The following rules and regulations are adopted to regulate
use of the public water supply and distribution system in the Town
of Salem, New Hampshire. These rules and regulations shall replace
and supersede all previous rules, regulations and ordinances relating
to the control of the water system in Salem.
All water services not in compliance with these rules and regulations
at the time of adoption shall be brought into compliance as soon as
possible, but not later than the first repair or replacement of that
water service.
[Amended by the Board of Selectmen 1-6-2014]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
METER AND METERHORN ASSEMBLY
Includes a meter to register the amounts of water consumed
and the bracket to hold the meter, including a shutoff and check valve.
OWNER
The owner of record, according to the Town of Salem Tax Assessor's
office, of a parcel of land serviced by the Salem water system.
SERVICE SHUTOFF
The shutoff valve located in a waterline at the point the
water connection becomes a water service. Generally located one to
three feet on the public side of the right of way line, but may be
located otherwise in cases of tap sleeve valves, widening or relocated
rights-of-way.
WATER CONNECTION
That part of the water distribution system, between the water
main and the service shutoff, installed specifically to provide water
to one adjacent water service.
WATER MAIN
Any part of the water distribution system which lies in a
public right-of-way or easement installed to provide water to one
or more service connections, public fire hydrants or connections to
other parts of the water distribution system.
WATER SERVICE
The water pipe from the service shutoff into the property
up to the connection to the meter assembly, excluding the meter and
meterhorn assembly.
[Amended by the Board of Selectmen 11-2-2015; 5-15-2017; 4-18-2022]
A. All property
owners wanting to tie into the water distribution system shall file
an application for service with the Municipal Services Department
— Engineering Division.
B. At the
time of filing the application for water, an application fee shall
be paid in accordance with the current water rate and fee schedule.
C. For each
property applying for a new water connection, the owner shall comply
with the following conditions:
(1) Each
property is allowed only one water service and one water meter for
domestic service.
(2) Separate
water meters for outside water use (i.e., lawns, swimming pools, gardens,
etc.) are required for residential properties.
(3) For
commercial properties, all irrigation systems shall be connected to
and serviced by a private well(s) or private water system. Those commercial
properties in the Windham franchise area and receiving water from
the regional water line per the Town of Windham's purchased allotment
shall be exempt.
(4) Approved
fire service connections for a building sprinkler system are permitted
and do not count as a second connection/meter.
(5) All
water services and connections shall be made directly to the water
main.
(6) Permanent
connections to neighboring water services or connections shall not
be allowed.
(7) The
water service connection shall enter the owner's building at a location
which is and shall remain easily accessible for the installation and
future maintenance of the meter and meter assembly. The location of
the water service connection in the owner's building shall be approved
by the Municipal Services Department.
D. A commercial property owner may submit a request for a waiver regarding Subsection
C(3) above, provided they demonstrate a significant hardship such as insufficient water yield less than 7.5 gallons per minute (gpm), excessive depths greater than 1,000 feet, contamination, the need for additional storage and pumping, and requiring additional permitting. Any request for a waiver will be reviewed by the Municipal Services Department prior to presentation to the Town Council for consideration or service connection for irrigation purposes. Further, the Town Council may request a formal engineering analysis to be provided that validates the request, with the cost thereof borne by the petitioner. Alternative methods shall be investigated, and a report of such investigation shall be submitted as part of the request. It shall be the sole discretion of the Town Council to grant or deny the request. The Town Council shall not be obligated to grant a waiver if in their opinion a waiver is not warranted.
[Amended by the Town Council 11-20-2023]
E. A residential property owner may submit a request for a waiver regarding Subsection
C(2) above provided they demonstrate a significant hardship such as the existing water meter configuration is installed in an area that is not located on, or by, an exterior wall and/or is internally located in the interior of the house including underneath a concrete slab, and because of the physical barriers, a dedicated line and new meter to the exterior, or direct point of exit, on an exterior wall of the house is not possible. At no time will a waiver be granted if the service entrance has been altered and does not meet water department requirements or because of substantial costs including major alteration or reconfiguration of plumbing to get through the exterior wall and to the irrigation system tie in. Alternative methods, if requested and as applicable, shall be investigated, and a report of such an investigation shall be submitted as part of the request. It shall be the sole discretion of the Town Council to grant or deny the request. The Town Council shall not be obligated to grant a waiver if in their opinion a waiver is not warranted.
[Added by the Town Council 11-20-2023]
[Amended by the Board of Selectmen 1-6-2014]
A. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to install and maintain
the water service from the service shutoff to the inside plumbing,
excluding the meter and meter assembly.
B. The meter assembly shall be owned and maintained by the Town of Salem.
The owner shall report any damage or malfunction of the meter to the
Town of Salem. The owner shall not in any way tamper with the meter.
The owner shall be subject to the fines outlined below if any seals
on the meter or meter assembly are broken.
C. There shall be no cross-connections to any other water supply. If
an alternative supply exists, a physical air gap shall be required
between the two supplies so that only the Town water or the alternative
supply may be used at any one time for domestic use.
D. The owner shall be responsible for the payment of the water bill
and other legitimate charges. All bills rendered by the Town of Salem
are due within 25 days of the billing date. For all accounts that
are delinquent by 50 days or more, the Town may take action to terminate
the water service.
E. Those owners of facilities with water meters of four-inch or greater sizes shall test such water meters in accordance with §
477-39.
F. The owner shall allow the Town of Salem and its agents entry to the
premises at all reasonable and/or necessary times for the purpose
of reading, repairing, testing, replacing, and/or disconnecting water
meter(s) on the premises.