[Ord. 69-8, 6/9/1969, § 1]
The terms defined in this § 301 shall for all purposes
of this Part, and all ordinances subsequent hereto which do not specifically
repeal this Part, have the meanings herein specified, unless the context
clearly otherwise requires:
The Act of Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
known as the "Municipality Authorities Act of 1945," approved May
2, 1945, PL. 382, together with all supplements and amendments.
An application in writing on a form to be provided, to the
Township for water.
The Susquehanna Township Authority.
The amount charged to a consumer for quarterly service. In
the event of discontinuance of service during a quarter, the consumer
shall be required to pay a proportionate part of the charge for said
quarter's service.
The governing body of the Authority.
The person, firm or corporation contracting for a supply
of water to a particular property.
The amount of money required to be deposited by the Township
before water service shall be granted the consumer and in no event
shall exceed the estimated gross bill for any single billing period
plus 1 month, with a minimum amount not to exceed $5.
A water outlet for public fire protection.
A consumer who shall have a separate water meter installed
on his premises which shall register the amount of water consumed
therein.
The rate charged per thousand gallon of water depending upon
the size of the meter installed in the consumer's premises.
The connection of the service line to and including the curb
box and cock which service line shall be the property of the Township.
The contract entered into between the Township and the Consumer
for water service through the Consumer's service facilities.
Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, acting
through its properly authorized officers, agents or employees, each
acting within the scope of the particular duties assigned to him.
The use of water service by a consumer in accordance with
the class, scope and type of use, and the purpose stated in his application
and service contract.
An instrument which measures in gallons, the amount of water
consumed when placed upon the premises, and which shall at all times
remain the property of the Township.
[Ord. 69-8, 6/9/1969, § 11]
1.
Service connection will be made, and water will be furnished, upon
written application by the prospective consumer (or his properly authorized
agent), on a blank prepared by the Township for this purpose, and
after the approval of such application by the Township. The application
for service shall in general clearly outline the class, scope and
type of use to be made of the services, as well as the purpose for
which it will be used.
2.
The application and these rules and regulations constitute the contract
between the Consumer and the Township; and each Consumer, by the taking
of water, agrees to be bound thereby.
3.
A new application must be made to, and approved by, the Township
upon any change in the identity of the contracting Consumer at a property,
or in the service as described in the application and the Township
may, upon five days' notice, discontinue the water supply until
such new application has been made and approved.
[Ord. 69-8, 6/9/1969, § 111]
1.
The Township will make all connections to its mains, furnish, install
and maintain all service lines from the main to and including the
curb cock and box, which shall be placed from one to two feet inside
the curb line, all of which service line shall be the property of
the Township and shall be accessible to it and under its control.
2.
The owner shall at his own expense dig and fill the trench and furnish
and install the service line from the curb stop to the premises to
be supplied and in all respects to be responsible for any and all
injury or damage in consequence thereof and/or resulting therefrom.
3.
Sufficient notice must be given to the Township before any service
is to be installed, stating the street and lot number or location,
the name of the owner and tenant and the time when the trench will
be ready for making the connection.
4.
The service line from the curb to the premises shall be kept in good
condition by the owner under penalty of discontinuance of service
by the Township.
5.
Under no circumstances shall any person not authorized by the Township
turn the stop cock on or off in any public or private line.
6.
In case two or more Consumers are supplied with water from the same
service pipe, a distinct and separate curb cock and curb box must
be provided for each Consumer.
7.
When two or more Consumers are supplied through a single service
any violation of the rules of the Township by either or any of said
Consumers shall be deemed a violation as to all, and the Township
may take such action as could be taken against a single Consumer,
except that such action shall not be taken until the innocent Consumer
who is not in violation of the Township's rules has been given
a reasonable opportunity to attach his pipes to a separately controlled
service connection.
8.
There shall be placed in the service pipe by the owner, within the
wall of the building supplied, and so located as to drain all the
pipes in the building as well as the meter, a brass lever handle stop
and waste cock, easily accessible to the occupants, for their protection
in enabling them to turn off the water in the case of leaks and to
drain the pipes to prevent freezing.
9.
Hereafter in all future installations or reinstallations of service
lines, only one property will be supplied through one service pipe
and under the control of one curb cock.
10.
Where one service pipe has been used for two or more properties held
in one ownership, and there be a division of such ownership whether
by sale or otherwise, each property will, thereafter, have its own
service pipe.
11.
All leaks in service lines from the curb to, and in and upon, the
premises supplied shall be promptly repaired. On failure to make such
repairs with reasonable dispatch the Township may turn off the water
and it will not be again turned on until all proper and necessary
expenses incurred in shutting off and turning on the water, are paid
in full.
12.
The Township shall in no event be responsible for maintenance of,
or for damages done by water escaping from, the service pipe or any
other pipe or fixture on the outlet side of the curb cock; and the
Consumer shall, at all times, comply with State and Municipal regulations
in reference thereto and shall make any changes thereon required on
account of change of grade, relocation of mains or otherwise.
[Ord. 69-8, 6/9/1969, § IV]
1.
The use of water service by a Consumer shall in general be in accordance
with the class, scope and type of use, and the purpose stated in his
application and service contract. A consumer shall not use or allow
use by others of water service through his service facilities for
others or other purposes than covered in his contract.
2.
The various classes of service and rates are available to a Consumer
in accordance with the obvious intent of, and statements as to application
made under the different rates in the Schedule of Rates.
[Ord. 69-8, 6/9/1969, § V]
Whenever the Consumer desires to have his service contract terminated
or his water service discontinued, he shall notify the Township to
that effect in writing. The Consumer will be responsible for the payment
of all service rendered by the Township until such written notice
is received; and, in the instance of meter rate service, a reasonable
time from the receipt of such notice shall have elapsed for the Township
to take the final reading of the meter or meters; or water service
is actually otherwise discontinued by the Township.
[Ord. 69-8, 6/9/1969, § VI; as amended by Ord.
89-16, 11/21/1989]
1.
Each metered rate Consumer's service shall have a separate meter
to register the amount of water consumed.
2.
Service will be rendered to all new Consumers by the use of meters.
3.
All meters will be furnished by, and remain the property of, the
Township, and shall be accessible to and subject to its control. They
shall be conveniently located within the building supplied at a point
approved by the Township, so as to control the entire supply; and
a proper place and protection therefor shall be provided by the Consumer.
4.
In any case where it is not convenient to place the meter within
the building, as provided in Subsection three above, the Township
may place it outside the building in a concrete or brick vault provided
with a suitable cover and lock and key. Said vault shall be built
inside the property line at the expense of the Consumer.
5.
In all cases where steam or hot water pressure is used, a swing check
valve must be placed, at the expense of the Consumer, directly ahead
of the meter and before and outlets are taken off from the service
pipe, to prevent injury to the meter.
6.
Meter will be maintained by the Township as far as ordinary wear
and tear is concerned but the Consumer shall be responsible to the
Township for any injury to, or loss of, any meter arising out of or
caused by the Consumer's negligence or carelessness, or that
of his servants, employees, members of his household, or any person
upon his premises under or by his consent or sufferance. The Consumer
shall permit no one, not an agent of the Township or otherwise lawfully
authorized so to do, to remove, inspect or tamper with the Township
meter, or other property of the Township on his premises.
7.
The quantity of water recorded by the meter shall be conclusive on
both the Consumer and the Township, except when the meter has been
found to be registering inaccurately or has ceased to register. In
either case the meter will be promptly repaired by the Township and
the quantity of water consumed shall be estimated by the average registration
of the meter on previous corresponding periods. Previous corresponding
periods shall mean the same calendar periods in the two years immediately
prior to the disputed period, and if the consumer has not been metered
for two years, it shall mean the two billing periods immediately prior
to the disputed period.
8.
In case of a disputed account involving the accuracy of a meter,
such meter shall be tested, upon request of the Consumer. In the event
that the meter so tested is found to have an error in registration
of 4% or more, the bills will be increased or decreased accordingly
as provided by the aforesaid rules.
9.
Each request for the test of a meter for accuracy shall be accompanied
by a deposit, the amount of which shall be determined by the size
of the meter as set forth below:
|
For 5/8" to 1" Meters
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$35
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For 1-1/4" to 2" Meters
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$35
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|
For 3" Meters
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$35
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For 4" Meters
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$35
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For 6" Meters
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$35
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For 8" Meters
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$35
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10.
If the meter so tested shall be found to have an error in registration
of less than 4%, the deposit shall be retained by the Township as
compensation for such tests; if the error in registration is found
to be 4% or more, then the cost of the test shall be borne by the
Township and the amount of the deposit shall be returned to the Consumer.
11.
The Consumer shall at once notify the Township of any injury to,
or of any cessation in registration of the meter as soon as it comes
to his knowledge. The Township shall not be responsible for refunds
or adjustments for a period in excess of two calendar quarters immediately
preceding the time when a claim is made.
12.
Each meter Rate Consumer is subject to a minimum charge.
[Ord. 69-8., 6/9/1969, § VII; as amended by Ord.
89-16, 11/21/1989]
1.
Bills for service at annual rates may be delivered by the Township
quarterly on the first days of February, May, August and November
of each year for service for the quarters ending with the last days
of January, April, July and October, respectively, Any Consumer beginning
or discontinuing service during a quarter shall be required to pay
the proper proportionate part of such quarter's bill. Service
may be discontinued during a quarter on written notice to the Township
in advance of the date of discontinuance.
2.
Bills for water service for building purposes, are payable and due
after service is rendered and upon presentation.
3.
Bills for meter service will be rendered at the end of the current
quarterly period, and are due and payable upon presentation.
4.
All bills remaining unpaid 30 days after due date are to be considered
delinquent and service may be discontinued by the Township upon five
days' written notice.
5.
All bills will be made out in the name of the property owner whom
the Township will hold responsible for their payment.
6.
A penalty of 5% will be charged on all bills for water service, except
for bills covering service rendered to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
or any Department or Institution thereof or to Municipalities or School
Districts, if not paid within 30 days from date of bill. In the case
of bills rendered to the Commonwealth or any Department or Institution
thereof, or the Municipalities or School Districts a period of 30
days shall be allowed during which the bills are payable at face,
after which time the penalty will be 5%. All bills for municipal fire
hydrants or private fire protection are payable quarterly. If bills
are not paid within 30 days from due date of bill, the water may be
shut off upon five days' notice. Payments mailed, as evidenced
by the United States Post Office mark, on or previous to the end of
the 20 days or 30 days period will be deemed to be a payment within
such period. All bills will be made out in the name of the consumer
whom the Township will hold responsible for their payment.
7.
The presentation or non-presentation of a bill shall not be held
to be a waiver of any of the above rules.
8.
The water may be shut off after due notice from a Consumer failing
to comply with these rules and will not be again turned on until satisfactory
assurance is given that these rules will be complied with and all
proper and necessary expense incurred in shutting off and turning
on the water, are paid in full, the minimum charge for such service
being $1.50.
[Ord. 69-8., 6/9/1969, § VIII; as amended by Ord.
89-16, 11/21/1989]
1.
Deposits may be required from Consumers taking service for a period
of less than 30 days in an amount equal to the estimated gross bill
for such temporary period. Deposits may be required from all other
Consumers, provided, that in no instance will deposits be required
in excess of the estimated gross bill for any single billing period
plus one month (the maximum period not to exceed four months) with
a minimum of $31.
2.
Deposits shall be returned to the depositor when he shall have paid
undisputed bills for service over a period of 12 consecutive months,
beginning at any time subsequent; and any Consumer having secured
the return of a deposit will not be required to make a new deposit
unless the service has been discontinued and the Consumer's credit
standing impaired through failure to comply with the rules and regulations
stated in this Part.
3.
The payment of any undisputed bill, within the meaning of these rules,
shall be payment of the bill with or without discount or penalty,
within 30 days following the period for which the bill was rendered
or payment within 30 days following presentation of the bill, or the
payment of any contested bill, payment of which is withheld beyond
the period herein mentioned if the dispute is terminated substantially
in favor of the Consumer and if payment be made by the Consumer within
10 days thereafter.
4.
Any Consumer having a deposit shall pay bills for water service as
rendered in accordance with the rules of the Township and the deposit
shall not be considered as payment on account of a bill during the
time the Consumer is receiving water service.
5.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and any agency thereof shall be
entitled to a 30 day period from the due date of any bill for the
payment of such bill without the imposition of a penalty or without
the loss of discount.
6.
The presentation or nonpresentation of a bill shall not be held to
be a waiver of any of the above rules.
7.
Every individual Dwelling, Apartment, Room, Flat, Store, Shop, Factory,
Mill, Office, etc., etc., either in the same building or otherwise,
occupied as a dwelling or business place, either by the same party
or different parties, shall be considered as a separate property and
service, and shall be charged for accordingly.
[Ord. 69-8, 6/9/1969, § IX]
1.
The Township reserves the right at all times, after due notice, to
shut off the water for nonpayment of water bills, or for neglect or
refusal to comply with the Rules and Regulations of the Township and
to charge $1 for the resumption of service.
2.
For misrepresentation in application as to property or fixtures to
be supplied or the use to be made of the water supply.
3.
For the use of water for any other property or purpose than described
in the application.
4.
For the waste through improper or imperfect pipes, fixtures, or otherwise.
5.
In case of vacancy of the premises.
6.
For violation of any rules of the Township.
7.
The Township shall have the right to cut off the water without notice
in case of breakdowns or for other unavoidable causes beyond the control
of the Township.
8.
As necessity may arise in case of break, emergency or other unavoidable
cause, the Township shall have the right to temporarily cut off the
water supply in order to make necessary repairs, connections, etc.;
but the Township will use all reasonable and practicable measures
to notify the Consumer, in advance, of such discontinuance of service.
In such case the Township shall not be liable for any damage or inconvenience
suffered by the Consumer, nor in any case for any claim against it
at any time for interruption in service, lessening of supply, inadequate
pressure, poor quality of water, or any cause beyond its control.
The Township shall have the right to reserve a sufficient supply of
water at all times to provide for fire or any other emergencies and
may restrict or regulate the quantity of water used by Consumers in
case of scarcity, or whenever the public welfare may require it.
[Ord. 69-8, 6/9/1969, § X]
Water from hydrants or other fire protection system 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 as the Township
any permit, for the purpose of testing the hydrants and fire fighting
apparatus, such tests to be conducted only by the properly authorized
agents or employees of said Township and after the consent of the
Township has been obtained and in the presence of representatives
of Township.
[Ord. 69-8, 6/9/1969, § XI]
1.
The Township reserves the right to prohibit the use of water for
irrigation, garden sprinkling or motor power purposes.
2.
The Township reserves the right to restrict the supply of water in
case of scarcity or whenever the public welfare may require it.
3.
The authorized agents of the Township shall have the right to access,
at all reasonable hours, to the premises supplied with water for the
purpose of reading meters, examining pipes and fixtures, observing
manner of using water and for any other purpose which is proper and
necessary in the conduct of the water business, and will carry with
them proper credentials denoting their employment by the Township.
4.
The Township will not be liable for any claims or damage arising
from a shortage of water, the breaking of machinery or other facilities
or any other cause beyond its control.
5.
No agent or employee of the Township shall have the right or authority
to bind it by any promise, agreement or representation contrary to
the letter or intent of these rules and regulations.
6.
The Township reserves the right to alter or amend these rules and
regulations in the manner provided by law.
7.
The word "Township" as used herein, shall mean Susquehanna Township,
acting through its properly authorized officers, agents or employees,
each acting within the scope of the particular duties entrusted to
him.
8.
The word "Consumer" as used herein, shall mean the party contracting
for a supply of water to a property as hereinafter classified, i.e.:
A.
A building under one roof and occupied as one residence or business;
or
B.
A combination of buildings in one enclosure and occupied by one family
or business; or
C.
One side of a double house having a solid vertical partition wall;
or
D.
One side or part of a house occupied by more than one family or business,
even though the closet and other fixtures be used in common; or
E.
Each apartment, office or suite of offices located in a building
having several such apartments, offices or suites of offices and using
in common one hall and one or more means of entrance.
9.
Each Consumer will be supplied through a separate service line and,
if on a metered basis, through a separate meter, except in cases D
and E above defined, in which cases each family, office, suite of
offices or business shall be considered a separate Consumer even though
supplied through a common service line or meter.
[Ord. 69-8, 6/9/1969, § XII; as amended by Ord.
89-16, 11/21/1989]
1.
Quarterly rates
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First 9,000 gallons per quarter
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(effective Nov. 1, 1988)
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$31
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Next 5,000 gallons per quarter
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$1.73
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All over 14,000 gallons per quarter
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$0.69
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2.
Tappage or connection fee. No connection to the water lines of the
Township shall be made unless and until the property owner shall have
made application for said service and receives a permit therefor,
and shall have paid to the Township a tappage or connection fee in
the sum of $400.
[Ord. 69-8, 6/9/1969, § XIII]
The manager of the water system shall have the right to interpret
and make exceptions to the rules and regulations set forth herein
but the final authority on the interpretation of the rules and regulations
herein shall be the Board of Township Commissioners.
