Water service at any time shall be furnished only in accordance with Chapter 173 of the Caroline County Code, which is made as a part of every application, contract, agreement or license entered into between the property owner or customer and the County.
A. 
Rates. The rates for water services shall be established by resolution of the County Commissioners and may be amended from time to time. Rates may be established generally or by specific County water system.
B. 
Other fees. The County Commissioners also may establish charges for water service connections, water meters, alteration, termination or restoration of water service, impact fees, or any other fees, charges or levies related to water service. Such other fees shall be established by resolution of the County Commissioners and may be amended from time to time.
C. 
Billing. The frequency of billing, time allowed for payment, penalties for late payments and other administrative policies related to water billing shall be established through administrative regulations where such regulations shall be adopted by resolution of the County Commissioners and as may be amended from time to time.
A. 
Applications. All applications for water service must be made in writing on a form provided by the County. Applications for service must be made by the property owner or a duly authorized representative and will only be accepted for property located within a system service area as defined by Article IV of this chapter. All applicable fees must accompany the application. An application for service shall automatically become null and void if the approved water service is not commenced within one year after a permit is issued.
B. 
Charges. No contract for service will be entered into by the County with any applicant until all arrears and charges due by the applicant have been paid or satisfactory arrangements made in regard thereto.
C. 
Contract. An application for water service approved by the County shall obligate the applicant to pay the County its rates for water service as established by the County Commissioners and as may be amended from time to time. The applicant also shall comply with the County's rules and regulations governing water service.
D. 
Abutting main. Applications for service installations will be accepted, subject to there being an existing and adequate main in a street or right-of-way abutting the premises to be served.
E. 
Breaks or leakage. When a prospective customer has made application for a new service or has applied for reinstatement of an existing service, it is assumed that the piping and fixtures which the service will supply are in good order, and the County will not be liable in any case for any accident, breaks or leakage arising in any way in connection with the supply of water, nor for any damage to property which may result from the usage or nonusage of water service provided to the premises.
A. 
County obligation. The County shall not be required to make any connection which it may deem not to be economically feasible or which may constitute an undue burden upon the County's physical water plant or system or which is outside a system service area.
B. 
Service line from water main to corporation stop. The water service connection from the main to the property or right-of-way line will be installed by the County or under its supervision. Title to all services from the main to the property, meters and meter installations is vested in, and the same shall at all times remain the property of, the County, and such property shall not be trespassed upon or interfered with in any respect. This property shall be maintained by the County and may be removed or changed by it at any time.
C. 
Appurtenances provided. The County will furnish and install the following appurtenances: a corporation stop, service pipe to the property or right-of-way line, a curb box, meter and meter pit with lid, if required.
D. 
Service line from corporation stop to premises. All water service lines from the corporation stops or curb boxes or water meter pits to the premises served, whether located in private rights-of-way or in streets, shall be constructed at the expense of, and by the property owner, and shall be, and remain, the property of the property owner, and shall be maintained by him or her in good condition and repair under penalty of discontinuance of service by the County. It is the responsibility of the property owner to ascertain that a party or parties engaged by the customer to repair water service from the corporation stop, curb box or meter pit to the premises notify the County and obtain a utility permit prior to starting any repair work. For this installation the property owner or permit applicant shall employ a competent licensed plumber, satisfactory to the County, to do the work and comply with the prevailing plumbing codes in the area. The minimum size and cover shall be the same as that used from the main to the property line. Materials and methods of construction shall be approved by the County. If the service has not been installed and inspected in accordance with the County's requirements, water service will not be authorized until such defects have been remedied.
E. 
Shared service lines. In all installations or reinstallations of water service lines, only one premises will be supplied through one service pipe, which shall be under the control of one corporation stop. Any violation of this chapter by any customer shall be deemed a violation by all customers involved, and the County may take such action as could be taken against a single owner, except that such action shall not be taken until an innocent owner who is not in violation of the County rules has been given a reasonable opportunity to attach his pipe to a separately controlled service connection.
F. 
Co-location. No water service line shall be laid in the same trench with gas pipe, drain or sewer pipe, or any public service facility, or within three feet of any open excavation or vault.
G. 
Backfill. No service connection or any part thereto will be backfilled until inspected and approved in writing by the authorized County representative.
H. 
Businesses and institutions. Water service to establishments such as public buildings, churches, apartment buildings, commercial and industrial establishments, shall be installed on the basis of detailed engineering plans furnished by the applicant and approved by the County.
I. 
Damage. In the event that any service line between the curb box and the meter is improperly maintained or is damaged, the County shall have the right to discontinue service to such premises, upon written notice to the property owner. Service shall not be restored until satisfactory repairs have been made.
J. 
Leaks and defective plumbing. The County shall not be liable for any damage resulting from leaks, broken pipes or from any other causes occurring to, or within any house or building, and it is expressly stipulated by and between the County and the property owner that no claims shall be made against the County on account of the bursting or breaking of any main or service pipe or any attachment to said water supply system.
K. 
Improper/unauthorized connection. Whenever it shall be found that a water service installation has been made contrary to this chapter and/or County specifications or in any manner other than that approved by the County, the service shall be disconnected and removed. Service shall not again be supplied until the service installation is made according to this chapter and County specifications, and all expenses and damages shall be paid by the property owner or his or her successors.
A. 
Main extensions. When an application has been received for water service requiring an extension of a main to provide such service, or where an application has been received for extension of mains in newly developed tracts of land, all cost of such extension necessary, in the opinion of the County to adequately serve the property, shall be borne by the applicant covering the entire cost of installing the necessary pipe lines and appurtenances.
B. 
Construction. Plans, design analysis, and cost estimates for all water installations as prepared by an engineer duly authorized by the State of Maryland to prepare such plans, shall be submitted to the County for approval. Such plans shall be in conformance with the current County requirements for plan preparation. Plans shall have signed permission by representatives of any outside agency involved, i.e., Maryland State Highway Administration, Maryland State Health Department, etc., and shall conform to all applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations.
C. 
Service stubs. In subdivisions where the water mains are being installed by the developer, the developer shall also install a lateral or extension from the water main to one foot beyond the property line for each lot on the street. The connection is to receive the extension of the building water service for each lot and shall include a corporation stop. Such connection shall be shown on the water plans submitted to and approved by the County, and the connection to be installed shall be shown on the as-built plans in their exact locations. These connections shall be constructed in accordance with applicable plumbing regulations for the County. These connections shall be inspected, tested, and approved by the County.
A. 
Excavation. All requirements of County, state or federal highway permits must be met by all persons excavating or working in areas covered by such permits.
B. 
Utility work. All requirements of all County, state or federal safety laws must be met in carrying out work on County systems.
Whenever the property owner desires to have water service discontinued, the property owner shall so notify the County in writing. Until such notice is received by the County, the owner shall be responsible for the payment of all services rendered by the County. A reasonable time after the receipt of such notice shall be allowed for the County to take a final reading of any meter or meters and to discontinue water service.
Water service may be discontinued for any one of the following reasons:
A. 
Use of water for purposes other than for consumption on the premises serviced.
B. 
Misrepresentation in the application for service.
C. 
Willful waste of water.
D. 
Failure to make repairs requested by the County.
E. 
Molesting or tampering with County property or seals on meters or other equipment.
F. 
Vacancy.
G. 
Nonpayment of bills when due.
H. 
Cross-connection of the water service pipes with any other water supply source.
I. 
Refusal of reasonable and safe access to the property.
Any County water service or connection may be declared abandoned for any one of the following reasons:
A. 
The use or service has been discontinued for a period of two years or more.
B. 
The primary structure has remained continuously vacant for a period of two years or more.
A. 
Discontinuance. When a water service has been discontinued to any premises for any reason, a charge will be made for restoring service. The amount of this charge shall be established by resolution of the County Commissioners and as may be amended from time to time.
B. 
Abandonment. When a water service has been declared abandoned by the County, restoration of service shall be subject to all of the requirements of this chapter.
A. 
County property. All meters will be furnished by and remain the property of the County, which reserves the right to stipulate the size, type and make of the meter to be used as well as the location of the meter.
B. 
Change of location. In the event the customer desires any change in the location or position of the meter, meter box or vault, such change in location shall be made by the County or under the direct supervision of the County at the cost and expense of the owner.
C. 
Maintenance. The customer shall be responsible to the County for any injury to the meter by freezing, hot water, or otherwise, or the loss of any meter arising out of the customer's negligence or carelessness. The County shall assume the burden of ordinary meter maintenance.
D. 
Reading. The quantity recorded by the meter shall be taken to be the amount of water passing through the meter, which amount shall be accepted as conclusive by both the owner and the County, except when the meter has been found to be registering inaccurately or has ceased to register. In such cases, the quantity may be determined by the average registration of the meter in a corresponding past period when in order or by the average registration of the new meter, whichever method is representative, in the opinion of the County, of the conditions existing during the period in question.
E. 
Leakage or waste. All water passing through a meter shall be charged for at the regular rate, and no allowance will be made for excessive consumption due to leaks or waste.
F. 
Remote reading meters. If the County should require outside touchpad meters, the consumer shall provide a location on a convenient accessible outside wall as determined by the County.
G. 
Single meters. An apartment, multiplex house, office building, or business block occupied by more than one tenant will be supplied through a single meter, provided that no portion thereof is capable of separate ownership as determined by the County. Such determination shall be made by the County in its sole and absolute discretion.
H. 
Apartment and shopping center complexes. Where an apartment or shopping center complex exists with two or more buildings, each separate user shall have its individual meter as determined by the County.
I. 
Changes in load. Any increase in size of meter required after the initial installation will be at the owner's expense, in accordance with the County prevailing prices. In cases where a meter is substantially oversized, the County may require the property owner to install a smaller meter at the owner's expense.
J. 
Testing. The County reserves the right to remove and to test any meter at any time and to substitute another meter in its place. In the case of a disputed account involving the question of accuracy of the meter, such meter will be tested upon the written request of the applicant. A meter-testing firm selected by the County shall conduct the test. If a meter is found to be inaccurate, it shall be replaced at County expense. However, if a meter is found to be accurate, the owner will bear all costs of testing, replacement and related expense.
K. 
Tampering. The owner shall permit no one, except an agent of the County or person otherwise lawfully authorized to do so, to remove, inspect or tamper with the meter or other property of the County located on the premises. The customer shall notify the County, as soon as it comes to his knowledge, of any injury to or cessation in the registration of the meter.
All authorized agents of the County, upon presentation of proper credentials, shall have the right of access at all reasonable hours to the premises supplied with County water service, for the purpose of reading meters, examining fixtures and pipes, observing the manner of using water and for any other purpose which is proper or necessary in the maintenance and operation of the water system. As a condition of service, the property owner shall ensure reasonable and safe access to the property.
As necessity may arise, in case of main breaks, emergency or other unavoidable causes, the County shall have the right to temporarily shut off the water supply or service in order to make the necessary repairs, connections and improvements. The County will use all reasonable and practicable measures to notify the customer in advance of such interruption of service. In any case, the County shall not be liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience suffered by the property owner or occupants nor for any claim against the County at any time for interruption in service, lessening of supply, inadequate pressure, quality of water or any cause beyond the County's control.
The County shall have the right to reserve a sufficient supply of water at all times in its storage tanks and/or reservoirs to provide for fire or any other emergencies and may restrict or regulate the quantity of water used by its customers in case of scarcity or whenever the public welfare may require it. Nothing in this chapter shall create an obligation on the part of the County to supply water, or a given amount of water, or a specific level of pressure. The County is obligated only to use reasonable efforts in the provision of water service to approved systems, and shall not be liable for any failure to provide water service, or any aspect thereof.
No water will be furnished to any premises where any possibility exists of the mingling of the water furnished by the County with water from any other source. The County hereby prohibits any connection of its water mains to any piping, tank, vat or any other apparatus containing liquids, chemicals or any other matter which may flow back or have cross-connection into the County's service mains or any other water facilities or unit and which may consequently endanger or adversely affect the water supply.
A. 
Use. Water from hydrants or other fire protection systems shall be used only in case of fires, except that water from public fire hydrants may be used in a reasonable amount and at such times and places as the County may permit. The testing of hydrants and fire-fighting apparatus by any fire company may be permitted upon request by an authorized agent. No pumps will be permitted to be connected with water pipes so as to draw water directly from a main or service pipe, except for fire purposes, without specific permission from the County. The opening or closing of any fire hydrant, except in case of fire, without the written permission of the County shall be deemed tampering with the County water system.
B. 
Obstruction of hydrants. Nothing shall be erected or planted which shall interfere with the use of a fire hydrant. Sufficient clearance shall be maintained around the hydrant to permit easy connection of hoses and full circle operation to the hydrant using regular hydrant wrenches and hose spanners. Shrubs, trees, flowers or weeds, shall not be planted, nor permitted to grow so as to prevent full view of a fire hydrant from the street.
C. 
Charges. No charge will be made for water used for fire suppression. The property owner will be responsible for any consumption of water caused by testing, unauthorized use, or leakage.
A. 
Tampering. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to wrongfully or maliciously connect, disconnect, tap, damage, alter, interfere or tamper with any part of the County water system, including but not limited to production wells, monitoring wells, pump houses, storage towers, mains, service lines, valves or fire hydrants, or in any way to tamper with any meters used to register the water consumed. It shall also be unlawful for any person or persons to enter any County water facilities without the authorization of the County.
B. 
Utility permit. No person shall be allowed to alter, repair, construct or remove any part of the County water system unless such person or persons are duly authorized as evidenced by a utility permit issued by the County or are employees of the County acting under the direct supervision of the Director of Public Works. The County may revoke a permit or approval issued under the provisions of the false statement or misrepresentation as to the material fact in the application or plans on which the permit or approval was based. In all such cases no fees shall be refunded.
C. 
Stop work order. Upon notice from the authorized County representative that work on any water main or service installation is being done contrary to the provisions of this chapter, or in a dangerous or unsafe manner, such work shall be immediately stopped. Such notice shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of such property, or to his agent, or to the person doing the work, and shall state the conditions under which work may be resumed. Where any emergency exists, oral notice given by the authorized County representative shall be sufficient.
D. 
Violation. Any person who violates a provision of this chapter shall, upon citation issued pursuant to Chapter 92 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Caroline County, Maryland, be deemed to have committed a Class A civil infraction and shall pay to the County the amount prescribed. In addition to fines as provided for herein, the County may also seek an abatement order from an appropriate court and may immediately remedy any situation or condition at any time which threatens the immediate safety of persons or other structures. Costs of abatement shall be charged to the property owner and, where lawful, become a lien on the property. The County may also seek criminal prosecution in accordance with applicable law.
The presentation or nonpresentation of a bill shall not be held to be a waiver of any part of this chapter.
All delinquent water-related bills shall be and become liens upon the premises served, which liens may be collected in the same manner as the collection of delinquent taxes.