[Adopted 12-7-1998[1]; amended in its entirety 2-24-2003]
[1]
Editor's Note: This legislation also superseded former Part 1, Cross-Connection
Control Program, adopted 1-15-1987.
A.Â
The following regulations are a part of the contract
with every person who takes, purchases, or consumes water, and governs the
relation between the Groton Water Department and its consumers and contractors/developers
who install water systems. The Board of Water Commissioners shall set fees
for the equitable distribution of costs resulting from the programs established
herein under MGL C. 40, §§ 42A to 42I.
B.Â
All prior and existing rules and regulations are hereby
rescinded, and these rules and regulations substituted in place thereof, except
that where notice has already been given or steps taken to enforce the payment
of overdue water bills, the Water Department shall continue to have the right
to proceed with such enforcement under the terms and conditions of the rules
and regulations then in effect.
As used in this Part 1, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
One whose property abuts, is contiguous to or joins at the border
or boundary of a right-of-way and/or easement in which a main pipe is to be
or has been installed.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the
municipal water system from any source other than the municipal source.
A Water Department approved device which operates as a check valve
on the service pipe to prevent any material from being forced or drawn into
the municipal water system, thereby contaminating the potable water supply.
Elected officials who have exclusive charge and control of the Water
Department and water system, subject to all lawful bylaws and to such instructions,
rules and regulations as the Town may from time to time impose by its vote.
They regulate the use of the water and fix and collect just and equitable
prices and rates for the use thereof. They develop and oversee the budget
and finances of the Department.
The individual, firm or corporation whose name the Water Department
has on its books as the party who has applied for water service, or any individual,
firm or corporation who, in fact, uses the water services of the Town of Groton.
Any actual or potential physical connection or arrangement between
two otherwise separate systems, one of which contains potable water and the
other of which contains material of unknown or questionable safety, including
water containing any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance
or matter.
The valve located at the main which the Water Department alone may
use to turn on or shut off service to the premises.
The valve located at or adjacent to the consumer's property line,
which the Water Department alone may use to turn on or shut off service to
the premises.
The Department of Environmental Protection.
Herein referred to as the "Department," shall be the Town of Groton
Water Department, Board of Water Commissioners and Water Superintendent, who
has exclusive control of the water system and financial well being.
The supply pipe laid underground from which house connections are
made.
A device to be used for the measuring of the quantity of water supplied
to the consumer.
The device placed by the Water Department on the outside surface
of the consumer's premises permitting the Water Department to determine water
consumption based on a meter reading without entering the premises.
The consumer's property or building(s) thereon to which service is
provided.
The full strip of land designated as a way, consisting of the roadway
and any planting strips and sidewalks. A way so designated shall not be available
for any private construction.
Drawings, "as builts," which show size and location of water main
installation, including mains, service lines, tees, elbows, plugs, caps, stubs,
hydrants etc., with triangulation ties noted.
A separate household of one or more people, stores, garages, laundries,
manufacturing establishments or, in the opinion of the Board of Water Commissioners,
whatever constitutes a service shall pay a minimum charge per quarter and/or
monthly.
The pipe running from the main in the street to include a curb stop
and curb box at the property line, a shut-off valve, meter and meter connection,
usually inside the cellar wall.
A one-time assessment for connecting to the municipal water system.
It does not cover the actual cost of tapping into the water system, but reflects
the capital costs of current and anticipated expansion of the water system.
A right acquired by a public authority or other person for use or
control of property for utility or other designated public purpose.
The person responsible for the operation of Groton's municipal water
supply. He or she: administers and manages the Department and water system
infrastructure using policies of the Board of Water Commissioners, the municipal
water supply laws of the commonwealth and the regulations of the commonwealth's
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Environmental
Management (DEM) and the Office of the Inspector General (Chapter 30B); reports
to the Board of Water Commissioners every two weeks on average; at all other
times, acts under his or her own judgment and develops and implements strategy
for emergency situations as well as day-to-day operations.
A.Â
The Groton Water Department does not guarantee the consumer
a full volume of water beyond optimal service levels or the required pressure
per square inch necessary to effectively operate hydraulic elevators, sprinkler
systems or other appliances, the same being subject to all the variable conditions
that may take place in the use of water from the municipal water system.
B.Â
No consumer shall be entitled to damages or to have payment
refunded for any interruption of supply occasioned either by accident to any
portion of the municipal water system or by shutting off for the purpose of
additions or repairs to the municipal water system or by the stoppage or shortage
of supply due to causes beyond the control of the Water Department, including,
without limitation thereof, drought, earthquake, fire or flood, terrorism,
act of God or other.
C.Â
The Groton Water Department will not be responsible for
damages caused by discolored water resulting from normal water operations,
such as opening or closing of any gate for repairs, the use of any hydrants
or the breaking of any pipe.
D.Â
The Groton Water Department assumes no liability for
conditions which exist in a consumer's pipes and cause trouble coincident
to or following the repairs of any main pipe, service pipe, meter or other
appliance belonging to the Water Department.
E.Â
The Groton Water Department reserves the right at any
time without notice to shut off the water in the municipal water system for
the purpose of making repairs, extensions or for other necessary purposes.
As far as time permits, the Water Department shall make every reasonable attempt
to notify customers. Persons having boilers or other appliances on their premises
depending on the pressure in the pipes to keep them supplied with water are
hereby cautioned against danger from these sources and are required to provide,
at their own expense, suitable safety appliances to protect themselves against
such danger. In any event, it is expressly stipulated that the Water Department
will not be liable for any damage resulting from water having been cut off,
either through accident or necessity, but shall only be liable for injury
or damage resulting from its failure to use reasonable care during such cut-offs.
F.Â
In the case of installation outside of the optimal operating
service area of the Town of Groton Municipal Water System, the Department
and the Town will not be responsible for enhancing the pressure and flow beyond
the public right-of-way.
A.Â
New services or water main extensions must be completed
by November 15 and may not be installed again until April 15, except in such
cases as the Water Superintendent deems necessary.
B.Â
The Board of Water Commissioners has the right to restrict the use of water during dry seasons or under any other emergency conditions (MGL C. 40, § 41A). See Chapter 91, Water Use Restrictions.
C.Â
All persons are forbidden to shut off water from any
pipe or hydrant of the Water Department without the approval of the Water
Superintendent. No person, without the consent of the Water Superintendent
or other authorized representative, shall open a hydrant or any other fixture
intended only for fire protection for any purpose other than extinguishing
a fire, except Fire Department personnel, with prior approval, for the purpose
of practice. Only Water Department personnel or persons authorized by the
Water Department may open hydrants for other approved uses. Where use of water
from a hydrant for a purpose other than extinguishing a fire has been requested
and approved, the usage shall be metered and appropriate rates fees shall
be assessed.
D.Â
Any eligible person or corporation who desires public
water supply to serve a new development or a water main extension in Groton
must first make a written request to the Water Department to see if it has
the capacity to supply the water (Water System Impact Report). Water Department
specifications must be followed. Record drawings are required for all main
and service installations. All costs, including engineering, are to be the
responsibility of the applicant or owner.
E.Â
Specifications will include, but will not be restricted
to, the size of the main, services, valves and meters, hydrants as needed,
loops where beneficial, materials, chlorination and testing.
F.Â
No representative of the Water Department has the authority
to change or modify said rules, and the Water Department will not recognize
or be bound by any claimed change or modification hereof. The rules and regulations
of the Water Department may be altered or amended at the discretion of the
Board of Water Commissioners and shall form a part of the contract with every
water taker and all persons taking water from the Department shall be deemed
to accede to and be bound thereby.
G.Â
The Board of Water Commissioners reserves the right to
change or amend these rules and regulations, except for rates and fees, and
make additions thereto or exceptions therefrom at any time without advance
notice and to establish and assess penalties for violations, including the
right to suspend water service. Any changes to the rates and fees structure
shall be subject to the public hearing process.
H.Â
The Water Department in no way assumes any responsibility
for frozen service lines. Necessary thawing of lines and any repairs are the
responsibility of the owner, and bills submitted for these charges are payable
upon presentation.
I.Â
No electrical or telephone grounds shall be permitted
on any water service lines and/or mains.
A.Â
It is the policy of the Water Department to cooperate
with developers and to make high-quality domestic water and improved fire
protection as widely available as possible to all who want or need it, at
the lowest cost consistent with sound engineering for public health, safety,
reliability and future maintenance. The Board of Water Commissioners assesses
costs to new customers, existing customers and the Town as equitably as our
discretionary powers make possible, commensurate with the benefits provided
to each.
B.Â
Water main extension(s) shall conform with the Planning Board Subdivision Regulations, Chapter 381, Part 1: "If a public water supply is located within 2,500 feet from the center line of the proposed street, the applicant shall connect all lots to the public water system. If a public system is not located within 2,500 feet, water main and appurtenances shall be installed in the new subdivision road for a future connection to a public water supply."
C.Â
The Water Department will be provided with two sets of
definitive plans two large twenty-four-inch by thirty-six-inch drawings through
the Planning Board three weeks prior to the Planning Board hearing.
D.Â
Minimum size of the main required for new developments
shall be determined solely by the Board of Water Commissioners.
E.Â
Prepared plans for water main construction and/or extension
shall be submitted to the Groton Water Department for review, modification
and approval by the Board of Water Commissioners. This review/approval process
will be at the developer's expense. All requirements will be agreed to, in
writing, by all parties, i.e., Groton Water Department, developer, contractor
and engineer. This agreement will be signed at a preconstruction meeting before
any construction begins. Any changes in specifications, including, but not
limited to, materials, valves, tees, hydrants, loops or multiple connections
to the municipal water system to avoid dead ends which, in the sole judgment
of the Department or its representative, should be required, shall be incorporated
into the plans and so constructed. If changes become necessary, new as-constructed
plans shall be furnished promptly to the Department.
F.Â
All requirements of the Groton Highway Department must
be met when working in the public right-of-way and approved as such.
G.Â
The Board of Water Commissioners retains the right to
require an amount be put into an escrow account to cover the cost of all engineering
services. Such an account will be controlled solely by the Board of Water
Commissioners. All costs associated with establishing said account shall be
paid by the proponent of the project. Any unexpended funds and accrued interest
shall be returned to the proponent within 30 days upon satisfactory completion
of the project.
H.Â
Distribution pipes constructed within a development by
a developer to serve more than one building or to provide fire protection,
or for both of these purposes, shall normally be laid within access roads
and become the property of the Water Department, including easements for access
and maintenance upon completion. Pipes of six inches or larger nominal diameter
shall normally be looped. They shall be maintained by the developer or in
default, by the Department, at the expense of the developer, until the road
is accepted by the Town at a Town meeting. Exceptions shall require specific
approval by the Board of Water Commissioners.
I.Â
For fire protection or for flushing of dead ends when
these are permitted, the developer may include, or the Department may require,
the installation of one or more fire hydrants. The Chief of the Groton Fire
Department shall be consulted by the developer with the Water Department concerning
the location and designed flow capacity of all new hydrant installations.
Hydrants shall be served by pipes of six inches' minimum nominal diameter
or from larger diameter mains if necessary for adequate fire flow. If the
water distribution system is unable to deliver adequate fire flows at a proposed
development site under all conditions, predicted by computer model or other
means by the Water Department's engineers, a developer may be required to
provide or to finance all or part of the cost of providing augmentation of
flow capacity to the site by distribution system construction at locations
remote from the development as a condition for furnishing water to the development.
J.Â
Hydrants in private developments shall be painted, with
two coats of an approved paint, in Groton Water Department colors by the developer
before acceptance by Water Department. Hydrants shall be located between seven
and 10 feet from the edge of the roadway. For hydrants located less than seven
feet from the traveled way, protection of the hydrants by bollards will be
required.
K.Â
In order to ensure that Groton Water Department approved
materials and procedures are used, a licensed engineer or a Groton Water Department
designated representative will be on site and oversee all installation of
water mains, gates and hydrants. When service taps and service lines are being
installed, either a licensed engineer, his representative, or an employee
of the Groton Water Department will be on site at all times. The cost of having
an engineer, his representative or Water Department personnel on site will
be borne by the developer. Installation must be approved by the engineer before
trenching is backfilled. Any trench backfilled without inspection will be
subject to being unearthed and backfill at the expense of the contractor developer.
L.Â
The Groton Water Department requires that any time anyone
uses controlled density backfill products, it be placed no less than 2Â 1/2
feet (30 inches) above the top of the water main and/or water service, and
the main or service will protected by polyethylene encasement in accordance
with ANSI-AWWA C-105/A21.5.
M.Â
New mains will be pressure tested, disinfected and flushed
by a testing service approved by the Groton Water Department. A test and disinfection
report will be provided to the Department. Cost for this will be borne by
the developer. Groton Water Department personnel will operate all preexisting
gates to supply new pipelines with water for pressure testing, disinfection
and flushing. Groton Water Department personnel will supervise flushing. After
flushing and disinfecting, water to the subdivision will be turned off until
satisfactory record drawings of mains and service taps and lines to the curb
box are provided.
N.Â
It is the responsibility of the developer's engineer/surveyor
to prepare final record drawings. Final drawings shall be Mylars and be provided
by an electronic file in AutoCad.
O.Â
All new water mains that pass existing buildings, businesses
or residences must be tapped and service lines run to a curb box at the property
line at the developer's/contractor's expense.
P.Â
There will be bituminous concrete for 18 inches around
all gate boxes at the developer's/contractor's expense.
Q.Â
Contractors will be responsible for sloping, sheeting
or shoring of trenches as required by applicable governmental laws and regulations.
Safe trenches must be provided for the Groton Water Department personnel and/or
their representatives as may be required and/or requested.
A.Â
Service connections shall be made under the direction
of the Superintendent and/or his/her representative. No dwelling, house or
other building or structure shall not be connected by any service pipe, nor
shall any person otherwise use the water supplied by the Water Department,
except with the consent of the Superintendent or his designee.
B.Â
Request for water service connections shall be made by
the owner or his agent on application forms provided for that purpose. Applications
must be filed and the system development fee paid prior to the work being
performed. The estimated cost of such a service may be furnished by the Water
Department on request. The owner or his agent will be billed for all parts,
materials and labor provided to install water services.
C.Â
Single-family household connections shall be one inch.
In all other cases, the owner or his agent (architect, contractor) shall consult
with the Water Department Superintendent or his engineer to determine the
proper size of service.
D.Â
The Water Department will not allow the water to be turned
on to any new service unless all charges due the Water Department have been
paid in full.
E.Â
All new or replacement service connections from the municipal
water system to private dwellings, housing or other developments shall be
constructed of materials purchased from the Water Department or shall meet
its specifications, and all costs to connect and/or reconnect shall be at
the expense of the applicant/owner/developer.
(1)Â
Minimum one-inch copper tubing from corporation on main
to service box.
(2)Â
Minimum one-inch copper tubing (in contaminated areas)
or one-inch plastic tubing will be used from service box to house plumbing.
(3)Â
All plastic residential services will be sleeved through
the foundation with a minimum PVC sleeving pipe of 2Â 1/2 inches.
(4)Â
Wherever plastic tubing is used, a tracer wire will be
installed.
(5)Â
All parts and materials, with the occasional exception
of sleeving, will be purchased from the Groton Water Department.
(6)Â
Sufficient space shall be left for easy access to cellar
valve, meter, check valve or any other appurtenances deemed necessary by the
Water Department. The opening shall be at least three feet by two feet by
12 inches deep.
(7)Â
Any required booster pumps and/or reducing valves need
prior approval by the Superintendent.
F.Â
Only, authorized contractors working under Water Department
supervision shall lay any service pipes from the municipal water system to
the inside of the basement wall or such other point on the owner's premises
as shall be designated. A suitable place shall be provided for the water meter.
G.Â
All work performed by outside contractors must be approved
by the Groton Water Department. The Department may ask for proof of performance,
and the Department's decision is final. Inspection will be by the Groton Water
Department and/or its representative. The contractor will be charged at the
current rate for such services. Record drawings of all services will be prepared
and kept by the Water Department.
H.Â
Installation shall be at depth, bedding and other details
as specified by the Water Department. Installation shall be performed by or
under the direction of the Department or its designee. Installation shall
be approved by the Department or its designee before trenching is backfilled.
I.Â
The Water Department in no way assumes any responsibility
for reseeding of lawns or replacement of shrubs damaged in the performance
of this work.
J.Â
The Water Department is responsible for the water main
and any service line to the curb stop at the property line. The owner shall
maintain in good condition all outside service pipes and fittings from the
property line through the meter and shall protect it from freezing. Necessary
repairs to meters and outside lines from the property line (leaks etc.), including
complete service replacement, are the responsibility of the owner, and bills
submitted for these charges are payable upon presentation.
K.Â
A fire service line is entirely the responsibility of
the builder/homeowner from connection at main to structure and shall be separate
from the domestic water service main.
L.Â
Building units/dwellings to be torn down and demolished
shall have the water service discontinued a the water main unless otherwise
approved by the Water Superintendent in writing. A subsequent, similar system
development fee shall not be assessed.
A.Â
All water services shall be metered, and where there
is more than one tenant or occupant on the premises, the meter rates and rules
and regulations of the Water Department shall apply to each. In all cases,
the deeded owner of the property supplied shall be held responsible for the
water rates and all other charges, including that of all tenants or occupants.
B.Â
The Water Department will furnish, install and/or supervise
installation, seal and or maintain all meters and remote readers. The owner
will provide a readily accessible, adequate and proper space or housing, heated
if necessary, to protect the same from freezing. Original installation of
meter and cost of repair or replacement of seals, meters or remote readers,
when damaged by freezing, neglect, tampering or vandalism, shall be paid by
the property owner. All metering equipment is the property of the Water Department.
C.Â
Meters, readers and seals may not be removed except by
or under the supervision of Water Department personnel. Only Water Department
personnel may remove or replace the seals, which, if broken, may indicate
the meter has been tampered with.
D.Â
The owner, tenant, or occupant shall not permit unauthorized
persons to have access to, or interfere with a water meter and shall provide
for its safe keeping. Failure to comply will result in discontinuance of service.
E.Â
The Water Department is not responsible for leaks on
the user's premises. Water passing through a meter is considered to be consumed.
F.Â
The Water Department will test, remove, repair and/or
replace meters up to one inch as a part of regular maintenance. If the meter
is over one inch, it is maintained and/or replaced at the customer's expense.
G.Â
All meters are tested to make sure they work and are
accurate prior to installation. The accuracy of the meter of any premises
will be tested by the Water 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 meter is found to register over 2% more water than actually passes
through it, the meter will be repaired, at Water Department expense, the advance
fee will be refunded and the water bill for the current period will be adjusted
in accordance with the result of the test. If, however, it appears that the
meter has been registering less water than actually passed through it, the
customer will pay for the test, as well as for the additional water used.
H.Â
Upon request, agents or representatives of the Water
Department shall be provided access to the premises of a consumer during Water
Department business hours, for the purpose of reading meters, inspecting or
examining pipes, fixtures or attachments or backflow devices used by the owner,
tenant or occupant. Water service may be discontinued until such access is
provided.
I.Â
Any new construction and/or building addition that creates
multiple dwelling unit(s) shall be assessed a separate system development
fee for each dwelling unit thereafter and each unit shall be connected to
the Water Supply System separately with the appropriate shut-off valves, meters
and appurtenance. Each residentially occupied building unit shall have a separate
meter and a separate account. No person shall attach or cause to be attached
a pipe to a metered service pipe or main for the purpose of furnishing water
to an unmetered building, except with the written consent of the Board of
Water Commissioners. Anyone violating this rule may be charged a full system
development fee plus usage for each violation.
J.Â
The consumer should notify the Water Department if the
building is vacant and it is desired to shut off the water. The owner will
be responsible for a turn-off charge and a turn-on charge if and when the
service is reactivated. The owner will be charged a minimum water usage bill
each quarter if the water is not turned off. The Water Department is not responsible
for water used if pipes freeze in a vacant and/or unheated building. The customer
may be charged, based upon an estimate, for any water used and not recorded
due to damage to the meter or before the meter.
K.Â
For those consumers having outside recorders, the Water
Department will periodically read the inside meter to verify the accuracy
of the outside recorder. In case of a discrepancy between the two readings,
the inside meter reading will be considered the true reading, and the consumer's
bill will be adjusted accordingly.
L.Â
For those consumers wishing to have more than one meter
(i.e., for outside water use), the following conditions must be met:
(1)Â
Application must be filed with the Groton Water Department.
There is no system development fee for this additional meter, as the service
already exists, and there is no additional impact on the system. The consumer
will be responsible for parts and labor to install the additional meter.
(2)Â
The meter must be installed on a tee with the existing
meter rather than in series. Each meter shall have its own backflow device.
(3)Â
Such installation must be performed by Groton Water Department
personnel. All Groton Water Department rules and regulations shall apply.
A.Â
Compliance with state regulations.
(1)Â
The Groton Water Department will comply with all conditions
of the document titled:
|
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection
Drinking Water Regulations of Massachusetts
310 CMR 22.22
|
(2)Â
Copies of this regulation are available upon request
from the Groton Water Department.
B.Â
No person shall maintain upon premises which he/she owns
or occupies a cross-connection between the municipal water supply and any
other water source.
C.Â
The Groton Water Department has the authority to terminate
water service where such cross-connections are maintained.
D.Â
In addition, a customer shall protect against the possibility
of backflow between the municipal water supply and any plumbing, fixture,
device or appliance which is considered to pose a potential hazard in accordance
with regulations set forth in 310 CMR 22.22.
E.Â
The Groton Water Department will periodically inspect
and test the backflow prevention device, the frequency of which shall be dependent
upon the degree of potential hazard. The customer shall be required to repair
the device when necessary.
F.Â
All new construction will have a double check valve after
the meter. An expansion tank may be required.
G.Â
The fee schedule is as follows:
|
Service
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular testing (as required by 310 CMR 22.22)
|
$100
| |
|
Test of additional device in same building
|
$50
| |
|
Retesting, after repair
|
$50
| |
|
After-hours inspection or test
|
$100 per test test, plus cost of personnel
|
A.Â
Rates and charges shall be as follows:
|
Effective April 1, 2005:
|
(1)Â
Water rate: 100 cubic feet (748 gallons)
|
Number of Units
|
Rate Per 100 Cubic Feet (748 gallons)
| |
|---|---|---|
|
0 to 20
|
$3.60
| |
|
21 to 40
|
$4.13
| |
|
Over 40
|
$4.74
|
(2)Â
Service charge: $10 per quarter.
|
Rate and charges shall be as follows effective March 4, 2004:
|
(3)Â
Turn-on charge: $50.
(4)Â
Turn-off charge: $50.
(5)Â
Final reading: $35.
(6)Â
Meter freeze-ups: minimum of $200, plus materials.
(7)Â
Meter/outside reader tampering: $300, plus estimated
usage and/or repair; prosecute as larceny from public utility under MGL C.
40, § 39G.
B.Â
Meters will be read quarterly and/or monthly, bills are
rendered quarterly and/or monthly. All water takers will be charged at least
the minimum rate per quarter and/or monthly. Seasonal or temporary discontinuance
of water is allowed, but a turn-off fee of $50 on fees will be charged.
C.Â
All bills are due and payable within 30 days. Overdue
bills are subject to late charges above. Water may be shut off for nonpayment
of bills or disregard of rules and regulations. Before water is turned back
on, the delinquent bill, plus turn-on charge, must be paid. Unpaid water bills
constitute a lien on real estate, and collections on committed accounts may
be made by the Town through sale of property (MGL C. 40, §§ 42A
to 42I, inclusive).
(1)Â
First late notification: over one day past due (i.e.,
31 days from when the bill was generated). Notification will include language
regarding the status of the overdue account and the GWD's Rules and Regulations.
(2)Â
Second late notification: over 15 days past due (i.e.,
45 days from when the bill was generated). Notification will include language
regarding the status of the overdue account and the GWD's Rules and Regulations.
(3)Â
Third and final notification: over 30 days past due (i.e.,
60 days from when the bill was generated). Final notification will include
language regarding the status of the overdue account and the GWD's Rules and
Regulations. The notification will also include language regarding this final
step and that your water will be terminated within 48 hours and "your account
needs to be paid in full." A brightly colored notice will also be placed on
the door/s of the account in question with a specific date and time the water
service shall be terminated. In addition, the GWD will mark the location of
the water service shut-off.
(4)Â
If a payment is not received on an overdue account or
arrangements made with the Water Department, water service shall be shut off
and/or terminated and not turned back on until the entire balance has been
paid in full. Restoration of water service shall include a turn-on charge
of $50.
D.Â
Where two or more tenants or occupants are supplied on
the same premises, the water may be shut off for failure of a tenant or occupant
to comply, even though one or more of the tenants has made settlement for
his share of total amount due.
E.Â
Customers are urged to notify the Water Department promptly
of a bill which appears high and/or excessive. It becomes increasingly difficult
to verify accuracy of a reading otherwise. Water Department personnel will
be dispatched promptly to recheck meter reading and to check for leaks.
F.Â
The customer will be charged for and will pay for all
water that has been registered by the meter regardless of the leaks or the
manner in which the water was consumed.
G.Â
Customers are responsible for maintaining, at their own
expense, plumbing and fixtures within their premises in good repair, free
from leaks and protected from freezing.
A.Â
System development fees are payable in full prior to
service connection to the municipal water system. In general, there shall
be a policy of no waivers of system development fees.
B.Â
Financial hardship. In case of financial hardship of
an individual homeowner, and upon application to the Groton Water Department,
the Board of Water Commissioners may, at its discretion, permit connection
to the municipal water system, prior to full payment. If a payment plan is
arranged and adhered to, there will be no interest charged. If the full fee,
or any portion thereof, becomes a lien upon the property, said fee shall be
subject to interest at the same rate as a tax lien. The homeowner shall be
required to provide documentation that a financial hardship exists prior to
the deferment of payment.
C.Â
Well water health hazards. In the case where individual
wells pose a documented health hazard and one or more homeowners petition
the Board of Water Commissioners to connect their premises with the municipal
water system, the Water Commissioners shall meet with the homeowners and determine
whether any state or federal money might be available for construction of
the necessary mains and services. If sufficient government funds are not available,
the homeowners may select whether to do the project themselves at their cost
or to request that the Water Department construct the mains and services under
a betterment system which would charge the cost back to the homeowner. The
Board of Water Commissioners, at its discretion, may elect to be cosponsors
of a Warrant Article asking the Town and the taxpayers to bear all or part
of the cost of construction of mains and services and/or the system development
fees. In general, the Board of Water Commissioners in circumstances of well
water hazard shall treat the system development fee as under financial hardship
and may, in its discretion, consider deferral of full payment prior to connection.
D.Â
Unusual circumstances. The Board of Water Commissioners,
at its discretion, may consider credit toward system development fees for
a homeowner and/or developer where the distribution system is substantially
improved. The Water Commissioners shall determine if a credit for the system
development fee, or a portion thereof, will be in the best interests of the
Groton water system. The applicant shall be required to provide the following
information at his/her expense:
(1)Â
Notice of public hearing to be published in Groton two
weeks prior to hearing date.
(2)Â
The applicant shall be required to submit the following:
(a)Â
A report outlining needs of the proposed project and
the impact (both current and future) on the Groton water system.
(b)Â
Proposed buildout of the project.
(c)Â
Cost analysis for the proposed water distribution system,
including but not limited to proposed length of water mains and the number
of service connections and appurtenances, as required by the Groton Water
Department in accordance with the state bidding requirements set forth by
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
E.Â
System development fees established.
(1)Â
This fee is a one-time assessment for connecting to the
municipal water system. It does not cover the actual cost of tapping into
the system, but reflects the capital cost of eventual expansion of the water
system.
|
Effective 11-1-2004
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Type of Connection
|
Fee
| |
|
Tap Size (inches)
| ||
|
1" metered connection
|
$3,750
| |
|
1Â 1/2" metered connection
|
$5,000
| |
|
2" metered connection
|
$7,500
| |
|
3" metered connection
|
$10,000
| |
|
4" metered connection
|
$15,000
| |
|
6" metered connection
|
$25,000
| |
|
8" to 12" connection
|
$35,000*
| |
|
4" fire sprinkler connection (unmetered)
|
$15,000
| |
|
6" fire sprinkler connection (unmetered)
|
$25,000
| |
|
8" to -12" minimum
|
$35,000*
| |
|
NOTES:
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
*
|
Minimum plus negotiations with the Board of Water Commissioners
| |
|
The system development fee shall apply to domestic service lines and
fire suppression water lines separately based on the size of the water main.
|
(2)Â
Unless other arrangements are made, the connection fee
must be prepaid before installation of water service is begun or at the time
a building permit is obtained. System development fees are calculated at the
time a building permit is obtained and may not be prepaid in advance unless
approved by the Board of Water Commissioners.
(3)Â
If an existing service has been discontinued, that service
may be used for a new building, with no additional system development charge.
If a larger service is requested, the customer will pay the difference between
the amount charged for the original service and the cost of the new service
requested.
(4)Â
Separate water service connections to the main are required
for fire service and domestic service. If there has been a prior hook-up,
the system development fee for that will be credited toward the new hook-up.
A.Â
Other charges.
(1)Â
Tapping charge, one-inch: $100.
(2)Â
Materials sold (service line, meters etc.): cost plus
30%.
(3)Â
Water Department labor, supervision, inspection: $50
per hour; $100 per hour after hours.
(4)Â
Fire flow tests: $100 per test plus cost of personnel
and an administration fee of 10%.
(5)Â
Hydrant charge: to be determined on a yearly basis.
(6)Â
Fire sprinkler system charges:
|
Size
(inches)
|
Fee
(per year)
| |
|---|---|---|
|
2" to 4" unmetered
|
$200
| |
|
6" unmetered
|
$319
| |
|
8 unmetered
|
$511
| |
|
10" unmetered
|
$734
| |
|
12" unmetered
|
$1,000
|
(7)Â
Small meter maintenance (one-inch and smaller): every
10 years at Water Department expense.
(8)Â
Large meter maintenance (over one-inch): tested and repaired
every five years with Water Department materials at customer expense.
(9)Â
Service repair/replace: Water Department materials and
labor at customer expense.
