In the event of failure to pay the sewage charges, fees and
miscellaneous charges, the Township shall have the right to institute
water shut-off procedures in accordance with the Water Services Act,
53 P.S. § 3102.501 et seq., as may be amended.
If the owner or occupant of a premises served by a water utility
neglects or fails to pay for a period of at least 30 days from the
due date, a rental or charge for sewer, sewerage or sewage treatment
service imposed by the Township, the water utility at the request
and direction of the Township, shall shut off the supply of water
to the premises until all overdue rentals, rates, charges and associated
penalties and interest are paid, including any charge for turning
off or restoring water service. The fees and charges for water shut-off
procedures shall be set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
Ten days written notice of intention to shut off the water supply
has been posted at a main entrance and mailed to the person liable
for payment of the rentals and charges and the owner of the property;
If during the ten-day period the person liable for payment of the
rentals and charges delivers to the Township or to the water utility
supplying water to the premises a written statement under oath or
affirmation averring that there is a just defense to all or part of
the claim and that the statement was not executed for the purpose
of delay, the water supply shall not be shut off until the claim has
been judicially determined.
Prior to discontinuing service in a residential building as defined
under the act of November 26, 1978 (P.L. 1255, No. 299) known as the
Utility Service Tenants Rights Act,[1] the water utility shall comply with the provisions of
that Act.
In no case shall the water supply be shut off if the occupant of the premises has produced a medical certification by a physician to be seriously ill or affected with a medical condition which will be aggravated by a cessation of water service or failure to restore water service, as provided for and in accordance with the emergency provisions of 52 Pa. Code Chapter 56.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize a water utility
or the Township to shut off or deny water to a lessee for failure
of a previous lessee to pay a water or sewer service rate.