[Adopted 1-23-1970 by Ord. No. 656]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
A building or structure occupied by a business or commercial enterprise.
DIRECTOR
The Director of Public Works of the Township of Moorestown or his authorized representative.
DWELLING
A place of residence, and includes every type of house, whether separate, semidetached or located in a row, and every type of apartment. (Every apartment house or complex shall be deemed one "dwelling" only, regardless of the number of apartments or buildings comprised thereby.)
INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT
A building or structure occupied by an industrial enterprise.
INTERNAL WATER-USE SYSTEM
The single interconnecting system and configuration of water pipes within the boundaries of contiguous property under common ownership, servicing said property.
OWNER
The record owner of the premises supplied with water and/or receiving water services hereunder.
PERSON
Every individual, corporation, partnership or other legal entity and every customer receiving water and/or water services hereunder.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Moorestown in the County of Burlington, a New Jersey municipal corporation, its officers, employees, agents, boards and agencies.
UTILITY
The Water and Sewer Utility of the Department of Public Works of the Township of Moorestown.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: On 12-28-1987, the Township Council adopted Ord. No. 1386, which read: "Section 1: Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:62-106, the Township of Moorestown Water Utility and the Township of Moorestown Sewer Utility are hereby consolidated, and the same shall hereafter be maintained and operated as a single municipal public utility as defined in N.J.S.A. 40A:1-1, and for all of the purposes referred to in the Local Bond Law of said state and shall be known as the 'Township of Moorestown Water and Sewer Utility.' "Section 2: The governing body of the Township may from time to time fix and prescribe such fees, rates or other charges as it may deem necessary and proper for the use or service of said municipal public utility. "Section 3: This ordinance shall take effect on January 1, 1988, after adoption and publication according to law."
The rules, regulations and terms, all hereinafter referred to as "rules" and included in the following sections, are hereby established to control the supply of water and water service by the Township to all private and public users.
A. 
Every applicant for a new connection shall first obtain a plumbing permit from the Plumbing Inspector. A written approval from the Plumbing Inspector shall be obtained prior to renewal or replacement of any such connection.
B. 
All applications for the extension of any water pipe or the supply of water to any premises shall be in writing and shall be signed by the owner of the premises or by the owner's agent authorized by the owner in writing. The application shall be on forms furnished by the Township. The application shall be duly signed, and the applicant shall pay the charge set forth in the regulations to cover the expense of tapping the main and inserting the corporation stop. Upon compliance with these requirements, the Director may issue a written permit granting the applicant the privilege of an attachment and may cause the main to be tapped and a corporation stop to be inserted therein when the trench is properly opened by the applicant, which shall not be sooner than the day following the granting of the permit.
On receiving a permit to have a tap made, the applicant shall forthwith present the same to the person designated by the Township to make the tap and shall inform him at what time on the following day the trench will be opened and the main uncovered ready to be tapped. The applicant shall make all necessary excavations in the street, road, highway, easement or other right-of-way without damage to the main or to other pipes or conduits located below the surface and shall cause the paving and excavated material to be deposited in a manner that will occasion the least inconvenience to the public and shall obtain street- or road-opening permits from the appropriate governmental officers, agencies and subdivision having jurisdiction in the area to be excavated. The applicant shall backfill the excavation upon inspection and approval by the Director of the work and improvements installed.
[Amended 5-27-1975 by Ord. No. 792]
No connection having an inside diameter greater than one inch shall be connected into any water main in the Township except by special agreement with the Director. No person other than a duly authorized agent of the Township may make connections into any water main of the Township; and all ferrules so used shall be supplied by the Township; no other ferrules may be used. In cases of four-inch and larger diameter connections, the owner shall employ a private contractor to make said connections, subject to prior approval by the Director of both the identity of the contractor and the suitability of the material to be used; provided, however, that in the case of a connection to a concrete main, the Director shall have the right to make or cause to be made said connection, and the owner shall pay the Township a charge based on the expenses incurred by the Township thereby. (See Rule 2, § 175-4, with respect to larger connections.)
[Amended 5-14-1979 by Ord. No. 979]
Service pipes shall not run across lots (i.e., from one lot to another) but shall be taken from the main in front of the premises or some point adjacent thereto, except for buildings which must be sprinklered, as required by the Uniform Construction Code of the State of New Jersey,[1] where the main in front of or adjacent to the lot is six inches or less in diameter and inadequate for fire-fighting purposes. In these cases, the line will be permitted to extend across a lot owned by others to a larger main, provided that an adequate easement, approved by the Department of Public Works and in form approved by the Township Attorney, has been granted by the owner of the lot being crossed to both the owner of the lot to be served by the water service and to the Township of Moorestown. The easement shall include but not be limited to granting the Township the right, at all times, to enter the easement, as necessary, for inspection of the lines and/or termination of the water supply. Service pipes from the street main to the inside of a building shall not be installed or maintained in the same trench with sewer, gas, telephone, electric or any other utility line and shall be at least five feet, measured horizontally from the above and shall not be located in driveways or closer than six feet to any fire hydrant and shall be at least four feet in depth. Each individually owned property shall be supplied by its own service pipe from the main in the street to the property. No two or more properties shall be connected to the same service pipe, and the same service pipe shall not be jointly owned by the owners of two or more properties. All service pipes now serving more than one individually owned property must comply with the above upon reviewing or replacing of the same.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 56, Construction Codes, Uniform.
[Amended 10-28-2024 by Ord. No. 24-2024]
The service pipe and all attachments and appurtenances used in supplying water from the ferrule at the main to the point of delivery on the premises shall be supplied, installed and maintained by the owner of the premises and be of sufficient strength and in proper condition to withstand at any time the pressure put upon the mains. At the time of initial installation or during repair, no service pipe shall be covered until inspected by the Director.
The Owner’s ongoing maintenance obligation encompasses the responsibility for the proper maintenance and/or repair of the service pipe from the ferrule at the main to the premises, including, but not limited to, inoperable or leaking valves, inoperable or leaking curb stops, and weakened or leaking pipes and fittings. In the event an Owner fails to promptly discharge this maintenance obligation, the Township shall have the right to notify the Owner that the Owner has 30 calendar days to perform such maintenance or repairs as are necessary to bring the property into compliance. The Township, at the Director’s discretion, may grant a brief extension if the Owner can demonstrate arrangements have been made for the work to be completed after the thirty-day period. In the event the Owner fails to bring the property into compliance within the thirty-day period, or any extended period as permitted by the Director, the Township may perform such maintenance and/or repairs as are necessary to bring the property into compliance. In this event, the Owner shall be responsible to pay for the cost of the work performed to bring the property into compliance and bill the Owner for the cost in accordance with Rule 17, § 175-19.
Round-way, T-handle, brass stopcocks shall be used on all service pipes at the curbline or as near thereto as practicable. Gate valves shall be used on one-and-one-half-inch or larger service pipes, with a cast-iron lock-top box three inches or more in inside diameter. Valves requiring larger than a three-inch box shall be street-valve type, the top of all boxes to be set at surface grade and the box to be of sufficient depth to reach the service line. Such box, though the property of the owner of the premises, shall be under the exclusive control of the Township for shutting off or turning on the water but shall be securely protected by the owner from becoming obstructed. If access to the stopcock in the box becomes obstructed in any way so as to necessitate digging, cleaning or other work, the owner shall be liable to the Township for the expenses of the Township incurred thereby.
Service pipes of a diameter up to 1 1/2 inches, inclusive, extending from the water main to the meter shall be of Type K copper. Where the service pipes are of two-inch diameter or more, Type K copper or cast-iron, cement-lined pipe shall be used. Water will not be furnished where any of the necessary pipes are inferior or the plumbing defective or the faucets, water closets or other fixtures are leaky or imperfect; and when such conditions or any of them are discovered, the supply of water will be cut off immediately by the Township until necessary repair or correction has been performed by the owner. There will be no credit for the shutoff period. The minimum size service in all new installations will be a three-fourths-inch corporation stop with one-inch-diameter copper pipe between stop and meter.
[Added 11-27-1989 by Ord. No. 1503-89]
All irrigation systems that are automated to operate on a clock or timer shall be fitted with a "sprinkler device" acceptable to the Director, which shall override the timer or clock in the event that rainfall is sufficient.
No additions, alterations or extensions shall be made or caused to be made in any water pipes or fixtures on or appurtenant to the premises that will result in a greater consumption of water than that stipulated in the original permit without the owner first giving notice of such proposed addition, alteration or extension and receiving a special permit from the Director authorizing the same.
No person shall turn on water to any premises, either in the first instance or after water shall have been turned off by the Township for any cause whatsoever, except by specific order of the Director.
No person supplied with water by the Township will be permitted to use the water for any purpose other than that set forth in the original application nor to supply water in any way to other persons or premises without a specific written permit from the Director. In the event of a violation of this rule, the supply of water to the premises may be cut off.
[Amended 6-27-1983 by Ord. No. 1159]
The Township, at all reasonable hours, shall have the right to enter the premises supplied with water by the Township and to examine the pipes, fixtures and meter system and to repair or replace the water meter system and to ascertain the quantity of water used and the manner of its use; and in the event that fraudulent representations shall have been made to the Township on the part of the water user or in the event of unnecessary waste or improper use of water, the supply of water to the premises will be shut off, and there will be no refund of any payment that shall have been made to the Township.
Where the owner of the premises, for the purpose of obtaining a larger flow of water, desires attachments of larger diameter as provided for in Rule 3, § 175-5, the owner shall first submit to the Director a sketch showing the following when applying for a permit: the location and size of the main to be connected to, the location and size of service, the type of service pipe, the method of connecting at the main, the location of the meter and valving at the meter and the location of the building or facility being served in relation to the street right-of-way. No permit shall be issued prior to the Director's approval of such sketch.
A. 
All meters shall be furnished by the Township, the size to be determined by the Township, and shall remain the property of the Township. No meter system shall be installed unless and until the location and facilities provided therefor shall meet the approval of the Director; and only the Director shall install any meter system or make necessary repairs to or replace or relocate any meter system; and no person other than an authorized employee of the Water and Sewer Utility shall connect, disconnect, adjust or render any service or do any act in connection with any meter system. Meters shall be so located as to be protected from freezing and other damage. If frozen or damaged to the extent that repairs are deemed necessary by the Township, the owner shall be billed the cost incurred by the Township in restoring the same to first-class condition. Meters shall be located where a representative of the Water and Sewer Utility can have free and convenient access at all reasonable hours. Whenever it shall be deemed advisable by the Director, or the owner with the approval of the Director, the meter for the use and supply of water to any specific property shall be located at a suitable place at or near the curbline, except that, in the case of a service four inches or larger in diameter, the meter shall be located as close as possible to the building to be served. No meter pit covers of thirty-inch or smaller diameters shall be used except those purchased from and furnished by the Township; and they shall be paid for as set forth in Rule 19, § 175-21. Meter pit covers of larger diameters shall be furnished by the owner and shall be subject to the prior approval of the Director. A check valve shall be installed on the service side of all meters that supply water to commercial or industrial establishments and other establishments the Director deems appropriate for the protection of the health and welfare of the public. No cross-connections shall be permitted with any private supply or private well, except as complies with the regulations of the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection. The Director may require that commercial and industrial establishments furnish and install backflow preventers and/or anti-siphon devices immediately following and adjacent to the meter when the Director deems the same advisable to protect the general health and welfare of the public or as directed by local or state health authorities.
[Amended 6-27-1983 by Ord. No. 1159]
B. 
A gate valve or equivalent shall be provided and maintained by the owner on both sides of and within 12 inches from each meter for use in installing and maintaining said meter.
[Added 5-27-1975 by Ord. No. 792]
C. 
Whenever a property owner desires the installation of a remote meter reading system on an existing connection, upon completion of the required form and payment of the fee as provided in § 17521A(9)(a)[2][a] of this article, the Director may install the same if, in his discretion, the facilities are adaptable to the system.
[Added 6-27-1983 by Ord. No. 1159]
D. 
A remote water meter reading system will be installed on all new connections where deemed appropriate by the Director.
[Added 6-27-1983 by Ord. No. 1159]
[Amended 5-27-1975 by Ord. No. 792; 12-9-2002 by Ord. No. 2024-02]
No person, except firemen at fires or drills, will be permitted to take water from the fire hydrants of the Township or to have the custody of any wrench or wrenches intended for use in connection with such fire hydrants without the authority of the Township; nor shall any person be permitted to draw water from said fire hydrants into tanks for use in sprinkling or paving streets, construction of concrete curbing and sidewalks and other construction, except by special written permission, in which event the charges agreed upon must be paid in advance, and, in which event, the charge is $10 per 1,000 gallons with a minimum of $50 up to 5,000 gallons. Water usage beyond the first 5,000 gallons is charged at a minimum rate of $50 per 5,000 gallons. Fire hydrants to be used for the above-mentioned purposes shall be designated by the Director and shall be used in accordance with his instructions. Private fire hydrant and fire sprinkler systems are permitted for connection to the system, provided that they are used only for fire purposes or testing by an insurance underwriter, Fire Department or owner and that permission shall be obtained from the Director not less than 48 hours before conducting all tests. At no time shall any private hydrant be used otherwise unless approved beforehand by the Director and the appropriate District Fire Chief. All new fire sprinkler service lines must be equipped with detector check valves, approved as to location and manufacturer by the Director.
The Township reserves the right at any time after notice shall have been given, by publication or otherwise, to shut off the supply of water from the water mains of the Township to facilitate the making of repairs at the water pumping stations or repairing or extending the water distribution system of the Township or for other related purposes, in which event the supply of water by the Township for public and private purposes would be temporarily suspended; and all owners and occupants of premises on which boilers are located that are not supplied by tanks or cisterns are cautioned to take action to prevent damage to such boilers. The Township also reserves the right to prescribe and enforce restrictions upon the use of water supplied by the Township whenever, in the judgment of the Director, emergencies or exigencies of the public service may require and to restrict or prohibit the use of water for fountains, lawn sprinklers or other outside hose connections when such action is considered necessary to maintain an adequate and/or safe supply of water.
Private and public users of water supplied by the Township expressly agree, by connecting their respective properties with the water mains of the Township, that no claims for injuries, damages or losses shall be made against the Township or its officers or employees on the ground that such injuries, damages or losses are the direct or indirect result of the bursting or breaking of any water main, service pipe, water meter or any breakdown or accident at any water pumping station of the Township or of any accidental failure in the supply or quality of water as the result of any cause or causes whatsoever or of the operation, failure, omission or shutoff of the water service or supply.
[Amended 1-25-1982 by Ord. No. 1106; 9-27-1982 by Ord. No. 1138; 9-26-1983 by Ord. No. 1170; 10-8-1984 by Ord. No. 1235; 3-13-1989 by Ord. No. 1463-89; 6-26-2017 by Ord. No. 11-2017; 10-28-2024 by Ord. No. 24-2024]
A. 
All prescribed tariffs, rates, charges and penalties for furnishing water and water service to private and public users, as well as any charges for repair costs performed by the Township pursuant to Rule 5, § 175-7, shall be due and payable to the Township at the office of the Department of Finance, Town Hall; and on all combined bills for water and water service and sewerage service and for work done on materials furnished remaining due and unpaid for 30 days from the due date, interest will be added at the rate of 8% per annum from the date of invoice on the first $1,500 of delinquency and 18% per annum on any amount in excess of $1,500, and, in the event that prompt payment thereafter shall not be made, the supply of water to the premises, including all structures thereon, may be shut off and remain shut off until all arrears, with interest and penalties, shall have been paid. In the event full payment within 30 days from the due date for repair costs performed by the Township (pursuant to Rule 5, § 175-7) would be a financial hardship to an Owner, Township Council may by Resolution authorize an installment payment plan for a term not to exceed 36 months. Said arrears shall be a lien upon the premises, including land and structures, to which water or water service was furnished and in connection with which charges were incurred, in the same manner as liens for delinquent taxes upon real estate are enforced and collected.
B. 
The foregoing amended tariffs, rates or charges shall apply only to water bills reflecting readings of water meters on and after February 1, 1985, flat rates for water and water services furnished on and after February 1, 1985, and private fire sprinkler service charges billed on and after February 1, 1985. The tariffs, rates or charges provided in § 175-21A(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (8), (9), (10), (12) and (14) of this article, as previously amended, shall survive to the extent that they shall apply only to water bills reflecting readings of water meters prior February 1, 1985, flat rates for water and water services furnished prior to February 1, 1985, and private sprinkler service charges billed prior to February 1, 1985, notwithstanding the amendment contained in this section. In all other respects the Moorestown Water Supply and Regulation Ordinance, as previously amended, is hereby preserved.
[Amended 6-26-2017 by Ord. No. 11-2017]
In the event of the violation by any user of any of the rules established by this article, the Township reserves the right to turn off the water without notice, and the Township shall not be under any obligation to refund any payment made to the Township for furnishing water or water service; and after water has been turned off from any service pipe, it will not be turned on again until all unpaid charges and penalties shall have been paid to the Township, together with the expense of the Township in connection with turning the water off and on. Whenever the water shall have been shut off in consequence of the violation of any of the rules established by this article, the owner shall be subject to a penalty payable to the Township as follows: for the first offense, $25; for the second offense, $50; for the third offense, $75; and for the fourth and any subsequent offenses, the sum of $100. The owner shall promptly pay said penalty, and said penalty shall constitute a lien, as set forth in Rule 17, § 175-19, until paid fully.
[Amended 1-22-1973 by Ord. No. 726; 5-27-1975 by Ord. No. 792; 9-22-1975 by Ord. No. 805; 2-9-1976 by Ord. No. 818; 4-11-1977 by Ord. No. 867; 11-28-1977 by Ord. No. 906; 9-24-1979 by Ord. No. 999; 1-28-1980 by Ord. No. 1019; 10-1-1980 by Ord. No. 1052; 10-12-1981 by Ord. No. 1099; 9-27-1982 by Ord. No. 1138; 10-25-1982 by Ord. No. 1141; 6-27-1983 by Ord. No. 1159; 9-26-1983 by Ord. No. 1170; 10-8-1984 by Ord. No. 1235; 11-11-1985 by Ord. No. 1292; 11-6-1986 by Ord. No. 1324; 10-26-1987 by Ord. No. 1382; 2-13-1989 by Ord. No. 1454-89; 11-27-1989 by Ord. No. 1503-89; 11-27-1989 by Ord. No. 1506-89; 12-10-1990 by Ord. No. 1557-90; 12-9-1991 by Ord. No. 1597-91; 12-13-1993 by Ord. No. 1681-93; 5-10-1999 by Ord. No. 1886-99; 12-9-2002 by Ord. No. 2024-02; 12-9-2002 by Ord. No. 2024-02; 9-28-2006 by Ord. No. 21-2006; 4-20-2009 by Ord. No. 5-2009; 4-20-2009 by Ord. No. 5-2009; 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 10-2009; 10-18-2010 by Ord. No. 18-2010; 2-11-2013 by Ord. No. 1-2013; 6-26-2017 by Ord. No. 11-2017; 3-9-2020 by Ord. No. 7-2020; 11-28-2022 by Ord. No. 24-2022; 12-15-2025 by Ord. No. 26-2025; ]
A. 
The following tariffs, rates or charges payable to the Township by public and private users for the furnishing of water and water service are hereby established:
(1) 
Flat rates and minimum charges shall be due and payable quarterly, together with excess consumption charges as evidenced by the most recent meter reading.
(2) 
Fire hydrant charges, municipal or private: quarterly flat rate of $33 per fire hydrant.
(3) 
Private fire sprinkler service charges: quarterly flat rate based on diameter of connection: two-inch, $75; four-inch, $134; six-inch, $245; eight-inch, $443; ten-inch, $647; twelve-inch, $1,060.
(4) 
Buildings utilized by Moorestown Community House, Moorestown Friends' School, Our Lady of Good Counsel School, the Township of Moorestown, the Moorestown Township Board of Education, the Moorestown Fire District Nos. 1 and 2[1] and Moorestown Ecumenical Neighborhood Development, Inc. (owned or leased for low- and moderate-income housing): no minimum charge; billings shall be based on the gallons furnished at $7.50 per 1,000 gallons for the first 25,000 gallons per quarter; $9 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 25,000 gallons through 50,000 gallons; and $10.75 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 50,000 gallons per quarter. For all water furnished through a meter installed solely for the purposes of irrigation, billings shall be based on the gallons furnished at $9.50 per 1,000 gallons for the first 50,000 gallons per quarter and $10.75 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 50,000 gallons per quarter.
[1]
Editor's Note: As to Fire District Nos. 1 and 2, see Ch. 79, Fire Prevention and Protection.
(5) 
Property used for commercial and/or industrial purposes and property containing both residential and commercial uses: a quarterly minimum charge based on the size of the meter as hereinafter shown, and including the number of gallons indicated; and an additional billing based on the gallons furnished as evidenced by the most recent meter readings in excess of the minimum quantity at the following rates: $8 per 1,000 gallons for the first 25,000 gallons per quarter; $9.25 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 25,000 gallons per quarter through 50,000 gallons per quarter; and $10.75 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 50,000 gallons. For all water furnished through a meter installed solely for the purposes of irrigation, billings shall be based on the gallons furnished at $9.50 per 1,000 gallons for the first 50,000 gallons per quarter and $10.75 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 50,000 gallons per quarter.
Meter Size
(inches)
Gallons Included in Minimum Charge
Minimum Charge
5/8 and 3/4
3,000
$24
1
10,000
$80
1 1/2 and larger
20,000
$160
(6) 
Property used for residential only purposes: a quarterly minimum charge based on the size of the meter as hereinafter shown, and including the number of gallons indicated; and an additional billing based on the gallons furnished as evidenced by the most recent meter readings in excess of the minimum quantity at the following rates: $7 per 1,000 gallons for the first 10,000 gallons per quarter; $7.50 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 10,000 gallons per quarter through 25,000 gallons per quarter; $10 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 25,000 gallons per quarter through 50,000 gallons per quarter; and $10.75 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 50,000 gallons. For all water furnished through a meter installed solely for the purposes of irrigation, billings shall be based on the gallons furnished at $9.50 per 1,000 gallons for the first 50,000 gallons per quarter and $10.75 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 50,000 gallons per quarter.
Meter Size
(inches)
Gallons Included in Minimum Charge
Minimum Charge
5/8 and 3/4
3,000
$21
1
10,000
$670
1 1/2 and larger
20,000
$145
(7) 
Water supplied for construction purposes.
(a) 
Residential. The Director shall charge a flat rate of $40 per dwelling or require the installation of a meter upon the completion of rough plumbing as he deems appropriate.
(b) 
Nonresidential. The Director shall require the installation of a meter upon the completion of rough plumbing except in small or unusual jobs where a flat fee of $60 may be charged in lieu of the metering.
(c) 
All meters shall be installed by a licensed plumber at the expense of the owner and shall be protected by the owner.
(8) 
All other properties and accounts not subject to the foregoing rates: a quarterly minimum charge based upon the size of the meter, as hereinafter shown, and including the number of gallons indicated; and an additional billing based on the gallons furnished as evidenced by the most recent meter readings in excess of the minimum quantity at the following rates: $8 per 1,000 gallons for the first 25,000 gallons per quarter; $9.25 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 25,000 gallons per quarter through 50,000 gallons per quarter; and $10.75 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 50,000 gallons per quarter. For all water furnished through a meter installed solely for the purposes of irrigation, billings shall be based on the gallons furnished at $9.50 per 1,000 gallons for the first 50,000 gallons per quarter and $10.75 per 1,000 gallons for all water in excess of 50,000 gallons per quarter.
Meter Size
(inches)
Gallons Included in Minimum Charge
Minimum Charge
5/8 and 3/4
3,000
$24
1
10,000
$80
1 1/2 and larger
20,000
$160
(9) 
Connections and meter charges.
(a) 
A connection fee in accordance with the terms of Subsection A(9) shall be imposed for the connection of any property to the water system. The connection fee shall be uniform within each class of users and shall be calculated in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:31-11. The Mayor and Council of the Township of Moorestown shall, by separate resolution, determine the water connection fee on an annual basis at the end of each budget year, or as soon thereafter as an audit may be completed to properly determine the capital base of the Township of Moorestown in its water system. The proposed revisions to the water connection fee shall be the subject of a public hearing. Meter installation charges shall also be established by resolution.
(b) 
Connection fees shall be paid at the time that a water permit application is made for service to a new building, facility or structure or as otherwise required by Subsection A(9). The issuance of a valid water permit shall be a condition precedent to the issuance of a building permit for any new building, facility or structure or existing nonresidential building, facility or structure for which an additional connection fee is required.
(c) 
Connection fees for nonresidential users shall be based upon the projected usage multiplied by the rate per gallon per day of the water connection fee. A minimum water connection charge per unit for nonresidential users shall be imposed, in an amount equal to the residential connection fee.
(d) 
Projected flows for nonresidential users shall be determined by the Township Engineer pursuant to the current version of N.J.A.C. 7:14A-23, Technical Requirements for Treatment Works Applications, whenever practicable, plus 10% for consumptive use. In the event that a type of use is not listed in N.J.A.C. 7:14A-23, the Township Engineer shall use his or her best judgment in determining projected water usage. The Township may adopt additions or exceptions to the flow projections contained in N.J.A.C. 7:14A-23.3 by resolution. For the purpose of calculations, any reference to "seat" or "person" in N.J.A.C. 7:14A-23 or in any projected flow criteria adopted by the Township shall be deemed to mean the maximum permitted occupancy established pursuant to the Uniform Construction Code and/or the Uniform Fire Code.
(e) 
In the event that an application is made for water service to a nonresidential building or unit for which the types or sizes of the uses therein have not been determined by the applicant, or are subject to change in the future, a connection fee shall be assessed based upon the maximum potential projected water usage in the building or unit. The Township, in its discretion, may enter into a deferred connection fee agreement under which an initial connection fee would be imposed only for those uses that are initially contemplated, and which would defer the payment of the balance of the connection fee until such time as a use for which the initial connection fee was paid is changed to a use that will generate additional water usage. Any connection fee paid under a deferred connection fee agreement shall be paid at the connection fee rate then prevailing at that time that payment is made.
(f) 
An application for additional capacity shall be made by any existing nonresidential user whenever there is an increase in the projected water usage for any existing building or unit resulting from an increase in size in the building or unit. A connection fee shall be charged to the nonresidential user based upon the increase in projected water usage associated with the aforesaid increase in size.
(g) 
Connection fees to public housing authorities and nonprofit organizations building affordable housing projects that consist of new connections to the system are to be computed by providing a fifty-percent reduction in the connection fee established in this rate schedule. Connection fees to public housing authorities and nonprofit organizations building affordable housing projects that consist of replacement units for demolished or refurbished units, and for which a connection fee was previously paid, are to be computed by charging the lesser of a) the reduced rate of 50% of the connection fee established in this rate schedule, or b) the connection fee established in this rate schedule, minus a credit in the amount of a connection fee previously paid for the housing units being replaced, provided the public housing authority and nonprofit organization can establish the connection fee previously paid. If the amount of the previous connection fee cannot be established, the reduced rate of 50% of the connection fee established in this rate schedule shall apply.
(h) 
In the event that an application is made to reinstate water service to a residential structure that was previously abandoned or terminated when the prior structure was demolished or substantially totally destroyed because of catastrophe, no additional connection fee shall be due provided that the application for service is made within three years of the date of the prior termination of service.
(i) 
In the event that an application is made to reinstate water service to a nonresidential structure that was previously abandoned or terminated when the prior structure was demolished or substantially totally destroyed because of catastrophe, no additional connection fee shall be due, provided that: 1) the application for service is made within two years of the date of the prior termination of service; and 2) there is no change in the projected water usage of the building. In the event that condition 1) herein has been satisfied, but there will be an increase in the projected water usage of the building, then the applicant shall pay a connection fee only on the amount of the increase in the projected water usage.
(10) 
Renewals of water services.
(a) 
Any property owner who shall renew or replace their water service within a right-of-way or an easement shall notify the Director, in writing, prior to commencing work in order that the tap may be inspected.
(b) 
If said inspection reveals that the tap must be renewed, then the property owner shall be subject to the fees in paragraph (c) below. Nothing herein shall excuse any person from obtaining any required street opening, plumbing or other permits.
(c) 
New taps.
[1] 
Where a new tap is required or requested for the renewal of any existing water service, the following charges shall be paid in advance:
Size of Tap
(inches in diameter)
Charges
1 or smaller
$250.00
1 1/2 or 2
$500.00
[2] 
Said charge shall provide for the Township to tap the main and install a stopcock. All other costs, including but not limited to the excavation and restoration of the right-of-way and/or easement, shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
(11) 
Charges for meter pits and covers. Meter pits and covers shall have the following charges:
Meter Pit Cover
Charge
18-inch cover
$89
24-inch cover
$313
30-inch cover
$313
Meter Pit with Cover
(inches)
Charge
1
$590
1 1/2
$1,868
2
$2,300
(12) 
For billing purposes, meters shall be read on a quarterly cycle basis method, either by employees of the Township or by the return of a meter reading to be supplied to the owner by the Township, as the Director shall in his sole discretion direct. In any case, where the Township is unable to read a meter, users of water supplied by the Township expressly agree that the Township may and the Township reserves the right to bill on the basis of average prior consumption, subject to the right of the Township later to adjust such billing in accordance with a subsequent meter reading. The owner shall permit the Township access to the meter at all reasonable times, and no more than two consecutive billings on the basis of average prior consumption as aforesaid shall be permitted before the water supply and service is shut off. New consumers by reason of new connections will be billed for water and water service on the basis of a pro rata charge of the appropriate minimum.
(13) 
A fee of $20 shall be paid to the Township by the owner for turnoff or turn-on of a service requested by owner or on his behalf. An additional charge of $20 shall be made for each removal or reinstallation of a meter at the owner's request. The above may be waived by the Director in case of emergency.
(14) 
As to premises which shall have qualified for a senior citizens' deduction pursuant to N.J.S.A. 54:4-8.40, or other law of substantially the same effect, all water service charges imposed hereby shall, during the year of such qualification and from year to year thereafter until said premises are disqualified, be reduced 20%.
(15) 
A fee of $150 shall be paid to the Township by the owner for each fire flow test requested by the owner or on the owner's behalf.
B. 
The foregoing amended tariffs, rates or charges shall apply only to water bills reflecting readings of water meters on and after February 1, 2026, flat rates for water and water services furnished on and after February 1, 2026, and private fire sprinkler service charges billed on and after February 1, 2026. The tariffs, rates or charges provided in this section, as previously amended and amended hereby, shall survive to the extent that they shall apply only to water bills reflecting readings of water meters prior to February 1, 2026, flat rates for water and water services furnished prior to February 1, 2026, and private fire sprinkler service charges billed prior to February 1, 2026, notwithstanding the amendment contained in this article. In all other respects this article, as previously amended, is hereby preserved.
Bills shall be rendered quarterly. One water bill shall be rendered for each meter, except in the following cases. Where more than one meter in a single connection line is permitted by the Director and installed or more than one meter measures water consumption by the same internal water-use system, regardless of the number of connection lines involved, the aggregate water consumption disclosed by readings of the several meters aforesaid shall be combined for purposes of computing charges and rendering bills, so that a single bill shall be rendered in cases of meters falling under either of the aforementioned two cases; the minimum charge in either of such cases shall equal the aggregate of all minimum charges (as defined in Rule 19, § 175-21) of the several meters based upon the sizes of each of the several meters. However, in any case where the owner requests that separate bills be rendered, water consumption shall not be combined as aforesaid.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 2, relating to the short title and which immediately followed this section, was deleted 3-13-1989 by Ord. No. 1463-89.