Unless the context specifically denotes otherwise, the meaning
of the terms used in this article shall be as follows:
CONSULTING ENGINEER
The registered professional engineer employed by the Township
or the Authority for the design, supervision of construction, or operation
of the water supply within the Township, or any member of its staff.
SERVICE LINE
The waterline on the property of an abutting property owner
from the water distribution line to the location of the meter in the
building of an abutting property owner.
WATER METER
A device for measuring the quantity of water used to be installed
by the Authority or Township on the premises of the abutting property
owner.
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
The water distribution system constructed in the Township
and operated by the Authority and to include the acquisition of all
necessary lands, easements and rights-of-way and the construction
of a water works system including pumping stations, water distribution
system, fire hydrants, valves and appurtenances thereto.
The water supply system constructed within the Township shall
provide the exclusive source of water for human consumption and for
industrial, commercial or farm use within that portion of the Township
herein or hereafter designated by the Board of Commissioners of the
Township or any part thereof, and abutting property owners shall connect
with and use such water supply system in the manner herein provided.
Within 30 days following connection of the water supply system, each
abutting property owner within the designated area shall permanently
render any well or wells on the property theretofore used for the
production and provision of water for any purpose incapable of drawing,
producing or providing any additional quantity of water, nor shall
the well or well be used to draw, produce or provide water for any
purpose whatsoever. The Authority and the Township shall be empowered
to establish rules and regulations concerning the disablement of any
well within the designated area and to enforce the same.
Each owner of any house, building, structure or property used
for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purpose situation
within a designated area of the Township and abutting on any street,
alley or right-of-way in which there has been constructed a water
supply system shall connect to such water supply system in accordance
with the following schedule:
A. If the cost of connection is borne by an agency of the federal government,
then at such time as the connection is supplied and installed by the
federal government or its contractors.
B. In all other cases, within 60 days after the date of notice to do
so given in the manner prescribed by law by the Township or its agent.
Unless the cost of the connection, as hereinafter defined, is
borne by an agency of the federal government, pursuant to law and
regulation, then the cost of connection shall be at the sole expense
of the owner of any property for which connection is mandatory.
In case any owner of property shall neglect or refuse to connect
with said water system for a period of 60 days after notice to do
so has been served upon him or her by the Township, either by personal
service or by certified mail, the Township or its agents may enter
upon such property and construct such connection. In such case, the
Township shall forthwith, upon completion of the work, send an itemized
bill of the costs of construction of such connection to the owner
of the property to which connection has been made, which bill shall
be payable forthwith or the Township Board of Commissioners may authorize
the payment of the cost of construction of connections in equal monthly
installments, to bear interest at a rate not exceeding 7% per annum,
for a period not to exceed one year.
The cost of construction of the connection shall include the
cost of construction of the service line on the property of the abutting
owner for the distribution line to a location within the building
where the meter is located, including the cost of the meter and all
necessary connections and equipment.
The cost of construction of the connection shall be payable
to the Township either in whole within 30 days, or in equal monthly
installments with interest at the rate of 7% per annum from the date
of completion of construction. In case of default in the payment of
any installment and interest for a period of 60 days after the same
shall become due, the entire cost of construction of connection and
accrued interest shall become due; and, the Township Solicitor shall
proceed to collect the same under the general laws relating to the
collection of municipal claims.
Each owner of any premises set forth in §
439-16 hereof shall make application in writing to the Authority for water service. Such application shall be in such form as the Authority shall designate.
No person shall maliciously, willfully, or negligently break,
damage, destroy, uncover, deface, or tamper with any structure, appurtenance
or equipment which is a part of the municipal water supply system.
The consulting engineer and other duly authorized employees
or agents of the Township or the Authority bearing proper credentials
and identification shall be permitted to enter upon all properties
for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling
and testing in accordance with the provisions of this article.