[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of East Greenville
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 7-7-1997 by Ord. No. 8-97[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Ch. 94, Water, adopted
9-6-1988 by Ord. No. 5-88.
A.
Service connections will be made and water will be furnished
upon written application by the prospective customer (or his/her properly
authorized agent) on a form provided by the borough for this purpose and after
approval of such application by the Borough Council. The application for service
shall state clearly the class (R, C, I), scope and type of use to be made
of the service, as well as the purpose for which it will be used.
B.
The application and these rules and regulations constitute
the contract between the customer and the borough; and each customer, by the
taking of water, agrees to be bound thereby.
C.
A new application must be made to and approved by the
Borough Council upon any change in the identity of the contracting customer
at a property or in the service as described in the application, and the Borough
Council may, upon five days' notice, discontinue the water supply until
such new application has been made and approved.
D.
Each application for service shall be made in conformity
with and shall state the basis of rates applicable to customers under the
tariff provisions.
[Amended 1-5-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-2]
The Borough shall charge the hereinafter enumerated fees for each gallon
per day of capacity (GPD) as hereinafter determined whenever the owner of
any property, or his or her designated agent, connects such property with
the Borough's public water system, or whenever said owner adds to or
modifies property already connected to that system in such manner as to increase
the GPD as hereinafter determined. The enumerated fees shall include:
A.
Connection fee: a charge to reimburse the Borough for
the cost of the waterline between the main in the street and the property
line. This cost shall be based upon actual cost or average cost of previous
similar connections. This fee shall include all road openings and restorations
as well as permit fees and engineering fees in connection therewith.
(1)
Prior to any work schedule being set for a new connection,
or connections, to the Borough's water system, the property owner or
his designated agent shall:
(a)
Complete a written application requesting connection,
or connections, on forms supplied by the Borough.
(b)
Read and execute an agreement with the Borough on forms
supplied by the Borough agreeing to pay to the Borough all actual costs related
to said connection or connections.
(c)
Pay in advance for the water connection or connections,
$2,332 per connection.
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The advanced payments referred to in Subsection A(1)(c) above shall in no instance be construed as being full payment. The property owner, or his designated agent, shall be responsible for all actual costs related to effect the water connection between the Borough mains and the established curbline of said property.
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(2)
The property owner, or his designated agent, shall receive
a final cost bill to be computed from the particular job sheet as filed by
the Borough's Maintenance Supervisor.
(3)
The advanced payment shall be deducted from the total
actual costs and the balance will represent the final cost bill. The final
Borough invoice shall be forwarded within 15 days after the street surface
has been properly restored and the said new service completed between the
water main and the established curbline.
(4)
In the event that the balance due the Borough is not
paid in full within 15 days of the date of said final cost bill, said services
may be made ineffective by shutting off the water supply. Before service will
be restored, these additional costs plus 10%, an adjusted final cost bill,
must be paid in full.
(5)
The Borough reserves the right to adjust and/or waive
required connection fees where their imposition would not be warranted. For
example, if a property owner has entered a development agreement with the
Borough and is undertaking construction of an on-site water system at his
own expense, there may be no need for connection fees as hereinbefore set
forth since there would be no actual costs to the Borough.
B.
Customer facilities fee: a charge to reimburse the Borough for the cost of line and/or service for connection of the facilities installed between the property line and the building. This charge shall be based on actual costs incurred. The Borough may require the owner to install these facilities. The fee shall include the cost of providing a water meter or meters. The billing procedure shall be the same as for the connection fees in Subsection A above.
C.
Tapping fee. A charge which includes the following components:
capacity, distribution and collection, special purpose and reimbursement,
to be charged for use of the water systems of the Borough, that shall be in
addition to any charges assessed against the property in the construction
of water mains as well as other user charges or rates charged for rental and
use of the water system itself.
(1)
The tapping fee for public water service shall be $2,668
per EDU as hereinafter defined.
(2)
The aforementioned tapping fees, as well as any fees
set forth to this section may be altered or changed by Borough Council from
time to time as circumstances may warrant by appropriate resolution of Council.
(3)
The aforestated tapping fees are determined and established
by studies done by Borough Engineer, Cowan Associates, Inc., entitled "East
Greenville Borough Water Distribution System Tapping Fee Report," dated November
13, 2003. Copies of said report, detailing itemization of all calculations
showing the manner in which the fees were determined, are available for public
inspection at the Borough Hall.
(4)
Tapping fees shall be payable at time of application
for connection to systems or at such other time as the property owner and
Borough may agree upon in writing.
D.
Equivalent dwelling unit. Equivalent dwelling unit shall
mean any room, group of rooms, mobile home or other enclosure occupied or
intended for occupancy as separate living quarters by a family or group of
persons living together or by persons living alone. Each dwelling unit in
a double house, townhouse, or connecting houses, in a mobile home or in an
apartment, will be charged as a separate entity or unit.
(1)
Each church, chapel or firehouse shall constitute one
equivalent dwelling unit. Each school (public or private) shall constitute
one equivalent dwelling unit for each unit of 20 pupils expected to he enrolled
and occupying said school. Teachers and employees shall be classified as pupils
for purposes of this calculation.
(2)
For any improved nonresidential property to be served
by the Borough water system, the number of equivalent dwelling units for which
such property shall be charged shall be in accordance with the following schedule,
with each 350 gallons per day of estimated water usage equal to one equivalent
dwelling unit:
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TABLE OF EQUIVALENT DWELLING UNITS
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Type of Establishment
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Estimated Water Usage and Basis of Calculation
(gallons per day)
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Barbershop
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100 per chair
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Beauty shop
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125 per chair
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Church, chapel, synagogue or mosque
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175
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Dental office
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750 per chair
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Retail store without cafeteria or restaurant
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12 per 100 square feet
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Drug store
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500
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With fountain service
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Add 1,500
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Serving meals
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Add 50 per seat
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Industrial plant per shift without cafeteria or restaurant
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15 per employee
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With cafeteria or restaurant
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20 per employee
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Laundromat
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600 per machine
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Meat market
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5 per 100 square feet floor area or 25 per employee
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Motel or hotel
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With kitchen
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150 per room
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Without kitchen
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100 per room
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Office building
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12 per 100 square feet floor area or 25 per employee
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Physician's office
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200 per examining room
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Restaurant
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Multi-service
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50 per seat
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Single service
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35 per seat
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Drive-in
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35 per car space
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Tavern
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20 per seat
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Fast food
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35 per car
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Service station
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With car wash
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1,000 per wash rack
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Without car wash
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200 per pump
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School (nonresidential)
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With cafeteria and gym showers
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20 per student or employee
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With cafeteria, no gym showers
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15 per student or employee
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With no cafeteria or gym showers
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10 per student or employee
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Theater
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3 per seat
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Drive-in
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10 per car
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College or boarding school
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65 per student and 15 per employee
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Hospitals
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175 per bed and 12 per employee
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Nursing homes
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100 per bed and 15 per employee
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Dormitories, rooming houses and group homes
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65 per person
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Swimming pools with snack bars
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15 per person
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Summer camps
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65 per person
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Trailer camps
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150 per site
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Other establishments
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To be established based upon estimated flow
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(3)
In the case of a combination of uses, each use shall
be adjusted according to the applicable portion of this schedule. Secondary
uses in residential buildings shall be adjusted as separate uses and be rated
accordingly.
(4)
If the owner or user of any property fails to provide
the Borough with complete information, in writing, required to compute the
aforementioned charge, the Borough may estimate a reasonable applicable charge
for such property.
A.
The borough will make all connections to its mains and
will furnish, install and maintain all service lines from the main to and
including the curb stop and box, which shall be placed immediately inside
the portion of the customer's property which abuts the street or road,
all of which service line shall be the property of the borough and shall be
accessible to and under its control.
B.
All service lines from the curb stop and box to the meter
shall be approved by the borough as to size and installation and shall be
kept in good repair by the customer at his expense. Service lines shall be
copper and shall conform to the Borough Plumbing Code[1] that is in effect at the time of the application for service.
All service lines shall be placed at least 3 1/2 feet below the surface
of the ground.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 67, Plumbing.
C.
No service lines shall be laid in the same trench with
a gas pipe, sewer pipe or any other facility of a public service company,
except with written approval of the borough. No line shall be laid within
three feet of any open excavation of vault, except with written approval of
the borough.
D.
A stop and waste valve, easily accessible to the occupants,
shall be placed in the service line within the premises supplied with water.
Such vault shall be located so that it will be possible to drain the meter
and all pipes in the building.
E.
All leaks in service lines from the curb box to and within
the premises shall be promptly repaired. Failure to make such repairs within
a reasonable time period may cause the borough to turn off the water and it
will not be again turned on until the borough has been reimbursed, in full,
for all proper and necessary expenses incurred in shutting off and turning
on the water.
F.
The borough shall in no event be responsible for maintenance
of or for damage caused by water escaping from the service line of any other
pipe or fixture on the outlet side of the curb stop; and the customer at all
times shall comply with state and municipal regulations in reference thereto
and shall make any changes thereon which may be required because of change
of grade, relocation of mains or other such changes deemed necessary by the
borough.
G.
The use of water service by a customer shall be in accordance
with the class, scope and type of use and for the purpose stated in the application
and service contract. A customer shall not use or allow the use of water service
through his/her facilities for others or for purposes other than those covered
by his/her application. To make a service available for other purposes or
character of use, a new application and contract must be approved by the borough.
No service will be furnished by the borough to any applicant until all
arrears for water rents, repairs or other charges now or theretofore incurred
or owing by him/her shall be paid or satisfactory arrangements for payment
have been made.
A.
All water service, except for fire-fighting purposes,
will be rendered only through meters.
B.
Each customer's service shall have a separate meter
to register the amount of water consumed.
C.
All meters will be furnished by and remain the property
of the Borough. The Borough reserves the right to establish the size of meter
required by each customer. The Borough will provide a mounting device to be
installed by the customer. All meters will be installed by the Borough. All
customers requiring meters larger than one inch and all customers outside
the corporate limits of the Borough will reimburse the Borough for the price
of the meter. If a meter larger than one inch becomes defective at any time,
the Borough will replace it at the Borough's expense, and said new meter
will remain the property of the Borough.
[Amended 7-3-2000 by Ord. No. 00-3]
D.
Upon request by the borough, all customers will allow
the borough to install a remote reading device to permit meter reading from
a location on an outside wall of a residence or other building. All such remote
readers will remain the property of the borough.
E.
Meters and remote reading devices will be maintained
by the borough as far as ordinary wear and tear is concerned. The customer,
in case of an inside meter installation or an outside meter installation if
the borough has agreed upon the site and the installation of a meter vault
or meter box, shall be responsible to the borough for any injury to or loss
of any meter arising out of or caused by the customer's negligence or
carelessness, including any loss or damage caused by freezing or that of his/her
servants, employees, members of his/her household or any person upon his/her
premises under or by his/her consent or sufferance. The customer shall not
permit anyone, not an agent of the borough or otherwise lawfully authorized
so to do, to remove, inspect or tamper with the borough's meter, remote
reading device or other property of the borough on his/her premises. If a
meter vault or meter box becomes unsuitable and the borough so notifies the
customer, the customer shall remedy this condition promptly, at his/her expense.
F.
All meters and remote reading devices shall be set at
convenient locations, accessible to the borough and subject to its control.
When possible and if the customer and borough agree, the meter shall be installed
within the premises supplied, at a point approved by the borough, in order
to control the entire supply. A proper place for the meter and protection
therefore shall be provided by the customer.
G.
Where it is not convenient or if both the customer and the borough agree not to place the meter in the building, as provided in Subsection F, the meter will be placed outside the building in a suitable vault of concrete or block or in a meter box. The meter vault or meter box shall be provided with a suitable cover and locking device.
H.
The cover and locking device for each outside meter vault
or meter box shall conform to a proper uniform standard established by the
borough. The covers and locking device shall be of uniform design for convenience
and efficiency in the borough's operation. An outside meter vault or
meter box shall be located, at the option of the customer, either inside the
property line or near the curb stop and shall be built at the expense of the
customer. The site shall be a suitable and safe place for the installation
of a meter and it must be accessible to the borough.
A.
The quantity of water recorded by the meter and not the
remote reading device shall be conclusive for both the customer and the borough,
except when the meter has been found to be registering inaccurately or has
ceased to register. In either of such cases, the meter will be promptly repaired
or replaced by the borough and the quantity of water consumed shall be estimated
by the average registration of the meter in previous corresponding periods.
B.
In the case of a disputed bill involving the accuracy
of a meter, such meter shall be tested, upon the request of the customer.
If the meter so tested is found to have an error in registration of 4% or
more, the bills will be increased or decreased accordingly as provided by
said rules.
C.
Each request for the test of a meter for accuracy shall
be accompanied by a deposit, the amount of which shall be determined by the
size of the meter to be tested.
D.
If the meter so tested shall be found to have an error
in registration of less than 4%, the deposit shall be retained by the borough
as compensation for such test; if the error in registration is found to be
4% or more, then the amount of the deposit shall be borne by the borough and
the amount of the deposit shall be returned to the customer.
E.
Each request for the test of a meter for accuracy shall
be accompanied by a deposit governed by the size of the meter and the current
cost of testing by a borough-appointed testing company.
F.
If for two successive quarters the quantity of water recorded
by the remote reading device reveals consumption that differs by more than
10% from the amount consumed in the same quarters the previous year, or immediately
upon the meter ceasing to register any flow to a property, the Borough may
request an opportunity to test and, if necessary, to replace the meter. The
Borough employee charged with the duty of conducting quarterly meter readings
shall advise the customer of the Borough's desire to test the meter by leaving
a card at the customer's door asking that he call the Borough office and arrange
for a time at which an employee of the Borough might test the meter. If the
customer fails to arrange for the requested testing within 14 days of the
date on which the card requesting the test was left at his door, the Borough
Secretary shall write to him, again requesting that the customer call the
Borough office to arrange for meter testing and advising that failure to do
so prior to the close of the then-current quarter will be a violation of the
rules and regulations of this article and subject the customer to discontinuance
of service on the first day of the next succeeding quarter.
[Added 1-6-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-2]
A.
Each customer is subject to a minimum charge, the amount
of which is set forth in the Schedule of Rates that are in current use by
the borough.
B.
Bills for water service will be rendered as specified
on the Schedule of Rates and are due and payable upon presentation. If a bill
is not paid within 30 days after it has been rendered, service may be terminated
after due notice and will not be reconnected until the amount due plus a 10%
penalty and turn-on charge of $25 is paid in full by bank check, money order
or cash.
C.
All delinquent bills for rentals and charges shall be
entered as a lien against the premises served, and such lien shall be filed
and collected in the manner provided by law for the filing and collection
of municipal claims.
D.
The presentation or nonpresentation of a bill shall not
be held to be a waiver of any of the rules or regulations.
E.
Water rates shall be payable quarterly, being due and
payable on the first days of March, June, September and December.
[Amended 1-6-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-2]
F.
The borough will read all meters on a regular schedule.
In the event that a scheduled reading of meters can not be obtained because
of inability to gain access to the meter location, the borough reserves the
right to estimate the amount of the bill. Bills so determined shall have the
same force and effect as if the meter had been read.
G.
In all cases where water is served to a building occupied
by two or more establishments, firms or families, only one meter shall be
furnished by the borough to such building. The water rate as registered by
the meter will be equally divided among the individual billing units, and
separate bills for each billing unit shall be calculated and totaled. However,
the owner will be furnished with only one bill. The owner may request that
separate meters be installed for each portion of the building separately occupied.
Cost of installation and meters shall be at the expense of the owner.
A.
Whenever the customer desires to have his/her service
contract terminate or his/her water service discontinued, he shall notify
the borough to that effect in writing. The customer will be responsible for
the payment of all service rendered by the borough prior to receipt of such
written notice and during a reasonable time thereafter to enable the borough
to make the final reading of the meter or meters or to discontinue water service.
B.
When premises will be unoccupied temporarily, the customer
shall notify the borough in writing and the water will be turned off and all
charges will cease from the date when water service is turned off. When the
property is again occupied, the customer shall notify the borough in writing
and the water will be turned on. No refund or allowances will be made for
unoccupied property when written notice has not been given as above provided.
No refund will be allowed for property unoccupied for a period of less than
one month.
C.
In cases of vacancy of a customer's property, the
customer must notify the borough in writing of such vacancy, and upon his
failure to do so, he will become responsible for any damage to the property
of the borough arising from freezing, water damage, injury to meter or any
other failure.
D.
Upon written notification from the Upper Montgomery Joint
Authority that a customer is delinquent in payment of sewer rentals, water
service shall be discontinued as if this delinquency was a violation of these
rules and regulations.
E.
Service to any customer may be discontinued for violation
of any of these rules and regulations; however, before service may be discontinued
for any violation, the borough shall give written notice to the customer and
a reasonable date after which service will be discontinued if the violation
continues. After service is thus discontinued for violation of the rules and
regulations, service will not be resumed until reasonable assurance is given
that the customer will comply with the rules and regulations and until the
turn-on fee of $25 has been paid to the borough.
The Mayor, after consultation with and/or upon recommendation of the
water plant operator, may declare all or any part thereof of the following
water uses as nonessential and prohibited within the Borough of East Greenville,
which ban shall continue until terminated by resolution of the Council of
the Borough of East Greenville at a regular or special meeting.
A.
The use of any water for watering of lawns, excepting
newly seeded or sodded lawns.
B.
The use of fresh water for irrigation and watering of
outdoor garden, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs or other outdoor plants, except:
(1)
Agricultural irrigation, including vegetable gardens,
for the production of food and fiber or the maintenance of livestock.
(2)
The use of fresh water by commercial nurseries at the
minimum level necessary to maintain stock, to the extent that sources of water,
other than fresh water, adequate to supply needs are not available or feasible
to use.
(3)
The use of fresh water by arboretums and public gardens
of national, state or regional significance where necessary to preserve specimens,
to the extent that sources of water, other than fresh water, adequate to supply
needs are not available or feasible to use.
(4)
The use of fresh water at the minimum rate necessary
to implement revegetation following earth moving, where such revegetation
is required pursuant to an adopted erosion and sedimentation control plan
adopted pursuant to state law of regulation, to the extent that sources of
water, other than fresh water, adequate to supply needs are not available
or feasible to use.
C.
The use of fresh water for watering any portion of golf
courses, except for greens.
D.
The use of any water for washing paved surfaces such
as streets, roads, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts
and patios.
E.
The use of water for ornamental purposes, including fountains,
artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools.
F.
The use of any water for washing or cleaning of automobiles,
trucks, other motor vehicles and trailers, except:
H.
The use of fire hydrants by fire companies for testing
fire apparatus and for Fire Department drills except as deemed necessary in
the interest of public safety and specifically approved by the municipal governing
body.
I.
The use of water for flushing sewers or hydrants by municipalities
or any other person except as specifically found necessary and approved in
the interest of public health or safety by the municipal health officials.
J.
The serving of water in restaurants, clubs or eating
places unless specifically requested by a customer.
K.
The use of any water to refill air-conditioning cooling
towers after draining, except:
L.
The use of water to refill private residential swimming
pools servicing fewer than 25 dwelling units, except swimming pools operated
by health care facilities used in relation to patient care and rehabilitation.
M.
The use of water to fill any public or private swimming
pool which does not have filtration equipment allowing for continued use and
recycling of water over the swimming season.
A.
Contractors, builders or others will be required to take
water at the borough's established meter rates and in addition shall
pay a fee of $25 for installing and disconnecting the temporary meter, to
be paid at the time a permit is granted.
B.
Bills for water service for building purposes are payable
and due after service is rendered and upon presentation.
A.
Water shall not be turned on to any customer's premises
by any person who is not an agent of the borough except temporarily by a plumber,
with borough approval, to enable him/her to test his work, provided that it
shall be turned off immediately after the test is made.
B.
The authorized agents of the borough shall have the right
of access, at all reasonable hours, to the premises supplied with water for
the purpose of reading meters, examining pipes and fixtures, observing manner
of using water and for any other purpose which is proper and necessary in
the conduct of the borough's business. Such agents shall carry proper
credentials evidencing their employment by the borough.
C.
The borough will not be liable for any claim or damage
arising from a shortage of water, the breaking of machinery of other facilities
or for any other cause.
D.
As necessity may arise in case of a main break, emergency
or other unavoidable cause, the borough shall have the right to temporarily
cut off the water supply in order to make necessary repairs, connections,
etc. The borough shall use all reasonable and practicable measures to notify
the customer, in advance, of such discontinuance of service. The borough shall
not be liable for any damage or inconvenience suffered by the customer or
for any claim for interruption in service, lessening of supply, inadequate
pressure, poor quality of water or any other cause. The borough may restrict
or regulate the quantity of water used by customers in case of scarcity or
whenever the public welfare may require it.
E.
No customer shall open or close any of the borough's
curb stops, corporation stops or valves in any public or private line, unless
written approval by the borough shall have first been obtained.
F.
No agent or employee of the borough shall have the right
or authority to bind it by any promise, agreement or representation contrary
to the letter or intent of these rules and regulations.
G.
Lawn, greenhouse and garden sprinkling will be permitted
through flexible hoses if equipped with hand or automatic nozzles.
H.
Underground lawn sprinklers and irrigation systems may
be installed only under special approval by the borough. Customers must furnish
schematic drawings of the proposed pipe layout, together with valves, sprinkler
heads and appurtenances, including sizes and specifications.
I.
Any person owning property within the borough limits
will be required to connect to the water main if his property is located along
a street or road in which a water main has been located.
J.
No interconnection or cross-connection shall be made
or permitted between the water system being operated by the borough and any
other water supply, unless the proposed connection has been approved by the
State Department of Health and the borough.
K.
The borough reserves the right to alter or amend these
rules and regulations in the manner provided by law.
A.
Water from fire hydrants or other fire-fighting facilities
shall be used only for fire-fighting purposes.
B.
The borough shall have no greater duty, with regard to
fire hydrant service or private fire-fighting service, than to supply only
such volumes of water at such pressures as may be available in the normal
operation of the waterworks facilities.
C.
The borough shall not be considered an insurer of property
or persons or to have undertaken to extinguish fire or to protect persons
or property against loss or damage by fire or otherwise. In consideration
of the level of charges for private fire-fighting service, the borough shall
not be held liable for any amount in excess of 10% of the annual charge for
private fire-fighting service because of any claim based upon a loss resulting
from failure to supply water or pressure or for any other cause. In the absence
of a charge for public fire hydrant service, the borough shall not be held
liable for any claim based upon a loss resulting from failure to supply water
or pressure or for any other cause.
D.
Where metered service is provided to any customer, the
borough shall not be responsible for the quantities of water or pressure which
may be available for any fire-fighting facilities or purpose where the customer
installs such facilities or make connections to his/her water system for such
purposes on the discharge side of the meter in his/her service line and shall
not be held liable for any claim based upon loss due to fire or fire fighting.
E.
The borough will consider installation of public fire
hydrants outside of the borough only upon authorization from the political
subdivision in which the unit is to be installed and which will be responsible
for payment of bills.
A.
Extension of distribution mains shall be made only after
petition of the owner of real estate or their authorized agents, along the
proposed line and upon their entering into in agreement which shall satisfy
the borough that an annual revenue will occur to the borough as a result of
such extension, equal to 7% of the cost of laying the main, dating from the
time when water is turned on for public use.
B.
For any extension of main outside the borough, the assured
annual revenue shall be 12 1/2% of the cost of laying the main.
C.
The borough may, at its own discretion, extend any distribution
main without petition or refuse any petition.
A.
The borough furnishes water to a few customers outside
its corporate limits solely as an accommodation and does not solicit such
service. The borough reserves the right to terminate any and all such services,
at its own discretion, without liability to any person or persons whose water
service may be terminated.
B.
The borough does not represent itself as ready to serve
additional properties situated outside its corporate limits, and service connections
which it may permit shall be in accordance with the provisions of these rules
and regulations and such other conditions as the borough may specify.
A.
BOROUGH
BUILDING UNIT
CONNECTION
CORPORATION STOP
CURB STOP
CURB STOP BOX
CUSTOMER
PERSON
PREMISES
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
STOP AND WASTE VALVE
WATER MAIN
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
Borough of East Greenville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, or duly
authorized agent appointed by the Borough Council.
Any portion of a building or complex of buildings which is utilized
for separate purposes as follows:
Water piping and fittings leading from the water main to the premises
of a customer.
A valve which is inserted into the main for the connection of the
water supply service pipe.
A valve for insertion in the service pipe at or near the curb or
property line of the customer.
A box or metal housing which encloses, protects and provides access
to the curb stop.
Any person, as hereinafter defined, owning any premises receiving
water from the borough.
Any individual, association, partnership, firm or corporation.
A property which cannot be completely divided in its present utilitarian
condition through sale, that is:
A building under one roof, owned, leased or occupied by one party as
one business or residence.
A combination of residential or commercial buildings leased or occupied
by one party in one common enclosure.
The one side of a double house having a solid vertical partition wall.
A building owned by one party having more than one internal division
such as apartments, offices, stores, etc., and which have a common or separate
entrance.
A valve installed at the termination of the water supply service
pipe and at the beginning of the customer's plumbing system.
The system of water piping valves, fittings and equipment used to
distribute water throughout the area served by the borough.
B.
In these rules and regulations, the singular shall include
the plural.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this
chapter or failing to comply with any order issued pursuant to any section
hereof shall be guilty of a summary offense punishable by a fine of not more
than $1,000 or by imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both such fine and
imprisonment and may in accordance with said rules and regulations discontinue
water service. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate
offense.
[Adopted 3-4-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-3]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this article is:
(1)
To protect the public water supply system from contamination
or pollution by isolating within the consumer's water system contaminants
or pollutants which could backflow through the service connection into the
public water supply system.
(2)
To promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections,
actual or potential, between the public or consumer's potable water system
and nonpotable water system, plumbing fixtures and sources or systems containing
process fluids.
(3)
To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program
of cross-connection control which will systematically and effectively prevent
the contamination or pollution of the public and the consumer's potable
water system.
B.
Application. This article shall apply to all premises
(commercial and noncommercial) served by the public water supply system of
the East Greenville Borough.
C.
Policy. The East Greenville Borough and the consumer
have the joint responsibility for the protection of the public water supply
system from contamination due to backflow of contaminants through the water
service connection. If, in the judgment of the East Greenville Borough or
its authorized representative, an approved backflow prevention device is required,
the East Greenville Borough shall give notice to the consumer to install such
approved backflow prevention device at each service connection to his premises.
The consumer shall immediately install such approved device or devices at
his own expense, and failure, refusal or inability on the part of the consumer
to install such device or devices shall constitute grounds for discontinuing
water service to the premises until such device or devices have been installed.
These definitions will be applicable to the provisions of this article.
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between
the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying potable water to a tank,
plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle.
The differential distance shall be at least double the diameter of the supply
pipe measured vertically above the top of the rim of the vessel. In no case
shall the air gap be less than one inch.
A backflow prevention device or method that has been accepted by
the public water supplier or by any enforcement entity.
A fixture outlet device containing an optional shutoff valve followed
by a valve body containing a resilient seated float-check, a check seat and
an air inlet port. If the shutoff valve is open, the flow of water causes
the float to close the air inlet port. If the shutoff valve is closed, the
float falls and forms a check valve against backsiphonage and at the same
time opens the air inlet port. If no shutoff valve is provided, the flow of
water will determine the opening and closing of the air inlet port.
Any water source or system on the premises of, or available to, the
customer except connections to other approved community water supply systems.
A flow condition, induced by a differential in pressure, that causes
the flow of water or mixtures of water and other substances into the distribution
pipes of a potable water supply system from a source other than its intended
source. Backflow can result from either backsiphonage or backpressure.
A device or other means which will prevent the backflow of water
or any other substance into the public water supply system.
The backflow of water or a mixture of water and other substances
from a plumbing fixture or other customer source into a public water supply
system due to an increase of pressure in the fixture or customer source to
a value that exceeds the system pressure.
The backflow of water or a mixture of water and other substances
from a plumbing fixture or other customer source into a public water supply
system due to a temporary negative or subatmospheric pressure within the pubic
water supply system.
The owner or person in control of any premises supplied by or in
manner connected to a public water supply system.
Any water system located on the consumer's premises supplied
by or in any manner connected to a public water supply system. A household
plumbing system is considered to be a consumer's water system.
Cross-connection control which isolates the customer's entire
facility from the public water supply system so as to provide the protection
necessary to prevent contamination of the public water supply in the event
of backflow from the customer's facility. Though containment control
prevents contamination of the public water supply, it offers no protection
to the water distribution system within the facility. Reduced pressure zone
devices are used for containment control.
The degradation of the quality of the drinking water by wastewaters,
processed fluids, or any water of a quality less than accepted drinking water
quality to a degree which would create an actual hazard to the public health
through poisoning or through the spread of disease.
An arrangement allowing either a direct or indirect connection through
which backflow can occur between the potable water system and a nonpotable
substance.
An evaluation of the potential risk to health and the adverse effect
upon the public water supply system.
An assembly composed of two independently acting spring-loaded check
valves connected in series, two resilient seated shutoff valves, and four
properly located resilient seated test cocks for testing.
Cross-connection control that isolates all free-flowing fixture outlets
(i.e., faucets) from the water distribution system within a facility. Fixture
protection prevents backflow contamination of both the facility's water
system and the public water supply. Examples of fixture outlet protection
devices include atmospheric vacuum breakers, hose-bibb vacuum breakers, and
pressure vacuum breakers.
Any condition, device, or practice in a water system or its operation
that creates or may create a danger to the health and well-being of its users.
The word "severe" as used to qualify "health hazard," means a hazard to the
health of the user that could reasonably be expected to result in significant
morbidity or death.
A fixture outlet device which contains a soft-seated, spring-loaded,
air inlet valve and is designed to be attached to an outlet having a hose
connection thread.
An arrangement or device that will allow alternate, but not simultaneous,
use of two sources of water.
Cross-connection control which isolates all non-outlet, water-use
appliances within a facility (e.g., kitchen appliances, air conditioners,
boilers, process tanks, photodeveloping equipment) from the water distribution
system within the facility. Internal protection prevents backflow contamination
of both the facility water system and the public water supply. Reduced pressure
zone devices and double check valve assemblies are used for internal protection.
Any condition, device or practice in a water system or its operation
that creates, or may create, an impairment of the quality of the water to
a degree which does not create a hazard to the public health but which does
adversely and unreasonably affect the aesthetic qualities of such water for
domestic use.
Water not safe for drinking, personal, culinary or any other type
of domestic use.
Any individual, partnership, association, company, corporation, municipality,
municipal authority, political subdivision or any agency of federal or state
government. The term includes the officers, employees and agents of any partnership,
association, company, corporation, municipality, municipal authority, political
subdivision or any agency of federal or state government.
The presence in water of any foreign substance that tends to degrade
its quality so as to constitute a hazard or to impair the usefulness or quality
of the water to a degree which does not create an actual hazard to the public
health but which does adversely and unreasonably affect such waters for domestic
use.
Water which is satisfactory for drinking, personal, culinary, and
domestic purposes and meets the requirements of DEP.
A fixture outlet device containing an independently operating, soft-seated,
spring-loaded check valve and an independently operating, soft-seated, spring-loaded,
air inlet valve on the discharge side of the check valve.
Any fluid or solution that may be chemically, biologically or otherwise
contaminated or polluted in a form or concentration such as would constitute
a health, pollution, or system hazard if introduced into the public or a consumer's
water system. This includes but is not limited to:
Polluted or contaminated waters;
Process waters;
Used waters originating from the public water system which may have
deteriorated in sanitary quality;
Cooling waters;
Contaminated natural waters taken from wells, lakes, streams, or irrigation
systems;
Chemicals in solution or suspension;
Oils, gases, acids, alkalis, and other liquid or gaseous fluids used
in industrial or other processes, or for fire-fighting purposes;
Heating system waters from boilers or heat pumps.
A person who owns or operates a public water system.
A system which provides water to the public for human consumption
which has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of
at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year. The term includes
any collection, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities under control
of the operator of the system and used in connection with the system. The
term includes collection or pretreatment storage facilities not under such
control which are used in connection with the system. The term also includes
a system which provides water for human consumption via bottling, vending
machines, retail sale, or bulk hauling methods.
A device which contains two independently acting, soft-seated, spring-loaded
check valves, together with a soft-seated, spring-loaded, diaphragm-activated,
pressure differential relief valve located between the two check valves. During
normal flow and during backflow conditions the pressure between these two
checks shall be less than the supply pressure. In case of leakage of either
check valve, the differential relief valve shall maintain the pressure between
the checks at less than the supply pressure by opening to the atmosphere.
The device must include resilient seated shutoff valves at each end, and four
properly located resilient seated test cocks.
A nontestable backflow prevention device that is used for containment
control of residential homes and consists of two independently operating,
soft-seated, spring-loaded, consecutive check valves.
The terminal end of a service line from the public water supply system.
If a meter is installed at the end of the service line, then the service connection
means the downstream end of the meter.
A condition posing an actual or potential threat of damage to the
physical properties of the public water system.
A.
The water system shall be considered as made up of two
parts: the East Greenville Borough System and the consumer's water system.
B.
The public water system shall consist of the source facilities
and the distribution system and shall include all those facilities of the
public water supply system under the control of the East Greenville Borough
up to the point where the consumer's water system begins. The public
water supply will normally terminate on the upstream side of the meter.
C.
The source shall include all components of the facilities
utilized in the production, treatment, storage, and delivery of water to the
public distribution system.
D.
The public distribution system shall include the network
of conduits used for delivery of water from the source to the consumer's
water system.
E.
The consumer's water system shall include all facilities
beyond the service connection which are utilized in conveying water from the
public distribution system to points of use.
A.
No water service connection shall be installed or maintained
to any premises where actual or potential cross-connections to the public
water supply system or consumer's water system may exist unless such
actual or potential cross-connections are abated or controlled to the satisfaction
of the East Greenville Borough.
B.
No connection shall be installed or maintained whereby
water from an auxiliary water supply may enter a public or consumer's
water system unless such auxiliary water supply and the method of connection
and use of such supply shall have been approved.
A.
The consumer shall make arrangements to be available
upon notice by the East Greenville Borough or its authorized representatives
for the purposes of conducting surveys and investigations of water use practices
within the consumer's premises to determine whether there are direct
or indirect cross-connections to the consumer's water system through
which contaminants or pollutants could backflow into the public potable water
system.
B.
On request by the East Greenville Borough, the consumer
shall furnish information on water use practices within his premises.
C.
It shall be the responsibility of the water consumer
to conduct periodic surveys of water use practices on his premises to determine
whether there are actual or potential cross-connections to his water system
through which contaminants or pollutants could backflow into the public water
supply system.
A.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed
prior to the first branch line leading off each service line to a consumer's
water system where, in the judgment of the East Greenville Borough, an actual
or potential hazard to the public water supply system exists.
B.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed
on each service line to a consumer's water system where the following
conditions exist:
(1)
Systems having an auxiliary water supply, unless such
auxiliary supply is accepted as an additional source by the East Greenville
Borough and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP).
(2)
Systems where any substance is handled in such a fashion
as to create an actual or potential hazard to the public water supply system.
This shall include systems having sources or auxiliary systems containing
process fluids or water originating from the public water supply system which
are no longer under the sanitary control of the water purveyor.
(3)
Systems having internal cross-connections that, in the
judgment of the Fast Greenville Borough, are not correctable or intricate
plumbing arrangements which make it impractical to determine whether or not
cross-connections exist.
(4)
Systems where, because of security requirements or other
prohibitions or restrictions, it is impossible or impractical to make a complete
cross-connection survey.
(5)
Systems having a repeated history of cross-connections.
(6)
Others specified by the public water supplier.
C.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed
on each service line to a consumer's water system serving, but not necessarily
limited to, the following type facilities unless the East Greenville Borough
determines that no actual or potential hazard to the public water supply system
exists.
(1)
Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, nursing homes;
(2)
Laboratories;
(3)
Piers, docks, waterfront facilities;
(4)
Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping stations or stormwater
pumping stations;
(5)
Food or beverage processing plants;
(6)
Chemical plants;
(7)
Metalplating industries;
(8)
Petroleum processing or storage plants;
(9)
Radioactive material processing plants;
(10)
Car wash or truck wash;
(11)
Residence;
(12)
Others specified by the water purveyor.
A.
The type of protection required under § 94-22A, B and C of this article shall depend on the degree of hazard which exists as follows:
(1)
An approved air gap separation shall be installed where
the public water supply system may be contaminated with substances that are
dangerous to the public health and could cause a severe health hazard. A severe
health hazard is sewage and radioactive materials.
(2)
An approved air gap separation or an approved reduced
pressure zone backflow prevention device shall be installed where the public
water supply system may be contaminated with a substance that could cause
a system or health hazard.
(3)
An approved air gap separation or an approved reduced
pressure zone backflow prevention device or an approved double check valve
assembly shall be installed where the public water supply system may be polluted
with a substance that would be objectionable but not dangerous to health.
(4)
An approved pressure vacuum breaker assembly or spill
resistance vacuum breaker assembly can be installed in place of the above-mentioned
devices; however, these devices may only be used to abate indirect cross-connections.
A.
Any backflow prevention device required by this article
shall be of a model or construction approved by the public water supplier
and shall comply with the following:
(1)
Air gap separation to be approved shall be at least twice
the diameter of the supply pipe, measured vertically above the top rim of
the vessel, but in no case less than one inch.
(2)
A double check valve assembly or a reduced pressure zone
device shall be approved by the Fast Greenville Borough and shall mean a device
that has been manufactured in full conformance with standards established
by the American Water Works Association, entitled:
(3)
An approved assembly should also have met completely
the laboratory and field performance specifications of the Foundation for
Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research of the University of Southern
California (USC FCCCHR) established in:
(a)
Specifications of Backflow Prevention Assemblies, Section
10 of the most current Edition of the Manual of Cross-Connection Control.
(4)
The following testing laboratory has been qualified by
the East Greenville Borough to test and approve backflow prevention assemblies:
|
Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research
| |
|
University of Southern California
| |
|
KAP-200 University Park MC-2531
| |
|
Los Angeles, California 90089-2531
| |
|
Testing laboratories other than the laboratory listed above will be
added to an approved list as they are qualified by the East Greenville Borough.
|
B.
Existing backflow prevention devices approved by the East Greenville Borough at the time of installation and properly maintained shall, except for inspection and maintenance requirements, be excluded from the requirement of Subsection A of this regulation, provided the East Greenville Borough is assured that they will satisfactorily protect the public water supply system. If the existing device is moved from the present location or requires more than minimum maintenance or when the East Greenville Borough finds that the maintenance of the device constitutes a hazard to the public health, the device shall be replaced by a backflow prevention device meeting the requirements of these regulations.
A.
Backflow prevention devices required by this article
shall be installed at a location and in a manner approved by the East Greenville
Borough and shall be installed by a person properly qualified and at the expense
of the consumer.
B.
Backflow prevention devices installed on the service
line to a consumer's water system shall be located on the consumer's
side of the water meter, as close to the meter as is reasonably practical,
and prior to any other connection.
C.
Pits or vaults shall be of watertight construction, be
so located and constructed as to prevent flooding and shall be maintained
free from standing water by means of either a sump pump or a suitable drain.
Such sump pump or drain shall not connect to a sanitary sewer nor permit flooding
of the pit or vault by reverse flow from its point of discharge. An access
ladder and adequate natural or artificial lighting shall be provided to permit
maintenance inspection and testing of the backflow prevention device.
D.
When installing a backflow prevention device the installer
must comply and be aware of all safety considerations when installations are
performed. Major safety considerations are thermal expansion and device discharge
damage. Thermal expansion can cause hot water tanks and other storage vessels
to explode when there are no provisions made for thermal expansion. The East
Greenville Borough strongly recommends the installation of a thermal expansion
tank on hot water heaters to prevent the hot water heaters relief valve from
discharging or, more importantly, from exploding. Many backflow prevention
devices discharge large amounts of water for various reasons. This discharge
of water could obviously pose a hazard when the valves are discharging onto
or around electrical equipment. Equipment damage or electrocution could occur.
The installer must ensure that valve discharge will not cause safety hazards
or property damage. Thermal expansion is a concern anytime substances are
confined (in a closed system) and are heated.
A.
It shall be the duty of the consumer at any premises
on which backflow prevention devices are required by this article, to have
inspections, tests, and overhaul made in accordance with the following schedule,
or more often where inspections indicate a need.
(1)
Air separation shall be inspected at the time of installation,
and at least every 12 months thereafter.
(2)
Double check valve assemblies shall be inspected and
tested for tightness at the time of installation, and at least every 12 months
thereafter. These devices shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned,
and repaired whenever needed, and at least every 30 months.
(3)
Reduced pressure zone devices shall be inspected and
tested for tightness at the time of installation, and at least every 12 months
thereafter. These devices shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned,
and repaired whenever needed and at least every five years.
(4)
Interchangeable connections shall be inspected at the
time of installation and at least every 12 months thereafter.
B.
Inspections, tests, and overhaul of backflow prevention
devices shall be made at the expense of the water consumer and shall be performed
by the East Greenville Borough or a person certified to inspect, test or overhaul
backflow prevention devices.
C.
Whenever backflow prevention devices required by these
regulations are found to be defective, they shall be repaired or replaced
at the expense of the consumer without delay.
D.
The water consumer must maintain a complete record of
each backflow prevention device from purchase to retirement. This shall include
a comprehensive listing that includes a record of all tests, inspections and
repairs. Records of inspections, tests, repairs and overhaul shall be submitted
to the East Greenville Borough.
E.
Backflow prevention devices shall not be bypassed, made
inoperative, removed or otherwise made ineffective without specific authorization
by the water purveyor.
A.
Where a booster pump has been installed on the service
line to or within any premises, such a pump shall be equipped with a low-pressure
cut-off device designed to shut off the booster pump when the pressure in
the service line on the suction side of the pump drops to 10 pounds per square
inch gauge or less for a period of 30 seconds or longer.
B.
It shall be the duty of the water consumer to maintain
the low-pressure cut-off device in proper working order and to certify to
the East Greenville Borough, at least once a year, that the device is operating
properly.
All geothermal heating equipment must be physically disconnected from
the potable water system. No water may be taken for geothermal uses (or any
other use) and reinjected into the potable water supply.
A.
The East Greenville Borough shall deny or discontinue,
after reasonable notice in writing, the water service to any premises wherein
any backflow prevention device required by this article is not installed,
tested, and maintained in a manner acceptable to the public water supplier,
or if it is found that the backflow prevention device has been removed or
bypassed, or if an unprotected cross-connection exists on the premises, or
if a low-pressure cut-off device required by this article is not installed
and maintained in proper working order.
B.
Water service to such premises shall not be restored
until the consumer has corrected or eliminated such conditions or defects
in conformance with this article and to the satisfaction of the public water
supplier.
Only authorized persons shall be permitted to use hydrants. Tampering
with the hydrants by unauthorized persons is prohibited. Any person wishing
to use the hydrants (other than the Authority and fire companies) must request
permission from East Greenville Borough. East Greenville Borough will provide
the equipment to contractors for them to use to draw water from hydrants.
Any auxiliary water systems (those water systems not part of the public
water system) shall be physically disconnected from the East Greenville Borough
public water system. Any connection, even when backflow protection in the
form of a mechanical device or air gap is in place, between the East Greenville
Borough and any other water source, such as an auxiliary system, is strictly
prohibited.
All consumers considered to be nonhazardous will be charged a one-time
installation fee. The consumer will be billed in conjunction with the water
bill. All consumers considered to be aesthetically objectionable or hazardous
will be responsible for the full cost of installation and parts. Hazardous
and aesthetically objectionable consumers will be provided with the specifications
that need to be met and will hire a private plumber to complete the work.
Consumers that are considered nonhazardous are excluded from § 94-26 unless evidence of a hazard is suspected.
