NSUARB Order M09784 - Antigonish County Water Utility Schedule of Rates and Charges
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
· adopted 2020-11-25
· summary & facts
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unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
Document: 278271
ORDER
M09784
NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD
IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT
- and -
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION by THE MUNICIPALITY OF THE COUNTY
OF ANTIGONISH, on behalf of the existing two water utilities (Fringe Area and Lower
South River and Area) to amalgamate the two utilities into one utility named the
Antigonish County Water Utility and for an Order authorizing and approving a new
Schedule of Rates and Charges for Water and Water Services and a Schedule of Rules
and Regulations
BEFORE:
Richard J. Melanson, LL.B., Member
ORDER
WHEREAS the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, on behalf of the
existing two water utilities (Fringe Area and Lower South River and Area) applied to
amalgamate the two utilities into one utility named the Antigonish County Water Utility
and for an Order authorizing and approving a new Schedule of Rates and Charges for
Water and Water Services and a Schedule of Rules and Regulations;
AND WHEREAS after due public notice, a hearing was held on October 21,
2020, by GoToWebinar videoconferencing due to restrictions related to the COVID-19
pandemic, and the Board issued its Decision on November 25, 2020;
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the amalgamation of the Fringe Area Water
Utility and the Lower South River and Area Water Utility into one utility named the
Antigonish County Water Utility be approved;
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Schedule of Rates and Charges as
amended in the response to Undertakings, received by the Board on October 23, 2020,
and attached hereto as Schedules "A", and "B"; and Schedule "C", be approved for Water
and Water Services supplied on and after December 1, 2020, April 1, 2021, and April 1,
2022, respectively;
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that public fire protection charge is approved,
effective December 1, 2020 at $337,306, based upon eight months as the current rate
and four months at the new rate.
- 2 -
Document: 278271
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Schedule of Rules and Regulations
received by the Board on July 3, 2020, and attached hereto as Schedule "D", be approved
effective December 1, 2020.
DATED at Halifax, Nova Scotia, this 25th day of November, 2020.
________________________________
Clerk of the Board
Document No. 278284
SCHEDULE "A"
ANTIGONISH COUNTY WATER UTILITY
SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR WATER AND WATER SERVICES
(Effective for water supplied on and after 1 December 2020)
RATES
The rates set out below are the rates approved by the Board for water and water services when
payment is made within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill.
When payment is made after 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill, the rates will
include interest charges of 1.25 % per month, or part thereof.
Each bill shall show the amount payable within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the
bill.
In this Schedule, the word "Utility" means the Antigonish County Water Utility.
1. RATES:
(a) Base Charges
Bi-Monthly
Unmetered Rate (based on 9167 imp. gal. used bi-monthly)
91.39
Size of Meter
5/8"
38.88
3/4"
57.32
1"
94.22
1.5"
186.45
2"
297.13
3"
592.28
4"
924.33
6"
1,846.67
8"
3,322.42
(b)
Consumption Charge
$ 5.73
/1,000 imp gallons
$ 1.26
/ cubic meter
(c)
Minimum Bill
The minimum bill shall be the Base Charge.
Document No. 278284
2.
PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION RATE
The Municipality of the County of Antigonish shall pay to the Antigonish County Water
Utility on or before December 1, 2020 a total of $337,306.
3.
RATES FOR SPRINKLER SERVICE
Each building having a sprinkler system installed shall pay annually for the service as
follows:
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 6" or less in diameter
$200.00
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 8" or more in diameter
$250.00
4.
WATER FOR BUILDINGS OR WORKS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Utility may furnish water to any person requiring a supply thereof for the construction
of a building or other works. This person shall deposit with the Utility such sum as may
be determined by the Utility as is sufficient to defray the cost of making the necessary
connection to any water service or main together with the cost of the meter to be installed
to measure the water consumed. Upon completion of the work and the return of the meter
to the Utility, a refund will be made after deducting the cost, if any, of repairing the meter
and of testing the same and payment of the base and connection charges and the
consumption rates in respect to such installation.
5.
PRIVATE HYDRANT RATES
Per hydrant per year $200.00.
6.
RATES FOR WATER SUPPLIED FROM FIRE HYDRANTS
Whenever the use of any fire hydrant is desired for supplying water for any purpose,
excepting those of the Fire Department for fire use, the Utility may grant a permit
containing such terms and conditions as it may provide, including arrangements regarding
supervision of the opening and closing of the hydrant, and a service charge for commercial
consumers of $70.00 for connection and disconnection and a consumption charge for the
amount of water used, as estimated by the water utility, at meter consumption rates.
7.
CHARGES FOR RE-ESTABLISHING WATER SERVICE
When water service has been suspended for any violation of the Rules and Regulations of
the Utility, such water service shall not be re-established until a reconnection charge of
Document No. 278284
$50.00 has been paid to the Utility. If reconnection is outside of regular working hours,
the charge is $200.00.
8.
CONNECTION FEE
The Utility shall charge a $50.00 fee for the creation of a water account, notwithstanding
the fact that no physical disconnection of the system may have occurred.
9.
DISCONNECTION FEE
Whenever a customer, for any reason requests that the water be turned off from any
premises, a charge of $50.00 shall be made for turning off the water, and no additional
charge shall be made for turning it on again when this is requested unless such request is
after regular working hours of the Utility when a fee of $200.00 shall apply.
10.
CHARGE FOR NON-NEGOTIABLE CHEQUES
The Utility may charge a $20.00 administration fee in addition to any charges levied by the
bank for cheques that, due to non-negotiability, have been rejected by the Utility's bank.
11.
CHARGE FOR MISSED APPOINTMENT BY CUSTOMERS
Where an appointment has been made with a customer to have a water service hooked up
or a meter inspected, or water turned on to a property, or other visits to the property for the
inception or maintenance of water service to the property, and the customer fails to keep
the appointment or the plumbing is not completed to allow for installation of a water meter
and the Utility's staff have to return to the property, there may be a charge of $50.00 for
each visit if, in the judgment of the Utility, it is required.
Document No. 278284
SCHEDULE "B"
ANTIGONISH COUNTY WATER UTILITY
SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR WATER AND WATER SERVICES
(Effective for water supplied on and after 1 April, 2021)
RATES
The rates set out below are the rates approved by the Board for water and water services when
payment is made within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill.
When payment is made after 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill, the rates will
include interest charges of 1.25 % per month, or part thereof.
Each bill shall show the amount payable within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the
bill.
In this Schedule, the word "Utility" means the Antigonish County Water Utility.
1. RATES:
(a) Base Charges
Bi-Monthly
Unmetered Rate (based on 9,167 imp. gal. used bi-monthly)
93.98
Size of Meter
5/8"
39.58
3/4"
58.35
1"
95.91
1.5"
189.78
2"
302.44
3"
602.85
4"
940.81
6"
1,879.60
8"
3,381.66
(b)
Consumption Charge
$ 5.93 /1,000 imp gallons
$ 1.31 / cubic meter
(c)
Minimum Bill
The minimum bill shall be the Base Charge.
Document No. 278284
2.
PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION RATE
The Municipality of the County of Antigonish shall pay to the Antigonish County
Water Utility on or before August 31, 2021 a total of $443,542.
3.
RATES FOR SPRINKLER SERVICE
Each building having a sprinkler system installed shall pay annually for the service as
follows:
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 6" or less in diameter
$200.00
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 8" or more in diameter
$250.00
4.
WATER FOR BUILDINGS OR WORKS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Utility may furnish water to any person requiring a supply thereof for the construction
of a building or other works. This person shall deposit with the Utility such sum as may
be determined by the Utility as is sufficient to defray the cost of making the necessary
connection to any water service or main together with the cost of the meter to be installed
to measure the water consumed. Upon completion of the work and the return of the meter
to the Utility, a refund will be made after deducting the cost, if any, of repairing the meter
and of testing the same and payment of the base and connection charges and the
consumption rates in respect to such installation.
5.
PRIVATE HYDRANT RATES
Per hydrant per year $200.00.
6.
RATES FOR WATER SUPPLIED FROM FIRE HYDRANTS
Whenever the use of any fire hydrant is desired for supplying water for any purpose,
excepting those of the Fire Department for fire use, the Utility may grant a permit
containing such terms and conditions as it may provide, including arrangements regarding
supervision of the opening and closing of the hydrant, and a service charge for commercial
consumers of $70.00 for connection and disconnection and a consumption charge for the
amount of water used, as estimated by the water utility, at meter consumption rates.
7.
CHARGES FOR RE-ESTABLISHING WATER SERVICE
Document No. 278284
When water service has been suspended for any violation of the Rules and Regulations of
the Utility, such water service shall not be re-established until a reconnection charge of
$50.00 has been paid to the Utility. If reconnection is outside of regular working hours,
the charge is $200.00.
8.
CONNECTION FEE
The Utility shall charge a $50.00 fee for the creation of a water account, notwithstanding
the fact that no physical disconnection of the system may have occurred.
9.
DISCONNECTION FEE
Whenever a customer, for any reason requests that the water be turned off from any
premises, a charge of $50.00 shall be made for turning off the water, and no additional
charge shall be made for turning it on again when this is requested unless such request is
after regular working hours of the Utility when a fee of $200.00 shall apply.
10.
CHARGE FOR NON-NEGOTIABLE CHEQUES
The Utility may charge a $20.00 administration fee in addition to any charges levied by the bank for cheques
that, due to non-negotiability, have been rejected by the Utility's bank.
11.
CHARGE FOR MISSED APPOINTMENT BY CUSTOMERS
Where an appointment has been made with a customer to have a water service hooked up
or a meter inspected, or water turned on to a property, or other visits to the property for the
inception or maintenance of water service to the property, and the customer fails to keep
the appointment or the plumbing is not completed to allow for installation of a water meter
and the Utility's staff have to return to the property, there may be a charge of $50.00 for
each visit if, in the judgment of the Utility, it is required.
Document No. 278284
SCHEDULE "C"
ANTIGONISH COUNTYWATER UTILITY
SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR WATER AND WATER SERVICES
(Effective for water supplied on and after 1 April, 2022)
RATES
The rates set out below are the rates approved by the Board for water and water services when
payment is made within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill.
When payment is made after 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill, the rates will
include interest charges of 1.25 % per month, or part thereof.
Each bill shall show the amount payable within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the
bill.
In this Schedule, the word "Utility" means the Antigonish County Water Utility.
1.
RATES:
(a) Base Charges
Bi-Monthly
Unmetered Rate (based on 9,167 imp. gal. used bi-monthly)
97.13
Size of Meter
5/8"
40.48
3/4"
59.68
1"
98.09
1.5"
194.11
2"
309.34
3"
616.60
4"
962.28
6"
1,922.48
8"
3,458.81
(b)
Consumption Charge
$ 6.18 /1,000 imp gallons
$ 1.36 / cubic meter
(c)
Minimum Bill
The minimum bill shall be the Base Charge.
Document No. 278284
2.
PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION RATE
The Municipality of the County of Antigonish shall pay to the Antigonish County
Water Utility on or before August 31, 2022 a total of $472,190.
For subsequent years, the annual public fire protection rate for the County of Antigonish shall be
based on the above or:
a) the sum of 51.7% of transmission and distribution, taxes, depreciation and return on
rate base expenses of the Utility and return on rate base of the immediately preceding
year, plus
b) 10 % of all other expenses,
whichever is the greater.
3.
RATES FOR SPRINKLER SERVICE
Each building having a sprinkler system installed shall pay annually for the service as
follows:
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 6" or less in diameter
$200.00
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 8" or more in diameter
$250.00
4.
WATER FOR BUILDINGS OR WORKS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Utility may furnish water to any person requiring a supply thereof for the
construction of a building or other works. This person shall deposit with the Utility such
sum as may be determined by the Utility as is sufficient to defray the cost of making the
necessary connection to any water service or main together with the cost of the meter to
be installed to measure the water consumed. Upon completion of the work and the return
of the meter to the Utility, a refund will be made after deducting the cost, if any, of
repairing the meter and of testing the same and payment of the base and connection
charges and the consumption rates in respect to such installation.
5.
PRIVATE HYDRANT RATES
Per hydrant per year $200.00.
6.
RATES FOR WATER SUPPLIED FROM FIRE HYDRANTS
Whenever the use of any fire hydrant is desired for supplying water for any purpose,
excepting those of the Fire Department for fire use, the Utility may grant a permit
Document No. 278284
containing such terms and conditions as it may provide, including arrangements
regarding supervision of the opening and closing of the hydrant, and a service charge for
commercial consumers of $70.00 for connection and disconnection and a consumption
charge for the amount of water used, as estimated by the water utility, at meter
consumption rates.
7.
CHARGES FOR RE-ESTABLISHING WATER SERVICE
When water service has been suspended for any violation of the Rules and Regulations of
the Utility, such water service shall not be re-established until a reconnection charge of
$50.00 has been paid to the Utility. If reconnection is outside of regular working hours,
the charge is $200.00.
8.
CONNECTION FEE
The Utility shall charge a $50.00 fee for the creation of a water account, notwithstanding
the fact that no physical disconnection of the system may have occurred.
9.
DISCONNECTION FEE
Whenever a customer, for any reason requests that the water be turned off from any
premises, a charge of $50.00 shall be made for turning off the water, and no additional
charge shall be made for turning it on again when this is requested unless such request is
after regular working hours of the Utility when a fee of $200.00 shall apply.
10.
CHARGE FOR NON-NEGOTIABLE CHEQUES
The Utility may charge a $20.00 administration fee in addition to any charges levied by the bank for
cheques that, due to non-negotiability, have been rejected by the Utility's bank.
11.
CHARGE FOR MISSED APPOINTMENT BY CUSTOMERS
Where an appointment has been made with a customer to have a water service hooked up
or a meter inspected, or water turned on to a property, or other visits to the property for
the inception or maintenance of water service to the property, and the customer fails to
keep the appointment or the plumbing is not completed to allow for installation of a water
meter and the Utility's staff have to return to the property, there may be a charge of
$50.00 for each visit if, in the judgment of the Utility, it is required.
Document No. 278284
SCHEDULE "D"
ANTIGONISH COUNTY WATER UTILITY
SCHEDULE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
GOVERNING THE SUPPLY OF WATER AND WATER SERVICES
(Effective 1 December 2020)
1)
In these Rules and regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, the expression:
"Utility" means the Antigonish County Water Utility.
"County" means the Municipality of the County of Antigonish
"Customer" means a person, a property owner, firm or corporation who, or which, contracts
to be supplied with water at a specific location or locations.
"Metered Rate Service" means that type of service charged for at metered rates. Metered
rate service is required for all new services.
"Unmetered Rate Service" means that type of service charged for at the unmetered rate.
2)
LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT OF WATER BILL: An agreement is deemed to exist between a
customer and the Utility for the supply of water service at such rates and in accordance with these
Regulations by virtue of:
a) the customer applying for and receiving approval for water service;
b) the customer consuming or paying for water service from the date that the customer who is a party
to an agreement pursuant to clause (a) (the customer of record) moves out of the premises, in which
case the customer of record shall remain jointly and severally liable for the water service account
up to the date the Utility is notified that the customer of record wishes to terminate the supply of
water service.
At the discretion of the Utility, a property owner who rents or leases a property or self contained
unit to a tenant or lessee may be required to open an account for the provision of water at the
property rented or leased.
c) Any person, business or corporation that receives water service without the consent of the Utility,
shall be liable for the cost of such water service which cost shall be determined in the sole discretion
of the Utility based upon its reasonable estimate of the amount of water utilized.
d) Where service is supplied to a condominium unit, the Condominium Corporation in which the unit
Document No. 278284
is situated shall be deemed to be the customer of record and shall be liable for payment of the
service bill for the condominium unit.
3)
DEPOSITS: When required, an applicant for service shall deposit with the Utility a sum
equal to the previous year's average bill for the meter size for such service for a period of
three months, or such lesser amount as the Utility may demand (a minimum of $50.00).
This deposit shall be held by the Utility as collateral security for the payment of the
customer's bills, but is not to be considered as a payment on account thereof. When the
customer ceases to use the service and discharges all their liability to the Utility in respect
of such service, the deposit shall be returned to him with interest based on 2% per annum,
not compounded.
4)
REFUSAL OF SERVICE: Service may be refused or suspended to any customer who has failed
to discharge all their liabilities to the Utility.
5)
BILLING: If a contract is entered into or terminated at any time other than a regular billing date,
the amount to be charged to the customer shall be the pro rata proportion to the next billing date,
of the regular service charge for the billing period, plus the consumption charge, if any.
The Utility charges the base rate for the entire year for seasonal customers. The bi-monthly base
rate charge will apply for each period regardless of water turn-offs.
6)
PAYMENT OF BILLS: Bills shall be rendered to each customer at bi-monthly intervals. Bills
are due on the billing date and bills not paid within thirty days after the billing date shall be subject
to the interest charge as set out in the Schedule of Rates and Charges.
7)
ESTIMATED READINGS FOR BILLING PURPOSES - METERED CUSTOMERS: If the
Utility is unable to obtain a meter reading for billing purposes, after exercising due diligence in the
usual practice of meter reading, the bill for that service shall be estimated in accordance with the
best data available, subject, however, to the provision that in no circumstance will an estimated
reading be used for more than two (2) consecutive billing periods. If an estimated bill is rendered
for two (2) consecutive billing periods, the Utility shall notify the customer by regular mail that
arrangements must be made for the Utility to obtain a reading and failing such arrangements, the
Utility may suspend service until such arrangements are made. When such meter reading has been
obtained the previous estimated bill or bills shall be adjusted accordingly.
8)
ADJUSTMENT OF BILLS:
(a)
Where meters exist - If the seal of a meter is broken or if a meter does not register correctly,
the bill for that water service shall be estimated in accordance with the best data available.
Any customer desiring to question a water bill must do so in writing within 30 days of the
bill being rendered.
(b)
Customers Under billed - Should it be necessary for the Utility to make a billing
adjustment as a result of a customer being under billed for any reason, such adjustment
Document No. 278284
shall be retroactive for a maximum of four billing periods or one year, whichever is the
longest. Notwithstanding the above, in the event that a billing adjustment is the result of
the customer's illegal connection to the water system or willful interference or damage of
metering equipment (where they exist), the billing adjustment in such circumstances will
not be limited to one year or four billing periods, but rather the customer shall be
responsible for all payments of such accounts from the date such illegal connection or
interference to meter equipment took place.
(c)
Customer Over billed - Notwithstanding 8(a) above, should it become necessary for the
Utility to make a billing adjustment as a result of a customer being over billed for any
reason, such adjustment will be estimated by the Utility, and the Utility will be responsible
for payment of the over billed amount with interest calculated on the basis of current simple
interest paid by the bank respecting the period during which the customer was incorrectly
billed by the Utility, such period not to exceed five years.
9)
SUSPENSION OF SERVICE FOR NON_PAYMENT BILLS: The Utility shall have the right
to enter onto customers' premises within reasonable hours to suspend service to customers whose
bills remain unpaid for more than forty calendar days after the date rendered. The customer shall
pay the reconnection fee as set out in the Schedule of Rates and Charges for Re-establishing Water
Service after each suspension. Service suspension can be delayed if approved payment
arrangements have been made and the customer is in compliance with arrangements.
10)
METER READING: In the case of Metered Service Customers who are billed bi-monthly, meters
shall be read bi-monthly.
11)
WATER TO BE SUPPLIED BY METER: Except where water is used for construction purposes
from a hydrant under the supervision of the Utility and except as in these regulations otherwise
provided, all services other than those used exclusively for fire protection shall be metered. Any
building occupied by more than one tenant may have a separate meter with appropriate isolation
valves for each tenant. With the Utility's approval, such a building may be serviced by one meter,
provided the landlord is the customer. The Utility shall determine the size and type of meter in
consultation with the customer to be installed in each case. All meters shall be the property of the
Utility.
12)
INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF METERS: Meters shall be installed and removed only
by employees of the Utility or duly authorized representatives of the Utility and no other person
shall install, alter, change or remove a meter without the written permission of the Utility. The
plumbing and connections shall be properly prepared to receive the installation of such meters to the
approval of and without expense to the Utility.
13)
METER READERS: Each meter reader shall be provided with an official identification, which
he/she shall exhibit on request.
14)
REMOTE REGISTERING WATER METERS: When a remote registering water meter is
installed on a customer's premises, then the cost of the meter and the remote registering device and
its installation shall be paid by the Utility. The meter and remote reading device is the property of
Document No. 278284
the Utility which shall become responsible for its operation, maintenance and replacement. Any
damage to the metering equipment caused by the negligence or wrongful acts or omissions by the
customer, his agents or members of his family, shall be paid for by the customer, and the failure by
the customer to make the payment shall entitle the Utility, after making a forty day written demand
for the payment, to disconnect the water service to the customer.
15)
DAMAGE TO WATER METERS: Each customer shall be responsible for the meter equipment
installed on his service and shall protect it. The customer shall be liable for any damage to the meter
resulting from carelessness, hot water or steam, or the action of frost or from any other cause not the
fault of the Utility or its employees. The cost to the Utility, occasioned by such damage to the meter,
shall be paid by the customer. If after the rendering of a bill by the Utility to the customer for such
cost the same is not paid within 40 days from the date rendered, the supply of water to the customer
concerned may be suspended until all charges are paid.
16)
METER TESTING.
On the request to have their meter tested, the Utility may charge the sum of
$100.00 to defray, in part, the cost of making the test for meters up to 1 inch in size. In the case of
meters 1-1/2 inches and larger, the actual cost of the test will be paid by the customer. If the test
shows that the meter is over registering by more than one and one half percent (1 ½%) for positive
displacement meters and three percent (3%) for turbine or compound meters, the sum so deposited
will be refunded to the customer.
17)
PLUMBING TO BE SATISFACTORY: All plumbing, pipes and fittings, 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 in the manner provided by the Regulations of
and be approved by the proper official of the Municipality and/or the operators of the Utility. The
water shall not be turned on (except for construction or testing purposes) until the applicant for
service has satisfied the Utility that these requirements have been met. The supply of water may be
discontinued to any customer at any time if, in the opinion of the proper official of the Municipality
and/or the operator of the Utility, the plumbing, pipes, fittings, fixtures, or other devices as
hereinbefore mentioned, or any of them, fail to comply with the above requirements, or if any part
of the water system of such customer or the meter 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.
18)
DANGEROUS CONNECTIONS: 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.
19)
PROHIBITED DEVICES: 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, flushometers, 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.
Permission to install or use any such device or appurtenance must be obtained from the Utility,
Document No. 278284
which permission shall specify what special arrangements, such as elevated storage tanks, surge
tanks or equalizing tanks, etc., must be provided by the customer.
20)
IMPROPER USE OR WASTE OF WATER: No customer shall permit the improper use or waste
of water, such as providing water to more than one single family dwelling and /or apartment building
from a single service, nor shall they sell or give water to any person except upon such conditions
and for such purposes as may be approved in writing by the Utility.
21)
SERVICE PIPES: Upon receipt of an application for service to any premises located on any
portion of a street through which portion a main water pipe is laid and which premises are not already
provided with water service, the Utility shall install a service pipe which it considers to be of suitable
size and capacity from the water main to the street line. No pipe smaller than 3/4" in (19 mm)
diameter shall be laid for any service.
The necessary excavation for the laying of the service pipe, backfilling and replacement of the street
and sidewalk surfaces from the water main in the street to the street line, including supplying and
laying a service pipe and fittings between the main pipe and the street line shall be the responsibility
of the Utility. A service box (standpipe) and curb stop valve shall be installed at the property line by
the Utility. The cost of supplying and installing the water pipe from the street line to the premises
including all excavation, backfilling and surface restoration shall be paid for by the customer.
For water service pipes larger than ¾", the cost shall be borne by the customer, less the cost of the
¾" service pipe and trench from the main in the street to the street line.
Should any person make application for more than one service to his premises, the decision as to the
necessity of the additional service shall be made by the Utility, and if the additional service is
installed, the total cost thereof from the main to the customer's premises shall be paid by such
applicant.
All services must be installed to the satisfaction of the Utility. The excavation may be the same
excavation as is used for the sewer service pipe or, if minimum horizontal and vertical separation
between the water and sewer pipes cannot be obtained, a separate excavation for the water service
pipe shall be required.
When a service has been installed without objection from the customer as to the location of the same,
any subsequent removal of or alteration to the position of the pipe shall be made except at the
expense of the customer requesting such removal or alteration.
22)
REPAIRS TO SERVICES: If a leak or other trouble occurs it shall be repaired as soon as possible.
If the leak or trouble occurs in a service line providing non-fire protection water supplies between
the main and the street line it shall be repaired by the Utility at its expense. If the leak or trouble
occurs elsewhere in a service line providing non-fire protection water supplies, it shall be repaired
by the customer at their expense.
If the leak or trouble occurs in a service line which provides private fire protection services (sprinkler
Document No. 278284
or hydrant) it shall be repaired by the customer at his expense.
The Utility may make such repairs for any customer provided the customer agrees to pay the cost of
same. When required, each customer desiring the Utility to do such work shall deposit with the
Utility a sum equal to the estimated cost of the work.
If a leak occurs on the customer's portion of their service pipe and, after being notified of same, they
refuse or unduly delay to have repairs made, the Utility may discontinue the supply of water to such
service pipe if, in its opinion, such action is necessary in order to prevent wastage of water. The
Utility shall notify the customer affected of its intention to discontinue such supply.
23)
SPRINKLER SERVICE MAINS AND HYDRANT SYSTEM: The customer shall be
responsible for the cost of installing and maintaining a sprinkler service pipe from the main in the
street to the building. It shall be designed to current code requirements by a licensed Professional
Engineer and must include a customer owned and maintained proper size control valve so that the
service may be shut off if necessary. If requested by the applicant, a domestic service pipe may be
connected to the sprinkler service pipe, but only if it is connected outside the building foundation
wall and is provided with an approved shutoff valve located outside the building to permit control
of the domestic service pipe without the necessity to enter the building. Before any domestic service
pipe is connected to a sprinkler service pipe, the applicant must obtain approval from the appropriate
authority and provide the Utility with a certified copy of such approval. The Utility shall supervise
the installation of same. When the private fire protection system includes private hydrants, these
hydrants must be flushed during the Utility's regular flushing periods, under the supervision of the
Utility's personnel. These hydrants shall be maintained in a manner, or on a regular basis as
approved by the Utility. Fire protection lines within buildings shall be so installed that all pipes will
be open and readily accessible for inspection at any time and no connection other than for fire
protection shall be made thereto.
The location and spacing of hydrants in new construction shall be installed in accordance with the
Antigonish County Water Utility requirements.
24)
UNAUTHORIZED EXTENSIONS, ADDITIONS OR CONNECTIONS: No person shall,
without the written consent of the Utility, make or cause to be made any connections to any pipe or
main or any part of the water system or in any way obtain or use water therefrom in any manner
other than as set out in these Regulations. Any unauthorized connection shall be subject to removal
by the Utility. The cost of the removal including labour and materials and an estimate of the water
used together with a $200 service charge shall be paid by those who made the unauthorized
connection.
25)
ACCESS TO CUSTOMER'S PREMISES: Representatives of the Utility shall have right of
access to all parts of a customer's property or premises at all reasonable hours for the purpose of
inspecting any water pipes or fittings, or appliances, or discontinuing service, or for the purpose of
installing, removing, repairing, reading or inspecting meters. The Utility shall have the right to
suspend service to any customer who refuses such access.
Document No. 278284
26)
LOCATION OF METERS: The Utility shall have the right to refuse service to, or suspend the
service of, any customer who does not provide a place which, in the opinion of the Utility, is suitable
for the meter. It should be in the building served, at or near the point of entry of the service pipe, in
a place where it can be easily read and exchanged and where it will not be exposed to freezing
temperatures.
Where the premises of a customer are of such a nature that a meter cannot be properly installed in a
building or if the building is not sufficiently frost-proof as to guarantee the safety of the meter, the
Utility may order the construction of a suitable frost-proof box in which the meter can be installed.
Service to such premises may be refused or suspended until such a frost-proof box approved by the
Utility is installed.
27)
CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL & BACKFLOW PREVENTION:
(a) No owner, consumer, customer or other person hereinafter collectively referred to in this rule
and regulation as "person" shall connect, cause to be connected, or allow to remain connected to
the water system, or plumbing installation, without the express written consent of the Utility, any
piping fixtures, fittings container or appliance in a manner which, under any circumstances, may
allow water, wastewater, or any other liquid, chemical or substance, to ingress or egress the water
system.
(b) Where, in the opinion of the Utility, there may be a risk of contamination to the potable water
system, notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a), the Utility may require the customer,
at the customers sole cost and expense, to install at any point on the customers water service
connection or water service pipe, one or more backflow prevention (BFP) devices, which devices
shall be of a quality and type approved by the Utility.
(c) All BFP devices shall be maintained in good working order. Such devices must be inspected
and tested by a certified tester, approved by the Utility, at the expense of the customer. Such
inspections shall take place upon installation, and thereafter annually, or more often if required by
the Utility. The customer shall submit a report in a form approved by the Utility on any or all tests
performed on a BFP device within 30 days of a test. A record card shall be displayed on or adjacent
to the BFP device on which the tester shall record the name and address of the owner of the device;
the location, type, manufacturer, serial number and size of the device; and the test date, the tester's
initials, the tester's name, the name of his employer, and the tester's license number.
(d) The Utility shall maintain a program for the issuance, renewal and cancellation of Cross
Connection Control Tester's Licenses. The Utility's program shall establish minimum standards,
minimum insurance requirements, fees and administrative procedures.
(e) Installation, maintenance, field-testing and selection of all BFP devices shall fully conform to
the latest revision of CSA B64.10 and CSA B64 series.
(f) In the event of any breach, contravention or non-compliance by a person of any of the provision
and regulations in a sub-paragraphs (a),(b),(c) or (d) the Utility may:
Document No. 278284
(i) suspend water service to such person, or
(ii) give notice to the person to correct the breach, contravention or non-compliance within
96 hours, or a specified lesser period. If the person fails to comply with such notice, the
Utility may immediately thereafter suspend water service to such person.
28)
ALTERNATE WATER SUPPLY PROHIBITED: Connection of any customer's installation
served by the Utility to any other source of water supply is prohibited. Failure to comply with this
regulation shall entitle the Utility to suspend the service.
29)
DEPOSITS IN ADVANCE: Whenever a customer requests the Utility to do work for which he/she
is required to pay and the Utility agrees to do the work, he/she shall deposit with the Utility, before
the work is started, a sum of money equal to the Utility's estimate of the probable cost of said work
or execute an agreement to pay the actual cost. When the actual cost is determined, an adjustment
in the payment shall be made. Water service shall not be established by the Utility until all charges
are paid in full. Installations shall be made in accordance with the Antigonish County Water Utility
specifications and be subject to inspection by the Utility's Staff prior to water service being made
available.
30)
SEASON FOR LAYING PIPES: The Utility shall not be required to lay any pipe at any season
of the year or at any time which, in its opinion, is not suitable.
31)
PRIVATE FIRE PROTECTION: Fire protection lines within buildings shall be installed so that
all pipes will be open and readily accessible for inspection at any time, and no connection for any
purpose other than fire protection shall be made thereto. Unless approved by the Utility in writing,
no fire protection line shall be connected in any way to a metered service. Responsibility for the
installation, maintenance of any and all privately owned fire protections systems, including fire
protection lines, sprinkler systems and hydrants shall be the responsibility of the owner.
32)
RESELLING OF WATER: It is prohibited for a customer of the Utility to resell water to others,
without the express written consent of the Utility. In the event that a customer is reselling water to
others, without prior approval by the Utility, the Utility may suspend service to the premises until
such time as the activity ceases or approval to resell is granted.
33)
LIABILITY OF UTILITY: The Utility shall not be deemed to guarantee an uninterrupted supply
or a sufficient or uniform pressure and shall not be liable for any damage or injury caused or done
by reason of the interruption of supply, variation of pressure or on account of the turning off or
turning on of the water for any purpose.
34)
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 main, water pipe, or any property of the Utility or obstruct the free access to any
hydrant, stop cock, meter, building, etc., provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph contained
Document No. 278284
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 designated by the Utility for
fire protection purposes.
35)
SUSPENDING 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 water
service to be suspended from the premises where such violation has occurred or is existing and may
keep the same so suspended until satisfied that the cause for such action has been removed.
36)
RESUMPTION OF SERVICE: In all cases where water service has been suspended for violation
of any of these rules, service shall not be restored until the cause for violation has been removed.
37)
PRESSURE REDUCING VALVES: Where, in the opinion of the Utility, it is necessary for proper
water service, a customer shall install on the service pipe, between the meter and the shut off valve
on the customer's side of the meter, a pressure reducing valve of a type satisfactory to the Utility.
The customer shall be responsible for the cost of installing and maintaining the pressure reducing
valve at all time.
38)
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES: Whenever a pressure reducing valve has been installed by a
customer in accordance with Regulation 37, the customer shall, for his own safety and protection,
install on his hot water boiler and any other hot water heating device connected to the building's
plumbing system, a pressure relief valve of an approved type, as well as an approved temperature
limiting device. It shall be the customer's responsibility to maintain and keep in service the pressure
relief valve at all times.
39)
WATER CONSERVATION DIRECTIVES: The Utility may issue conservation of water
directives to its customers, if in the opinion of the Utility, such directives are required to permit the
Utility to provide reliable continuous water service to all customers served by the Utility. During
such times as these directives are in force, customers who do not comply with the directives may
have their water service suspended until such time as they agree to comply with the directive or upon
suspension of the water conservation directive, whichever occurs first. Such customers shall be
required to pay the Charge for Re-establishing Water Service as laid out in the approved Schedule
of Rates for the Utility.
40)
REQUESTS FOR EXTENIONS OF SERVICE: The Utility has no obligation to extend water
service into areas with no water service. Requests for such extensions will be reviewed by the Utility
on a case by case basis.
41)
CURB STOP/CONTROL VALVE SERVICE BOX: The curb stop/control valve service box
housing the customers control valve shall be exposed for access by the Utility at all times. The Utility
requires all curb stop/control valve service boxes and/or valves to be fully exposed and adjusted to
final landscape grade before the installation of a customer's water meter. The customer shall not
make any adjustments to the service box. Any adjustment to the service box requested by the
customer shall be carried out by the Utility and paid for by the customer.
Document No. 278284
The customer shall ensure the curb stop/control valve service box and/or the valve box is exposed
at all times. In the event that the curb stop/control valve service box is buried, paved over, back-
filled or damaged as a result of carelessness, willful obstruction or any other occurrence that, in the
opinion of the Utility, results in the requirement for the Utility to expose, re-expose, adjust or repair
the curb stop /control valve service box, it shall be at the customer's expense. The Utility may
undertake such activities as it deems necessary to gain access to the premises curb stop/control valve
service box without expense to the Utility. When such action is undertaken, the reinstatement of the
road, right-of-way, driveway, sidewalk, curb or landscape will be charged back to the customer if
such activity is undertaken by the Utility