[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Water Commissioners of the Town
of Orange. Amendments noted where applicable.]
All applications for the use of Town water must be made at the Water
Department and must state fully and truly the various uses for which water
is required. The application form must be picked up three days prior to commencement
of the work.
For all new services including fire services there is a connection fee
of $1,000 per inch per service installed. There is also a deposit of $150
for labor and material.
There will be no new services installed after November 15 and before
April 1; no exceptions to the rule.
All water services shall be installed by the Water Department or its
authorized agents at the expense of the property owner. The Superintendent
or agent, in all cases, will put on the corporation cock and locate the service
boxes.
Old building water services may be used in connection with new buildings
only when found, on examination and test by the Superintendent, to meet all
the requirements of the Water Department.
Water takers must bear the expense of laying and maintaining all pipe
and fixtures on their premises to the curb stop, and must keep the same well
protected from freezing and prevent all waste of water. They will be held
liable for all damage resulting from their failure to do so.
All water takers must protect the water meter from freezing and theft,
or to be otherwise damaged, because the water taker will be responsible for
the damage. All ordinary wear of the meter will be made at the expense of
the Water Department.
The property owner shall maintain the water meter and entrance valve
free from rubbish and other material which may obstruct access by the Water
Department employees.
All persons are forbidden to connect with any main or service pipe in
back of the meter. All plumbing where Town water is used must conform to the
Massachusetts Plumbing Code, including cross connections and backflow situations.
Water takers shall, at reasonable hours, permit the Water Department
to enter the premises and examine the way in which water is being used. In
cases where repairs are needed, the Water Department will order the repairs
to be done.
No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening
into, use, alter, or disturb any public water main or appurtenance thereof
without first obtaining permission from the Superintendent.
No person shall be permitted to open any service box or hydrant or meddle
with the water meter in any way without a written permit from the Water Commissioners
or Superintendent. The Fire Department shall, in all cases, have free control
of the hydrants at all fires.
No person shall operate fire hydrants except the Fire Department for
the purpose of fire fighting or the Water Department employees for the purpose
of service work. Permission must be granted by the Superintendent for the
use of a fire hydrant, and the fee of $50 plus the amount of water that goes
through a meter will be paid to the Water Department. Violators will be subject
to a billing of $50 for each violation.
No water taker shall allow water taken off the premises, either by connecting
pipes or hose, nor in any other way make a practice of furnishing water to
anyone outside the building without a written permit from the Water Superintendent.
No person shall shut off fire line services supplying sprinkler systems
without notifying the Fire Department and the Water Department. No work may
be done on any fire lines without permission.
No cross-connection between the water service supplying the premises
and any other source will be permitted, nor with any fixture or any appliance
containing liquid subject to pollution whereby there is any possibility, under
any conditions, of backflow into the service pipe or water distribution system.
The Water Department will furnish the water meter in sizes 5/8 inch
through one inch. Any meter larger than one inch must be purchased by the
owner. Once a meter has been purchased it becomes the property of the Water
Department. All meters are to be in cubic feet.
Water meters will be taken out and tested upon a complaint of the customer
for the fee of $20. If the water meter does not test out within 2% of being
accurate, the meter will be replaced and the fee will be returned. The Water
Department requests that water takers be present at the time of the test.
When notice is given to turn on the water at a property, there will
be a fee of $25.
No water shall be drawn from fire line services for tests or repairs
without notifying the Water Department.
In cases of fire, repairs or extensions, the water may be shut off without
notice. Temporary loss of water notices will be given whenever possible.
Water accounts will be kept with the owners of the property. Bills will
be rendered quarterly and must be paid in full within 45 days. Failure to
pay in the required time will result in shutting off the water supply.