[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of
the City of Rahway 7-9-1984 by Ord. No. A-12-84 as Ch. 193 of the
1984 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
411a Schedule ASewers and sewage disposal — See Ch. 337.
[Amended 4-5-1983 by Ord. No. A-4-83;[1] 4-15-1987 by Ord. No. A-3-87; 5-13-1991 by Ord. No.
A-10-91; 5-10-1999 by Ord. No. O-18-99; 5-12-2003 by Ord. No.
O-35-03; 6-16-2004 by Ord. No. O-17-04; 12-11-2006 by Ord. No.
O-39-06; 7-9-2007 by Ord. No. O-29-0710-14-2008 by Ord. No.
O-26-08; 6-30-2009 by Ord. No. O-27-09; 11-14-2011 by Ord. No. O-30-11; 3-11-2013 by Ord. No. O-11-13; 8-28-2013 by Ord. No. O-39-13; 4-24-2017 by Ord. No. O-11-17]
The rates and charges for water and services to be supplied
by the Division of Water shall be as set forth in the following schedules,
and the Division of Water Accounts shall render bills and accounts
in accordance with said schedules from and after the effective date
of this chapter.
A.
Schedule I: Water supplied through a meter shall be charged for at
a rate of $48.62 per thousand cubic feet. Commercial and industrial
accounts with meters larger than one inch will be billed monthly.
The minimum charge shall be as per meter size as follows:
|
Meter Size
(inches)
|
Minimum Monthly Charges
|
Minimum Quarterly Charges
|
|---|---|---|
|
5/8
|
$17.83
|
$53.49
|
|
3/4
|
$27.56
|
$82.68
|
|
1
|
$45.39
|
$136.17
|
|
1 1/2
|
$89.16
|
$267.49
|
|
2
|
$142.66
|
$427.97
|
|
3
|
$291.80
|
$875.41
|
|
4
|
$445.81
|
$1,337.43
|
|
6
|
$891.62
|
$2,674.86
|
|
8
|
$1,345.54
|
$4,036.61
|
|
10
|
$2,755.92
|
$8,267.76
|
|
12
|
$3,209.83
|
$9,629.50
|
B.
Schedule IA: Rates for Manufactured Water and Nonmanufactured Supplied
Water.
(1)
Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
- MANUFACTURED WATER
- Water that is produced, supplied, metered and billed for by the Division of Water of the City of Rahway.
- NONMANUFACTURED SUPPLIED WATER
- Water used by Rahway consumers that is not necessarily produced, supplied or metered by the City Division of Water but the use of which is arranged for or administered by and billed for by the City Division of Water, and includes any such water supplied to Rahway consumers from utilities other than the City Division of Water. It is hereinafter referred to as "NMS water."
(2)
Base rate. For any consumer whose water supply consists of manufactured
water and NMS water, the base rate shall be $48.62 per thousand cubic
feet.
(3)
Surcharge. Any increase in costs of charges to the City for NMS water
above current costs or charges to the City for NMS water shall be
passed on in the form of a surcharge to users of NMS water, and users
shall be liable in full for such increases, based on their usage of
NMS water.
C.
Schedule II: Private Fire Service Rates.
(1)
Private fire service rates shall be as follows:
|
Size of Service
(inches)
|
Quarterly Charge
|
|---|---|
|
2 or less
|
$175
|
|
3
|
$350
|
|
4
|
$525
|
|
6
|
$900
|
|
8
|
$1,350
|
|
10
|
$1,850
|
|
12
|
$2,150
|
D.
Schedule IIA: Fire Hydrant Charges.
(1)
Private fire hydrants. Private fire hydrants are installed and owned
by the owner of the property on which they are installed. A charge
of $850 per year, per hydrant, will be billed to the property owner.
The hydrants will be maintained by the Division of Water.
(2)
Leased fire hydrants. Leased fire hydrants are installed within the
right-of-way of other municipalities. They are billed to the requesting
municipal agency at a rate of $325 per year, per hydrant. The hydrants
are installed and maintained by the Division of Water.
E.
Schedule III: Water for Temporary Purposes.
(1)
Water for temporary purposes supplied through meters shall be billed
at the rates set forth in Schedule I, but a deposit of $120 per inch
of diameter or fraction thereof shall be required for the meter.
(2)
Water supplied for temporary purposes without meters shall be billed
at the minimum quarterly rate in Schedule I for any use of three months
or less. Charge for additional time will be at the same rate.
(3)
The Division of Water will provide adapters and hydrant wrenches
for the above at a nonrefundable charge of $30 per item. A separate
deposit of $200 will also be required.
F.
Schedule IV: Water Supply Installations. Charges for new water supply
installations shall be as follows:
(1)
Applicants seeking to install new water supply lines shall submit plans to the contract manager for the Water Division and pay a permit fee of $250 for plan review and inspection of the installation for any line up to two inches in diameter. No permit shall be issued until the water connection fee has been paid in accordance with § 411-4.
(2)
Applicants seeking to install new water supply lines in excess of
two inches shall submit plans to the contract manager for the Water
Division and pay a permit fee based upon actual costs for plan review
and inspection of the installation.
(3)
Curb settings.
(a)
When it is necessary that the meter be set outside the building,
the contract manager for the Water Division will place a meter setting
for services and meters one inch in diameter or less.
(b)
The charge for the curb setting shall be at cost, including
labor and materials. This charge is in addition to the permit fee
for a new service installation as listed above.
(4)
The property owner shall submit plans for pit settings for meters
1 1/2 inches or longer and pay a permit fee of $250 for plan
review and inspection. These pits shall be constructed and maintained
by the property owner.
G.
Schedule V: Services Not Involving the Use of Water.
(1)
Removing, repairing or replacing lost or damaged meters due to negligence:
The charge for meters of all sizes shall be at cost, including labor
and materials.
(2)
Resumption of service after discontinuance for nonpayment of bills
or violations of rules and regulations of the Water Division: $30
per inch of diameter of meter or fraction thereof for the first shutoff
and $60 per inch of diameter of meter or fraction thereof for any
additional shutoffs within two years.
(3)
Removing and replacing undamaged meters within a period of one year
after installation at the request of a customer: $30 per inch of diameter
of meter or fraction thereof.
(4)
Relocation of hydrants, shutoff valves or other appurtenances of
the water supply system at the request of the customer: The charge
shall be fixed by the Superintendent of Water, based upon cost to
the Water Division, and paid in advance.
(5)
Request for services of nonemergency nature after normal working
hours will be billed to the customer. The charge will be equivalent
to the cost incurred by the Division of Water.
(6)
Customer request for meter testing because of high bill: $35.
(7)
Deposits for meters installed outside of City limits.
|
Size
(inches)
|
Charges
|
|---|---|
|
5/8 by 3/4
|
$50
|
|
3/4
|
$75
|
|
1
|
$100
|
|
1 1/2
|
$200
|
|
2
|
$250
|
H.
Schedule VI. Effective on the dates indicated, all rates, fees and
charges as set forth above in Schedules I through V, inclusive, shall
be as follows:
I.
Schedule VII: Delinquent Water Utility Charges; Interest Rates.
(1)
Grace period. Bills are due upon receipt. A grace period of 30 calendar
days is provided, within which a payment of water utility charges
may be hereafter received without any charge for interest, provided
that such payment is received within said thirty-calendar-day period
after the billing date upon which the amount becomes payable.
(2)
Interest rates. After the above grace period, water utility charges
shall be considered delinquent, and interest shall run against such
delinquent charges at the rate of 8% on the first $1,500 of the delinquent
water utility charges and 18% on any delinquent sums in excess of
$1,500.
J.
Schedule VIII: Bad Check Charge. Should the City receive a negotiable
instrument from a customer, in payment of a bill, charge or deposit
due, and such instrument is subsequently dishonored or uncollectible
for any reason, the City shall charge the customer a handling charge
of $25.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that
the following be added to the preamble of Ord. No. A-32-81, adopted
12-28-1981, which is the ordinance that originally comprised this
chapter: "Bills for water service furnished under this schedule will
be rendered either quarterly or monthly at the option of the City
of Rahway, Division of Water." In addition, Ord. No. A-4-83 provided
as follows: "Effective upon adoption of this ordinance, all water
rates herein shall remain in effect until December 31 of any given
year and shall continue in effect thereafter with approval of Municipal
Council of the City of Rahway by resolution if there are no changes
in rates."
[Added 8-10-1987 by Ord. No. A-16-87; amended 6-30-2009 by Ord. No. O-27-09; 11-14-2011 by Ord. No.
O-30-11; 3-11-2013 by Ord. No. O-11-13; 8-28-2013 by Ord. No.
O-39-13; 4-24-2017 by Ord. No. O-11-17]
A.
For the purpose of this section, the term "nonprofit organization"
shall be defined as any organization which qualifies under the terms
of N.J.S.A. 12A:40A:12-21 (a) through (1) or such other statutes concerning
aid by municipalities to private organizations.
B.
All nonprofit organizations shall be billed for and be required to pay for all water consumed as per the terms of § 411-1 hereof.
C.
Any eligible nonprofit organization may apply for and receive reimbursement
for water bills paid under the following terms and conditions:
(1)
That said organization has, at the conclusion of its fiscal year,
submitted audited financial statements to the Division of Water.
(2)
That said financial statements demonstrate that said nonprofit organization
operated at a loss for the fiscal year submitted.
(3)
That the sum of water bills paid for said fiscal year are equal to
or more than 5% of the demonstrated losses as revealed by the financial
statement.
(4)
That when the organization is a component of, or subsidiary to, any
other organization, the requirements and criteria established hereby
shall be applied to any and all such organizations taken together
as a whole. Any organization applying for free water by reimbursement
must provide the required records for such other organizations also
or a legal statement that it is not a component of, a division of,
or subsidiary to, any other organization.
(5)
Any reimbursements made hereunder shall be in full for the applicable
fiscal year.
D.
The provisions of this section shall be administered by the Division
of Water, which administration shall include the use of formal application
forms. Actual approval or denial of reimbursement shall be done by
a resolution of the Municipal Council of the City of Rahway as a matter
of public record following the receipt of written reports from the
Division of Water regarding the application. The Division of Water
is authorized to adopt such other rules or regulations necessary to
effectuate the terms of this section.
[Added 7-9-2007 by Ord. No. O-29-07;
amended 6-30-2009 by Ord. No. O-27-09; 11-14-2011 by Ord. No.
O-30-11; 3-11-2013 by Ord. No. O-11-13; 8-28-2013 by Ord. No.
O-39-13; 4-24-2017 by Ord. No. O-11-17]
Special rates for senior citizens. For all properties owned
by senior citizens and which qualify for a senior citizen tax deduction
pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 54:4-8.40 et seq., the rates
shall be as follows:
[Added 7-9-2007 by Ord. No. O-27-07]
A.
The connection fee set forth in Schedule A,[1] attached hereto and made a part hereof, shall become effective
upon adoption of this section.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is included at the end of this chapter.
B.
The connection fee set forth in Schedule A shall be recomputed at the end of each fiscal year of the City, and following a public hearing in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:1A-8(c), shall be revised to reflect the recomputed connection fee, which shall thereafter be imposed in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:1A-8(c).
C.
Every approval for new construction that will connect to the water distribution system of the City will include, as a condition of said approval, the provision that connection fees in accordance with Schedule A of this section shall become due and payable to the City prior to the issuance of a construction permit for said construction, or for those properties for which a building permit has been obtained at the time of the adoption of this section, prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
D.
All existing structures which will connect into the water distribution system of the City shall be issued a permit for water connection only after payment to the City of the applicable connection fee as set forth in Schedule A.
E.
The City shall provide an application for said connection
fee, and upon receipt of each connection fee, forthwith issue a certificate
evidencing payment.
[Added 10-13-2015 by Ord.
No. O-29-15]
A.
Water conservation guidelines for all users including residential,
commercial, academic, City properties, and parks and recreation fields.
(1)
Except as may be further restricted in accordance with Article IV
of this chapter, the use of water within the City of Rahway, regardless
of the source of water (public or private) shall conform to the following:
(a)
All citizens are hereby encouraged to observe indoor water conservation
measures at all times; and
(b)
All citizens are required to adhere to the following outdoor
water conservation measures at all times:
[1]
Lawn watering:
[a]
Properties may only be watered two days per week.
Properties with odd numbered addresses may be watered two days per
week on Mondays and Thursdays, and properties with even numbered addresses
may only be watered two days per week on Tuesdays and Fridays.
[b]
Property watering shall only be conducted between
the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. or between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00
p.m.
[c]
The watering of any single area of property shall
not exceed 30 minutes per day.
[2]
Flowers and shrubs may be additionally watered as needed with
a handheld hose equipped with an automatic shutoff nozzle.
[3]
Vehicles may be washed any day with a handheld hose equipped
with an automatic shutoff nozzle.
(2)
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-123.13, all automatic lawn sprinkler
systems installed after September 8, 2000, shall be equipped with
an automatic rain sensor device or switch that will override the irrigation
cycle of the automatic lawn sprinkler system when adequate rainfall
has occurred.
B.
Enforcement of water conservation guidelines. The regulations set forth in this section shall be enforced by the City Engineer and/or Code Enforcement Officer. Whenever the City Engineer and/or Code Enforcement Officer shall observe a violation of the water use regulations established in § 411-5A, regardless of the source of the water (public supply, semi-public supply or private well), such authorized official shall give the violator a written warning and explain the penalties set forth for a violation of these regulations. The authorized official shall keep such records as may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose of determining the persons and businesses who have been issued a written warning. The City Engineer and/or Code Enforcement Officer and/or their designee is hereby duly authorized to issue summonses for the violation of the water use regulations imposed pursuant to § 411-5A.
C.
Penalties. After a written warning has been issued in accordance with § 411-5B above, any person or business that thereafter violates the water use regulations imposed pursuant to § 411-5A shall be subject to a minimum penalty of $50 for such first violation. No municipal court appearance shall be required for such first violation, unless the person or business pleads not guilty to the alleged violation. Each subsequent violation shall be subject to a penalty to be imposed at the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge.
D.
Exemptions.
(1)
The restrictions established in § 411-5A shall not apply to the following:
(a)
Commercial crop and sod farms and nursery stock at nurseries
or retail outlets and commercial golf courses;
(b)
Outdoor irrigation necessary for one day only when a treatment
with an application of chemicals requires immediate watering to preserve
an existing landscape or to establish a new landscape;
(c)
Outdoor irrigation necessary for the establishment of newly
sodded lawns or landscaping within the first 21 consecutive days of
planting;
(d)
Visually supervised operation of watering systems by a State
of New Jersey licensed irrigation contractor for short periods of
time to check the system condition and effectiveness; and
(e)
The use of reclaimed water for beneficial reuse (RWBR), as approved
in a New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit pursuant
to N.J.A.C. 7:14A-1 et seq., and any conditions pertaining thereto.
E.
Prohibition of certain uses of water during emergency conditions.
(1)
Declaration of water emergency. A water emergency may be declared:
(a)
Upon action by a resolution of the City Council of the City
of Rahway:
[1]
Whenever the City Engineer in his or her professional judgment finds that emergency conditions exist within the City, he or she shall recommend to the City Council that a water emergency be declared. Said recommendation shall contain findings which specify which water use restrictions, if any, contained in § 411-5E(2) below are appropriate. Factors that the City Engineer may consider in making said recommendation include, but are not limited to, the following:
[a]
Lack of precipitation for an extended time period;
[b]
Below-average water levels in municipal streams
or other surface water bodies;
[c]
Declaration of a water emergency by the Governor;
[d]
Declaration of a water emergency by a surrounding
municipality or municipalities;
[e]
Designation by the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection of a drought watch or drought warning condition;
[f]
Below-average water levels in wells monitored by
the United States Geological Survey, New Jersey Geological Survey,
or other wells monitored by agencies of the United States or New Jersey;
[g]
Evidence of low or dirty water yields in private
wells in the City; and
[h]
Declaration of a water emergency resulting from
infrastructure failure or any other safe drinking water emergency
issues.
[2]
Upon the receipt of such a recommendation, the City Council
may accept the City Engineer's recommendation and findings, or
any portion thereof, and adopt a resolution declaring a water emergency
in the City.
[3]
Such resolution declaring a water emergency may be adopted by the City Council at any regular, special, adjourned or emergency public meeting of the City Council. Such resolution shall specify which of the water use restrictions, if any, contained in § 411-5E(2) below are being imposed. Such resolution shall be effective immediately upon publication and shall continue in effect for 90 days, or such lesser time period as may be specified, unless extended or repealed as set for in § 411-5E(3) and (4) below.
(2)
Water use restrictions. Upon adoption by the City Council of a resolution
declaring that a water emergency exists in the City:
(a)
All citizens shall be urged to observe voluntary indoor conservation
measures; and
(b)
Water use restrictions including but not limited to those set
forth below may be included in a water emergency resolution:
[1]
Restricting the watering of all plant growth, except commercially
grown food crops, sod at commercial sod farms, and golf courses and
nursery stock at nurseries or retail outlets;
[2]
Restricting the washing of vehicles, except for emergency vehicles,
and by a commercial enterprise whose primary function is car washing,
regardless of whether the operation is mobile or stationary or in
those instances where a threat to public health may exist;
[3]
Restricting the washing of driveways, sidewalks, decks, patios
or other paved areas;
[4]
Restricting the service of water in restaurants, clubs, or eating
places, unless specifically requested by patrons;
[5]
Restricting the use of fire hydrants by fire companies for testing
fire apparatus and for fire department drills except as the Fire Chief
deems necessary in the interest of public safety;
[6]
Restricting the use of fire hydrants by the Department of Public
Works, contractors, and all others, except as necessary for fire fighting
or protection purposes;
[7]
Restricting the use of water for all outdoor recreational purposes;
[8]
Restricting the washing of outside of dwellings, buildings,
or other structures, except windows;
[9]
Restricting the operation of any ornamental fountain or other
structure making a similar use of water except as necessary to preserve
or support fish and aquatic life;
[10]
Restricting the washing of streets by a street sweeper, except
in those instances where Reclaimed Water for Beneficial Reuse (RWBR)
is authorized under a valid New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NJPDES) permit; and
(c)
The following restrictions may be imposed on the water uses stated in § 411-5E(2)(b):
[1]
Limitation of all outdoor usage which is not strictly prohibited
by this section to between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. or
between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.;
[2]
The watering of any single area shall not exceed 30 minutes
per day; and
[3]
Any other restriction specified in the resolution adopted by
the City Council which is reasonable under the circumstances considering
the nature and extent of the water emergency.
(d)
Any water use restriction imposed pursuant to § 411-5E may be amended by the City Council to add, alter, or delete any restriction at any time during the water emergency provided that said amendment shall be adopted by resolution of the City Council.
(e)
Any water use restriction imposed pursuant to § 411-5E shall apply equally to both users on privately owned wells and users served by a public or semi-public water system.
(f)
Nothing in this section shall be read so as to prohibit, restrict
or limit water usage where a bona fide health emergency exists.
(3)
Duration of water emergency. Whenever the City Engineer in his or
her professional judgment finds that the emergency drought conditions
in the City have abated prior to the expiration of the time period
specified in the resolution, he or she shall recommend to the City
Council of the City of Rahway that the water emergency cease. Upon
such a recommendation to cease, the City Council may adopt a resolution
declaring the water emergency at an end and the water use restrictions
previously imposed as no longer applicable. Otherwise, at the end
of the time period specified in the original resolution, the water
use restrictions identified in the original resolution shall lapse
and be inapplicable and unenforceable.
(4)
Extension of water emergency time period. If, at the expiration of
the time period specified in the resolution, the City Engineer in
his or her professional judgment finds that the emergency drought
conditions have not abated, he or she shall recommend to the City
Council that the water emergency remain in effect. Said recommendation
shall specify the duration of the extension. Whenever the City Council
has received such a recommendation, it may accept the City Engineer's
recommendation and findings, or any portion thereof, by adopting a
resolution to extend the water emergency. Said resolution shall specify
the duration of the extension, which shall not be for more than 90
days.
(5)
Notice. Reasonable attempts shall be made to notify citizens and
residents of the City of the existence of a water emergency, the restrictions
imposed, and the penalties for violations.
F.
Enforcement of water use restrictions. The water use restrictions imposed pursuant to § 411-5E shall be enforced during a water emergency by the City Engineer, Code Enforcement Officer, and enforcement personnel in the Department of Public Safety. Whenever these enforcement officials shall find a violation of the water use restrictions, regardless of the source of the water, these enforcement officials shall give the violator a written warning explaining the penalties for a violation of the Code. These enforcement officials shall keep such records as may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose of determining the persons and businesses who have been issued a written warning. These enforcement officials are hereby duly authorized to issue summonses for the violation of the water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this § 411-5E.
G.
Penalties. After a written warning for a first offense in accordance with § 411-5B, any person or business that thereafter violates the water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to a minimum penalty of $50 per for such first violation. No Municipal Court appearance shall be required for such first violation, unless the person or business pleads not guilty to the alleged violation. Each subsequent violation shall be subject to a penalty to be imposed at the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge.
