[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Bradford as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 6-11-1974 by Ord. No. 2956]
A. 
Copies of the schedule of water rates and charges established by formal action of City Council and of the rules and regulations governing the operations of the Bradford City Water Authority are open to inspection at the City Hall, 24 Kennedy Street, Bradford, Pennsylvania.
B. 
These rules and regulations, which have been adopted by the City, are a part of the contract with every person, corporation, company or political subdivision who or which desires water service, and they, by signing for the service, agree to be bound thereby and should understand that the water supply will be furnished subject to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection rules and regulations.
Any property owner desiring water service must make application on the form furnished by the Bradford City Water Authority; said form may be signed by the owner or his authorized agent. All applications made for a service connection and meter outside of the limits of the City of Bradford must be approved or disapproved by councilmanic action.
A. 
The prospective customer or the duly authorized agent thereof will make signed application for water service upon the Bradford City Water Authority's printed form provided therefor, and if approved by the Bradford City Water Authority, water will be supplied in conformity with the class, scope and type of service appertaining to the customer's premises as set forth in the application and only at the rate schedule applicable thereunto. The customer's application for service duly approved by the Bradford City Water Authority, together with these rules and regulations, constitute the contract between the customer and the Bradford City Water Authority; nevertheless, the acceptance and use of water service at any premises by an occupant without formal application therefor obligates the occupant as the contractual party and he is bound thereby as the customer. When requested in writing by the property owner, an application for a supply of water may be received from a tenant under the condition that the owner act as guarantor for the payment of all bills rendered. If the tenant neglects to make such payments within the time specified in § 216-19 of this chapter, it will be the responsibility of the owner to make such payments.
B. 
A new application must be made to the Bradford City Water Authority and approved thereby upon any change in the identity of the customer at any premises or in the service described in the appurtenant application, and the Bradford City Water Authority, upon five days' notice, may discontinue water service until such new application has been made and approved.
C. 
Service will be renewed under a proper application when the conditions under which such service was discontinued are corrected and upon the payment of all charges provided in the schedule of water rates and charges or in the rules and regulations.
D. 
When application is made for temporary use of water, requiring a temporary connection, the cost of installation and removal of such temporary facilities shall be borne by the applicant.
A customer is the party contracting for a supply of water to a property as hereinafter classified, i.e.:
A. 
A building under one roof, owned or leased by one party and occupied as one residence or business;
B. 
A combination of buildings owned or leased by one party in one common enclosure and occupied by one family or business;
C. 
The one side of a double house having a solid vertical partition wall;
D. 
Each side or part of a building occupied by more than one family or business, even though the closet and other fixtures may be used in common; or
E. 
Each apartment, office or suite of offices located in a building having several apartments, offices or suites of offices and using in common one or more means of entrance, except that an owner of an apartment house or building accommodating families or businesses may become responsible for all water used on the premises, and such owner shall be considered as the customer.
No owner or tenant of any premises supplied with water by the Authority will be allowed to supply other persons or families or other premises except by written permit from the Bradford City Water Authority. Customers who violate this rule may have their water shut off after notice of five days, and it may remain so until the Bradford City Water Authority is satisfied that the rules and regulations will be observed.
A. 
A deposit may be required from any customer desiring temporary service for less than a thirty-day period in an amount equal to the estimated gross bill for the limited period. The Bradford City Water Authority reserves the right at any time to require a deposit from any regular service customer in an amount as established from time to time by the Bradford City Water Authority, as security for payment of service bills as accrued, whenever the credit of the customer has not been established or thereafter properly maintained as evidenced by service discontinuance incurred under § 216-10 of this chapter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
Deposits may be returned to the depositor when he has established his credit to the satisfaction of the Bradford City Water Authority.
C. 
The deposit will not bear interest.
D. 
Any customer having a deposit shall pay bills for water service as rendered, in accordance with the rules and regulations, and the deposit shall not be considered as payment on account of a bill during the time the customer is receiving water service.
A. 
The Bradford City Water Authority will make all connections to its mains and furnish and install all service lines from the main to and including the curb box and stop, which will be placed inside the curbline, for the following fee: cost of material and labor plus 20%, including the cost of any state or municipal permit required for the opening of any street or highway.
B. 
All of the service lines will be the property of the Authority and under the control of the Bradford City Water Authority. No service connection will be installed during the period that street openings are prohibited by municipal regulations or at any time when, in the judgment of the Water Superintendent, working conditions are unfavorable for installation, either by reason of weather, temperature, conditions of soil or otherwise. The Bradford City Water Authority will be responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the service line between the main and the curb stop.
C. 
The location of the service will be designated by the Bradford City Water Authority, and no service line shall occupy the same trench with any facility of a public service company or be within three feet of any open excavation or vault unless such installation plan shall have been previously authorized and approved by the Bradford City Water Authority as evidenced by its written permission.
D. 
When it is necessary to renew an existing service line from the street main to the curb stop, the Bradford City Water Authority will renew said service line of the same size in the same location as the old one; but if the applicant for his own convenience desires the new service line at some other location and agrees to pay all expenses of cutting off the old service line at the main, the Bradford City Water Authority will lay the new service line at the location desired, except where the existing service is not on the owner's property or where in the opinion of the Water Superintendent the renewal would work a hardship on the owner by reason of being under a driveway or other improvement.
E. 
When the customer desires a change in location or size of an existing service line, the cost of the change shall be borne by the customer.
F. 
In all installations or replacements of service lines, only one premises of one customer will be permitted to be supplied through one service pipe; if one premises of one customer shall have one structure so divided by partition walls to permit separate ownership at any time of the several divisions of the structure or shall have two or more separate and distinct structures thereon susceptible of more than one and the same ownership, the Bradford City Water Authority will provide two or more separate service stops as may be required at the termination of one service connection of ample capacity, and the customer will be required to install accordingly two or more separate service lines.
A. 
All service lines from the curb stop to the premises shall be installed at the expense of the customer and remain an appurtenance of the premises to be supplied and accordingly maintained in proper condition; the service line shall comply with Bradford City Water Authority specifications for size, material and location or otherwise have Bradford City Water Authority approval and shall be laid at a minimum depth of 42 inches throughout its length and shall terminate in a brass stop and waste stop of approved pattern within the premises at a point easily accessible to the occupant at all times for protection against leaks and freezing in piping of the premises and to facilitate repairs thereto.
B. 
All leaks in the customer's service lines shall be promptly repaired by the customer; upon failure to make repairs with reasonable dispatch after due notice, the Bradford City Water Authority may discontinue water service, which will not be restored until all proper and necessary expense incurred by the Bradford City Water Authority in the discontinuance and restoration of water service to the premises involved shall have been paid to the Bradford City Water Authority by the offending customer.
C. 
Under no circumstances will the Bradford City Water Authority be responsible for maintenance of the service lines or any piping or fixture on the premises supplied, other than the Bradford City Water Authority's own specific property, or for damage caused by water escaping therefrom, and the customer shall invariably comply with state and municipal regulations with reference thereto and shall make any changes therein necessitated by reason of change of grade in street or sidewalk, relocation of distribution main or otherwise.
D. 
All underground service lines in sizes from 3/4 inch to two inches shall be Type K soft copper to be buried a minimum depth of 3.5 feet.
E. 
The weights of the pipe shall be as follows:
Pipe Size
(inches)
Weight
(pounds per foot)
3/4
0.641
1
0.839
1 1/4
1.040
1 1/2
1.360
2
2.060
F. 
Joints. All underground joints shall be of the compression type; no sweat or solder joints will be allowed.
G. 
Inspection. A representative of the Bradford City Water Authority shall inspect all service lines before they are covered.
Where more than one occupant of a premises is supplied through one common service line, any violation of the rules and regulations by any one occupant shall be deemed a violation by all, and the Bradford City Water Authority may take necessary action accordingly as provided by the rules and regulations, except that water service to the premises shall be continued until the customer has been given a reasonable opportunity to install a separate service line for each occupant in compliance with § 216-7 of this chapter.
A. 
Water will be turned off at any premises upon order of the customer without in any way affecting the existing contract.
B. 
Service under any contractual application or special contract, including public fire protection service and any other municipal use, may be discontinued after due notice for any one of the following reasons as may be applicable:
(1) 
For misrepresentation in the application as to property interest or service.
(2) 
For the use of water for any other property or purpose than that described in the application.
(3) 
For failure to maintain, in good order, connections, service lines or fixtures for which the customer or owner is responsible.
(4) 
For molesting any service pipe, meter, curb stop or seal or any other appliance of the Bradford City Water Authority.
(5) 
For willful or careless waste of water by reason of improper, impaired or deteriorated piping, fixtures or otherwise, such as leaving the water running to prevent freezing of the house lines.
(6) 
For nonpayment of any account, fee or charge within 10 days after expiration of the period allowed for payment.
(7) 
In case of unreported vacancy of premises.
(8) 
For violation of any rule of the Bradford City Water Authority.
(9) 
For introducing water or any other liquid other than that of the Bradford City Water Authority's into the service line of the Bradford City Water Authority through a cross-connection from an outside source.
(10) 
For refusal of access to property for inspecting fixtures, etc., or for reading, caring for or removing meters.
(11) 
For refusal to conserve water during periods of restricted supply.
(12) 
For failure to pay water bills or charges at a prior location.
(13) 
As required by law when so directed by the Sanitary Authority.
C. 
As necessity may arise in case of break or rupture of any main, any emergency or other unavoidable cause, the Bradford City Water Authority shall have the right to temporarily suspend the water supply in order to make necessary repairs, connections or installations; however, the Bradford City Water Authority will use all practicable and reasonable measures to afford, whenever possible, advance notice of such interruption of service.
D. 
However, the Bradford City Water Authority will not be liable for any damage or inconvenience suffered by customers or occupants of premises supplied, nor in any case will the Bradford City Water Authority be liable for any claim against it at any time for interruption in service, inadequate supply or pressure, quality of water or for any cause reasonably beyond its control.
The operation of a service stop or valve is absolutely prohibited to anyone other than an employee of the Bradford City Water Authority in the regular line of duty, except that a regularly licensed plumber will be permitted to operate the same when necessary in conjunction with his proper work on the relevant premises, but he shall invariably leave the stop or valve in the same position as found.
A. 
The Bradford City Water Authority shall have the right to reserve a sufficient supply of water at all times in the reservoirs to provide for fire protection and other emergencies or to restrict or regulate the quantity of water used at customers' premises in cases of scarcity or whenever the public welfare may require such action.
B. 
The Bradford City Water Authority reserves the right to suspend the use of fountains and hose for sprinkling streets and yards, washing cars, etc., whenever in the opinion of the Bradford City Water Authority public exigency requires it. The Bradford City Water Authority shall not be liable for failure to supply water at any time, provided that such failure shall not be due to negligence upon its part.
A. 
Contractors, builders or others will be required to make application to the Bradford City Water Authority before using water for any of their several construction purposes. The Bradford City Water Authority may require a guaranty deposit from contractors and builders.
B. 
Water for such purposes, at the option of the Bradford City Water Authority, may be furnished by metered service. The Bradford City Water Authority will install and disconnect the meter, the charge for which shall be cost plus 20%, payable at the time the permit is granted.
A. 
All industrial and commercial customers inside the City of Bradford shall be serviced through meters. Domestic customers will be charged on a flat-rate basis, unless a meter is requested by the owner.
B. 
All customers on the system outside of the boundaries of the City of Bradford will be served through a meter.
C. 
Inside the City, the Bradford City Water Authority will furnish the meter to be installed by the customer. Outside the City, the domestic customer will pay an amount as established from time to time by the Bradford City Water Authority for the use of the meter; however, the meter remains in the ownership of the Bradford City Water Department. Meters shall be accessible to the Bradford City Water Authority at all reasonable hours and shall be subject to its control exclusively. The Bradford City Water Authority only shall possess the right to determine the style and size of the meter to be installed.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
D. 
Metered service contemplates the supply of water through an individual service line and meter to each and every occupant of the premises supplied. Where the premises are not adapted for such separate meter installations in the judgment of the Bradford City Water Authority, one common service line will be permitted and one meter installation will be made accordingly; however, the charge for service will be made on the same basis as if an individual meter were installed for each and every occupant of the premises.
E. 
The meter will be set after the customer has had the plumbing arranged to receive the meter at a convenient point approved by the Bradford City Water Authority so as to control the entire supply, and a proper place and protection for the meter shall be provided by the applicant. In cases where it is not practical to place the meter within a building, a brick or concrete pit with a suitable iron cover, or other approved meter box, shall be built inside the property line by the customer. The size and dimensions of the pit or box shall be as approved by the Bradford City Water Authority, give adequate access to the meter and permit its installation or removal.
F. 
Meters will be maintained by the Bradford City Water Authority so far as ordinary wear is concerned, but loss or damage due to freezing, hot water or any other external cause shall be paid by the customer. Where hot water or heating systems or boilers are so constructed that there is a possibility of hot water being forced back through the meter, the customer shall protect the meter by installing a check valve on the outlet side of the meter and shall for his own protection insert a safety valve in connection with the hot water or heating system. The Bradford City Water Authority will not be liable for any damage due to the failure of a customer's safety valve.
G. 
The charge for the reinstallation or changing of a meter when removed because of damage in any way due to the negligence of the customer shall be as established from time to time by the Bradford Water Authority, which charges shall include testing of the repaired meter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
H. 
If at any time a customer shall question the accuracy of the meter, upon his request, accompanied by the deposit of the required fee, the Bradford City Water Authority will test the same and adjust the matter as provided in the following rule: If the meter so tested shall be found to be accurate within the limits herein specified (4%), a fee determined from the schedule below[1] shall be paid to the Bradford City Water Authority by the consumer requiring such test, but if not so found then the cost thereof shall be borne by the Bradford City Water Authority furnishing the service. The amount of the fee shall be as established from time to time by the Bradford Water Authority for each water service meter for an outlet not exceeding one inch. For other water service meters having an outlet not exceeding two inches, the test fee shall be as established from time to time by the Bradford Water Authority per meter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 216-24.
I. 
Larger meters shall be tested at cost.
J. 
In no case will correction of billing for meter inaccuracy be made for a longer period than two months prior to date of the test unless the Bradford City Water Authority is satisfied that inaccuracy has been of longer duration.
All water passing through a meter shall be charged for at the regular rate, and no allowance will be made for excessive consumption due to leaks or waste.
The Bradford City Water Authority shall not be liable for any damage resulting from leaks, broken pipes or from any other cause occurring to or within any house or building, and it is expressly stipulated by and between the Bradford City Water Authority and the customer that no claims shall be made against the Bradford City Water Authority on account of bursting or breaking of any main or service pipe or any attachment to said waterworks.
A. 
Public fire hydrants will be installed on the system within the City at the expense of the Bradford City Water Authority upon approval of the Superintendent and the Chief of the Fire Department.
B. 
All public fire hydrants will be owned and maintained by the Bradford City Water Authority.
C. 
No person except the Superintendent of the Bradford City Water Authority or other authorized person shall take water from any public fire hydrant, except for fire purposes or for the use of the Fire Department in case of fire, and no public fire hydrant shall be used for sprinkling streets, flushing sewers or gutters or for any other than fire purposes, except with the approval and written consent of the Bradford City Water Authority. The Bradford City Water Authority shall be notified immediately upon the use of any public hydrant.
D. 
Whenever the location or position of a fire hydrant is ordered changed by the City, the change will be made by the Bradford City Water Authority.
E. 
Upon request of the duly authorized officials of the City, the Bradford City Water Authority will make inspections at convenient times and at reasonable intervals to determine the condition of the fire hydrants, such inspections to be made by a representative of the Bradford City Water Authority and a duly authorized representative of the City.
F. 
All privately installed fire hydrants shall meet the specifications of the Bradford City Water Authority and will be subject to the approval of the Fire Chief and the Superintendent of the Bradford City Water Authority. They shall be installed at the owner's expense.
G. 
No cross-connection or tap for use other than fire protection shall be made in the piping of a private fire protection service line on the premises or within a building, and no water shall be used through a private fire service line except for the purpose of fire extinguishment. The Bradford City Water Authority reserves the right to order a private fire protection service line metered at the cost of the customer, including the cost of a fire meter.
It shall be expressly understood and agreed by and between the customer receiving service and the Bradford City Water Authority that the Bradford City Water Authority does not assume any liability as insurers of property or person and that the agreement does not contemplate any special service, pressure, capacity or facility other than the ordinary or the changing conditions of the water supply system of the Bradford City Water Authority, as the same exist from day to day. The Bradford City Water Authority hereby declares that it is agreed by the customer by acceptance of service that the Bradford City Water Authority shall be free and exempt from any and all claims for injury or damage to persons or property on customers' premises or to any other person or property by reason of fire, water or failure of water supply in pressure or capacity.
[Amended 11-23-1976 by Ord. No. 2983]
A. 
Bills as rendered for any indicated period or service, either special, monthly or quarterly, will show the proper charge therefor as determined by the applicable rate schedule and also the amount of any abatement or deduction allowed or any fee or additional charge due and payable under the rules and regulations. Bills shall be considered as duly rendered when delivered at, or mailed to, the recorded address of the customer as afforded by him for that purpose or otherwise the premises supplied; nonreceipt of a bill shall never constitute a waiver thereof; the Bradford City Water Authority at any time will issue a duplicate bill upon proper request, and no claim for exemption from assessment or delayed-payment charge for any reason whatsoever will be entertained or allowed. All bills for flat-rate water service are due and payable on the first day of each month for which service is furnished. No credit for vacancies will be allowed unless the coupon is returned by the 10th of the month for which vacancy is claimed. A service charge as established from time to time by the Bradford Water Authority shall be made for restoring of service where water has been turned off for the nonpayment of bills and for the convenience of the owner working on waterlines. Payment mailed, as evidenced by the United States Post Office mark, on or previous to the last day of the month will be deemed by the Bradford City Water Authority to be a payment of the bill within the month. Charges for temporary use shall be payable on demand.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
The bill for repairs or replacement of damaged meter installations or parts thereof will be rendered to the responsible party, either occupant of premises or customer, and in case payment of the same is not made within 30 days after presentation of the bill the Bradford City Water Authority may shut off and discontinue the supply of water to the premises until all proper charges are paid, nor shall such action by the Bradford City Water Authority preclude or stay collection of the damage bill by process of law.
C. 
In case the Bradford City Water Authority has been unable for any reason to obtain the meter reading at the regular meter reading period, the Bradford City Water Authority reserves the right to regularly bill the customer for an estimated consumption so indicated on the bill, which estimated consumption shall be deducted from the recorded consumption at the subsequent meter reading period, and the bill for the subsequent period shall be rendered accordingly.
D. 
Any customer, upon receipt of a bill, having reason to doubt its accuracy shall bring or mail the bill within five days to the Bradford City Water Authority for investigation.
[Amended 11-23-1976 by Ord. No. 2983]
A. 
The customer shall notify the Bradford City Water Authority in the event of vacating of premises or closing the same temporarily, requesting the Bradford City Water Authority to shut off the water. In such case the meter will be read and bill rendered accordingly; however, at the option of the Bradford City Water Authority when shutting off the water, the meter may be removed and the account closed as of that date. Such notification shall be in writing, delivered at the office of the Bradford City Water Authority on forms available at the office of the Bradford City Water Authority.
B. 
Complaints with regard to the character of the service furnished or the reading of meters or of the bills rendered must be made at the Bradford City Water Authority office, whether verbally or in writing, and a record of such complaint will be kept by the Bradford City Water Authority, giving the name and address of the complainant, the date, the nature of the complaint and the remedy.
C. 
A fee as established from time to time by the Bradford City Water Authority, payable in advance, shall be made for turning on water in restoration of service after discontinuance for nonpayment of bills or vacancies.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
D. 
Except for an emergency turnoff as determined by the City, for which no charge shall be made, a service charge as established from time to time by the Bradford City Water Authority, payable in advance, shall be made for turning water off or on when the requested service is to be made after regularly scheduled work hours, on weekends or on holidays.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
E. 
Customers using water for steam generation are warned not to depend upon the hydraulic or hydrostatic pressure of the Bradford City Water Authority's supply system for supplying such boilers. The Bradford City Water Authority will not be responsible for any accident or damage in which such practices frequently result. Steam and hot-water heating plants, also hot-water generators and storage tanks, shall in all cases be provided with check valves in the water supply piping to the same and other proper devices to prevent damage or collapse if the water supply should be shut off or should fail for any reason whatsoever. The Bradford City Water Authority will not in any case be responsible for accident or damage resulting from the imperfect installation or action of such devices or from the omission of such installations.
F. 
Any authorized employee of the Bradford City Water Authority, upon the presentation of credentials if otherwise unknown, shall have unrestricted access at all reasonable hours to any premises supplied with water for the purpose of reading meters, making inspection or securing such other information as may be deemed necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the water system.
Any person or persons requiring the extension of a street main in the area served or to be served by the water system out of the corporate limits shall enter a line deposit agreement with the Bradford City Water Authority. The provisions of that agreement should include the following:
A. 
The person or persons shall deposit the full estimated cost of extending the street main with the Bradford City Water Authority.
B. 
The deposit will not bear interest.
C. 
The Bradford City Water Authority will construct or contract to construct the extension.
D. 
After construction of the extension, actual costs will be calculated and the overpayment returned or the underpayment billed for.
E. 
One reimbursement will be made for each customer service line connected to the extension set forth in the agreement, and no reimbursements will be made after 10 years have passed from the date of the agreement.
F. 
The waterline and all appurtenances thereto will become the property of the Bradford City Water Authority upon completion.
G. 
The Bradford City Water Authority will operate and maintain the extension.
H. 
Each line extension agreement will stand on its own and not be incorporated with any extension in another area or adjacent thereto.
I. 
The minimum size pipeline to be constructed in any public street or right-of-way (Authority owned) will be six inches in diameter.
J. 
If a main larger than six inches is required for the depositor's requirements, then the depositor will be required to pay for the larger pipeline.
K. 
If the Bradford City Water Authority requires a larger pipeline than is needed for the extension, the Authority and/or City will pay the difference between the size required by the depositor and the size determined by the Bradford City Water Authority.
L. 
Any customer desiring water service above sea level elevation (1,580 feet) will necessitate the installation of a pumping station. The total cost of this installation shall be the responsibility of the customer, and a suitable water rate for this service will be determined by the Bradford City Water Authority at the time of installation.
[Amended 11-23-1976 by Ord. No. 2983; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
A fee in an amount as established from time to time by the Bradford City Water Authority for the season will be charged for the use of the hose for any purpose unless the property is metered. Automatic lawn or garden sprinklers and/or soakers are prohibited unless the property is metered.
A. 
No service will be rendered to any customer who has a private well supply unless the same is disconnected from his system.
B. 
If, in the opinion of the Superintendent of the Bradford City Water Authority, a particular use of water by a customer might cause contamination to the public water supply, he may order the installation of a backflow preventer.
[Amended 12-23-1976 by Ord. No. 2983; 12-15-1981 by Ord. No. 3034; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Water rates are set by the Bradford City Water Authority. The current schedule of water rates is available at the Authority office or on its website.
[Adopted 8-8-2000 by Ord. No. 2956.1]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
BRADFORD CITY WATER AUTHORITY
A body corporate and politic organized under the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945[1] incorporated by the City of Bradford.
BUILDING MAIN
Extension from the water system of any structure to the lateral of a main.
IMPROVED PROPERTY
Any property within the City of Bradford upon which there is erected a structure intended for continuous or periodic habitation, occupancy or use by human beings or animals.
INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Any improved property located within the City of Bradford and used or intended for use, wholly or in part, for the manufacturing, processing, cleaning, laundering or assembling of any product, commodity or article.
LATERAL
A. 
Part of the water system extending from a main to the curbline or, if there shall be no curbline, extending to the property line or;
B. 
If no such lateral shall be provided, lateral shall mean that portion of, or place in, a main which is provided for connection of any building main.
MAIN
Any pipe or conduit constituting a part of the water system used or usable for water distribution purposes.
NONPOTABLE WATER
All water other than potable water.
OWNER
Any person vested with ownership, legal or equitable, sole or partial, of any improved property.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, company, association, society, trust, corporation, municipality, municipal authority or other group or entity.
POTABLE WATER
Water used for direct human ingestion, consumption, showering, bathing and food preparation.
WATER SYSTEM
All facilities, as of any particular time, for production, transmission, storage and distribution of water in the City of Bradford owned by the Authority and leased to the City of Bradford for maintenance, operation and use.
[1]
Editor's Note: See now 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 5601 et seq.
A. 
The owner of any improved property abutting upon the water system shall connect such improved property with and shall use such water system for both potable and nonpotable water use and in such manner as the City of Bradford or Bradford City Water Authority may require within 90 days after notice to such owner from the City or Authority to make such connection, subject to such limitations and restrictions as shall be established herein or otherwise shall be established by the City of Bradford.
B. 
The notice by the City of Bradford to make connection to a main referred to in Subsection A shall be given by the City of Bradford or by the Bradford City Water Authority, and shall consist of a copy of this article, including any amendments and/or supplements which shall at the time be in effect, or a summary of each section thereof, and a written or printed document requiring the connection in accordance with the provisions of this article and specifying that such connection shall be made within 90 days after the date such notice is given or served. Such notice may be given or served at any time after a main is in place which can deliver water to the particular improved property. Such notice shall be given or served upon the owner by certified mail.
A. 
No person shall uncover, connect with, make any opening into, use, alter or disturb, in any manner, any main or any part of the water system without first obtaining an application for service in writing from the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority.
B. 
Application for service required under Subsection A of this section shall be made by the owner of the improved property served or to be served with notice as provided in § 216-27A, or by the duly authorized agent of such owner.
C. 
No person shall make or shall cause to be made a connection of any improved property to a main until such person fulfills each of the following conditions:
(1) 
Notify the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority of the desire and intention to connect such improved property to a main;
(2) 
Apply for and obtain a permit as required by Subsection A of this section;
(3) 
Give the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority at least 24 hours' notice before such connection will be made in order that the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority may supervise and inspect or may cause to be supervised and inspected the work of connection and necessary testing; and
(4) 
If applicable, furnish satisfactory evidence to the City of Bradford that any tapping (or connection) fee which may be charged and imposed by the Bradford City Water Authority against the owner of each improved property who connects such improved property to a main has been paid.
D. 
Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection D, each improved property shall be connected separately and independently with a main through a building main. Grouping of more than one improved property on one building main shall not be permitted, except under special circumstances and for good cause shown, but then only after special permission of the City of Bradford, in writing, shall have been secured and only subject to such rules, regulations and conditions as may be prescribed by the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority.
E. 
All costs and expenses of construction of a building main and all costs and expenses of connection of a building main to a main shall be borne by the owner of the improved property to be connected; and such owner shall indemnify and shall save harmless the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority from all loss or damage that may be occasioned, directly or indirectly, as a result of construction of a building main or of connection of a building main to a main.
F. 
A building main shall be connected to a main at the place designated by the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority and where, if applicable, the lateral is provided. A smooth, neat joint shall be made, and the connection of a building main to the lateral shall be made secure and watertight.
G. 
If the owner of any improved property located with the City of Bradford and abutting upon the water system, subject to the exception provided for in § 216-27A, after 90 days' notice from the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority, in accordance with § 216-27A, shall fail to connect such improved property, the City of Bradford may construct such connection and collect from such owner the costs and expenses thereof in any manner permitted by law.
A. 
Connection fee. A fee, which shall not exceed an amount based upon the actual cost of the connection of the property extending from the Bradford City Water Authority's main to the property line or curb stop of the property so connected, is hereby authorized pursuant to a resolution of the City Council of the City of Bradford. The City of Bradford may also base such fee on that as from time to time established by the Bradford City Water Authority. In lieu of the payment of the fees, the City of Bradford may require the construction and dedication of those facilities by the property owner or owners requesting such connection. All fees shall be payable to the Bradford City Water Authority.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
Customer facilities fee. A fee, which shall not exceed an amount based upon the actual cost of facilities serving the connected property from the property line or curb stop to the proposed dwelling or building to be served, is hereby authorized pursuant to a resolution of the City Council of the City of Bradford. The fee shall be chargeable only in the event that the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority and not the property owner or owners installs the customer facilities. In lieu of the payment of the customer facilities fee, the City of Bradford may require the construction of those facilities by the property owner or owners requesting customer facilities. The fee may include the cost of a water meter and installation if the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority provides or installs the same.
A. 
No building main shall be covered until it has been inspected and/or approved by the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority. If any part of a building main is covered before so being inspected and approved, it shall be uncovered for inspection, at the cost and expense of the owner of the improved property to be connected to a main.
B. 
Every building main of any improved property shall be maintained in a sanitary and safe operating condition by the owner of such improved property.
C. 
Every excavation for a building main shall be guarded adequately with barricades and lights to protect all persons from damage and injury. Any street, sidewalk or other public property disturbed in the course of installation of a building main shall be restored, at the cost and expense of the owner of the improved property being connected, in a manner satisfactory to the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority.
D. 
If any person shall fail or shall refuse, upon receipt of a notice in writing of the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority, to remedy any unsatisfactory condition with respect to a building main within 60 days of receipt of such notice, the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority may refuse to permit such person to be served by the water system until such unsatisfactory condition shall have been remedied to the satisfaction of the City of Bradford.
E. 
The City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority reserves the right to adopt, from time to time, additional fees, rules and regulations it shall deem necessary and proper relating to connections with a main and with the water system, which additional rules and regulations, to the extent appropriate, shall be and shall be construed as part of this article.
F. 
Any water from sources other than that provided by the Bradford City Water Authority shall not be introduced into or permitted to come into contact with the plumbing transporting water provided by the Authority.
In the event any person shall deem the requirement to connect as provided in this article a hardship, such person may appeal to the City Council of the City of Bradford or the Bradford City Water Authority for relief from such connection requirement, which appeal shall be heard in accordance with provisions of the Pennsylvania Local Agency Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 2 Pa.C.S.A. § 551 et seq.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this article commits a summary offense and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. Each day that a violation of this article continues shall constitute a separate offense.