Utility Services Bylaw of Hamlet of Mirror No. 1447/25 — full text

This is an automated transcription (OCR) of the captured official document — minor recognition errors are possible; the source document governs. Snapshot a3ee5026f014 · verified 2026-06-08 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

## BYLAW NO. 1447/25 A BYLAW OF LACOMBE COUNTY IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA RESPECTING WATER, WASTEWATER AND GARBAGE COLLECTION SERVICES IN THE HAMLET OF MIRROR. The Council of Lacombe County, duly assembled, enacts as follows: ## SHORT TITLE This Bylaw may be referred to as the "UTILITY SERVICES BYLAW of the Hamlet of Mirror" ## 1. USE AND CONTROL - 1.1 The use and control of all water, wastewater and garbage collection system. n the Hamlet of Mirror shall be in accordance with this Bylaw ## 2. AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY - 2.1 All water, wastewater and garbage collection systems in the Hamlet of Mirror and belonging to Lacombe County now laid down, or hereafter laid down, shall be under the direct control of Lacombe County. ## 3. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS - "Agent" means any representative of Lacombe County authorized by the County Manager; - "Bulk Waste" includes furniture, appliances, mattresses, bicycles, or other oversize items; - (C) "Clean" means not contaminated or soiled; - "Collection Day" means a day established, published and distributed by the County Manager for garbage collection; - (e) Collection Point" means the property or road allowance that has been designated by the County for the setting out of Garbage for Garbage collection; - "Collector" means an agent, contractor or employee of the County who conducts solid waste collection; - (g) "Commercial Waste" means any waste generated by commercial, industrial, institutional, community, governmental, religious or charitable organizations; - (h) "Construction Waste' means any waste produced in the process of constructing, altering, renovating, repairing, or demolishing a building, including earth, vegetation and rock displaced during the process of construction; - (i) "County" means Lacombe County; - "County Garbage Collection System" means the Garbage Collection System authorized by Section 10.1 of this Bylaw; - (k) "County Manager" means the Chief Administrative Officer of Lacombe County or his designate; - "County Wastewater System" means the Wastewater System authorized by Section 7.1 of this Bylaw; - (m) "County Water System" means the Water System authorized by Section 5.1 of this Bylaw; - (n) "Customer" means an individual, partnership or corporation that is the owner or occupant of the property to which water, wastewater or garbage collectior services are provided - (o) "Garbage" means all solid waste generated through ordinary day-to-day activities; - (p) "Hamlet" means the Hamlet of Mirror; - "Hazardous Waste" includes any waste which contains: trichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, free cyanides or polychlorinated biphenyls; any liquid which contains arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium or thallium concentrations greater than 99 milligrams per kilogram; any liquid which contains an organic solvent in concentration greater than 999 milligrams per kilogram; any pesticides, herbicides, explosives, quick lime, sewage sludge, septic tank pumpings, oil, combustible liquids, batteries, poisons, acids. caustics; any container used to transport such waste and any other waste which presents an unusual disposal problem for reasons of health or safety; - (r) "Meter" means a water meter used to measure the amount of water consumed in metric measurement; - (S) "Multiple Family Dwelling" means any building or group of buildings having more than four separate dwelling units, including, but not limited to, apartments, condominiums and townhouses; - (t) "Person" means a firm, corporation, owner, occupier, lessee or tenant; - "Peace Officer" means any Person employed by the County as a Bylaw Enforcement Officer, including a Community Peace Officer or any other Person authorized by the County to enforce the provisions of this Bylaw, including, but not limited to, RCMP members or other police organizations; - "Receptacle" means a container or bag used to contain Garbage not exceeding 121 liters in size; - (W) "Residential Premise" include: - any building containing a single dwelling unit including a mobile home (single detached dwelling; and - ii. a semi-detached dwelling (duplex, four plex), where each single dwelling unit is deemed to be a Residential Premise; - (x) "Sharps" means any items having corners, edges or projections capable of cutting or piercing the skin, including, but not limited to; hypodermic needles, svringes, blades and broken glass; - (y) "Violation Tag" means a municipal violation notice or tag, allowing for the voluntary payment of a specified penalty to be paid out of court to the County in lieu of appearing in answer to a summons. - "Violation Ticket" means a ticket issued pursuant to the Provincial Offences Procedure Act. - (aa) "Wastewater Service Line" means that line extending from the main in the street to the property line of the building being serviced; - (bb) "Water Main" means that portion of water and/or wastewater line that is laid for the service of more than one Person; - (cc) "Water Service Line" means that line extending from the main in the street to the property line of the building being serviced; - (dd) "Yard Waste" means any plant material commonly thrown away in the course of maintaining yards and gardens, including grass clippings, leaves, sod and tree, shrub and bush debris. ## 4. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY - 4.1 Council hereby delegates to the County Manager authority to do all things necessary in order to fulfill the responsibilities and duties of the County with respect to the delivery of utility services under the Municipal Government Act and this Bylaw. The County Manager is responsible for the operation of the County's Water, Wastewater and Garbage Collection Systems in accordance with: - (a) Provincial and Federal Statutes and Regulations; and - (b) This Bylaw and related regulations. ## 5. WATER WORKS - 5.1 The County is hereby authorized to operate a Water System for the purposes of supplying the Customers within the Hamlet with potable water and fire protection. - 5.2 No Person except those authorized by the County Manager shall make any connection with any of the water pipes or mains in any public property, roadway or easement. - 5.3 Except as hereinafter provided, no Persons, other than agents of the County, shall open, close, operate, interfere, or draw water from any water main, valve, hydrant or fire plug. - 5.4 The Fire Chief and members of those fire departments providing fire services in the Hamlet are authorized to use the valves, hydrants or fire plugs of the County Water System for the purpose of extinguishing fires, for fire protection or for any other activities related to the Fire Department. - 5.5 No Person shall in any manner obstruct the free access to any hydrant, valve or stopcock. No vehicle, building, rubbish or any other matter which would cause such obstruction of the street in which the hydrant is located may be within five meters of the hydrant in a direction parallel with the said property line. - 5.6 The County shall assume the full responsibility and costs for any water service line which may be frozen between the water main and the property line. The owner of the property shall be responsible for any costs associated with thawing a water service between the property line and the dwelling. Any costs incurred by the County in thawing frozen lines on behalf of any Person shall be recoverable as per Schedule "A". - 5.7 All water service pipes laid in private property, between the property line and the water meter, shall be C.S.A. approved material of not less than the quality to the service pipes in the street between the water main and the property line. - 5.8 The County requires that all water service Customers have meters and remote reading devices for each separate water service line provided to their property and building premises at the costs as stated in Schedule "A". - The owner of the property shall be responsible for any damage to the water meter, its appurtenances and the outside reader which may result from activities other than normal wear and tear. - 5.10 No connection may be made to the water service line between the property line and the meter. - 5.11 All owners, tenants, or occupiers of property shall give access to an agent of the County to: - (a) Install service or seal a water meter and shall be liable for any damage that may occur to said meter. - (b) Shut off and seal a water line for non-payment of an account relating to the property. - 5.12 Any Person permitting any meter to be damaged by frost shall be liable for all costs incurred in the repair of said meter. Repair costs shall include the costs for any agent of the County required to complete the repair, the costs for County equipment, contracted services and goods purchased. The sai charges so made shall be added to the utility bil - 5.13 Should any Person claim a meter is not working properly and is over reading, said Person shall deposit with the County the sum as stated in Schedule "A". The meter will then be removed from service and given a bench test. - (a) Should the meter be found to over-read by more than three percent the said Person shall be refunded their deposit. - (b) Any meter which does not over-read by more than three percent shall be considered adequate, and the said Person shall forfeit the deposit to the County to cover costs of removal and test of said meter. - 5.14 No Person shall interfere with, cut or remove the wire seal on a meter, valve or outside reader, and no Person shall disconnect a meter or do anything which may prevent or impede the flow of water through a meter or the recording of the flow of water through the meter, or which may affect the proper operation of the water meter. - 5.15 Where interference with, or obstruction, of the water meter, its appurtenances or the outside reader occurs the County Manager may order action to correct the interference or obstruction, such action to be carried out to the satisfaction of the County Manager, with costs charged to the Customer. The said charges so made shall be added to the utility bill. - Where a meter has been interfered with, an estimate of water consumption shall be made in accordance with this Bylaw as a basis for water and wastewater service charges, but this charge shall be in addition to other penalties that may be charged under this Bylaw. - 5.17 To maintain an adequate water supply with the Hamlet of Mirror, the County Manager may impose restrictions on the use of water. ## 6. WELLS AND OTHER SOURCES OF SUPPLY OF WATER - 6.1 No well or other source of water except the Hamlet water mains shall be used in the Hamlet without permission obtained from the County Manager. - 6.2 All Persons having charge of or being owners or occupiers of premises containing a well or other source of supply of water other than the water mains of the Hamlet may apply to the County Manager for permission to use the water in such well or other source of supply of water other than the water mains of the Hamlet. The County Manager may impose such conditions on the use of such well or source, as he deems necessary. - 6.3 Upon complying with the conditions prescribed in Section 6.2, the Person may be granted permission to use the water in the well or other source of supply of water. Any such permit may be withdrawn by the County Manager at any time without notice, and no Person shall use a well or other source of supply of water after permission for use of same has been withdrawn. - 6.4 No permission will be issued for new wells after the date this Bylaw becomes effective. - 6.5 If the use of any well or other source of supply of water is continued contrary may be declared to be a nuisance and dangerous to the public health and safety and shall be removed, plugged, filled up, or otherwise abated ## 7. WASTEWATER - 7.1 The County is hereby authorized to operate a Wastewater System for the purposes of collecting, treating and disposing of wastewater produced by any Customer within the Hamlet. - 7.2 No Person, except those authorized by the County Manager, shall make any ronnay or with any of the wastewater pipes or mains in any public propety. - 7.3 Vo Person shall throw, deposit or leave in or upon the County Wastewate System or any sewer, trap, grating, drain or manhole connected therewith, an material that may cause blockage of the County Wastewater System, including its mains or service connections. - 7.4 No person shall discharge into the County Wastewater System, or any sewer, trap, grating, drain or manhole connected therewith, any liquid or liquids that would prejudicially affect the County Wastewater System, adversely affect the environment, or which would cause pollution or be hazardous. - 7.5 No Person shall make or cause to be made any connection with the County Wastewater System thereof for the purpose of conveying, or which may convey, into the same any inflammable or explosive material, storm water, roof drainage, cistern or tank overflow, condensing or cooling water. - 7.6 Foundation weeping tiles installed after the effective date of this Bylaw shall not be drained into any wastewater service but may be drained into storm wastewater mains or drainage ditches where the facility exists, and the connection is feasible. - 7.7 No roof drains shall be connected to weeping tiles. - 7.8 No Person shall discharge the contents of any privy, vault, manure pit or cesspool, directly or indirectly, into the County Wastewater System or any drain connected therewith. - 7.9 No Person shall turn, lift, remove, raise or tamper with the cover of any manhole, ventilator or other appurtenance of the County Wastewater System, except agents of the County. - 7.10 No Person shall cut, break, pierce or tap the County Wastewater System-or appurtenance thereof, or introduce any pipe, tube, trough or conduit into the Hamlet wastewater system, except duly authorized agents of the County. - 7.11 No Person shall interfere with the free discharge of the County Wastewater System, or part thereof, or do any act or thing which may impede or obstruct the flow or clog up the Hamlet wastewater system or appurtenance thereof. - 7.12 An agent of Lacombe County shall have the right at all reasonable times to enter houses or other places which have been connected with the County Wastewater System, and access must be given to that agent to ascertain whether or not any improper materials or liquid is being discharged into the wastewater system, and the agent shall be authorized to stop, or prevent from discharging into the wastewater system, any private wastewater or drain through which substances are discharged which are liable to injure the wastewater or obstruct the flow of sewage. - 7.13 No waste or discharge resulting from any trade, industrial or manufacturing process shall be directly discharged to the County Wastewater System without approval of the County Manager. As a condition of such approval, the County Manager may require such pre-treatment of the effluent as is deemed necessary. The pre-treatment facilities required shall be completely installed y the applicant, at his expense, prior to the construction of the wastewate onnection. and thereafter shall be continuouslv maintained and operated b the applicant. - 7.14 Grease traps of sufficient size and approved design shall be placed on the waste pipes from all hotels, restaurants, laundries and such other places as the County Manager may direct. Such traps shall be installed prior to any connection to the County Wastewater System. - 7.15 No Person, other than those authorized by the County Manager, shall make any connection to, or shall cut or otherwise tamper in any way with the County Wastewater System. - 7.16 Until such time as the property is serviced by the County wastewater system, any property that is serviced by a private septage service and connected to a storage tank with pump out abilities may continue to be operated by the property owner. No new or replacement of private septage services may be constructed. - 7.17 The Owner shall, at the Owner's expense, operate, maintain, and repair the private septage services in accordance provincial legislation. - 7.18 Once a property is connected to the County wastewater system, the Owner shall, at the Owner's expense, abandon all components of the private septage system and remove any septic tank, pumps and connecting piping in accordance with provincial legislation and this bylaw. ## 8. WASTEWATER CONNECTIONS - 8.1 Should any Person claim that any wastewater service line is plugging or is plugged because it is not laid according to good practice the said Person shall deposit with the County the sum as specified in Schedule "A". The County Manager will then be authorized to inspect the said wastewater service line by any method he considers necessary. - 8.2 Should the said wastewater service line be found to be properly laid according to good work practices, the said Person shall forfeit the said deposit and shall be liable to pay all costs incurred by the County in opening the said wastewater service line. The said costs, less the deposit received, shall be added to the utility bill. - 8.3 The Person occupying any premises connected to a wastewater main by a wastewater service line, shall be required to keep the said wastewater service line in operating condition at all times and shall be fully responsible for the operation of the said wastewater service line. ## 9. WATER AND WASTEWATER CONNECTORS - 9.1 A private water or wastewater connection cannot be made to the County Water System or Wastewater System until approval is granted by the County Manager. Permission can be obtained only after the owner, or his agent has entered into an agreement with Lacombe County that establishes standards for construction practices and materials in accordance with Schedule "B". A fee as prescribed in Schedule "A" shall be paid to the County to recover the cost of processing and reviewing each agreement. - 9.2 The County Manager may revoke or cancel any permit that may have been granted to connect with the water or wastewater systems if he finds that any work is not being done in accordance with the provisions of this Bylaw, and the Person make such connections or their successors in interest, shall have no right to demand or claim any damages in consequence of such permits being revoked or cancelled. ## 10. GARBAGE COLLECTION - 10.1 The County is hereby authorized to operate a Garbage collection system for the purpose of collecting and disposing Garbage from Customers with the - 10.2 All Residential Premises shall participate in the County Garbage Collection System program. - 10.3 wners or occupiers of Multiple Family Dwellings, commercial building stitutions, industrial sites and any buildings other than Residential Premise hall make their own arrangements for the proper removal and disposal arbage and other waste material - 10.4 maximum of five Receptacles of Garbage will be collected from ea esidential Premises on each Garbage collection d - 10.5 The County Manager will establish the schedule, conditions, method of collection, waste storage and set-out locations for Garbage collection. - 10.6 There will be no regularly scheduled Garbage collection on Sundays or Statutory Holidays. Garbage collection which falls on these days will be assigned an alternate pick-up day. - 10.7 Despite the schedule of days for Garbage collection the County Manager may make alternate arrangements where weather conditions or other circumstances will not permit collection on the day or days scheduled. - 10.8 All Garbage set for collection remains the property of the Customer until accepted by the County at the time of collection. - 10.9 All Garbage set out for collection shall be placed at the Collection Point before 7:00 a.m. on the designated Collection Day. - 10.10 No Customers shall set out, and no Collector shall be required to pick-up the following materials for Garbage collection: - (a) Bulk Waste; - (b) Commercial Waste; - (C) Construction Waste; - (d) Hazardous Waste; - (e) Liquid Waste; - (f) Sharps, unless properly contained in a puncture resistant receptacle or package; - (g) Garbage generated by a Multiple Family Dwelling; - (h) Flammable, combustible or oxidizing materials, materials that are on fire or above a temperature of 65°C; - (i) Explosive substances, objects or mechanisms; - (i) Ashes which are not properly quenched; - (k) Oil, oil filters or oil containers; - (I) Motor vehicle parts and farm implements; - (m) Animal carcasses, offal or viscera; - (n) Yard Waste, logs, land-clearing debris, timbers and fence posts; - (o) Luminescent gas filled electric discharge tubes or fluorescent tubes; - (p) Any material that is designated by the Alberta Recycling Management Authority; - (q) Any material that is designated/banned by regional landfills; and - (r) Waste materials not identified as acceptable for landfilling pursuant to any permit or certificate issued by Alberta Environment; - 10.11 The Collector may refuse to accept any material which, in the opinion of the Collector, is unreasonable, contravenes any federal, provincial or County regulation or guideline for waste disposal, or which poses a danger or potential danger to human life or the environment. ## 11. RATES, BILLING, DEPOSITS AND COLLECTION - 11.1 The rates to be charged to Customers for the purchase of County Water System, County Wastewater System and County Garbage Collection System services shall be prescribed in Schedule "A" of this Bylaw. - 11.2 A utility bill showing actual or estimated amounts for all service charges to the Customer shall be prepared and mailed monthly. The water, wastewater and Garbage collection service charges and any other charge authorized by a bylaw of Lacombe County may be combined on a single Customer bill, but each charge shall be shown separately. - 11.3 The billing for water service charges shall be based on meter readings taken within the last seven days of each month, or as soon as practical thereafter, or following a change in the ownership of the property. - 11.4 Where a meter cannot be read by an agent of the County on the normally scheduled date for meter reading services, or where the meter or its appurtenances have been interfered with or obstructed, consumption amounts shall be estimated by the County based on past and current consumption information. - 11.5 No reduction in rates or charges shall be made for any interruption of water, wastewater or Garbage collection services during a billing period. - 11.6 Where a registered owner or occupant wishes to obtain water, wastewater or Garbage collection services, he shall make application to the County. - 11.7 Customers opening a new account who are indebted to the County for utility services previously supplied shall not be entitled to receive utility services until payment of such outstanding account has been made in full. - 11.8 Every applicant for the supply of water, wastewater or Garbage collection services shall, before the services are provided, deposit with the County a deposit as prescribed in Schedule "A". - 11.9 Customers opening a new utility account due to a change of residence within the Hamlet shall not have to pay a deposit if 1) the Customer has an existing utility account established for at-least two years; 2) the existing account is not in arrears; and 3) the new account is in the same name as the existing account. - 11.10 Interest shall not be paid for the period of time which the deposit is held by the County. - 11.11 Deposits shall be returned as follows: - (a) Where Customers have made payment of all utility bills rendered them on or before the due date stated on the bill during the most recent two-year period and have maintained their utility account in good standing during that time. - (b) When the water, wastewater or Garbage collection service has been discontinued after deducting any unpaid account at the time of such discontinuance of service. - 11.12 All utility bills are due and payable upon receipt of billing with payment to be made at the Lacombe County office or at such other place as may be designated from time to time by the County Manager. - 11.13 Non-receipt of a utility bill shall not exempt the Customer from payment of the services rendered. - 11.14 Any utility account balance which remains unpaid after the last day of the month in which the County office is regularly open shall have added by way of penalty, a charge as specified in Schedule "A" based on the combined account balance including other services and charges included on the utility bill by Lacombe County. - 11.15 Where a utility account has been outstanding for a period of 60 days, a notice shall be mailed to the Customer and the registered owner of the property if the Customer is not the registered owner, warning that water service may be shut off and Garbage collection service may be discontinued unless full payment of the account is received within seven days of the notice. If payment is not received within the seven-day period, the County will hand deliver, or post a final notice on the property, warning that water services shall be shut off unless full payment of the account is received within two days of the final notice. Payment must be by cash, certified cheque, debit card or internet banking - 11.16 Where water service has been shut off and Garbage collection service has been discontinued for non-payment of a utility account in accordance Section 10.15, the said services shall not be resumed until such time as the account, including penalties and a water service reconnection fee as prescribed in Schedule "A", has been paid and an account deposit, as prescribed in Schedule A, has been provided. Payment must be by cash, certified cheque, debit card or internet banking. - 11.17 Notwithstanding Section 10.16, where the Customer is unable to pay the of water services or discontinuation of Garbage collection services. - 11.18 Where the registered owner of the property is the Customer and where a utility account and other charges under this Bylaw remain unpaid, the County Manager may add the unpaid utility and other charges to the tax roll account of the property. - 11.19 Where an outstanding utility account cannot be collected as a result of shutting off the water or discontinuing the Garbage collection service, or if it cannot be added to the tax roll, the County Manager may undertake collection by any means provided by law. - 11.20 Any Person wishing to discontinue receiving water, wastewater and Garbage collection service from the County shall give two working days-notice of the same to the County office, otherwise the rates will continue until such notice is given or the water is turned off. - 11.21 Where water, wastewater and garbage collection service is to be discontinued a final billing will be calculated on a prorated basis from the date of the last billing to the date of discontinuance of service. - Where it has been determined that a Customer has been paying an amount lesser than that which should have been paid because of errors of the County - (a) Improper meter placement, sizing or specification; - (b) Improper rate application; or - (c) Improper meter reading or bill calculation; a charge of the difference between what was paid and what should have been paid shall be paid by the Customer for the period between January 1st of the year previous to the current year and the date on which the error was discovered. - 11.23 County such as - (a) Improper meter placement, sizing or specification; - (b) Improper rate application; or - (c) Improper meter reading or bill calculation; a refund of the difference between what was paid and what should have been paid shall be given to the Customer for the period between January 1st of the year previous to the current year and the date on which the error was discovered. Notwithstanding the above, Council may, at its sole discretion, authorize a refund exceeding the amount determined in this Section. - 11.24 Any Person who requests that water, wastewater and Garbage collection services be discontinued for an extended period of time may request that the County discontinue and resume the said services on the dates they request. A fee as outlined in Schedule "A" will be charged for this service. ## 12. ENFORCEMENT - 12.1 Any Person who violates a provision of this Bylaw is guilty of an offence and liable upon summary conviction to a fine of not more than $2,500 and not less than $300 exclusive of costs, and in each and every case in default of payment said Person shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, unless the fine and costs be sooner paid. - 12.2 A Peace Officer is hereby authorized and empowered to issue a Violation Tag to any person the Peace Officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe has contravened any provision of this Bylaw. The Violation Tag shall state: - (a) The name and address of the offender if ascertainable; - (b) The offence and location; - (c) Date of the offence; - (d) The appropriate penalty for the offence as in Schedule "A" of this Bylaw; - (e) That the penalty shall be paid within 30 days of the issuance of the Violation Tag; and - (f) Any other information as may be required by the County Manager. - 12.3 The Violation Tag may be issued to such person: - (a) Either personally; or - (b) By mailing a copy to such Person at their last known address; or - (c) By leaving it for the Person at his residence with a person on the premises who appears to be at-least 18 years of age. - 12.4 Where a Violation Tag is issued pursuant to Section 12.2 of this Bylaw, the person to whom the Violation Tag is issued may, in lieu of being prosecuted for the offence, pay to Lacombe County the penalty specified on the Violation - 12.5 Nothing in this Bylaw shall prevent a Peace Officer from immediately issuing a Violation Ticket. - 12.6 In those cases where a Violation Tag has been issued and if the penalty specified on the Violation Tag has not been paid with the prescribed time, then a Peace Officer is hereby authorized to issue a Violation Ticket pursuant to Part II of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act to any Person who the Peace thiscer has reasonable grounds to believe has contravened any provision of - 12.7 Notwithstanding Section 12.2 of this Bylaw, a Peace Officer is hereby authorized and empowered to immediately issue a Violation Ticket pursuant to Part Il of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act to any Person who the Peace Officer has reasonable grounds to believe has contravened any provision of this Bylaw. - 12.8 Any person to whom a Violation Ticket has been issued may make voluntary payment in respect of the Violation Ticket by delivering the Violation Ticket along with an amount equal to that specified for the offence as set out in Schedule "C" of this Bylaw, to the Provincial Court office specified on the Violation Ticket. - 12.9 No provision of this Bylaw nor any action taken pursuant to any provision of this Bylaw shall in any way restrict, limit, prevent or preclude the County from pursuing any other remedy in relation to an offence, as may be provided by the Municipal Government Act, or any other law of the Province of Alberta. ## 13. MISCELLANEOUS - Nothing in this Bylaw relieves a Customer from complying with any provision of any federal or provincial law or regulation, other bylaw or any requiremen of lawful permit, order or license. - 13.2 No person shall obstruct, hinder or impede any authorized representative of the County in the exercise of any of their powers or duties pursuant to this Bylaw. - 13.3 Each provision of this Bylaw is independent of all other provisions. If any such provision is declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions of this Bylaw will remain valid and enforceable. - 13.4 This Bylaw repeals Bylaw No. 1424/24. - 13.5 The rates identified in Schedule "A" take effect January 1, 2026. - 13.6 This Bylaw comes into full force and effect on the date of passing. Introduced and given first reading this 11th day of December, 2025. Given second reading this 11# day of December, 2025. Given third and final reading this 11* day of December, 2025. Ate lebed County Manager  ## SCHEDULE "A" RATES 1. Water Service - Fixed Charge of $78.23 per month plus a consumption charge of $4.17 per cubic meter. 2. Water Service - Bulk Fill water consumption charge of $4.88 per cubic meter. 3. Wastewater Services - Fixed Charge of $26.74 per month plus a consumption charge, based on the amount of water consumed, of $0.87 per cubic meter. 4. Water and wastewater charges for the Mirror Skating Rink, the Mirror Library, Mirror Community Hall and the Mirror Museum shall be 50% of the normal water and wastewater charges for the respective facilities. 5. Garbage Collection Services - $21.52 per month. 6. Account Deposits 7. A fee of $50.00 will be charged to the utility bill of any Person who requests that Water, Wastewater and Garbage Collection Services be discontinued for an extended period of time and resumed on dates they request. 8. The deposit for the testing of a water meter under this Bylaw shall be $100.00. 9. ). Water meters will be provided for new connections at County cost plus 10%, but the water meter remains the property of Lacombe County. 10. There shall be no charge for the cost of processing and reviewing agreements regarding the installation of private water and wastewater connections. 11. The deposit for the inspection of a wastewater service line under this Bylaw shall be $200.00. 12. Where this Bylaw provides for the recovery of costs, the charge to the utility bill shall be at cost plus 25%. 13. Penalties on unpaid utility bill balances as prescribed by the Bylaw shall be 2% (24% per annum) on the outstanding balance as calculated after the last day of the month in which the Lacombe County office is regularly open. 14. The penalty to any Customer who submits a non-sufficient funds (N.S.F.) cheque to Lacombe County for payment towards a utility bill shall be $25.00 in each instance, and such amounts shall be added to the utility account balance. 15. Where services are discontinued for non-payment of an account, a reconnection charge of $50.00 shall be payable in advance of the reconnection of the services. Residential Customers - Homeowners Residential Customer - Renters Non-Residential Customers $200.00 $300.00 $300.00 ## SCHEDULE "B" STANDARDS & SPECIFICATIONS The following standards and specifications shall apply to all water and wastewater connections: ## 1. Water Service Connections All work must be done in compliance with current Occupational Health & Safety regulations for safe trenching. Polyethylene Municipal Tubing, PE 3406, Series 160 to CAN3-B137.1. Polyethylene pipe joints to be thermal butt fusion welded, or by use of compression fittings. Curb Stops: to be installed at grade on the property line and marked. For direct connection to service mains double stainless-steel strap water service saddles must be used. A traffic accommodation plan which is to include but is not limited to road detours and signage must be submitted to and approved by the County. Affected Customers are to be notified at least 24 hours prior to any anticipated interruptions in their water service. Where possible, interruptions are to be scheduled during non-peak hours. If an interruption is to last longer than 8 hours temporary water service using hoses connected to outside taps of each house is to be provided. Pipes and fittings must be cleaned of accumulated debris and water before installation. An inspection for defective materials must be conducted, and defective materials must be removed from the site. ## 2. Wastewater Service Connections All work must be done in compliance with current Occupational Health & Safety regulations for safe trenching Polyvinyl chloride SDR28 to CSA B182.1 pipe any color but blue. Service Saddles: manufactured tee saddles, gasketed joints, secured with double stainless-steel straps. Domestic wastewater services shall be a minimum of 100-millimeter pipe. A traffic accommodation plan which is to include but is not limited to road detours and signage must be submitted to and approved by the County. Affected Customers are to be notified at least 24 hours prior to any anticipated interruptions in their water service. Where possible, interruptions are to be scheduled during non-peak hours. If an interruption is to last longer than 8 hours temporary water service using hoses connected to outside taps of each house is to be provided. Pipes and fittings must be cleaned of accumulated debris and water before installation. An inspection for defective materials must be conducted, and defective materials must be removed from the site. ## 3. Trenching, Backfilling and Installation ## On Roads or Lanes Minimum depth of cover shall be 2.75 meters (9 feet). Disturbance on the road or lane surface shall not exceed 2.4 meters (8 feet) in width. All reasonable precautions to protect and safeguard the lives and property of the traveling public during construction must be taken. ... I. The road or lane must be returned to its pre-construction condition. Trench backfill must be well compacted. The maximum lift is to be 15 centimeters per layer. Dry material to be used for backfilling. ## On Property A minimum depth at connection to the service main of 2.75 meters (9 feet) must be maintained. For wastewater lines, a minimum grade of 2% from the service main to the residence must be maintained. Deflections in wastewater lines will be limited to 2 - 22.5-degree elbows per service. Where possible lines are to be installed without deflections. Obstacles in the trench must be removed before laying pipe. Water and wastewater lines may be laid in the same trench. No backfilling is to be done prior to inspection by the County. For water services, a pressure test of the line must be conducted before backfilling. ## 4. Construction Security In cases where the installation of water and wastewater connections will require the excavation or crossing of County roads or lanes, security in the amounts prescribed below must be placed with Lacombe County. For gravel surfaced roads or lanes, security in the amount of $1,000 will be held by Lacombe County until such time as the work is completed and the road or lane surface is reclaimed to the satisfaction of the County. For asphalt or oil surfaced roads, security in the amount of $2,000 will be held by Lacombe County until such time as the work is completed and the road or lane surface is reclaimed to the satisfaction of the County. ## 5. Inspection All water and wastewater connection works must be inspected by the County prior to backfilling The installer must provide 24 hours-notice to the County of the inspection. Inspections will only be completed during Lacombe County regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays). ## SCHEDULE "C" PENALTIES | Section | Offence | Penalty | |-------------|----------------------------------------------|-----------| | 5.2 and 7.2 | Unauthorized water or wastewater connections | $1,000.00 | | | All other offences | $ 250.00 |