[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of
Fredonia as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted as Secs. 9-1-20 to 9-1-55 of the 1995 Code; amended
in its entirety 7-16-2015 by Ord.
No. 2015-01]
All persons now receiving water service from this Water Utility,
or who may request service in the future, shall be considered as having
agreed to be bound by the rules and regulations as filed with the
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.
A.
Application for water service may be made in writing on a form furnished
by the Water Utility. The application will contain the legal description
of the property to be served, the name of the owner, the exact use
to be made of the service, and the size of the service lateral and
meter desired. Note particularly any special refrigeration, fire protection,
or water-consuming air-conditioning equipment.
B.
Service will be furnished only if:
(1)
The premises has a frontage on a properly platted street or public
strip in which a cast iron or other long-life water main has been
laid, or where the property owner has agreed to and complied with
the provisions of the Water Utility's filed main extension rule;
(2)
Property owner has installed or agrees to install a service lateral
from the curb stop to the point of use that is not less than six feet
below the surface of an established or proposed grade and meets the
Water Utility's specifications; and
(3)
Premises has adequate piping beyond metering point.
C.
The owner of a multi-unit dwelling has the option of being served
by individual metered water service to each unit. The owner, by selecting
this option, is required to provide interior plumbing and meter settings
to enable individual metered service to each unit and individual disconnection
without affecting service to the other units. Each meter and meter
connection will be treated as a separate Water Utility account for
the purpose of the filed rules and regulations.
D.
No division of the water service of any lot or parcel of land shall
be made for the extension and independent metering of the supply to
an adjoining lot or parcel of land. Except for duplexes, no division
of a water service lateral shall be made at the curb for separate
supplies for two or more separate premises having frontage on any
street or public service strip, whether owned by the same or different
parties. Duplexes may be served by one lateral, provided that: (1)
individual metered service and disconnection is provided; and (2)
it is permitted by local ordinance.
E.
Buildings used in the same business, located on the same parcel,
and served by a single lateral may have the customer's water
supply piping installed to a central point so that volume can be metered
in one place.
F.
The Water Utility may withhold approval of any application where
full information of the purpose of such supply is not clearly indicated
and set forth by the applicant property owner.
A.
Where the Water Utility has disconnected service at the owner's
request, a reconnection charge shall be made when the customer requests
reconnection of service. See Schedule R-1 for the applicable rate.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Water Utility rates and charges are set by
the State Public Service Commission. Schedules referenced in this
chapter are on file in the Village office.
B.
A reconnection charge shall also be required from customers whose
services are disconnected (shut off at curb stop box) because of nonpayment
of bills when due. See Schedule R-1 for the applicable rate.
C.
If reconnection is requested for the same location by any member
of the same household, or if a place of business, by any partner of
the same business, it shall be considered as the same customer.
An applicant for temporary water service on a metered basis
shall make and maintain a monetary deposit for each meter installed
as security for payment for use of water and for such other charges
which may arise from the use of the supply. A charge shall be made
for setting the valve and furnishing and setting the meter. See Schedule
BW-1 for the applicable rate.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Water Utility rates and charges are set by
the State Public Service Commission. Schedules referenced in this
chapter are on file in Village office.
A.
When water is requested for construction purposes or for filling
tanks or other such uses, an application shall be made to the Water
Utility, in writing, giving a statement of the amount of construction
work to be done or the size of the tank to be filled, etc. Payment
for the water for construction may be required in advance at the scheduled
rates. The service lateral must be installed into the building before
water can be used. No connection with the service lateral at the curb
shall be made without special permission from the Water Utility. In
no case will any employee of the Water Utility turn on water for construction
work unless the contractor has obtained permission from the Water
Utility.
B.
Customers shall not allow contractors, masons, or other persons to
take unmetered water from their premises without permission from the
Water Utility. Any customer failing to comply with this provision
may have water service discontinued and will be responsible for the
cost of the estimated volume of water used.
A.
In cases where no other supply is available, permission may be granted
by the Water Utility to use a hydrant. No hydrant shall be used until
the proper meter and valve are installed. In no case shall any valve
be installed or moved except by an employee of the Water Utility.
B.
Before a valve is set, payment must be made for its setting and for
the water to be used at the scheduled rates. Where applicable, see
Schedule BW-1 for deposits and charges.[1] Upon completing the use of the hydrant, the customer must
notify the Water Utility to that effect.
[1]
Editor's Note: Water Utility rates and charges are set by
the State Public Service Commission. Schedules referenced in this
chapter are on file in Village office.
Any person who shall, without authority of the Water Utility,
allow contractors, masons, or other unauthorized persons to take water
from their premises, operate any valve connected with the street or
supply mains, or open any fire hydrant connected with the distribution
system, except for the purpose of extinguishing fire, or who shall
wantonly damage or impair the same, shall be subject to a fine as
provided by municipal ordinance. Utility permission for the use of
hydrants applies only to such hydrants that are designated for the
specific use.
All money deposited as security for payment of charges arising
from the use of temporary water service on a metered basis, or for
the return of a hydrant valve and fixtures if the water is used on
an unmetered basis, will be refunded to the depositor on the termination
of the use of water, the payment of all charges levied against the
depositor, and the return of the Water Utility's equipment.
A.
No water service shall be laid through any trench having cinders,
rubbish, rock or gravel fill, or any other material which may cause
injury to or disintegration of the service lateral, unless adequate
means of protection are provided by sand filling or such other insulation
as may be approved by the Water Utility. Service laterals passing
through curb or retaining walls shall be adequately safeguarded by
provision of a channel space or pipe casing not less than twice the
diameter of the service connection. The space between the service
lateral and the channel or pipe casing shall be filled and lightly
caulked with an oakum, mastic cement, or other resilient material
and made impervious to moisture.
B.
In backfilling the pipe trench, the service lateral must be protected
against injury by carefully hand tamping the ground filling around
the pipe. There should be at least six inches of ground filling over
the pipe, and it should be free from hard lumps, rocks, stones, or
other injurious material.
C.
All water supplies shall be of undiminished size from the street
main into the point of meter placement. Beyond the meter outlet valve,
the piping shall be sized and proportioned to provide, on all floors,
at all times, an equitable distribution of the water supply for the
greatest probable number of fixtures or appliances operating simultaneously.
A.
The service lateral from the main to and through the curb stop will
be maintained and kept in repair and, when worn out, replaced at the
expense of the Water Utility. The property owner shall maintain the
service lateral from the curb stop to the point of use.
B.
If an owner fails to repair a leaking or broken service lateral from
the curb to the point of metering or use within such time as may appear
reasonable to the Water Utility, the water will be shut off and will
not be turned on again until the repairs have been completed.
If a property owner changes the use of a property currently
receiving water service such that water service will no longer be
needed in the future, the Water Utility may require the abandonment
of the water service at the water main. In such case, the property
owner may be responsible for all removal and/or repair costs, including
the water main and the utility portion of the water service lateral.
See Wis. Adm. Code § PSC 185.35 or Schedule X-4, if
applicable.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Water Utility rates and charges are set by
the State Public Service Commission. Schedules referenced in this
chapter are on file in Village office.
See Wis. Adm. Code § PSC 185.88 or Schedule X-4, if
applicable.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Water Utility rates and charges are set by
the State Public Service Commission. Schedules referenced in this
chapter are on file in Village office.
The curb stop box is the property of the Water Utility. The
Water Utility is responsible for its repair and maintenance. This
includes maintaining, through adjustment, the curb stop box at an
appropriate grade level where no direct action by the property owner
or occupant has contributed to an elevation problem. The property
owner is responsible for protecting the curb stop box from situations
that could obstruct access to it or unduly expose it to harm. The
Water Utility shall not be liable for failure to locate the curb stop
box and shut off the water in case of a leak on the owner's premises.
Meters will be owned, furnished, and installed by the Water
Utility or a Utility-approved contractor and are not to be disconnected
or tampered with by the customer. All meters shall be so located that
they shall be protected from obstructions and permit ready access
for reading, inspection, and servicing, such location to be designated
or approved by the Water Utility. All piping within the building must
be supplied by the owner. Where additional meters are desired by the
owner, the owner shall pay for all piping. Where applicable, see Schedule
Am-1 for rates.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Water Utility rates and charges are set by
the State Public Service Commission. Schedules referenced in this
chapter are on file in Village office.
A.
Meters will be repaired by the Water Utility, and the cost of such
repairs caused by ordinary wear and tear will be borne by the Water
Utility.
B.
Repair of any damage to a meter resulting from the carelessness of
the owner of the premises, owner's agent, or tenant, or from
the negligence of any one of them to properly secure and protect same,
including any damage that may result from allowing a water meter to
become frozen or to be damaged from the presence of hot water or steam
in the meter, shall be paid for by the customer or the owner of the
premises.
When the original service piping is installed for a new metered
customer, where existing service piping is changed for the customer's
convenience, or where a new meter is installed for an existing unmetered
customer, the owner of the premises at his/her expense shall provide
a suitable location and the proper connections for the meter. The
meter setting and associated plumbing shall comply with the Water
Utility's standards. The Water Utility should be consulted as
to the type and size of the meter setting.
A.
Meters will be repaired by the Water Utility, and the cost of such
repairs caused by ordinary wear and tear will be borne by the Utility.
B.
Repair of any damage to a meter resulting from the carelessness of
the owner of the premises, his agent or tenant, or from the negligence
of any of them to properly secure and protect same, including any
damage that may result from allowing a water meter to become frozen
or to be injured from the presence of hot water or steam in the meter,
shall be paid for by the consumer or the owner of the premises.
The water may only be turned on for a customer by an authorized
employee of the Water Utility. Plumbers may turn the water on to test
their work, but upon completion must leave the water turned off.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
Where the municipality has a policy regarding sprinkling restrictions
and/or emergency water conditions, failure to comply with such may
result in disconnection of service.
A.
Where the Water Utility is unable to read a meter, the fact will
be plainly indicated on the bill, and either an estimated bill will
be computed or the minimum charge applied. The difference shall be
adjusted when the meter is again read, that is, the bill for the succeeding
billing period will be computed with the gallons or cubic feet in
each block of the rate schedule doubled, and credit will be given
on that bill for the amount of the bill paid the preceding period.
Only in unusual cases shall more than three consecutive estimated
or minimum bills be rendered.
B.
If the meter is damaged (see § 558-29, Surreptitious use of water) or fails to operate, the bill will be based on the average use during the past year, unless there is some reason why the use is not normal. If the average use cannot be properly determined, the bill will be estimated by some equitable method.
C.
See Wis. Adm. Code § PSC 185.33.
See Wis. Adm. Code § PSC 185.77.
A.
During reasonable hours, any officer or authorized employee of the
Water Utility shall have the right of access to the premises supplied
with service for the purpose of inspection or for the enforcement
of the Water Utility's rules and regulations. Whenever appropriate,
the Water Utility will make a systematic inspection of all unmetered
water taps for the purpose of checking waste and unnecessary use of
water.
B.
See Wis. Stats. § 196.171.
When premises are to be vacated, the Water Utility shall be
notified, in writing, at once, so that it may remove the meter and
shut off the water supply at the curb stop. The owner of the premises
shall be liable for prosecution for any damage to the Water Utility's
property. See "Abandonment of Service" in Schedule X-1 for further
information.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Water Utility rates and charges are set by
the State Public Service Commission. Schedules referenced in this
chapter are on file in Village office.
See § PSC 185.36, Wis. Adm. Code.
See § PSC 185.361, Wis. Adm. Code.
See § PSC 185.39, Wis. Adm. Code.
A.
See § PSC 185.37, Wis. Adm. Code.
B.
The following is an example of a disconnection notice that the Utility
may use to provide the notice to customers.
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DISCONNECTION NOTICE
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Dear Customer:
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The bill enclosed with this notice includes your current charge
for Water Utility service and your previous unpaid balance.
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You have 10 days to pay the Water Utility service arrears or
your service is subject to disconnection.
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If you fail to pay the service arrears or fail to contact us
within the 10 days allowed to make reasonable deferred payment arrangement
or other suitable arrangement, we will proceed with disconnection
action.
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To avoid the inconvenience of service interruption and an additional
charge of (amount) for reconnection, we urge you to pay the full arrears
IMMEDIATELY AT ONE OF OUR OFFICES.
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If you enter into a Deferred Payment Arrangement with us and
have failed to make the deferred payments you agreed to, your service
will be subject to disconnection unless you pay the entire amount
due within 10 days.
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If you have a reason for delaying the payment, call us and explain
the situation.
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PLEASE CALL THIS TELEPHONE NUMBER (telephone number), IMMEDIATELY
IF:
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1.
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You dispute the notice of delinquent amount.
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2.
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You have a question about your water service utility arrears.
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3.
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You are unable to pay the full amount of the bill and are willing
to enter into a deferred payment agreement with us.
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4.
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There are any circumstances you think should be taken into consideration
before service is discontinued.
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5.
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Any resident is seriously ill.
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Illness Provision: If there is an existing medical emergency
in your home and you furnish the Water Utility with a statement signed
by either a licensed Wisconsin physician or a public health official,
we will delay disconnection of service up to 21 days. The statement
must identify the medical emergency and specify the period of time
during which disconnection will aggravate the existing emergency.
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Deferred Payment Agreements: If you are a residential customer
and you are unable to pay the full amount of the Water Utility service
arrears on your bill, you may contact the Water Utility to discuss
arrangement to pay the arrears over an extended period of time.
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This time payment agreement will require:
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1.
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Payment of a reasonable amount at the time the agreement is
made.
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2.
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Payment of the remainder of the outstanding balance in monthly
installments over a reasonable length of time.
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3.
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Payment of all future Water Utility service bills in full by
the due date.
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In any situation where you are unable to resolve billing disputes
or disputes about the grounds for proposed disconnection through contacts
with our Water Utility, you may make an appeal to the Public Service
Commission of Wisconsin by calling (800) 225-7729.
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(WATER UTILITY NAME)
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An amount owed by the customer may be levied as a tax as provided
in § 66.0809, Wis. Stats.
A.
When the Water Utility has reasonable evidence that a person is obtaining
water, in whole or in part, by means of devices or methods used to
stop or interfere with the proper metering of the Water Utility service
being delivered, the Water Utility reserves the right to estimate
and present immediately a bill for unmetered service as a result of
such interference, and such bill shall be payable subject to a twenty-four-hour
disconnection of service. If the Water Utility disconnects the service
for any such reason, the Water Utility will reconnect the service
upon the following conditions:
(1)
The customer will be required to deposit with the Water Utility an
amount sufficient to guarantee the payment of the bills for Water
Utility service.
(2)
The customer will be required to pay the Water Utility for any and
all damages to Water Utility equipment resulting from such interference
with the metering.
(3)
The customer must further agree to comply with reasonable requirements
to protect the Water Utility against further losses.
B.
See §§ 98.26 and 943.20, Wis. Stats.
The Water Utility reserves the right to shut off the water supply
in the mains temporarily to make repairs, alterations, or additions
to the plant or system. When the circumstances will permit, the Water
Utility will give notification, by newspaper publication or otherwise,
of the discontinuance of the water supply. No credit will be allowed
to customers for such temporary suspension of the water supply. See
§ PSC 185.87, Wis. Adm. Code.
It shall be the duty of the Water Utility to see that all open
ditches for water mains, hydrants, and service laterals are properly
guarded to prevent accident to any person or vehicle, and at night
there shall be displayed proper signal lighting to ensure the safety
of the public.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
Contractors shall call the Diggers Hotline in accordance with
§ 182.0175, Wis. Stats. Where water mains or service laterals
have been removed, cut or damaged during trench excavation, the contractors
must, at their own expense, cause them to be replaced or repaired
at once. Contractors must not shut off the water service laterals
to any customer for a period exceeding six hours.
A.
Protective devices in general. The owner or occupant of every premises
receiving water supply shall apply and maintain suitable means of
protection of the premises' supply and all appliances against damage
arising in any manner from the use of the water supply, variation
of water pressure, or any interruption of water supply. Particularly,
such owner or occupant must protect water-cooled compressors for refrigeration
systems by means of high- and/or low-pressure safety cutout devices.
There shall likewise be provided means for the prevention of the transmission
of water ram or noise of operation of any valve or appliance through
the piping of their own or adjacent premises.
B.
Relief valves. On all "closed systems" (i.e., systems having a check
valve, pressure regulator, reducing valve, water filter, or softener),
an effective pressure relief valve shall be installed at or near the
top of the hot water tank or at the hot water distribution pipe connection
to the tank. No stop valve shall be placed between the hot water tank
and the relief valve or on the drain pipe. See applicable plumbing
codes.
C.
Air chambers. An air chamber or approved shock absorber shall be
installed at the terminus of each riser, fixture branch, or hydraulic
elevator main for the prevention of undue water hammer. The air chamber
shall be sized in conformance with local plumbing codes. Where possible,
the air chamber should be provided at its base with a valve for water
drainage and replenishment of air.
A.
Definition. A cross-connection shall be defined as any physical connection
or arrangement between two otherwise separate systems, one of which
contains potable water from the Village water system, and the other
from a private source, water of unknown or questionable safety, or
steam gases or chemicals, whereby there may be a flow from one system
to the other; the direction of flow depending on the pressure differential
between the two systems.
B.
Cross-connections restricted. No person, firm or corporation shall
establish or maintain or permit to be established or maintained any
unprotected cross-connection. Cross-connection shall be protected
as required in Ch. SPS 382, Wis. Adm. Code.
C.
Inspections. The Water Utility shall inspect or arrange for an inspection of residential, office type, and Village-owned property served by the public water system for cross-connections every 10 years or when the meter is replaced, whichever occurs first. These properties shall be inspected during the year that ends in the same number as the property address. Other commercial, industrial, and public authority properties shall hire their own inspector every two years and submit the results to the Village. These properties shall be inspected during an even-numbered year if their street address is an even number and during an odd-numbered year if their street address is an odd number. Any unprotected cross-connections identified by the inspection shall be promptly corrected. Failure to promptly correct an unprotected cross-connection shall be sufficient cause for the Water Utility to discontinue water service to the property, as provided under Subsection E of this section.
D.
Right of entry. The Village of Fredonia Director of Public Works or his authorized representative shall have the right to request entry at any reasonable time to examine any property served by a connection to the public water system of the Village of Fredonia for cross-connections. Refusing entry to such Utility representative shall be sufficient cause for the Water Utility to discontinue water service to the property as provided under Subsection E of this section. If entry is refused, such representative may obtain a special inspection warrant under § 66.0119, Wis. Stats.
E.
Discontinuance of service. The Fredonia Water Utility is hereby authorized and directed to discontinue water service to any property wherein any connection in violation of this article exists, and to take such other precautionary measures deemed necessary to eliminate any danger of contamination of the public water system. Water service shall be discontinued only after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing under Chapter 68, Wisconsin Statutes, except as provided in Subsection F of this section. Water service to such property shall not be restored until the cross-connection(s) has been eliminated in compliance with the provisions of this article.
F.
Emergency discontinuance. If it is determined by the Fredonia Water Utility that a cross-connection or an emergency endangers public health, safety or welfare and required immediate action, and a written finding to that effect is filed with the Clerk of the Village of Fredonia and delivered to the customer's premises, service may be immediately discontinued. The customer shall have an opportunity for hearing under Chapter 68, Wisconsin Statutes, within 10 days of such emergency discontinuance.
G.
Provision of requested information. The Water Utility may request an owner, lessee or occupant of property served by a connection to the public water system to furnish the Water Utility with pertinent information regarding the piping systems on the property. Refusing to provide requested information shall be sufficient cause for the Water Utility to discontinue water service to the property, as provided under Subsection E of this section.
H.
State Code adopted. The Village of Fredonia adopts by reference the
State Plumbing Code of Wisconsin, being Chapter SPS 382, Wisconsin
Administrative Code.
I.
Section not to supersede other ordinances. This section does not
supersede the State Plumbing Code and any Village plumbing ordinances
but is supplementary to them.
Water mains will be extended for new customers on the following
basis:
A.
Where the cost of the extension is to immediately be collected through
assessment by the municipality against the abutting property, the
procedure set forth under Wis. Stats. § 66.0703 will apply,
and no additional customer contribution to the Utility will be required.
B.
Where the municipality is unwilling or unable to make a special assessment,
the extension will be made on a customer-financed basis as follows:
(1)
The applicant(s) will advance as a contribution in aid of construction the total amount equivalent to that which would have been assessed for all property under Subsection A.
(2)
Part of the contribution required in Subsection B(1) will be refundable. When additional customers are connected to the extended main within 10 years of the date of completion, contributions in aid of construction will be collected equal to the amount which would have been assessed under Subsection A for the abutting property being served. This amount will be refunded to the original contributor(s). In no case will the contributions received from additional customers exceed the proportionate amount which would have been required under Subsection A, nor will it exceed the total assessable cost of the original extension.
A.
Application for installation of water mains in regularly platted
real estate development subdivisions shall be filed with the Utility.
B.
If the developer, or a contractor employed by the developer, is to
install the water mains (with the approval of the Utility), the developer
shall be responsible for the total cost of construction.
C.
If the Utility or its contractor is to install the water mains, the
developer shall be required to advance to the Utility, prior to the
beginning of the construction, the total estimated cost of the extension.
If the final costs exceed estimated costs, an additional billing will
be made for the balance of the cost due. This balance is to be paid
within 30 days. If final costs are less than estimated, a refund of
the overpayment will be made by the Water Utility.
