[Prior code § 14-1; amended by Ord. 87-10 § 1, 1987]
This chapter establishes the rules and regulations of the Water
Department of the Borough; fixes the rates and rentals to be charged
for water or other services, and prescribes penalties for violations.
[Prior code § 14-2; amended by Ord. 87-10 § 1, 1987; Ord. No. 2010-19, §§ 1, 2, 10-26-2010; Ord. No. 2015-02, § 1, 1-27-2015]
A.
Connection permits. No person shall, without a permit from the superintendent or other person duly authorized by the water committee, introduce a ferrule into any public or private pipe or form any connection or communication whatsoever with such pipes, or break ground for that or any other similar purpose, or introduce or use a ferrule of larger diameter, or make any attachment or do anything other than is specified in his or her permit. No private hydrant for domestic use shall be allowed to be erected on any public street or highway where it may become a source of supply to any person who is not entitled to its use. The person obtaining the permit shall pay the required fee prescribed in Section 13.04.030 of this chapter.
B.
Conditions for issuance. All permits shall be granted upon the express
condition that if from any cause, the supply of water shall fail,
the Borough shall not be held liable for any damages which arise as
a consequence.
C.
Responsibility of permittees. The owner and the plumber shall be
responsible for supplying the material and the installation of the
water service lateral including the tap in the main, curb shutoff,
meter pit, and shall complete trench and street restoration in accordance
with the Water Department guidelines. The Water and Sewer Department
will require a forty-eight-hour notice prior to installation in order
to schedule an inspection. An inspection fee of $50 will be required
for each water service lateral. In opening any street, alley or public
ground for the introduction of any water service, pipe or connection
under the authority of a permit from the Water and Sewer Department,
both the owner and the plumber so opening the street, alley or public
ground shall be held responsible, and all due precautions, such as
barricades, red lights and other necessary means to prevent accidents,
shall be taken by the owner and plumber, and all service pipes in
all streets or private grounds, shall be laid at least 42 inches under
the surface of the ground, and plumbers shall be required to thoroughly
pack back the dirt in the ditches, in all trenches opened by them,
and to keep gravel and sand entirely separate in opening any trench,
and to replace same as near as possible.
[Prior code § 14-3; amended by Ord. 87-10 § 1, 1987; Ord. 91-4 § 1, 1991; Ord. 91-24 § 1, 1991; Ord. 93-14 § 1, 1993; Ord. 94-14 § 1, 1994; Ord. 96-22 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-1 § 1, 1997; Ord. 99-4 § 1, 1999; Ord. 2001-20 §§ 2, 4, 2001; Ord. 2003-3 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2005-19 §§ 1 —
5, 2005; Ord. 2006-11 § 1,
2006; Ord. 2006-31 §§ 1,
2, 2006; Ord. 2007-10 § 1,
2007; 2009-02, § 3, 3-24-2009; 2009-12, §§ 1, 2, 6-23-2009; Ord. No. 2010-19, §§ 3,
4, 10-26-2010; Ord. No.
2011-08, § 1, 7-26-2011; Ord. No. 2015-02, § 2, 1-27-2015; Ord. No. 2015-19, § 1, 12-22-2015; Ord. No. 2016-06, §§ 1 — 3, 3-22-2016; Ord. No. 2016-23, §§ 1, 2, 9-27-2016; Ord. No. 2017-02, § 1, 3-28-2017]
The fees and rates for water to the consumers of water in the
Borough shall be classified according to the following categories
and schedules. Water rates in accordance with this section will be
charged in accordance with the issuance of an occupancy permit.
A.
Tappage fee. The tappage fee for any connection to the water system
in the Borough shall be as follows:
1.
Tapping fee for single and duplex residential units shall be as follows:
2.
Tapping fee for multifamily and nonresidential properties shall be
based on equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) at a fee of $2,225 per EDU.
Water connection fees shall be based on projected water consumption
of the property with each equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) comprising
of 60,000 gallons of annual water consumption. The calculation of
the connection fees for multifamily residential units and all nonresidential
properties shall be determined by the Borough engineer based upon
the application and documentation provided by the applicant. Application
and documentation shall include the projected water consumption data
supplied by the applicant's engineer in accordance with the flow rates
stipulated in N.J.A.C. 7:10-12.6 Water Volume Requirements in preparing
the water application for approval by the governing body. It shall
be within the discretion of the Borough engineer to request additional
documentation from the applicant as he/she deems appropriate. The
tapping fee for a fire suppression system shall be $1,475 regardless
of the size of connection to the water system.
3.
The amount of the connection fee for multifamily and nonresidential
properties shall be based upon an estimate as calculated in accordance
with this chapter; and, after receiving a recommendation from the
Borough Engineer, the connection fee shall be paid before the issuance
of a certificate of occupancy. Payment shall be made by certified
check, cashier's check or bank check.
[Amended 11-26-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-23]
B.
Rates, fees and charges. The following rates, fees and charges shall
be made and collected for the services and facilities of the comprehensive
water system, commencing the service year of 2017:
1.
Flat fee for single dwelling unit, whether contained in single-family
residence, duplex apartment, condominium, or other multifamily or
project: $300;
2.
For each additional dwelling unit, whether contained in a duplex,
apartment, condominium or other multifamily structure or project:
$300;
3.
All individual multifamily units serviced by a number of meters for
the building, group of buildings or project in which the unit is located,
less than the amount of the total of the units, shall be considered
a metered unit and, in addition to the flat fees for each unit, the
corresponding gallon usage charge, as set forth below, shall be pro-rated
among such units;
4.
The quarterly minimum in gallons and minimum annual charge as set
forth below for metered commercial establishments shall, in the case
of a multifamily structure or project, be multiplied by the number
of individual dwelling units contained in the multifamily structure
or project;
5.
In addition to all the above pertaining to multifamily structure
and project, all metered use attributable to the multifamily structure
or project, without regard to form of ownership, and not attributable
separately to each dwelling unit, shall be charged to the owner, occupant
or association as the case may be, according to the commercial establishment
schedule set forth below:
6.
If a property contains more than one category in the above schedule,
they will be billed for each such item;
7.
As of January 1, 1979, all commercial and nonresidential establishments
shall be metered and the owner must bear the cost of meter, installation,
and any and all repairs and maintenance of such meter or meters;
8.
Commercial property flat fee: $375;
9.
Gallonage use. Gallonage use shall be charged at the rate of $2.68
per 1,000 gallons.
10.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, effective January
1, 2007, all new residential construction and major renovations to
any structure, including residential dwelling units, shall install
remote-read water service connection meters and meter pits, in accordance
with the specifications adopted by the Borough superintendent. No
certificate of occupancy for any such new construction or renovation
shall be issued until a certification of the installation of the appropriate
water meter is provided by the Borough superintendent to the construction
code official.
The owners of the above-described properties shall be billed
for metered water usage in accordance with the following schedule:
There shall be a minimum fee of $62.50 per quarter for each
residential dwelling. Thereafter, the following fees shall be calculated
quarterly and billed annually:
|
Amount
|
Fee
|
|---|---|
|
0 to 14,000
|
$1/thousand gallons
|
|
14,001 to 25,000
|
$1.80/thousand gallons
|
|
25,001 to 50,000
|
$3.70/thousand gallons
|
|
50,001 to 150,000
|
$5.50/thousand gallons
|
|
150,001 to 300,000
|
$8.10/thousand gallons
|
|
Over 300,000
|
$9.50/thousand gallons
|
For the purpose of this subsection, major renovation
shall mean any repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation addition, or
other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds
50% of the assessed value of the structure either before the improvement
is started or if the structure has been damaged and is being restored
before the damage occurred. Substantial improvement is commenced when
the first alteration of any structural part of the building is begun.
Any newly installed irrigation systems will require the installation
of a meter and meter pit.
11.
All water service connection meters and equipment shall be obtained
from a vendor with specifications provided by the Water/Sewer Department.
12.
Water connection reinspection fee: $50.
C.
Rates and rules subject to change.
1.
The cost of a permit for opening any state or county road or highway
is to be paid for by the person or corporation desiring water.
2.
A service charge of $125 shall be paid each time the water is turned
on and a like charge when the water is turned off during normal business
hours (7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). The Water Department shall be notified
48 hours in advance of any water turn-off or turn-on. Any turn-on
or turn-off after normal business hours shall be at a rate of $200.
Any emergency turn-off service rendered by the Water Department shall
be at a rate of $200 whether the turn-off occurs during normal business
hours or off-hours. In cases where the water has been turned off for
nonpayment of a water bill, the Borough reserves the right to turn
the water on again when all back bills and service charges have been
paid.
3.
The use of the public water supply for the jetting of pilings and
sheathing shall be prohibited.
4.
All other charges will be in accordance with meter documentation.
5.
Water service for residential properties without remote-read water
service connection meters shall be billed together with sewer and
the bills shall be sent out on or before April 1st of each year. One-half
of the full amount for water and sewer shall be due by May 1 and the
balance due as of October 1. Water service for residential properties
which have installed remote-read water service connection meters shall
be billed together with sewer based on quarterly meter readings. Bills
will go out within 15 days of meter readings and are due and payable
within 30 days of billing. Any payments received subsequent to the
due dates shall be considered delinquent accounts and shall be charged
at an interest rate of 8% per annum.
6.
The bills for commercial water and sewer shall be billed together
based on quarterly meter readings. Bills will go out within 15 days
of meter readings and are due and payable within 30 days of billing.
Any payments received subsequent to the due dates shall be considered
delinquent accounts and shall be charged at an interest rate of 8%
per annum.
7.
The Borough Council reserves the right to change the rules and regulations
and the rates for the use of water from time to time to make special
rates on contracts in all proper cases, to shut off the water for
alterations, extensions and repairs and to stop and restrict the supply
of water whenever it may be found necessary. The Borough shall not
be liable under any circumstances for a deficiency or failure in the
supply of water, whether occasioned by the shutting off of water to
make repairs or connections or for any other cause whatsoever. Council
may attach meters at any time it may deem it expedient, and to thereafter
charge for the quantity of water measured or used and to make reasonable
charges for the use of the meters.
8.
The Borough reserves the right to shut off water service to any property
for any water bill which remains unpaid beyond 90 days.
D.
Water Department revenues and accounts.
1.
The office manager of the Ship Bottom Water-Sewer Department shall
handle all billing transactions, collection of permit fees as described
in this chapter, and collecting and depositing such moneys. The office
manager shall keep separate ledger accounts for each person buying
water from the Borough, such account to show the category under which
each person is buying water. He or she shall collect for and receipt
all permits before the superintendent issues them, and shall account
for the permits upon the proper books of the Borough.
2.
The funds collected and deposited then become the responsibility
of the treasurer of the Borough.
E.
Demolition. When a property is demolished, the owner and plumber
shall be responsible for turning off the water, and cutting and capping
the water service. The Water and Sewer Department will require a forty-eight-hour
notice prior to the work in order to schedule an inspection. An inspection
fee of $50 will be required for each cut and cap.
[Prior code § 14-4; amended by Ord. 87-10 § 1, 1987; Ord. 93-7 § 1, 1993; Ord. 94-4 § 1, 1994; Ord. 95-17 § 1, 1995; Ord. 2005-18 § 6, 2005; Ord. No. 2015-02, §§ 3 — 5, 1-27-2015]
In addition to all other provisions of this chapter, the following
regulations shall govern water services, the use of water and protection
of Borough equipment and property in the Borough:
A.
Access to premises. The superintendent or other person authorize
by the water committee shall, at all reasonable hours, have free access
to all parts of the premises to which water is supplied, for the purpose
of inspection, examination of fixtures and other investigations necessary
to implement the provisions of this chapter.
B.
Maintenance of apparatus. All persons who may be supplied with water
from any of the Borough mains shall keep their own service pipes,
stopcocks, curb boxes and apparatus in good repair and protected from
frost at their own risk and expense, and shall prevent any unnecessary
waste of water. It is expressly stipulated that no claim shall be
made against the Borough by reason of the breaking of any service
pipe, service cock or other fixtures, or from damage arising from
shutting off water to repair or alter mains or to make connections
with them.
C.
Water conservation restrictions. The usage of water for the sprinkling
of lawns and gardens during the peak season of June 1 through September
30, will be restricted to odd-even days. Odd-number houses may water
on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Even-numbered houses may water
on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Watering is permitted between
the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between the hours of 7:00
p.m. to 10:00 p.m. No watering is permitted on Monday. Any person
or persons convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be fined
not less than $100 per violation.
1.
Nozzles shall be required on all water hoses;
2.
All establishments serving food and drink shall only provide water
by request to their customers;
3.
Rain sensors shall be installed on all automatic irrigation/sprinkler
systems;
4.
The laying of sod shall be prohibited from June 1 through August
31;
5.
Compliance with water conservation performance standards for new
and replacement plumbing fixtures as per the latest revision of the
Uniform Construction Code;
6.
The use of potable water bubble systems as freeze protection for
docks, pilings, bulkheads and other similar structures is prohibited.
D.
Reinstatement of water service. In all cases where water has been
turned off for nonpayment of water rent or for violation of any of
the provisions of this chapter, or any rules and regulations relating
to the use of water, it shall not be turned on again until all expenses
incurred by the turning off and on of the water, together with the
rent and any fine and penalty that may be due, are paid. If it is
found that the water has been turned on again without compliance with
the above-mentioned requirements, it is lawful for the water committee
to cause the ferrule to be withdrawn, and it shall not be inserted
again until all back rents, fines, and penalties are paid.
E.
Waste. No person shall permit water to flow unnecessarily from any
part of a private pipe or fixture even to prevent freezing, nor shall
any person permit waste of water on his or her premises or the premises
occupied by him or her, either within a building or upon any yard,
street or alley.
F.
Investigation by Water Department. The superintendent or other person
designated by the water committee shall be authorized to inquire at
any dwelling or other place from which any unnecessary waste of water
proceeds, into the cause of such waste. If the waste arises from the
need of repair in pipes and fixtures, and if the owner or occupant
of the premises neglects or refuses, upon being given 24 hours' notice,
to have the necessary repairs made in a timely manner, the superintendent
or other designated person is authorized and empowered to shut off
the water leading to such place or premises, and no person shall turn
on the water before the necessary repairs are made.
G.
Private fire hydrants. No person shall be permitted to introduce
upon his or her premises a fire hydrant for the protection of his
or her property from fire who shall use or permit to be used the hydrant
for sprinkling or washing the yard or streets, filling wells, boilers
or tanks, or for any purpose whatever except its legitimate use for
the extinguishment of fires. Upon repetition of such offense, the
water committee or superintendent shall be authorized to detach the
connections of the fire hydrant from the main.
H.
Use of public hydrants. No person shall use or open any fire hydrant
without the permission of the water committee or superintendent of
the Water Department, use wrenches on them other than those intended,
leave caps off of hose connections, or in any way damage them.
I.
Obstructing fire hydrants. No person shall obstruct access to any
fire hydrant, stop valve or other fixtures connected with the supply
of water to the Borough by placing thereon, or within 10 feet thereof,
stone, brick, lumber, dirt or any other material, or to be so placed
by any in their employ. If any person shall neglect or refuse to remove
any obstruction or impediment in a timely manner after notice being
given by the water committee, superintendent or other authorized person,
the water committee, superintendent or other authorized person may
cause its removal and charge removal costs to the offender.
J.
Fire wrenches. The wrenches of the fire hydrants shall be in the
charge of such person as may be designated by the water committee.
Fire hydrants shall not be opened for any other purpose other than
for the extinguishment of fires, except by permission of the water
committee or the superintendent of the Water Department. The person
entrusted with the wrenches of the fire hydrants shall not fail to
close the fire hydrants as soon as the fire is extinguished.
K.
Damage to equipment. No person shall break, injure or do any damage
whatever to any engine, pump or machinery, or to any pipe valve, stopcock,
fire hydrant or other fixture or appurtenances pertaining to or connected
with the water works; nor shall be or she throw or put stones, earth,
filth or any foreign matter or substance whatever into the reservoirs,
wells or waterways, or place sticks, stones or other matter in curb
boxes; nor shall be or she dig or break the earth in any of the streets
or grounds for the purpose of disturbing, moving or injuring any pipes,
valves or other fixtures or appurtenances or obstructing the passage
of water through them.
L.
Stopcocks or valves. No plumber or other person shall open or close
any of the stopcocks or valves under the charge of the water committee
without being duly authorized by the superintendent of the water committee.
M.
Laying of pipes. All private pipes shall be laid to a depth of not
less than 42 inches below the surface of the ground. Every plumber
or other person laying such pipes shall be liable for the expense
incurred in taking up and relaying such pipe to the required depth,
in addition to the penalty provided for in Section 13.04.120C. In
all cases where an opening shall be made in any of the streets of
the Borough for the purpose of connecting any private pipe with the
public main or of extending, repairing, renewing or removing the private
pipe, the opening shall be filled as soon as circumstances permit,
and the roadbed and surface of the streets, and the paving and curbing
firmly relaid and fixed in good order at the sole cost of the owner
of the private pipe.
N.
Water mains in new streets. Any person laying out new streets on
which the Borough lays water mains, who fails to grade and cover same
and to keep same covered to protect them from frost before the streets
are accepted by the Borough shall be liable for all damage to water
mains and for any loss of water that may occur. In no case is the
laying of water mains in any street to be considered an acceptance
of the street by the Borough.
O.
Evasion of regulations. Should the superintendent or water committee
have reason to believe that there is actual or probable evasion or
disregard of any of the provisions of this chapter, or any rules or
regulations relating to the distribution of water in any building,
lot of ground or premises into or through which pipes for conducting
a supply of water have been laid, it is lawful for the superintendent
of the Water Department or other person authorized by the water committee
to enter at all reasonable times into such building, lot or ground
or premises for the purpose of examining the pipes of conduct or other
fixtures and ascertaining whether they are in proper order and repair,
and for cutting off all pipes of communication or shutting off the
stopcocks or detaching the ferrules where delinquencies occur in the
payment of water rent, and no person shall turn on the water or cause
the water to be turned on without their authority.
P.
Penalty. Any person or persons convicted of a violation of any of
the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a violation penalty
of not less than $100 nor more than $500 in the discretion of the
municipal court judge.
[Added 2-25-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020-01]
A.
Meters Required. Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to
the contrary, effective January 1, 2020, all water taps made and services
installed must be metered. Any building or structure heretofore or
hereafter constructed, designed or used for use or occupancy by persons,
be it temporary or permanent, shall be required to supply and install
a meter pit, a water meter and assembly in accordance with the rules,
regulations and specifications of the Ship Bottom Borough Water and
Sewer Utility Department.
B.
No person, other than an employee or agent of the Ship Bottom Borough
Water and Sewer Utility Department, shall remove, replace or, in any
manner, interfere or tamper with a meter attached to a water pipe
used or intended to be used to supply water to any buildings. This
applies whether the meter is set within or without a building. Any
plumbing configuration intended to bypass the meter is prohibited
and shall be considered theft of service, as well as a violation of
this section.
C.
All building lateral pipes shall be kept in good repair and protected
from frost at the expense of the property owner. For the purpose of
this section, a building lateral pipe is the pipe and appurtenances
between the building and the shutoff valve located at or near the
street curb or near the property line.
D.
No person or persons, unless authorized by the Borough, shall open
or close the Borough's shutoff valve located at or near the street
curb or near the property line or valves in any of the Borough's water
mains. A water main is a water pipe in a public street or easement
other than a service connection.
E.
The Borough reserves the right to change its rules and regulations
for the use of water from time to time, to shut off the water for
alterations, extensions and repairs and to stop and restrict the supply
of water whenever it may be found necessary; and the Borough shall
not be liable under any circumstances for a deficiency or failure
in the supply of water, whether occasioned by shutting off water to
make repairs or connections or for any cause whatever.
F.
The Borough shall own, operate and maintain the water meter equipment.
Where water meters are located inside the building (not in a meter
pit), the property owner shall be responsible for protecting the meter
equipment from freezing, vandalism or other damage.
G.
The property owner shall provide the Borough with access to the water
meter and equipment. The equipment and the access thereto shall be
maintained free of any obstructions, such as trees, shrubs, landscaping
or other objects.
H.
The Borough will only provide service to and bill for approved connections.
Multi-use dwellings will be billed from a master meter regardless
of type or number of dwellings. Owners of multi-use dwellings may
install individual meters on their tenants for the purpose of usage
information. (The Borough will not read these meters.) This provision
applies to existing or future multiple user, tenant, lessee, rental
or condominium owner entities. Condominium units may have individual
meters read by the Borough, provided that each condo unit has a separate
service line and a separate turnoff valve. Connections between each
metered condominium unit shall be strictly prohibited.
I.
Effective January 1, 2020, the Borough will supply and install one-inch
meters, meter pits and assembly, including connections to the Borough's
water supply system, for all residential buildings or structures within
the Borough, including meter replacement. Any meters exceeding one
inch shall be the responsibility of the property owner at the property
owner's sole cost and expense and shall be installed by the property
owner within 90 days of notification from the Borough.
[Amended 4-27-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-04]
