No person shall, without authority of the Director of Public
Works or designee, operate any valve connected with the utility water
distribution system, or open or operate any fire hydrants connected
with the distribution system, except for the purpose of extinguishing
a fire, or shall wantonly damage or impair the same.
The customer shall protect the stop box in their terrace and
shall keep the same free from dirt and other obstructions. The utility
shall not be liable for failure to locate the stop box and shut off
the water in case of a leak on a customer's premises.
A.
Frozen services under the responsibility of the Village shall be
thawed out by and at the expense of the utility except where the freezing
was caused by contributory fault or negligence on the part of the
customer such as reduction of the grade or undue exposure of the piping
in the building or on customers' property, or failure to comply with
utility specifications and requirements as to depth of service, lack
of sufficient backfill, etc.
B.
Following the freezing of a service, the utility shall take such
steps and issue such instructions as may be necessary to prevent the
refreezing of the same service. In case it is necessary to allow the
water to flow to prevent refreezing, the customer shall make provision
for proper disposal of the wastewater. For the period in which the
water is allowed to run, the customer's bill shall be adjusted for
the consumption exceeding the customer's average consumption.
During reasonable hours the utility shall have the right of
access on and into the premises supplied with service, for the purpose
of inspection or for the enforcement of this division and the requirements
of the State Public Service Commission.
When premises are to be vacated, including the removal of heat
from around the meter, the utility shall be notified, in writing,
at once, so that it may remove the meter and shut off the supply at
the stop box. The owner of the premises shall be liable to prosecution
for any damage to the property of the utility (including the meter)
by reason of failure to notify the utility.
The utility reserves the right to shut off the water in the
mains temporarily, to make repairs, alterations or additions to the
plant or system. Except in case of emergency repairs, whenever possible,
the utility shall give notification, by Village website, social media
platforms, individual notices, etc., or otherwise, of the interruption
of service. No rebate or credit will be allowed to customers for such
temporary suspension of supply.
When the utility has reasonable evidence that a customer is
obtaining their supply of water, in whole or in part, by means of
devices or methods used to stop or interfere with the proper metering
of the water being delivered to their equipment and premise, the utility
reserves the right to estimate and present immediately a bill for
unmetered water use as a result of such interference and such bill
shall be payable subject to a twenty-four-hour disconnection of service.
When the utility has disconnected the customer for any such reason,
the utility will reconnect the customer upon the following conditions:
A.
The customer will be required to deposit with the utility an amount
sufficient to guarantee the payment of the customer's bills for utility
service to the utility.
B.
The customer will be required to pay the utility for any and all
damages to its equipment on the customer's premises due to such stoppage
or interference with its metering.
C.
The customer must further agree to comply with reasonable requirements
to protect the utility against further losses.
A.
The Village President may impose a water warning under the criteria
set forth in this section. Such a water warning shall continue until
it is determined by the Village President that it is no longer necessary
in order to avoid undue stress upon the resources and reserve capital
of the Village.
B.
Under a water warning the utility is urging all customers to implement
voluntary lawn watering restrictions, in addition to reducing residential
water uses such as washing machines, dishwashers, car washing, etc.
C.
A water warning shall be declared when necessary to maintain water
pumpage below a preset daily total amount, or to maintain demand on
the system below a preset level, or to comply with an electrical utility
request for voluntary cutback in peak load electrical usage. In addition
a water warning may be implemented to assist in the reduction of sanitary
sewer system backups.
D.
Criteria to be considered for a water warning shall be:
(1)
To avoid sustained low pressure;
(2)
To maintain reservoir levels above preset fire reserve limits as
determined by the utility;
(3)
To compensate for a loss of all or a portion of water tower storage;
(4)
To maintain or preserve adequate capacity at the water treatment
facility; or
(5)
To minimize surcharges to the Village sanitary sewer system.
E.
The Village President, upon the recommendation of the Director of
Public Works, may impose a water warning under the criteria set forth
above. Such a water warning shall continue until it is determined
that it is no longer necessary in order to maintain a sustainable
water system. Notice of a water warning shall be given to the Village
Board and major news media that serve the Village as well as other
social media platforms.
A.
The Village President, upon the recommendation of the Director of Public Works, may impose a water emergency under the criteria set forth in Subsection B of this section. Such a water emergency shall continue until it is determined that the health and safety of the public will not be compromised. Under a water emergency, the Village President is authorized to implement mandatory restrictions on any water uses of one or more classes of water users, wholly or in part. Under a water emergency, nothing shall limit the ability of the Village President to terminate the supply of water to any or all customers upon the determination of the Director of Public Works that an emergency termination of water service is required to protect the health and safety of the public. Notice of a water emergency shall be given to the Village Board and major news media that serve the Village as well as other social media platforms.
Any person who violates any mandatory restriction on water usage issued pursuant to this article or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall be subject to a penalty as provided in Chapter 17 of this Code, in addition to the specific penalties provided in this chapter. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day on which a violation of this chapter occurs or continues.
