[Adopted 8-28-1995 by L.L. No. 2-1995]
[Amended 2-21-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
Applications for water service shall be made by the property owner or their authorized representative. The fee for the tapping of the water main and for the extension of the service pipe to the applicant' s property line shall be paid at the time of filing the application. (Refer to the Village of Colonie fee schedule[1] for specific fees.)
[1]
Editor's Note: The fee schedule is on file in the Village offices.
[Amended 2-21-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
A. 
All water main extensions which are to become Village of Colonie property, within the Village of Colonie, shall be designed and inspected by the Village Engineer. All applicable costs and related fees shall be paid for by the applicant.
B. 
All water main extensions which are to remain privately owned and maintained shall be subject to the review of the Village Engineer and be approved by the Latham Water District, Albany County Health Department and/or New York State Department of Health. All applicable requirements for design and installation shall be maintained as if the system were to become publicly owned. All applicable costs and related fees shall be paid for by the applicant.
C. 
Pressure and leakage testing and chlorination shall be performed and accepted in accordance with the requirements of the Village of Colonie, the Latham Water District and the Albany County Health Department.
D. 
All taps and connections to the main will be made by the Village for one-inch and smaller connections at the fees as set by resolution of the Board of Trustees from time to time. All taps for connections larger than one inch will be made by the customer at their expense under Village supervision. A fee is required for supervision. This fee is set by resolution of the Board of Trustees from time to time.
E. 
All taps and connections to new water mains or distribution pipes shall be made simultaneously with the installation of said main or distribution pipe either by the Village or by the installer at his expense as authorized and under the supervision of the Department of Public Works. All water taps, corporation stops, laterals, curb stops and valve boxes shall be of such size, design and material and shall be installed in such manner as the Superintendent of Public Works of the Village of Colonie or his designee shall require. Standard details of taps and corporation stops are available in the Department of Public Works office. The installer of laterals shall mark the location of each curb stop with a sawed timber not less than two by four (2 x 4) inches extending from the elevation of the curb stop to a distance two feet above finished grade. All such laterals shall be chlorinated in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Department of Health.
[Amended 5-20-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2019; 2-21-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
All service connections to the main, including the portion installed by the customer from their property line to their premises, shall be not smaller than three-fourths-inch, Type K, copper tubing with soldered joints or compression fittings or plastic potable water rated tubing, up to and including two-inch connections. Connections of over two inches shall be of ductile iron, Class 52. All service pipes/mains within state and/or county highways, from the corporation stop at the main tap to and including the house service connection within the premises being served, shall be owned and maintained by the customer (owner).
[Amended 5-20-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2019; 2-21-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
A. 
Water service will only be provided through a meter which has been installed or approved by the Village.
B. 
In general, there will be one water meter per customer. A separate water meter will be required for each detached single-family dwelling and for each attached single-family dwelling. Only one meter is to be installed for each mobile home park.
C. 
The Village will furnish and install all meters up to and including one inch. Larger sizes will be provided and installed by the customer at the customer's expense and shall be of a size, type and make approved by the Village.
D. 
The Village will maintain, repair and test, when necessary, all meters installed by the Village. On meters larger than one inch, all replacement, repairs and testing shall be done by or at the expense of the customer. In case of any questions as to maintenance, repairs or testing, the decision of the Village of Colonie will be final.
E. 
If a meter furnished by the Village has to be replaced for any cause which, in the judgment of the Superintendent of Public Works, was the result of any violation of these rules or of any act or omission by the customer, the customer will be charged a fee as set by resolution of the Board of Trustees, from time to time, for the replacement of up to one-inch meter.
[Amended 2-21-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
A. 
The customer shall install a shutoff valve on both sides of the meter and leave sufficient space for the meter. Meter connections have male threads, and plumbing must be so as to receive the meter. A thirteen-inch space in a horizontal dimension shall be provided for a one-inch meter. The Village will maintain all meters, up to and including one-inch size, insofar as ordinary wear and tear are concerned. However, in case of damage by freezing, hot water or external damage, the customer shall be liable for the cost of replacement. The Village recommends the installation of suitable equipment properly located and installed to prevent backflow of hot water which may cause damage to the meter or damage to the customer's plumbing. Standard details for meter pits are available in the Department of Public Works office.
B. 
No person shall remove or tamper with a water meter installed or authorized by the Village without authorization by the Village or cause the flow of water from the main to the meter to bypass the meter. There shall be no plumbing fixtures, water softeners, etc., tied into the supply line before the meter, with the exception of one hand valve to facilitate the replacement of a meter.
The customer shall provide a place suitable to the Village for the location of the meter (and remote reading device, when and if required by the Village). Meters (and remote reading devices) shall be accessible for inspection and reading by the Village's authorized representative at any reasonable hour.
A. 
The Village reserves the right to remove and test its meters in accordance with the prevailing rules of the Village of Colonie. In case of a disputed account involving the accuracy of a meter, the Village will test the water meter upon the request of a customer. A fee, payable in advance of the test, is required. This fee is as set by resolution of the Board of Trustees, from time to time.
B. 
For water meters one inch and over, the owner, with authorization from the Village of Colonie, may remove the meter under Village supervision and have it tested at a Village-approved facility at his own expense. A fee is required for supervision. This fee is set by resolution of the Board of Trustees from time to time.
C. 
In the event that a meter is found to over-register in excess of 2% at any flow within the normal test flow limits, the fee will be returned to the customer; otherwise, it will be retained by the Village.
A. 
The reading of a duly installed meter showing the amount of water consumed shall be used for all billing purposes, except where it appears that the meter has ceased to register or has registered inaccurately.
B. 
In cases where it is found that a meter has ceased to register or has registered inaccurately and the percentage of inaccuracy cannot be determined by reasonable test, an estimated bill for the billing period may be rendered the customer. This estimated bill will be based upon the amount of water consumed in the corresponding period in prior years, except where it appears that there has been a change in the occupancy of the premises or in the use of water, in which case an equitable adjustment shall be made.
The customer shall notify the Village, in writing, of any change in ownership. No changes on addresses of bills will be made by the Village unless due notice has been given the Village prior to the mailing of a bill.
All water bills, including previous fines and/or penalties, are payable as stated on the bills. If payment is not made within the stated time by customers within the Village, such bills will become a lien upon the property of the owner.
[Amended 2-21-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
Any customer (owner) may discontinue water service or may have discontinued service restored by giving the Village written notice not less than 24 hours prior to the date of discontinuance or restoration. Discontinuance may be accomplished either by closing the shutoff valve or by disconnecting and removing the meter; the method is at the option of the customer unless the Superintendent of Public Works requires disconnection for safety reasons. The fee for either discontinuing or restoring the service is as set forth by resolution of the Board of Trustees from time to time. All liabilities for the service charges incurred after the discontinuance date shall cease.
The Village undertakes to use reasonable care and diligence to provide a constant supply of water at a reasonable pressure but reserves the right, at any time, after due notice (unless an emergency occurs), to shut off the water in its mains for the purpose of making repairs and extensions.
[Amended 2-21-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
A. 
Water service may be discontinued for any of the following reasons:
(1) 
The use of water other than that represented in the application or through branch connections on the street side of the meter or place reserved therefor.
(2) 
The willful waste of water through improper and imperfect pipes or by any other means.
(3) 
The tampering of any service pipe, seal or meter or any other appliance owned or authorized by the Village.
(4) 
The cross-connecting of pipes carrying water supplied by the Village with any apparatus which may endanger the quality of the water supply.
(5) 
The refusal of reasonable access to the property for the purpose of inspecting or for reading or repairing, testing or removal of a meter.
(6) 
The failure to pay water charges after 45 days' written notice, in the case of nonresident consumers.
B. 
Restoration of service charge. When water service has been discontinued for violation of these rules and service is again desired by the same customer, a charge as set forth by resolution of the Board of Trustees, from time to time, will be made for a reconnection.
[Amended 2-21-2023 by L.L. No. 1-2023]
A. 
No person shall open or interfere with or draw water from any fire hydrant without permission from the Superintendent of Public Works of the Village of Colonie or from the Fire Chief in the event of a fire or fire drill. Violation of this subsection will incur a fine not to exceed $250 per occurrence.
B. 
Anyone who wishes to take water from a fire hydrant on a temporary basis may apply for a use permit from the Superintendent of Public Works. The usage rate shall be twice that of the current usage rate, subject to a minimum charge to be established by the Board of Trustees from time to time (see the Village of Colonie fee schedule[1]).
[1]
Editor's Note: The fee schedule is on file in the Village offices.
C. 
No person shall park any automobile, trailer, etc., or plow snow or place any materials, including trees, shrubs, fences, etc., so as to obstruct any fire hydrant for service, repair, maintenance or usage of said hydrant. There is a fine of $50 for each occurrence; repeat offenders may be fined $250.
There may be times when, in the opinion of the Village, it may be necessary to restrict the use of this service to definite periods or to prohibit it entirely. In this event, all customers will be notified by public notice pursuant to Village local law.
No lawn sprinkler and/or irrigation systems shall be placed without permit approval from the Superintendent of Public Works.
A. 
Prior to issuance of said permit, the applicant shall furnish to the Superintendent of Public Works a layout of the proposed system showing the location of the connection to the house services and all branch piping, sprinkler heads, cross-connection control devices, etc.
B. 
Inspection. Prior to any backfilling over the system, the Superintendent of Public Works or his designee shall inspect the completed system. Any deficiencies noted in the inspection shall be corrected and reinspected as noted.
C. 
No sprinkler heads shall be located within the Village street right-of-way. The Village of Colonie assumes no liability for any damage caused to such sprinkler heads which may be located within said street right-of-way.
[Added 5-27-2003 by L.L. No. 7-2003]