A.
Types of individual connections and services. Following are the types of individual connections anticipated within the Township's system:
(1)
Resumption of service through an existing building water service and house connection (including change of ownership or type of service).
(2)
Installation of a new building water service from a structure to an existing house connection on the Township's system.
(3)
A new building water service and a new house connection tapping into the Township's system.
B.
Permits and applications (Forms D-1 through D-5).
(1)
All single-family residential domestic connections to the Township's system, whether using existing or new facilities, must submit Form D-1, "Application for Single-Family Residential Water Service to the Township of Allamuchy Water System."
(2)
For all multifamily residential, commercial, and industrial domestic connections to the Township's system, whether for existing or new facilities, an application must be submitted on Form D-2, entitled "Application for Multifamily, Commercial, and Industrial Domestic Water Service," together with detailed plumbing plans and supporting data as may be required by the Township Engineer.
(3)
For all process, industrial, other non-domestic and fire protection system connections, whether for existing or new facilities, an application must be submitted on Form D-3, entitled "Application and Agreement for All Nondomestic and Fire Water Services," together with detailed plans and supporting data as may be required by the Township Engineer.
(4)
Applications must be signed by the property owner and the customer requesting service, with both parties accepting financial and legal responsibility for the connection and its use. The accepted application will constitute a contract between the Township and the applicant(s), obligating the applicant(s) to pay the Township's established rates, and to comply with the Township's Rules and Regulations.
(5)
All applications must receive the approval of the Township before the installation is started. All installations must be inspected and receive the approval of the Township before service is furnished.
(6)
An "Application for Change of Use of Existing Water Service," Form D-4, must be made upon any change in service from that described in the original application or upon any change in ownership of a commercial or industrial property. The new customer shall be responsible for making application for approval by the Township, before water service is received or continued. There will be no charge for filing applications for change in type of service, unless special review or analysis is required.
(7)
Applications for new construction shall be accompanied by two sets of plans prepared by a licensed plumber, architect or engineer, showing the proposed line from the structure to the Township main or the location of the existing line to be used. Plans must include building floor elevation (USGS Datum). Upon completion of installation a certified as-built plan of the water service shall be provided to the Township.
(8)
The applicant must obtain and file permits for openings in state, county, Township and private roads and easements as required. The applicant must pay all fees, provide bonds or deposits, insurance and meet all traffic and safety requirements.
(9)
No applications for service will be accepted by the Township until the applicant has paid, or made satisfactory arrangements to pay, all arrears or charges at the subject premises, or due by the applicant at any premises now or heretofore occupied by him.
(10)
Application for new service connections will be accepted subject to there being existing mains in streets or right-of-way abutting the premises to be served, and subject to there being sufficient capacity available.
(11)
When a property owner has made application for a new service, or has applied for the reinstatement of an existing service, it shall be presumed that the piping and fixtures on the applicant's premises are in good condition. The Township will not be liable, in any event, for any accident, breaks, or leakage arising in any way in connection with the pipes or fixtures of the customer, nor for any damage to the property which may result from the usage thereof.
(12)
Building water service piping is under the jurisdiction of the Township and the Township Plumbing Inspector. Written approval of the Plumbing Inspector or a certificate of occupancy will be required before the Township will accept connection to its mains.
C.
Township responsibility. New connections to existing water mains will be at the expense of the applicant, including tapping (if approved by the Township), fittings, pipe, labor and related materials. Such new connections will become the property of the Township between the water main in the street or easement and the curb stop closest to the water main (service connection). The customer/property owner will be responsible for maintenance of the connection from the building to the curb stop closest to the main in the street or easement and after inspection and approval by a representative of the Township together with the Township Plumbing Inspector (building connection).
D.
Size and kind of building service or house connection.
(1)
The Township reserves the right to determine the size and kind of service connection from the main to the curb stop, from the curb stop to the structure to be served, or from the main in the right-of-way or easement to the structure to be served. The materials, location and installation procedures shall conform to the latest "Specifications for Water System Construction" on file at the Township office, or to the requirements of the Township's Engineer. A curb stop is required behind the curb or at an approved location on each house connection, as per standard Township details.
(2)
That portion of the building service, house connection and curb stop installed and maintained by the owner shall be installed in accordance with the Township Plumbing Code and the Township specifications, and shall be inspected and approved by the Township Plumbing Inspector and the Department Inspector prior to backfilling the trench. Any construction not approved shall be immediately removed and reconstructed in an approved manner.
E.
Building service connection location.
(1)
No building service connection shall be laid within five feet of any gas pipe, sewer lateral or any other facility of any public utility company, nor within five feet of any open excavation, vault or meter pit; nor shall the location be under any sidewalk or driveway unless approved by the Township Engineer and the Township's licensed operator. All building service connections shall be installed within the limits of the customer's property and a minimum of three feet from any property line(s) or building walls. Landscaping shall be located so as to minimize root obstruction, and in no event shall trees be placed within five feet of any building service connection.
(2)
Installation of building service connection shall be in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal requirements and regulations.
F.
Maintenance by customer.
(1)
All building connections, meters, individual pressure regulators and fixtures furnished by the customer or the Township shall be maintained by the customer in good order, and all piping and connections furnished and owned by the Township and on the property of the customer shall be protected properly and cared for by the customer. All leaks in the building connection, or other pipe or fixture in or upon the premises served must be repaired immediately by the customer or occupant of the premises. The customer shall be responsible for notifying the Township of the party engaged by said customer to do any maintenance work on the customer's building connection, prior to work being commenced, and said party shall not backfill any trench until the work has been inspected and approved by the Township's representative. Any work not acceptable shall be immediately removed and replaced by work which is acceptable.
(2)
The Township shall in no way be responsible for maintaining any portion of the building connection owned by the customer, or for damage done by water escaping therefrom; or for lines or fixtures on the customer's property; and the customer shall at all times comply with the applicable municipal regulations with respect thereto, and make changes therein, required by relocation of mains or otherwise.
H.
Property served by single building water service connection. A building water service connection from the main to a property, shall not serve more than one building unless otherwise approved. Upon proper application of the owner, a property may be served by two or more building water service connections, each of which, for billing purposes, may be considered as being one customer account.
I.
Single building service with two or more customers. Where two or more customers are now served through a single building water service connection, when any violation of the Rules and Regulations of the Township occurs with respect to either customer, and said violation is not corrected after reasonable notice, the Township may take such action against both customers. However, such action will not be taken until the customer who has not violated the Township's Rules and Regulations has been given a reasonable opportunity to connect his pipe to a separately controlled building water service connection.
J.
Policy on blockages and repairs.
(1)
Following is the policy of the Township with regard to procedures for repairs of building service and house connections to the Township's system due to a stoppage or failure:
(2)
If the work is performed by the Township and it is found that the problem has been caused by the customer, then all costs shall be borne by the customer, including the costs of labor of any Township personnel or contractors and costs of equipment and materials provided by the Township or contractors, and shall be paid promptly by the customer to the Township. If not paid promptly, the amount of said costs shall be added to the next water bill submitted to the customer.
(3)
Under no circumstances shall the Township be responsible for damage to furnishings or house or building interiors.
K.
Unauthorized connection. No person(s) shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any public water main, service connection or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the Township.
L.
Water meters.
(1)
Meters required. All premises using the Township water supply must be equipped with an adequate water meter furnished by the Township. Meters shall remain the property of the Township, and all meters will be at all times under Township control.
(2)
Installation. The meter shall be installed in a location that affords adequate protection against damage and which shall be easily accessible for reading and maintenance purposes.
(3)
Failure of meter. Failure of a meter to register properly shall be reported immediately to the Water Department. Charges for water consumed during the period of failure shall be computed on the basis of the average consumption over a reasonable period prior to such failure. Meters shall be sealed by the Water Department, and no one, except an authorized employee of the Department, shall break or injure such seal.
(4)
Reading meters. The Supervisor of the Department, in each quarter of each year, shall read or cause to be read every water meter belonging to the Township in order that bills may be sent out to the consumers at the proper time.
(5)
Testing meters. Any Township water meter shall be taken out and tested upon complaint of the consumer upon payment of a fee in the amount of $75. If, upon test, the meter is not within 3% of being accurate, it shall be repaired or replaced, and the fee shall be returned to the consumer.
(6)
The Township shall re-read a meter if requested by a consumer. The re-read shall be performed upon payment of a fee in the amount of $25. The consumer must provide at least 72 hours' notice prior to a re-read being performed.