[Adopted 2-10-1982 (Ch. 61 of the 1972 Code)]
A.
The following rules and regulations established by
the Town Board of the Town of Carmel shall apply to all water districts
located within the Town of Carmel.
B.
Each and every party taking and/or using water furnished
by any district or making any connections with any mains incorporated
within any of the water systems serving such districts shall comply
with these rules and regulations. The Town Board reserves the right
to make such changes in these rules and regulations as it may, from
time to time, deem desirable.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
The Town Board of the Town of Carmel.
The person or persons owning the premises connected with
the mains and/or using water therefrom.
The superintendent duly designated by the Board to supervise
the operation of a water system supplying any district or districts
within the Town of Carmel. When used herein, the word "Superintendent"
shall mean the Superintendent of the district in which the premises
are located.
Any water district established in accordance with law located
within the Town of Carmel. When used herein, the word "district" or
"water district" shall mean the water district in which the premises
are located.
A.
Every owner, consumer or taker of water from any Town
system shall be in all respects bound by and shall be considered to
have assented to the rules, regulations and requirements as herein
set forth or as hereinafter amended as a condition precedent to the
rights to service from said water system.
B.
No person or corporation shall be allowed to use or
take water from any Town system for any purpose whatever or to connect
with the mains without first making application therefore and signing
a contract for its use on a form provided. Application forms may be
obtained from the Town Clerk or from the Superintendent. Contracts
for water must be signed by the owner of the property or by an agent
holding legal authorization to sign for said owner. In case of signature
by an agent, a copy of the owner's authorization to sign must be filed
with the application.
C.
No person or persons shall be permitted to take water
from the fire hydrants to sprinkle any street or portions of the streets
or for any other purpose without having first obtained a permit from
the Superintendent, which permit shall be good only for the time named
therein. This shall not preclude the inspection and operation of the
fire hydrants by members of fire companies in performance of their
official duties.
D.
No approval shall be granted for construction of a
multifamily building(s) without a prior, written agreement between
the developer and the Town Board, which agreement must contain provisions
relating to the method of hookup to the water system, the number and
location of water meters, the method of payment of water bills and
all other matters relevant to the particular aspects of the proposed
multifamily building.
All tapping and the making of connections with
the mains or water pipes of the district shall be made by the Superintendent
or his duly authorized agent. Violation of this regulation shall authorize
the Superintendent to shut off the water without notice. The size
of the tap to be made will be determined by such Superintendent.
A.
The size of the service line will be designated by
the Superintendent in accordance with information to be furnished
by the consumer as to his probable requirements. Service lines from
the main to the curb box will be installed by the district, acting
as the agent for and at the expense of the property owner, and will
consist of a corporation cock inserted in the main, a length of copper
tubing or, in the case of larger service lines, a section of brass
or cast-iron pipe, and curb cock and box to be located within the
property line.
B.
Costs of service lines and taps.
(1)
The cost for the installation of a service line from
the main to the curb box, including the tapping of the main, shall
be $350 for three-fourths-inch taps, including copper, tubing, fittings,
curb box and tapping of main. This charge does not include excavating,
backfilling or patching, the cost of which, if required, will be added
to said $350.
(2)
Where a land subdivider, developer and/or builder
has, at his own cost and expense, constructed mains, laterals and
service lines from the main to the curb box and from the curb box
to the structure and/or dwelling, the charge shall be $50 for each
tap, including the inspection fee and appurtenant costs. In addition,
such persons shall pay the cost of the meter in accordance with these
rules and regulations.
C.
Cost of service lines and taps.
[Amended 11-26-1986]
(1)
The cost of the installation of the service line from
the main to the curb box (including tapping of the main) having three-fourths-inch
taps, including copper tubing, fittings, curb box and tapping of the
main, shall be established annually by the Town Board and shall be
on file in the office of the Town Clerk. This charge does not include
excavating, backfilling or patching, the cost of which, if required,
will be added to the set charge.
(2)
Where a land subdivider, developer and/or builder
has, at his own cost and expense, constructed mains, laterals and
service lines from the main to the approximate curb box and from the
curb box to the structure and/or dwelling, and being the primary developer
of said subdivision, the charge shall be established annually by the
Town Board and shall be on file in the office of the Town Clerk. In
addition, such persons shall pay the cost of the meter in accordance
with these rules and regulations.
D.
All curb boxes once set shall be adjusted to changes
in grades and shall be kept accessible and in repair by the owner.
No person shall turn on or shut off any curb cock controlling any
service line without the permission of the Superintendent.
A.
The service line from the curb box to the building
shall be installed by the owner of the premises, at his own cost and
expense, under the supervision of and subject to the inspection of
the Superintendent.
B.
All trenches for service lines shall have a minimum
depth of five feet. The location of the service line shall be as designated
by the Superintendent.
C.
Except with the written permission of the Superintendent,
a separate tap and service shall be installed for each building used
for residence purposes, except in the case of multifamily buildings,
and located on the street in which there is a district water main,
and no consumer shall be allowed to supply water to other persons
or premises. No connections of any kind shall be made to the service
pipe between the main and the meter.
A.
Installation.
(1)
Meters will be installed by Carmel Water District
No. 2 upon the payment of the appropriate charge. The Town Board shall
annually establish such charge and the same shall be on file in the
office of the Town Clerk.
[Amended 11-26-1986]
(2)
Meters will remain the property of the district. The
district will furnish a suitable shutoff cock or valve on the inlet
side, and the owner shall furnish an additional one on the outlet
side of the meter. The meter will be set by the Superintendent, but
the owner shall make suitable provision so that it may be set in a
horizontal position not more than three feet from where the line enters
the building.
B.
The Superintendent or any of the district employees,
in the performance of their duties, shall be permitted to enter the
premises of any consumer between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
to examine the meter, pipes and fixtures and make a record of the
quantity of water used, including the manner of its use. If any violation
of these rules and regulations is found to exist, the Superintendent
shall order its correction, and if it is not corrected within 24 hours
thereafter, water may be shut off until such violation is remedied.
C.
No person other than employees of the district shall
interfere with or remove any water meter, coupling or shutoff from
any service line after it has once been installed, and the owner of
the premises shall be held strictly responsible for any violation
of this regulation.
D.
Whenever any meter seal is found broken, the meter
will be tested at the expense of the owner.
E.
Any meter damaged by frost or freezing or by hot water
backing onto the meter or in any other way due to the negligence of
the consumer shall be repaired by the district at the expense of the
owner, who shall pay for said repairs within 30 days after presentation
of the bill therefor. The charge for such repairs shall include the
cost of removing, repairing and replacing of said meter. The minimum
charge therefor shall be established annually by the Town Board and
shall be on file in the office of the Town Clerk. Consumers wishing
to protect meters from hot water may do so by installing a check valve
between the boiler and the meter, but in such case a suitable relief
valve should also be installed to guard against explosion. Any meters
removed by others than employees of the district will be replaced
by the district but at the expense of the owner.
[Amended 11-26-1986]
F.
Every meter shall be kept unobstructed and easily
accessible to the district employees. No meter shall be placed in
a coal or wood bin.
G.
All meters are tested for accuracy before installation.
If any meter is found to be defective, it will be changed by the Superintendent.
In case of its ceasing to register accurately, the account will be
adjusted by taking the average shown by another meter, or an amount
equivalent or proportional to that charged during a previous corresponding
period. Consumers, upon written request, may have their meters tested
by the Superintendent upon the payment of a fee which shall be established
annually by the Town Board and shall be on file in the office of the
Town Clerk. Such fees shall be remitted if the meter so tested is
found to register inaccurately to the extent of 3% either way. This
test may be witnessed by the applicant.
[Amended 11-26-1986]
H.
No more than one meter will be furnished for each
tap. Where more than one meter to a tap is desired, the owner may
obtain the same by purchasing the same or by paying such charge for
the use of the extra meter as may be determined by the Board.
I.
Where meters are installed at a point other than in
a building, the owner will be required to construct, at his cost and
expense, a meter pit of a design to be approved by the Superintendent.
A.
Written notice must be given by the owner to the Superintendent
when he wishes to discontinue the use of water, and it will be turned
off at the curb box when the property is temporarily vacated. A charge
will be made for each time the service is turned off or for extra
meter readings. The charge shall be established annually by the Town
Board and shall be on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
[Amended 11-26-1986]
B.
Should an owner wish to permanently discontinue the
service line, he shall notify the Superintendent, who will cause the
service line to be cut off at the main and the main to be plugged.
The owner shall be liable for any expenses incident to such permanent
disconnection and, in the event of his later desiring to renew the
service, shall pay for the same just as if the original service had
never existed.
Water shall be turned on and off only by an
employee of the district, except in cases of emergency when immediate
notice thereof must be given to the Superintendent. Violation of this
rule shall be sufficient cause for the cutting off of the supply of
water.
A.
The district shall not be liable for any damages which
may result to consumer's pipes, appliances or other property from
the shutting off of water mains or service lines for any purpose whatever,
whether previous notice has been given or not. In cases where boilers
are directly supplied with water, a suitable valve or other device
should be applied to prevent collapse or explosion in case the water
is shut off in the street mains. No deductions from water bills will
be made for periods when the service is shut off due to accidents
or repairs. The district shall not be held liable for any damage sustained
by reason of its failure to supply water to any consumer at any time
or for any cause and reserves the right to control the amount of water
supplied in the event that the supply becomes short for any reason.
B.
The district does not guarantee service from main
to house or through any piping, valves or connections therein. Faulty
service or inadequate supply is frequently due to corroding or stopping
of pipes and fixtures. Any necessary changes in piping, valves or
connections to increase the water supply or its efficiency must be
made by the owner at his own expense.
C.
The Board reserves to itself the control of all taps,
mains, curb cocks and meters. It also reserves the right, whenever
the Board deems it proper or whenever there is a violation of the
rules and regulations, to take charge of and control the service pipes.
The district will not be accountable for any breaks or obstructions
caused by frost or otherwise; or from any damage arising by leakage
from service pipes, fixtures or pipes owned by individuals. The district
will not thaw out or pay for the thawing out of frozen service lines.
The owner must keep the curb box, the service
lines from the curb box to the building and his plumbing fixtures
in good repair and, at his own expense, must prevent all unnecessary
waste of water. He shall be liable for such repairs as may be deemed
necessary to prevent water waste. Upon failure to comply with this
rule, the Superintendent may turn off the water and not turn it on
again until the repairs are made. Consumers are warned that high pressures
are maintained in some parts of the systems and the installation of
a pressure-reducing valve may be advisable. The owner is liable for
any accidents due to curb boxes protruding above grade.
A.
Determination of emergency; when effective; duration.
The Board is authorized to determine whether an emergency exists affecting
the supply or use of water within any water district and to make such
decree and to promulgate such regulations as it deems necessary, at
any time and from time to time, and likewise to make a decree terminating
such emergency. Any such decree and regulations shall be in writing,
signed by the Board and shall be filed in the office of the Town Clerk.
Publication of a copy of such decree and regulations in the official
newspaper of the Town of Carmel and posting of a copy thereof on the
signboard at the Town Hall shall constitute sufficient notice. Such
decrees and regulations shall become effective two days following
the date of publication and posting and shall remain in effect until
rescinded by similar procedure.
B.
Use during emergencies for nonessential purposes prohibited.
During the existence of any emergency affecting the supply or use
of water within any water district, including but not limited to a
shortage of water by reason of insufficient rainfall, it shall be
unlawful for any person to use water supplied by such water district
for a nonessential purpose, as herein defined.
C.
Enumeration of nonessential purposes. For the purposes
of this article, the following are deemed to be nonessential purposes
when water therefor is drawn from a pipe or a hose directly or indirectly
connected with a main of any water district affected by a determination
of emergency as hereinabove provided:
(1)
The washing of motor vehicles, except for windshields,
mirrors and the like.
(2)
The cleaning or washing of the outside of buildings
or other structures by the use of water or steam.
(3)
The bleeding of supply lines for the purpose of maintaining
a constant flow to prevent freezing.
(4)
The flooding of outdoor skating rinks.
(5)
The operation of swimming pools, portable and otherwise,
except swimming pools designed and used exclusively for medical treatment.
(6)
The use of automatic plumbing flush fixtures or apparatus,
and the maintenance of constant flow from showers and similar apparatus.
(7)
The use of hose, spout and similar pressure-bathing
apparatus, and the maintenance of constant flow from showers and similar
apparatus.
(8)
The new installation of refrigeration and/or air-conditioning
equipment requiring the use of water.
(9)
The watering of lawns and private gardens and the
operation of ornamental ponds, pools and fountains.
A.
The Board shall determine the rates for water consumption
in each district at its organizational meeting. The rates shall include
a minimum quarterly charge, which will entitle the user to 1,000 cubic
feet per quarter. Meters will be read on or about the 15th of the
month immediately preceding the expiration of the quarter, and, in
the event that more water is used during any quarter than is allocated
thereto, bills will be rendered for such excess at the rates established
by the Board. In the event that less water is used during any quarter
than the minimum, no credit, refund or allowance will be made therefor.
For the purposes of this article, quarters shall end on the last day
of the months of March, June, September and December.
B.
Special rates for sprinkler taps. Any building with
a sprinkler system installed using district water shall be charged
an annual fee established by the Town Board and on file in the office
of the Town Clerk, which shall be in addition to the regular water
rates.
[Amended 11-26-1986]
C.
The above rates and aforementioned charges relate
only to property within the water district. For property or users
outside the water district, all rates and charges shall be increased
50%.
A.
Checks or money orders for the payment of water bills
or water charges shall be made payable to the respective water districts.
Payments may be made in person at the office of the Receiver of Taxes.
Bills will be rendered as follows:
B.
For bills remaining unpaid at the end of 60 days after
becoming due, the water may be shut off and not turned on again until
the bill is paid, together with an additional fee established by the
Town Board and on file in the office of the Town Clerk.
[Amended 11-26-1986]
C.
The payment of water bills must include all arrears
and charges to date. No payment will be accepted which leaves a previous
charge unpaid. Unpaid water bills are a lien on the property. When
unpaid water charges are placed on the annual tax roll, a penalty
of 10% of such charges shall be added thereto.
D.
In the event that the meter reader is unable to enter
upon the premises to read the meter, and provided that he has made
two attempts so to do, the water bill may be computed by averaging
previous meter readings for a similar period or at the minimum rate.
Such procedure will also be resorted to in the event that meters become
stopped and do not register. All water bills will be sent to the owner
of the premises. Payments will be accepted from agents or tenants.
However, the owner is responsible for the payment of all water bills.
Service of any notice authorized or directed
by or on behalf of the water district may be made upon the owner or
consumer personally or by leaving the same at the premises where the
water is supplied or by sending the same by mail to such party at
the address as shown on the tax assessment records of the Town.
Any person committing an offense against any
provision of this article shall be guilty of a violation punishable
by a fine not to exceed $250 or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding
15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.