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THE CORPORATION
OF THE VILLAGE OF TELKWA
WATER RATES, REGULATIONS AND CONNECTIONS BYLAW NO. 795, 2026
A Bylaw to establish rates, regulations, and connections for the water distribution
system within the Village of Telkwa.
WHEREAS pursuant to the Community Charter, a Council may by bylaw regulate, prohibit
and impose requirements in relation to municipal services;
AND WHEREAS pursuant to the Community Chartera
Council may impose a fee in respect
of a municipal service;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of The Corporation of the Village of Telkwa, in open meeting
assembled,
enacts as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS:
ln this Bylaw, unless the context othenNise requires, the following words and terms shall
have the meanings hereinafter assigned
to them:
"Collector" means the person appointed as Collector pursuant to the Community Charter.
"Consumer"
means any person or entity receiving water service from the Village, whether as
owner, tenant, or agent.
"CAO" means the Chief Administrative Officer appointed by Council for the Village pursuant
to the Community Charter.
"Corporate
Officer"
means the person appointed by Council as the Corporate Officer of the
Village pursuant
to the
Community
Charter
and includes
any person
acting under the
delegated
authority of the Corporate Officer.
"Council" means the Council of the Village of Telkwa,
"Curb stop" means the control valve located at the property line of the parcel served by a
"Engineer"
means the person or persons designated
from time to time by the CA0, or
their designate,
to fulfillthe duties assigned
by this Bylaw.
"Financial
Officer"
means the person appointed by Council as the Financial Officer of
the Village of Telkwa pursuant to the Community Charter and includes any person acting
under the delegated
authority of the Financial Officer.
"Floor Area"
means
the total interior area of a premises
measured
to the inside face of
exterior walls, excluding parking areas, mechanical rooms, and unenclosed
storage
areas.
"Parcel"
means a lot or other area of land that is legally created and separately
registered
under the Land Title Act and includes a strata lot in a bare land strata plan established
under the Strata Property Act.
"Premises"
means
a building or part of a building located on a parcel and used or
intended to be used for residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional purposes.
"Rate"
means the sum of money payable by the owner or occupier of a parcel that is
connected to the water system by means
of a water service connection, as set out in the
Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges
Bylaw, as amended
from time to time.
"Service" means the supply of water from the Works, including all associated
pipes, taps,
valves, and connections.
"Service
Connection"
means a pipe connecting a water main to a parcel.
"Vacant
Commercial
Building"
means
a commercial
premises
with an active water
and/or sewer service that is shutoff and not currently used for any commercial activity. It
does not include premises used solely for storage or businesses
temporarily closed for
three months or less.
"Village" means the Village of Telkwa.
"Village Working
Day" means any day the Village Office is open for regular business,
excluding weekends,
and statutory holidays.
"Water
Distribution
Service"
means
the service established
under Section
2 of this
Bylaw.
2.
ESTABLISHMENT OF WATER DISTRIBUTION SERVICE
A water distribution system is hereby established within the Village for the purpose of
supplying water to parcels within the Village in accordance
with the provisions of this
Bylaw. The system shall provide water for all uses permitted under this Bylaw and for
the benefit of the inhabitants of the Village.
3. APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
This section sets out the requirements and procedures for applying for water service
connection within the Village of Telkwa, including application submission,
approval,
andinspec?on.
a) Application Reguirement
A connection to the Village water system
may only be made after a completed
application has been submitted and all applicable fees and charges,
as set out in
the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges
Bylaw, as amended
from time to time,
have been paid. Applications are available from the Village Office.
Submission
and Approval
i)
ii)
iii)
The owner or occupier of a parcel requesting
a water service connection must
submit
a completed
application,
including all information
required
by the
Village, such as property description, intended service connection location, and
any other details necessary
for review.
Service connection willnot be provided until the Village has received a properly
completed application, all applicable rates, fees, and charges
have been paid,
and any required
inspections
have been
completed
and approved
by the
Engineer.
A building permit will not be issued, and a water service connection will not be
installed until all application requirements have been satisfied and approved by
the Engineer.
lnspec?on
Engineer
maintenance,
and protection of water service
connections
to properties
within the
Village of Telkwa.
a) Installation and Cor_n_pliance
Every owner of a parcel supplied with a water service connection under this Bylaw
shall, at their own expense,
install and maintain water service piping in accordance
with the British Columbia Plumbing Code and any specifications
or requirements
established
by the Village.
b) Service Pipe Requirements
i)
All service pipes must be installed at a minimum depth of seventy--two (72)
inches below finished grade, or at a greater depth if required by the Engineer
and must be properly protected against settlement
and frost.
ii) Pipes crossing paved or traffic areas must be insulated and protected to the
satisfaction
of the Engineer.
0) Required Valves and Devices
Each service pipe must be equipped with:
i)
A suitable curb stop located at or nearthe
property line, or in another accessible
location approved by the Engineer.
ii) A suitable stop-and--drain valve located immediately inside the premises, or in
another accessible
location approved by the Engineer, for use by the owner or
occupier.
iii) A pressure--reducing valve located immediately downstream ofthe interior stop--
and--drainvalve, if required.
d) Independent
Service Connections
Each parcel, or potential parcel, must be served
by its own independent
water
service connection. Utilityservice fees, as set out in the Village of Telkwa Fees
and Charges
Bylaw, as amended
from time to time, apply separately
to each
t
affected, the Village willbear the cost of installation. Allmeters remain the property
of the Village, and metered
rates are set out in the Village of Telkwa Fees and
Charges
Bylaw, as amended from time to time.
Commercial and Residential Meters
i)
Water
meters
may be required for commercial
services
exceeding
three--
quarter
inch (3/4") connection
size. The cost of installing a meter on new
developments
is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of the parcel.
ii) All new residential buildings must install a line setter and spacer capable
of
accommodating
a three-quarter
inch (3/ ") meter upstream of the interior stop--
and--drainvalve.
Meter Access and Maintenance
All meters must be installed in accordance
with Village requirements, and Village
employees
must have access
for inspection of meters and associated
fittings. The
owner or occupier of the parcel must protect meters
from loss or damage.
If a
meter is obstructed,
malfunctioning, or not registering accurately, the Village may
billthe owner or occupier based on the average
consumption for the preceding six
(6) months or, if unavailable, a reasonable
estimate based on comparable usage.
. RATES AND CHARGES
This section
establishes
the water
rates,
fees,
charges,
and related
provisions
applicable within the Village of Telkwa.
a)
Interpretation of Rate Classes
i)
Each Dwelling Unit shall be charged the applicable water rate set out in the
Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges
Bylaw, as amended from time to time.
ii) Where a parcel contains more than one Dwelling Unit, each Dwelling Unit shall
be charged separately.
iii) Where premises
include more than one use, including mixed residential and
commercial
uses,
the highest applicable
rate shall apply unless
otherwise
determined by the Village.
b) Imposition of Rates
Allwater rates, fees, and charges
imposed under this Bylaw shall be collected by
the Collector or Financial Officer.
The owner or occupier of every parcel of land supplied with water under this Bylaw
shall pay the applicable rates and charges
set out in the Village of Telkwa Fees
and Charges
Bylaw, as amended from time to time.
c) Multi--UnitProperties
Where a building or premises
is divided into separate
units and supplied through
a common water service connection,
the owner or occupier of each parcel shall
pay the applicable rate for each unit.
d) Billing and Payment
i)
ii)
Billing
Water rates shall be billed annually and are due on or before the property tax
payment deadline established
by the Collector or Financial Officer.
Late Payment Penalties
Ifwater rates remain unpaid after July 2nd of the year levied, a penalty of 5%
shall be added to the outstanding balance. Where July 2nd falls on a weekend,
the penalty date shall be the next Village working day.
Ifwater rates remain unpaid after September
15th of the same year, a further
penalty of 5% shall be added to the outstanding
balance, excluding any prior
penalties. Where September
15th falls on a weekend, the penalty date shall be
the next Village working day.
Prorated Charges
Where a new connection is made during the year, user rates shall commence
in the month of final inspection. Inspections completed on or before the 15th
day of the month shall be charged the full monthly rate; inspections completed
e)
a)
C)
Reclassification
of Commercial Properties
An owner may apply for reclassification
of commercial property, including Vacant
Commercial
Building status,
where the property
has
been
unoccupied
for a
minimum of three months. Application fees and adjusted rates shall be as set out
in the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges
Bylaw, as amended from time to time.
Supplementary
billing may occur following annual billing where a classification
change is approved.
. SERVICE REGULATIONS
Water Use Restrictions
Water use restrictions, as set out in Schedule
A, shall apply annually from June
1st to September
15th, unless the Council, by resolution, modifies the applicable
penod.
Disconnection of Service
The Village may disconnect water service upon sixty (60) days' written notice to
the owner or occupier for any of the following reasons:
i)
Unnecessary
or wasteful use of water
ii) Failure to comply with water use restrictions
iii) Defective or leaking pipes, fittings, valves, tanks, or other infrastructure
Appeals
An owner receiving notice of disconnection may, within thirty (30) days of receipt,
submit a written request to Council to make representation.
Council may confirm,
vary, or cancel the disconnection,
or impose conditions under which service may
con?nue.
Permanent Disconnection (Demolition)
When a building or structure is removed or demolished, the owner or occupier or
their agent must immediately apply to the Village Office for a permit to disconnect
8. TEMPORARY DISCONTINUANCES
8) Request by Property Owner
The owner or occupier of a parcel requesting a temporary discontinuance
of water
service must submit written notice to the Village Office and pay the applicable
service fee, as set out in the Village of Telkwa Fees
and Charges
Bylaw, as
amended
from time to time, at the time the notice is submitted.
Annual water rates, as established
in the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges
Bylaw, as amended from time to time, shall continue to apply during any period of
temporary discontinuance.
Restoration of Service
Where service has been temporarily discontinued, the applicable fee, as set out in
the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges
Bylaw, as amended
from time to time,
must be paid before service is resumed.
c) Village--Directed Interruptions
The Engineer may temporarily interrupt or discontinue water service to any parcel,
when necessary,
due to an emergency
or for repairs or maintenance
to the water
distribution system.
9. PROHIBITIONS
a) Liabilityand Responsibility
The Village shall not be responsible for the cost of any work performed on private
property in relation to a water service connection. The Village shall not be liable
for any loss or damage
resulting from interruptions, deficiencies,
or failures in the
water supply arising from accidents,
repairs, maintenance,
emergencies,
or other
causes,
whether or not attributable to Village employees.
b) Unauthorized Access and Use
No person other than an authorized Village employee
or agent shall tap, connect
tamper
damage,
or obstruct any part of the Village's water distribution
10. OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
Any person found guilty of an infraction of this Bylaw shall be liable, upon summary
conviction, to a fine not exceeding
two thousand dollars ($2,000) plus costs for each
offence. Each day that an infraction continues shall be considered
a separate
and
continuing offence.
11.SEVERABILITY
Ifany section, subsection,
sentence,
clause or phrase in this bylaw is for any reason
held to be invalid by a decision of any Court of competent
jurisdiction, the invalid
portion shall be severed and the decision that it is invalid shall not affect the validity of
the remaining portions of the Bylaw.
12.REPEAL
Pursuant to the Community Charter, the Village of Telkwa Water Rates, Regulations
and Connections
Bylaw No. 564, 2006, including all amendments
thereto, is hereby
repealed.
13.C|TATION
This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes
as the "Village of Telkwa Water Rates,
Regulations and Connections
Bylaw No. 795, 2026."
READ A FIRST TIME this 24'"day of March, 2026.
READ A SECOND TIMEthis 24'"day of March, 2026.
READ A THIRD TIMEthis 24'"day of March, 2026.
ADOPTED this 14'" day of April, 2026.
~$
1.
THE CORPORATION
OF THE VILLAGE OF TELKWA
WATER RATES, REGULATIONS AND CONNECTIONS BYLAW NO. 795, 2026
SCHEDULE A - WATER USE RESTRICTIONS
Purpose
and Authority
This Schedule
sets
out water
use restrictions applicable within the Village of Telkwa to
promote responsible water use and protect the municipal water supply.
Water restriction stages
may be activated, adjusted, or terminated when the Engineer advises
the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) that conditions warrant such action.
2.
Effective
Dates
Stage 1 restrictions shall automatically be in effect each year from June 1st at 12:01 am. until
September
15th at 11:59 pm.
The Engineer may direct the CAD to:
3.
a) extend or shorten the period during which Stage
1 restrictions apply; or
b) implement Stage 2 or Stage 3 restrictions at any time, if required.
Water Restriction
Stages
3.1 Stage 1
---- Moderate Restrictions
a) Flowers, Shrubs, Trees, and Vegetable
Gardens
-- Any Day Watering
Watering
using
hose--connected
sprinklers
or in--ground irrigation systems
is
permitted only between:
. 4:00 a.m.
--
9:00 am,
or
. 7:00 pm.
-
10:00 pm,
any day of the week.
b) Lawns
-- Two--Day-Per--WeekWatering
Watering
using hose-connected
or in~ground irrigation systems
is permitted only
Zone 1: Mondays and Thursdays
Zone 2: Tuesdays
and Fridays
Zone 3: Wednesdays
and Saturdays
No lawn watering is permitted on Sundays.
0) Vehicle Washing
Washing of motor vehicles, boats, or recreational vehicles is permitted only when using
a hand-operated,
spring-loaded
shut-off nozzle, and only on the designated
watering
days for the appropriate zone.
3.2 Stage 2
-
Enhanced Restrictions (Once--Per--WeekWatering)
Stage 2 shall apply when the Engineer advises the CA0 that increased
conservation
is
necessary.
a) Lawns, Trees, Shrubs, Flowers, and Vegetable
Gardens
Watering with hose--connected sprinklers or in--groundirrigation systems
is permitted
once per week, between 4:00 a.m.--9:OOam. or 7:00 p.m.--10:OOpm,
as follows:
. Zone 1: Mondays
. Zone 2: Tuesdays
. Zone 3: Wednesdays
b) Vehicle Washing
Permitted only with a hand--operated, spring--loaded shut--offnozzle and only on the
watering day assigned
to the property's zone.
c) Sidewalks and Driveways
Washing down sidewalks or driveways is prohibited at all times.
3.3 Stage 3
---- Maximum Restrictions (Complete Watering Ban)
Stage 3 shall apply when severe water conservation
is necessary.
b)
9)
Washing
Hard Surfaces
Washing
of exterior building surfaces,
parking lots, driveways,
or sidewalks
is
prohibited.
Decorative Fountains
Use of decorative fountains that do not recirculate water is prohibited.
Trees, Shrubs, Flowers, and Vegetable
Gardens
Permitted only by hand, using:
. a hose equipped with a hand--operated, spring--loadedshut--offnozzle, or
. a hand--heldcontainer.
Vehicle Washing
Prohibited at all times.
Pools and Hot Tubs
Filling or topping up residential
swimming
pools, hot tubs, or wading pools is
prohibited.
. Water Restriction
Zones
Zone 1: East side of the Bulkley River (Highway 16 Corridor).
Zone 2: West side of the Bulkley River, north of Coalmine
Road (Cottonwood
Flats
area).
Zone 3: West side of the Bulkley River, southeast
of Coalmine Road (Woodland area).