[Adopted 7-22-1976 as Art. IV of
Ch. 171 of the 1976 Code[1]]
The operation of the water plant of the City
of Margate City shall be under the supervision and control of the
Department of Public Works of the City of Margate City (hereinafter
referred to as the "City").
The supervision of the said Department of Public
Works shall be vested in the Director to whom it is assigned by the
Board of Commissioners.
[Amended 4-29-1982 by Ord. No. 1982-10]
A.
Word usage. "Application" shall be understood to embody
all the rules and regulations of this article pertaining to water
and sewerage service whether this article is set forth in the "application"
or not. Upon receipt of proper application by the owner of the property
or his duly authorized agent, water and sewerage service will be supplied.
B.
CUSTOMER
EQUIVALENT DWELLING UNIT (sometimes hereinafter called EDU)
As used in this article, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
The applicant for sewerage service or water service at one
household, industry or business, whether owner or tenant, who is served
by the sewerage system and water system.
The minimum unit chargeable for any properties served by
the sanitary sewerage system or water system.
[Amended 4-29-1982 by Ord. No. 1982-10]
A.
All contracts and agreements covering water supply
and sewerage service shall expire on the first day of January next
succeeding the date of application, but all such contracts and agreements
shall continue in force and effect from year to year after expiration
of that date, unless 30 days' notice in writing shall be given by
the customer of his desire to so terminate the same; provided, however,
that nothing herein shall operate to prevent the City from discontinuing
service at any time and under conditions and for reasons laid down
in its rules and regulations or in this article, and, provided, further,
that nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the making of contracts
for extensions of service or other special conditions.
B.
All use of water other than by the applicant, or for
any purpose or upon any premises not stated or described in the application,
must be presented by him. No owner or tenant of any premises supplied
with water by the City shall supply other persons or families of other
premises, except as may be stated in the application. The applicant
shall be liable for the amount of water used in conformity with the
schedule or rates of the City.
C.
The City will not furnish service through a service
pipe installed in an adjoining or adjacent property to that of the
owner of the premises to be served, unless such owner obtains a perpetual
easement for the installation and maintenance of said service line
in a form satisfactory to the City.
[Amended 4-29-1982 by Ord. No. 1982-10]
A.
Water main taps will be made only by the City or its
authorized agent in every case. Notice by the customer or his authorized
agent shall be delivered to the office of the City 15 days before
any service is to be installed, which notice shall set forth the exact
time when the trench will be open and ready for the making of the
tap.
B.
The City shall furnish and deliver to the premises
of the customer a meter, corporation stop, connection, curb stop,
meter box and cover plate, if required, together with all requisite
meter appurtenances which shall be installed in the service pipe of
the consumer at the curbline at the expense of the customer in accordance
with the rates and charges hereinafter set forth. All of said supplies
and materials, including the service line or lines, shall at all times
be and remain the property of the City. Any damage to the meter and
its appurtenances due to the negligence of the customer shall be repaired
or replaced at the expense of the customer.
[Amended 3-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-3]
C.
The service line installed by the customer shall be
of copper pipe and copper fittings and shall not be less than one
inch in diameter. The following sizes of service lines shall be installed
with respect to the several size meters:
A.
Said installation of the service pipe shall be subject
to the approval of the City, and the installation shall be and remain
the property of the City and shall be maintained by the City.
B.
The curb stop shall be for the exclusive use and under
the control of the City, and under no circumstances shall any person,
other than a licensed or registered plumber, not authorized by the
City, turn off, turn on or in any way tamper with said stop.
C.
No person or persons, except the Superintendent or
other person authorized by an official of the City, shall, without
a permit:
(1)
Connect, cover or disconnect the meter, pipe or conduits
of the City.
(2)
In any other manner tamper or interfere with meters
(or dials thereof), pipes or conduits.
(3)
Connect with the meter, pipes or conduits of the City
by pipes, conduits or other instruments for the purpose of obtaining
water.
D.
It shall be the duty of the customer to have installed
and to properly protect the meter from injury, and the customer shall
be liable for damage to or for the loss of the meter or meters occurring
by reason of the customer's negligence.
A.
The City may refuse to connect with any customer's
piping system or to furnish water through one already connected when
it is not in accordance with the plumbing rules of the City and those
of the water plant or when the piping system on the premises is not
at a sufficient depth to prevent freezing.
B.
The City will not be held responsible for the resulting
inadequacy of service if customers make additions or alterations to
the equipment on their premises without notifying the City of the
proposed changes or additions before they are made and obtaining the
City's consent thereto.
C.
The City shall have the right of access to customers'
premises and to all property furnished by it at reasonable times for
the purpose of reading meters or inspecting or replacing appliances
used in connection with the supply of water or for the removal of
its property at the time service is to be terminated. The customers
shall obtain or cause to be obtained all necessary permission to enable
the City to gain access to the appliances referred to. Customers shall
not permit access to the meters and other appliances of the City except
by authorized employees of the City or properly qualified state or
local inspectors. In case of defective service, customers should interfere
with the apparatus belonging to the City but should immediately notify
the office of the City.
A.
The City undertakes only to use reasonable care and
diligence to provide a constant supply of water through its pipes,
but does not undertake to render any special service or to maintain
any fixed or definite quantity of pressure, and in the event of the
occurrence of any break, failure or accident or injury by an act of
God or the public enemy or unless caused by its negligence, the City
shall not be liable for any damages resulting therefrom. The City,
however, reserves the right, at any time without notice, to shut off
the water in its mains for the purpose of making repairs or extensions
or for other purposes.
B.
Service under an application may be discontinued for
any of the following reasons:
(1)
For use of water for any other property or purpose
than that described in the application.
(2)
For willful waste of water through improper or imperfect
pipes, fixtures or otherwise.
(3)
For failure to maintain, in good order, connections,
service lines or fixtures owned by the applicant.
(4)
For molesting any service pipe, meter, curb stopcock,
seal or any other appliance of the City.
(5)
In case of vacancy of the premises.
(6)
For neglecting to make payments or for nonpayment
for water service or any other charges accruing under the application.
(7)
For refusal of reasonable access to property for the
purpose of inspecting or for reading, caring for or removing meters.
C.
Water service will be turned off from any premises
upon the order of the applicant without in any way affecting the existing
agreement for service.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection D, which
immediately followed this subsection and dealt with turnoff charge,
was deleted 1-25-1988 by Ord. No. 1988-1.
D.
Service will be renewed when the conditions under
which service was discontinued are corrected and upon payment of all
charges provided in the Schedule of Rates, Rules and Regulations of
the City due from the applicant.
E.
As necessity may arise in case of breakdown or emergency
or for any other unavoidable cause, the City shall have the right
to temporarily cut off the water supply to make necessary repairs,
connections, etc., using all reasonable and practicable measures to
notify the customer of such discontinuance of service and the probable
duration of the discontinuance.
F.
All persons having boilers within their premises which
depend upon the pressure in the pipes of the City to keep such boilers
supplied are hereby cautioned against collapse. In such case the City
shall not be liable for any damages or inconvenience suffered.
G.
In the event of failure of water supply, hot-water
faucets shall be opened at once.
A.
All new service shall be metered at the time or before
the water is turned on for regular use.
B.
The City will furnish and install, for each customer
supplied with water on a metered basis, a suitable meter and will
keep the same in repair, except in the case of misuse, in which case
the expense of repair or replacement shall be paid by the customer.
[Amended 4-29-1982 by Ord. No. 1982-10]
C.
A stopcock or gate valve shall be placed on the service
line on the street side of and near the meter. If a stopcock and wastecock
or valve is installed on the building side of the meter, it shall
be placed within the building property line of the owner's plot.
[Amended 1-27-1977 by Ord. No. 954]
D.
Meter changes increasing capacity shall carry charges
which will be the difference between the rate of charge or value of
the existing meter and the rate of charge or value of the meter to
be installed.
[Amended 4-29-1982 by Ord. No. 1982-10; 3-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-3]
A.
Test requests. The City will make a test of the accuracy
of a meter upon the request of a customer, provided that such customer
does not make a request for a test more frequently than once a year.
The City will charge the sum of $200 payable in advance for additional
tests, per year. A report giving the results of such tests will be
made to the customer, and a record of such tests will be kept. When
such request tests are made, the customer or someone acting for him
shall be present to observe the tests.
[Amended 10-7-2010 by Ord. No. 28-2010]
B.
Adjustments. In the case of a disputed account involving
a question as to the accuracy of a meter, such meter will be promptly
tested. In the event that the meter so tested is found to have an
error in registration in excess of 3%, the bills will be corrected.
C.
Allowable error. No water meter shall be placed in
service nor left in service if, on testing, it registers more than
103% of the water passed or less than 97% of full capacity.
D.
Registration of meter to be taken. Where water is
furnished by a meter, the quantity recorded by it shall be taken to
be the amount passing the meter, except where the meter has been found
to be registering inaccurately or has ceased to register. In such
case, the quantity may be determined by the average registration of
the meter when in order or by such fair and reasonable method as shall
be based upon the best information obtainable, solely within the discretion
of the City.
E.
In the event that a property is demolished and the
water service is disconnected, the City will furnish and deliver to
the premises of the customer a new meter, together with all requested
meter appurtenances which shall be installed in the service pipe of
the customer at the curbline at the expense of the customer in accordance
with the rates and charges set forth herein.
[Amended 4-29-1982 by Ord. No. 1982-10]
A.
Metered service. Where metered service is available,
bills for metered service shall be rendered annually and shall show
the reading of the meter at the beginning and end of the period for
which the bill is rendered. Bills may, however, be rendered semiannually
at the option of the City.
B.
Customers will be held responsible for all charges
accruing for water service until written notice has been given to
the office of the City to discontinue the supply or notice has been
given of a change of occupancy of said premises.
C.
If a bill remains unpaid after nine calendar days
following the due date, notice will be served on the customer stating
that the amount due is subject to interest at the rate of 8% per annum
on the first $1,500 and 18% per annum for any amount over $1,500 retroactive
to the first of the month. If said amount is not paid within 48 hours
from the date of notice, water supply will be discontinued. When the
water is turned off under such conditions, it will remain off until
the amount owing is paid in full, together with the interest charges
or until arrangements for payment in full, together with the interest
charge, have been made to the satisfaction of the City, and the meter
connection fee of $150 has been paid. If the meter reconnect is requested
at a time other than regular working hours of the Department, the
fee will be $250. If the charges plus interest are not paid by the
end of the fiscal year, unless other arrangements have been made,
the property will be advertised for tax sale.
[Amended 1-25-1988 by Ord. No. 1988-1; 2-8-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-03; 2-18-2016 by Ord. No. 04-2016; 11-21-2019 by Ord. No. 10-2019]
D.
The City will charge the sum of $75 for turning off
or turning on a water connection during normal working hours. If the
service requested at the time other than regular working hours of
the Department, there will be a charge of $150.
[Amended 1-25-1988 by Ord. No. 1988-1; 2-8-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-03; 11-21-2019 by Ord. No. 10-2019]
A.
No cross-connections or interconnections connecting
the pipelines or facilities of the City with other pipelines or facilities
supplied with water from other sources shall be permitted without
the express consent of the City and subject to the City's requirements
as to valves, pipes and fittings to be used for such purpose, after
permission is granted by the New Jersey State Department of Health.
B.
All pipes, meters and fixtures shall be subject at
all reasonable hours to inspection by employees of the City identified
by proper badges or credentials. No plumber, owner or other unauthorized
personnel shall turn the water on or off at any corporation stop or
curb stop, nor disconnect or remove the meter without the consent
of the City. No agent or employee of the City shall have the authority
to bind the City by any promise, agreement or representation not provided
for in this article.
C.
When the supply of water is to be temporarily cut
off, notice will be given, when practicable, to all customers affected
by the shutting off, stating the probable duration of the interruption
of service and also the purpose for which the shutoff is made.
D.
At the option of the customer, water shall be supplied
through one service pipe and one meter under one minimum charge to
each separate and distinct building, provided that where a building
is erected to the rear of the one fronting on the street or avenue,
said building may be served through the service pipe of the front
building. Where houses are erected in pairs under one roof and belong
to one owner, the entire building may be served at the option of the
customer through one service pipe and one meter under one minimum
charge.
E.
In one-story stores built in blocks (when all of the
stores in the block are owned by one owner) the entire block may be
supplied with water through one service pipe and one meter under one
minimum charge at the option of the customer, provided that where
the customer elects to receive and does receive service through one
service pipe to more than one unit, as stated herein, he shall, in
the case of a sale of any part of the premises thus supplied, immediately
cause to be disconnected from water service that part of the premises
so sold.
F.
When stores are a part of a hotel, motel, house, apartment
building or other building supplied with water, said stores shall
be considered as one room or two rooms, as the case may be, and shall
be supplied through the same service pipe and meter which supply the
building of which said stores are a part.
G.
When a building is classified as a condominium by
the City of Margate City for tax and assessment purposes, each individual
condominium unit within the building is required to have its own exterior
water meter installed.
[Added 2-14-1985 by Ord. No. 1985-1]
[Amended 1-27-1977 by Ord. No. 954; 2-9-1978 by Ord. No. 976; 7-13-1978 by Ord. No. 983; 2-14-1980 by Ord. No. 1980-1; 5-22-1980 by Ord. No. 1980-4; 2-11-1981 by Ord. No. 1981-2; 4-29-1982 by Ord. No. 1982-10; 2-13-1986 by Ord. No. 1986-1]
A.
Effective January 1, 2020, sewer charges shall be
assessed by the City and billed to the owners of real property serviced
by sanitary sewer system at a sanitary sewerage rental or charge of
$450 per year for each equivalent dwelling unit.
[Amended 3-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-3; 3-28-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-3; 3-13-1997 by Ord. No. 1997-7; 4-7-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-8; 4-23-2009 by Ord. No. 08-2009; 12-19-2013 by Ord. No. 26-2013; 11-21-2019 by Ord. No. 10-2019]
(1)
The number of EDUs in residential properties shall
be determined in different instances as follows:
(a)
Residential users.
|
Type of Structure
|
EDU
|
|---|---|
|
Residential single-family dwelling
|
1
|
|
Apartment, each living unit
|
1
|
|
Condominium, each living unit
|
1
|
(b)
Nonresidential users. Nonresidential property
users shall be charges at a minimum annual rate of one EDU, plus additional
gallonage above the minimum allowance of 120,000 gallons.
(c)
In situations where there is one or more non-food and/or beverage
commercial uses existing in the same building containing one or more
residential uses, then in that situation each non-food and/or beverage
commercial use shall be exempt for each residential use. For instance,
for a building containing two non-food and/or beverage commercial
uses and two residential uses, then in that instance there will only
be a water bill and a sewer bill for each residential use (total two).
This method of billing shall be subject to additional water and sewer
gallonage charges as provided by ordinance.
[Added 4-16-2020 by Ord. No. 07-2020]
(2)
The rate for additional gallonage of sewerage service
furnished for above the minimum allowance will be $2.50 for 1,000
gallons.
B.
Each household, industry or business shall be charged
rents, rates or fees or other charges for direct or indirect connection
with or for the Margate City water system as follows:
[Amended 1-25-1988 by Ord. No. 1988-1; 3-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-3; 3-28-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-3; 4-7-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-8; 4-23-2009 by Ord. No. 08-2009; 12-19-2013 by Ord. No. 26-2013; 11-21-2019 by Ord. No. 10-2019]
(1)
Minimum charges and rates for water service:
|
Schedule of Minimum Charges
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Size of Meter
(inches)
|
Minimum Charge
|
Allowance
(gallons)
|
|
3/4 to 1
|
$230
|
120,000
|
|
1 1/2
|
$345
|
180,000
|
|
2
|
$460
|
240,000
|
|
3 to 4
|
$690
|
360,000
|
|
6
|
$1,380
|
720,000
|
(2)
The rate for additional gallonage of water service
furnished for above the minimum allowance will be $2.50 per 1,000
gallons.
(3)
Residential single-family dwellings, apartment living
units and condominium living units shall be charged at the rate of
individual one-inch meters where water service is supplied through
a common main and common internal water system.
(4)
Terms of payment. All bills for service under the
schedules are to be rendered annually, or at the option of the City.
Such bills are due and payable in full on or before the due date indicated
on the bills.
C.
Service to private fire-protection facilities.
[Amended 11-21-2019 by Ord. No. 10-2019]
(1)
Effective January 1, 2020, and thenceforth, each person
requiring private firefighting protection facilities shall pay for
each connection to be used exclusively for the extinguishment of fires,
in addition to the charges set forth in this article for the installation
of the service connection from the main to the curb, the sum of $100
annually.
(2)
No additional charges shall be made for sprinkler
heads, fire hydrants or other firefighting facilities which may be
attached to a private fire service connection, and no charge shall
be made for water used in extinguishing fires where service furnished
under this schedule.
(3)
The size of a private fire service connection shall
in no case exceed eight inches in diameter.
(4)
The rate provided in this schedule shall be available only for service connections used exclusively for the extinguishment of fires. If the customer desires to use water for general and industrial purposes through same connection, or if any private service connection is used for unauthorized purposes, then the service connection shall be metered in a manner to permit accurate registration of consumption, and § 269-24A shall apply.
(5)
Terms of payment. All charges for private fire-protection
service furnished under this schedule are to be rendered annually
or at the option of the City, and such bills are due and payable in
full within 30 days of the date rendered.
D.
Miscellaneous charges.
[Amended 1-25-1988 by Ord. No. 1988-1; 3-19-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-3; 6-5-2008 by Ord. No.
20-2008; 11-21-2019 by Ord. No. 10-2019]
(1)
Water connections, sewer connections, water meters
and water meter installations. Effective January 1, 2020, and thereafter,
each person receiving the service by the City to the customer for
the installation of sewer connections and water meters, including
all material, meter and labor thereof, shall be charged as follows:
(c)
Meter charges. Meter charges shall be as follows:
|
Size of Meter
(inches)
|
Charges
|
|---|---|
|
1
|
$800
|
|
1 1/2
|
$1,400
|
|
2
|
$1,700
|
|
Larger sizes ordered at current prices.
| |
(d)
Terms of payment. Payment for the installation
of the aforementioned services shall be in advance and shall accompany
the application thereof.
(2)
For hydrant permits, the charges shall be as follows:
(a)
Jetting in pilings: service charge of $150 per
day for the use of the hydrant plus a deposit of $500 for the hydrant
meter.
(3)
Special meter-reading charge. The special meter-reading
charge for the purpose of property settlement shall be $25.
E.
Sewers.
(1)
SEWAGE
Definition. As used in this section, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any and all liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter
in suspension or solution and the water carrying waste from the discharge
of toilets, laundry tubs, washing machines, sinks and dishwashers
or any other source of water carrying bodily waste of human beings
or waste containing putrescible material.
(2)
Connections required. The owner of any house, building
or structure located on a street along the line of an sewer which
is now in operation or is constructed in the future in the City shall
connect the drainage of all sources of sewage in his house, building
or structure to the sewer. Each house shall have a separate connection
to the sewer system.
(3)
The City shall exclusively install the sewer laterals,
including all labor and material and to include excavation, restoration
and paving at the expense of the owner as specified in the application.
(4)
Grease, oil and sand interceptors.
[Added 9-8-1988 by Ord. No. 1988-17]
(a)
Grease, oil and sand interceptors shall be provided
when, in the opinion of the Superintendent of Public Works or his/her
designee, they are necessary for the proper handling of liquid wastes
containing grease in excessive amounts or any flammable wastes, sand
and other harmful ingredients, except that such interceptors shall
not be required for private living quarters or dwelling units. All
interceptors shall be of the type and capacity as approved by the
Superintendent of Public Works or his/her designee and shall be so
located as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection.
Grease and oil interceptors shall be constructed of impervious materials
capable of withstanding abrupt and extreme changes in temperature.
They shall be of substantial construction and as approved by the Superintendent
of Public Works or his/her designee, watertight and equipped with
removable covers which, when mounted in place, shall be gastight and
watertight.
[Amended 10-7-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-22]
(b)
All grease, oil and sand interceptors shall
be maintained by the owner, at his expense, in continuous, efficient
operation at all times.
(c)
It is the responsibility of the establishment
owner, lessee or assign to carry out all proceedings necessary to
have any and all gas interceptors opened and ready for inspection
and to see that the equipment is put back in proper operation after
the inspection. All inspections will be conducted by the Superintendent
of Public Works or his/her designee.
[Amended 10-7-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-22]
(d)
Forms for periodic inspections will be furnished
by the owner, lessee or assign and posted as close as possible to
the interceptor to which it applies. The form shall also be protected
from soiling. In those instances where the interceptor is chemically
treated, the method and chemical of such treatment shall be approved
by the Superintendent of Public Works or his/her designee. Any proposed
chemical changes shall be furnished to the Superintendent of Public
Works or his/her designee for approval.
[Amended 10-7-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-22]
(e)
The fee for inspection, as required in the schedule
listed, will be the same as the plumbing fee in force at the time
of the requested or required inspection. The minimum fee will include
the first three interceptors at one location prepared and ready for
inspection. Other interceptors that are prepared and ready for inspection
at the same time and are in excess of the first three units will be
inspected at an additional fee to be 1/2 the minimum fee each.
[1]
The schedule for payment of the fee for inspection
is as follows:
|
Grease Capacity
(pounds)
|
Maximum Inspection
Interval
(months)
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Up to 60
|
4
| |
|
60 and over
|
2
|
[2]
The above schedule may be altered by the Superintendent
of Public Works or his/her designee if deemed necessary. The owner,
lessee or assignee shall be notified, in writing, of any schedule
change.
[Amended 10-7-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-22]
(f)
All existing food service establishments without
grease interceptors shall install grease interceptors and follow the
inspection schedule as set forth. The existing food service establishments
shall have one year from the effective date of the subsection to install
a grease interceptor.
(g)
A similar schedule will be required for all
ether types of interceptors or separators. The Superintendent of Public
Works or his/her designee shall be responsible for the scheduling
of interceptors of all types.
[Amended 10-7-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-22]
(h)
The Superintendent of Public Works or his/her
designee shall require all interceptors to be efficient in operation
and may, at the expense of the owner, lessee or assign, require all
independent laboratory tests to ascertain the concentration of grease
being emitted from the effluent line of the unit. All collected grease
shall be kept in steel drums and stored in refrigerated coolers. Disagreeable
odors shall require deodorants to combat said offensive odors.
[Amended 10-7-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-22]
[Amended 1-25-1988 by Ord. No. 1988-1]
Any person violating the provisions of this
article shall be liable, upon conviction thereof, to a fine of not
more than $1,000 or to imprisonment in the City or county jail for
a term of not more than 90 days, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
