[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Blawnox as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 11-21-1988 by Ord. No. 448]
This article shall be known as and may be cited as the "Water
System Regulation Ordinance of the Borough of Blawnox."
This article provides for the fixing of rates and charges pertaining
to water service in the Borough of Blawnox; fixes the responsibility
for the payment of charges for the consumption of water and related
services and provides for the collection of same; adopts rules and
regulations for water service throughout the water system of the Borough
of Blawnox; and prescribes penalties for violations.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The Fox Chapel Water Authority Interconnect, water tank,
and distribution lines, together with all related equipment, which
serve the inhabitants of the Borough of Blawnox and which is owned
by the Borough of Blawnox.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
All owners of property abutting any street or alley in which
there is a water main or in which a water main may be constructed
shall make connection at their own expense to such water line for
the purpose of conducting water to such property. Any such property
owner shall be given at least 45 days' notice of the requirement for
connection of his property to the Borough water system. Upon failure
of such owner to make such connection, the Borough may make the same
and collect the cost thereof from the owner by municipal claim and/or
by the initiation of a civil action.
A.
The Blawnox Borough Council specifically recognizes and reiterates
that currently ordinances are in existence which establish the rates
for water supplied and other water charges within the Borough and
that the same are in full force and effect. However, subsequent to
the passage of this article, Borough Council shall from time to time
amend and fix the rates to be charged for water furnished to individuals,
copartnerships, associations or corporations within the Borough of
Blawnox. The Borough Council shall also set rates, subject to such
approval as may be required from the Public Utility Commission or
other applicable regulatory body of the commonwealth, for water furnished
to individuals, copartnerships, associations, or corporations lying
outside the limits of the Borough of Blawnox but served by the water
system of the Borough of Blawnox.
B.
The Borough Council may also from time to time fix the charges for
a tapping or service connection fee which shall be assessed against
the property owner whenever such owner connects said property with
a water main constructed or owned by the Borough of Blawnox.
C.
The Borough Council may from time to time set the amount of a fee
for a permit which shall be required prior to connecting to the Borough
water system or for a permit which shall be required due to any change
in occupancy of a property.
D.
The whole cost, or any part of the cost, of construction of new water
mains or extension of existing water mains, whether such mains be
located within or without the limits of the Borough, and serving the
properties abutting thereon, may be assessed by the Borough Council
against the properties benefited, improved, or accommodated thereby,
to the extent of such benefits as determined by the foot front rule
and/or the Borough's exercise of its right of eminent domain. Such
assessments may be collected as other municipal claims are now by
law collectible.
E.
The Borough Council may from time to time determine the amount of
a service charge which shall be made for turning on water when water
has been shut off at the request of the owner or for nonpayment of
charges or for violation of any rule and/or regulation, providing
there is a serviceable curb box and stop in front of the premises.
Unless and until Borough Council passes legislation to the contrary,
service charges and/or security deposits shall be developed consistent
with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Code relating to the regulation
of utilities licensed and operating under the auspices of Pennsylvania's
Public Utility Commission.
F.
The Borough Council or other authorized Borough official may assess
charges against property owners for special services rendered, for
damage to Borough-owned equipment or any other lawful activity, and
such charges must be paid by said property owner. Upon failure of
the property owner to pay such charges within a reasonable time after
presentation of same, the water service may be turned off or the claim
may be collected in such manner as other municipal claims are now
by law collected.
G.
The minimum fee included in the rates shall be chargeable when water
service is available, whether or not any water has been consumed during
the billing period.
A.
All bills for water consumed will be rendered quarterly. The water
consumed shall be determined by meter registration or by estimated
bills. All water consumed shall be determined by meter registration
unless the meter has been found to be registering inaccurately or
has failed to register, in which case a bill will be rendered based
on previous average consumption for a similar period when the meter
was in order, giving proper consideration to any change in facilities
or practices that may have occurred, or by such other fair and reasonable
method as shall be based on the best information available.
B.
In cases of excessive meter registration, no adjustment will be made
of bills rendered prior to the billing period in which the complaint
was made or of bills of a previous consumer.
C.
Bills are due and payable upon presentation. The net bill will be
allowed for a period of 10 days after which the gross bill shall become
due. The gross bill is the net bill plus a 10% penalty.
D.
Termination-of-service provisions created by the Borough. This consists
of two delinquent notices sent in addition to the original bill. Each
delinquent notice provides an additional 10 days for payment and adds
an additional $10 to the bill. If the bill is not paid in this time,
the property is posted for shutoff, and, if it is not owner-occupied,
owner is notified. Water will be shut off if the bill is not paid
within 10 days of the shutoff notice.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
E.
At the option of the Borough, unpaid bills for water service may
be collected in such manner as other municipal claims are collectible.
F.
Failure to receive a bill shall not exempt any consumer from his
obligation to pay. The presentation of a bill to the consumer is only
a matter of accommodation and not a waiver of this rule.
G.
Metered water consumers may take the water allowed by their minimum
quarterly rate at any time during the quarterly billing period but
failure to use their full allowance in any one billing period shall
not entitle them to any rebate or allowance to use an excess in any
other quarterly billing period.
H.
When the premises are vacated, the consumer must give notice at the
office of the Borough of Blawnox Water Department so that the water
may be turned off, and he will be responsible for all charges for
water service until such notice is given.
I.
Any consumer upon receipt of a bill, having reason to doubt its accuracy,
shall bring or mail said bill within 10 days to the Borough Water
Office, Attention Borough Manager, and such bill shall be promptly
investigated by proper personnel.
A.
Any property owner desiring the introduction of a service line or
lines from the Borough of Blawnox mains into their premises must first
make a written application on the form furnished by the Borough of
Blawnox, at least 10 days before service is required, stating the
street and house number or location, the name of the owner, the purpose
for which service will be used, the exact time when the trench from
curb to the property and his service will be ready for making the
connection and shall guarantee that such service will be used continuously
for at least one year.
(1)
The cost of service line installation shall be borne exclusively
by the consumer.
(2)
Whenever a service line is laid in contemplation of the erection
of a building on the premises in question, and said line is not attached
for the period of one year immediately following the granting of a
permit, the Borough shall have the right to disconnect the water at
the main and charge the owner for the cost of such service.
(3)
The application must be signed by the owner of the premises or his
duly authorized agent.
B.
Any consumer desiring a supply of water must make a written application
consistent with the requirements of the Borough of Blawnox rules and
regulations for furnishing of water services.
C.
In making application for a supply of water, each consumer contracts
and agrees to be bound by this article, by Borough of Blawnox rules
and regulations for water service, and such other rules, regulations
and ordinances as may be promulgated.
D.
A new application must be made on any change in occupancy of property,
as described in any application, and the Borough may discontinue the
water supply until such new application has been made, approved, and
the required permit granted.
E.
Where special service charges are fixed or cost of service of any
kind is estimated, payment must be made at the time application is
submitted and before the service is granted.
F.
The Borough may refuse to serve an applicant if it does not have
adequate facilities to render the service desired; if the service
is of such character that is likely to result in unfavorable service
to other customers; if the applicant's installation of piping is regarded
as hazardous or of such character that satisfactory service cannot
be given; or for other just cause.
A.
Each separate consumer shall be supplied through a separate service
line.
B.
For the purpose of this article, a "consumer" shall mean the party
applying for and taking a supply of water to a property under a contract,
the terms and conditions of which are set forth in the Borough of
Blawnox rules and regulations for the furnishing of water services.
C.
No consumer supplied with water by the Borough will be allowed to
supply other persons or families or other premises, except by written
permit authorized by the Borough Council of the Borough of Blawnox.
Consumers who violate this rule may have their water shut off after
notice of 24 hours, and it may remain so until the Borough is satisfied
that the rules and regulations will be observed.
D.
In the event that authorization has been granted by the Borough for
more than one consumer to be 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 reasonable opportunity
to attach his pipes to a separately controlled service connection.
A.
Upon approval of application for a new service connection, the Borough
will require the applicant to pay the currently established fee. After
proper payment the Borough will tap the main and insert a corporation
stop, all of which shall remain the property of the Borough.
B.
The Borough shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair of
the service line from the main up until it meets the curb stop and
box. The consumer shall be responsible for the repair and maintenance
of the curb stop and box.
[Amended 9-8-2021 by Ord. No. 619]
(1)
The curb box must remain easily accessible to the Borough, its agents,
and its employees at all times.
(2)
The curb box must not be covered by any dirt, gravel, rock, concrete,
asphalt or any other substance preventing easy access. In the event
the curb box must be uncovered, the consumer shall bear the cost of
those services. Consumer shall not allow curb box to be re-covered
once unearthed.
(a)
In the event a curb box is located under concrete, asphalt,
or other similar surface and is required to be accessed, consumer
shall be responsible for relocating the curb box to an accessible
location.
(3)
Newly constructed homes and/or buildings with connections to the
water system shall have their curb boxes installed in an area as close
as reasonably possible to the municipal right of way, while ensuring
the curb box remain easily accessible.
C.
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 consumer to be supplied, unless the consumer
assumes all liability and furnished a right-of-way agreement in a
form satisfactory to Council or its duly authorized representative.
D.
The cost for installation of this and all aspects of service line
is to be borne by the consumer.
A.
The service line beyond the curb stop shall be installed and maintained
by and at the expense of the consumer. All leaks from and including
the curb box until the meter must be repaired promptly by the property
owner. The portion of the service line installed by the consumer shall
not be less in size and quality than the service line in the street,
shall be laid not less than three feet six inches 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 or material are found,
the service shall not be turned on until such defects are remedied.
All plumbing connections should be able to withstand a pressure of
at least 150 pounds per square inch.
[Amended 9-8-2021 by Ord. No. 619]
B.
No service line shall be laid in the same trench with a sewer or
gas service connection.
C.
Plumber installation of meter horn shall be made at the time the
final plumbing is completed, or where water is to be used for other
than building purposes.
D.
The service line from the curb to the premises shall be kept in good
condition by the consumer under penalty of discontinuance of service
by the Borough.
E.
The Borough reserves the right to inspect the plumbing on any premises,
and, if it shall be found not in conformity with the rules of the
Borough, to refuse water service until the objectionable or improper
work is corrected.
F.
All abandoned service pipes shall be immediately detached from the
main pipe by the property owner, at his own expense, and he shall
be liable for all damages that may arise by reason of any abandoned
service pipe remaining attached to the water main in front of his
property, or wherever the same may be.
A.
The Borough, through its Water Department, will determine the location
for all meters.
B.
If it is determined that the meter is to be placed within the building,
the consumer will provide, free of charge and expense to the Borough,
a readily accessible place in the cellar or basement near the entrance
of service pipes, with a stop at the inlet side of the meter and a
stop on the house side of the meter, both stops to be of a disc-valve-type
acceptable to the Borough Water Department. If it is decided that
the meter is to be placed outside the building, it must be placed
in an approved meter box furnished by the Borough at the expense of
the consumer and must have suitable disc-type valve stops approved
by the Borough.
C.
The Borough shall determine the size of meter to be installed, but
in no case shall the meter be more than one commercial size below
the size of the service line. A 5/8-inch meter shall be the smallest
meter to be installed on a service line for domestic use.
D.
The Borough will furnish meters and connections. The meter and connections
shall remain the property of the Borough and access to same for reading
of the meter, inspection, testing, repairs, etc., must be permitted
at all reasonable times by the consumer.
E.
The consumer must, at all times, properly protect the meter from
injury by frost, hot water or any other cause and will be held responsible
for repairs to meter made necessary due to negligence of said consumer.
The consumer shall be responsible for and shall reimburse the Borough
for all damages due to freezing, hot water or external causes.
F.
In no case or under no circumstances shall any consumer or other
persons interfere with the water meter or the dials thereof.
A.
All fire hydrants shall be furnished, installed and maintained by
the Borough Water Department.
B.
No person other than a member of the Fire Department of the Borough
of Blawnox or other cooperating public Fire Company in active performance
of duty shall, without a permit from the Borough of Blawnox, use,
open or otherwise interfere with any fire hydrant in the Blawnox water
system.
C.
The Borough of Blawnox may, under extraordinary circumstances, grant
a permit for the use of water from a fire hydrant. Such permit must
be obtained from the Borough Secretary and must have the prior approval
of the Public Safety Committee of the Borough Council. Any such use
must conform in all respects with the rules and regulations of the
Borough of Blawnox for the furnishing of water services.
D.
No fire hydrant shall be used for other than firefighting purposes
during freezing weather.
E.
No person shall obstruct the access to any fire hydrant by placing
or permitting any post, tree, shrub, rocks, debris, building material
or other obstruction to remain within the following specified distances
of the front, sides and rear of the hydrant: the unobstructed distance
on sidewalk shall not be less than four feet on each side and to the
rear of the center of the hydrant except where hydrants are placed
on streets having sidewalks less than five feet in width where the
clear distance to the rear will be correspondingly limited.
(1)
The unobstructed distance on roadway in front of fire hydrant shall
be not less than 12 feet on each side of the center of the hydrant,
which clear width shall extend to the unobstructed portion of the
roadway.
(2)
Property owners shall, within five days after receiving notice to
do so, remove any obstacle in violation of this regulation.
F.
Where damage to a fire hydrant or other property is done by any person
having a permit to take water from said hydrant, the holder of the
permit shall pay such damages and all costs and expenses as may be
incurred by reason thereof to the Borough Secretary on demand. Where
damage to a fire hydrant or other property is done by a person not
having a permit, he shall be subject to pay for all damages, costs
and expenses incurred by reason thereof and shall, in addition, be
subject to the penalties hereinafter provided for violation of this
article.
A.
At the written request of an owner or a consumer, the Borough will
make a test of the accuracy of the meter supplying his premises, and,
if desired, in his presence or that of his authorized representatives.
B.
A deposit will be required before the meter is tested, which sum
will be returned if the meter is found to be registering more than
3% against the consumer on a flow equal to 1/8 of the diameter of
the service; otherwise, the deposit will be retained by the Borough
to cover the cost of the test.
C.
The Borough reserves the right to test at any reasonable time any
meter deemed necessary.
A.
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, and it is expressly agreed that no claims shall be made
against the Borough for damage caused by the bursting or breaking
of any main or service pipe or of any attachment thereto.
B.
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.
No person except an employee of the Blawnox Water Department
or other duly authorized person shall open, close or in any way interfere
with any valve or stopcock in the Blawnox water system.
No connections 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.
A.
The Borough Council or its duly authorized representative reserves the right at all times, after due notice and consistent with the provisions of § 534-6 of this article, to shut off the water to any resident for nonpayment of water bills or for neglect or refusal to comply with these rules and regulations and to assess such charges as may be determined by Borough Council for the resumption of service.
B.
In addition to any other right which the Borough may have relative
to the discontinuation of water service, they shall also have the
right to discontinue service for any of the following reasons:
(1)
Misrepresentation in application as to property or fixtures to be
supplied or the use to be made of the water supply.
(2)
Use of water for any property or purposes other than described in
the application.
(3)
Waste of water through improper or imperfect pipes, fixtures or otherwise.
(4)
Failure to maintain in good order connection, service lines or fixtures
beyond the curb and owned by the applicant.
(5)
Molesting any service pipe, meter, curb stop or seal or any appurtenance
of the water system of the Borough of Blawnox.
(6)
Vacancy of the premises.
(7)
Violation of any rules of the Borough of Blawnox.
(8)
Failure to make payments of any charges against the property.
(9)
Refusal of access to property for purpose of inspecting, reading,
caring for or removing meters.
C.
The Borough Council, or its duly authorized representative, shall
have the right to turn 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 therefrom.
A.
The Borough of Blawnox shall not be liable for a deficiency or failure
in the supply when occasioned by shutting off water to make repairs
or connections or from any failure throughout the water system.
B.
The Borough Council, or its duly authorized representative, reserves
the right to restrict the supply of water as circumstances may require,
regardless of use for which intended, in case of scarcity or whenever
the public welfare may require it and to provide for the distribution
of the available supply in such manner as may be determined to be
in the public welfare.
C.
The use of water for sprinkling purposes shall at all times be subject
to the express condition that the Council may, at any time, when in
its opinion the condition of the public water supply demands it, limit
the time each day during which hoses may be used for sprinkling purposes,
or the said Council may forbid the use of water for sprinkling purposes
for any period deemed necessary.
D.
The Borough of Blawnox shall not be liable for any claim or damage
arising from a shortage of water, the breaking of machinery or facilities,
or any cause beyond its control.
E.
It shall be expressly understood and agreed by and between the Borough
and parties receiving water service for private fire control or sprinkler
systems that the Borough does not assume any liability as insurers
of property or person, and that the agreement does not contemplate
any special service, pressure, capacity or facility other than the
ordinary or the changing conditions of the Borough as the same exists
from day to day, and that the Borough hereby declares, and it is agreed
to by the consumer, that the Borough shall be free and exempt from
any and all claims or injuries to persons or property, or any other
person or property, by reason of fire, water, failure to supply water,
pressure or capacity.
All contracts for water shall continue in force from one billing
period to another, but either party may cancel the contract by giving
10 days' written notice that the contract shall terminate at a certain
future time.
No connections shall be made between pipes or containers carrying
water supplied by the Borough and pipes or containers carrying water
from any other source unless the proposed cross-connection has been
approved by the Borough Council of the Borough of Blawnox and the
County Department of Health.
The Borough Council reserves the right to change or amend, from
time to time, the rules and regulations for the use of water.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
With the exception of those sections of this article regarding
nonpayment of monies due the Borough for various services as set forth
in this article where collection procedures have been outlined, and,
in addition to the turning off of water as provided in this article,
any person who shall violate a provision of this article or shall
fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall exceed
the authorization of any permit issued under the provisions of this
article shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding under the Pennsylvania
Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall
be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus court costs
and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Borough in the enforcement
proceedings. Upon judgment against any person by summary conviction,
or by proceedings by summons on default of the payment of the fine
or penalty imposed and the costs, the defendant may be sentenced and
committed to the county correctional facility for a period not exceeding
30 days. Each day that such violation exists shall constitute a separate
offense, and each section of this article that is violated shall also
constitute a separate offense. In addition to or in lieu of enforcement
under this section, the Borough may enforce this article in equity
in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County.
The passage of this article and the repeal by it of any prior
enabling ordinances relating to water service in the Borough of Blawnox
or its environs shall not invalidate any actions taken under such
prior ordinances. This article, in such respect, shall be deemed a
continuation and codification of such prior enabling ordinances.
This article represents a codification of the ordinances, rules
and regulations concerning potable water within the Borough of Blawnox
and its environs and may be advertised as such.
In the event that any provisions, section, sentence, clause
or part of this article shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall
not affect or impair any remaining provision, section, clause or part
of this article, it being the intent of the Borough of Blawnox that
such remainder shall be and shall remain in full force and effect.
Ordinance No. 230, an ordinance providing for the power to fix
rates and charges pertaining to water service, fixing the responsibility
for payment of rates and charges and providing for the collection
of the same, requiring compliance with its provisions, and including
regulations of the Water Department and prescribing penalties for
violations, is hereby repealed.
[Adopted 10-18-1993 by Ord. No. 474]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this article is:
(1)
To protect the public water supply system from contamination or pollution
by isolating within the consumer's water system contaminants or pollutants
which could backflow through the service connection into the public
water supply system.
(2)
To promote the elimination or control of existing cross-connections,
actual or potential, between the public or consumer's potable water
system and nonpotable water systems, plumbing fixtures and sources
or systems containing process fluids.
(3)
To provide for the maintenance of a continuing program of cross-connection
control which will systematically and effectively prevent the contamination
or pollution of the public and consumer's potable water system.
B.
Applicability. This article shall apply to all premises served by
the public water supply system of the Borough of Blawnox, Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania.
C.
Policy. The public water supplier and the consumer have the joint
responsibility for protection of the public water supply system from
contamination due to backflow of contaminants through the water service
connection. If, in the judgement of the public water supplier or his
authorized representative, an approved backflow prevention device
is required, the supplier shall give notice to the consumer to install
such approved backflow prevention device at each service connection
to his premises. The consumer shall immediately install such approved
device or devices at his own expense, and failure, refusal or inability
on the part of the consumer to install such device or devices shall
constitute grounds for discontinuing water service to the premises
until such device or devices have been installed.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere
between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying potable
water to a tank, plumbing fixture or other device and the flood level
rim of the receptacle. These vertical, physical separations must be
at least twice the effective opening of the water supply outlet, never
less than one inch (25 mm) above the receiving vessel flood rim.
A backflow prevention device or method has been accepted
by the public water supplier as meeting an applicable standard, specification,
requirement, or as suitable for the proposed use.
Any water source or system of water on or available to the
premises other than the water supplier's approved source(s) of water.
These auxiliary sources of water may include but are not limited to
other public water system sources or other unapproved on-site source(s)
which are not under the control of a public water system, such as
a well, lake, spring, river, stream, harbor, and so forth. Auxiliary
water sources may also include graywater, rain or stormwater, reclaimed
waters, or recycled waters.
The American Water Works Association; it is responsible for
creating the standards for all areas of water treatment and supply.
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances
into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any
source or sources other than its intended source.
An assembly, device or method that prevents the backflow
of water or liquids into the public water supply system.
A type of backflow that results from negative pressures in
the distributing pipes of a potable water supply.
Any device which is intended to increase the in-line water
pressure.
Any water system located on the consumer's premises supplied
by or in any manner connected to a public water supply system. A household
plumbing system is considered to be a consumer's water system.
The degradation of the quality of the drinking water by wastewaters,
processed fluids or any water of a quality less than accepted drinking
water quality to a degree which would create an actual hazard to the
public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease.
Any actual connection or potential connection between any
part of a potable water system and any other environment that would
allow substances to enter the potable water system that could be a
potential source of contamination or pollution.
The assessment or evaluation of a facilities domestic water
system's cross-connections as they relate to the health hazard of
the consumer's water.
A backflow prevention consisting of two internally loaded
independently operating check valves, located between two tightly
closing resilient-seated shutoff valves with four properly placed
resilient-seated test cocks.
Any condition, device or practice in a water system or its
operation that creates or may create a danger to the health and well-being
of its users. The word "severe" as used to qualify "health hazard"
means a hazard to the health of the user that could reasonably be
expected to result in the significant morbidity or death.
Arrangement or device that will allow alternate, but not
simultaneous, use of two sources of water.
Water not safe for drinking, personal or culinary use.
Any individual, partnership, association, company, corporation,
municipality, municipal authority, political subdivision or any agency
of federal or state government. The term includes the officers, employees
and agents of any partnership, association, company, corporation,
municipality, municipal authority, political subdivision or any agency
of federal or state government.
The presence in water of any foreign substance that tends
to degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard or impair the
usefulness or quality of the water to a degree which does not create
an actual hazard to the public health but which does adversely and
unreasonably affect such waters for domestic use.
Water free from impurities present in amounts sufficient
to cause disease or harmful physiological effects. Its bacteriological
and chemical quality shall conform to the requirements of the USEPA
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and the regulations of
the public health authority having jurisdiction.
Any fluid or solution which may be chemically, biologically
or otherwise contaminated or polluted in a form or concentration that
would constitute a health, pollution or system hazard if introduced
into the public or a consumer's water system. This includes, but is
not limited to:
Polluted or contaminated waters.
Process waters.
Used waters originating from the public water system which may
have deteriorated in sanitary quality.
Cooling waters.
Contaminated natural waters taken from wells, lakes, streams
or irrigation systems.
Chemicals in solution or suspension.
Oils, gases, acids, alkalis and other liquid and gaseous fluids
used in industrial or other processes, or for firefighting purposes.
Heating system waters from boilers or heat pumps.
A person who owns or operates a public water system.
A system which provides water to the public for human consumption
which has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average
of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.
The term is either a community or noncommunity water system and includes
any collection, treatment, storage and distribution facilities under
control of the operator of the system and used in connection with
the system. The term includes collection or pretreatment storage facilities
not under such control which are used in connection with the system.
The term also includes a system which provides water for bottling
or bulk hauling for human consumption.
A backflow prevention device assembly consisting of a mechanical,
independently acting, hydraulically dependent relief valve, located
between two independently operating, internally loaded check valves
that are located between two tightly closing resilient-seated shutoff
valves with four properly placed resilient-seated test cocks.
The connection between the public water system distribution
system main and a user's domestic water system.
The pipe leading from the curb stop to the premises of a
water customer. The service line is owned by and is the responsibility
of the customer.
A condition posing an actual or potential threat of damage
to the physical properties of the public water system or the consumer's
potable water system.
Includes the filter plant, fixtures, treatment equipment,
wells, pumping stations, transmission lines, distribution lines, hydrants,
reservoirs, tanks, curb stops, rights-of-way and all other properties
and facilities, together with related equipment now or hereafter owned,
operated and maintained by the Borough of Blawnox in order to collect,
treat and distribute water for municipal purposes and for the use
of the inhabitants thereof.
A.
The water system shall be considered as made up of two parts: the
public water system and the consumer's water system.
B.
The public water supply system shall consist of the source facilities
and the distribution system and shall include all those facilities
of the public water supply system under the control of the public
water suppliers up to the point where the consumer's water system
begins.
C.
The source shall include all components of the facilities utilized
in the production, treatment, storage, and delivery of water to the
public distribution system.
D.
The public distribution system shall include the network of conduits
used for delivery of water from the sources to the consumer's water
system.
E.
The consumer's water system shall include all facilities beyond the
service connection which are utilized in conveying water from the
public distribution system to points of use.
A.
No water service connection shall be installed or maintained to any
premises where actual or potential cross-connection to the public
water supply system or consumer's water system may exist unless such
actual or potential cross-connections are abated or controlled to
the satisfaction of the public water supplier.
B.
No connection shall be installed or maintained whereby water from
an auxiliary water supply may enter a public or consumer's water system
unless such auxiliary water supply and the method of connection and
use of such supply shall have been approved.
A.
The consumer's premises shall be open at all reasonable times to
the public water supplier, or his authorized representative, for the
purposes of conducting surveys and investigations of water use practices
within the consumer's premises to determine whether there are actual
or potential cross-connections to the consumer's water system through
which contaminants or pollutants could backflow into the public potable
water system.
B.
On request by the public water supplier the consumer shall furnish
information of water use practices within his premises.
C.
It shall be the responsibility of the water consumer to conduct periodic
surveys of water use practices on his premises to determine whether
there are actual or potential cross-connections to his water system
through which contaminants or pollutants could backflow into the public
water supply system.
A.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed prior to
the first branch line leading off each service line to a consumer's
water system where, in the judgment of the public water supplier,
an actual or potential hazard to the public water supply system exists.
B.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each
service line to a consumer's water system where the following conditions
exist:
(1)
Systems having an auxiliary water supply, unless such auxiliary supply
is accepted as an additional source by the public water supplier and
approved by the Department of Environmental Protection.
(2)
Systems where any substance is handled in such a fashion as to create
an actual or potential hazard to the public water supply system. This
shall include systems having sources or auxiliary systems containing
process fluids or waters originating from the public water supply
system which are no longer under the sanitary control of the water
purveyor.
(3)
Systems having internal cross-connections that, in the judgement
of the public water supplier, are not correctable or intricate plumbing
arrangements which make it impractical to determine whether or not
cross-connections exist.
(4)
Systems where, because of security requirements or other prohibitions
or restrictions, it is impossible or impractical to make a complete
cross-connection survey.
(5)
Systems having a repeated history of cross-connections being established
or reestablished.
(6)
Others specified by the public water supplier.
C.
An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each
service line to a consumer's water system serving, but not necessarily
limited to, the following types of facilities, unless the public water
supplier determines that no actual or potential hazard to the public
water supply system exists:
(1)
Hospitals, mortuaries, clinics, nursing homes, doctor's offices;
(2)
Laboratories;
(3)
Piers, docks, waterfront facilities;
(4)
Sewage treatment plants, sewage pumping station or stormwater pumping
station;
(5)
Food or beverage processing plants;
(6)
Chemical plants;
(7)
Metal plating industries;
(8)
Petroleum processing or storage plants;
(9)
Radioactive material processing plants;
(10)
Car wash or truck wash;
(11)
Others specified by the water purveyor, as set forth in Exhibit
A attached hereto and made a part hereof.
The type of protection required under § 534-32A, B, and C of this article shall depend on the degree of hazard which exists as follows:
A.
An approved air gap separation shall be installed where the public
water supply system may be contaminated with substances that are dangerous
to the public health and could cause a severe health hazard.
B.
An approved air gap separation or an approved reduced pressure zone
backflow prevention device shall be installed where the public water
supply system may be contaminated with a substance that could cause
a system or health hazard.
C.
An approved air gap separation or an approved reduced pressure zone
backflow prevention device or an approved double check valve assembly
shall be installed where the public water supply system may be polluted
with substances that would be objectionable but not dangerous to health.
A.
Any backflow prevention device required by this article shall be
of a model or construction approved by the public water supplier and
shall comply with the following:
(1)
Air gap separation to be approved shall be at least twice the diameter
of the supply pipe, measured vertically above the top rim of the vessel,
but in no case less than one inch.
(2)
AWWA standards.
(a)
A double-check valve
assembly or a reduced pressure zone backflow prevention device shall
be approved by the public water supplier and shall mean a device that
has been manufactured in full conformance with standards established
by the American Water Works Association entitled:
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AWWA C506 Standards for Reduced
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Pressure Principle and Double Check
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Valve Backflow Prevention Devices.
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(b)
Said AWWA standards are herein adopted by the public water supplier.
Final approval, however, of the Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow
Preventer and the Double Check Valve Assembly shall be evidenced by
a certificate of full approval issued by an approved testing laboratory
certifying full compliance with the said AWWA standards.
(3)
An interchangeable connection to be approved shall be either a swing-type
connector or a four-way valve of the lubricated plug type that operates
through a mechanism which unseats the plug, turns it 90° and reseats
the plug. Four-way valves shall not be used as stop valves but must
have separate stop valves on each pipe connected to the valve. The
telltale port on the four-way valve shall have no piping connected
and the threads or flange on this port shall be destroyed so that
a connection cannot be made.
B.
Existing backflow prevention devices approved by the public water supplier at the time of installation and properly maintained shall, except for inspection and maintenance requirements, be excluded from the requirement of § 534-34A of this chapter, providing the public water supplier is assured that they will satisfactorily protect the public potable supply system. Whenever the existing device is moved from the present location or requires more than minimum maintenance or when the public water supplier finds that the maintenance of the device constitutes a hazard to health, the device shall be replaced by a backflow prevention device meeting the requirements of this article.
A.
Backflow prevention devices required by this article shall be installed
at a location and in a manner approved by the public water supplier
and shall be installed by a person properly qualified and at the expense
of the water consumer.
B.
Backflow prevention devices installed on the service line to a consumer's
water system shall be located on the consumer's side of the water
meter, as close to the meter as is reasonably practical and prior
to any other connection.
C.
Pits or vaults shall be of watertight construction, be so located
and constructed as to prevent flooding and shall be maintained free
from standing water by means of either a sump and pump or a suitable
drain. Such sump pump or drain shall not connect to a sanitary sewer
nor permit flooding of the pit or vault by reverse flow from its point
of discharge. An access ladder and adequate natural or artificial
lighting shall be provided to permit maintenance inspection and testing
of the backflow prevention device.
A.
It shall be the duty of the consumer at any premises on which backflow
prevention devices required by this article are installed to have
inspections, tests and overhaul made in accordance with the following
schedule or more often where inspections indicate a need:
(1)
Air separation shall be inspected at time of installation and at
least every 12 months thereafter.
(2)
Double-check valve assemblies shall be inspected and tested for tightness
at the time of installation and at least every 12 months thereafter.
They shall be dismantled, inspected internally, cleaned and repaired
whenever needed and at least every 30 months.
(3)
Reduced pressure zone backflow prevention devices shall be inspected
and tested for tightness at the time of installation and at least
every 12 months thereafter. They shall be dismantled, inspected internally,
cleaned and repaired whenever needed and at least every five years.
(4)
Interchangeable connections shall be inspected at the time of installation
and at least every 12 months thereafter.
B.
Inspections, tests and overhaul of backflow prevention devices shall
be made at the expense of the water consumer and shall be performed
by the public water supplier or a person certified to inspect, test
and overhaul backflow prevention devices.
C.
Whenever backflow prevention devices required by this article are
found to be defective, they shall be repaired or replaced at the expense
of the consumer without delay.
D.
The water consumer must maintain a complete record of each backflow
prevention device from purchase to retirement and shall make copies
of the annual inspection log available (see attached inspection log,
part of Exhibit 1[1]) to the water supplier on an annual basis by March 31.
This inspection log will be a record of tests, certifications and
repairs (if applicable).
[1]
Editor's Note: Said exhibit is on file in the Borough office.
E.
Backflow prevention devices shall not be bypassed, made inoperative,
removed or otherwise made ineffective without specific authorization
by the water supplier.
A.
Where a booster pump has been installed on the service line to or
within any premises, such pump shall be equipped with a low pressure
cutoff device designed to shut off the booster pump when the pressure
in the service line on the suction side of the pump drops to 10 pounds
per square inch gauge or less for a period of 30 seconds or longer.
B.
It shall be the duty of the water consumer to maintain the low pressure
cutoff device in proper working order and to certify to the public
water supplier, at least once a year, that the device is operating
properly.
A.
The public water supplier may deny or discontinue, after reasonable
notice to the occupants thereof, the water service to any premises
wherein any backflow prevention device required by this article is
not installed, tested and maintained in a manner acceptable to the
public water supplier, or if it is found that the backflow prevention
device has been removed or bypassed, or if an unprotected cross-connection
exists on the premises, or if a low pressure cutoff device required
by this article is not installed and maintained in working order.
B.
Water service to such premises shall not be restored until the consumer
has corrected or eliminated such conditions or defects in conformance
with this article and to the satisfaction of the public water supplier.
Any ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this
article be and the same are hereby repealed.
