[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Hempstead 2-17-1981 by L.L. No. 5-1981. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
All construction of water pipes and fixtures
shall conform to the Plumbing Code.
Upon authorization by the owner of the premises,
his lessee or authorized agent, prior to the installation of any pipes
or fixtures or the commencement of any work in regard to water service,
an application for water service shall be made to the Village Clerk
by a plumber licensed by the Village. The application shall set forth
a description of the number of taps and fixtures in the premises to
be served with water, the location of the property, the kind of business,
if any, to be conducted in the premises and such other information
as may be required. The application shall be accompanied by the fee
required by the Plumbing Code.
Upon authorization by the owner of the premises,
his lessee or authorized agent, a plumber licensed by the Village
shall make all excavations, lay all pipes and shall be responsible
to make all repairs and replacements from the tap to the mains in
the streets at the expense of the owner and shall be responsible for
any and all damages resulting to any person or property from defects
in the installation; and such installation, excavation and piping
shall be in conformity with the Plumbing Code.
A.
Generally. Taps will be made in accordance with the
Plumbing Code. Taps shall be made at the discretion of the Superintendent
of Public Works by either the Department of Public Works or a plumbing
contractor licensed by the Village of Hempstead, approved by the Board
of Trustees. Taps will be made at places as indicated by the Superintendent
of Public Works. The licensed plumber who files the original application
for water service shall give not less than 48 hours' notice to the
Superintendent of Public Works that the system is ready for tapping.
It shall be the duty of the owner of the premises to notify the Superintendent
of Public Works, in writing, upon the abandonment of any water connection.
[Amended 3-18-1986 by L.L. No. 3-1986]
B.
Fees. At the time of giving notice of the water connection,
the applicant shall pay to the Village Clerk such fees for tapping
as may be fixed by the Board of Trustees.
C.
New tap to replace existing line. No new taps shall
be made to the water main to connect with a service intended to replace
any existing service line unless such existing service line is properly
disconnected at its tap to the water main.
D.
Inspections. Before connecting any service line, the
premises shall be subject to inspection by the Superintendent of Public
Works and Superintendent of Building Department.
[Amended 5-7-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013]
Except for hydrants, standpipes and automatic
fire protection sprinkler systems, any water supplied by the Village
shall be measured by a water meter equipped with a wireless transmitter
unit, which shall be installed and maintained upon the premises wherein
the water is consumed at the expense of the owner or occupant, except
as otherwise set forth in this chapter. Said meter shall be of a type
and kind to be approved by the Village and shall be installed pursuant
to the Plumbing Code and shall be readily accessible for reading and
testing.
A.
Replacement and installation of meters one inch in size or less; nonmultiple residence. Any water meter up to and including one inch in size, except that servicing a multiple-family dwelling as defined by § 78-1 of this Code, that is new installation or a replacement of a meter which is deemed obsolete or beyond repair by the Village may be replaced and installed by the Village at its expense. Such meter shall be and remain the property of the Village. In the event that the Village elects not to install or replace such a meter, the responsibility for installation or replacement shall be upon the property owner or occupant, who shall proceed with such installation or replacement within 60 days of notice from the Village.
[Amended 10-2-2007 by L.L. No. 7-2007]
B.
Replacement and installation of meters two inches
in size or larger.
[Amended 10-2-2007 by L.L. No. 7-2007]
(1)
Any water meter two inches or larger or a water meter servicing a multiple-family dwelling, as defined by § 78-1 of this Code, shall be replaced and installed by the Village. The Village shall provide the meter and strainer, and the meter and strainer shall remain the property of the Village. The installation expense shall be charged to the property owner. Said cost shall be a lien upon the real property affected and the amount so assessed and levied shall be collected in the same manner as other taxes.
[Amended 5-7-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013]
(2)
Any water meter two inches or larger or a water meter servicing a multiple-family dwelling, as defined by § 78-1 of this Code, that is a new installation or is a replacement of a meter which is deemed obsolete or beyond repair by the Village shall be replaced and installed by the property owner, but the Village shall provide the meter and strainer to the owner, which meter and strainer shall remain the property of the Village. The installation of any meter pursuant to this subsection shall be done only by a licensed plumber in accordance with the provisions of the Plumbing Code. The aforementioned installation must be inspected by the Village of Hempstead to ensure it is working in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications upon completion.
C.
Meter installation. In the event that the Village
is desirous of replacing any meter, it shall cause written notice
to be served upon the property owner or occupant, advising of this
intention.
D.
It shall be the responsibility of the property owner
or occupant to cause any repairs to be made to the plumbing system
as may be indicated by the Village in its said notice or thereafter,
at the expense of the property owner or occupant and within the time
period set forth in said notice so that the plumbing system will be
in such condition as to accept the meter in good and working order.
Upon failure of the owner to make such repairs within the time period
set forth in such notice, the Village may do or cause to have done
such repairs and charge all costs to the owner of the premises.
[Amended 10-2-2007 by L.L. No. 7-2007]
E.
It shall be the further responsibility of the property owner or occupant to permit the appropriate Village representatives access to the premises for the purposes set forth in this chapter. Denial of access may subject the property owner or occupant to a penalty in accordance with § 1-16 of the Village Code.
[Amended 5-7-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013]
All meters shall be subject to inspection and
test by the Village at all reasonable times. The owner or occupant
of the premises may apply to the Village to test a meter, and such
test shall be made within a reasonable time, upon payment of a fee
as determined by the Village. The Village reserves the right to refuse
to make any test.
The property owner or occupant of any premises
containing a Village-owned meter which shall be stolen or damaged
as a result of the acts or omissions of said property owner or occupant
or any invitee or third party shall be responsible, in addition to
any other penalty provided by law, for the cost of repair of said
meter or furnishing and installation of any replacement meter if same
is necessary as determined by the Village.
A.
Permit requirements. The installation of any water
meter shall be by a licensed plumber, by written permit only, except
for those which are installed and owned by the Village, This permit,
in addition to showing the meter number, shall show the reading of
the meter in gallons and the date of installation.
B.
Inspection, approval. No water service shall be provided
to any premises wherein a new meter is installed until installation
of said meter shall have been certified by the Village to have been
done in accordance with the provisions of the Code of the Village.
[Amended 9-6-2007 by L.L. No. 4-2007]
It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper
with, alter, remove, reverse or break the seal on any water meter
or appurtenant equipment supplying water to any premises from a water
main or water service of the Village. Any unauthorized bypass opening
and/or breaking of seals will be billed three times the current rate
of water passed through the bypass meter.
[Amended 12-6-2011 by L.L. No. 9-2011]
All Village-owned meter and appurtenant equipment
shall be protected at all times by the property owner or occupant
of the premises by the exercise of due care. All meters, taps, plumbing
and appurtenant equipment in any premises shall be subject to inspection
by duly authorized representatives of the Village at any reasonable
time. It shall be the duty of the property owner or occupant of the
premises to give such inspectors access to the premises for such purpose,
and such property owner or occupant shall locate or relocate, at his
own expense, any water meter as directed by the Village if same is
determined to be inaccessible for purposes of reading and testing.
If a meter is missing from the premises, the owner will be billed
three times the last water bill issued to the premises.
A.
Duty of owner. Where any leak shall occur in service
lines or in premises served with water, after notice from the Village
the owner or occupant shall repair such leak, and upon failure of
the owner to repair the same within 24 hours, the Village may make
such repairs, and the expense of such repair and replacement shall
be charged to the owner of the premises where such leak occurs.
B.
Assessment of costs and expenses. Upon the Village
making repairs as herein before provided, the cost of such repairs
shall be a lien upon the real property affected and the amount so
assessed and levied shall be collected in the same manner as other
taxes.
Where water charges remain unpaid for a period
of 60 days after they have become due, by order of the Board of Trustees
water service may be shut off from the premises entirely, and service
thereafter shall not be furnished to said premises until all water
bills, penalties and interest shall have been fully paid. The Board
of Trustees may direct that the service line be disconnected, and
in that event there shall be added to such water bills and penalties
the costs incurred by the Department of Public Works in effecting
such disconnection.
[Amended 5-7-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013; 10-1-2013 by L.L. No.
10-2013]
The use of water in the course of construction of buildings, pavements, sidewalks and any use of water other than through private service lines shall require a hydrant rental meter and manifold from the Building Department of the Incorporated Village of Hempstead, pursuant to § 135-17 herein, subject to the approval of the water plant. The water plant may require the installation of a wet tap in accordance with Village Code § 100-10B, instead of hydrant use. If a wet tap is required, the water plant will require the applicant to fund a deposit based upon projected water usage and install a water meter. The amount of the deposit and the size and type of water meter will be determined by the water plant. However, any proposed building plan with a water service line two inches or greater shall not be permitted to use a hydrant rental meter and manifold. The rate for consumption will be at the water rate in place at the time of consumption.
Where sprinkler systems or fire hoses are installed
in any building for fire-fighting purposes, not connected through
a water meter, no person shall use or tap such systems for any other
purpose nor use any water through the pipes to such systems except
for testing equipment under the supervision of the Superintendent
of Public Works.
A.
Use restricted. No person except a member of the Fire
Department or of the Department of Public Works in the performance
of his duty shall turn on, open or tamper with any fire hydrant without
the written permission of the Superintendent of the Department of
Public Works.
B.
Valve and backflow prevention device required. When permits are filed for the use of water from hydrants, a rental hydrant meter manifold supplied from the Water Meter Department of the Incorporated Village of Hempstead shall be applied to the opening of the hydrant. A backflow prevention device secured through a plumbing permit shall be applied to the hydrant, and no water shall be used from such hydrant except with such valve and backflow device. Deposit and rental fees shall be four times the filing fee for the cost of the hydrant meter manifold set forth in Code § 100-10.
[Amended 8-6-1985 by L.L. No. 2-1985; 5-7-2013 by L.L. No.
4-2013]
C.
The permit and use of the hydrant meter manifold supplied from the Water Meter Department of the Incorporated Village of Hempstead will expire when the water bill reflects an expense of water consumption on the hydrant meter manifold which equates to 75% of the money deposited pursuant to § 135-17B herein. Prior to continuing the permit and use of the hydrant meter manifold, the water bill which equates to 75% of the money deposited pursuant to § 135-17B must be paid.
[Added 5-7-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This local law also provided for the
redesignation of former Subsection C as Subsection E.
D.
A hydrant meter manifold supplied by the Water Meter Department of
the Incorporated Village of Hempstead will consist of a hydrant valve,
meter, an approved backflow device, hydrant wrench, and stand. All
are to be returned and in good working order prior to returning deposits.
[Added 5-7-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013]
E.
Use of
wrench prohibited. Where permission is granted to use water from hydrants
as hereinabove provided, no stillson or pipe wrench shall be used
upon the valve of such hydrant or applied to any part thereof.
[Added 11-7-1984 by L.L. No. 9-1984]
A.
The Superintendent of the Building Department shall
have the right of entry to inspect or cause to be inspected the plumbing
in every building or premises using the Village water supply as frequently
as, in his judgment, may be necessary or as required by the New York
State Health Department to determine whether the plumbing has been
installed and maintained in such a manner as to prevent the possibility
of contamination by backflow or back pressure into the public water
supply. The Superintendent shall notify or cause to be notified in
writing the owner or authorized agent of the owner of any such building
or premises to correct, within a reasonable time set by the Superintendent,
any plumbing, installed or existing, contrary to or in violation of
this regulation and which, in his judgment, may, therefore, permit
the pollution of the Village water supply or otherwise adversely affect
the public health or water quality.
B.
The specific requirements shall be those of the State
of New York Health Department, State Sanitary Code, any guidelines
set forth by the New York State Health Department or any regulating
agency having jurisdiction, as well as the Village of Hempstead.
C.
All devices for backflow control shall be as approved
by the New York State Health Department.
D.
Installation, inspections and maintenance of all devices
shall be at the expense of the property owner.
E.
Installation of all devices shall be done by a plumber
licensed by the incorporated Village of Hempstead upon payment of
a permit fee according to the following schedule:
F.
Penalties for a violation. Upon a finding, by the
Superintendent, of a violation of this regulation, the owner or authorized
agent shall be required to pay a penalty for noncompliance pursuant
to Subsections (1) and (2) of this subsection. The Superintendent
shall then set a reasonable time for the owner to have the violation
removed or protected by installation of an approved backflow prevention
device. Upon failure of the owner to have the defect corrected by
the end of the specified time interval, the Superintendent may cause
the water service to the building or premises to be terminated or
recommend such additional action as he may deem appropriate, including
but not limited to code violation penalties as set forth in Subsection
(1) of this subsection.
[Amended 12-17-2002 by L.L. No. 8-2002; 5-7-2013 by L.L. No. 4-2013; 7-7-2020 by L.L. No. 3-2020]
(2)
An
annual backflow test must be completed, and the expense of the test
is the responsibility of the building owner or occupant. The Village
of Hempstead Water Meter Department or a private entity can test the
backflow device. If the Village of Hempstead Water Meter Department
conducts the test, the cost for the test will be determined by the
Village Board by resolution.
G.
Violation remedies. The Water Department, under the
direction of the Superintendent, reserves the right to discontinue
water service at the main or at the customer-owned curb stop in the
event that the property owner fails to make required adjustments in
plumbing to comply with these regulations.
H.
Actual cost incurred, which should include but not
be limited to the disconnection of the water service, or damage caused
by the operating of privately owned valves will be charged against
the property owner.
I.
Reconnection to the public water supply will not be
allowed until proper adjustments have been made and all bills and
penalties have been paid.
J.
Fire sprinkler and standpipe systems. The Superintendent
shall determine, after inspection, the extent of backflow prevention
required on all fire sprinkler and standpipe systems.
K.
Fire sprinkler systems in areas that are subject to
freezing temperatures and which utilize any type of antifreeze solution
shall be fitted with a reduced pressure backflow prevention device.
L.
Water service lines to any structure shall not be
subject to back pressure of any type, including but not limited to
the adding pressure by compressor, pump or kinetic energy device to
clear the service pipe of residue, debris or other blockage.
