Pursuant to the New York State Constitution, the Village of
Bloomfield will not:
A. Enter private property to install or repair water mains or sewer
lines.
B. Maintain a private water or sewer connection under the roadway.
C. Pay a homeowner for damages incurred by reason of a ruptured water
main or sewer lateral, unless there is a legal basis for liability.
D. Expend funds to repair a drainage pipe on private property in a residential
area that will benefit only the residents of one street.
E. Install a storm sewer pipe on private property.
F. Reduce or "forgive" consumption from a water meter, unless said meter
is found to be defective.
G. Pay for the cost to test a water meter, unless the results of the
test confirm that the meter is defective.
Exceptions under Village Law § 11-1112 to the above-mentioned
prohibitions include:
A. Repair or replace water pipes or sewer lines on private property
where the property owner refuses such direction and to assess the
costs back against the private owner.
B. When an emergency occurs which endangers public health, safety and
welfare, work may be performed on private property but cannot be recouped
unless there is a previously adopted local law providing for this.
C. Repair a break in a private sewer line if it is seeping onto the
street.
When a resident makes a complaint about a water or sewer issue,
be it taste, odor, color, or other physical change, the complaint
will be written down on a complaint form and forwarded to the Supervisor
of Public Works. The DPW will make every effort to respond to the
complaint within one working day. If the concern is deemed a public
hazard, the Mayor will be notified and proper procedures will be followed
to report to the residents of the Village, the New York State Department
of Health and/or the media. A record of all complaints will be kept
on file with the DPW and reported periodically and at least annually
to the Village Board.