[Amended 4-3-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-07]
For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases,
words and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein
unless their use in the text of this article clearly demonstrates
a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words
used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural
number include the singular number, and words used in the singular
number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory
and not merely directory. The definitions below are the same as or
based on corresponding definitions in the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NJPDES) rules at N.J.A.C. 7:14A-1.2.
ILLICIT CONNECTION
Any physical or nonphysical connection that discharges domestic
sewage, non-contact cooling water, process wastewater, or other industrial
waste (other than stormwater) to the municipal separate storm sewer
system operated by the Borough of Spotswood, unless that discharge
is authorized under a NJPDES permit other than the Tier A municipal
stormwater general permit (NJPDES Permit Number NJ0141852). Nonphysical
connections may include, but are not limited to, leaks, flows, or
overflows into the municipal separate storm sewer system.
INDUSTRIAL WASTE
Nondomestic waste, including, but not limited to, those pollutants
regulated under Section 307(a), (b) or (c) of the Federal Clean Water
Act [33 U.S.C. § 1317(a), (b) or (c)].
MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4)
A conveyance or system of conveyances (including roads with
drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters,
ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains) that is owned or operated
by the Borough of Spotswood or other public body, and is designed
and used for collecting and conveying stormwater.
NJPDES PERMIT
A permit issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection to implement the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NJPDE) rules at N.J.A.C. 7:14A.
NONCONTACT COOLING WATER
Water used to reduce temperature for the purpose of cooling.
Such waters do not come into direct contact with any raw material,
intermediate product (other than heat) or finished product. Non-contact
cooling water may, however, contain algaecides or biocides to control
fouling of equipment such as heat exchangers and/or corrosion inhibitors.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm,
association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal
jurisdiction.
PROCESS WASTEWATER
Any water which, during manufacturing or processing, comes
into direct contact with or results from the production or use of
any raw material, intermediate products, finished products, byproducts,
or waste product. Process wastewater includes, but is not limited
to, leachate and cooling water other than non-contact cooling water.
PURCHASER OR CONSUMER
The resident or property owner with whom the Borough, through
its authorized representative, enters into a contract for the purchase
and use of water supplied by the Borough; or the resident, person
or property owner who contracts for the connection of fixtures on
his property with the water system mains.
STORMWATER
Water resulting from precipitation (including rain and snow)
that runs off the land's surface, is transmitted to the subsurface,
is captured by separate storm sewers or other sewerage or drainage
facilities, or is conveyed by snow removal equipment.
[Amended 7-16-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-06]
A. Where a tap for a service connection to any water main is required, application therefor shall be made either by the property owner or by the plumber contracting for or doing the plumbing work in connection therewith. All excavation and trench work must be done by the plumber. Payment for taps shall be made upon application therefor, but the acceptance of payment or the issuance of a permit does not bind the Public Works Department to allow such tap if for any reason it may deem such work inadvisable. The schedule of charges in Chapter
91, Fees, shall be made for tapping for a service connection.
B. All connection fees to be paid to the Borough shall be determined
annually on January 1 of the calendar year by calculating the total
past capital costs of the Borough's water system to date and dividing
that total cost by the number of equivalent (or service) connections
existing within the Borough. This calculation shall be made by the
appropriate personnel of the Finance Department of the Borough in
order to enable the Borough to receive capital cost of its water system
from users as they enter the system.
C. Said rates shall be as provided in Chapter
91, Fees.
D. All work and materials involved in making new connections shall be
the direct obligation of the purchaser, subject at all times to the
inspection and approval of the authorized Borough representative.
E. Inspection. At the time a permit is granted for tapping a main, an
inspection of the connection shall be made and approved by the authorized
Borough representative before the work is covered up. The inspection
fee shall be $50. If a water main is tapped without a permit, and
if the work is covered up before inspection and approval as provided
above, an additional charge of $50 shall be made and collected from
the person or persons who did the work, and the trench shall be uncovered
by the party doing the work and shall not again be backfilled until
inspected and approved.
[Amended 7-6-1998 by Ord. No. 1998-554; 1-22-2001 by Ord. No.
2001-02; 9-9-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-038; 3-23-2009 by Ord. No.
05-2009; 12-19-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-08; 9-9-2013 by Ord. No.
2013-07; 12-15-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-20; 12-17-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-09]
A. General rates.
(1) Commencing January 1, 2019, the following usage rates shall be applicable
to all domestic, commercial and industrial properties:
(a)
For the first 8,000 gallons in each billing period: $6.05 per
1,000 gallons.
(b)
For usage in excess of 8,000 gallons up to 15,000 gallons in
each billing period: $8.30 per 1,000 gallons.
(c)
For usage in excess of 15,000 gallons in each billing period:
$8.65 per 1,000 gallons.
(2) Minimum charge. The minimum charge per water service connection shall
be $48.40 per quarter.
(3) The new rates listed above will be phased in as follows:
Billing Cycles
|
Billing Date
|
Usage Period
|
---|
2 and 5
|
3-31-2019
|
1-1-2019 to 3-31-2019
|
3 and 8
|
4-30-2019
|
2-1-2019 to 4-30-2019
|
1 and 4
|
5-31-2019
|
3-1-2019 to 5-31-2019
|
B. Rates for two dwellings on one meter. One water service connection
shall be allowed for two dwellings with one meter if such dwellings
adjoin and are owned by the same party, and the rates as referred
to above shall be charged in accordance with the one meter reading.
C. Rates for duplex dwellings. A duplex dwelling under one roof shall
be rated as two separate dwellings.
D. An annual fee of $100 will be assessed to private fire line connections
to the Borough's water main distribution system.
E. Due dates. All bills for water service are payable at the office
of the Borough Collector every three months in accordance with the
direction of the Borough Collector, excepting in special cases of
building construction purposes.
(1) An instance where bills are not paid within 33 days after the billing
date, the water shall be shut off and not turned on again until the
Borough Collector has received payment of the arrears with interest
at 8% per annum up to $1,500 and 18% per annum interest over $1,500,
and a charge of $100 for turning on water during working hours and
$150 after working hours/emergency.
(2) Before water is turned on for building construction purposes, an
advance payment of $100 will be required for each service.
F. Bill disputes.
(1) Any customer that disputes a bill rendered by the utility for water
shall bring the disputed bill to the attention of the Borough Collector
within 15 calendar days of the due date of the bill. Said dispute
shall be presented to the office of the Borough Collector in writing,
stating the exact portion of the bill that is in dispute and the reasons
why the bill is in dispute.
(2) Upon receipt of a disputed bill claim by a customer, the Borough
Collector shall present a temporary estimated bill to the customer
which shall be computed on the basis of the average usage during the
preceding twelve-month period or the usage during the same period
of time in the preceding year, whichever, in the estimation of the
Borough Collector, presents a more accurate estimate. The customer
shall pay the amount of the temporary estimated bill within the same
time limits for payment of the original bill.
(3) The Borough Collector shall investigate the bill dispute presented
by the customer and shall receive whatever supporting evidence the
customer may wish to present and shall determine whether the disputed
bill is valid or invalid in whole or in part. In the event that the
Borough Collector determines that any or all of the disputed bill
is due and that amount exceeds the amount paid by the customer under
the temporary estimated bill, the difference shall be paid by the
customer within 14 calendar days after notification, in writing, by
the Borough Collector. After said fourteen-calendar-day period, the
bill shall be classified as delinquent.
(4) An estimated bill shall also be presented in the case of a nonfunctioning
meter or the inability to obtain water reading.
(5) No abatement on meter bills will be made for leaks or water wasted
by damaged or defective fixtures.
G. Final meter readings. Each and every individual, business or corporation
who or which closes an existing account with the utility office shall
be charged a final reading fee of $25.