[Amended 1-23-1997 by Ord. No. MC-3269; 4-16-2009 by Ord. No. MC-4460]
The purpose of this article is to effect compliance in the City of Camden with the regulations by the Department of Environmental Protection of the State of New Jersey relative to installation of water meters at all commercial and residential establishments.
[Amended 8-13-1981 by Ord. No. MC-1766; 1-23-1997 by Ord. No. MC-3269; 4-16-2009 by Ord. No. MC-4460; 2-14-2017 by Ord. No. MC-5028]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COMMERCIAL SERVICE
Service to a structure where the consumption of water and the sewage generated is related to other than domestic activities. Any service through a meter size in excess of 1 1/2 inch or larger shall constitute commercial service.
RESIDENTIAL SERVICE
Service to a residential structure through a meter size of 5/8 inch by 3/4 inch: or 3/4 inch by 3/4 inch; or one inch where water consumption is for domestic purposes and the sewage generated is the result of domestic activities.
WATER AND SEWER BILLING DIVISION
The Water and Sewer Billing Division in the Department of Public Works of the City.
[Amended 8-13-1981 by Ord. No. MC-1766; 1-23-1997 by Ord. No. MC-3269; 4-16-2009 by Ord. No. MC-4460; 2-14-2017 by Ord. No. MC-5028]
A. 
All water supplied to consumers for consumption or for fire service use from the City's water supply shall be metered, except in extraordinary circumstances where, in the opinion of the Director of Public Works, metering would be impractical. All consumers of water are required to install, at their own cost and expense, an approved meter for such purpose except commercial consumers. The meters in commercial establishments shall be installed, owned and controlled by the City of Camden. Except for commercial establishments, in all premises where meters have already been installed, such installations shall constitute compliance with this subsection, provided that said meters remain accurately functional.
B. 
All meters shall, at all times, be under the control of the Department of Public Works.
C. 
If the City determines it is necessary to install the meter required in § 840-13 in an outside pit, the property owner shall be required to construct the meter pit pursuant to the City's requirements. Construction must include the meter setting and conduit to any remote reading device where applicable. All construction, maintenance and replacement costs of the pit and meter setting are the responsibility of the property owner. All meter pits shall be located on private property. The City Department of Public Works are authorized to promulgate rules and regulations with respect to precast meter pits; pit layout and meter setting; and all other meter pit related requirements of the City. New meter pits will not be allowed at sites where hazardous chemicals or materials potentially exist in the ground. Water meters that have been set in meter pit sites containing hazardous materials shall be relocated by the property owner at no cost to the City. Meter pits shall be removed at the time when building renovation and plan review occurs.
[Amended 8-13-1981 by Ord. No. MC-1766; 1-23-1997 by Ord. No. MC-3269; 4-16-2009 by Ord. No. MC-4460]
The Department of Public Works at the request of the Director of Public Works, shall cause a notice to be sent to consumers whose water supply is not metered as of June 13, 1968, to install an approved meter within the time fixed in such notice. The City may, within a reasonable time, cause such meter to be installed by an authorized master plumber at the sole cost and expense of said consumer. Such installation and the permit and inspection fees in connection therewith shall be in accordance with the requirements of the plumbing standards of the City and of this article and shall be subject to the inspection and approval of the Office of the Plumbing Subcode Official within the Department of Housing and Community Development.
[Amended 8-13-1981 by Ord. No. MC-1766; 1-23-1997 by Ord. No. MC-3269; 4-16-2009 by Ord. No. MC-4460]
A. 
If a meter is not installed within the time established by the Director of Public Works or if the consumer shall direct, the Department of Public Works shall furnish and install the meter. Such installation by the City shall be at the cost and expense of the consumer, including any additional piping or protection required.
B. 
The cost and expense referred to in Subsection A of this section shall be a lien upon the property upon and for which the water meter is installed and shall be collectible in the following manner:
(1) 
The Water and Sewer Billing Division will cause bills to be sent to all premises in or for which the Department of Public Works has installed a meter for the cost and expense thereof, including any additional piping or protection required, which bill may be paid without interest or penalty before the due date appearing thereon.
(2) 
The owner of such premises may exercise an option to pay such bill in three equal installments, the first installment thereof to be paid before the due date appearing on such bill, the second installment to be paid one year after the due date and the third installment to be paid two years after the due date. Interest at the rate of 6% per annum shall be charged on all balances remaining unpaid after payment of the first installment.
A curb stop or shutoff valve shall be provided ahead of the meter on all service lines. Where such curb stops or shutoff valves are not now installed, such installation will be required as part of the meter installation, at the expense of the consumer.
[Amended 8-13-1981 by Ord. No. MC-1766; 1-23-1997 by Ord. No. MC-3269; 4-16-2009 by Ord. No. MC-4460]
All meters shall be set as near as possible to the point where the water service line from the street main enters the consumer's property. The Department of Public Works, however, may require the location of the meter in other locations for the purpose of accessibility.
The owner, tenant or other occupant of said property shall provide, at all times, a ready and convenient access to the meter so that it may be examined and read by authorized employees of the City or repaired or replaced by the City when authorized by the terms of this article.
[Amended 8-13-1981 by Ord. No. MC-1766; 1-23-1997 by Ord. No. MC-3269]
In no case shall any person cut or discontinue a service pipe ahead of a water meter or the valves or fittings connected therewith without first obtaining a permit so to do.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Art. IV.
[Amended 8-13-1981 by Ord. No. MC-1766; 1-23-1997 by Ord. No. MC-3269; 4-16-2009 by Ord. No. MC-4460]
The Department of Public Works may shut off the supply of water to any consumer who has failed to install a meter within the time fixed in the notice referred to in § 840-14 or who has refused to permit the Department of Public Works to install a meter as provided in § 840-15.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Art. IV.
[Amended 3-10-1972 by Ord. No. MC-648; 8-13-1981 by Ord. No. MC-1766; 4-16-2009 by Ord. No. MC-4460]
A. 
The Department of Public Works shall maintain repair and when deemed necessary replace all inoperative meters up to one inch in size without additional cost to the consumer, except where damage to such meter is caused by the consumer's negligence or failure to provide adequate protection for such meter. The cost and expense for repairing such damage or injury shall be paid by the owner of the premises. In case such payment is not made, the water may be shut off from said premises and shall not be turned on again until all such charges and the turnoff and turn-on charges prescribed by § 840-30 are paid.
B. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this section, the Department of Public Works assumes no responsibility for the maintenance, repair or replacement of supplemental or special meters. All such meters must be installed so that they receive water only after the water has passed through and has been measured by the main meter receiving water from the City's main pipe or supply.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Part 2 of this chapter.