[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of
the City of Oneonta 12-15-2015 by Ord. No. 1-2016.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Water — See Ch. 290.
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch.
291, Water Department Rules and Regulations, adopted 9-9-1930, as
amended.
A.
Application for the introduction of water to any premises must be
made by the property owner, or his agent, on a form provided for such
purpose. This must be properly submitted before a tap permit will
be issued.
B.
Application for the introduction of new water mains to the City water
system must be made to the Board of Public Service. Installation of
such mains shall be inspected by the City of Oneonta, and the cost
of such inspection shall be borne by the developer and paid to the
City of Oneonta at a rate agreed upon in advance by the Board of Public
Service.
A.
Before any tap permits will be issued, it is required that a permit
be obtained from the Department of Public Service for the opening
of any City-owned road or from the Town of Oneonta for any Town-owned
road.
B.
An application for tap must be made to the Department of Public Service.
C.
Applications for water taps must be accompanied by the standard tapping
fee. Water tapping fees shall be established by resolution from time
to time by the Common Council of the City of Oneonta. For a schedule
of current fees, contact the Department of Public Service.
D.
Tapping permits will be issued only to the property owner or a plumber
licensed by the City of Oneonta acting as the property owner's
agent.
A.
All plumbing work of any nature, except as exempted by § 210-8J, to any building within the City of Oneonta, must conform to the existing code and be done by a plumber duly licensed by the City of Oneonta or by the de facto owner, unless otherwise approved by the Department of Public Service.
B.
All service connections to the City of Oneonta public water system,
up to and including the backflow preventer and meter, must conform
to the existing code and be done by a plumber licensed by the City
of Oneonta or by the de facto owner.
C.
The City of Oneonta accepts ownership and responsibility of all service
lines from the tap connection at the main up to and including the
curb box.
D.
The City reserves the right to require backflow preventers on new
installation or repairs.
E.
Permits for sprinkler installations are required. All master plumbers
licensed in the City of Oneonta will be automatically permitted to
install approved sprinkler systems. All other contractors wanting
to obtain such permit must provide the Plumbing Board with credentials
showing training and actual previous work in this field and the Plumbing
Board will approve or disapprove the permit. Reciprocity of licensing
will be allowed on a case-by-case basis and upon receipt of license
and credentials. If approved, the permit will be issued after reviewing
the following:
A.
The trench over and about the pipe must be dug under the supervision
of the permit holder, and must be four feet square and not less than
six inches below the pipe and kept clear for the tapper or as required
for safety and convenience.
B.
The Department of Public Service will furnish the required tap(s)
and will install same at its expense.
C.
The entire water service, including valves, etc., from the water
main tap to the building must be installed by a plumber licensed by
the City of Oneonta, at the expense of the property owner. Such expenses
include necessary permits for street opening, excavation, material
and labor for service installation, repavement of street, replacement
of sidewalks/curbs, etc.
D.
Services are to be laid at a minimum depth of five feet in relation
to established or proposed grades.
E.
Services are to be one piece from the water main tap to the curb
box and one piece from the curb box to the premises unless the distance
is so great as to make such impracticable. In such cases, a connection
approved by the Department of Public Service must be used.
F.
The portion of the service from the main to the curb stop must be
connected to the curb stop and properly placed in an open trench before
the Department of Public Service will install the tap. All curb stops
must be placed in the City or town right-of-way, unless otherwise
approved by the Department of Public Service.
G.
Proper provisions for expansion, as per the Standard Specifications
and Details, must be provided for in all service pipes. No combination
stop-and-waste valve or cock shall be installed in water supply piping.
(Building Code of New York State, Plumbing Code 608.7)
H.
Immediately following the tapping of the main, the plumber will connect
the service to the tap and make a pressure test of a minimum duration
of 10 minutes so as to check for leaks in the presence of the Department
of Public Service general supervisor or his designated representative.
I.
The trench must be backfilled and the road repaired in accordance
with the terms of the street opening permit as issued.
A.
A service as described herein refers to the service pipe from the
water main tap to the meter within the owner's premises.
B.
Services from three-quarter-inch (minimum) diameter to two-inch (maximum)
diameter must be copper with flare or compression fittings from the
main to the meter. Other materials will only be allowed upon written
approval by the City Engineer.
C.
Services of over two inches in diameter are classified as special,
and the property owner should contact the City Engineer with regard
to such special services.
D.
Copper service specifications:
|
Type of Tubing
|
Specifications
| |
|---|---|---|
|
3/4 inch to 2 inch seamless copper
|
#16 Stubs Gauge Type K, ASTMbB88
|
E.
Tap requirements.
(1)
The size of the service shall be the same as the size of the tap.
(2)
All charges pertaining to water taps of four-inch, six-inch, eight-inch
or larger taps requiring saddles or sleeves will be quoted as follows:
The contractor or property owner will supply all required fittings
(tapping tee, valve, saddle, sleeve, etc.) suited for the type of
pipe being used and will assemble and mount all necessary fittings.
The Department of Public Service will perform the tap. Any repairs
immediately needed due to improper service installation will be made
by the Department of Public Service, and the contractor/property owner
will be billed on a time and material basis, plus administrative fee
of 50%.
(3)
A separate tap and service is required for each individual building.
Multioccupancy buildings may be furnished water through one or more
taps at the discretion of the City Engineer. A master meter for multiple
buildings on a single parcel may be approved at the discretion of
the City Engineer.
(4)
Individual rental spaces in mobile home parks may be furnished water
through branch connections from a single tap by special permit from
the City Engineer, indicating the number of spaces served. Additional
connections may be made only after written approval of the City Engineer
and the filing of a new permit. Violation of this section shall incur
an annual water minimum charge at an amount determined from time to
time by resolution of the Common Council per year per unauthorized
connection.
(5)
No new replacement tap will be made until the existing tap is terminated
at the main.
F.
Branch connection. A branch connection from any water service lateral
is not allowed on the street side of the meter.
G.
Curb stops.
(1)
Curb stops for services up to and including two inches must be made
of an inverted, ground key, round-way type and must be the same size
as the service pipe. No combination stop-and-waste valve shall be
installed in water supply piping. (Building Code of New York State,
Plumbing Code 608.7)
(2)
Gate valves, of a design approved by the Department of Public Service,
must be used as curb stops for services over two inches.
(3)
All curb stops or gate valves are to be located approximately two
feet inside of the curbline, unless otherwise approved by the Department
of Public Service.
(4)
Each curb stop or gate shall be properly enclosed by a gatebox and
cover of a type as approved by the Department of Public Service.
H.
Interior valve. A full-bore valve or a design approved by the Department
of Public Service must be located on the incoming service, just inside
the building.
I.
Provision for meter.
(1)
Meters shall be installed by the Department of Public Service or
a contractor approved by the Department of Public Service general
supervisor or his designee.
(2)
Meters shall be installed per the Standard Specifications and Details.
(3)
The meter, a backflow preventer (if required) and a test tee between
two approved-type valves must be located on the premises side of the
fill-in-piece, as illustrated in the Standard Specifications and Details.
(4)
Meters are not required for sprinkler services. Sprinkler services
shall carry an annual fee equal to the minimum annual rent for water
services.
J.
Meter pits. Outdoor meter pits may be installed in special cases
on written approval of the City Engineer. Such meter pits must be
constructed in accordance with the Standard Specifications and Details
at the expense of the property owner.
[Amended 12-3-2019 by Ord. No. 7-2019]
A.
Application to install any sprinkler service from a water lateral must be obtained from the City of Oneonta Code Enforcement Office. Sprinkler services must follow all specifications outlined in § 291-7, except those which apply only to the introduction of the meter.
B.
All flow tests must be performed by the City of Oneonta or an individual
or agency approved by the City Engineer. Written approval by the City
Engineer is required. If performed without approval, the property
owner shall be assessed an administrative fee established from time
to time by resolution of the Common Council of the City of Oneonta.
All flow tests must be witnessed by a representative of the City of
Oneonta.
C.
Sprinkler service design must adhere to the Standard Specifications
and Details, and must be approved by the City Engineer or designee.
D.
Final inspection and sign-off shall be performed by the licensed
professional engineer or registered architect who stamped the design,
to certify that the installation has been done as per the approved
design. The architect or professional engineer shall submit the findings
to the Code Enforcement Office.
E.
Property owners must annually certify to the City of Oneonta Code Enforcement Office that their sprinkler systems are in compliance with NFPA 25 inspection, testing and maintenance requirements. Sprinkler inspections must be performed by, or under the supervision of, a contractor holding a fire suppression contractor's license in compliance with Chapter 210 of the Code of the City of Oneonta. The Code Enforcement Office will make spot checks as deemed necessary.
F.
Annual inspection by licensed engineer. In lieu of a fire suppression
contractor, an engineer, licensed in New York State, may perform an
annual sprinkler certification inspection. This inspection shall certify
that the sprinkler system is in compliance with NFPA 25 inspection,
testing and maintenance requirements and shall be affixed with the
seal of the certifying engineer.
G.
Flow tests for existing sprinkler services must be approved by the
Department of Public Service in coordination with the main flushing
schedule. If performed without approval, the property owner shall
be assessed an administrative fee established from time to time by
resolution of the Common Council of the City of Oneonta.
A.
Unless otherwise specified, all water meters are furnished to the
consumer by a fee established from time to time by resolution of the
Common Council. The City Engineer reserves the right to specify the
maximum size meter required for any purpose.
B.
Meters shall be located with approximately six inches clearance to
the building wall and near the point where the water meter service
enters the building and not more than four feet above the floor, where
practicable.
C.
Clear access of a minimum of three feet shall be maintained around
the meter, and a clear lane maintained from the point of egress to
such meter location.
D.
The meter shall be installed at a level slightly higher than the
service stop-and-waste valve. No other valves, cocks, drains, etc.,
shall be allowed between the meter and the stop-and-waste valve on
the incoming service.
E.
An approved-type valve, test tee and backflow preventer shall be
located on the premises side of the meter and not more than two feet
from the meter.
G.
The meter shall be suitably supported and protected so as to prevent
vibration, freezing, or damage from external causes.
Water for construction and other purposes shall only be used
with prior approval from the Department of Public Service. If approved
the water shall be metered, and regular meter rates will apply unless,
in the judgment of the Board of Public Service, such is not practicable.
In such cases, provisions for flat-rate charges may be made at charges
to be determined by the Board of Public Service.
The use of water from the public water supply for the production
of power in any type of apparatus is strictly forbidden.
A.
When the City replaces or installs a water service from the main
to the curb stop and is unable to make a proper connection to the
property owner's water service, the Department of Public Service
will contact the property owner, and the property owner shall be responsible
for making a proper connection at his/her expense.
B.
If, for any reason, the City replaces or installs a water service,
the City will replace only that portion of the service from the main
up to and, if necessary, including the curb stop.
C.
On all streets where it is proposed to construct new pavements or
relay existing pavements, all iron, steel or lead services may be
replaced with copper under such proposed pavements. In the case of
such renewals, the Department of Public Service shall notify property
owners of such renewal so that an opportunity to replace the entire
service is provided.
A.
All services from the building to the curb box must be properly maintained
by the property owner, at his/her expense.
B.
Curb stops and boxes must be protected from damage, kept free of dirt, refuse, snow, ice, etc., at all times by the property owner. When changes are made by the property owner in the yard grade, curb boxes must be realigned to the new grade level. Such realignment must be approved and inspected by the Department of Public Service. Only the Department of Public Service shall operate curb stops. A fee for such inspection may be charged as set from time to time by the Common Council. Front yard parking is also prohibited per § 300-61C(5).
C.
If, within 10 days, a property owner fails to make repairs to his/her
section of a faulty water service after due notice has been filed
with such property owner by the Department of Public Service, the
City reserves the right to discontinue water service until repairs
are made to the satisfaction of the Department of Public Service.
D.
The thawing and/or repair of frozen water services from the user's
side of the curbstop, to and including the water meter, are the responsibility
and liability of the property owner.
A.
Normal repair, maintenance and replacement of City-owned water meters
will be done by the Department of Public Service at its expense.
B.
Damage to water meters due to freezing, slush, ice, fire, hot water,
and other damage which cannot be attributed to normal operational
wear and tear will be billed to the property owner at charges established
from time to time by resolution of the Common Council. (Flanges, fittings
and hardware will be extra.)
A.
All water meters may be tested periodically in the field, at the
Department of Public Service test laboratory or at an independent
testing service. Larger meters shall be tested according to the schedule
below. All costs of that testing, including any costs incurred by
the City in obtaining access to the meter, together with an additional
administrative fee of 50% of those costs, will be added to the owner's
water bill.
|
Meter Size
(inches)
|
Required Testing Interval
| |
|---|---|---|
|
2
|
Every 4 years
| |
|
3
|
Every 3 years
| |
|
4
|
Every 2 years
| |
|
6 or larger
|
Every year
|
B.
Special tests may be made by the Department of Public Service at
the request of the property owner or on its own initiative where indicated.
A fee for such service shall be established from time to time by resolution
of the Common Council.
A.
In the event of the failure of a water meter to register accurately,
water consumption will be billed based on an average of the three
prior years' bills for the premises in question.
B.
If prior bills are not available, average current water consumption
may be used as a basis for estimated usage and billing purposes, upon
appeal to the Board of Public Service.
A.
Unauthorized tampering with water meter seals is a misdemeanor, and
offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
B.
In the event that seals on water meters are found to be broken, from
any cause whatsoever, billing in the amount of three times the average
bill of the last two identical billing periods may be issued. Service
may be disconnected if such is deemed advisable by the Board of Public
Service.
A.
Lawn sprinkling is permitted, but may be regulated when deemed necessary
by the Board of Public Service.
B.
Excess sprinkling at any time, such as to result in any obvious waste,
shall be construed as a "wastage of water" and subject to penalty
or other restrictions as determined by the Board of Public Service.
A.
Fire hydrants are provided for fire protection and water distribution
maintenance only. Hydrants may only be operated by City personnel.
B.
Under exceptional circumstances, the Department of Public Service
is authorized to issue permits for the use of specific hydrants, for
specific purposes, at such fees as established from time to time by
resolution of the Common Council. Use of any fire hydrant, including
those located on private property, is subject to approval by the Department
of Public Service. Use of a hydrant without prior approval shall cost
the property owner according to a fee established from time to time
by resolution of the Common Council.
C.
Tampering with or obstructing fire hydrants is specifically prohibited.
D.
Fire hydrants within the limits of the Town of Oneonta are subject
to an annual fee for rental of those hydrants. Such fee shall be established
from time to time by resolution of the Common Council.
The Department of Public Service general supervisor or authorized Department of Public Service employees shall have full power to enter the premises of any consumer, at all reasonable hours, to read meters, examine fixtures, manner of using water, etc. See Municipal Code § 290-11.
In the event that the City Council, the State Department of
Health, the State Department of Environmental Conservation or other
agencies shall deem it advisable, the Board of Public Service is herewith
authorized to take such measures as may be deemed necessary to protect
the public water supply.
The Department of Public Service shall not be liable for any
damage or loss of any name or kind, to property or persons, or business
or loss of use of property, which may arise from or be caused by any
change of pressure whatsoever.
It is understood and agreed that the City of Oneonta shall not
be liable for any injury or damage which may result to any person
or premises, from shutting off of water from any main or service for
any purpose whatever, even in cases where no notice is given.
A.
Water meters are required for all water services. A water account,
which does not have a meter installed, shall be subject to an annual
fee as set from time to time by the Common Council of the City of
Oneonta.
B.
Water rent charges are set from time to time by the Common Council
of the City of Oneonta. Current water rent tables are available in
the Finance Department.
C.
The annual minimum fee for water service shall be charged as the
annual fee for sprinkler services, which are not tapped off from a
metered service.
D.
If a property owner disputes the accuracy of the water rent accessed
against the property, an appeal may be made to the Board of Public
Service. Such appeal shall be in writing and within 60 days of the
date of the bill.
A.
Billing for water will be issued for any overage above minimum billing
for the previous year, plus advance minimum billing for the current
year.
B.
Billing will also include a charge for sewer rent at a rate set by
the Common Council.
C.
Billing will also include charges for fire lines on a minimum fee
basis where provided.
D.
Water billing appeals.
(1)
Owners with concerns about their water bill should first contact
the Department of Public Service. Department of Public Service personnel
will review meter-reading history and may visit the property to make
a general inspection and identify any potential issues related to
the recorded water consumption.
(2)
If information provided by the Department of Public Service does
not adequately address the owner's concerns, a written appeal
may be submitted to the Board of Public Service. Appeals to the Board
of Public Service must be submitted to the City Clerk within 60 days
of the date of the bill.
(3)
When a complaint is received, the City Clerk will acknowledge receipt
of the complaint and inform the customer of the procedure to be followed.
The City Clerk will distribute the complaint to the appropriate departments.
(4)
If issues related to the water consumption were not adequately identified
upon inspection, the customer may request that the water meter be
removed and tested by the Department of Public Service at no charge
to the customer. If a property owner is not satisfied with the Department
of Public Service testing results, the meter may be sent to a New
York State Public Service Commission-approved testing company. If
the meter test indicated inaccuracy that exceeds 2%, the Department
of Public Service will pay testing charges and adjust the water rent
for that period involved. If the meter is accurate within + or - 2%,
the property owner shall pay the testing charges.
(5)
The meter readings and any other documentation shall be provided
by the Department of Public Service to the Board of Public Service.
After the results are reviewed, the customer will be invited to a
future meeting of the Board of Public Service.
(6)
The Board will listen to the complaint, review all documentation
and meter testing results, and will decide whether there is evidence
that the meter was inaccurate at the time of the current billing.
(7)
If the meter is deemed inaccurate, the billing will be adjusted pursuant to § 291-15 of the Rules and Regulations of the Water Department.
(8)
If the meter is deemed accurate, the Board will notify the customer
that the water and sewer bill will remain as originally billed and
must be paid as follows:
(a)
If the usage billed is less than three times the average of
the previous three years' billed usage, the bill must be paid
in full within 30 days of notification to the customer that the appeal
of his/her water/sewer bill was unsuccessful. After 30 days, normal
late payment penalties must be paid in addition to the original bill
amount.
(b)
If the bill is at least three times the average of the previous
three years' billings, a payment schedule will be offered, not
to extend beyond November 30 of the year the bill was received. If
the appeal schedule has been adhered to, all additional penalties
will be waived from the date of the original appeal.
A.
Water bills will incur penalties of incremental percentages for late
payment as specified by the City Finance Department.
B.
Disconnection.
(1)
The Department of Public Service reserves the right to disconnect
water service at the main, or shut off service at the curb stop, in
the event that bills are not paid within a stated period of time after
the last due date.
(2)
In the event that such action is deemed advisable, the City Finance
Department shall so advise the owner of record of this contemplated
action by registered mail. If payment in full, plus accrued penalties,
is not received within 15 days of the mailing of such notice, the
water may be disconnected at the main, or service shut off at the
curb stop.
C.
A fee as established from time to time by the City of Oneonta Common
Council will be charged against the property owner and will be subject
to the same penalties as the unpaid water bill. This fee shall cover
the cost associated with such shutoff.
D.
No property will be reconnected to the water main until all water
and sewer rents and penalties charged against said properties, including
the cost of disconnecting and reconnecting such properties to the
water main, have been paid.
A.
Full water bills will be rendered according to a regular rate schedule
as determined by the Common Council unless such service is disconnected
at the water main, or at the curb box, at the discretion of the Department
of Public Service general supervisor. A property owner may elect to
have the meter removed temporarily and stored. In such cases, the
Department of Public Service shall close the curb box and then remove
the meter. The property owner shall be billed for such service at
a fee established from time to time by resolution of the Common Council.
The property water rent shall be no less than the annual minimum.
B.
If premises are to be torn down, or otherwise vacated, and water
service abandoned, the Department of Public Service must be notified
by the property owner so that the water service may be disconnected
at the water main or the curb box, at the discretion of the general
supervisor. All disconnections will be performed by the Department
of Public Service.
C.
Billing for water services (including any minimum fee) will terminate
on the first day of the month immediately subsequent to the date of
disconnection. A disconnection fee established from time to time by
resolution of the Common Council will be charged for each requested
disconnection, and any other charges or credits will be issued as
of the same aforementioned date.
All charges for water and sewer rents, repairs, damages caused
by carelessness or neglect, penalties, etc., shall be made against
the premises supplied and the owner of premises shall be held responsible
therefor. Such charges, if not paid, shall be a lien on the property
benefited. All such unpaid charges shall be added to the next City
tax against the property.
The Department of Public Service will, upon request, cooperate
in taking or recording meter readings usually required in real estate
transfers of ownership.
A.
Materials used for construction will be approved by the Engineering
Department.
B.
No mains less than eight inches in diameter will be allowed, unless
authorized by the Board of Public Service.
C.
No services will be allowed in streets in lieu of water mains.
D.
All main extensions outside of the City limits must be approved by
the Board of Public Service after petition.
(1)
The entire cost of such main extensions shall be borne by the petitioner.
The Board may enter into a contract with the petitioner agreeing that
no taps will be made in such extensions without the knowledge of the
petitioner. Further, the Board may also agree that the petitioner
may have the right to charge, along with the Department of Public
Service, a tapping fee for up to a five-year period.
A.
The Finance Department shall keep such records pertaining to the
use and the charges therefor as may be prescribed by the Board of
Public Service.
B.
The Department of Public Service and Code Enforcement Office shall
issue permits as may be authorized by these regulations.
C.
The Department of Public Service clerical staff shall perform such
other clerical or office work as may be prescribed by the Board of
Public Service.
