[Adopted 6-5-1950 (Ch. 102, Art. I, of the 1983 Code)]
The Town Board of the Town of Dickinson does hereby adopt the
following rules and regulations which shall be applicable to all water
districts in the Town of Dickinson now existing or which may be hereafter
created, except Water District No. 4.
[Amended 9-12-2005 by L.L. No. 1-2005; 11-9-2009 by L.L. No. 5-2009]
All applications for the introduction of water into any premises,
or for the extension of any pipes for the conveyance of such water,
must be made by the owner or authorized agent of the owner of the
premises, in writing, upon blanks furnished by the Town Clerk, whereby
he agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the Town. A permit
must be obtained and will be granted upon payment of a fee as set
forth from time to time by resolution of the Town Board.
[Amended 1-11-2016 by L.L. No. 1-2016]
After a permit is obtained, the property owner may engage a
plumber approved by the Commission of Public Works to make the tap
into the main. The property owner or his agent shall make application
to the proper authorities for a permit to open the street at the selected
location. After the ditch has been opened in the street, the plumber
shall make a tap of proper size in the main and insert a corporation
cock and copper fittings. Type K soft copper tubing or such other
material as may be hereafter approved by the Town Board shall be laid
at a depth of not less than five feet to connect the corporation cock
with a stop cock located between the curb and the sidewalk. The stop
cock shall be placed on a large flat stone. An approved curb box shall
be installed over the stop cock and shall be flush with the prescribed
grade.
If it is desired to continue the service from the curb to the
building, the line shall be continued with Type K tubing to the inside
of the building. A stop and waste cock of the wing-lock type shall
be installed in the service line immediately inside the building or
housing wall. This valve shall be closed during testing of the line.
If service from the curb to the building is not provided at the same
time that a line is laid from the main, an additional permit must
be obtained and the line shall be laid and inspected in the same manner
as heretofore prescribed.
No T's, branches or other connections shall be installed between
the tap and the meter at any time without written permission from
the Town Board.
[Amended 4-14-2008 by L.L. No. 2-2008; 11-9-2009 by L.L. No.
5-2009; 11-13-2012 by L.L. No. 3-2012]
A. Adoption
of water rates and penalties. The Town Board shall, from time to time,
by appropriate resolution, adopt schedules of water rates and provide
the time and manner of payments thereof for each water district in
the Town of Dickinson, which rates shall at all times be kept on file
for public inspection in the office of the Town Clerk. Said Board
may also, from time to time, by appropriate resolution, adopt such
civil penalties for the nonpayment of water bills as may be authorized
by law, which penalties so adopted shall likewise be kept on file.
[Amended 12-6-2021 by L.L. No. 2-2021]
B. Water rates.
The water rate for all premises served by public water supply and
having an approved water meter installed and operational shall be
charged based upon the estimated or actual meter consumption of water.
[Amended 12-12-2016 by L.L. No. 8-2016; 11-13-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017;12-6-2021 by L.L. No. 2-2021]
C. Commencing with the next billing after adoption by the Town Board
of the schedule set forth below, there shall be imposed a fee for
all premises served by public water supply and having an approved
water meter installed and operational. Said fee shall be charged based
upon the estimated or actual meter consumption of water and shall
be collected until any bonds issued by the Town for capital improvements
to the water system have been retired.
[Added 5-12-2014 by L.L. No. 4-2014]
Annual Consumption
|
Fee Per Billing Period
|
---|
0 to 9,999 cubic feet
|
$15
|
10,000 to 19,999 cubic feet
|
$30
|
20,000 to 99,999 cubic feet
|
$75
|
100,000 to 249,999 cubic feet
|
$100
|
250,000 to 500,000 cubic feet
|
$200
|
Over 500,000 cubic feet
|
$300
|
D. Effective December 16, 2021, the water rate shall be equal to $10 for zero to 100 cubic feet and $5.50 per 100 cubic feet above 101 cubic feet of estimated or actual metered water consumption. Thereafter rates may be changed as provided for in Subsection
A hereof.
[Added 12-6-2021 by L.L. No. 2-2021]
[Amended 4-12-2004 by L.L. No. 4-2004]
No water shall be used outside of any water district of the
Town of Dickinson or connections made to the water system in any district
for the purpose of supplying water outside of any water district until
a permit therefor shall have been granted by the Water Superintendent,
specifying conditions governing such use, the method of making connections
and such other regulations as the Board may deem proper. The rate
for such outside users shall be 1 1/2 times the rate for users
inside water districts.
When any person desires to use water in the construction of
any building before the meter is installed, he may obtain permission
to do so from the Town Board upon payment of a fee to be fixed by
the Town Board. Such water may not be used for any purpose other than
the construction of the building and the meter shall be installed
as soon as possible and in any event when the building is complete.
[Amended 2-6-1985 by L.L. No. 2-1985]
A. Generally. Except as otherwise provided, all persons desiring to
use water from the Town of Dickinson mains shall, at the time of connection
with same, be provided with an approved meter up to 3/4 inch, obtained
from and installed by or under the direction of the Town Board and
at the expense of the consumer, it being understood that the meter
is the property of the consumer, but its use and operation shall at
all times be under the supervision of the Town Board. The owner of
the property supplied with water shall be responsible at all times
for keeping the meter in proper condition, and any necessary repairs
shall be made by or under the direction of the Town Board, and the
cost thereof shall be paid by the property owner. For any period for
which the meter is out of order, a charge shall be made for water
on the average of the consumer's previous consumption or other similar
data. Each consumer or owner of the property into which water is introduced
by a pipe service shall be required to maintain in perfect order,
at his own cost and expense, the service pipe from the curb box to
the building and including all piping and fixtures up to the meter.
This shall include repairs made necessary by the freezing or breaking,
for any reason, of service connections, together with necessary excavation
or replacement of pipe or fittings.
[Amended 9-12-2005 by L.L. No. 1-2005; 1-11-2016 by L.L. No. 1-2016]
B. Setting near property line. In all cases, irrespective of meter size,
where the distance of the service pipe from the property line to the
front wall of the building served is greater than 75 feet, the Town
Board may require that the meter be set at or near the property line.
C. Setting within street. When, due to special circumstances, it is
necessary to set any meter within the territorial limits of the public
street, all expenses incurred by the Town of Dickinson in connection
with its proper housing shall be reimbursed to the Town of Dickinson
by the consumer or property owner.
The Town Board reserves the right to shut off the water for
the purpose of repairing mains or other facilities or for any other
emergency. The Town Board further reserves the right to restrict the
use of water during a dry period by regulating the use to which it
may be put by the consumer. Whenever it is possible, due notice will
be given, but in case of emergency, the water may be shut off without
notice and the Town shall not be responsible for any damage resulting
therefrom.
[Added 10-14-1991 by Ord. No. 2-1991]
A. Meter reading and billing.
[Amended 4-6-1994 by Ord. No. 3-1994; 3-1-2004 by L.L. No.
1-2004; 11-9-2009 by L.L. No. 5-2009; 7-8-2013 by L.L. No.
3-2013]
(1) Meter reading.
(a)
Regularly scheduled readings. Meter readings shall be made and
billed by the Town four times per year, on or about March, June, September
and December.
[1]
Payments not made by the due date on the billing statement shall
result in a penalty of 10% added to the total outstanding water rent.
[2]
Partial payments of bills will not be accepted.
[3]
Outstanding balances on bills will be applied to property taxes
for the next year.
[4]
Customers are responsible for notifying the Town of any billing
errors within 30 days of receipt of the bill.
(b)
If the Water Department suspects that a water meter is not functioning
properly and wishes to read or inspect the meter for the purpose of
checking upon proper operation, the owners or inhabitants of the premises
shall provide Town personnel access to the meter. Owners who do not
provide access to Town personnel in accordance with these regulations
shall have their bills estimated. In addition thereto, the following
shall apply:
[1]
There shall be no refunds for overbilling. Any credits will
be applied to the next billing period.
[2]
Should said failure occur, a nonrefundable fee, as set forth
from time to time by resolution of the Town Board, shall be added
to the water bill for each subsequent billing until said failure is
corrected.
(2) Special meter readings and billings. The Town reserves the right
to make special meter readings and billings at the discretion of the
Town Board.
B. Malfunctioning meter. There shall be a fee, as set forth from time
to time by resolution of the Town Board, for the replacement of any
meter up to 3/4 inch. If an owner wishes to have a meter tested by
the Town, there shall be another fee, as set forth from time to time
by resolution of the Town Board. If the meter is accurate, such fee
is not refundable. If the meter is inaccurate, such fee may be applied
toward the cost of a new meter.
[Amended 9-12-2005 by L.L. No. 1-2005; 11-9-2009 by L.L. No.
5-2009]
C. Returned checks. Payment of any said charges by check shall be subject
to a fee, as set forth from time to time by resolution of the Town
Board, for any checks not honored by the bank. Said fee will be added
to the water bill.
D. Fees for services provided other than during regular business hours.
If an owner (or an owner's agent) of premises in the Town of Dickinson
connected to a Town water line requests that personnel of the Water
Department be present at or near said premises, other than during
regular business hours of the Water Department, for any purpose other
than a defect or failure of the Town-owned water service, the owner(s)
shall be assessed a fee as set forth from time to time by resolution
of the Town Board. If payment for said service is not received by
the Town Water Department within 30 days of billing, said fee, together
with a 10% surcharge, shall be included on the owner's next water
bill.
[Added 5-4-1994 by Ord. No. 4-1994]
[Adopted 5-10-2004 by L.L. No. 7-2004 (Ch. 102, Art. II,
of the 1983 Code)]
Pursuant to the applicable sections of the Town Law and other
statutes, the Town Board of the Town of Dickinson does hereby establish
and set forth the following rules and regulations governing installation
of water mains, together with specifications therefor, and other matters
in connection therewith.
This article shall be known and cited as "A Local Law Establishing
and Setting Forth Rules and Regulations Governing the Water System,
Together with Specifications Therefor and Other Matters in the Town
of Dickinson, Broome County, State of New York."
These regulations shall apply to the entire Town of Dickinson,
together with any municipality which contracts with the Town on behalf
of water districts, and any outside users of the Town water supply.
No water service connections or facilities shall be made or installed
except in conformity with the provisions of these regulations.
When used in this article, the following words, terms and phrases
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
AESTHETICALLY OBJECTIONABLE FACILITY
One in which substances are present, which if introduced
into the public water supply system could be a nuisance to other water
customers, but would not adversely affect human health. Typical examples
of such substances are: food-grade dyes, hot water, stagnant water
from fire lines in which no chemical additives are used, etc.
AIR GAP SEPARATION
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere
between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying 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 (D) of the supply pipe. In no case shall the air gap
be less than one inch. (See illustration.)
APPLICANT
The owner or property or agent applying for water service.
APPROVED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE
An acceptable air gap, reduced pressure zone device or double
check valve assembly as used to contain potential contamination within
a facility. This device must also be approved by the New York State
Department of Health and listed as acceptable in the most recently
promulgated transmittal letter of the Environmental Health Manual
as the same is published from time to time hereafter.
APPROVED CHECK VALVE
A check valve that seats readily and completely. It must
be carefully machined to have free moving parts and assured watertightness.
The face of the closure element and valve seat must be bronze, composition,
or other noncorrodible material which will seat tightly under all
prevailing conditions of field use. Pins and bushings shall be of
bronze or other noncorrodible, non-sticking material, machined for
easy, dependable operation. The closure element, e.g., clapper, shall
be internally weighted or otherwise internally equipped to promote
rapid and positive closure in all sizes where this feature is obtainable.
This device must also be approved as a complete assembly and must
be acceptable to the New York State Department of Health.
APPROVED DOUBLE CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY
Two single independently acting check valves, including tightly
closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and suitable
connections for testing the watertightness of each check valve (see
illustration). This device must also be approved as a complete assembly
and must be acceptable to the New York State Department of Health.
APPROVED REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE
A device incorporating two or more check valves and an automatically
operating differential relief valve located between the two checks,
two shutoff valves, and equipped with necessary appurtenances for
testing. The device shall operate to maintain the pressure in zone
between the two check valves, less than the pressure on the public
water supply side of the device. This device must also be approved
as a complete assembly and must be acceptable to the New York State
Department of Health and listed as acceptable in the most recently
promulgated transmittal letter of the Environmental Health Manual
as the same is published from time to time hereafter.
AUXILIARY SUPPLY
Any water supply on or available to the premises other than
the approved public water supply.
BACKFLOW
A flow condition, induced by a differential in pressure,
that causes the flow of water or other liquids and/or gases into the
distribution pipes of a public water supply from any source other
than its intended source.
BACKPRESSURE
The resulting backflow of contamination, polluted, or otherwise
unacceptable quality water from a plumbing fixture or other customer
source(s) into a public water supply system due to a greater pressure
within the customer's water system. (See illustration.)
|
Example: Only the valve at A separates the potable and the sea
water systems aboard a vessel. The vessel's potable water system,
at B, is being filled from the public water supply system at C which
is delivering water at a pressure of 60 psi. At the same time, the
sea water fire-fighting system is activated, which provides sea water
at a pressure of 120 psi. If valve A is open, or leaks, the sea water
will be forced into the public water supply system.
|
BACKSIPHONAGE
The backflow of contaminated or polluted water, or water
of questionable quality from a plumbing fixture or other customer
source(s), into a public water supply system main due to a temporary
negative or subatmospheric pressure within the public water supply
system. (See illustration).
|
Example: A house is submerged in a laboratory sink at A. Both
buildings are connected to the same public water supply system, C.
This main often lacks adequate pressure. The building on the right
has installed a booster pump in the basement at B, in order to alleviate
low pressures. The booster pump could deplete the water in main C,
thereby subjecting the customer's water system to a pressure less
than atmospheric, thus causing a reversal of flow from the laboratory
in the opposite building.
|
BAROMETRIC LOOP
A loop of pipe rising approximately 35 feet, at its topmost
point, above the highest fixture it supplies.
CERTIFIED BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE TESTER
A person who has received a general tester certification
providing satisfactory completion of a training course for testers
of backflow and prevention devices which has been approved by the
New York State Health Department.
COMMERCIAL SERVICE
Provision of water to premises where the customer is engaged
in trade or business.
CONSUMER
The owner or owners of the premises to which water is furnished
as provided in this chapter.
CONTAINMENT
Cross-connection control which isolates the customer's entire
facility from the public water 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.
CONTAMINATION
The presence in water of a substance that tends to degrade
its quality.
CROSS-CONNECTION
A physical connection through which a water supply could
be contaminated.
CUSTOMER
The owner or agent of record receiving water service from
the water department.
DATE OF PRESENTATION
The date upon which a bill or notice is mailed or delivered
personally to the customer.
DOMESTIC SERVICE
Provision of water for household residential purposes, including
water for sprinkling lawns, gardens and shrubbery; watering livestock;
washing vehicles; and other similar and customary purposes.
FIRE LINE
A.
A water line making a connection to the water system for the
purpose of supplying water to fire hydrants on private property around
the exterior of buildings situated thereon; or
B.
A water line making a connection to the water system for the
purpose of extending the line into buildings situated on private property
for the purpose of supplying sprinkler heads or hose reels.
HAZARDOUS FACILITY
One in which substances may be present which, if introduced
into the public water system, would or may endanger or have an adverse
effect on the health of other water customers. Typical examples: laboratories,
sewage treatment plants, chemical plants, hospitals, mortuaries.
INDUSTRIAL SERVICE
Provision of water to a customer for use in manufacturing
or processing activities.
INTERCONNECTION
A joining of two independently operated public water supply
distribution systems.
IRRIGATION SERVICE
Provision of water for commercial, agricultural, floricultural
or horticultural use.
MAIN EXTENSIONS
Extension of distribution pipelines, exclusive of service
connections, beyond existing facilities.
MAINS
Distribution pipelines located in streets, highways or public
ways which are used to serve the general public.
PREMISES
The integral property or area, including improvements thereon,
to which water service is or will be provided.
SERVICE CONNECTION
The pipe, valves and other facilities by means of which water
is conducted from distribution mains to the curb or shutoff valve.
SERVICE CONNECTION
The pipe, valves and other facilities by means of which water
is conducted from the curb or shutoff valve to the customer's premises.
TARIFF SCHEDULE
The entire body of effective rates, rentals, charges and
regulations.
TEMPORARY SERVICE
A service for circuses, bazaars, fairs, construction work,
irrigation of vacant property and similar uses at which, because of
its nature, water consumption or use will not be regular or permanent.
WATER DEPARTMENT
A division of the government of the Town that is under the
authority of the Deputy Commissioner of Public Works.
WATER DISTRICT
Any water improvement district located outside the Town,
which is served by the Town water system.
WATER SUPERVISOR
The consumer or a person on the premises charged with the
responsibility of complete knowledge and understanding of the water
supply piping within the premises and for maintaining the consumer's
water system free from cross-connections and other sanitary defects,
as required by regulations and laws.
Any person, firm or corporation adversely affected by a decision
of the Water Superintendent may appeal the same in writing within
10 days to the Town Board.
The violation of any of the provisions of this article is an
offense, and any person violating any provisions of this article shall
be subject to a fine not exceeding $250 or imprisonment not exceeding
15 days, or both. In addition to the above provided penalties, the
Town may maintain an action or proceeding in the name of the Town
in a court of competent jurisdiction to compel compliance with or
to restrain by injunction the violation of this article.