A. Customers to be subject to Public Service Commission rules. All persons
who may hereafter receive water from the Water Utility or who may
hereafter make application therefor shall be considered as having
agreed to be bound by rules and regulations as filed with the Public
Service Commission of Wisconsin.
B. Application. Application for water service shall be made in writing
on a form furnished by the Public Works and Safety Committee. The
application shall contain a legal description of the property to be
served, including tax key number, name of applicant, use to be made
of service and such other information as the Utility may require.
C. Conditions for service. Service shall be furnished only if:
(1) Applicant has installed or agrees to install a service pipe from
the water main in the street to the point of use laid not less than
six feet below the surface of an established or proposed grade and
according to the Utility's specifications;
(2) Applicant pays required hookup charge;
(3) Premises have adequate piping beyond metering point; and
(4) Applicant shall pay any water capacity assessment which the City
shall deem reasonable and necessary.
D. Multiunit metering. Multiunit dwellings shall be served by individual metered water service to each unit, except by approval of the City of Muskego. The owner shall provide interior plumbing and meter settings to enable individual metered service to each unit and individual disconnection without affecting service to other units. Each meter and meter connection shall be a separate Water Utility customer for the purpose of the filed rules and regulations. The owner is responsible for and subject to §
355-3 of this chapter.
[Amended 9-19-1996 by Ord. No. 903]
E. Division of water service prohibited. No division of the water service
of any lot or parcel of land shall be made for extension and independent
meterage of the supply to an adjoining lot or parcel of land. No division
of a water supply service shall be made at the curb for separate supplies
therefrom for two or more separate premises having frontage on any
street or public service strip whether owned by the same or different
parties.
F. Approval may be withheld. The Committee is hereby empowered to withhold
approval of any application wherein full information of the purpose
of such supply is not clearly set forth by the applicant property
owner.
A. The minimum service contract period shall be one year unless otherwise
specified by special contract or in the applicable rate schedule.
Where a customer at his request has been disconnected prior to expiration
of his minimum contract period, where his account is not delinquent
and where thereafter he requests the reconnection of service, a reconnection
charge established by resolution of the Common Council payable in
advance shall be collected. The minimum contract period is renewed
with each reconnection.
B. There shall be a reconnection charge established by resolution of
the Common Council for consumers whose services are disconnected because
of nonpayment of bills when due, including disconnection for failure
to comply with deposit or guarantee rules.
C. A person shall be considered as the same consumer provided the reconnection
is required for the same premises by any member of the same family
or, if a place of business, by any partner or employee of the same
business.
Water cannot be turned on for a consumer except by an authorized
employee of the Utility. When a plumber has completed his work, he
shall leave the water turned off. Such plumber may test his work,
but when such testing is completed, he shall leave water shut off.
The consumer shall protect the stop box on his property and
shall keep the same free from dirt and other obstructions. The Utility
shall not be liable for failure to locate the stop box and shut off
water in case of a leak on the consumer's premises. The consumer
shall allow access to the stop box by, and not interfere with, Utility
personnel at all times.
A. Frozen services shall be thawed out by and at the expense of the
Utility unless freezing was caused by contributory fault or negligence
by the consumer, such as reduction of grade, improperly installed
consumer service pipe, etc.
B. Following freezing of a service, the Utility shall take such steps and issue such instructions as may be necessary to prevent the refreezing of the same service. No charge will be made for rethawing if the instructions are followed. If it is necessary to allow the water to flow to prevent refreezing, the consumer shall make provision for proper disposal of the wastewater. The charge for water shall be adjusted to allow a credit for water permitted to run as a result of Utility instructions. Credit will not be allowed if ordered to run due to negligence or fault as stated in Subsection
A above.
[Amended 8-22-1996 by Ord. No. 898]
A. Meters shall be furnished and placed by the Utility and are not to
be disconnected or tampered with by the consumer. All meters shall
be so located that they are protected from obstructions and permit
ready access thereto for reading, inspection and servicing, such location
to be designated or approved by the Public Works and Development Director
or designee. All piping within the building shall be supplied by the
consumer. Where additional meters are desired by the consumer, he
shall pay for all piping and an additional amount sufficient to cover
the cost of maintenance and depreciation. The consumer shall allow
access to the meter by the Utility on a regular and reasonable basis
in order to read the meter.
B. In all new multifamily buildings with four or more units, a separate
room shall be provided to accommodate water meters. This room shall
be heated to prevent freezing and shall have direct access from the
outside of the building. All meters shall be located so that they
are protected from obstructions and permit ready access for meter
installation, reading, inspection, and servicing.
C. If water treatment devices (softeners, filters) are to be installed,
they may be installed in this room, provided that sufficient space
is allowed for such device and installation of such device does not
interfere with access to meters. Meter rooms shall not be located
under a stairway or other overhead obstruction and shall not be used
for storage of any kind.
D. Access to meters shall be provided by the owner or building manager
upon a minimum 24 hours' notice by the Utility.
E. Proper notice by the Utility, for purposes of this section, shall
mean a written notice delivered to the owner or building manager a
minimum of 24 hours prior to the time access is requested.
A. Where a new customer whose service is to be metered installs the
original service piping, where an existing metered customer changes
his service piping for his own convenience or where an existing flat
rate customer requests to be metered, the customer shall at his expense
provide a suitable location and proper meter connections.
B. The Public Works and Development Director or designee shall be consulted
as to the type and size of meter setting. Where it is possible to
set meters in the basement or other suitable place within the building,
a short nipple shall be inserted after the stop and waste cock, then
a union, and then another nipple and coupling of the proper length.
The nipple attached to the union and coupling shall be cut to a standard
length provided by the plans of the Director or designee (he may require
a horizontal run of 18 inches in such pipeline) which may later be
removed for the insertion of the meter into the supply line.
A. Meters shall be repaired by the Utility. The cost of such repairs
caused by ordinary wear and tear shall be borne by the Utility.
B. Repair of any damage caused by carelessness of the owner of the premises,
his agents or tenants or from the negligence of any of them to properly
secure and protect the same, including any damage that may result
from allowing a water meter to become frozen or to be injured from
presence of hot water or steam in the meter, shall be paid for by
the consumer or the owner of the premises should the consumer fail
to pay.
When the meter registers losses due to pipe leaks, the Utility
shall determine whether the defect in the piping or equipment was
known to the customer or, being known, he has used his best efforts
to correct the condition. If the Utility determines that the loss
occurred without the consumer's knowledge, or having known about
it he had tried to correct the condition, the Utility may determine
as nearly as possible what is the amount of loss by comparison with
the use of the water during a like period, and the excess may be billed
at the lowest step in the rates. However, if the consumer knew of
the leak and failed to give proper attention to it, the Utility shall
bill for the total consumption shown by the meter at regular rates.
A. Where the Utility is unable to read a meter after two successive
tries, that fact shall be indicated on the bill, the minimum charge
applied and the difference adjusted when the meter is read again;
the bill for the succeeding quarter shall be computed with the gallons
in each block of the rate schedule doubled, and credit shall be given
on that bill for the amount of the minimum bill paid the preceding
month.
B. Only in unusual cases or when approval is obtained from the consumer
shall more than two consecutive estimated bills be rendered where
the billing period is two months or more.
C. If the meter fails to operate, the bill shall be based on average
use during the corresponding quarter of the past year unless there
is some reason why the use was not normal. If the average use cannot
be properly employed, the bill shall be estimated by some equitable
method.
D. In the event the customer fails or refuses to allow access to read
meters as set forth in § PSC 185.37(2)(e) or (f), Wis. Adm.
Code, the Utility may disconnect service as set forth in § PSC
185.37(11), Wis. Adm. Code. Cost for reconnection of service shall
be in accordance with the rates established by the Public Service
Commission rate order filed with the City of Muskego.
[Added 6-19-1997 by Ord. No. 930]
A. An applicant for temporary water supply on a metered basis shall
make a monetary deposit which is established by the Common Council.
B. Where no other supply is available, permission may be granted by
the Utility to use a hydrant after such hydrant is equipped with a
sprinkling valve. No valve shall be placed, removed or moved except
by an employee of the Utility. If the water is to be used through
iron pipe connections, all such pipe installations shall have a swing
joint to facilitate quick disconnection from the fire hydrant.
C. All moneys deposited as security for payment of charges arising from
the use of temporary water supply on a metered basis, or for the return
of a sprinkling valve wheel or reducer, if the water is used on an
unmetered basis, shall be refunded to the depositor on the termination
of the use of water, the payment of all charges levied against the
depositor and the undamaged return of the wheel and reducer.
The Utility reserves the right to shut off water in the mains
temporarily to make repairs, alterations or additions to the plant
or system. When the circumstances permit sufficient delay, the Utility
shall give notification by newspaper publication or otherwise of the
discontinuance of the supply. No rebate or damages shall be allowed
to consumers for such temporary suspension of supply.
A. Where excavating machines are used in digging, all water mains shall
be maintained at the expense of the contractor.
B. Contractors shall ascertain for themselves the existence and location
of all service pipes. Where they are removed, cut or damaged in the
construction, the contractor shall at his own expense cause them to
be replaced or repaired at once. Such repair shall not cause water
service to any consumer to be shut off more than six hours.
Trenches in streets shall be refilled with approved granular
backfill in accordance with state highway specifications or City specifications
where more restrictive. The contractor shall be responsible for repair
of all settled trenches for one year from date of completion.
On all closed systems (i.e., systems having a check valve, pressure
regulator or reducing valve, water filter or softener) an effective
pressure-relief valve shall be installed either in the top tapping
or the upper side tapping of the hot-water tank, or on the hot-water
distributing pipe connection at the tank. A one-half-inch drainpipe
shall be connected to the relief valve for discharge on the floor
or into a sink or open drain through an air gap. No stop valve shall
be placed between the hot-water tank and the relief valve or on the
drainpipe.
No person shall enter a claim for damages against the City,
the Public Works and Safety Committee as a Utility or any officer
thereof for damage to any pipe, fixture or appurtenances by reason
of interrupted service, variation of pressure or for damage caused
by turning off or turning on, whether wholly or partially, the water
supply or for the discontinuance of the premises water supply for
violation of any rule or regulation of the Water Utility. No claims
shall be allowed against the City on account of the interruption of
the water supply caused by the breaking of pipes or machinery or by
stoppage for repairs from fire or other emergency. No claims shall
be allowed for any damage caused by the breakage of any pipe or machinery.
A. Definition of cross-connection. A cross-connection is defined as
any physical connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate
systems, one of which contains potable water from the City of Muskego's
public water system and the other of which contains water from a private
source, water of unknown or questionable safety, or steam, gases,
or chemicals, whereby there may be a flow from one system to the other,
with the direction of flow depending on the pressure differential
between the two systems.
B. Unprotected cross-connections prohibited. No person, firm, or corporation
may establish or maintain, or permit to be established or maintained,
any unprotected cross-connection. Cross-connections shall be protected
as required in Chs. NR 810 and SPS 382, Wis. Adm. Code.
[Amended 12-18-2014 by Ord. No. 1392]
C. Inspection. The Water Utility may inspect, or arrange for an inspection of, property served by the public water system for cross-connections. At its sole discretion, the Water Utility may require a person, firm, or corporation who or which owns, leases, or occupies property to have his or its plumbing inspected, at his or its own expense, by a State of Wisconsin certified cross-connection inspector. Inspections will be conducted for every residential and low-hazard nonresidential service a minimum of once every 10 years or on a schedule matching meter replacement. Public educational materials, when being provided in lieu of low-hazard inspections, shall be provided to the customer no less than every three years and with every cross-connection inspection. Unless otherwise approved by the Utility and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Utility shall cause an inspection to be conducted for every high-hazard service a minimum of once every two years. Any unprotected cross-connections identified by the inspection shall be promptly corrected. Failure to promptly correct an unprotected cross-connection shall be sufficient cause for the Water Utility to discontinue water service to the property, as provided under Subsection
F.
[Amended 12-18-2014 by Ord. No. 1392]
D. Right of entry. Upon presentation of credentials, a representative of the Water Utility shall have the right to request entry, at any reasonable time, to a property served by a connection to the public water system for the purpose of inspecting the property for cross-connections. Refusing entry to such Utility representative shall be sufficient cause for the Water Utility to discontinue water service to the property, as provided under Subsection
F. If entry is refused, a special inspection warrant under § 66.0119, Wis. Stats., may be obtained.
E. Provision of requested information. The Water Utility may request an owner, lessee, or occupant of property served by a connection to the public water system to furnish the Water Utility with pertinent information regarding the piping systems on the property. Refusing to provide requested information shall be sufficient cause for the Water Utility to discontinue water service to the property, as provided under Subsection
F.
F. Discontinuation of water for violation. The Water Utility may discontinue water service to any property wherein any unprotected connection in violation of this section exists and take other precautionary measures deemed necessary to eliminate any danger of contamination of the public water system. Water service may be discontinued, however, only after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing under Ch. 68, Wis. Stats., except as provided in Subsection
G. Water service to such property shall not be restored until the unprotected cross-connection has been eliminated.
G. Emergency discontinuance. If it is determined by the Water Utility
that an unprotected cross-connection or emergency endangers public
health, safety, or welfare and requires immediate action, and if a
written finding to that effect is filed with the City Clerk and delivered
to the customer's premises, water service may be immediately
discontinued. The customer shall have an opportunity for hearing under
Ch. 68, Wis. Stats., within 10 days of such emergency discontinuance.
Water service to such property shall not be restored until the unprotected
cross-connection has been eliminated.
Any person who shall, without authority of the Committee, operate
any valve connected with the street or supply mains, or open any fire
hydrant connected with the distribution system, except to extinguish
fire, or who shall damage or impair the same shall be subject to a
forfeiture as provided herein. Permits for use of hydrants to fill
sprinkling carts apply only to hydrants designated for such use.
Any officer or authorized employee of the Utility shall have
the right of access during reasonable hours to any premises supplied
with service for inspection or enforcement of the Utility's rules
and regulations. The Utility shall make a systematic inspection of
all metered and unmetered water taps at least once every three years
to check waste and unnecessary use of water.
Before premises are to be vacated, the Utility shall be notified
in writing, so it may remove the meter and shut off the water at the
curb valve. The owner of the premises shall be liable to prosecution
for any damage to Utility property by failing to notify the Utility
of vacancy.
A. After water connections have been made to any building or upon any
premises, no person shall have any tap or connection with the pipe
upon such premises for alterations, extensions or attachments unless
the person requesting such work shall have obtained and shall exhibit
the proper permits therefor from the Utility. Any owner of a one-family
home may perform work on his own premises' water system without
a licensed plumber if such homeowner advises the Utility when he makes
his application for the permit. All plumbing work, whether performed
by a licensed plumber or homeowner, shall be subject to the state
and local regulations regarding plumbing.
B. If any internal plumbing changes are required at the time of connection
to the Utility, the cost of such changes and related permits are the
responsibility of the property owner.
Consumers shall keep the hydrants, taps, water closets, urinals,
baths or other fixtures allotted to their use closed except when obtaining
water for use and shall be responsible for any damage or injury that
may result to others from the improper use of such water.
A. When the Utility has reasonable evidence that a consumer is obtaining
his water supply, in whole or in part, by means of devices or methods
used to stop or interfere with proper metering of the Utility service
being delivered to his equipment, the Utility reserves the right to
estimate and present immediately a bill for service unmetered as a
result of such interference. Such bill shall be payable subject to
a twenty-four-hour disconnection of service. When the Utility has
disconnected the consumer's service for such reason, the Utility
shall reconnect the consumer's service upon the following conditions;
(1) The consumer shall deposit with the Utility an amount sufficient
to guarantee payment of his bills for Utility service.
(2) The consumer shall pay the Utility for any damages to its equipment
on the consumer's premises due to such stoppage or interference
with its metering.
(3) The consumer shall agree to comply with reasonable requirements to
protect the Utility against further losses.
B. Sections 98.26 and 943.20, Wis. Stats., relating to water service
are hereby adopted by reference and made a part of these rules.
A. Consumer
to keep in repair. Consumers shall keep their own service pipes, stop
cocks and apparatus in good repair and protected from frost at their
expense and shall prevent any unnecessary waste of water and overburdening
of the system. All expenses related to bringing water into buildings
or private premises and connections with the system shall be paid
by the applicant. No charge shall be made for the services of the
Utility employee to direct where and how the mains shall be tapped
and excavations made in the street for laying pipe.
B. Consumer
use only. No consumer shall supply water to others or allow others
to take it off his premises or to connect to the system.
C. Consumer
to permit inspection. Each consumer shall permit the Utility or its
authorized agent, at any reasonable hour, to enter his premises or
building to examine pipes, fixtures and the manner in which water
is used and drains operate. Such consumers shall answer all questions
put to them relative to water consumption.
Water shall not be turned on into any building or private service
pipe without a written order of the authorized agent or employee of
the Utility. Plumbers are hereby prohibited from turning on water
into any service pipe, except with permission of such Utility or its
agent. This rule shall not be construed to prevent any plumber from
admitting water to the pipes. When the water has been turned off by
order of the Utility or its agent, no consumer shall turn it on or
permit it to be turned on without written permission of such Utility
or agent thereof.
A. In making excavations in streets or highways to lay service pipes
or make repairs, the planks, paving and earth removed shall be deposited
to cause the least inconvenience to the public and provide for passage
of water along gutters.
B. No person shall leave open excavations without barricades in any
street or highway. At night, warning lights shall be maintained at
such excavations.
C. In backfilling the opening after the service pipes are laid, the
earth shall be laid in layers of not more than nine inches in depth
with each layer thoroughly rammed or puddled to prevent settling.
Backfill shall be as specified by the Utility or its agent and may
include but is not limited to spoil material, crushed road gravel
or slurry material. This work, together with replacing sidewalks,
ballast and paving, shall be done to make the street as good as before
it was disturbed and to the City Engineer's satisfaction. No
excavations shall be made in the right-of-way without first obtaining
a permit from the City Engineer or his designated agent. All sidewalks
and pavements shall be saw cut to provide a neat edge.
A. No person, except those with the Public Works and Safety Committee's
special permission or persons in the Committee's service and
approved by it, shall tap into mains or distribution pipes or insert
stop cocks or ferrules therein. The kind and size of connection with
the mains shall be those specified in the permit or order from such
Committee.
B. Mains shall be tapped on the side and not within 24 inches of any
joint or 12 inches of another tap. Taps less than three feet apart
shall be staggered from each other a minimum angle of 30°.