[Adopted 8-14-1984 by Ord. No. 384
(Ch. 26, Part 1 of the 1996 Code)]
Unless the context specifically and clearly indicates otherwise, the
meaning of the terms used in this article shall be as follows:
The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Coopersburg, a Pennsylvania
municipality authority.
The Borough of Coopersburg, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, a political
subdivision, acting by and through its Council or, in appropriate cases, by
and through its authorized representatives.
Any property within this Borough upon which there is erected a structure
intended for continuous or periodic habitation, occupancy or use by human
beings.
Any person vested with ownership, legal or equitable, sole or partial,
of any property located in this Borough.
Any individual, partnership, company, association, society, corporation
or other group or entity.
The water distribution facilities, including all related facilities,
owned by the Authority, including all property, real, personal and mixed,
rights, powers, licenses, easements, rights-of-way, privileges, franchises,
and other property or interest in property of whatsoever nature used or useful
in connection with such facilities, and together with all additions, extensions,
alterations, improvements and betterments thereof or thereto which may be
made, installed or acquired, from time to time, by or for the Authority.
A.
Notice to connect. The owner of any improved property
abutting upon any street in which there is a water main of the water system
shall connect such improved property to the water system in such manner as
this Borough and the Authority may require, within 90 days after notice to
such owner from this Borough to make such connection.
B.
Form of notice. The notice by this Borough to make a connection to the water system, referred to in Subsection A, shall consist of a copy of this article, including any amendments and/or supplements at the time in effect, and a written or printed document requiring the connection in accordance with the provisions of this article and specifying that such connection shall be made within 90 days from the date such notice is given. Such notice may be given at any time after a water main is in place which can supply water to the particular improved property. Such notice shall be served upon the owner in accordance with law.
C.
Failure to connect. If the owner of any improved property abutting upon any street in which there is a water main of the water system, after 90 days' notice from this Borough in accordance with Subsection A, shall fail to connect such improved property, as required, this Borough may make such connection and may collect from such owner the costs and expenses thereof. In such case, this Borough shall forthwith, upon completion of the work, send an itemized bill of the cost of the construction of such connection to the owner of the improved property to which connection has been so made, which bill shall be payable forthwith, In case of neglect or refusal by the owner of such improved property to pay said bill, this Borough shall file a municipal lien for said construction within six months of the date of the completion of the construction of said connection, the same to be subject in all respects to the general law providing for the filing and recovery of municipal liens.
A.
Permit required. No person shall construct any connection
to, uncover, connect with, make any opening into or use, alter or disturb,
in any manner, any water main constituting a part of the water system, without
first making application for and securing a permit, in writing, from the Authority.
Such application shall be made on a form to be provided by the Authority.
B.
Connections to conform to regulations. All connections
to the water mains and the installation of any service line to an improved
property shall be accomplished in conformance with the rules and regulations
of this Borough and the Authority.
C.
Authorized from authority. Only persons properly authorized
by the Authority shall be permitted to make service line and service connection
installations.
D.
Additional rules. This Borough reserves the right to
adopt, from time to time, additional rules and regulations as it shall deem
necessary and proper relating to connections with the water system, which
additional rules and regulations, to the extent appropriate, shall be, and
shall be construed as, part of this article.
[Amended 4-23-1996 by Ord. No. 509]
A.
Penalties. Any person who shall violate any provision
of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine
not exceeding $1,000 and costs and, in default of payment thereof, shall be
subject to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a
violation of this article continues shall constitute a separate offense.
B.
Collection powers. Fines and costs imposed under provisions
of this article shall be enforceable and recoverable in the manner at the
time provided by applicable law.
[Added 11-12-2002 by Ord. No. 556]
A.
The Borough Council or its duly authorized representative
reserves the right at all times, after 30 days' notice, to shut off the water
for nonpayment of water bills, or for neglect or refusal to comply with these
rules and regulations, and to assess such charges as may be determined by
Borough Council for the resumption of service.
B.
Service under an application may be discontinued for
any of the following reasons:
(1)
Misrepresentation in application as to property or fixtures
to be supplied or the use to be made of the water supply.
(2)
Use of water for any property or purposes other than
described in the application.
(3)
Waste of water through improper or imperfect pipes, fixtures
or otherwise.
(4)
Failure to maintain in good order, connection, service
lines or fixtures beyond the curb and owned by the applicant.
(5)
Molesting any service pipe, meter, curb stop or seal
or any appurtenance of the water system of the Borough of Coopersburg.
(6)
Vacancy of the premises.
(7)
Violation of any rules of the Borough of Coopersburg
or the Municipal Authority of Coopersburg.
(8)
Failure to make payments of any charges against the property.
(9)
Refusal of access to property for purpose of inspecting,
reading, caring for or removing meters.
C.
The Borough Council, or its duly authorized representative,
shall have the right to turn off the water without notice in case of breakdowns
or for other unavoidable causes, or for the purpose of making necessary repairs,
connections, etc. Reasonable notice will be given when practicable. In no
case shall the Borough be liable for any damage or inconvenience suffered
therefrom.
D.
If a property owner or landlord either fails to pay water-sewer
bills for a residence or instructs the Borough or utility company to shut
off the service, property owner or landlord and tenant must be notified by
the utility company or Borough. The utility company or Borough will then explain
the rights and duties related to continuing service.
(1)
The utility company or Borough cannot terminate the service:
(a)
On a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, holiday or the day before
a holiday.
(b)
For nonpayment of bills more than four years old.
(c)
For nonpayment of bills for either merchandise or service
work.
(d)
For nonpayment of bills in someone else's name,
unless they are found responsible by a court or the PUC.
(2)
The utility company or Borough must follow these steps
before shutting off service:
(a)
At least three days before service is shut off, the utility
company or Borough must attempt to contact them in person. If the company
cannot reach them by phone or in person, it must notify a third party if they
have designated one or notify a community interest group or the PUC.
(b)
At the time of shut off, the utility company or Borough
must contact a responsible adult at the residence. If no adult is home, the
termination will be postponed for 48 hours and a notice will be left at the
residence stating this.
(3)
If service is shut off, the utility company or Borough
must provide a final information notice to the property owner or landlord
and tenant.
