[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3; as amended by Ord. 610,
2/14/1974, § 3]
The rules and regulations applicable to the sale, supply and
distribution of water by the Borough of Shillington, within and without
said Borough, shall be as follows.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 1]
Any property owner desiring the introduction of a service line
or lines from the Borough main into his or her premises, must first
make a written application on the form furnished, in the name of the
owner and tenant, the purpose for which service will be used, and
the guarantee that such service will continue for at least one year,
and the exact time when the trench from curb to property will be ready
for the connection.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 2]
The application must be signed by the owner of the premises,
or a duly authorized agent, which application shall together with
the rules and regulations of the Borough regulate and control the
service of water to such premises.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 3]
Any property owner desiring a supply of water must make a written
application on the form furnished by the Borough at least one day
before service is required, which must be properly approved by the
Borough or its duly authorized agent before the water will be turned
on.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 4]
1.
Each separate family and/or business, which to a major degree is
a separate institution, shall each be a "consumer." Consumer, as used
herein, shall be 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 business or residence.
B.
A combination of buildings in one common enclosure occupied by one
family or business.
C.
The one side house of a double house having a solid vertical partition
wall.
D.
One side or part of a house occupied by one family even though the
closet and/or other fixtures be used in common.
E.
A building of more than one apartment and using in common one hall
and one entrance.
F.
A building having a number of apartments and/or offices and/or businesses
using in common one hall or one or more means of entrance.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 5]
No owner or tenant of any premises supplied with water by the
Borough will be allowed to supply other persons or families or other
premises except by written permit from the Borough. Consumers who
violate this rule may have their water shut off after a notice of
five days, and it will be so until the Borough is satisfied that the
rules and regulations will be observed.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 6]
1.
Upon the approval of the application of any property owner for a
supply of water the Borough will tap the main, insert corporation
cock, carry service pipe to curb and install curb stop and service
box.
2.
Borough will be responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the
service line between the main and the curb line.
3.
Service lines will not be installed when the service line passes
over or through premises which at the time may be the property of
persons other than the owner of the premises to be supplied, unless
the owner of the premises supplied assumes the liability.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 7]
The service line beyond the curb stop shall be installed and
maintained by and at the expense of the consumer. The portion of the
service line installed by the consumer shall be not less in size and
quality than the service line in the street laid by the Borough, and
shall be laid not less than four feet below the surface, and shall
not be covered until the tap on the main is made and service line
tested. If any defects in workmanship are found the service shall
not be turned on until such defects are remedied. All plumbing connections
shall be able to withstand a pressure of at least 125 pounds per square
inch.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 8]
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 Borough.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 9]
Under no circumstances shall any person not authorized by the
Borough open or close the stop cocks or valves in any public or private
line.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 10; as amended by
Ord. 704, 11/12/1981, § 3]
In case two or more consumers are supplied with water from the
same service pipe, a distinct and separate stop cock and curb box
will be provided for each consumer, if practical.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 11]
When two or more consumers are supplied through a single service,
any violation of the rules of the Borough by either or any of said
consumers shall be deemed a violation as to all, and the Borough 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 Borough's rules has been given a reasonable
opportunity to attach his pipes to a separately controlled service
connection.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 12]
All bills will be rendered at stated intervals, either monthly
or quarterly, at the option of the Borough. If bills are rendered
monthly, they will be presented on the last day of each month and
will cover a charge for service rendered during that month. If bills
are rendered quarterly they will be presented on the last day of the
month of each calendar quarter and will cover bill for service rendered
during that quarter.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 13; as amended by
Ord. 686, 8/14/1980, § 1; by Ord. 704, 11/12/1981, Rule
13; and by Ord. 1025, 10/14/2004]
1.
All bills for water service are due and payable at the close of the
period for which the service has been rendered. On all water bills
remaining unpaid 30 after the service has been furnished, a penalty
of 1.25% per month simple interest, on the unpaid balance will be
added. Delinquency in payment of bills for 60 days after the service
is furnished warrants the Borough to disconnect the service after
due notice, only after compliance with present effective PUC rules
and regulations.
2.
In cases involving rental dwelling units, the procedures to be followed
to effect discontinuance of service for non-payment of bills shall
be as set forth in the Pennsylvania Utility Service Tenants Rights
Act, Act No. 299 of 1978, as amended and supplemented.
3.
Remittance in payment of bills sent by mail, on or previous to the
last day of the non-penalty period, as evidenced by the U.S. Post
Office mark on the envelope in which they are received, will be accepted
by the Borough as a tender of payment of the bill within such non-penalty
period.
4.
When the water is shut off for non-payment of bills, the same will
not be turned on until all arrearages are paid together with the fee
is an amount as established from time to time by resolution of Borough
Council for turning on the water.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 14]
Any consumer, upon receipt of bill, having reason to doubt its
accuracy, shall bring or mail the bill, within five days, to the Borough
for investigation.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 15]
The Borough reserves the right to change any and all unmetered
consumers to a metered basis. Consumers, with the exception of those
receiving public or private fire protection, are also given the privilege
to change from an unmetered basis to a metered basis. The Borough
shall determine the size of meter to be installed.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 16]
The Borough will furnish and set meters and connections free
of charge. The meter and connection shall remain the property of the
Borough, and access to same for reading the meter, inspection, testing,
repairs, etc., must be permitted at all reasonable times by the consumer.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 17]
The Borough will determine the location for all meters. If the
Borough decides that the meter is to be placed within the building
the consumer will provide free of charge and expense to the Borough,
an easy accessible place in the cellar near the entrance of service
pipes to cellar, with a stop and waste cock on the inlet side of the
meter and a stop and waste cock on the outlet side of the meter; the
stop and waste cock on the outlet side of the meter will be furnished
and installed at the expense of the consumer. If the Borough decides
that the meter is to be placed outside of the building, it must be
placed in an approved meter box at the expense of the consumer, and
must have suitable stop and waste valves approved by the Borough.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 18]
The consumer must, at all times, properly protect the meter
from injury by frost or any other cause and will be held responsible
for repairs to meter made necessary due to their negligence. Damage
due to freezing, hot water or external cause shall be paid for by
the consumer.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 19; as amended by
Ord. 704, 11/12/1981, Rule 19]
1.
In case of a disputed account involving the accuracy of a meter,
such meter shall be tested upon the request of the applicant, in conformity
with the provisions of the rules and regulations pertaining to water
service utilities of the Public Utility Commission.
2.
When meters are removed after installation, at request of applicant,
for testing, the following rule of the Public Utility Commission shall
apply:
A.
"If the meter so tested shall be found to be accurate within the
limits herein specified, a fee determined from the schedule indicated
below, shall be paid to the utility by the customer requiring such
test; but if not so found, then the cost thereof shall be borne by
the utility furnishing the service. The amount of the fee shall be
$5 for each water meter having an outlet not exceeding one inch; for
other water meters having an outlet not exceeding two inches, the
test fee shall be $10 per meter."
3.
Rates for testing meters not included in the above classification,
or which are so located that the cost is out of proportion to the
fee specified, will be furnished by the Commission.
4.
If a meter to be found in error at any test by more than 4%, an allowance
or charge shall be made to the customer by the utility, equal to the
excess or deficiency in quantity charged the customer, figured back
from the date of test through the entire period of the current bill,
unless it can be shown that the error is due to an accident or other
cause, the exact date of which can be determined, in which case it
shall be figured back to such date.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 20]
The Borough shall not be liable for any damage resulting from
leaks, broken pipes, or from any other cause, occurring to or within
any house or building, or between curb stop and meter, and it is expressly
stipulated by and between the Borough and the consumer, that no claims
shall be made against the said Borough on account of the bursting
or breaking of any main or service pipe or any attachment to said
water works.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 21]
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.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 22; as amended by
Ord. 704, 11/12/1981, Rule 22]
1.
All persons are forbidden to open any fire hydrant or to use any
water therefrom for sprinkling streets, for building or any purpose
without permission in writing from the Borough, under the penalty
prescribed by law, except in case of fire, and by fire companies to
test the hydrants. Such tests shall be made directly under the supervision
of an authorized agent of the Borough.
2.
The consumer will understand that fire protection charges are mainly
a compensation for "standing ready to serve" and that for said charge
the use of water is not contemplated except for the actual extinguishing
of fires or for testing fire hydrants, systems and apparatus which
shall not be done without first notifying officials of the Borough.
If used otherwise, a consumption charge, in accordance with the rates
published, will be imposed. The Borough referred to herein is the
Borough of Shillington.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 23; as amended by
Ord. 704, 11/12/1981, Rule 23; and by Ord. 1025, 10/14/2004]
1.
The Borough reserves the right at all times, after due notice, to
shut off the water for non-payment of water bills, or for neglect
or refusal to comply with the Rules and Regulations of the Borough
and to charge a fee, as established from time to time by resolution
of Borough Council, for the resumption of service.
2.
Service under application may be discontinued for any of the following
reasons:
A.
For misrepresentation in application as to property or fixtures to
be supplied or the use to be made of the water supply.
B.
For the use of water for any other property or purpose than that
described in the application.
C.
For waste of water through improper or imperfect pipes, fixtures,
or otherwise.
D.
For failure to maintain, in good order, connection, service lines
or fixtures beyond the curb and owned by the applicant.
E.
For molesting any service pipe, meter, curb stop, or seal, or any
appliance of the Borough.
F.
In case of vacancy of the premises.
G.
For violation of any rules of the Borough.
H.
For neglecting to make payments of charges for water service within
the period herein specified or failure to pay any other fee or charge
herein provided.
I.
For refusal of access to property for purpose of inspecting, or for
reading, caring for, or removing meters.
J.
The Borough shall have the right to cut off the water without notice
in case of breakdowns, or for other unavoidable causes, or for the
purpose of making necessary repairs, connections, etc. Reasonable
notice will be given when practicable. In no case shall the Borough
be liable for any damage or inconvenience suffered.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, rule 24]
1.
The Borough shall not be liable for a deficiency or failure in the
supply when occasioned by shutting off water to make repairs, or connections,
or failure from any cause beyond control.
2.
The Borough reserves the right to restrict the supply of water in
case of scarcity, or whenever the public welfare may require it.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 25]
1.
When the premises are vacated, the consumer must give notice at the
office of the Borough, so that water may be turned off, and he will
be responsible for the water rent until such notice is given.
2.
A new application must be made on any change in occupancy of property,
as described in any application, and the Borough shall be at liberty
to discontinue the water supply until such new applications have been
made and approved.
3.
Any applications may be cancelled by the Borough for proper cause,
at any time, upon giving five days' notice of such cancellation.
4.
Consumers desiring an abatement from water bills during a temporary
vacancy shall report the same in writing at the office of the Borough.
All vacancies shall date from the day the same are reported at the
office of the Borough. When a temporary vacancy is properly reported
an allowance will be made for the period of vacancy, but not for less
than three months.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 26]
No connection or outlet will be permitted on the service pipe,
or pipes, supplying any premises, between the street main and the
meter. All water used must pass through the meter.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 27; as amended by
Ord. 704, 11/12/1981, Rule 27]
1.
Deposits may be required from all consumers in an amount equal to
the estimated gross bill for any single billing period plus one month
with a minimum of $5.
2.
Deposits will be returned to the depositor when he has established
his credit to the satisfaction of the Borough.
3.
The deposit will bear interest at the rate of 9% per annum, without
deduction for taxes thereon.
4.
Any consumer having a deposit shall pay bills for water service as
rendered, in accordance with the rules of the Borough, and the deposit
shall not be considered as payment on account of a bill during the
time the consumer is receiving water service.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 28]
Failure to receive a bill shall not exempt any consumer from
the accruing of a penalty. The presentation of a bill to the consumer
is only a matter of accommodation and not a waiver of this rule.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 29]
All contracts for water shall continue in force from month to
month, but either party may cancel contract by giving 10 days'
written notice that the contract shall terminate on the first day
of the month succeeding date of notice. For service beginning during
a monthly period the minimum charge shall be prorated to the first
day of the following month. In case when water is turned off at the
curb at the end of any month no further charge for water service will
be made until service is again requested.
[Ord. 609, 1/7/1974, § 3, Rule 30]
The Borough reserves the right to change or amend, from time
to time, these rules and regulations and the rates for the use of
water in the manner provided by the Public Utility Law.
