There is hereby established a consolidated Township Water and
Sewer Utility. The purposes of this chapter are to promote the operation
and maintenance of an adequate water supply system for the inhabitants,
businesses and institutions within the Township; to promote the proper
operation and maintenance of the Township public sewer system and
to thereby assure proper disposal of sewage and wastewater; to provide
an adequate record of water and sewer connections and appurtenances;
to prescribe a method of establishing fees and charges for connection
to and use of the municipal water supply and sewage systems; and to
provide for an appropriate method of billing such fees and charges.
For the purposes of Articles I, II and III of this chapter, unless the context specifically indicate otherwise, the meanings of the following terms shall be as follows:
A structure having a roof and intended for permanent, temporary
or continuous occupancy.
A person who contracts for water service from the Township
of Verona.
The Township of Verona Water Department consisting of employees
of the Township who work under the supervision of the Township Engineer.
A standard unit of water use applicable to a single-family
residential water customer based upon a water meter size of 5/8 inch
to 3/4 inch.
[Added 7-15-2002 by Ord.
No. 7-2002]
Any person who, either alone or jointly or severally with
others, shall have legal or equitable title to any premises to which
water is supplied by the Township of Verona, whether or not such person
has actual possession thereof, and shall include but not be limited
to an executor, administrator, trustee, receiver, guardian or mortgagee
in possession, regardless of how such legal or equitable title was
acquired.
Any individual, firm, company, association, society, corporation
or group.
A lot, plot or parcel of land, including any building or
structure located thereon.
A line used to supply a single consumer only.
The duly appointed Engineer of the Township of Verona.
All powers associated with the administration of the Township
of Verona public water supply and distribution system are vested in
the Township Engineer or his duly authorized agent or representative
in the Department, subject to overall supervision of the Township
Manager.
Any person or consumer who receives a supply of water for any
purpose from the Township of Verona shall be subject to rules and
regulations as set forth herein. Where two or more persons or consumers
are supplied by a single service line, any violation of the rules
or regulations set forth in this chapter shall be presumed to be a
violation as to all such persons or consumers, and the Township may
take such action as could be taken as if such service line supplied
one person or consumer.
A.
The owner of any building or premises shall be liable for the payment
of the price, rent or other charges fixed herein for the use or consumption
of water services, connections, appurtenances, appliances or parts
and renewals thereof, heretofore or hereafter furnished, installed
or made by the Department in or upon such building or premises or
connecting with such building or premises, together with interest
and penalties charged thereon.
B.
Any necessary changes in piping, valves or connections from the point
of connection at the curb stop to the meter, resulting from corrosion
or otherwise, and all material and labor used to increase or improve
the water supply or efficiency thereof must be made by the owner of
premises at its own expense. All changes and improvements shall be
subject to inspection and approval by the Township Engineer.
Application for water supply must be made on forms prescribed
and made available by the Township Engineer and must be signed by
the owner of the premises to be served or by the owner's authorized
agent. The filing of an application for water supply shall constitute
the consent of the owner to all the rules and regulations pertaining
to the water supply and shall constitute an agreement to pay all rents
or other charges fixed by the Township of Verona as set forth in this
chapter.
[Amended 7-15-2002 by Ord. No. 7-2002]
Application for connection to the water distribution system shall be made in writing to the Township Engineer on a form provided by the Township Engineer and signed by the owner of the premises or by the owner's authorized agent. The water connection fee provided in this chapter and in Chapter A565, Fees, shall be paid at the time the application is made.
[Added 7-15-2002 by Ord.
No. 7-2002]
A.
There shall be a connection fee payable to the Township of Verona for all buildings, structures or premises which shall hereafter be connected to the Township water distribution system. The amount of the connection fee for any building, structure or premises shall be equal to the number of equivalent meter connections assigned to the building, structure or premises to be connected, multiplied by the water connection fee per equivalent meter connection as set forth in Chapter A565. The Township Engineer shall determine the number of equivalent meter connections based upon meter size and in accordance with the following standards:
(1)
Single-family detached residential buildings having a meter size
of 5/8 inch to 3/4 inch: one equivalent meter connection.
(2)
All other buildings: Equivalent meter connections shall be determined
by the Township Engineer based upon the following meter sizes:
|
Meter Size
|
Equivalent Meter Connections
|
|---|---|
|
1 inch
|
1.4
|
|
1 1/2 inch
|
1.8
|
|
2 inch
|
2.9
|
|
2 inch compound
|
2.9
|
|
3 inch
|
11.0
|
|
3 inch turbo
|
11.0
|
|
4 inch
|
14.0
|
|
6 inch
|
21.0
|
B.
In the event of a change in meter size or the installation of an additional service connection for any building, structure or premises resulting in increased number of equivalent meter connections, there shall be an additional connection fee payable to the Township equal to the increase in equivalent meter connections multiplied by the water connection fee per equivalent meter connection as set forth in Chapter A565.
The water connection, including the making of the tap in the
main, the corporation stop, the curb stop, the curb box and the installation
of the service line from main to curb shall be made only by the Department
under authority of the Township Engineer.
At least 48 hours' notice shall be given to the Department before
any water connection is to be made.
A.
Excavating work and the furnishing, installation and maintenance
of the service line from the curb stop to the meter shall be performed
by a duly licensed plumber. Such excavating and installation shall
be at the cost and expense of the owner of the premises.
B.
All domestic service lines shall be three-fourths-inch Type K copper
tubing. One joint made with a copper-to-copper coupling, if necessary,
will be allowed between the curb stop and the meter. All service lines
for commercial buildings, garages, etc., or for large or multifamily
residential buildings shall be of a size and material designated by
the Township Engineer. Service lines of up to and including two inches
shall be of extra-heavy copper tubing. Larger service lines shall
be of cast iron.
C.
All trenches for service pipes shall be at least four feet in depth and at right angles to the curbline, unless special permission in writing is granted by the Township Engineer for a variation from this requirement. A trench shall be at a different level and shall be separated by at least two feet from sewer and other pipes. The completed line shall remain open until inspected and approved by the Township Engineer. At least 24 hours' notice shall be given to the Department for the purpose of inspecting such work. The owner shall pay a fee as set forth in Chapter A565, Fees, for each and every inspection.
D.
The owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of the service
line between the curb stop and the meter. The owner shall keep the
same in good repair and protect it from damage due to frost or other
causes and shall be liable for damage or loss of water resulting from
failure to do so.
E.
All leaks in service lines shall be reported promptly to the Department
and repaired by the owner at the owner's expense. If repairs are not
made when required, the water shall be shut off by the Department
and shall not be turned on again until the line is put in serviceable
condition and all charges for damage or for loss of water have been
paid.
No person, except an employee of the Department, shall turn
water on or off at a curb stop unless an emergency exists, in which
case the Department shall be advised immediately of the action taken.
Permission will not be granted to supply two or more dwellings,
business premises or other premises from a single tap, except upon
a special permit which must be obtained from the Township Engineer.
In all cases, separate and distinct curb stops and curb boxes for
each tenant or building must be provided.
A.
All service connections shall be metered. If it is determined that
any premises has been supplied by water without a meter, then the
owner of such premises shall be liable for payment for the water consumed
or supplied to such premises, as estimated by the Township Engineer,
and shall, in addition thereto, be subject to such penalties or other
charges as may be imposed under this chapter.
B.
The location provided by the owner of the premises for a water meter
shall be readily accessible for reading and maintenance purposes and
shall be situated in a manner reasonably designed to protect such
meter from damage. Compression stops shall be provided by the owner
on each side of and directly adjacent to the meter.
C.
No fixture of any kind from which water can be drawn shall be placed
on the street side of a meter. The meter shall not be installed unless
the location and facilities provided shall be approved by the Department.
D.
Water from the mains of the Township shall not be turned on in any
building or premises until a suitable meter shall have been installed
therein by the owner.
E.
Water for building or construction purposes shall be used only through
a meter which shall be installed upon application to and approval
by the Township Engineer. No meter shall be installed for building
purposes until a building permit has been issued to the owner of the
premises.
F.
If a consumer believes that the meter is not registering properly, the consumer may file a written complaint with the Department, whereupon the meter will be removed and tested by the Department. If it is determined that the meter registers more than actual water use by a margin of error of more than 3%, there will be no charge for removing, repairing and resetting the meter. However, if it is determined that the margin of error is less than 3%, the owner shall be responsible for the charges set forth in Chapter A565, Fees, for such testing. The Department shall have the right to make periodic tests of all meters at no cost to the consumer or owner.
G.
The Department shall have access at all reasonable hours to premises
connected to the water distribution system for the purpose of inspecting
and maintaining water meters and associated equipment. The hours of
between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. shall be considered reasonable hours
for this purpose.
H.
All repairs to meters, when necessary, will be made by the Department
at no charge to the owner, except when a meter has been damaged by
the carelessness of the owner or occupant of the premises, in which
event the cost of such repairs shall be charged to the owner.
I.
Water supplied for Township of Verona municipal purposes, other than
fire protection, shall be metered.
J.
No person except an authorized employee of the Department shall connect,
disconnect, repair, adjust or tamper in any way with the seal or the
water meter.
[Amended 7-15-2002 by Ord. No. 7-2002]
Rates and charges payable to the Township of Verona for water consumption, connection to or use of the Township water supply system and for services provided pursuant to this chapter shall be as set forth in Chapter A565, Fees, of the Code of the Township of Verona. The Township governing body shall annually review such rates and charges as provided by law.
[Amended 7-15-2002 by Ord. No. 7-2002]
A flat rate, depending upon the size and type of a building, will be charged for water used in building construction. The minimum charge for any building will be as provided for in Chapter A565, Fees. The Township reserves the right to regulate the purposes for which water may be used during construction and to determine or limit the duration of any water service used for construction purposes. At its option, the Township may require water to be metered.
A.
Except as provided in Subsection B hereunder, no person shall take water from any public fire hydrant or hose plug. No fire hydrant shall be used for sprinkling the street, flushing sewers or gutters or for any other purpose other than fire protection purposes without authorization of the Township Engineer.
B.
The Fire Department shall be authorized to use the fire hydrants
for the purpose of fire protection. In addition, the Chief of the
Fire Department may authorize reasonable use of water from fire hydrants
for the purpose of Fire Department training and tests.
C.
An annual charge shall be paid by the Township to the Department
for fire hydrant rental. This annual charge shall be set by the Township
Council.
D.
When, in the judgment of the Township Engineer, it is practical,
private fire service mains may be allowed for hydrants, hose connections
or sprinkler systems, for which a flat rate or meter rate will be
charged, subject to special contract terms, rules or regulations governing
such service as may be determined by the Township Engineer. The following
fees shall apply:
[Amended 7-15-2002 by Ord. No. 7-2002]
(1)
Except as provided below, there shall be a flat annual fee for private fire service mains for sprinkler systems based upon the size of the fire service main as shall be set forth in Chapter A565. The fee shall be applicable to all existing private fire service mains and to private service mains installed after the effective date of this subsection. In the case of any sprinkler system required to be installed in any residential health care facility pursuant to the Health Care Facilities Planning Act, N.J.S.A. 26:2H-1 et seq., or in any rooming or boarding house pursuant to the Rooming and Boarding House Act of 1979, N.J.S.A. 55:13B-1 et seq., mains for sprinkler systems shall be metered and fees shall be based upon actual use.
(2)
For temporary connections, there shall be a minimum fee as set forth in Chapter A565. In addition, the Township Engineer may require that a bond be furnished in the amount of $500 in order to indemnify the Township for use of water for purposes other than for fire service as well as for all expenditures or damages incurred by the Department.
(3)
For private fire hydrants, there shall be an annual fee in the amount set forth in Chapter A565.
(4)
The Township Engineer reserves the right to order that a meter be
placed in any such connection.
E.
No person shall use water from a private fire service main, private
hydrant, hose connection or sprinkler system for any purpose other
than for fire protection without the written approval of the Township
Engineer.
[Added 7-15-2002 by Ord.
No. 7-2002]
No person shall undertake the thawing of water service pipes
or mains by the use of electric current without authorization of the
Department.
A.
Water service may be discontinued for any of the following reasons:
(1)
For the use of water for any other premises or for any purposes other
than that which is described in the application.
(2)
For willful waste of water through improper or defective pipes, fixtures
or otherwise.
(3)
For failure to properly maintain all other connections, service lines
or fixtures owned by the consumer.
(4)
For molesting or tampering with any service pipe, curb stop or seal
or any other appliances of the Department.
(5)
For refusing to permit the Department access to premises for purposes
of inspecting, reading, repairing or removing meters during reasonable
hours.
(6)
For nonpayment of bills for water consumed or for services rendered
or for failure to pay any fines or penalties payable under this chapter.
B.
In no case shall the water be turned on until all required repairs
have been made, if applicable, and all bills, fines or penalties payable
under this chapter, along with fees payable to cover the cost of shutting
off and turning on the water, have been paid.
The Department reserves the right to decrease or limit the quantity
of water used whenever, in the judgment of the Department, it is necessary
or expedient to do so.
The Township reserves the right to add to or modify its rules
and regulations at any time.
Owners of vacant buildings or of buildings that are to be vacated
must give notice in writing of such vacancy to the Department so that
the meter may be read and the water turned off. If the water is left
on during the vacancy, the owner shall continue to be liable for all
charges payable under this chapter.
A.
When requested by the owner or its agent, the Department shall discontinue service to a premises either temporarily or permanently. The turnoff charge provided for in Chapter A565, Fees, shall be paid when the request for discontinuance of service is made. The turn-on charge provided for in Chapter A565, Fees, shall be paid when service is restored. In no event shall water be turned on until all water charges have been paid.
B.
No adjustments of water charges due to failure of the Department
to discontinue or restore water service as requested by an owner shall
be made unless the request for discontinuance or restoration is in
writing duly filed with the Department.
Where connections are abandoned, the owner of the premises or
applicant shall pay for having the same shut off and plugged at the
curb stop or corporation stop (at the option of the Department) before
a new connection will be installed to the premises.
