The Department shall specify the quality and shall have exclusive control of supply pipes and service pipes, meters, corporation and curb cocks, and all pipes and fixtures shall be placed underground, at least four feet to insure against freezing.
In each building intended to be connected with the public water supply, there shall be provided a stop and waste cock, placed as near the front basement or foundation wall as possible but beyond the water meter position and easily accessible in order that water may be turned on and off and drained from the pipes in case of accident or in order to make necessary repairs. Such stops must be kept in good working condition, must be thoroughly protected from freezing and must be equal in strength and quality to the curb cock or valve set by the Department. Provision shall be made for convenient installation of the water meter in accordance with the standard plans of the Department.
The Superintendent may, at any time after receiving the consent of the Mayor and Council, install a meter and charge meter rates on any service pipes not so equipped, and, in all cases where meters are to be installed, an inspection of the premises will be made by the Department to determine the size of meter required, its proper location and the manner in which it shall be set up and protected. Meters may be sealed by the Water-Sewer Department and no one except an authorized employee of the Department shall break or injure such seals. No person other than authorized employees of the Department shall change the location of, alter or interfere in any way with any meter. Meters are and shall remain the property of the Department and will be at all times under its control. All necessary expenses of installing, maintaining and caring for meters shall be borne by the Department, provided that where replacements, repairs, or adjustments of any meter are rendered necessary by the act, neglect or carelessness of the owner or occupant of any premises, any expense to the Department caused thereby shall be charged against and collected from the owner of the premises.
The owner of any premises where a water meter is installed will be held responsible for its care and protection from freezing and from injury to the water meter; in case of its stoppage, injury, or imperfect working, he shall give immediate notice to office.
All Borough water used on any premises where a water meter is installed must pass through the water meter. No bypass or connection between the water meter and main shall be made or maintained.
The accuracy of the water meter on any premises will be tested by the Department upon written request of the owner who shall pay in advance a fee to cover the cost of the test. If on such test the water meter shall be found to register over 3% more water than actually passes through it, another water meter will be substituted therefor, and the fee will be repaid to the owner, and the Superintendent may adjust the water bill for the current billing period.
When new service pipes are put into any premises, the curb cock shall be left closed and will thereafter be opened by the Department only upon request of the owner, which request must be in writing if Department so requires. Under no circumstances shall curb cocks be opened or closed by any person not an authorized employee, except that a plumber having a permit issued by the Department for that purpose may open a curb cock to test his work. The holder of a permit to use water for building or any such work shall not open or close curb cocks or otherwise interfere with same.
Borough water shall be taken and used only through supply and service pipes established by or under the supervision of the Department. No connection by which water may pass from one property to another shall exist, even though the ownership of both properties may be the same, without the written consent and approval of the Department.
Fire hydrants are provided for the sole purpose of extinguishing fires and are to be opened and used only by the Water-Sewer and Fire Departments of the Borough. No person shall in any manner obstruct or prevent free access to any fire hydrant or place or store temporarily or otherwise any object, materials, snow, debris or structure of any kind within a distance of five feet of any hydrant. Any obstruction, when discovered, may be removed at once by the Department at the expense of the person responsible for the obstruction.
Owners of property desiring any unusual construction, alterations or attachments connected with the water supply must submit plans and specifications for the same to the Superintendent for his inspection and approval and his determination as to whether the same are permissible and the terms and conditions under which their use will be allowed.
Water pipes likely to be exposed to freezing temperatures must be effectively protected from freezing.
Excessive or unnecessary use or waste of water, whether caused by carelessness or by defective or leaky plumbing or fixtures, is strictly prohibited even where the service is metered. For disregard of or repeated violation of this requirement, the water may be turned off by the Department. Where the water has been turned off by the Department for any reason, no person shall turn it on again without the permission of the Department. When this rule is violated, the water may be turned off at the main in which case the owner shall, before it is turned on again, pay in advance the charge of the Department therefor.
In all cases where plumbing repairs are made in unoccupied houses, the plumber must on completion of his work leave the curb cock closed; if he shall fail or neglect to do so, he shall be liable for all damage occasioned thereby.
No person shall obstruct or interfere with any curb cock, valve, meter, or fixture belonging to the Department by placing in, on, or about it, building materials, rubbish, soil, snow or other hindrances to easy and free access thereto.