
TERMS OF CONTRACT:
a.
All contracts covering metered water supply service shall continue in
force from month to month or quarter to quarter, subject to the billing period,
unless ten days written notice is given by either party of a desire to terminate
the contract. Excepting in the case
of delinquent accounts and those cases discussed in Section (b) of this
Paragraph when written notice as aforesaid, is given by the Customer of a desire
to terminate the contract and water is turned off at the curb at the end of any
month or quarter, subject to the billing period, no further charge for water
service will be made from the date of such turn-off until service is again
turned on.
b. Community swimming pools requesting service shall be billed on a basis of the actual period for which service is required.
3.7
SPECIAL CONTRACT:
The Authority may require, prior to approval of service, a special
contract other than application for service under the following conditions:
a.
If required by provision of the Rate Schedule, the duration of the
contract to be specified in the schedule.
b.
If the construction of an extension and/or other facilities is necessary.
c.
For providing temporary service, including water service for building or
other special purposes. Water for
building purposes shall be used only from a temporary connection approved by the
Authority, and shall not be permitted to flow into the house fixtures.
d.
For standby or fire protection service.
e.
For connections with other qualified utilities or municipal subdivisions.
f.
For extensions from the water supply system, whether or not such
facilities are to be conveyed to the Authority.
g. Where service is provided from a main, which does not abut the frontage of the property to be served.
h.
If deemed necessary by the Authority.
3.8
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS A PART OF CONTRACT:
All contracts for water services shall be subject to the following
provision:
The contract shall at all times be subject to such changes or modifications as may be directed by action of the Legislature of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or other regulatory body.
3.9
NEW APPLICATION UPON CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OR TENANCY OR CONDITIONS OF
WATER OR SEWER USE:
A new application must be submitted and approved by the Authority upon
any change in ownership of the property when the owner is the Customer, or in
any tenancy where the tenant is the Customer, or upon any change in the service
as described in the application; and the Authority shall have the right, upon
five days notice, to discontinue the water supply until such new application has
been made and approved.
In connection with a change in service, any Customer making any material
change in the size, character or extent of equipment or operations utilizing
water and sewer service, or whose change in operations results in an increase in
the use of water or sewer, shall immediately give the Authority written notice
of the nature of the change and, if necessary, amend their application.
In instances where conditions change such that water and/or sewer usage increases, the Customer shall be liable for an additional tapping fee computed in accordance with the resolutions of the Authority then in effect.
3.10 RENEWAL OF SERVICE FOLLOWING REPAIRS:
Water and sewer service will be renewed following repairs to a service
line connection or service line extension under a proper application when the
conditions under which such service was discontinued are corrected and upon the
payment of all charges provided in the Schedule of Rates and Rules of the
Authority due from the applicant.
3.11 CONDITION OF PLUMBING SYSTEM/AUTHORITY NOT LIABLE:
The piping and fixtures on the property of the Customer shall be in
satisfactory condition at the time service facilities (including meters) are
connected and water furnished or sewer service provided and at all times
thereafter. If piping is not
suitable for a meter connection, service will not be provided.
The Authority will not be liable in any case for any accidents, breaks or
leakage that in any way are due to the connection with the supply of water
(including leakage or plumbing problems arising at the time of work performed by
the Authority), or failure to supply the same, or for the freezing of piping and
fixtures of the Customer, nor for any damage to the property which may result
from the usage or non-usage of water supplied to the Premises.
4.1 GENERAL: The
following general conditions shall apply to deposits in connection with
applications for water service:
a.
Cash deposits are required from Customers taking service for a period of
less than thirty days, in an amount equal to the estimated gross bill for such
temporary period. Cash deposits may
be required with all applications for service and will be required in all cases
involving contracts with tenants and service to Customers in bankruptcy
proceedings, provided that in no instance will deposits be required in excess of
the estimated gross bill for any single billing period plus one additional
billing period, the maximum period not to exceed six (6) months with a minimum
deposit of $100.00 (residential) and $200.00 (commercial and industrial).
Deposits shall be required from all applicants who are indebted to the
Authority or who have impaired their credit with the Authority in any manner.
b. The deposit will not bear interest.
c.
Any Customer having a deposit will pay bills for water service as
rendered in accordance with the Rules of the Authority, and the deposit shall
not be considered as payment on account of a bill during the time the Customer
is receiving water service.
d.
Where the Customer may desire to discontinue service the Authority will
apply said deposit to the final bill once a notice to discontinue service has
been received, said notice to be rendered.
SECTION 5-SEWER SERVICE CONNECTIONS/PROCEDURE AND SPECIFICATIONS
5.1
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
No connection shall be made to the sewer system unless the manner in
which the connection is made and the materials and workmanship employed in
effecting such connection shall comply with the requirements of the Borough
plumbing codes and the Authority’s standard construction specifications.
It shall also be necessary for all connections to comply with any special
requirements imposed under Section 16 of these Rules.
5.2
LIABILITY FOR IMPROPER DISCHARGE: Any person who discharges or permits to be discharged any
material to the sewer system except through approved connections will be subject
to such charges as the Authority may establish and shall hold harmless and
indemnify the Authority from any costs and charges imposed by any governmental
agency with jurisdiction, in addition to being subject to any penal provisions
imposed by the Borough of Gettysburg, Straban Township, Cumberland Township or
PA DEP or the U.S. EPA.
5.3
SEPARATE CONNECTIONS:
Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5, each Connection Unit
shall be connected separately and independently with a Sewer through a Building
Sewer. Grouping of more than
one connection unit on one Building Sewer shall not be permitted except under
special circumstances and for good sanitary reasons or other good cause shown
and then only after special permission of the Authority, in writing, shall have
been secured and subject to such rules, regulations, and conditions as may be
prescribed by the Authority. Further,
in the event a single house connection is permitted to serve a double house or
condominium complex, it will be necessary for the property owners to sign an
agreement (which the Authority may record in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds) relieving the Authority of any responsibility or obligation caused by or
resulting from installation of a single house connection.
The agreement shall provide that any disagreement between the parties
concerning future maintenance of the common sewer will be sufficient cause for
the Authority to install additional connections to the sewer main to provide
individual service. The
installation of such separate Building Sewers and Service Laterals shall be made
at the expense of the property owners signing the agreement.
5.4
CONTRACTORS/PLUMBERS: All
contractors/plumbers and qualified individuals making connection to the sewer
system shall comply with all Federal, state and local requirements.
5.5
INSPECTION REQUIRED:
No connection shall be made to the sewer system or the pipe trench
covered or trench backfilled unless and until the Building Sewer installation
has been inspected and approved by the Gettysburg Municipal Authority’s
representative.
5.6 WATER CONTAMINATED BY USE: All water contaminated by use must be discharged into the sewer including water from sinks and washing machines. Conversely, the discharge of roof, storm, surface, or building foundation water or drainage is expressly prohibited. Floor drains in basements subject to groundwater infiltration or flooding must be removed or permanently and thoroughly sealed.
5.7
OWNER RESPONSIBLE FOR COSTS: All costs and expenses for the construction of a Building
Sewer, including testing, shall be borne by the Owner of the Improved Property
to be connected; and such Owner shall indemnify and save harmless the Authority
from all loss or damage which may be occasioned, directly or indirectly, as a
result of construction of a Building Sewer.
If required for service to an Improved Property, the Building Sewer shall
be constructed by the Authority, at the expense of the property Owner.
5.8
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Whenever, in the opinion of the Engineer or other duly authorized
representative of the Authority, special conditions require additional
safeguards or more stringent specifications to be observed, then, and in that
event notwithstanding any other provisions of the Rules or requirements of the
Township’s Plumbing Code, the Authority specifically reserves the right to
refuse to permit a connection to be made to its sewer system until such special
requirements or specifications as may be stipulated by the Authority or its
Engineer have been satisfied.
5.9
INSTALLATION OF SEWER INTERCEPTORS AND SEPARATORS:
a.
GENERAL: Harmful discharges to the sewer system are
Prohibited. Interceptors and/or separators shall be required to be installed as set forth below or wherever in the sole judgment of the Authority they are deemed necessary to protect the integrity and safety of the sewer system.
b.
GREASE INTERCEPTORS:
A grease interceptor shall be required to receive the grease-laden
drainage from plumbing fixtures and equipment located in the food preparation
areas of commercial and industrial establishments.
This includes, but not by way of limitation, facilities such as:
restaurants, motels, hotels, bars, cafeterias, schools, and meat processing
facilities.
c.
OIL INTERCEPTORS:
An oil interceptor shall be required to receive drainage from work areas
of commercial and industrial establishments where the possibility exists that
petroleum products could become mixed with wastewater.
This includes, but not by way of limitations, repair garages, gasoline
stations and factories.
d.
SPECIAL PURPOSE INTERCEPTORS: Interceptors shall be required at commercial and industrial
establishments where the nature of their operation is such that a substance
detrimental to the sewer system could enter the wastewater stream.
Sand or grit from car washes, string or rags from commercial laundries,
and animal parts from butcher shops are examples of facilities where special
purpose interceptors may be required.
e.
ACCESSIBILITY AND MAINTENANCE:
Each interceptor or separator shall be installed so as to be readily
accessible for service and maintenance. Interceptors
and separators shall be maintained by periodic removal of accumulated grease,
scum, oil, solids, etc. and by disposal of the material in a lawful manner.
f.
SPECIFICATIONS:
The style, type and location of each interceptor or separator shall be
approved by the Authority using the specifications of the latest edition of the
BOCA Basic National Plumbing Code as guidelines.
g.
INSPECTION AND RECORDS:
Authority personnel may make periodic inspections of these facilities and
associated records to assure proper installation, maintenance, and disposal
procedures are being practiced. Written
records, maintained by the property owner or facility management, shall be
required to document required maintenance and lawful disposal of all accumulated
material.
SECTION 6 WATER SERVICE CONNECTIONS/PROCEDURE AND SPECIFICATIONS
6.1
SERVICE LINE/CONNECTION TO MAIN: The Water Service Line Connection shall be installed from a
main line located in the front of the Premises.
However, the Authority reserves the right to approve service line
connections at locations other than in the front of the Premises when such is in
the best interests of the Authority. All
service line connections must be made to main lines, which abut the property for
which service is requested.
6.2
INSTALLATION OF SERVICE LINE CONNECTION TO MAIN:
The Authority will install and maintain all Water Service Line
connections, make all connections to the main lines, furnish, install and
maintain all service lines from the mains to and including the curb stop and
service box which will be placed inside the curb or property line, the said
service line connection to be the property of the Authority and to remain under
its control.
Only duly authorized employees or agents or contractors of the Authority
will be permitted to install a service line connection from the mains of the
Authority to the curb line.
The installation of all connections to Authority mains is subject to the
submission of a written application to the Authority, as previously set forth,
to such requests being reasonable, to approval thereof by the Authority, and to
the payment of such charges for the service line connection installation
(Connection Fee) as are in effect at the time of the application, said charges
to be payable in advance. Where the
governmental unit charges a fee for issuing a permit or permits for street or
road openings, or for any other reason in connection therewith, the total fee
will be charged to the applicant in addition to the other charges.
The Authority reserves the right to defer the installation of a service
line connection during inclement weather until such times as, in the judgment of
the Authority, conditions are suitable for an expeditious and economical
installation.
The Authority reserves the right to determine the size and the kind of
service line connections.
When meter boxes are located at the curb, the entire installation including box, cover, riser pipe and other appurtenances, except the meter, shall be installed by and at the expense of the Customer.
6.3
MAINTENANCE-SERVICE LINE CONNECTION TO MAIN: All Water Service Line connections originally furnished by
the Authority will be maintained by and at the cost of the Authority without
expense to the Customer for repairs, renewals or replacements.
When meter boxes are located at the curb, the riser pipes and connections
therein will be installed by and at the expense of the Customer, and no Customer
or workman shall alter, change or in any way tamper with the meter box, meter,
or piping and connections therein without authorization from the Authority.
Prior to a Customer construction new concrete sidewalks, making changes
in grade or other changes in sidewalk construction, the Customer shall notify
the Authority, in order that the Authority may relocate the curb box at the
proper grade. Meter box height
shall be adjusted by the Customer. If
such notice is not given and the box or boxes are covered or concreted over,
thereby necessitating additional expense to the Authority for finding and
relocating the same, the Customer shall be billed for such additional expense
and the Authority will, under no circumstances, be responsible for damages to
the sidewalk.
In cases where services are frozen, the Authority will, at its own expense, thaw out the service line connection to the curb stop. The thawing out of the service line from the curb stop to the Premises shall be done by the Customer at his own expense. To avoid a recurrence of freezing, the Authority will make an examination of Customer’s service pipe and if the same is not at a depth of three feet or as required, the Authority shall have the right to require it to be relocated before service is resumed.
6.4
RENEWAL OF SERVICE LINE: MAIN
TO CURB-Where renewal of service line connecting from the street
main to the curb is found necessary, the Authority will renew said service in
the same location as the old one. If
the property owner or Customer, for his own convenience, desires the new service
line connection at some other location and agrees to pay all expenses of such
relocation in excess of the cost of laying the service line connection in the
same location as the old one and cutting off and disconnecting the old service
line connection, the Authority will lay the new service line connection at the
location desired.
6.5
CHANGE IN LOCATION OF SERVICE LINE:
MAIN TO CURB-The Customer shall pay for the cost
of relocation of all service line connections made at his request or for his
convenience.
6.6
INSTALLATION - WATER SERVICE LINE EXTENSION:
The service line extension, that is, the service line extending from the
curb stop to the Premises, and all required appurtenances, shall be installed by
and at the expense of the Customer. The
installation shall be in accordance with the following requirements:
a.
General - The portion of the service line extension installed by the
Customer shall be not less in size and quality than the service line in the
street laid by the Authority, and shall be laid not less than three feet below
the surface, and shall not be covered until the tap on the Main is made and
service line extension tested. If
any defects in workmanship are found the services shall not be turned on until
such defects are remedied. All
plumbing connections should be able to withstand a pressure of at least 150
pounds per square inch. The
installation shall include a connection of the service line to the curb stop,
extension of the service line from the curb stop to a point within the building
wall or facilities housing the meter, the installation of a wheel handle round
way stop cock or compression valve, the same size as the service line, on the
street side and immediately before the meter, and a stop, waste cock and
backflow preventer on the outlet side of the meter.
All facilities inside the building shall be located so as to be readily
accessible, (no crawl space installation), protected from freezing and shall
provide proper drainage for the piping in the building, the installation to
include also such facilities as are hereinafter set forth.
The installation shall be made by skilled and qualified workmen.
The Contractor for the Customer shall notify the Authority when the
service line extension will be installed, in order to permit the Authority to
schedule its work and install the service line connection.
The service line extension shall be laid in a straight line between the
curb stop and the Premises unless otherwise approved in writing by the
Authority.
6.7
MAINTENANCE - WATER SERVICE LINE EXTENSION:
All service line extensions, service lines and fixtures installed by the
Customer shall be maintained by him in satisfactory condition; and all valves,
meters and appurtenances furnished and owned by the Authority and on the
property of the Customer, if any, shall be protected properly and cared for by
said Customer. When repairs, renewals or replacements or other necessary
work are required on the aforesaid facilities of the Customer, the Customer
shall employ, without delay, competent tradesmen to do the work.
All said work shall be done at the expense of the Customer.
All leaks in the service or any other pipe or fixture or in or upon the
Premises supplied must be repaired immediately by the owner or occupant of the
Premises, under penalty of discontinuance of service by the Authority.
The Authority shall in no event be responsible for maintaining any
portion of the service line extension or service line facilities owned by the
Customer, or for damage done by water escaping therefrom, or from lines or
fixtures on Customer’s property; and the Customer shall at all times comply
with municipal regulations with reference thereto and make changes therein
required on account of change of grade, relocation of mains or otherwise.
6.8
LENGTH OF SERVICE LINE: The Authority will exercise the right, in cases where the
length of the service line extension exceeds 100 feet and in all other cases
where deemed advisable, to require the Customer to furnish, at his expense, an
approved meter pit provided with a suitable cover and constructed in accordance
with a plan furnished by the Authority, said meter pit to be constructed at the
property or curb line and to be used for the housing of the meter required for
the service of the Premises.
6.9
PENALTY FOR PLACING OBSTRUCTIONS OVER, IN OR AROUND CURB BOXES:
If
obstructions are placed over, in or around curb boxes in such manner as to
prevent normal operation of the curb stop or to result in damage to the curb
box, curb stop or service line extension, the Authority will shut the water off
at the curb stop and plug the curb box or disconnect the service line or turn
the water off at the corporation stop or ferrule, as it may deem necessary.
Before service will be renewed, the Customer shall pay to the Authority
the expenses incurred in shutting water off and in turning it on again,
including the cost of necessary trenching and backfilling, or cutting and
replacing pavement, sidewalk or curbing, or any municipal permit or permits for
opening the pavement, and also shall settle any unpaid bill for water or other
service and make a satisfactory deposit to ensure the payment of future water
bills; the minimum charge to be as is currently in effect.
6.10
ONE SERVICE CONNECTION FOR EACH CUSTOMER:
A service line will be used to supply a single Customer only, and no
Premises shall have more than one service line connection/extension except where
impossible or impracticable to furnish an adequate water supply service thereto
through one service connection; in which event, the Authority may agree to the
installation and use of more than one such connection, with billing to be in
accordance with paragraph 2.3b above.
6.11
SINGLE SERVICE LINE WITH TWO OR MORE CUSTOMERS:
Where two or more customers are supplied through a single service line
connection/extension, any violation of the Rules of the Authority by either or
any of said Customers shall be deemed to be a violation as to all; and unless
said violation is corrected after reasonable notice, the Authority may take such
action as can be taken for a single Customer, except that such action shall not
be taken until the innocent Customer who has not violated the Authority’s
Rules has been given a responsible opportunity to provide a separately
controlled service line connection/extension.
6.12
OTHER SERVICE LINE EXTENSION REQUIREMENTS:
The Authority reserves the right to require any owner to install on or in
conjunction with his service line extension, such valves, stop cocks, check
valves, relief valves, pressure regulator, air chamber, tank, float valve,
backflow preventer or other apparatus of approved design, when and where, in its
opinion, the conditions may require it for the safeguarding and protection of
the Authority’s property or the water supply.
Should the use of water through a service line connection/extension
become excessive during period of peak use, and cause a substantial decrease in
pressure in the distribution system of the Authority to the extent that normal
water service to the other Customers is impaired, the Authority exercises the
right to require the installation of properly designed and adequate storage and
other required facilities on the system of the Premises involved.
The said facilities shall include all piping, valves, fittings, storage
structures, pumps, automatic controls and such other appurtenances as are
required to permit the storage of water and delivery therefrom during periods of
peak water use on the Premises, and thereby avoid a direct use from the system
of the Authority during such periods. The
basic design of such systems shall be subject to approval by the Authority.
When steam boilers take a supply of water directly from the service pipe,
depending upon the hydraulic or hydrostatic pressure in the pipe system of the
Authority for their supply under working pressure, it will be at the risk of the
parties making such attachments, as the Authority will not be responsible for
any accidents or damages to which such devices are frequently subject.
House boilers for domestic use must in all cases be provided with vacuum
valves to prevent collapsing when water is shut off from the distributing pipes.
The Authority will in no case be responsible for accidents or damages
resulting from failure to observe this rule or due to conditions in the
distributing pipes, or from the imperfect action of any such valves, or due to
such other causes.
6.13 USE OF CURB STOPS: Curb stops at the curb line shall not be used by the Customer for turning on or shutting off the water supply. The control of the water supply by the Customer shall be by means of a separate stopcock located, in general, just inside the building wall. Curb stops are for the exclusive use of the Authority.
7.1
GENERAL: The
extension of water and sewer mains to and from, or connected to, the utility
system of the Authority shall be in accordance with the following Rules and Act
203, as it amends the Municipality Authorities Act, 53, P. S. 301, ET seq. All
extensions shall be connected to main water and sewer lines owned by the
Authority, and shall be dedicated to and become property of the Authority after
inspection and acceptance by the Authority.
7.2
WHEN EXTENSION IS REQUIRED: A Main extension shall be required by the Authority in all or
any one of the following instances:
a.
For the furnishing of Service to an individual Premises whose property
line does not abut a Main water and/or sewer line installed in a public or
private right-of-way and owned by the Authority.
b.
For the furnishing of Service to a group of individual Premises whose
property lines do not abut Main water and/or sewer lines installed in a public
or private right-of-way and owned by the Authority.
c.
For the furnishing of Service to a group of Premises located within the
limits of a recorded plan of lots where the developer of the plan is desirous of
obtaining Service for the lots.
d.
For the furnishing of public or private fire service to a municipality or
a private individual, firm or corporation or others requesting such service
where no Authority-owned Mains are installed in public rights of way, or where
existing Authority-owned lines are not capable of producing the requested fire
flows.
e.
For the furnishing of a requested quantity of water service for a
Premises or group of Premises which is beyond the capability of the existing
Authority system in the area where service is required.
f. Such other similar instances.
7.3
MINIMUM LENGTH OF WATER MAIN EXTENSION:
The extension of a Main shall include the entire quantity of pipeline and
appurtenant facilities required to conduct the supply of water from the existing
distribution system of the Authority to a minimum of the midway point of the
frontage of the last property for which the owner has requested water service.
All developers shall extend water Mains for the entire length of any
roads or cartways, as those roads or cartways are shown on the approved
subdivision plans, from the point of connection to the existing Authority water
Main to the terminus of such roads or cartways at the property line of the
developer, or to the end of any cul-de-sac.
The Authority may waive this provision regarding spur roads in whole or
in part, but only by Board action taken at a regular or specially convened
meeting of the Authority.
Where an individual Premises for which Service is requested is situated on land having extensive frontage on the public right-of-way beyond the Premises, the limit of the required extension shall be based on the minimum frontage required for a buildable lot as set forth in the zoning code of the municipality in which the property is located.
7.4
MINIMUM LENGTH OF SEWER MAIN EXTENSION/PUMPING STATIONS:
The
extension of a sewer main shall include the entire quantity of pipeline and
appurtenant facilities required to conduct the flow of sewage from the Premises
constructed or to be constructed to the existing sewer collection system of the
Authority. Sewer collection mains
in existing Authority rights-of-way shall extend, at a minimum, to the mid-way
point of the frontage of the last property for which the owner has requested
sewer service.
All developers shall extend sewer mains for the entire length of any
roads or cartways, as those roads or cartways are shown on the approved
subdivision plans, from the point of connection to the existing Authority main
or any main otherwise installed by the developer to the terminus of such roads
or cartways to the property line of the developer or to the end of any
cul-de-sac. The Authority may waive
this provision regarding spur roads in whole or in part, but only by Board
action taken at a regular or specially convened meeting of the Authority.
For an individual Premises for which sewage service is requested situated
on land having extensive frontage on the public right-of-way beyond the
Premises, the limit of the required extension shall be based on the minimum
frontage required for a buildable lot as set forth in the zoning code of the
municipality in which the property is located.
In the event that sewer main extensions within any subdivision shall
require pumping in order to allow for flow of sewage into the collection system
of the Authority, the developer shall be responsible for the planning,
construction and dedication to the Authority of such pumping station.
The plans of such pumping facilities shall be subject to the review
procedure set forth in paragraph 7.6 below.
Upon the satisfactory completion of such facilities, such pumping
facilities shall be offered for dedication in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 7. All costs
associated with the planning, construction and maintenance (for the required
18-month period) of such pumping facilities shall be the sole responsibility of
the applicant/developer.
7.5
APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION:
A written application must be submitted to the Authority for the purpose
of requesting approval of a Main extension and water service or sewer service
therefrom, said application to be accompanied by plans showing the proposed
location of said extensions and other pertinent conditions, said application to
be signed by the owner or owners, to be subject to the terms and conditions as
are hereinafter set forth and included herein, and to the execution of an
agreement, which application, together with Act 203 of the state of Pennsylvania
shall regulate and control the installation of water and/or sewer line
extensions and the furnishing of water service therefrom.
The applications shall be accompanied by accurate plans showing the
proposed location of the extensions, the layout of the streets and roads, the
layout of existing and proposed plans of lots, and other pertinent data, such
plans to be in sufficient detail to permit the Authority to review and approve
the plans.
Applicants for water and/or sewer line extensions shall be furnished a
preliminary estimate of extension cost. At
the time the agreement is executed, the applicant shall be required to deposit
one hundred percent of the preliminary estimate cost to cover all expenses
incurred by the Authority in installing the extension.
7.6
EXTENSION PROCEDURE:
Extensions of water or sewer lines will be performed by the Authority or
by the person or persons requesting the extension, as shall be agreed between
the parties. In either event, the
party requesting the Main extension shall be responsible for the payment of the
total cost.
Water and sewer line extensions required to serve residential,
commercial, and industrial or lot plan developments shall be designed by the
Authority or subject to Authority approval, and shall comply with the following
conditions:
a. Plans and specifications for extensions and additions to the water or sewer systems of the Authority which are prepared by persons other than the consulting engineer for the Authority must be prepared by qualified engineering firms. Such plans and specifications so prepared shall be signed and sealed by a responsible official of the engineering firm and submitted for approval of the Authority. No construction of any water or sewer main intended to be connected to the systems of the Authority shall be undertaken until such plans and specifications are approved and until a permit is issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, when approvals and permits are required.
b.
All extensions shall be located on dedicated streets or on rights- of-way
dedicated for public use. Where
required rights-of-way are not recorded, the Authority shall be provided with a
written right-of-way suitable for recording.
Rights-of-way shall be a minimum width of 30 feet and to the extent
possible the right-of-way shall be uniform in shape, and parallel to property
lines with the water and/or sewer line placed in the middle area of the
right-of-way. The entire
post-construction right-of-way shall be accessible for maintenance.
The right-of-way document shall be accompanied by individual legal
descriptions and plots for each lot on which the right-of-way is located, as
well as an overall right-of-way location plan for the entire project.
Such descriptions and plots shall be in form acceptable to the Authority.
c.
All extensions shall be designed in such manner as will permit future
extensions thereof with rights-of-way dedicated therefor whenever applicable.
d.
All water lines and sewer lines shall be constructed in complete
accordance with the Authority’s standards and specifications, and in
accordance with applicable federal, state and local statutes, ordinances and
regulations.
e.
The owner shall post with the Authority under written agreement, an
amount sufficient to pay for the Main extension.
If the Authority is to perform the work, the Authority shall, pursuant to
State statute; bid said work in the name of the Authority and awards the
contract for installation to the lowest responsible bidder.
The Authority reserves the right to require evidence by same of any prior
experience in work of a similar nature. Upon
receipts of bids, the owner shall have the right to reject all bids.
The Authority does not warrant nor guaranty its cost estimates and the
owner is responsible for all actual costs regarding Main extensions.
f.
The Contractor shall be required to provide the Authority with
performance and payment bonds in the full amount of the work construction cost.
g.
The Contractor shall provide the Authority with certificates of insurance
in the amounts specified by the Authority.
h.
All work shall be inspected on a full-time basis by the Authority’s
representative, the owner to be responsible for the payment of all inspection
costs.
i.
The owner shall be responsible for all Authority costs incurred in
connecting to existing Authority facilities.
j.
Prior to acceptance of completed facilities, the Contractor shall furnish
the Authority with a twelve-month maintenance bond in the full amount of the
completed work.
7.7
DEDICATION: If after
completion of any Main installed by a person or a contracting firm other than
the Authority, and if an acceptable offer of dedication is not received
immediately upon completion of the work, at the Authority’s option, the
Authority may withhold water or sewer service, or the Authority may discontinue
any service improperly instituted by the developer, or the Authority may require
the installation of a master meter at the point of connection to the
Authority’s main, and the installation of all appropriate valving and other
appurtenances necessary in order that all water used in the development may be
accurately metered at such master meter, with all costs thereof to be borne by
the developer/customer.
7.8
RESPONSIBILITY FOR COST:
The entire cost of the requested water and/or sewer Main extension,
including fire hydrants and other appurtenances shall be borne by the person or
persons requesting or requiring the extension, the Authority to be subject to no
cost. The Authority will be subject
to payment of such refunds as are agreed in writing.
The cost of a water and sewer Main extension or installation shall
include the following as applicable:
a.
The cost of all designs and/or plan review.
b.
The cost of pipe of at least eight (8) inch diameter. The minimum size
shall be eight (8) inches in all locations where the line will service as a main
line and/or is necessary for proper future expansion and development of the
system, except a minimum size of twelve (12) inches shall be provided in high
density residential, commercial, industrial and institutional areas.
At the Authority’s option, the Authority may require the installation
of a main larger than eight (8) inches in low density residential areas.
If the Authority requires an installation of a main larger than eight (8)
inches, the Authority shall be responsible for the difference in material costs
only between an eight (8) inch main and the main size required by the Authority.
c.
The cost of connections to the existing main lines, including all costs
incurred by the Authority.
d.
The cost of all valves, valve boxes, fittings, fire hydrants and all
related work, including the testing of the extension.
e.
The cost of all lands and rights of way.
f.
The cost of all inspection.
g.
The cost of all governmental permits and inspection.
h.
All legal and administrative and overhead costs.
7.9
PAYMENT OF COSTS:
The owner shall deposit with the Authority, prior to the execution of any
work, a sum of money sufficient to pay all the estimated costs of the extension,
including engineering, legal and administrative costs, as determined by the
Authority in its reasonable discretion, the deposit to be made upon the
execution of an agreement between the Authority and the owner.
In lieu of deposit in cash with the Authority, the owner/applicant may
deliver to the Authority a letter of credit in form and amount satisfactory to
the Authority and providing that the Authority may draw upon such letter of
credit at any time if Authority determines that owner/developer has failed to
comply with any term or condition of its agreement for extension of the water
and/or sewer mains of the Authority.
7.10
AGREEMENT: The owner
shall enter into an agreement with the Authority, prior to the execution of any
work, the agreement to contain such pertinent conditions as the following:
a.
The cost of all work to be borne by the owner.
b.
The materials and workmanship to be in accordance with the Specifications
of the Authority.
c.
The highway, streets, alleys and lanes in which the extension is to be
located must be dedicated to public use, the lines and grades thereof
established and the rough grading completed.
Where a line is located in a private right-of-way, said right-of-way
shall be dedicated to the Authority for its use and benefit, in a form
acceptable to the Authority.
d.
The ownership title to all installations shall be conveyed to and vested
in the Authority.
e.
The owner shall be responsible for maintenance of any water or sewer main
extensions for a period of 12 months following acceptance and dedication of such
improvements by the Authority. The
owner shall be responsible for maintaining cash security, on deposit with the
Authority or under a letter of credit acceptable in form and substance to the
Authority of an amount equal to 15% of the construction costs as security for
owner’s maintenance responsibilities for such 12-month period.
f.
The Authority to have the right to make further extensions beyond or
laterally from the extensions, such extensions not to be considered as
connections subject to any refund.
g.
The payment of refunds to the applicant for additional new Customers
connected directly to the extension to be subject to such conditions as set
forth in the Agreement, and to limiting number of years for the payment of
refunds. No refunds are to be made
unless the distribution or collection part of the tapping fee is received from
other consumers for the privilege of obtaining direct service from the
extension, through a service line connection or sewer lateral.
h.
Such other related requirements.
7.11
INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS:
All water and sewer lines shall be installed in accordance with the
detailed specifications of the Authority, some of the pertinent requirements
being as follows:
a.
The pipe shall be in accordance with the applicable specifications of the
American National Standards Institute and of the class required for the pressure
conditions in the area and the installation conditions required.
b.
The valves shall be in accordance with the Authority Specifications and
of the same manufacture as the majority of the valves on the remainder of the
comprehensive system, unless otherwise approved.
c.
The fire hydrants shall be in accordance with the Authority
Specifications.
d.
All water lines shall be laid with a minimum depth of cover of four (4)
feet, properly bedded, backfilled, blocked, subjected to a hydrostatic test for
leakage and subject to such other requirements.
e.
All connections to existing mains shall be completed by the Authority at
the cost of the applicant.
f. All extensions shall be subjected to a hydrostatic test of 150 p.s.i. or 1.5x normal operating pressure, whichever is greater and shall be disinfected in accordance with industry standards.
8.1
RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTENANCE/GENERAL: The maintenance of Building Sewers from building to Authority
Main shall be the obligation of the property owner or customer.
Further, in the event the Authority determines that the property owner or
customer was responsible for causing blockage in an area which would ordinarily
be the responsibility of the Authority by placing inappropriate material into
the Building Sewer, the Authority reserves the right to require reimbursement
from the Customer.
8.2
BLOCKAGE/ROOTS: In the
event that tree roots are found to be the cause of a blockage and the property
owner refuses to remove the offending tree when it is within his legal authority
to do so, the property owner shall be solely responsible for all future
maintenance of the sewer service to his property.
8.3
REPLACEMENT OF BUILDING SEWER: In the event it become necessary to replace a Building Sewer
the property owner or customer shall notify the Authority and such a replacement
shall be subject to the specifications and inspection provisions of Section 5 of
these Rules. The Owner/Customer
shall be responsible for all costs of replacement of the Building Sewer.
9.1
GENERAL: All
meters, unless otherwise indicated, will be furnished and installed by the
Authority, subject to the fees (Customer Facilities Fee) currently in effect,
and will remain the property of the Authority and be accessible to and subject
to its control and maintenance. Meters
of the Fire Type will not be installed for General Service. A meter will be required for each Premise and for each
separate service line connection/extension supplying a Premises except as
otherwise provided herein.
9.2
SIZE OF METER:
The Authority reserves the right in all cases to stipulate the size and
type of the meter to be installed on each service line and to require the
installation of a larger size meter in any case where the peak use of water
places any meter under undue or unusual strain and/or exceed the recommended
meter capacity, and reserves the right to charge the Customer Facilities Fee
currently in effect for the larger meters.
9.3
LOCATIONS: The
location for the meter and/or remote reading equipment shall be subject to the
approval of the Authority, shall be at a convenient and accessible point, shall
permit control of the entire supply and shall allow proper protection of the
meter from freezing or other harm. Meters
are not allowed in crawl spaces.
No fixture shall be attached to, or any branch made in, the service pipe
between the meter and the street main.
9.4
METER PITS:
In cases where it is not practical to place the meter within a building,
or if Authority in its sole discretion believes it to be in its best interests,
the Authority may require the property owner to furnish, inside the property
line, an approved meter pit with a suitable cover, such installations to be made
in accordance with a plan furnished or approved by the Authority.
The design of the meter pit shall permit adequate access to the meter and
its ready installation or removal.
9.5
INSTALLATION OF METER:
All piping fittings, valves, check valves, gauges, bolts, nuts, meter pit
structures, manholes or other accessories or materials, and the labor for
installing the same, used in connection with meter settings within the property
line of the Premises, shall be at the expense of the applicant.
The Customer shall employ for this work the services of skilled
tradesmen, who shall cooperate with the Authority and install all the piping and
appurtenances in accordance with the dimensions and requirements for each
specific case, so that the meter or meters can be properly installed and
connected by the Authority.
The Customer shall furnish and install on the service line a valve on the
street side immediately before the meter and a valve on the outlet side
immediately after the meter. A
suitable backflow preventer check valve shall be furnished and installed by the
Customer at a point beyond the service side of the discharge valve, and as
provided in Section 15.6 of these Rules.
Under certain conditions where there is a demand or necessity for uninterrupted water service in order to eliminate inconvenience to both the Customer and the Authority when repairs to or replacement of the meter is necessary, the Authority may, at its option, require the installation of a battery of two or more meters on the one service line, with a combined capacity approximately equal to the capacity of the single meter requested. Such installations shall be properly valved to control or cut any single meter out of service and permit its removal without interruption of service through the remaining meter or meters.
9.6
MAINTENANCE, CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE:
The Authority will maintain all meters at its expense, except that the
Customer is liable and responsible for all damage to all meters while on his
Premises, and for the condition of internal plumbing under paragraph 3.11 above.
In the event of damage to or failure of the meter, the Customer shall
promptly notify the Authority. The
Authority will furnish and set another meter to replace the one frozen or
damaged. The cost of the repairs,
including replaced parts, labor and transportation charges, as well as the cost
of testing and costs for reinstallation or changing of the meter shall be billed
to the Customer if the replacement was necessitated by damage caused by the
Customer.
9.7
METER TESTS:
Should the Customer or the Authority at any time doubt the accuracy or
correctness of the meter measuring water delivered to the Customer’s Premises,
the Authority will, upon a written request of the Customer make a test of the
accuracy of the meter. If the meter
so tested shall be found to be accurate within industry standards, the actual
cost of the test shall be paid to the Authority by the Customer requesting such
test. If the meter is found to be
defective, the cost of the test shall be borne by the Authority.
When making such request, the Customer agrees to these terms, and must
pay the test charge in advance if required by the Authority.
A report of each test shall be made to the Customer.
In the event the meter so tested is found to have an error in
registration in accordance with industry standards, the cost of the test will be
borne by the Authority and any fee paid by the Customer in advance will be
refunded. The bill, based on the
last reading of such meter or meters, shall be corrected accordingly.
This correction shall apply both for over and under registration for a
period not to exceed two billing periods.
The Authority reserves the right to remove and test any meter at any time
at its own expense and, if such meter is found to be inaccurate, to substitute
another meter of the same size in its place, either permanently or temporarily.
9.8
CHANGE OF LOCATION OF METERS: The Customer shall pay for the cost of relocation of all
meters made at his request or for his convenience.
9.9
SEALS: No seal
placed by the Authority for the protection of any meter, valve, fitting or other
water connection shall be tampered with or defaced.
It shall not be broken except upon authorization from the Authority or in
the presence of an Authority representative. Where the seal is broken, the Authority reserves the right to
remove the meter for test at the expense of the Customer, even though said meter
registers accurately.
9.10
LEAKS: Customers
are urged to give careful attention to their plumbing and fixtures and make
immediate correction of all leaks. No
allowance will be made by the Authority for water used, lost, stolen or
otherwise wasted through the water meter. Consideration
may be given for a one time sewer charge adjustment for underground leaks, but
the cost of service for any future leaks must be borne by the Customer.
9.11
READING AND REGISTRATION OF METERS: Conditions permitting, readings of meters shall be taken
monthly or quarterly, at the option of the Authority.
The quantity recorded by the meter shall be taken to be the amount of
water passing through the meter, which amount will be conclusive on both the
Customer and the Authority, except when the meter has been found to be
registering inaccurately or has ceased to register. In such cases, and in cases where a meter reading cannot be
made for any reason, billing shall be made on estimated consumption based on
prior usage.
9.12
ACCESS TO METERS:
The Authority at all reasonable times shall have access to a Customer’s
Premises and to meters, service connections and other property owned by it on
Customer’s Premises, for the purpose of meter installation, maintenance,
operation and reading. The failure
to permit reasonable access shall be sufficient cause for discontinuance of
service.
9.13
NOTIFICATION RELATIVE TO CONDITION OF METER:
The Customer shall notify the Authority of damage to or of the
malfunction of the meter, or of the breaking of the seal wire, as soon as the
Customer is aware of such a condition.
9.14
MINIMUM CHARGE:
Every meter is installed subject to a fixed minimum monthly or quarterly
charge in accordance with the rates thereof, for which certain quantities of
water will be allowed without additional charge; and where more than one
Premises is furnished service through one meter, the same fixed minimum monthly
or quarterly charges shall apply for each and every Premises.
Such minimum shall be nonabatable for a nonuser of water.
In the case of fractional bills covering less than a month or a quarter,
monthly minimum charges and allowances shall be prorated.
10.1
APPROVAL REQUIRED:
No person shall install, construct, drill or excavate to facilitate the
construction or installation of a ground source heat pump (“GSHB”) for use
as a heating and/or cooling system for a structure without first obtaining
written approval from the Authority for the GSHP system proposed. No person shall drill or excavate to repair or modify or to
facilitate the repair or modification of a GSHP system without first obtaining a
GSHP system approval from the Authority.
10.2
REGULATIONS FOR GSHP SYSTEMS: All GSHP systems installed and/or repaired or modified after
the effective date of this Section shall comply with all of the following
Authority specifications:
a.
All ground source heat pump systems shall be closed systems.
No open loop ground source heat pump systems shall be permitted.
b.
The installation specifications and drawings for the GSHP system shall be
submitted to and approved by the Authority as conforming to the International
Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) installation standards, as same may
be amended and updated from time to time and currently found in Appendix 1 of
the GSHP Manual of the DEP.
c.
The vertical GSHP well (or wells) installation shall be made only by a
Pennsylvania licensed well driller.
d.
All GSHP system wells shall be grouted from top to bottom after the
piping has been completed within the wells.
e.
Grout shall be mixed, pumped and placed in accordance with the procedures
recommended by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) in
its publication entitled “Grouting Procedures for Ground Source Heat Pump
Systems” (available from Ground Source Heat Pump Publications, Oklahoma
University, Stillwater, Oklahoma). Acceptable
grout materials are as follows:
i. Neat
cement (no more than six (6) gallons of water per ninety-four (94) pound bag of
cement).
ii. High
solids of clay bentonite grout (NOT BENTONITE GEL).
iii. A
material approved for use by the Authority’s consulting engineer or other
Authority representative.
f.
No GSHP system shall be located within one hundred (100) feet of any
existing drinking water wells or any planned drinking water wells.
g.
With respect to each GSHP well installation, the Pennsylvania licensed
well driller shall provide the Authority prior to activation of the GSHP system:
i.
Accurate written records and a written geologic log.
ii. Accurate
records with respect to grouting for each such well.
iii. “As-built”
plans and related documentation for each such system and provide well location
map.
iv. Written
documentation of the GSHP system testing and certification.
v.A written plan for the operation of the GSHP system (which meets specifications of the manufacturer of the
GSHP system equipment and is approved by the system
installer) which, among other matters, provide that:
aa. Any GSHP
system leaks or releases will be reported by the applicant (and subsequent
owners) to the Authority and the Township Police Department within twenty-four
(24) hours of the discovery of same, and the applicant (and subsequent owners)
covenants and agrees to take all appropriate action to minimize any fluid
releases to the ground and to promptly repair any system leaks
ab. In the
event of the proposed discontinuance of the use of the GSHP system, a system
closure plan will be prepared and submitted to the Authority for its approval.
h.
All GSHP systems in areas underlain by carbonate bedrock must be vertical
loop systems. Outside the carbonate
bedrock areas, either vertical or horizontal closed loop GSHP systems may be
used, subject, however, to the review and approval of the plans for same by the
Township.
i.
No GSHP system shall be connected in any way to any sewage disposal
system.
j.
The piping for GSHP systems must be made of polyethylene or polybutylene
or a material approved by the Authority.
k.
Only water, potassium acetate or propylene glycol may be used as the
circulating fluid for GSHP systems.
SECTION 11 - PUBLIC FIRE SERVICE
11.1
APPLICATION FOR FIRE HYDRANT AND LOCATION:
A written application prepared on the form furnished by the Authority
must be submitted by any municipality that is served water by the Authority, for
the purpose of requesting the installation of public fire hydrants, said
application to be signed by duly authorized officials of the municipality.
The application must be accompanied by a plan showing the proposed
location of each fire hydrant on the public highway or public property, showing
the line and grade of the highway or area and such other data.
The Authority will determine whether proper service can be furnished at
the fire hydrant under normal and ordinary conditions, subject to the size of
the existing street main, to the sizes of the lines in the surrounding
distribution system, to the available pressures and to such other factors.
The municipality will be advised relative thereto.
The entire cost of a fire hydrant installation shall be paid in
accordance with the agreement governing its installation.
A fire hydrant installation is intended to include a tee and other
fittings required in the main line, a branch 6-inch line with valve extending
from the tee placed in the main line to the fire hydrant, proper blocking of the
fire hydrant, the tee and other fittings, and such other work as is indicated on
the standard plans of the Authority relative to fire hydrant installations.
11.2
MAINTENANCE: All fire
hydrants will be inspected by the Authority at its own cost and expense,
provided that any expense for repairs caused by carelessness or negligence of
the employees of the particular municipality or the member of the fire
department thereof shall be paid for by the municipality.
11.3
HYDRANT USE:
Only persons with prior authorization from the Authority shall be
permitted to remove water from any public fire hydrant or hose plug, except for
fire fighting purposes or for use by fire departments in case of fire, in which
event prior approval shall not be required.
Specifically, no public fire hydrant shall be used for sprinkling
streets, flushing sewers or gutters or for any other purpose (except fire
fighting) without the approval and issuance of a permit by the Authority, said
permit being subject to revocation at any time. If a fire hydrant is used for a fire department, municipality
or other person for fire fighting purposes, such party or parties shall
thereafter immediately notify the main office of the Authority of such use, to
allow the Authority an opportunity to check the condition of the hydrant or
hydrants after such use.
Private individuals, developers or contractors desiring to use a fire
hydrant, for other than fire fighting purposes, must first make application to
the Authority. After application
has been made, if permission to use a fire hydrant is granted by the Authority,
the permitee will be required to pay a hydrant opening fee and shall be required
to pay for all water used based upon the fee water rates then in effect.
Use of a fire hydrant, upon appropriate application and permission, may
only be performed under the direct supervision of an authorized agent of the
Authority.
The use, or opening, of any fire hydrant for private usage without the authorization of the Authority is a summary offense as specified in 18 Pa. C.S.A. 3306.
11.4
CHANGE OF LOCATIONS:
Whenever a municipality or person or persons desires a change in the
location of any fire hydrant, the Authority, upon receiving written notice to do
so, will make such a change if determined feasible, at the expense of the
municipality or person or persons making the request, subject to the right of
the Authority to refuse such location because of size or main pressure,
condition of distribution system and other reasonable causes.
Authority reserves the right to require prepayment of all costs.
11.5
INSPECTION: Upon
request of the duly authorized officials of any municipality, the Authority will
make inspections at convenient times and at reasonable intervals to determine
the condition of the fire hydrants, such inspections to be made by a
representative of the Authority and a duly authorized representative of the
municipality.
12.1
APPLICATION FOR PRIVATE FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE:
A written application prepared on the form furnished by the Authority
must be submitted to the Authority for the purpose of requesting a special fire
connection for private fire protection service, such application to be signed by
the owner of the Premises or his duly authorized agent, said application to be
subject to such fees and terms and conditions as are hereinafter set forth and
included therein, and to the execution of a contract, which applications,
together with the Rules of the Authority, shall regulate and control the
furnishing of such services to such Premises, and said application to be
submitted at least two months before the service line is required.
The application shall be accompanied by accurate plans showing the
proposed fire protection system and appurtenances and showing any other water
supply system and appurtenances, which may exist on the Premises.
No fire protection facilities involving the use of Authority water shall
be installed at any time and no changes in or additions to said fire protection
facilities shall be made without prior approval by the Authority, said fire
protection facilities to include all pumping and/or mechanical means of taking
water from the Authority System, storage tanks and all such facilities.
All approvals will be subject to Section 13 Responsibility for Fire
Service and shall be subject to such restrictions and limitations as established
by the Authority.
12.2
APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS: The application does not bind the Authority to approve the
requested special connection. The
Authority will study each proposed installation to determine whether such a
connections is reasonable and practical, and whether such a connection will in
any way endanger the general water service in the vicinity; the Authority
reserving the right to refuse approval of an application relative thereto.
The Authority further reserves the right to make an approval subject to
the installation of adequate storage facilities and related appurtenances on the
Premises thereof, if found necessary in order to permit maintenance of adequate
water service to other Customers.
12.3
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
The final approval of an application and furnishing of private fire
protection service will be subject to the execution of a contract between the
responsible parties and the Authority, containing the following terms and
conditions and containing such other terms and conditions as are found
necessary:
a.
The Authority, by its representative, shall have the right to enter the
Premises of the applicant at any reasonable time for the purpose of making such
inspections as it may deem necessary, and it shall have the right to attach any
testing device or use any means which it may elect to ascertain the condition of
the pipe and appurtenances and uses made of same.
b.
The fire service line connection from the street main up to and including
the curb or valve box and control valve shall be installed at the expense of the
applicant and shall be maintained by the Authority; that all other pipe,
fixtures and appurtenances shall be installed in accordance with the
requirements set forth relative to service line and/or water main extensions and
maintained in good condition by and at the expense of the applicant.
In such instances where the service connection is approved to provide
fire protection service and other metered service, always being subject to a
design satisfactory to the Authority, the control valves on the fire service
line may be installed on the property of the Premises at approved locations.
c.
The Authority may require a metered detector check.
d.
The said control valve shall be under the control of the Authority,
except during the times of fire when it shall be under the control of the Chief
of the Fire Department of the municipality in which the Premises are located.
e.
All fixtures and openings (other than the controlling valves) shall be
kept closed and sealed and not opened or used except during times of fire.
Upon the extinquishment of each fire, the applicant shall immediately
notify the Authority so that said fixtures and openings can again be closed and
sealed.
f.
The applicant agrees the Authority shall not be considered in any manner
an insurer of property of persons, or to have undertaken to extinguish fire or
to protect any person or property against loss or damage by fire or otherwise.
g.
The applicant shall furnish, attach and make a part hereof an accurate
sketch showing the pipes, valves, hydrants, tank openings and appurtenances
contemplated in this application. Such
sketch must also show any other water supply system and pipelines and
appurtenances, which may exist, on the Premises. There shall be no connection between the private fire service
line and the Authority’s system.
h.
The rights and obligations of the applicant hereunder shall be further
subject at all times to the Rules of the Authority that now exist or which may
hereafter to be adopted.
i.
The applicant agrees to obtain in advance the approval of the Authority
for any change, alteration, addition or deduction contemplated in the fixtures,
openings and uses herein specified.
j.
Upon acceptance by the Authority and the completion of the fire service
connection herein contemplated, the application shall be in force as a contract
and shall continue as such until cancelled by notice, given by the applicant to
the Authority.
k. The Authority has the right to discontinue or disconnect said service pipe and terminate the application, for failure to pay any bill when due or for any violation of any of the terms and conditions of this application, or for any violation of its rules; and, in emergencies, also has the right, without notice, to shut off all or any part of its facilities and discontinue the service when deemed necessary by the Authority for the purpose of making any repairs, alterations, additions or to prevent possible contamination through cross-connected facilities of the applicant or to prevent negligent or willful waste of water through the facilities of the applicant.
12.4
METER REQUIREMENTS - PRIVATE FIRE SERVICE CONNECTIONS: Meters and
detector checks will be installed on connections providing service for fire
protection. The fire service shall
be subject to the rates established for Private Fire Service.
12.5
GENERAL CONDITIONS - PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANTS:
The private fire hydrant or fire hydrants installed on a separate fire
service main, subject to all the foregoing requirements, will be subject to
charges as set forth under the Rate Schedule.
When permission is granted by the Authority to a private party for a
private fire hydrant which is to be located in a public street or thoroughfare,
said hydrant, with service connection, will be installed at the expense of the
applicant.
When a hydrant is to be located within the yard of the Customer’s
Premises, the entire installation, from the street main to and including the
hydrant, shall be installed at the expense of the Customer.
Such connections, where allowed, are to be used solely for the extinguishment of fire and for no other purpose, except upon the written consent of the Authority.
12.6
COST OF FIRE SERVICE CONNECTION: All service connections for flat rate fire service, also
those for metered fire service, which are specified to be at the expense of the
Customer, shall be installed by the Authority and the Customer will be charged
with the exact cost of the labor and materials used in the work, with an
addition of a percentage fee to cover the cost of supervision, use of tools,
etc., plus such other applicable fees.
13.1
RESPONSIBILITY FOR SERVICE:
It is agreed by the parties receiving public fire service, private fire
service, or any other service, that the Authority does not assume any liability
for injury of persons or property and that the Authority does not guarantee any
special service, pressure, capacity or facility other than can be supplied by
the ordinary and changing operating conditions of the Authority, as the same
exist from day to day. It is agreed
by the parties receiving service that the Authority shall be free and exempt
from any and all claims for injury to persons or property by reason of fire,
water, and failure to supply water pressure or capacity.
14.1
PLACE OF PAYMENT:
All bills are payable at any office or any pay agency as designated by
the Authority.
14.2
COMPUTATION OF SEWER AND WATER CHARGES:
a.
Water and sewer charges shall be based principally upon actual metered
water consumption with exceptions as hereafter noted. The volume of water actually used and metered shall generally
form the basis for billing water charges. The
volume of water used for sewer charges shall include any and all metered water
purchased from the Authority and in addition all metered water obtained from any
other source. All water and sewer
charges shall be computed in accordance with the rate schedule for water and
sewer charges as adopted by the Authority and then in effect.
All water used from any source by commercial or industrial establishments
must be metered and shall be billed in accordance with Authority rates then in
effect.
b.
Whenever any person discharges or permits to be discharged any material
into the sewer system by any means other than through a connection approved in
accordance with these Rules, the Authority reserves the right to estimate the
quantity and strength of the material and to make appropriate charge based on
such estimate.
14.3
BASIS FOR PREPARATION OF BILLS: All bills for services furnished by the Authority will be
based on the Rate Schedule of the Authority then in effect. All bills shall be rendered and are due and payable monthly
or quarterly or such other period, at the option of the Authority.
Each Premises will be subjected to a fixed minimum monthly or quarterly
charge for each meter, based on the size of the meter and in accordance with the
Rate Schedule, the use of certain quantities of water being allowed for each
size meter without additional charge. Such
minimum charge shall be nonabatable for a nonuser of water, and noncumulative
against subsequent consumption. In
the case of fractional bills covering less than a month or a quarter, monthly or
minimum charges and allowances of water shall be prorated.
The charges for the use of water in excess of the quantities allowed for
each size meter will be in accordance with the section Meter Quantity Charges,
as set forth in the Rate Schedule, the allowances of water for the minimum
charges to be deducted from the quantities set forth in applying the meter
schedule.
The Owner of every premise shall be liable for the payment of all bills
as rendered. If tenant neglects to make such payments, it will be the
responsibility of the Owner to make such payments, subject to the provisions of
53 P.S. 306B (h.1) and (h.2).
The charges for private fire service shall be due when rendered.
The charges for temporary service and other miscellaneous service shall
be set forth elsewhere herein and/or in the Rate Schedule.
14.4
BILLS RENDERED AND DUE: All bills are due and payable immediately.
Bills paid within thirty (30) days of date may receive a discount as
provided by the Authority. Acceptance or remittance of bills on the last day of this
period shall be determined as evidenced by the postmark of the United States
Post Office.
If bills are not paid within the required period during which the gross amount shown thereon applies, a delinquent notice shall be served as provided hereafter and service may be terminated as provided hereafter
If service is thus discontinued it will not be restored until all unpaid
bills and charges, including the turn-off and turn-on charges are paid or
satisfactory arrangements made for payment.
The Authority shall mail or deliver the bills and notices to the consumer
at this address given in the application for service and the Authority shall not
be responsible for the delivery thereto. Failure
to receive bills will not be an excuse for nonpayment.
Any check received by the Authority in payment of any bill due the
Authority which check is returned unpaid by the bank for any reason, shall be
charged against the account involved and, in addition, charges shall be made
against said account for cost of handling, for each call for collection and for
any other costs involved, such charges to be as currently in effect.
14.5
TERMINATION OF WATER SERVICE/NON-PAYMENT:
a.
The Authority reserves to itself the right to terminate water service for
non-payment of any water or sewer bills, fees, charges or other sums due to the
Authority. Termination of water
service shall be regulated by these Rules.
b.
A Reminder Notice shall be mailed to the Customer, specifying such
violation of these Rules as has occurred, and informing the Customer that,
unless the Customer remedies the violation within the specified period, water
service will be terminated.
c.
A Shut-Off Notice shall be delivered to the Customer’s Premises by
Authority Personnel. This notice
informs the Customer that delinquent bill must be paid in full by the date
specified or water service will be terminated.
14.6 TERMINATION OF WATER SERVICE AT REQUEST OF SEWAGE AUTHORITIES:
a.
Pursuant to the Act of April 14, 1949, P.L. 482, 53 P.S. 2261 et seq., as now or hereafter amended, whenever an
owner or occupant of Premises served by another municipal sewer authority
provider shall be thirty (30) or more days delinquent in paying for sewage
service, the Authority shall, upon receipt of written evidence that the Board of
such authority has passed a Resolution requesting termination upon notice to the
Authority, initiate water service termination procedures by the mailing and
posting (at a main entrance to the Premises) of a Notice advising of the sewer
bill delinquency and the fact that water service will be terminated if payment
is not made within a time specified.
b.
If water service is terminated pursuant tot his Section, it shall not be
reconnected until all sewage bill delinquencies, interest and penalties are paid
in full.
15.1
PURPOSE AND INTENT:
It is the purpose and intent of this Section of the Rules to protect the
Community Water System of the Authority from the possibility of contamination or
pollution by isolating within its Customers private water distribution system or
systems, such contaminants or pollutants which could backflow into the water
distribution system of the Authority. It is the intent of this regulation to provide for the
maintenance of a continuing program of cross connection prohibition and
interconnection control, which will systematically and effectively prevent
contamination, or pollution of the water distribution system of the Authority.
15.2
RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTOMER:
Each Customer shall take proper precautions in order to protect the
Community Water System from contamination or Pollution due to backflow through
the water service connection. The
Authority or designated agent shall determine the degree of hazard to the
Community Water System and require, at the Customer’s expense and at the
Authority’s discretion, installation of an approved Backflow Prevention Device
at the water service connection. The
Authority or its designated agent also shall give notice in writing to said
Customer to install such an approved Backflow Prevention Device at each service
connection. The Authority or its
agent shall require at the Customer’s expense annual or more frequent testing,
proper maintenance and repair, and adequate records of each test and subsequent
repair, including material or replacement parts for each installed, approved
Backflow Prevention Device. The
Customer as a condition of service or continued service must send to the
Authority the written test results and/or repair information on forms supplied
by the Authority. Failure, refusal,
or inability on the part of the Customer to install, test, maintain, repair, or
keep record of safe devices, shall constitute a ground for the Authority to
discontinue the water service of said Customer. The testing of Backflow Prevention Devices shall be done only
by individuals who are deemed as qualified and approved prior to said testing by
the Authority.
15.3
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING CROSS-CONNECTIONS/INTER-CONNECTIONS : No Cross-Connections shall be permitted.
Cross-Connections is defined in paragraph 1.13 above.
No water service connection to any Customer shall be installed or
maintained in the Authority water system unless said connection is adequately
protected for backflow prevention as required by these Rules.
Service of water to any Customer shall be discontinued by the Authority
or its agents if any approved Backflow Prevention Device, required by these
Rules is (a) improperly installed,
or (b) not installed, or (c) not regularly tested and maintained, (d) removed,
bypassed or inaccessible to the Authority water system’s personnel or agents
for the purpose of inspection or testing, or (e) if adequate records of test
results for approved Backflow Prevention Devices are not kept and forwarded in
writing to the Authority.
Acceptable interconnections as defined in paragraph 1.1 above shall be
permitted provided the Customer maintains positive Backflow Prevention Devices
between the interconnection piping of the two separate systems.
The Customer shall submit an application for acceptable interconnection
and shall include in the application the specific type of device to be installed
for the Authority’s approval.
15.4
DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE:
a.
Without Notice.
Delivery of water shall be discontinued immediately and without notice to
the Customer if Gettysburg Municipal Authority, the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determines
that the Authority water distribution system is being or is in immediate danger
of being contaminated or polluted.
b. With Notice. If the Authority seeks to discontinue service for violation of this Section of the Rules, the Authority will provide the Customer with a notice which shall state the conditions or defects which must be corrected and the date on or after which delivery of water will be discontinued which shall be not less than fifteen (15) days following the date of the notice. The Authority may grant to the Customer an extension of time to comply if in the Authority’s opinion the Customer has exercised due diligence but has been unable to comply with the notice within the time period originally given.
15.5
INSPECTION OF BACKFLOW DEVICES:
a.
Inspection Responsibility by
Customer - It shall be the responsibility of the Customer at any Premises
where a Backflow Prevention Device or devices are installed or already in place
to have a thorough inspection and operational test performed at least once a
year, or more often if previous inspections indicate a need. Inspection and operational tests shall be performed
immediately following installation of or maintenance and repair to a Backflow
Prevention Device. Each device
shall be repaired, overhauled or replaced at the expense of the Customer
whenever it is found to be necessary.
b.
By Authority - Customer’s
water system shall be open for inspection at all reasonable times to authorize
representatives of the Authority or its agents, to determine the adequacy of
Backflow Prevention Device records, whether cross-connections or violations of
these Rules exists, the degree of hazard to the Authority water distribution
system or for the inspection and operational testing of Backflow Prevention
Devices. Each Customer, as a
condition of the continued delivery to said Customer’s Premises of community
water supply, shall be considered as having consented to entry upon said
Customer’s Premises by Authority personnel for the purposes stated herein.
15.6
INSTANCES REQUIRING BACKFLOW
DEVICE: An approved Backflow
Prevention Device shall be installed at the expense of the Customer on each
service line connection/extension after the water meter or immediately inside
the building being served, but, in all cases before the first branch line
leading off the service connection lines wherever the following conditions
exist:
a.
In the case of the Customer having an auxiliary water supply, which is
not approved by a duly authorized regulatory agency or acceptable to the
Authority, the community water supply shall be protected by installing an
approved Backflow Prevention Device in the Customer’s service line or lines.
15.7
TYPE OF DEVICE REQUIRED:
The type of Backflow Prevention Device required shall depend upon the
degree of hazard, as determined by the Authority or its designated agent, which
exists as follows:
a.
In the case of health hazards as defined in the definitions hereto, a
reduced pressure principal device (RPPD) or Air Gap shall be installed in the
Customer’s service line or lines at the Customer’s expense.
b.
When an Air Gap is used at the service connection to prevent the
contamination or pollution of the public potable water system, it is required
that an emergency by-pass be installed around the Air Gap system and an approved
reduced pressure principal device shall be installed in the by-pass system.
c. In a case of pollution hazards as defined hereinbefore, a double check valve assembly (DCVA) shall be installed in the Customer’s service line or lines at the Customer’s expense.
All presently installed Backflow Prevention Devices which do not meet
with the requirements of an “approved” device which can be shown to have
been adequately inspected, tested and maintained, shall be acceptable and
approved as long as the Authority is assured that these devices can adequately
protect the Community Water System. If,
however, the existing device is moved from its present location, requires more
than minimum maintenance, or maintenance will constitute a health hazard, the
device must be replaced by an approved device.
15.8
NO ALTERATION OF DEVICE:
No Customer shall alter, bypass or render ineffective or inoperable any
Backflow Prevention Device approved and covered by these Rules without the
written consent of the Authority.
15.9
PRIVATE WELL CONNECTION:
Customers who have previously obtained their water supply from a private
well or wells located on their property and who will or have applied for a water
service line connection from the Authority shall physically disconnect the well
supply from their internal plumbing system.
The disconnect shall serve as an air gap type backflow prevention device.
Once the physical disconnect/air gap is completed, the Customer shall
notify the Authority in writing that the disconnect requirement has been met.
Authority personnel shall be granted permission from the Customer to
visit the Customer’s property for the purposes of verify the disconnect.
16.1 HARMFUL DISCHARGES PROHIBITED: The Authority reserves the right to refuse permission to
connect to the sewer system, to compel discontinuance of use of the sewer
system, or to compel treatment of wastewaters by any person using the sewer
system in order to prevent discharges deemed harmful, or to have a deleterious
effect upon any portion of the sewer system.
17.1
NO ABATEMENT OF WATER OR SEWER RENTALS OR CHARGES: There
shall be no abatement of water or sewer rentals or service charges imposed by
these Rules unless the property with respect to which an abatement is requested
shall have been physically disconnected from the water and sewer system in a
manner satisfactory to the Authority. It
is intended by this Section to prohibit any abatement of water or sewer rentals
or water or sewer service charges for any period during which a property
connected to the water or sewer systems of the Authority shall have been vacant
or unoccupied unless the property is physically disconnected, as aforesaid.
17.2
INSPECTION: Authorized
employees of the Authority, identified by proper badges, shall have access to
the Customer’s Premises at all reasonable hours, for the purpose of turning
the water on or off; inspection, repair and/or replacement of service lines and
service line extensions; inspections, setting, reading, repairing, replacing and
removal of meter; and for all such justifiable purposes.
17.3
TURN-ON CHARGE:
Where there is no unpaid bill, water will be turned off and on without
charge for consumers who wish to discontinue or renew service.
When water has been turned off because of an unpaid bill or violation of
the terms of the application or rules of the Authority, a turn-on charge,
currently in effect must be paid before water service is restored.
17.4
INTERFERENCE WITH AUTHORITY’S PROPERTY: No workman, owner, tenant or other unauthorized person shall
turn the water on or off at any corporation cock or curb stop or break the
seals, disconnect or remove the meter, or otherwise interfere with the
Authority’s property.
For unauthorized operation of street valve, curb stop, service cock or
other service connection, the person owning the Premises served by the line
connected to said street valve, curb stop, service cock or other service
connection shall be required to pay the fee in effect and any costs required in
connection with damage to these facilities.
17.5 ONLY RULES BINDING: No agent or employee of the Authority shall have authority to bind it by any promise, agreement or representation not provided for in these Rules without approval of the Authority Board.
17.6
SERVICE OF NOTICES:
All notices and bills relating to the Authority or its business shall be
deemed to have been properly served
if left upon the Premises of the Customer of if mailed to the Customer, directed
to, or left at his address as shown on the records of the Authority.
Failure on the part of the Customer to receive a notice or a bill
following proper service by the Authority shall not excuse the Customer for
payment of all amounts due, including penalties for late payment.
The Authority will send all such notices and bills to the address given
on the application for water supply until a notice or change, in writing, has
been filed with the Authority by the applicant.
All notices of a general character, affecting or likely to affect a large
number of Customers, shall be deemed to have been properly given or served if
advertised in the newspaper designated by the Authority.
17.7
COMPLAINTS: Complaints relative to the character of the service
furnished or the reading of meters or of bills rendered must be made in writing
and delivered to the main office of the Authority.
17.8
SERVICE NOT GUARANTEED: Nothing in these Rules, nor any
contract, nor representation, verbal or written, of the Authority or any of its
employees shall be taken or construed in any manner to be or constitute a
guarantee to furnish a given quantity of water through any service connection,
whether for domestic, commercial, industrial, manufacturing or other general
uses, or for public or private fire protection purposes, or for any other
special purposes; but the Authority will at all times and under all conditions
endeavor to maintain the efficiency of its service.
The Authority shall have the right to temporarily cut off the water supply in the case of breaks, emergencies, or for any other reasonable cause, in order to make necessary repairs, connections and do such other work. In such cases, the Authority shall not be liable for any damage or inconvenience or any claim for interruption of service, lessening of supply, inadequate pressure, poor quality of water and such other reasons.
17.9
RESTRICTION OF SUPPLY:
The Authority reserves the right to restrict the supply of water in case
of scarcity or whenever the public welfare may require it, and to reserve a
sufficient supply of water at all times in its reservoirs to provide for fire
and other emergencies.
17.10
GROUND WIRE ATTACHMENTS: All Customers are forbidden to attach any ground wire or
wires to any plumbing, which is or may be connected to a service line
connection/extension or main belonging to the Authority, and the Authority will
hold the Customer liable for any damage to its property occasioned by such
ground wire attachments.
17.11
WATER HAMMER:
No use of water will be permitted which may or does cause water hammer.
17.12
SWIMMING POOLS:
The filling of swimming pools shall, in general, be subject to the
following:
a.
The rate of filling shall not be excessive and/or cause any disturbance
or serious pressure drop in the existing Authority system, and be subject to
approval of the Authority.
b.
No swimming pool shall be filled except through a metered connection.
c.
There shall be an approved backflow preventer on all swimming pool fill
lines or a visible air gap.
17.13
MISCELLANEOUS WORK AND SERVICE FURNISHED BY THE AUTHORITY:
The cost of repair and/or restoration of Authority facilities damaged due
to the actions of others, including the cost of lost water, shall be paid for by
those responsible therefor. All
bills for such work and services furnished by the Authority shall be rendered by
the Authority and be due and payable within fifteen (15) days after the date of
presentation. Acceptance or
remittance of such bills on the last day of this fifteen (15) day period shall
be determined as evidenced by the postmark of the United States Post Office. The Authority, if necessary, will take appropriate legal
action to recover all monies due if payment is not made to the Authority.
17.14
TAPPING FEES:
Pursuant to Act 203, the Authority has established a tapping fee schedule
for all connections to main water lines and sewer lines, such fees to vary,
subject to the conditions under which the main line or lines have been installed
and such other factors, as set forth in the tapping fee schedule.
The tapping fee varies for each individual size connection, amount of
water usage, tapping district in which the property is situate and may differ
depending on whether the connection is on a line installed by the Authority
and/or others, whether the main line is subject to an agreement with others
involving reimbursement conditions as related to connections to the line or
lines, whether the main line was installed under an assessment program, and to
whether there are any other special conditions.
17.15 ATTORNEYS FEES: In accordance with Act 1996-1 amending the Municipal Tax Claim and Lien Act, the Authority reserves the right to impose attorneys fees upon delinquent Customers, which are delinquent in payment of any rates or other charges due to the Authority, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Act 1996-1 and in accordance with the fee schedule set forth, as amended, from time to time.
17.16
CONDITIONAL WAIVERS OF SERVICE: The Authority asserts its primary right to provide water and
sewer service in its service area comprising Gettysburg Borough, The Township of
Cumberland and the Township of Straban, Adams County, PA.
Notwithstanding the Authority’s primary right to provide such service,
the Authority may, upon written consent to the Authority after consideration by
the Board, waive its right to provide service in order to permit an applicant to
receive service from another water or sewer service provider.
The tender of such waiver shall provide that in the event adequate
service capabilities are installed by or for the benefit of the Authority in the
future, upon written notice, that applicant will switch its water or sewer
service (as the case may be) to service by the Authority within ninety (90) days
of such notice. Any applicant
seeking such a waiver shall agree in writing to these terms and provisions as a
condition of such a waiver being granted by the Authority.
17.17 COPIES OF RULES: Copies of these Rules may be obtained at the office of the authority for $20.00 per copy. Copies are available for review at the office of the Authority at all times during regular working hours.
These Rules compile the existing and presently effective and previously
adopted policies of Gettysburg Municipal Authority, as amended and enacted this
_______ day of __________________, 2006 by Resolution of the Board of the
Gettysburg Municipal Authority at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board
held that date, a quorum being in attendance and upon motion made, seconded and
unanimously adopted.