Water System Rules & Regulations



WATER SYSTEM RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. The word “Authority” as used herein, shall mean the Authority of the Borough of Charleroi acting through its properly authorized officers or employees, each acting within the scope of the particular duties entrusted to him/her.

The word “Consumer” as used herein, shall mean the party applying for and taking a supply of water to a property.

2. APPLICATION

Water service will be turned on after the Consumer has signed a contract prepared by the Authority, and following the payment of a security deposit by the tenant. The signed application along with these rules shall constitute the contractual relations between the Consumer and the Authority. Each consumer, by the taking of service, agrees to be bound thereby.

– Owner must present two forms of identification with one showing proof of ownership (deed) and the other giving positive ID (drivers license).
Lessee must show two forms of identification with one showing lease agreement and the other giving positive ID (drivers license). Effective January 1, 2021, tenants/lessees of rented properties are no longer permitted to apply for water contracts with the Authority by order of Resolution 2020-13 (click here to view full Resolution).
– In each case, the applicant must appear at the office and personally sign a prepared contract.
– A notarized contract may be mailed for a charge (in effect at the time).
– Water service will be initiated for a charge (in effect at the time). Turn on’s are performed during regular working hours (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.

3. APPLICATION FOR WATER FOR BUILDING PURPOSES

A metered supply of water for building or other such purposes, except on a lot or premises already supplied, shall be specially applied for subject to the preceding rules for water service.

4. APPLICATION FOR NEW WATER SERVICE

– New water service connection, 3/4” or 1”, will be made after the applicant has signed a contract and paid a tap-in fee (amount in effect at the time).
– Any service connection 2” and larger will be billed at the prevailing tap-in fee rate or time and material estimated cost, whichever is greater. A deposit of the tap-in fee or estimated cost, must be made prior to tap being made.

5. TERMINATION

A Consumer who wishes to terminate water service shall call the Authority or come into the office to make arrangements to have water service discontinued as of a specified date. A final meter reading will then be scheduled and taken. The Consumer is responsible for paying all bills as long as the account is in his/her name. The Consumer must allow the Authority access to this meter for the final meter reading. If the Authority is not allowed access to the meter, the Consumer is liable for all water used and any damages to the meter until access is given.

When water service is discontinued after being on for a short period of time, the consumer will be charged no less than $30.00, or the current charge per thousand gallons if water used is more than the amount allowed for $30.00

Before any discontinuance of service to a landlord’s property due to a request for voluntary relinquishment of service by the landlord; the landlord shall state in a form bearing his notarized signature that all of the affected dwelling units are either unoccupied or the tenants affected by the proposed discontinuance have consented in writing to the proposed discontinuance. Such form shall conspicuously bear notice that false statements are punishable criminally.

Discontinuance of service by the Authority for non-payment of a bill or violation of these rules shall not cancel the application for service nor constitute a waiver of the rule.

6. WATER TURNED OFF FOR REPAIRS

When water is requested to be turned off for repairs, the consumer will be billed the applicable charge in effect at the time.

7. SECURITY DEPOSITS

Security deposits are required from all Lessee’s. The amount of the security deposit is what is in effect at the time.

Any Consumer, having made a deposit, shall pay bills for water service as rendered in accordance with the rules of the Authority. The deposit shall not be considered as payment on an account for a water bill during the time the Consumer is receiving service.

Effective January 1, 2021, tenants/lessees of rented properties are no longer permitted to apply for water contracts with the Authority by order of Resolution 2020-13 (click here to view full Resolution).

NO INTEREST WILL BE PAID ON DEPOSITS.

Deposits will be held until termination of service and then the amount of the deposit shall be returned to the Consumer providing all bills are paid.

8. INDEBTED CONSUMER

Service will not be furnished to an applicant known to be indebted to the Authority for any prior service until all unpaid bills have been paid in full.

9. DISCONTINUANCE AND RENEWAL OF SERVICE

Service under an application may be discontinued, after due notice, for any of the following reasons:

For misrepresentation in application of property to be supplied or use to be made of the water supply.

For use of water at property other than described in the application.

For any tampering of the water meter, wiring, or the seals of the meter or the remote read-out, service line, or curb stop.

In case of vacancy of the premises.

For non-payment of any account for water supplied and/or services rendered.

For failure to pay for maintaining the meter when it has been damaged by freezing.

For waste of water through improper or imperfect pipes, fixtures, etc.

For failure to keep meter accessible.

For the violation of any rule of the Authority.

Service will be renewed under a proper application, when the conditions for which service was discontinued are corrected at expense of consumer and upon payment of applicable charges.

For non-payment of sewage charges provided the Authority has been notified in writing to terminate service by an authorized agency. Service will not be restored until the Authority is notified to do so by the authorized agency.

10. BILLS RENDERED

All bills will be rendered at stated intervals, either monthly or quarterly, for service during the previous month or quarter. Bills for metered service shall be determined by meter reading in every case unless the meter fails to register, in which case a bill will be rendered based on previous average consumption (based on the previous 12 months).

11. BILLS DUE AND PAYABLE

Routine bills will be issued at the beginning of the month with a minimum of 15 days before the “Due Date”. After Due Date a 5% penalty will be added to the amount due. a “Final Notice” will be issued at least 30 days past the original Due Date. Failure to pay during the late pay period will result in your property being posted and an additional $25.00 fee being charged to your account. If payment is not made in 10 day after posting, water service will be terminated. A $75.00 termination charge will be added to the account. All amounts will be required before service is restored.

12. ACCURACY OF BILL

Any consumer, upon receipt of bill, having reason to doubt its accuracy, shall notify the Authority immediately so that accuracy can be investigated.

13. OWNER LIABLE FOR UNPAID TENANT WATER BILL

In the case where the Authority has agreed to provide water service to the tenant of a property, the owner shall be liable to pay the tenant’s bill for service rendered to the tenant by the Authority after the Authority notifies the owner and the tenant within thirty (30) days after the bill first becomes overdue. Such notification shall be provided by first class mail to the owner and to the billing address of the tenant respectively. (Municipal Authorities Act, 53 P.S. Section 306 (h.l.) (1994-1995)

14. NO CONSUMER MAY SUPPLY WATER TO OTHERS

No owner or tenant of any premises supplied with water by the Authority will be allowed to supply any other premises with water. Customers who violate this rule may have their water shut off after a notice of five (5) days, and it may remain off until the Authority is satisfied that the Rules and Regulations will be observed.

15. SERVICE LINES – MAIN TO CURB/PROPERTY LINE

New service lines from the main to the curb and/or property line, consisting of the corporation cock or ferrule and coupling, the curb stop and coupling, the pipe from the ferrule to the curb stop and the curb box, will be furnished by the Authority, upon payment, by the consumer ordering the service line installed, of a Tap-in Fee as required (amount in effect at the time) provided the property abuts a distribution line.

The Authority will be responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the service line between the main and curb and/or property line.

Service lines will not be installed when the service line passes over or through premises which at the time may be the premises of persons other than the owner of the premises to be supplied.

16. SERVICE LINES – CURB/PROPERTY LINE TO DWELLING

The service line beyond the curb stop shall be installed and maintained by and at the expense of the consumer. The portion of the service line installed by the consumer shall be not less in size and quality than the service line laid by the Authority, which will be %” Type K copper pipe for all 5/8” meters, and shall be laid not less than three and one-half (31/2) feet below the surface, and shall not be covered until the tap on the main is made and service line inspected by a representative of the Authority. If any defects in workmanship are found the service shall not be turned on until such defects are remedied.

The service line from the curb stop to the premises shall be kept in good condition by the owner under penalty of discontinuance of service by the Authority.

17. SERVICE LINES – GENERAL

The Authority is required by the PA Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 109.709 (b) under the direction of the PA Department of Environment Protection to develop and implement a comprehensive control program for the elimination of cross connections and backflow.

All service connections of the Authority system must have a backflow preventer installed at the meter location for both domestic and fire service.

18. OPENING AND CLOSING VALVES AND CURB STOPS

Under no circumstance shall any person not authorized by the Authority open or close valves or curb stops on any public or private line.

19. TWO OR MORE CONSUMERS ON SAME SERVICE LINE

When two or more Consumers are supplied with water from one service line, the water contract and billing must be in the owner’s name. If the owner wishes to spit the service to the property for the purpose of giving tenants separate meters, the owner shall install a new service line from the curb line into the building. Each service line shall have its own curb stop, valve and box for each meter installed. All work performed will be subject to water Authority inspection and approval. Any and all costs involved are at the expense of the owner.

20. LOCATION OF METER

The Authority will determine the location of all meters. If the Authority decides that the meter is to be placed within the building, the consumer will provide an easily accessible place in the cellar near the entrance of the service line and a location for a remote readout on the outside of the building.

Dwellings that are 100 feet or more from the main water line will require a METER PIT.

This meter pit must be purchased from the Authority and installed by the property owner.

All dwellings and trailers without a basement must have a METER PIT.

21. PROTECTION OF METER

The consumer must, at all times, properly protect the meter from damage by freezing or any other cause and will be held responsible for replacement of the meter at consumers expense.

22. METER TEST

At the request of an owner or tenant, the Authority will make a test of the accuracy of the meter. Each request for the test of a meter shall be accompanied by a deposit in an amount governed by the size of the meter. The cost of testing the meter will be according to the prevailing Meter Test Rates of the meter manufacturer. This cost, including shipping and handling charges, will be paid by the customer. If the meter tests accurate within the manufacturers limits the cost of the testing will be the responsibility of the Consumer and the Authority will keep the deposit. Otherwise the Authority will assume the entire cost of testing the meter and refund the deposit to the Consumer.

23. LEAKS AND DEFECTIVE PLUMBING

The 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 Authority and the consumer that no claims shall be made against the said Authority on account of the bursting or breaking of any main or service line.

24. LEAKS OR WASTE

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.

25. SUPPLY OF WATER

The Authority shall not be liable for a deficiency or failure in the supply of water when occasioned by shutting off water to make repairs or failure from any cause beyond its control.

The Authority reserves the right to restrict the supply of water in case of scarcity or whenever the public welfare may require it.

26. CONNECTION OR OUTLETS BETWEEN MAIN AND METER

No connection or outlet will be permitted on the service pipes supplying any premises, between the street main and the meter. ALL WATER USED MUST PASS THROUGH THE METER.

27. CROSS CONNECTIONS

Water service not supplied by the Authority shall not be connected or cross connected with the facilities of the Authority, nor shall the Consumer connect his private well, spring or cistern with the facilities of the Authority in accordance with the Rules and Regulations mandated by the PA Department of Environmental Protection. Any non-compliance with this regulation will result in the immediate termination of water service.

28. WATER HAMMER OR SURGES

It shall be the obligation of the consumer to arrange piping, fittings, automatic equipment, fixtures, facilities and machinery so the “water hammer” or “surges” can be avoided.

29. FIRE HYDRANTS

All persons are forbidden to open any fire hydrant or to use any water therefrom for any purpose without permission in writing from the Authority, under the penalty prescribed by law, except in case of fire, and by Fire Departments to test the fire hydrants. Such test shall be made under the direct supervision of an Authority employee.

30. PUBLIC FIRE HYDRANTS

The Authority, upon written instructions from an authorized official of a Municipality that is supplied water by the Authority, will install a standard fire hydrant at the expense of that Municipality. All fire hydrants will be maintained by the Authority. The Municipality shall be billed quarterly in accordance with the current rate schedule.

Whenever a Municipality wants to re-locate an existing fire hydrant, the Authority will make relocation at the expense of the Municipality upon written request.

31. PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANTS

When private fire protection is requested, the consumer will be responsible for the installation of the hydrants at his expense. Private fire protection consumers are subject to fire protection charges that are mainly compensation for “Standing Ready to Serve”. The said charge the use of water is not contemplated except for the actual extinguishing of fires or for testing of the system which shall not be done without first notifying the Authority. Private consumer shall be billed quarterly in accordance with the current rate schedule.

32. MAIN LINE EXTENSIONS

The Authority will extend existing water mains to provide water after the prospective Customer has made the necessary application and paid any deposits applicable to the project.

Once the water line has been installed, the customer has signed a contract, and the water has been turned on, the owner will receive a refund, not more than up to seven times the annual gross revenue that the Authority estimates it will receive from each dwelling.

Under no circumstances shall the total amount of the refunds exceed the total amount deposited with the Authority by the Depositor.

No part of the deposit remaining after ten (10) years will be returned.

33. TRAILER COURTS

The owner/developer of a Trailer Court will be required to sign the application for service to the Court and will be responsible for the water service and all charges. Service will be provided under the following terms and conditions:

All charges shall be on the basis of the meter size and consumption o Requires technical specifications and standard drawings from the Authority PRIOR to installation.

34. CHANGING OF RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Authority reserves the right to change or amend these rules and regulations and the Rates for the use of water from time to time.