These rules and regulations provide requirements for the operation,
maintenance, protection and use of the Borough's potable water
distribution system, and to facilitate the review of applications
for service connections, modifications and/or extensions to the Borough's
potable water distribution system. It is the responsibility of the
Borough's Water and Sewer Department to promote the safe and
adequate distribution of water to the Borough. It is in the public
interest that the Water and Sewer Department foster and promote the
proper installation of a comprehensive water system, and appurtenances,
with effective means for the distribution of water that is environmentally
safe and sufficient for intended uses. The Borough water users are
provided water through three independent potable water distribution
systems, operated by VEOLIA-NJ, Roxbury Township Water Utility, and
the Borough. The remaining areas of the Borough not served by these
water distribution systems receive their potable water supply from
private individual wells.
As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly
is suggested from the context, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated below:
BOROUGH
The Borough of Mount Arlington.
CUSTOMER
Owner or occupant of dwellings provided potable water service
by the Borough of Mount Arlington.
MORRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY (MCMUA)
A purveyor of potable water for wholesale development and
distribution in the County of Morris, which is under agreement with
the Borough of Mount Arlington to supply the Borough's water
supply needs. The MCMUA system includes a twelve-inch water main in
Howard Boulevard and a two-million-gallon elevated storage tank within
the Borough.
OWNER
Any person, persons, firm, corporation or association owning
a property or premises within the Borough which is or can be prospectively
supplied with water, or their duly authorized agent.
SERVICE CONNECTION
The potable water supply pipe and appurtenances owned and
maintained by the Borough, which include the corporation stop, curb
stop, curb box, and the service line from corporation stop to the
curb stop.
WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
All potable water distribution facilities owned and operated
by the Borough, including but not limited to water mains, hydrants,
isolation valves, corporation stops, curb stops, curb and valve boxes,
booster pump stations, and water storage tanks.
WATER MAIN
A potable water distribution pipe in a public right-of-way
or easement, other than a service connection.
WATER SERVICE
The potable water supply pipe and appurtenances, beginning
at the Borough-owned curb stop, and continuing into the building being
served. The water service is owned and maintained by the owner.
The following general rules of applicability apply to the Borough's
water distribution system. Additional rules or requirements may be
applicable to owners and customers served by VEOLIA-NJ and Roxbury
Township Water Utility.
A. The Borough cannot guarantee consumers full volume, fixed pressure
or an effective, continuous supply of water, such matters being subject
to the performance of the entities providing potable water to the
Borough, and other varying conditions which may affect the operation
and maintenance of the many components of the water distribution system.
The Borough shall not be liable to customers for any damages whatsoever
resulting from any failure on the part of the Borough to supply potable
water.
B. The Borough will exclusively operate, maintain, modify, and/or make
connections to the water distribution system. It is unlawful for any
person to disturb, handle, injure, damage, use or in any manner interfere
with any portion of the water distribution system or excavate any
portion of the distribution system within rights-of-way or easements
for the purpose of making a connection or alteration without first
obtaining the written consent of the Borough. Only authorized Borough
employees shall change the location of, alter or interfere in any
way with any water meter while in service.
C. Owner remains solely responsible for maintaining the water service
to the property. Excessive or unnecessary use or waste of potable
water, whether caused by carelessness or by defective or leaky service,
plumbing or fixtures, is strictly prohibited even where the service
is metered. The governing body may, by resolution, limit or prohibit
the use of water for purposes not deemed essential whenever in its
judgment it shall be necessary or prudent to do so to conserve the
supply. For disregard of or violation of the provisions of this chapter
or of any resolution of the governing body as aforesaid, the water
may be ordered turned off by the Department in addition to other penalties
herein provided.
D. All applications for the modification or extension of the water distribution
system, including the introduction of potable water to a habitable
structure(s) or the change of an existing supply, shall be made to
the Borough Construction Department by owner or by a licensed plumber
contractor retained by owner. The application to connect shall be
made upon the applicable forms appended to this chapter, and the applicant must comply with the conditions printed
thereon. The completed application must include a nonrefundable application
fee made payable to the Borough. No work shall be conducted until
the receipt of written approval by the Borough.
E. Applications for modifications to the water distribution system shall
submit proof of:
(1) Public liability insurance for personal injuries and property damage
arising out of the work authorized by the Borough. Proof of such liability
insurance shall be made by providing a certificate of an insurance
company duly authorized to do business in the State of New Jersey,
evidencing such coverage for a period of not less than six months
from the date the application is filed and not less than six months
from the time such commenced work to perform the work. The Borough
and its officials, employees and assigns shall be listed on the insurance
certificate as "additional insureds."
(2) Surety bond in the amounts required by the Borough. Damaged connections
shall be repaired and restored to working condition within a time
limit determined to be reasonable by the Plumbing Subcode Official
of the Borough, or such other official or consultant thereto designated
by the Borough. The surety bond and cash bond shall be released three
months after the work is approved by the Borough Plumbing Inspector,
provided that all restoration and repair of any damage to public property
is satisfactorily completed in the opinion of the Plumbing Inspector
of the Borough or such other official or consultant thereto designated
by the Borough. If all restoration work with respect to all damage
to public property is not completed within a reasonable time as determined
above, the Borough may, by resolution, authorize the use of the cash
deposit to restore the damage or proceed against the surety bond to
use the proceeds thereof to restore the damage, or both, as the Borough
shall determine in its discretion and judgment.
F. Owner shall not permit a connection to exist by which water may pass
from a habitable structure to another habitable structure, even if
the ownership of both structures is the same. This provision does
not apply to the continuation of water service from the principal
structure to a nonhabitable accessory structure.
G. Potable water supply will be turned off by the Borough at the curb
upon the request of owner. Said request must provide 72 hours'
advance notice, not including weekends or Borough holidays. Owner
will be charged a fee for the turn on as set forth in the fee schedule
appended to this chapter. Water will not be turned on if owner or owner's designated
representative is not on the premises. The turning on or off of water
by the Borough shall not in any way include plumbing work or other
services. Owner is responsible for the draining of all interior piping
after turnoff. The Borough will not be liable for any freezing of
pipes or damage caused by said freezing.
H. With the exception of an emergency situation, the temporary closure
of a curb stop by the Borough will require 72 hours' advance
notice. Prior to the demolition or abandonment of buildings, water
service shall be terminated at the service connection and shall be
cut and properly capped at the curb stop valve by a licensed plumber
employed by owner. Seventy-two hours' advance notice to the Borough
is required. A fee will be required pursuant to the Water Department
Rate and Fee Schedule appended to this chapter. The requirements regarding water system demand, capacity,
size, design, storage, materials, fire hydrants, looping, isolation
valves, excavation and bedding, service connections, and easement
where Borough water mains are on private property shall conform to
the New Jersey Administrative Code Title 5, Community Affairs, Chapter
21, Residential Site Improvement Standards, N.J.A.C. 5:21, latest
edition, and the N.J.A.C. 7:10 Safe Drinking Water Act or as modified
in the following sections.
In order to prevent excessive or unnecessary water use and conserve
water supplies during periods of drought or emergency, the Borough
may establish restrictions on outdoor water usage at any property
in the Borough, including, but not limited to, watering of lawns or
landscaping, washing of vehicles, or washing of sidewalks or driveways.
Such restrictions may, as determined appropriate by the Borough, restrict
such water use to an "odd-even" basis, and shall be entirely prohibited
on the 31st day of each month. Odd/even water use means that such
outside water use may occur on days with odd-numbered dates on properties
with odd-numbered addresses, and on even-numbered days on properties
with even-numbered addresses. Exceptions to odd/even watering restrictions
are:
A. Lawn watering by a commercial enterprise engaged in the installation
or repair of lawn irrigation systems is allowed on any day, but only
if necessary to test a customer's newly installed or newly repaired
sprinkler system.
B. Watering of a newly planted lawn, tree, shrub, flower, or vegetable
plant is allowed one time (not once daily) on any day, immediately
after planting.
C. Daily watering following treatment of vegetation with a fertilizer,
pesticide or herbicide is allowed for two days only, starting on the
date that the fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide is applied. Documentation
of the date that the treatment was applied shall be produced upon
the request of the appropriate authorities. Watering under this provision
is allowed no more often than once every three weeks.
D. For purposes of odd/even restrictions, outside water use at condominium
and homeowners' association properties that do not have designated
address numbers shall be allowed on even days only.
After connection to the Borough's water distribution system,
each property owner shall seal their well(s) in compliance with County
Board of Health regulations and with the requirements of the Department
of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Resources, and in accordance
with the standard specifications for sealing abandoned wells which
have been adopted by that agency. All wells must be closed by a New
Jersey licensed well driller.