[Amended 7-9-1949]
A.
Powers of the Mayor. In case of public emergency, act of God, drought
or conflagration, the Mayor of the City of Plattsburgh, with the consent
of the Common Council shall have the power to regulate the use of
water within the City, and except for drinking, domestic use within
a dwelling and for the purpose of fighting fire, the Mayor may prohibit
its use entirely. The Mayor shall be the sole judge as to when such
an emergency exists. The power herein granted shall exist only for
the duration of such emergency.
B.
Method of regulation. In case it shall become necessary to act under
the provisions of this section, the Mayor shall cause a proclamation
to be made, signed by the Mayor and City Clerk and given under the
seal of the City, stating specifically the nature of such emergency
and also stating specifically for what uses the use of water is prohibited.
The proclamation shall become effective upon posting the same in three
public places and shall thereafter be immediately published in the
official newspaper of the City.
C.
Penalties for offenses. Violation of any of the provisions of such
proclamation shall be punishable in City Court by a fine not to exceed
$250 or by confinement in Clinton County Jail for a period not to
exceed 25 days.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
For the purpose of this article, unless it is plainly evident
from the context that a different meaning is intended, certain terms
used herein are defined as follows:
Toilet facilities in a commercial or industrial establishment
intended primarily for use only by the occupants of such establishment.
Garages, gasoline filling stations, show-rooms, display rooms,
sales rooms, restaurants, bars, diners, taverns, grills, road stands,
and all other wholesale and retail outlets, barber shops, beauty parlors,
business and professional offices and, in general, all places of business.
Those dwellings or residences, or subdivisions of dwellings
or residences each separately occupied by a single family and used
solely for domestic or residential purposes.
Toilet facilities in a commercial or industrial establishment
intended for use by the general public.
Dwellings or residences or other premises in which rooms
are available for hire or rent, so-called tourist homes, sorority
and fraternity houses, and dwellings or premises used primarily as
dormitories, including all heretofore mentioned premises in this paragraph
which simultaneously may or may not provide domicile for single or
multifamily units as above defined.
The period May 1 to October 31 in any calendar year.
[Amended 10-24-1985]
A.
Individual meter required.
[Amended 2-2-2005]
(1)
An individual meter shall be required for each premises and each
separate service connection. One service connection shall be furnished
to each house or building. Separate metered service may be permitted
to each unit of a multiple house or building. The installation of
more than one water meter in a structure served by a single water
lateral shall require a certificate signed by the owner that attests:
(i) he, or his contractor, has inspected and tested the premises served
by such additional meter(s); (ii) the water measured by such meter(s)
is used or consumed entirely within the part of the premises owned
or occupied by the person who pays the metered water usage charges.
(a)
The water department will furnish, install, and maintain the
meter and meter couplings. The department will maintain meters as
stated insofar as ordinary wear and tear is concerned In case of damage
by freezing, hot water, or external damage, the customer shall be
liable for the cost of repairs.
(b)
Backflow of hot water, which may cause damage to the meter,
may be prevented by the installation of suitable equipment.
(c)
All meters installed by the water department shall be set at
"zero."
(2)
Location of meters.
(a)
The customer shall provide a place acceptable to the water department
for the location of the meter.
(b)
Meters should be installed inside buildings, unless otherwise
required or agreed to by the water department. They are usually located
in basements and should he placed in a clean, dry safe place at or
near the front wall, as close as possible to the point of entrance
of the connecting pipe.
(c)
Meters should be supported firmly, not less than 12 inches or
more than 36 inches above the floor level and should be readily accessible
at all reasonable times for inspection, reading, or changing by employees
of the water department.
(d)
Where it is necessary to set the meter outside the building,
it shall be installed, at the expense of the customer, in a pit which
is watertight and frostproof. The cover of the pit shall be fastened
with a convenient locking device. Where the distance from the property
line to the front wall of the building is greater than 75 feet, the
water department may require that the meter be set at or near the
property line.
(e)
If the pit is to be located upon property not owned or controlled
by the customer, written consent of the owner shall be first obtained.
(3)
Reading of meters. Meters will be read and inspected periodically
by the water department employees. If customers find that the meter
registers an unusual increase over the average amount of water used,
which cannot be accounted for, they should inform the water department
immediately.
(4)
Right to remove and test meters. The water department reserves the
right to remove and test any meter at any time and to substitute another
meter in its place. The customer will be given the opportunity to
obtain a reading and the substitute meter will be set at "zero."
(5)
Testing meters.
(a)
The water department will test its meters periodically in accordance
with its current rules.
(b)
In case of a disputed account involving the accuracy of a meter,
the water department will test the meter, upon the request of the
customer. A fee payable in advance of the test is required; such fee
shall be the actual cost of testing.
(c)
Adjustments in bills for over-registration of the meter will
be made in accordance with the current rules of the water department.
(6)
Replacement of defective meters. In all cases where a meter is found
to be defective, it will be replaced as soon as practicable by a meter
that has been tested and properly adjusted.
B.
Payment for metered water service:
(1)
Bills based on meter reading. The reading of a duly installed meter
showing the amount of water consumed shall be used for all metered
billing purposes except where it appears that the meter has ceased
to register or has registered inaccurately.
(2)
Rendering of bills. Billing shall be in accordance with the rates,
regulations, and methods for the applicable service classification.
(3)
Estimated bills.
(a)
Where access to a meter cannot be had, the water department
will bill the amount charged for the corresponding period of the preceding
year, and in such cases the amount paid will be treated as a credit,
the amount due being determined by the next meter reading.
(b)
In cases where it is found that a meter has ceased to register
or has registered inaccurately and the percentage of inaccuracy cannot
be determined by reasonable test, an estimated bill will be rendered
based on the water consumed in the corresponding period of prior years,
except where it appears that there has been a change in the occupancy
of the premises or in the use of water, in which case an equitable
adjustment will be made.
(4)
Discontinuance of service for nonpayment. In case any water bill
or charges provided for in and by these rules shall not be paid within
30 days following the rendering of the bill, the water department
may discontinue water service to the customer after five days' notice.
Service will not be re-established until the water charges are fully
paid, together with the charge for restoration of service as elsewhere
provided herein, and the customer pays a deposit equal to twice the
minimum charge. Overdue water bills outstanding at the close of the
calendar year shall become a lien on the property served.
C.
Water for building purposes.
(1)
Water for building or construction purposes will be furnished on
an application for metered service through a service pipe connection
to the main and the customer will be liable for the amount of water
used in accordance with Service Classification No. 1.
(2)
The applicant shall deposit with the water department the cost of
the meter and shall keep the said meter safe and accessible during
its use.
D.
Private fire service. Customers desiring service connections of reasonable
size to the mains of the water department, for private fire protection
on their premises, shall make separate application for such service,
in writing. Such installations shall be in accordance with these rules
and regulations, particularly the rules regarding the installation
of service pipes, connecting pipes and facilities. Such service lines
shall be used exclusively for fire protection purposes.
[Amended 5-22-1951 by L.L. No. 1-1989; L.L. No.
2-1989; L.L. No. 3-1990; L.L. No. 1-1994; L.L. No. 1-2012; L.L. No.
1-2013; 4-17-2019 by L.L. No. 4-2019; 3-26-2020 by L.L. No. 2-2020; 1-19-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
The rates for water services and the regulations for levying
and collecting water charges are as follows:
A.
Service Classification No. 1.
(1)
Applicable to the use of service for all customers taking service
within the corporate limits of the City of Plattsburgh, for bills
rendered on and after February 1, 2023.
(2)
Character of service: continuous.
(3)
Usage rate: per month.
|
Per Thousand Gallons
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Gross
|
Net
| |
|
First 16,000 gallons
|
$4.61
|
$4.19
|
|
In excess of 16,000 gallons
|
$4.11
|
$3.73
|
(4)
Minimum charge: monthly, based on a minimum usage rate and usage
scale.
|
Minimum Charge
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Meter Size
(inches)
|
Per Month Allowance
(gallons)
|
Gross
|
Net
|
|
5/8
|
2,000
|
$9.22
|
$8.38
|
|
3/4 (residential and commercial) or 1 (residential)
|
4,000
|
$18.43
|
$16.76
|
|
1 (nonresidential)
|
7,000
|
$32.27
|
$29.33
|
|
1 1/4
|
10,000
|
$46.09
|
$41.90
|
|
1 1/2
|
13,000
|
$59.92
|
$54.47
|
|
2
|
21,000
|
$94.27
|
$85.70
|
|
3
|
40,000
|
$172.25
|
$156.60
|
|
4
|
66,000
|
$278.98
|
$253.61
|
|
6
|
130,000
|
$553.94
|
$503.61
|
|
8
|
210,000
|
$870.02
|
$790.93
|
|
10
|
300,000
|
$1,239.43
|
$1,127.06
|
(5)
Infrastructure investment charges (IIC): annual charges, to be billed
monthly, based on meter size/service, line size.
(a)
New storage tanks IIC 2009.
|
Annual Charge
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Meter/Service Line Size
(inches)
|
Per Year
|
Per Month
|
|
5/8
|
$15
|
$1.25
|
|
3/4
|
$30
|
$2.50
|
|
1
|
$45
|
$3.75
|
|
1.5
|
$65
|
$5.42
|
|
2
|
$185
|
$15.42
|
|
3
|
$1,000
|
$83.33
|
|
4
|
$1,650
|
$137.50
|
|
6
|
$2,700
|
$225.00
|
|
8
|
$4,800
|
$400.00
|
(b)
Mead Dam IIC 2012.
|
Annual Charge
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Meter/Service Line Size
(inches)
|
Per Year
|
Per Month
|
|
5/8
|
$11.40
|
$0.95
|
|
3/4
|
$22.80
|
$1.90
|
|
1
|
$34.20
|
$2.85
|
|
1.5
|
$49.40
|
$4.12
|
|
2
|
$140.60
|
$11.72
|
|
3
|
$760.00
|
$63.33
|
|
4
|
$1,254.00
|
$104.50
|
|
6
|
$2,052.00
|
$171.00
|
|
8
|
$3,648.00
|
$304.00
|
(c)
Westbrook Dams IIC 2013.
|
Annual Charge
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Meter/Service Line Size
(inches)
|
Per Year
|
Per Month
|
|
5/8
|
$8.40
|
$0.70
|
|
3/4
|
$16.80
|
$1.40
|
|
1
|
$25.20
|
$2.10
|
|
1.5
|
$36.40
|
$3.03
|
|
2
|
$103.60
|
$8.63
|
|
3
|
$560.00
|
$46.67
|
|
4
|
$924.00
|
$77.00
|
|
6
|
$1,512.00
|
$126.00
|
|
8
|
$2,688.00
|
$224.00
|
(d)
Impact demand charge (IDC) 2020 (Beginning with bills sent after
June 30, 2020).
|
Annual Charge
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Meter/Service Line Size
(inches)
|
Per Year
|
Per Month
|
|
1*
|
$400
|
$33.33
|
|
1.5
|
$900
|
$75.00
|
|
2
|
$1,600
|
$133.33
|
|
3
|
$3,600
|
$300.00
|
|
4
|
$6,400
|
$533.33
|
|
6
|
$14,400
|
$1,200.00
|
|
8
|
$25,600
|
$2,133.33
|
|
*
|
Single- and two-family homes with one-inch services and smaller
are exempt from this 2020 IDC.
|
(e)
Water distribution system IIC 2022.
|
Meter/Service Line Size
(inches)
|
Charge
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Per Year
|
Per Month
| |
|
5/8
|
$45
|
$3.75
|
|
3/4
|
$64.80
|
$5.40
|
|
1
|
$115.20
|
$9.60
|
|
1.5
|
$259.20
|
$21.60
|
|
2
|
$460.80
|
$38.40
|
|
3
|
$1,036.80
|
$86.40
|
|
4
|
$1,843.20
|
$153.60
|
|
6
|
$4,147.20
|
$345.60
|
|
8
|
$7,372.80
|
$614.40
|
(6)
Terms of payment: Except as set forth in the following subsection
entitled "Special provisions," meters shall be read and bills shall
be rendered monthly, in arrears. The water consumed times the water
rate shall be the net amount of the water charges and shall be due
and payable when the bill is rendered. The gross amount of the water
bill shall be the net amount plus 10% of the net amount. The gross
amount shall be due and payable if the net amount is not paid within
20 days of the date of the billing. If the gross amount of a water
bill is not paid, the gross amount shall accrue interest at the rate
of 1.5% per month until date of payment.
(7)
Term: from the date of commencement of service, pursuant to application,
until 10 days' written notice is given prior to the date set for discontinuance
or upon discontinuance by the Water Department in accordance with
the provisions of this Schedule of Water Service.
(8)
Special provisions.
(a)
Meters may be read and/or bills rendered monthly at the option
of the Water Department. The terms of payment, for monthly billings,
are net 20 days after date of bill. Gross amount plus interest shall
be due thereafter.
(b)
All those customers who do not have water meters installed in
the water service line serving their premises on the effective date
of this service classification shall be billed at the rate of $16.76
per month until such time that a water meter has been set in the water
service line to their premises. Thereafter, the rates for water service
above set forth shall apply.
(c)
Elderly persons that qualify for the real property tax exemption
shall also be exempt from the minimum charge for water service and
be charged for only the actual gallons of water consumed.
B.
Service Classification No. 3.
(1)
Applicable to use of service for private fire protection service
within the corporate limits of the City of Plattsburgh.
(2)
Character of service: continuous.
(3)
Rate:
(a)
Private fire lines.
|
Size of Service
(inches)
|
Annual Charge
|
Quarterly Charge
|
Monthly Charge
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
2
|
$167.90
|
$41.98
|
$14.00
|
|
3
|
$364.24
|
$91.05
|
$30.36
|
|
4
|
$432.36
|
$108.09
|
$36.03
|
|
6
|
$779.58
|
$194.91
|
$64.97
|
|
8
|
$1,589.52
|
$407.60
|
$135.86
|
|
10
|
$2,338.32
|
$584.59
|
$194.88
|
(b)
Private fire hydrant (per hydrant).
|
Annual Charge
|
Quarterly Charge
|
Monthly Charge
|
|---|---|---|
|
$755.98
|
$189.01
|
$63.01
|
(c)
Infrastructure investment charge: $696 per hydrant per year
($174 per quarter, $58 per month).
(4)
Minimum charge: none.
(5)
Terms of payment: net cash on presentation of bill. Bills may be
rendered quarterly or monthly.
(6)
Terms: From the date of commencement of service, pursuant to application,
until 30 days' written notice is given prior to the date set for discontinuance
by the Water Department in accordance with provisions of this Schedule
Water Service.
(7)
Special provision: The foregoing rates for private fire protection
service are based on unmetered service. Water for fire extinguishment
purposes and limited testing requirements is provided at no extra
charge. However, if, in the opinion of the Water Department, the installation
of a fire line meter is required, the customer shall make said installation
at his own expense. The entire meter installation shall be constructed
and installed according to the specifications of the Water Department.
There shall be no branch connections to said fire service line other
than those for fire protection service.
