SEAWOOD WATER
UTILITY CORPORATION
WATER
RULES & REGULATIONS
—April 1, 2007—
These Rules and
Regulations are made and approved by
The Island Regulatory and Appeals
Commission
under Order UW07-02
Contents
1.0 APPLICATION
2.0 INTERPRETATION
3.0 GENERAL
3.1 Disputes
3.2 Application for Service
3.3 Plumbing Permit
3.4 Plumbing to be Satisfactory
3.5 Refusal of Service
3.6 Condemned Premises
3.7 Season for Laying Pipe
3.8 Access to Customer's Premises
3.9 Prohibited Appliances
3.10 Interference with Utility
Property
3.11 Improper Use or Waste of Water
3.12 Repair of Leaks
3.13 Cooling Water
3.14 Suspension of Service for
Violation
3.15 Suspension of Service
3.16 Liability of the Utility
3.17 Jurisdiction of the Utility
4.0 SERVICES
4.1 Installation of Shut-off
4.2 Individual Service
4.3 Deposits on Custom Work
4.4 Non-Negotiable Cheques
4.5 Service Pipes
4.6 Cost of Service Pipes
4.7 Cost of Oversized Service Pipes
4.8 No Water Service Without
Sewerage Service
4.9 Relocation of Service
4.10 Multiple Service Connections
4.11 Unauthorized Extensions,
Additions or Connections
4.12 Cross Connections Prohibited
4.13 Contaminated Interconnection
4.14 Repairs to Service Lines
4.15 Water for Construction
4.16 Contracted Work
4.17 Use of Independent Contractors
4.18 Signed Agreements
5.0
BILLING
5.1 Payment of Bills
5.2 Prorating of Rates
5.3 Suspension of Service for
Non-Payment of Bills
5.4 Curb Stop Charge
5.5 Delayed Payment Charge
5.6 Owner of Premises Billed
5.7 Rates During Vacancy
5.8 Multiple or Joint Use Premises
Part 1
1.1 As required by
the
Water and Sewerage Act, Section 16, the following Rules and
Regulations have been approved by Order UW03-03 of The Island Regulatory and
Appeals Commission for application by the Seawood Water Utility.
1.2 These
Rules and Regulations are subject to the
Water and Sewerage Act as well as
to directives of and special contracts approved by The Island Regulatory and
Appeals Commission.
Part 2
2.1
In these Rules and Regulations, unless the
context otherwise requires, the expression:
Commission
means The
Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission.
Customer
means a person, firm or corporation who or which requests or is supplied
with water service at a specific location or locations.
Domestic
Service means the type of
water service supplied to the owner or his authorized agent or to the
occupant or tenant of any space or area occupied for the distinct purpose
of a single-family house, each unit of a multiple dwelling, individual
apartment, flat and the like, furnished with separate kitchen facilities
provided with running water.
Due Notice
means the requirement that forty-eight (48) hours written notice be given
by the utility to a customer before any action is taken against the
customer for failure to comply with any of these Rules and Regulations.
Service
means water service.
Shall
in the context of these Rules and Regulations means the imperative and
that an act must be done.
Utility as defined in the
Water and
Sewerage Act of the Province of
Prince Edward Island means the
Water “Public Utility” operated by Seawood.
Part
3
3.1
Disputes
If any
dispute shall arises between the Utility and a customer over the
interpretation or application of these Rules and Regulations, either party
may refer the matter to the Commission for decision, and the Commission may,
notwithstanding anything contained in these Rules and Regulations, make such
order as it may deem appropriate.
3.2
Application for Service
The
Utility may, before rendering service, require an application form signed by
a prospective customer.
3.3 Plumbing
Permit
In the case of an owner of an
existing building or premises applying for service, no service shall be
provided until the Utility has been provided with a Certificate of Approval
issued by the Plumbing Inspector.
3.4 Plumbing
to be Satisfactory
All
plumbing, pipes, fittings, vents, fixtures and other devices for conveying,
distributing, controlling or utilizing water which are used by a customer
and are not the property of the Utility shall be installed according to the
requirements of the current edition of the Canadian Plumbing Code. Except
for construction or testing purposes, the water shall not be turned on until
the applicant for service has satisfied these requirements. The supply of
water may be refused or discontinued to any customer at any time, if, in the
opinion of the Utility, the plumbing, pipes, fittings, vents, fixtures and
other devices are herein before mentioned, or any of them, fail to comply
with the above requirements, or if any part of the water system of such
customer is in any unsuitable, dirty, unsanitary or inaccessible place.
Service shall not be re-established until such condition is corrected to the
satisfaction of the Utility.
3.5 Refusal of
Service
Service shall be refused or suspended to any customer who has failed to
discharge any of his liabilities to the Utility.
3.6 Condemned
Premises
Services shall be immediately discontinued to any property condemned under
any Federal or Provincial statute or municipal bylaw.
3.7 Season for
Laying Pipe
The
Utility shall not, on application or otherwise, lay any pipe at any season
of the year which, in the opinion of the Utility, is deemed unsuitable for
such construction.
3.8 Access to
Customer's Premises
Representatives of the Utility shall have the right of access to a
customer's property or premises at all reasonable hours for the purpose of
inspecting any water pipes or fittings, or appliances, or for the purpose of
installing, removing, repairing, reading or inspecting water meters. The
Utility shall have the right to suspend service to any customer who refuses
such access.
3.9 Prohibited
Appliances
Service
may be refused or suspended by the Utility to any customer who installs or
uses any device or appurtenance, as for example: booster pumps,
quick-opening or quick-closing valves, water-operated pumps or siphons,
standpipes or large outlets which may occasion sudden large demands of short
or long duration, thereby requiring oversize meters and pipe lines, or
affect the stability or regulation of water pressure in the Utility's
system. A permit to install or use any such device or appurtenance must be
obtained from the Utility. The permit shall specify what special
arrangements, such as elevated storage tanks, surge tanks or equalizing
tanks, etc., must be provided by the customer.
3.10 Interference
with Utility Property
No
person, unless authorized by the Utility in writing, shall draw water from,
open, close, cut, break or in any way injure or interfere with any fire
hydrant, water pipe or main or other property of the Utility, or obstruct
the free access to any hydrant, stop cock, meter, building, etc., provided
however that nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent an officer
or member of the Fire Department engaged in the work of such Department,
from using any hydrant or other source of water supply of the Utility for
such purpose.
3.11 Improper Use
or Waste of Water
No
customer shall permit the improper use or waste of water nor shall he sell
or give water to any person except upon such conditions and for such
purposes as may be approved in writing by the Utility.
3.12 Repair
of Leaks
Leaks
due to broken water services, worn tap washers, toilet valves or other
causes shall be promptly repaired. If, after being notified, a customer
refuses or unduly delays in having the repairs or alterations made, the
Utility may suspend the service if, in its opinion, such action is necessary
to prevent improper use or wastage of the service.
3.13 Cooling Water
Water
shall not be used for cooling purposes by any customer of the Utility except
where the system or equipment to be supplied is of the recirculating
conservation type with make-up water only being added. In the case of
refrigeration equipment, including air conditioning systems, no system
having a water consumption rate in excess of 0.50 litres per minute per
metric tonne of capacity shall be provided with cooling water. This
Regulation shall apply to all new installations and to any existing systems
if and when they are to be enlarged, renewed or replaced.
3.14 Suspension of
Service for Violation
Whenever, in the opinion of the Utility, violation of any of these Rules and
Regulations is existing or has occurred, the Utility may cause the service
to be suspended from the premises where such violation is existing or has
occurred and may keep the same so suspended until satisfied that the cause
for such action has been removed.
3.15 Suspension of
Service
In
every case calling for a suspension of service, due notice must be given to
the customer concerned.
3.16 Liability of
the Utility
3.16.1
The Utility shall endeavor to maintain reasonable continuity of service. If
the service is interrupted, the cause of such interruption or other
condition shall be removed or corrected and normal operating conditions
restored as soon as possible.
3.16.2
The Utility shall not be responsible for any damage, direct or
consequential, loss or liability that a customer may sustain by reason of
interruption of service, variation of pressure or on account of the turning
off or turning on of the water for any purpose, drawing a vacuum on the
system by fire pumpers, unless caused by the negligence of the Utility.
3.16.3
Interruptions in service shall not relieve the customer from any charge for
service.
3.17 Jurisdiction
of the Utility
The
Utility shall have jurisdiction over all services and extensions including
those on a customer's premises up to the cellar stop, including meters,
where applicable, in the case of water service.
Part 4
4.1
Installation of Shut-off
Every water service to a premises
shall have a shut-off valve in an accessible position at the point of entry
to the premises.
4.2 Individual
Service
Except
with the special written approval of the Utility, each separate residential
building or premises, not including multiple apartment buildings exceeding
two (2) units, shall have a separate water service with a curb stop.
4.3 Deposits on
Custom Work
Whenever a customer requests that the Utility do work for which such
customer is required to pay, and the Utility agrees to do the work, the
Utility may require, before the work is started, a sum of money equal to the
Utility's estimate of the probable cost of the said work. When the actual
cost is determined, an adjustment in payment shall be made. Service shall
not be established or continued by the Utility until all charges are paid.
4.4
Non-Negotiable Cheques
A charge of ten dollars ($10.00)
may be made for each non-negotiable cheque.
4.5 Service
Pipes
Upon
receipt of an application for service to any premises located on any portion
of a street within the service area of the Utility, which is served by a
main water pipe, and which premises are not already provided with service,
the Utility shall install or permit to be installed a water service pipe
which it considers to be of a suitable size and capacity. The customer may
engage an independent contractor to install connections, which the Utility
considers to be of a suitable size and capacity. No water pipe smaller than
¾-inch in diameter shall be laid for any water service. Any work carried out
by an independent contractor for the customer shall be under the inspection
and supervision of the Utility. An inspection fee of twenty dollars ($20.00)
shall apply to work installed by an independent contractor.
4.6 Cost of
Service Pipes
A cost
of $200 shall apply towards the cost of supplying and laying a 3/4–inch
water service pipe and fittings between the main pipe and the street line of
the property to be served. The complete costs of extending these services
from the street line to the premises shall be borne by the customer.
4.7 Cost of
Oversized Service Pipes
For
water services larger than ¾ inch, the whole cost shall be borne by the
customer.
4.8 No Water
Service Without Sewerage Service
Water
service shall not be extended to a premises unless sanitary sewer facilities
are also installed or are presently available to the premises in question.
4.9 Relocation
of Service
After
service has been installed by the Utility, no relocation of, or alteration
to, the portion of the service installed shall be made except at the expense
of the customer or other persons requesting such removal or alteration.
4.10 Multiple
Service Connections
In the
event of more than one (1) service being required to the same property, such
as a sprinkler system connection or an additional general service connection
or connections, the full cost of the additional services to the system
mains, any necessary repairs and maintenance to the additional services
between the main and the customer's premises and any necessary repairs and
replacement to any portion of the streets or sidewalks of the municipality
damaged in providing such additional services shall be paid by the customer.
The decision as to the necessity of the additional services shall be made by
the Utility.
4.11 Unauthorized
Extensions, Additions or Connections
No
person shall, without the written consent of the Utility, make or cause to
be made any connection to any pipe or main or any part of the water system
of the Utility or in any way obtain or use water therefrom in any manner
other than as set out in these Rules and Regulations.
4.12 Cross
Connections Prohibited
Connections of any customer's installation served by the Utility to any
other source of water supply is prohibited, except with the written
permission of the Utility with the terms and conditions of interconnection
clearly defined. Failure to comply with this Regulation shall entitle the
Utility to suspend the service.
4.13
Contaminated Interconnection
No
connection shall be permitted to any installation, equipment or source in
such a manner as may allow any contamination to pass from such installation,
equipment or source into the Utility's water supply system. If any such
connection exists the Utility may discontinue the supply of water to such
customer.
4.14 Repairs to
Service Lines
If a
leak, stoppage or other trouble occurs on a water line, it shall be
repaired as soon as possible.
The
following work shall be carried out at the expense of the Utility:
(i)
Repairs necessitated by a leak or other trouble occurring between the
water main and the property line.
(ii)
Repairs necessitated by a leak or other trouble occurring between the
property line and the customer's premises which has been caused by the
installation having insufficient grade or as a result of poor workmanship.
(iii)
Repairs necessitated by tree roots occurring between the water main and
the property line.
The
following work shall be carried out at the expense of the customer:
(i)
Repairs necessitated by normal wear and tear occurring between the
property line and the customer's premises.
(ii)
Repairs necessitated by any stoppage attributable to the improper use of
the water facilities occurring between the main and the customer's
premises.
(iii) Repairs necessitated by tree roots occurring
between the property line and the customer's premises.
4.15 Water for
Construction
The
Utility may furnish water to persons requiring a supply thereof for the
construction of buildings or other works. Such persons shall deposit with
the Utility such sum as may be determined by the Utility as sufficient to
defray the cost of making the necessary connection to the service main,
together with the cost of any meter to be installed to measure the water
consumed. Upon completion of the work and return of the meter to the
Utility, an adjustment shall be made after deducting the cost, if any, of
repairing the meter and of testing the same, and after determining the base
and connection charges and the consumption rates in respect to such
installation.
4.16 Contracted
Work
Where
the Utility does not carry out its own construction, any contract work shall
be done for, on behalf of, and with the approval in writing of the Utility.
4.17 Use of
Independent Contractors
In a
case where construction is to be carried out on behalf of the Utility by an
independent contractor, the customer is to be party to any decision relative
to accepting any quotation by the Utility, or alternately, the Utility may
allow the customer to have plans and specifications prepared, and after
being approved by the Utility, an acceptable contractor shall be authorized
by the Utility to proceed with construction under its inspection and
supervision. An inspection fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) shall apply to
laterals installed by an independent contractor.
4.18 Signed
Agreements
Where
construction is estimated to cost in excess of one thousand dollars
($1,000.), a signed agreement shall be entered into between the Utility and
the customer. Where construction is estimated to cost less than this amount,
the Utility may require a signed agreement between itself and the customer.
Part 5
5.1 Payment of
Bills
Bills
for service shall be rendered annually on 1 April and are payable within
thirty (30) days after the date rendered and if not so paid shall be deemed
to be in arrears.
5.2 Prorating of
Rates