Source: https://ecode360.com/10141221
Timestamp: 2019-11-13 19:53:18
Document Index: 139423069

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234', '§ 234']

Township of Manalapan, NJ Water
Ch 234 Art I Water System Rules
§ 234-2 Control of system; payment of bills.
§ 234-3 Application for service.
§ 234-4 Installation of service connection and lines.
§ 234-5 Metering; water rates.
§ 234-6 Rates for industrial site on Mt. Vernon Road.
§ 234-7 Access to premises for inspection.
§ 234-8 Water use suspensions or restrictions; discontinuation of service.
§ 234-9 Installations and extensions.
§ 234-10 Public fire hydrants.
§ 234-11 Fire protection service; rates.
§ 234-12 Thawing of pipes or mains.
§ 234-13 Installation and maintenance of service lines.
§ 234-14 Construction standards.
§ 234-15 Violations and penalties.
§ 234-16 Operation of Water Department as a water utility.
Ch 234 Art II Lawn Sprinkling
§ 234-17 Restrictions on use of water for sprinkling.
§ 234-18 Exemption for private water sources.
Chapter 234 Water
Utilities Authority — See Ch. 45.
Water — See Ch. 278.
Attachment 1 - Schedule A, Water Rates Attachment 2 - Schedule B, Fire Protection Service Rates
Article II Lawn Sprinkling
[Adopted 10-27-1993 by Ord. No. 93-30 as Ch. 220, Art. I, of the 1993 Code]
Any duly authorized representative of the owner.
Indicates labor, material, transportation, expenses, equipment, supervision, engineering and all and every necessary overhead expense.
Any owner, agent or occupant who is responsible for the payment of fees specified herein.
The extension of a water main along a street, avenue or highway. An "extension" shall not include the water service connection as herein defined.
Refers to the charges of any nature levied by the Township of Manalapan arising out of any charge resulting from installation, service or distribution of water which are declared to be a lien against the property served by virtue of the statute in such case made and provided.
Either in the singular or the plural, all pipes, including valves, valve boxes, fittings and appurtenances, other than service connections, conveying water to or distributing water from the Township of Manalapan water supply.
A fire hydrant located upon private property and privately owned.
A main running through private property or in a private street to serve more than one home or other buildings or properties.
A fire hydrant under the control of the municipality located on a right-of-way of the municipality or municipal property.
SERVICE CONNECTION (or service pipe or service line connections, including corporations)
A pipe or pipes connected to a main and extending thence to privately owned property or premises for supplying water service thereto.
The person retained by the Township Committee of the Township of Manalapan as the qualified licensed Superintendent of the Manalapan Township Water Department, and who shall be charged with the responsibility and authorized to carry out the provisions as contained in this article.
The Township of Manalapan, New Jersey, acting through the Township Committee of the Township of Manalapan, the Water Department of the Township of Manalapan or the officers and agents thereof.
All of the property, organization or operation of the water supply system and each and every part thereof of the Township of Manalapan, collectively or separately, functioning under the direction of the Township Committee of the Township of Manalapan, either directly or by its duly authorized representatives or agents, and operating as a water utility.
The pipe serving a premises from the main into the premises to a point three feet beyond the meter, including the meter.
Rules and regulations governing application for permits, design and construction of water supply systems in residential and nonresidential developments. The rules and regulations governing the application for permits, design and construction of water supply systems in residential and nonresidential developments shall be adopted from time-to-time by resolution of the Township Committee.
[Added 2-24-1999 by Ord. No. 99-01]
The water mains and appurtenances, service pipes from the main to the curbline, corporation stops, curb stops and boxes of the Department shall be under the control of the Township Committee and its authorized agents and employees, and all other persons are forbidden to disturb, tamper with, injure, change, obstruct access to or interfere with said water mains and appurtenances, service pipes from the main to the curbline, corporation stops, curb stops and boxes in any way.
Any person or persons, firm or firms, corporation or corporations receiving a supply of water for any purpose from the water system operated by the Township shall be subject to rules and regulations as set forth herein.
The owner of any house, building or lot shall be liable for the payment of the service charge or rent as fixed herein or by the Township Committee for the use of water and for all fees and other charges in connection with the installation, repair and testing of any water meter, water service, connections, appliances or parts, and renewals thereof, heretofore or hereafter furnished or made by the Manalapan Township Water Department in or upon such house, building or lot until the same is paid and satisfied.
Payment for the use and consumption of water and of all other fees and charges incurred shall be paid as designated by the Township Committee of the Township of Manalapan, New Jersey.
[Amended 2-24-1999 by Ord. No. 99-01]
Due date of bills. All bills for the furnishing of water shall be payable for the preceding quarter on the first day of March, June, September and December. If bills are not paid within 60 days after the due date for the respective quarter, the water supply shall be discontinued and shall remain off until the total amount due is paid. The owner shall remain liable for all charges for buildings which are unoccupied, unless written notice of such unoccupancy is given at the time such building becomes unoccupied. A fee of $75 shall be charged to turn service on during normal business hours, and a fee of $150 charged outside normal business hours.
[Amended 12-14-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-11]
Unless the applicant for water service specifies otherwise, all bills and notices will be mailed or delivered to the premises where water service is supplied. If the applicant so desires, the Manalapan Township Water Department will mail the bills and notices to the business or home address of the owner, customer or his agent. Bills and notices will be mailed through ordinary United States mail service, and if not received the consumer shall obtain them from the Superintendent of the Water Department or an agent or employee thereof. Failure to receive bills or notices shall not excuse the nonpayment of water bills.
All applications for the use of water or for a service connection shall be on forms to be provided at the office of the Department, by the owner of the premises or by his duly authorized agent, the fee for which shall be payable in advance.
Persons desiring the use of water for building construction shall make application according to the provisions as herein provided. The Township Committee reserves the right to regulate the purpose for which the water may be used during construction and shall require the water to be metered. Meters shall be rented from the Water Department and charged for at regular rates for meters.
Main tapping and connection charge. The tapping of a main or connection to a main shall be paid for by the owner at no cost or expense to the Water Department or the Township. Tapping shall be done only by the Township's duly authorized representative. For each single-family residence tap or connection to a main up to one inch in diameter, there shall be a charge of $519 and an inspection fee as established by the Township. For each tap over one inch in diameter, the fee shall be set by the Township Committee.
[Amended 2-24-1999 by Ord. No. 99-01; 3-22-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-03; 12-14-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-11]
No street openings shall be made except upon the consent of the Water Department and subject to such terms as it and the Township Committee may impose and upon notice to the Township Road Department.[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 204, Streets and Sidewalks, Art. I, Street Excavations.
The applicant shall be responsible for obtaining the necessary road opening permits for any state or county road effected by the work necessary to complete a service connection. The applicant shall be required to pay all fees covering the costs of road repairs at current rates charged by the state, county or Township. The applicant shall perform or have performed all excavating and backfilling of trenches for service connection and service lines and shall be responsible for any and all costs arising therefrom.
Installation of service lines from the curb stop, or repair work thereon, shall be performed by a plumber duly qualified to perform such work, at the expense of the applicant. All service connection pipe shall be installed at least four feet below the surface. No rigid connection to any other water distribution system shall be made.
The service connection shall, as far as practical, be installed at right angles to the main and in a straight line to the meter. There shall be no attachment thereon from which water may be drawn between the main and the meter.
Service pipe shall be installed only through the property of the applicant, unless said applicant shall enjoy an easement or right-of-way for said purpose, duly recorded.
Water pipe shall not be installed in the same excavation or trench with sewer pipe unless the same shall be separated vertically by at least two feet.
All service connection pipe from the main shall consist of Type K copper tubing and shall be installed and maintained by the owner. The copper tubing shall not be less than one inch in size for all domestic lines and of such larger size as shall be designated by the Water Department for commercial and industrial buildings and multiple residences.
The completed line shall remain open until inspected and approved by the Water Department or its representative. At least 24 hours' notice shall be given the Water Department for the purpose of inspecting and approving the work.
The owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of the service line from the curb to the meter or interior of the building and shall keep the same in good repair and protect it from damage due to frost or other causes. All leaks in the service lines shall be reported promptly to the Water Department and repaired by the owner. The owner shall be liable for water escaping from such leaks at a charge to be estimated by the Water Department based upon the estimated quantity of water escaping. If repairs are not so made, the Water Department may shut off the water and may refuse to turn it on again until the line is put in serviceable condition.
No person except an employee of the Water Department shall turn water on or off at the curb stop.
No service connection shall be permitted to serve two or more buildings or structures from a single tap, except upon a special permit granted by the Water Department, and if granted, a separate and distinct curb stop and box shall be provided for each building or structure.
[Amended 2-10-1993 by Ord. No. 92-01]
All service lines shall be installed in accordance with the rules and regulations governing applications for permits and the design and construction of water supply systems in the Township. Valves shall be installed at the point of entry to the premises as follows:
Roundway tee stop on the street side of meter and yoke.
Globe valve with drain on the house side of meter and yoke. The Township will provide the meter and yoke, the cost thereof to be borne by the owner.
The Water Department may refuse to supply water to premises wherein the plumbing work has not been done in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Township of Manalapan Board of Health or where an applicant has not supplied a space or area acceptable to the Water Department for the installation of water meter and appurtenances.
Fees for metered water. The Township shall, as circumstances require, fix all fees, charges and rates as herein provided: As of March 1, 2019, the following annual rates shall be charged for the consumption of metered water to all consumers of the Township water system as set forth in Schedule A, attached hereto.[1]
[Amended 12-4-1996 by Ord. No. 96-24; 2-24-1999 by Ord. No. 99-01; 11-30-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-10; 12-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-12]
Upon the passage and publication of this section, all fees shall be processed and delivered to the Mt. Vernon industrial customer within the Township franchise area by the Englishtown Water Department at its approved rates.
The Water Department shall have access at all reasonable hours to premises connected to the water distribution system for the purpose of reading and installing the meter and of inspecting and maintaining equipment. The hours between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. shall be reasonable hours for this purpose.
In the case of prolonged scarcity of water from any cause, the Water Department reserves the right, upon public notice, to have the use of water suspended or restricted, but not in limitation thereof, for the following purposes: lawn or garden sprinkling, swimming pools, air-conditioning purposes and car washing.
Water service may be discontinued upon such notice as shall be reasonable or practicable for any of the following reasons:
For the use of water for any properties or purposes other than those permitted in this article or described in the application.
For failure to maintain, in good order, connections, service lines or fixtures owned by the consumer.
For molesting or tampering with any service pipe, meter, curb stop or seal or any other appliances of the Water Department.
For nonpayment of bills, rents, charges or fees or for penalties imposed or for any other reason causing or tending to cause a loss to the Water Department.
Failure to decrease or limit the use of water when requested by the Water Department.
For violation of any ordinance of the Township of Manalapan relating to the use and distribution of water.
At the discretion of the Water Department when the premises become vacant.
The Water Department reserves the right to shut off water service without notice. In case of technical defects or for other unavoidable cause or for the purpose of making necessary repairs, connections or other alterations to the water distribution system.
In no case shall water be turned on again until the defects have been remedied, and all bills due and charges or penalties and fees imposed have been paid. The owner of the premises shall also be liable for any loss sustained by the Water Department as the result of such defects.
Should the occupant of the premises turn on the water or suffer or cause it to be turned on after it has been shut off at the curb by the Water Department, it shall be shut off again, the curb stop shall be sealed, and a charge of $150 shall be made for the expense of shutting off the curb stop and turning it on again.
Neither the Water Department nor the Township of Manalapan shall be held liable for any damage which may be claimed due to the failure of any restriction of the water supplied or from low or high pressure or damage due to water quality.
The Water Department and the Township of Manalapan reserve the right to add to or modify the rules and regulations governing the water distribution system at any time.
Owners of a vacant building or buildings that are about to be vacated shall give at least five days' notice that such buildings are about to become vacant to the Water Department so that water may be shut off and will be responsible for the water charges until such notice is given.
A new application for water service shall be filed upon the change of ownership of the property described in the original application, and the Water Department may discontinue water service until such new application has been filed and approved.
Hoses shall not be used unless the water is metered, or in the case of flat rate service, a sill tap has been installed and is subject to the flat rate charge.
When requested by the owner or his agent, the Water Department shall discontinue service to a property either temporarily or permanently.
No adjustment of water charges due to failure of the Water Department to discontinue or restore water service as requested by an owner shall be made unless the request for discontinuance or restoration is in writing and duly filed with the Water Department and approved by the Township Committee.
When turning on the water supply as requested and the house or property is vacant, the Water Department will not accomplish the same unless in the presence of the occupant or owner. If such is found to be the case, the water will be left shut off at the curb stop. The Water Department's jurisdiction and responsibility ends at the curb stop and the Water Department will in no case be liable for damages occasioned by water running from open or faulty fixtures or from broken or damaged pipes beyond the Water Department's curb stop.
Where connections are abandoned, the owner of the premises or applicant shall pay for having same shut off and plugged at the curb stop or corporation stop, at the option of the Water Department, before a new connection will be installed to said premises.
Where persons, corporations or contractors making improvements, etc., necessitating excavations in streets wherein water mains and service connections are laid, requiring said water mains and service connections to be cut and refitted, lowered or raised, etc., said persons, corporations or contractors shall make written request to the Water Department to make such changes and shall furnish a satisfactory guaranty to said Water Department insuring the payment of all costs incurred by said Water Department in making the changes necessary or required to be made.
The Water Department shall not be liable for any damages resulting from the bursting or breaking of any main or service pipe.
When the accuracy of a meter is questioned, the Water Department will test it upon request, preferably in the presence of the customer. No charge will be made for such tests, provided that the customer has not made a request for a test within a period of 12 months prior to such request. If a test is requested at an interval of less than 12 months, a charge will be made for each such test. Whenever a water meter is found to be registering fast in excess of more than 1 1/2%, an adjustment of charges will be made to the customer account for the previous billing period.[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection R, regarding charges for testing a meter, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 12-14-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-11.
All mains shall be installed within the boundaries of public roads or streets or, where such streets and roads have not yet been accepted by the municipality, within the boundaries of roads and streets laid out in compliance with all ordinances of the Township of Manalapan including the Township's road opening permit policy whereunder there exists a five-year moratorium against road openings after the road's top course pavement has been completed and in conformance with the Township's "Rules and Regulations Governing Applications for Permits, Design and Construction of Water Supply Systems in Residential and Nonresidential Developments," dated December 1998, as may be amended from time to time by the Township Committee by resolution.
The installation of water mains in any street, lane, road, etc., by the Township or by others shall not imply Township ownership or acceptance of such streets, lanes, roads, etc., unless and until they otherwise comply with Township requirements for acceptance, ownership and maintenance.
The cost of installation of water mains and fire hydrants in any existing street, lane, road etc., may be assessed, in whole or in part, against property owners, including real estate developments benefiting by such extension.
All water mains, hydrants and associated facilities, such as booster pumps, pressure tanks, service lines, curb stops, curb boxes and valves, as required by the Water Department on new or proposed streets shall be installed and paid for by the real estate developers or builders, and ownership thereof shall be transferred to the Township of Manalapan when such installation meets with the approval of the Water Department and the Township Committee. Prior to any such acceptance, it shall be necessary for the real estate developer or builder extending said water system as herein provided to submit to the Water Department a detailed map indicating the location of the extended facilities, including all surface controls as well as the depth of the subsurface lines and controls by acceptable engineering detailed drawings.
The Water Department shall specify the type, size and location of all mains, hydrants, booster stations, pressure tanks, etc., on all new extensions, and the entire system is subject to inspection and approval by the Water Department and is to be tested under the Water Department's supervision before backfilling.
Extension of new mains. If an existing main adjoins a property in a real estate development and is of sufficient capacity for the additional amount of water required for such development, the charges for connecting the existing main to the mains of the development shall be set by the Township Committee by resolution. If the capacity of the existing main is not adequate to supply the additional amount of water to be used in that development, the developer shall be responsible for the installation of a suitable main and other necessary equipment which may be installed only after review and approval of the extension by the Township Committee in conjunction with the Water Department officials. Any such extension of a new main shall not be undertaken unless and until the developer responsible for the same has entered into an agreement with the Township which shall include the terms and conditions relative to the method and cost of installation and other matters incidental to any such extension. Any such agreement shall be required to have included therein a provision requiring the developer to pay to the Township the sum of $519 for each service connection to be made by the developer from the extended main.
Installation of new water mains in major subdivision tracts developed for residential, industrial, commercial and research use shall in all cases conform to the requirements of the Manalapan Township Land Subdivision Ordinance of 1968, as amended and supplemented,[1] and the applicable rules and regulations of this article.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 94, Development Regulations.
Limited main extension other than in major subdivision developments or as part of the Township extension program may be made on the basis of individual application and in accordance with the agreements between the applicant and the Township. In such case, however, the applicants or applicant to be served shall pay the entire cost of such extension. Such extension shall not be authorized until the plans and method of installation as well as the location of the same is submitted to the Township Committee for approval. The submission of the planned extension for approval to the Township Committee shall contain within the specifications submitted a detail map prepared by a licensed professional engineer indicating the location of the main extension and the appurtenances thereto. Any such limited main extensions shall be subject to all of the rules, regulations and requirements of the provisions of this article relating to extension to or changes in existing mains in the Township.
No person shall take water from any fire hydrant or hose plug except for the use of a recognized fire company, and no fire hydrant shall be used for sprinkling the street, flushing sewers or gutters or for any other purpose without authorization of the Water Department.
The Chief or Chiefs of the Fire Company and his or their assistant officers are authorized to use the public fire hydrants for the purpose of extinguishing fires and also with due care, after notice to the Water Department, to a reasonable extent to use water for the purpose of drills and tests and washing fire equipment, but all such uses shall be under the supervision and direction of the Chief or Chiefs or his assistant officers, and in no event shall an inexperienced or an incompetent person be permitted to manipulate or control in any way any fire hydrant.
The location of a fire hydrant may, upon written request, be changed with the approval of the Water Department, and the estimated cost of making such change shall be paid for by the applicant in advance. No hydrant will be moved which will increase existing insurance rates.
The location and setting of new fire hydrants shall be made in conformity with the requirements and recommendations of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
No person shall in any manner obstruct or prevent free access to or tamper with or injure or damage by causing or permitting a vehicle to come in contact with any fire hydrant or place or store temporarily or otherwise any object, material, snow, debris or structure of any kind within a distance of 10 feet from any fire hydrant. Any such obstruction, when discovered, may be removed at once by the Water Department at the expense of the person responsible for the obstruction, and he shall be liable to a fine as herein provided. Repair or damage of hydrant shall be charged to person responsible.
Public fire hydrants will be maintained by the Water Department, but all expenses for the maintenance or repairs resulting from the negligence or fault of the employees of the Township, members of the Fire Department or other persons, excluding the Water Department or its employees, shall be paid by the Township or those responsible.
[Amended 6-15-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-04]
The Water Department shall not be liable for a deficiency or failure in the supply of water for the control or suppression of fires from any cause.
When, in the judgment of the Water Department, it is practical, private fire service connections may be allowed for hydrants, hose connections or sprinkler systems on private property, for which a quarterly rate shall be charged by size of connection as well as per private fire hydrant as of July 1, 2011, as set forth in Schedule B[1] attached hereto, subject to special contract and special rules and regulations governing such service as may be determined by the Water Department and the Township Committee.
All private fire service/hydrants shall be installed at the sole cost of the applicant, subject to approval of the type, size and installation thereof by the Water Department.
All private fire service/hydrants shall be subject to use by the Fire Department for the control and suppression of fires, whether on the property of the applicant or not. When such use is made thereof for protection of property other than that of the owner of the property whereon the private fire hydrant is located, no charge shall be made for the water so used, as estimated by the Water Department.
All private fire hydrants and all facilities installed shall be maintained by the persons receiving the benefit thereof, under the supervision of the Water Department.
No company or person shall undertake the thawing of water service pipes or mains by the use of electric current without authorization and supervision of the Water Department. The services of a Water Department Inspector shall be paid for at the rate of $4 per hour by the company or individual to whose work he is assigned.
Any person doing any plumbing work in connection with the installation and maintenance of a service line shall report, within five days to the Water Department, all violations of this article and of the rules and regulations of the Water Department which come to his knowledge or attention.
Any person doing any plumbing work as aforesaid shall indemnify and save harmless the Township and the Water Department from all accidents and damage resulting from his work whether such work is done by him personally or under his direction.
All connections shall include a backflow prevention device(s) as defined at N.J.A.C. 7:10-1.3, and as specified at N.J.A.C. 7:10.3. The customer is solely responsible for all costs and expenses relating to the installation, operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of the customer's water system, including the fire suppression system and backflow prevention device(s). The customer shall ensure that the water system complies with the applicable requirements of the Uniform Construction Code in effect at the time of system installation, including any applicable building, plumbing and fire protection subcodes; and shall ensure that the customer's water system is maintained in accordance with all applicable law so as to protect against backflow, back-siphonage and contamination of the potable water system.
Any person doing any plumbing work as aforesaid may turn on the water after the connection is completed to test out his work but shall leave the curb stop closed when he has finished the work, unless specifically authorized to leave it turned on by the Water Department.
Any persons making changes in piping, fixtures and facilities subject to flat-rate charges shall forthwith notify the Water Department of such alterations.
The Township Committee may, by resolution, from time to time adopt rules and regulations governing the application for permits, design and construction in residential and nonresidential developments. Said rules and regulations shall be kept on file in the office of the Township Clerk and may be purchased pursuant to Subsection B below.
Construction standards shall be as contained in the Township's rules and regulations governing the application for permits, design and construction of water supply systems in residential and nonresidential developments dated December 1998 as may be amended from time to time by the Township Committee by resolution. A copy of same is on file in the office of the Township Clerk and may be purchased for the sum of $25.
For violation of any provision of this chapter or any ordinance or rule or regulation adopted by the Township, the maximum penalty upon conviction shall be one or more of the following:
A fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 90 days or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days. Nothing herein shall put the court upon conviction from levying one or more of the above-referenced penalties.
Each and every day in which a violation of any provision of this chapter or any ordinance or any rule or regulation exists shall constitute a separate violation.
The Water Department shall operate as a water utility with separate appropriations for the conduct of said operation.
[Adopted 10-27-1993 by Ord. No. 93-30 as Ch. 220, Art. II, of the 1993 Code]
Effective on the date of publication of the notice of final adoption of this article, lawn sprinkling or lawn watering of residential or commercial property in the Township of Manalapan, utilizing water from the Gordons Corner Water Company or from the Municipal Water Authority, shall be restricted from June 1 through September 30 of each calendar year as follows:
Properties with even-numbered addresses may be watered or sprinkled only on even-numbered days of the month.
Properties with odd-numbered addresses may be watered or sprinkled only on odd-numbered days of the month.
No properties shall be watered or sprinkled on the 31st day of any month.
In the event of a water emergency, the Township of Manalapan reserves the right to ban all lawn sprinkling or watering entirely until the emergency is ended.
This article shall not apply to lawn sprinkling or lawn watering of properties utilizing private well water or other private sources of water.