[Ord. #13-1588; amended 9-5-2023 by Ord. No. 23-1810]
a.
It is hereby determined and declared to be necessary and conducive
to the protection of the public health, safety, welfare and convenience
of the Township to collect charges from all users who contribute wastewater
to the Stony Brook treatment works. The proceeds of such charges so
derived will be used for the purpose of operating and maintaining
the public wastewater treatment works.
c.
For the years 2023 (fourth quarter only) and 2024 (all four quarters)
there will be a high flow surcharge of $85 per quarter.
d.
Sewer Service Billing. Sewer service bills shall be rendered quarterly.
The amount charged shall be due on the date indicated on the bill.
Interest will be charged on any overdue balance at the rate of 8%
per annum on balances of $1,500 or less and 18% per annum on balances
greater than $1,500. In the event that sewer bills are not duly paid
as provided for herein, the amounts due shall be forwarded to the
collector of taxes for the Township of Hopewell. All delinquent unpaid
sewer bills shall become a lien upon the premises served until paid;
the Township shall have the same remedy for the collection thereof
together with legal interest, costs and penalties as presently permitted
under the laws of the State of New Jersey.
[1]
Editor's Note: Prior ordinance history includes portions of
Ordinance Nos. 755-88, 786-88, 90-850, 91-878, 93-947, 94-968, 94-974,
94-983, 95-1020, 96-1039, 97-1069, 98-1108, 98-1109, 99-1138, 00-1141,
00-1173, 01-1213, 02-1225, 04-1309, 04-1310, 04-1316, 13-1573 and
13-1574.
[Ord. #13-1588; Ord. No. 2016-1631]
a.
It is hereby determined and declared to be necessary and conducive
to the protection of the public health, safety, welfare and convenience
of the township to collect charges from all users who contribute wastewater
to the ELSA treatment works. The proceeds of such charges so derived
will be used for the purpose of operating and maintaining the public
wastewater treatment works.
b.
There is hereby created the Ewing Lawrence Sewer Utility of the Township
of Hopewell. The Ewing Lawrence Sewer Utility is created pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 40:62-106, N.J.S.A. 40:62-47 et seq. and N.J.S.A. 40:63-1
et seq., and shall have all the powers, rights and obligations as
provided for in the New Jersey Statutes. The Ewing Lawrence Sewer
Utility shall consist of the township committee and such other township
employees as may be designated by the governing body to operate and
maintain said utility in accordance with the rules and regulations
hereinafter adopted.
c.
Sewer Service Fees.
1.
Metered Premises. The charge for sewerage disposal services provided
to the systems' users shall be based upon the water consumed on the
users' premises as measured by a meter for this purpose. In the absence
of water meters, users shall pay the fee specified in paragraph 2
of this subsection.
(a)
Users may obtain an additional meter to measure water used for outside purposes, such as sprinkler systems, swimming pools, etc., which does not flow into the sanitary sewer (also see subsection 19-1.3e). Users may receive a deduction from their quarterly water consumption for the amount of water measured by the additional meter.
(b)
All discrepancies with measurement of water used by the secondary
meter shall be reconciled by the Municipal Engineer using all scientific
means available to determine actual amounts of water used. In the
event it is certified by the Municipal Engineer that there is not
a reasonable basis to determine water used by scientific means, then
the Municipal Engineer is authorized to adjust the measurement based
upon a five year average of historic usage of the secondary meter
for the property. When five years of data for the secondary meter
does not exist, then the average shall be based upon a minimum of
two years. There shall be no adjustment for discrepancies when less
than two years of secondary meter data exists.
(c)
When a secondary meter has been found defective it shall be replaced pursuant to subsection 19-1.3e. During the replacement period (30 days maximum) water used shall be determined based upon historic data as set forth in 19-1.2c1(b). When less than two years of data is available the Municipal Engineer shall provide an estimate during the replacement period.
2.
Non-Metered Premises. Charges for sewer service for premises without
water meters shall be based upon an estimated annual water consumption.
The estimated water consumption shall be 85% of the calculated wastewater
flow based upon the NJDEP's Treatment Works Application wastewater
calculation.
3.
Rate. The user rate shall be a uniform charge, which shall include
operation, maintenance and replacement costs, administrative expenses,
debt service and any additional contract charges required by the agreement
with the Township of Ewing or ELSA.
|
Price Per 1,000 Gallons
| |
|---|---|
|
ELSA/Ewing-Treatment*
| |
|
Operations, Maintenance and Replacement Charges/Costs
and Ewing Contract Charge
|
$9.98
|
|
*As per contractual agreement
|
|
Price Per 1,000 Gallons
| |
|---|---|
|
Hopewell
| |
|
Administrative/O&M
|
$1.20
|
|
Debt Service
|
$0.23
|
|
Total Unit Charge per 1,000 Gallons:
|
$11.41
|
4.
Sewer Service Billing. Sewer service bills shall be rendered quarterly.
The amount charged shall be due on the date indicated on the bill.
Interest will be charged on any overdue balance at the rate of 8%
per annum on balances of $1,500 or less and 18% per annum on balances
greater than $1,500. In the event that sewer bills are not duly paid
as provided for herein, the amounts due shall be forwarded to the
collector of taxes for the Township of Hopewell. All delinquent unpaid
sewer bills shall become a lien upon the premises served until paid;
the township shall have the same remedy for the collection thereof
together with legal interest, costs and penalties as presently permitted
under the laws of the State of New Jersey.
[Ord. #13-1588; Ord. No. 2016-1631]
a.
Sump Pumps and Storm Drainage Collectors. No person shall connect
any sump pump or storm drainage collectors to a sewer line. This includes,
but is not limited to roof drains, leaders, gutters, stormwater detention
ponds or tanks. The record title owner shall be responsible under
this subsection and shall be presumed to have caused any such connection.
b.
Infiltration into Sewer System. No person shall permit, allow, or
suffer or cause the infiltration of water or any other substance which
is not normal sewage into the sewer system. The record title owner
shall be responsible under this subsection and shall be presumed to
have caused any such connection.
c.
Sewer Connections, Extensions and/or Additions. No person shall be
permitted to connect to any public sewer system, or to perform any
extension or addition to an existing sewer connection, except through
and with the approval of the Hopewell Township Committee, provided
such Hopewell Township Committee approval is required or permitted
pursuant to applicable law, regulations, rules or water quality management
plan for the connection, extension or addition to or of a public sewer
system, which approval must be received through the affirmative vote
of not less than two-thirds of the full membership thereof.
d.
Powers and Authority of the Township. Duly authorized employees or
officials of the township bearing proper credentials and identification
shall be permitted to enter any and all properties for the purposes
of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing in accordance
with the provisions of this section.
e.
Additional Meters. Additional meters installed in accordance with subsection 19-1.2c1 shall be of the make and model prescribed by the Township. All installation shall be approved by the Township and the costs of purchasing the meter, installing the meter, all construction permit fees, and maintaining the meter in good working condition is the sole responsibility of the user. The owner shall monitor the secondary meter and replace any defective meter within 30 days. Hopewell Township reserves the right to declare the secondary meter defective for any reason. Upon receipt of notice from Hopewell Township that the secondary meter is defective then the owner shall replace the defective meter within 30 days of receipt of notice from the Township.
f.
Waiver of Prosecution Upon Finding of Special Need. Whenever the
township committee finds that the public health, safety or welfare
requires prompt and efficient access to properties for the purpose
of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and testing; and
further finds that this need outweighs the municipality's interest
in collecting a fine or imposing a penalty for a violation of this
subsection, the township committee may authorize a period of general
amnesty, during which the municipality shall suspend the imposition
of fines and penalties and waive prosecution of all persons found
during the amnesty period to have violated the terms of this subsection.
Authorization of a period of general amnesty must be by resolution
of the governing body after an advertised public hearing, and any
general amnesty so authorized must be limited to a period not to exceed
60 days.
[Ord. #13-1588]
a.
No person shall discharge, deposit or cause or allow to be discharged
or deposited:
1.
Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, mineral oil or other flammable
or explosive liquid, solid or gas.
2.
Any waters containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids or gases
in sufficient quantity, either singularly or by interaction with other
wastes, to injure or interfere with any wastewater treatment process,
to constitute a hazard to humans or animals, create a public nuisance
or create any hazard in the receiving waters of the wastewater treatment
plant.
3.
Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5 or higher than 9.5
or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or
hazard to structures, equipment and personnel of the wastewater system.
4.
Solid or viscous substances in quantities or of such size capable
of causing obstruction to the flow in sewers or other interference
with the proper operation of the wastewater facilities, such as but
not limited to ashes, bones, cinders, sand, mud, straw, shavings,
metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, whole blood, paunch
manure, hair and fleshings, entrails and paper dishes, cups or milk
containers, etc.
5.
Any unpolluted waters, such as stormwater, groundwater, roof runoff,
subsurface drainage or cooling water.
6.
Any waters or waste containing an odor-producing substance which,
either singularly or by interaction with other waste, is capable of
creating a public nuisance or hazard to life or which prevents entry
into sewers for their inspection, maintenance and repair.
7.
Quantities of flow, concentrations, or both, which constitute a slug.
8.
Any water or wastes which, by interaction with other water or wastes
in the public sewer system, release obnoxious gases, develop color
of undesirable intensity, form suspended solids which interfere with
the collection system, or create a condition deleterious to structures
and treatment processes.
9.
Any wastes containing viable pathogenic bacteria other than those
normal to domestic sewage.
10.
Any waste containing grease or oil that will solidify or become viscous
at temperatures between 32° Fahrenheit and 150° Fahrenheit.
11.
Any wastewater with objectionable color not removed in the treatment
process, such as but not limited to dye wastes, de-inking wastes and
vegetable tanning solutions.
[Ord. #13-1588]
Revenue realized from sewer charges shall be dedicated to purposes
normally associated with the operation of a sewerage system, including,
but not limited to, operations, maintenance, repair, debt service
and offset of future revenue requirements.
[Ord. #13-1588]
a.
The township will review the user charges at least annually and revise
the rates as necessary to ensure that adequate revenues are generated
to pay the costs of operation and maintenance including replacement
and that the system continues to provide for the proportional distribution
of operation and maintenance including replacement costs among users
and user classes.
b.
The township will notify each user at least annually of the rate
being charged for operation and maintenance including replacement
of the treatment works.
[Added 11-23-2020 by Ord. No. 20-1735]
a.
All public sanitary sewer collection systems owned and under the
jurisdiction of the Township of Hopewell shall conform to the standard
construction specifications and details established by the Township
for the construction of new or alteration of existing collection systems.
b.
Standard requirements for the construction or alteration of public
sanitary sewer collection systems owned and under the jurisdiction
of the Township of Hopewell shall conform to the "Sanitary Sewer Standards
and Construction Details in the Township of Hopewell," dated October
2020, or latest edition as prepared by the Township Engineer, which
is incorporated herein by reference and available through the Office
of the Township Engineer.
c.
Public sanitary sewer collection systems that are located within
the Township and are owned or under the jurisdiction of private developments,
homeowners' associations or regional sewage authorities are not required
to conform to the standards established herein by reference.
d.
Individual sewage disposal systems located on private property are
not required to conform to the standards established herein by reference.
[Ord. #00-1141, § 2]
There is hereby created a water utility of the township. Said
utility is created pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:62-47 et seq. and N.J.S.A.
40:63-1 et seq., and said utility shall have all the powers, rights
and obligations as provided for in the New Jersey Statutes. Said utility
shall consist of the township committee and such other township employees
as may be designated by the governing body to operate and maintain
said utility in accordance with the rules and regulations hereinafter
adopted.
[Ord. #00-1141, § 2; Ord. #12-1561]
The water service fee shall be payable in quarterly installments
due and owing on January 10th, April 10th, July 10th and October 10th,
respectively. Payment must be made before the last business day of
the billing month. Interest will be charged on any overdue balance
at the maximum rate allowed under N.J.S.A. 54-5:67c until the account
is brought current. Interest will be charged back to the date the
fee became due and owing. In the event that water bills are not duly
paid as provided for herein, the amounts shall be forwarded to the
Collector of Taxes for the Township of Hopewell. All delinquent unpaid
water bills shall become a lien upon the premises served until paid
and the Township shall have the same remedy for the collection thereof
together with legal interest, costs and penalties as presently permitted
under the laws of the State of New Jersey. The minimum charge for
consumption of up to 6,000 gallons per quarter shall be $75 in each
quarter. For amounts over 6,000 gallons in a quarter, the following
schedule shall apply:
|
K/Q*
|
$/gallon
|
|---|---|
|
6,001 to 9,000
|
0.0120
|
|
9,001 to 12,000
|
0.0130
|
|
12,001 to 15,000
|
0.0140
|
|
15,001 to 18,000
|
0.0150
|
|
18,001 to 21,000
|
0.0160
|
|
21,001 to 24,000
|
0.0180
|
|
24,001 to 27,000
|
0.0200
|
|
27,001 to 30,000
|
0.0220
|
|
30,001 to 35,000
|
0.0240
|
|
More than 35,000
|
0.0260
|
|
*K - 1,000 gal
|
|
Q - quarterly
|
[Ord. #00-1141, § 2]
Water meters will be read quarterly by the utility and owners
will be billed accordingly. The owner shall allow access to the premises
for reading of the meter, if necessary. In the event that the meter
reader cannot gain access to the premises, a quantity of water consumed
during the period shall be estimated by the utility. All accounts
will be billed for the amount of water used during the quarterly period,
with a minimum charge for water used, at the rates and charges herein
indicated.
Water bills shall be rendered quarterly. The amount charged
shall be due on the date indicated on the bill. Interest will be charged
on any overdue balance at the rate of 8% per annum on balances of
$1,500 or less and 18% per annum on balances greater than $1,500.
In the event water bills are not duly paid as provided for herein,
the amounts due shall be forwarded to the collector of taxes for the
Township of Hopewell. All delinquent unpaid water bills shall become
a lien upon the premises served until paid; the township shall have
the same remedy for the collection thereof together with legal interest,
costs and penalties as presently permitted under the laws of the State
of New Jersey.
[Ord. #00-1141, § 2]
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by any duly
authorized agent or employee of Hopewell Township. Any person found
guilty of a violation of this chapter shall be liable to a penalty
of a maximum of $1,000 and/or six months imprisonment. Additionally,
the township may take such other action deemed necessary to halt or
restrain such violations.
