[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Mars 4-4-1960 by Ord. No. 200. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The following schedule of water rates shall
be charged consumers of water:
A.
Unit base rate: as set by resolution of the Borough
Council.
B.
The tapping fee for a standard three-quarter-inch
service line for residential connections and for a standard one-inch
service line for residential connections shall be as set by resolution
of the Borough Council, uniformly applied to all such service applications
for the Borough of Mars Water System.
C.
The tapping fee for service lines larger than one
inch shall be as set by resolution of the Borough Council, plus costs
to install the service facility over the average installation cost.
D.
Fire hydrant rental: as set by resolution of the Borough
Council.
A.
Upon written application by the owner or his properly
authorized agent, on forms furnished by the Borough, for the immediate
and continuous supply of water to premises abutting on a public highway
in which a main pipe of the distribution system of the Borough is
located, the Borough will install, own and maintain the service connection
from said main pipe to the curbline of said public highway adjoining
said premises.
B.
"Service connection" is hereby understood to include
the corporation cock, the pipe from the corporation cock to the curb
stopcock, the curb stopcock and curb box.
C.
The Borough shall determine the size of all service
connections.
D.
No water supply will be furnished except upon written
application by the property owner or the consumer on forms supplied
by the Borough and accepted by it or its duly authorized employee.
E.
Water service, excepting that supplied through separate
service connection for the extinguishment of fires, will be furnished
only by meter measurement.
F.
A new application must be made and approved by the
Borough upon any change of ownership or property or in the service
described in the application, and the Borough shall reserve the right,
upon five days' notice, to discontinue the water supply until such
application has been made and approved.
G.
Applications for temporary service are subject to
the following conditions:
(1)
The applicant shall furnish all materials.
(2)
The
installation shall require the approval of, and all work shall be
performed under the direction of, the Borough Superintendent.
(3)
All
pipes, fittings, meters, etc., shall be removed by the applicant when
the applicant desires the water service discontinued. If corporation
cocks have been installed, they shall remain in the waterline when
the piping is removed. Such corporation cocks will be considered the
property of the Borough, without any expense to it. It is further
understood that the applicant is to bear the full expense of the installation
and removal. The Borough will furnish the supervision and inspection.
A.
A deposit may be required from consumers taking service
for a period of less than 30 days, in an amount equal to the estimated
gross bill for such temporary period. Where water service has been
turned off because of delinquent payment of bills, a deposit as set
by resolution of the Borough Council, in addition to a turn-on charge
as set by resolution of the Borough Council, shall be required before
water service is resumed. Deposits may be required from all other
consumers, provided that in no instance will deposits be required
in excess of the estimated gross bill for any single billing period
plus one month (the maximum period not to exceed three months), with
a minimum amount as set by resolution of the Borough Council.
[Amended 5-14-1990 by Ord. No. 359[1]]
B.
Deposits shall be returned to the depositor when he
shall have paid undisputed bills for service over a period of 12 consecutive
months, and any consumer having secured the return of a deposit will
not be required to make a new deposit unless the service has been
discontinued and the consumer's credit standing impaired through failure
to comply with this chapter.
C.
Upon deposits held for more than a year, the Borough
will pay to the depositor, at the end of each calendar year ending
December 31, the interest accrued thereon at the rate of 2% per annum.
D.
Any consumer having a deposit shall pay all bills
as rendered in accordance with the rules of the Borough, and the deposit
shall not be considered as payment of a bill during the time the consumer
is receiving service.
A.
The Borough will provide and maintain at its own cost
the ferrule and coupling at the connection of the service line and
main and provide the curb box and curb stopcock, all of which shall
be and remain the property of the Borough, accessible to any under
its control, and all connections from the curb box shall be provided,
installed and maintained by the applicant at his expense.
B.
All connections, appliances, and fixtures furnished
by the applicant shall be of proper material and shall be installed
in an approved workmanlike manner and shall be maintained by him in
good order, and all valves, meters and appliances furnished and owned
by the Borough and on the property of the applicant shall be properly
protected and cared for by the applicant. All leaks in any connection,
appliance or fixture furnished by the applicant must be immediately
repaired by the applicant or occupant of the premises.
C.
All pipes, meters and fixtures shall at all reasonable
hours be subject to inspection by employees of the Borough identified
by proper credentials.
D.
The Borough shall in no event be responsible for maintaining
the lines and fixtures on the applicant's property or for damage done
by water escaping therefrom, and the applicant shall at all times
comply with municipal regulations with reference thereto and make
changes therein required on account of changes of grade, relocation
of mains, or otherwise.
E.
The Borough reserves the right to make a reasonable
charge for extensions of its supply lines when, in its judgment, the
cost of such extension is not justified by the revenue to be obtained.
A.
All meters shall be accessible and conveniently located
at a point approved by the Borough so as to control the entire supply,
and a suitable place and protection therefor shall be provided by
the applicant. The applicant shall furnish a flatway stopcock on the
service line on each side of and near the meter and a check valve
between the meter and any hot-water boiler or heater.
B.
The applicant shall notify the Borough of any injury
to, or the nonworking of, the meter as soon as it comes to his knowledge.
C.
Meters will be maintained by the Borough so far as
wear and tear are concerned, but damage due to freezing, hot water,
or external causes shall be paid for by the applicant.
D.
In case of a disputed account involving the accuracy
of a meter, such meter shall be tested upon the request of the applicant.
In the event the meter so tested is found to have an error in registration
of 4% or more, the bills will be decreased or increased accordingly.
F.
If the meter so tested shall be found to have an error
in registration of less than 4%, the deposit shall be retained by
the Borough as compensation for such test; if the error is found to
be 4% or more, then the cost of the test shall be borne by the Borough,
and the amount of the deposit shall be returned to the applicant.
G.
Where water is furnished by meter, the quantity recorded
by it shall be conclusive on both the applicant and the Borough except
when the meter has been found to be registering inaccurately or has
ceased to register. In such case, the quantity may be determined by
the average registration of the meter when in order, or by such other
fair and reasonable method as shall be based upon the best information
obtainable.
A.
Service under any application may be discontinued
for any of the following reasons:
(1)
For misrepresentation in application as to property
or fixtures to be supplied or the use to be made of the water supply.
(2)
For the use of water for any other property or purpose
other than that described in the application.
(3)
For allowing an additional family to move into premises
without notice to the Borough.
(4)
For willful waste of water through improper or imperfect
pipes, fixtures, meters or otherwise.
(5)
For failure to protect and maintain in good order
the meter connections, lines or fixtures.
(6)
For nonpayment of any bill for more than 10 days after
the same is due.
(7)
For molesting any service pipe, meter curb, stopcock,
seal, or any other appliance of the Borough controlling or regulating
the water supply.
(8)
In case of vacancy of premises.
(9)
For violation of any rule of the Borough.
B.
No water fixture or appliance in connection therewith
will be considered cut off until it is disconnected so that it cannot
be used again or is sealed in a manner satisfactory to the Borough.
C.
No plumber, owner, or other unauthorized person shall
turn the water on or off at any corporation stop or curb stop or remove
the meter.
D.
The Borough reserves the right to shut off the water
in its mains at any time, without notice, for making repairs, extensions
or alterations, but will, so far as possible, notify consumers of
the intention to shut off. It is expressly stipulated by the Borough
that no claim shall be made against it or the municipality by reason
of the breaking of any pipe or for any other interruption of the supply
of water. No person shall be entitled to any damages or to have any
option of payment refunded for any stoppage for purpose of additions
or repairs which, in the opinion of the Borough, may be deemed necessary
or for causes beyond its control.
E.
In case of scarcity of water or whenever, in its judgment,
the public welfare may require it, the Borough shall have the right
to reserve a sufficient supply of water at all times in its reservoirs
to provide for fire and other emergencies or may restrict or regulate
the quantity of water used by consumers.
F.
A turn-on charge as set by resolution of the Borough
Council shall be paid where water has been turned off for any violation
of the terms of the application or rules of the Borough or for any
reason stated under this section. In such cases, the water will not
be turned on until after all sewer bills, water bills, repair bills
and other accounts due the Borough shall have been paid.
[Amended 5-14-1990 by Ord. No. 359[1]]
A.
No person shall take water from any fire hydrant except
for fire purposes or use of the Fire Department in case of fire. No
public fire hydrant shall be used for sprinkling streets, flushing
sewers or gutters, or for other reasons than fire purposes unless
permitted by the Borough for the particular time and occasion.
B.
It shall be expressly understood and agreed by and
between the parties receiving private fire service and the Borough
that the Borough does not assume any liability as insurers of property
or person, and that the agreement does not contemplate any special
service, pressure, capacity or facility other than the ordinary or
changing conditions of the Borough which exist from day to day. The
Borough hereby declares, and it is agreed by the consumer, that the
Borough shall be free and exempt from any and all claims for injuries
to persons or property by reason of fire, water, failure to supply
water, pressure or capacity.
C.
Private fire service will be furnished only through
separate lines. All service lines used for fire service shall be kept
separate and distinct from service lines used for consumption.
D.
There shall be filed as part of each application for
private fire service (and, if required, of all applications for special
services or supplies) full details, plans, or copies thereof, showing
the location of all pipes, valves and hose connections.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
- A. The party contracting for service to a property coming within one of the following classifications:
- (1) A building under one roof and occupied as one residence or business.
- (2) A combination of buildings in one enclosure and occupied by one family or one business.
- (3) One side of a double building having a vertical partition wall.
- (4) Each part of a building occupied by more than one family or business where each has independent or exclusive use of water fixtures.
- (5) Each apartment, office, suite of offices or living quarters having independent water fixtures located in a building having several such apartments, offices, suites of offices or living quarters and using in common one hall and one or more means of entrance.
- (6) Each apartment having independent water fixtures located in a group of buildings having a number of such apartments owned and controlled by a single owner.
- (1)
- B. Each consumer will be supplied through a separate service line and through a separate meter except in cases defined in Subsection A(3) though (6) above. The 5/8 inch meter rate schedule will be applied regardless of the size of the meter installed.
A.
No service pipe shall be extended into two distinct
premises or across lots on adjoining premises unless separate stopcock
and box is placed for each property. In case the Borough permits two
or more consumers to be supplied through one service pipe, and either
of the parties fails to make payment when due, or if either violates
any rule of the Borough, the water may be turned off from such premises.
B.
No such action involving the shutting off of the supply
of any innocent building, family or establishment, however, will be
taken without first affording the owner or tenant of the premises
opportunity on five days' notice to make a new application for the
supply of such building, family or establishment through a separate
service line and meter.
C.
Every building and every portion of a block or row
of buildings that is capable of independent ownership shall be deemed
a premise within the meaning of this chapter and shall have its own
separate service except as noted above. Apartment houses or office
buildings under a single roof shall be metered for each consumer,
or the owner shall be responsible for all water used.
A.
There shall be no service rendered free of charge.
C.
If bills are not paid by the due date, the Borough
shall add to the bill 10% as penalty. In the case of bills to the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, any department or institution thereof,
or to any agency of the federal government, the nonpenalty provisions
of all schedules are extended so as to provide a thirty-day period
during which payment may be made at net rates.[2]
D.
Water service will be disconnected to customers who
fail to pay total amount due on water bills on a schedule established
by Borough Council. Service will be reconnected when total bill and
late fees, along with a reconnect fee, are paid. The reconnect fee
will be established by Borough Council.
[Amended 5-14-1990 by Ord. No. 359[3]]
E.
The Borough will accept remittances bearing local
postmarks of the last day for payment without penalty.
F.
Where special service rates are fixed or cost of service
of any kind is estimated, payment must be made at the time application
is submitted and before the service is granted.
G.
Bills of notices relating to the Borough or its business
will be mailed or delivered to the property owner's or consumer's
last address, as shown by the books of the Borough, and the Borough
shall not otherwise be responsible for delivery. The Borough shall
send all such notices and bills to the address given on the application
for services until a notice of change has been filed, in writing,
with the Borough by the applicant.
H.
Payment of bills in advance of furnishing services
of the following character may be required:
A.
No agent or employee of the Borough shall have authority
to bind any promise, agreement or representation not provided for
in this chapter, unless such authority is in writing and signed by
the Secretary of the Borough Council.
B.
Steam users taking their supply of water for boilers
directly from the service line and depending upon the pressure in
the mains for supplying such boilers under working pressure will do
so at their own risk. Such consumers should provide themselves with
tanks or cisterns to furnish a temporary supply in case of shutting
off of water because of accident or other cause.
C.
The Borough shall have the right, in case of the violation
of any of the provisions of this chapter by a consumer, to turn off
the water, whether or not so stated in the section violated.
D.
Consumers must keep their service pipes, fixtures,
and waste cocks in order at their own expense. The service pipe inside
the premises must be at least four feet underground.
E.
All service pipes and fixtures must be subject to
inspection and approval by an authorized agent of the Borough before
water is turned on. No person except an authorized agent of the Borough
will be permitted to turn the water on or off.
F.
The Borough or its authorized agents are the sole
persons who may lawfully interfere with anything pertaining to or
belonging to the Borough or the management thereof. No unauthorized
person shall be permitted to tap or make any connection or attachment
with or to the main distributing pipes of the Borough or to turn on
the water again at any point or place where it has been turned off
by the order of the Borough.
G.
The Borough reserves the right to regulate the use
of cross-connections from another source of its mains.
H.
Water for construction purposes will be furnished
after a suitable deposit has been made, the minimum charge being as
set by resolution of the Borough Council. This minimum charge is for
dwellings of six rooms or less. Charges for larger structures will
be determined by the Borough in each individual case, or by the installation
of the proper size meter.[1]
I.
The deposit may be applied by the Borough to cover
charges for water taken as shown by meter readings, the balance to
be refunded. In case the charge should exceed the deposit, the entire
deposit shall be applied, and, upon presentation of the bill, the
balance due must be paid immediately, and, if such use has not been
discontinued, the deposit must be renewed.
J.
No persons shall remove, obstruct, or in any way injure
any fire hydrant, valve boxes or covers, stopcock covers or boxes
of the Borough.
K.
No persons shall make any connection with the mains
or distributing pipes of the Borough or turn on or shut off the water
from any premise.
The rentals or charges hereby imposed shall
become effective immediately or at the time of connection to the water
system, as the case may be.
