[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Water Commissioners of the Town of Orange. Amendments noted where applicable.]
All applications for the use of Town water must be made at the Water Department and must state fully and truly the various uses for which water is required. The application form must be picked up three days prior to commencement of the work.
For all new services including fire services there is a connection fee of $1,000 per inch per service installed. There is also a deposit of $150 for labor and material.
There will be no new services installed after November 15 and before April 1; no exceptions to the rule.
All water services shall be installed by the Water Department or its authorized agents at the expense of the property owner. The Superintendent or agent, in all cases, will put on the corporation cock and locate the service boxes.
Old building water services may be used in connection with new buildings only when found, on examination and test by the Superintendent, to meet all the requirements of the Water Department.
Water takers must bear the expense of laying and maintaining all pipe and fixtures on their premises to the curb stop, and must keep the same well protected from freezing and prevent all waste of water. They will be held liable for all damage resulting from their failure to do so.
All water takers must protect the water meter from freezing and theft, or to be otherwise damaged, because the water taker will be responsible for the damage. All ordinary wear of the meter will be made at the expense of the Water Department.
The property owner shall maintain the water meter and entrance valve free from rubbish and other material which may obstruct access by the Water Department employees.
All persons are forbidden to connect with any main or service pipe in back of the meter. All plumbing where Town water is used must conform to the Massachusetts Plumbing Code, including cross connections and backflow situations.
Water takers shall, at reasonable hours, permit the Water Department to enter the premises and examine the way in which water is being used. In cases where repairs are needed, the Water Department will order the repairs to be done.
No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public water main or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining permission from the Superintendent.
No person shall be permitted to open any service box or hydrant or meddle with the water meter in any way without a written permit from the Water Commissioners or Superintendent. The Fire Department shall, in all cases, have free control of the hydrants at all fires.
No person shall operate fire hydrants except the Fire Department for the purpose of fire fighting or the Water Department employees for the purpose of service work. Permission must be granted by the Superintendent for the use of a fire hydrant, and the fee of $50 plus the amount of water that goes through a meter will be paid to the Water Department. Violators will be subject to a billing of $50 for each violation.
No water taker shall allow water taken off the premises, either by connecting pipes or hose, nor in any other way make a practice of furnishing water to anyone outside the building without a written permit from the Water Superintendent.
No person shall shut off fire line services supplying sprinkler systems without notifying the Fire Department and the Water Department. No work may be done on any fire lines without permission.
No cross-connection between the water service supplying the premises and any other source will be permitted, nor with any fixture or any appliance containing liquid subject to pollution whereby there is any possibility, under any conditions, of backflow into the service pipe or water distribution system.
The Water Department will furnish the water meter in sizes 5/8 inch through one inch. Any meter larger than one inch must be purchased by the owner. Once a meter has been purchased it becomes the property of the Water Department. All meters are to be in cubic feet.
Water meters will be taken out and tested upon a complaint of the customer for the fee of $20. If the water meter does not test out within 2% of being accurate, the meter will be replaced and the fee will be returned. The Water Department requests that water takers be present at the time of the test.
When notice is given to turn on the water at a property, there will be a fee of $25.
No water shall be drawn from fire line services for tests or repairs without notifying the Water Department.
In cases of fire, repairs or extensions, the water may be shut off without notice. Temporary loss of water notices will be given whenever possible.
Water accounts will be kept with the owners of the property. Bills will be rendered quarterly and must be paid in full within 45 days. Failure to pay in the required time will result in shutting off the water supply.