A. 
This chapter shall apply to the City of Framingham and to persons outside Framingham who are users of Framingham's water services. These water regulations provide for use of the public water systems, measurement of water usage, equitable distribution of costs, control of cross-connections, emergency restrictions, and issuance of approvals, specifications and practices for infrastructure construction, and penalties and other procedures in cases of violation of these water regulations.
B. 
Except as otherwise provided herein, the Mayor, the Director, and/or designees, shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of these water regulations.
[Amended 4-5-2024]
A. 
A set of water regulations regulating the use of the public and private water system; the installation and connection of water systems; and the use of water into the public water facilities and providing penalties for violations thereof.
(1) 
The City of Framingham desires to ensure that the use of the public water system operated by it will conform to the best water resources engineering practices.
B. 
Pursuant to MGL c. 40, § 21(7); MGL c. 111, § 160 et seq.; MGL c. 40, §§ 31, 39A, 39E, 39I, and 42A, and the City of Framingham Department of Public Works' policies on payments, abatements, and deferrals, these water regulations hereby establish the requirements for the use of public water systems, private water systems, the installation and connection of water systems, and the use of water from the public water system, and provide penalties for violations thereof, in the City of Framingham, County of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
[Amended 4-5-2024]
C. 
These water regulations shall be consistent with all applicable state regulations.
The purpose of these water regulations is to provide for the maximum possible beneficial public use of Framingham's water facilities through regulation of construction and water use; to provide for equitable distribution of the costs to operate, maintain, and improve Framingham's water facilities; and to provide procedures for complying with the requirements contained herein.
The provisions of these water regulations are severable. If any provision of these water regulations or any specific application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications which can be given effect in the absence of the invalid provision or application.
Every user of the public water system or private water mains shall be subject to regulations of the City and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), as they apply, and to any charges, rates, fees and assessments which are or may be established by the City or the MWRA. Any user of the public water system or private water mains shall also be subject to applicable state and federal regulations. In instances where various regulations contain conflicting requirements, the most stringent requirements shall be met. In addition to these water regulations, the most recent standards of the American Water Works Association shall be adhered to.
The City reserves the right to amend these water regulations in any manner and to establish more stringent limitations or requirements as is deemed necessary or appropriate.
No provision of these water regulations shall be deemed to contravene or render ineffective any valid Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) regulation or Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations pursuant to MGL c. 111, §§ 159 through 174.
These water regulations and other activities related to the implementation of these water regulations require the submission of applications, certifications, and other information. Applications are available through the DPW and all requirements shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Framingham Department of Public Works (DPW) prior to the commencement of the activity. DPW approvals and applications are in addition to applications and permits that may be required by other federal, state, MWRA, and local laws or regulations.
A. 
The DPW may refuse to issue an approval for any use of the public water system which it believes can reasonably be expected to result in significant harm to health, safety, the environment, the DPW's water system, or a tributary to the DPW's water system.
B. 
The DPW shall enforce, pursuant to Article VIII of these water regulations and other applicable local, state, and federal laws, the terms and conditions of an approval issued under these water regulations.
C. 
The DPW may modify an approval as deemed necessary or appropriate or as required by state or federal law.
D. 
An applicant may request reconsideration of the terms and conditions in an issuance, renewal, or modification of an approval issued by the DPW, and an applicant may request reconsideration of the denial of an approval by the DPW, pursuant to Article VIII of these water regulations.
E. 
An approval shall not be assigned or transferred without prior written consent of the DPW. After consent of an assignment or transfer of an approval, the applicant shall provide a copy of the approval documentation to the assignee or transferee.
F. 
These water regulations shall not be construed to require the DPW to permit itself or those in its employ for activities done to carry out the DPW's responsibilities under any federal or state laws, regulations, or requirements.
G. 
All construction activities shall be subject of a plan review by the DPW. Upon completion of the construction, as-built plans, sketches, drawings, and other information shall be submitted to the DPW.
[Amended 4-5-2024]
All fees and charges payable under the provisions of these water regulations shall be computed in accordance with the schedule of rates on file with the Department. Such fees and charges shall be established by the Mayor and paid to the City of Framingham.