THE TOWN OF HARWICH WATER DEPARTMENT RULES & REGULATIONS

SECTION 5 - Service, Pipes and Fixtures

5.1 Service Pipes
Consumers must keep their water pipes and fixtures in good repair and protected from frost at their own expense. They shall be held responsible for any damage resulting from their failure to do so. They shall prevent any waste of water.

5.2 All Service Pipes to be Inspected
All service pipes must be inspected by the Department before covering the trench. All pipes and trenches shall meet the approval of the Department.

5.3 Joint Use of Pipes or Trenches
Water service pipes will NOT under any circumstances be placed in the same trench with other pipes, conduits or similar structures such as gas lines, electrical conduit, sewer pipe, etc.

5.4 Portion of Service Pipe Furnished by Water Department
New service connections shall be made by the Department or its agent and brought to the Consumer's property line. The Consumer shall be charged the current rate for tapping and connection fees.

5.5 Right to Repair Service Pipes
All service pipes between the street line and the cellar wall may be repaired or replaced by the Department when it deems it necessary for the protection of the supply or the supplying of satisfactory water service. The cost shall be charged to the Consumer. The Department also reserves the right to assess the condition of "owner responsibility" service piping, valves, etc. on a periodic basis in order to determine the functional and physical adequacy of the stated appurtenance and, if such is determined to be inadequate, the Water Superintendent may order the owner to replace such at the owner's expense. Failure to take corrective actions as prescribed by the Superintendent will be cause for termination of water service to those premises. In addition, each consumer of water furnished by the Department shall be responsible in case of break or a leak in the service pipe for both water loss and cost of repairs. Costs will be actual or estimated as determined by the Department.

5.6 Temporary Service from Adjacent Premises
When permission to open a permanently paved street is refused by the Highway Department or when, for any physical reason, it is impossible to open a street and the applicant requests that water be furnished temporarily from an adjacent service, the same may be done at the expense of the Consumer if approved by the Superintendent.

5.7 Charges for Repairs
The pipe from the property line to the building (or all pipe beyond the curb stop) including meter pits and curb-boxes is the property of the Consumer and all the repairs to the same shall be made at his expense.

5.8 Materials on Private Premises
All fittings supplied by the Department to the Consumer shall be billed to the Consumer.

5.9 Irregular Service
Services for other than permanent structures, or which are used only a part of the year shall be installed at the expense of the Consumer.

5.10 One Service to Each Unit*
The Department will allow only one (1) service connection per unit to each unit located in a building or to each commercial or industrial building. This includes all Condos and Town Houses.

5.11 Requests for Turning On or Shutting Off Water
Requests for turning on or shutting off a water service other than seasonal customers shall be made 2 weeks in advance, except in case of an emergency. Consumers shall be charged for each such service. Only Department personnel shall open or close curb stops. Requests for turning on or shutting off water, shall be done during normal working hours. If a seasonal customer fails to schedule their 2 week notice and requests an after hours turn-on or turn-off, they can pay the out of rotation fee. Once the payment is received at the Department, work will be scheduled for overtime the next business day. All scheduled turn on or shut offs will be done between the hours of 7:00a.m. and 3:30p.m. Monday through Friday except for emergencies. All prior bills, charges, fees and liens must be paid in full prior to service being activated.

5.12 No Pipes Furnished in winter
No new services shall be installed from November 15th through March 15th unless weather permits. The only other exception allowed are circumstances deemed an emergency. Applications must be received by November 1st for installation by November 15th. Installation of services beyond the end of an existing water main shall not be allowed. The main must be extended (including necessary hydrants and appurtenances) to the furthest limit of the Consumer's property at their expense. Water mains shall be looped when required by the Superintendent.

5.13 Service Pipe Trenches
Service pipes shall not be placed within 10 feet of any other utilities, except under special conditions and with the approval of the Superintendent. The Department shall not be responsible for damage to other utilities laid within 10 feet of a water service or water main.

5.14 Standby Fire Protection
Consumers desiring standby fire protection must submit a water service application to the Department. The Department shall furnish water for standby fire protection service in accordance with the rates for sprinkler systems. All equipment for this purpose shall be installed entirely at the expense of the Consumer and with the approval of the Superintendent. Such pipes shall not be used for supplying water for any other purposes and must be so arranged that Department personnel can make easy inspection. Whenever it is considered necessary for the protection of the water supply and in the interest of the Town, the Superintendent shall have the right to require the installation of meters, alarms or other accessories. The installation and upkeep of such equipment shall be at the Consumer's expense. All installations must be completed in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws.

5.15 Water Supply Availability
The Water Department shall make the determination as to the availability of adequate water supply for such services. The Department shall not bear responsibility to extend existing water mains in order to provide adequate water supply for such service. No fire service connection shall be less than six (6) inches in diameter and shall not be used for anything other than fire protection. No water shall be taken or used through private fire systems for the purpose of testing unless the Superintendent issues written permission. Such test must be conducted under the supervision of the Department.

5.16 Private Hydrant Service
Fire hydrants on private property shall be inspected and serviced once every two- (2) years by the Department for a fee. Any repairs necessary for proper operation of hydrants shall be the responsibility of the property owner and shall be completed within thirty (30) days after due notice in writing has been given to the owner by the Department.

5.17 Use of Fire Hydrants
The use of fire hydrants, Town and private, is restricted to members of the Fire Department and to employees of the Department. Other persons may use the fire hydrants only with the specific permission of the Superintendent. In the event that a hydrant is to be used for any other purpose the Department should be notified. Hydrants will not be used to fill swimming pools.

5.18 Cross Connection Control
If, in the opinion of the Superintendent, the installation of an approved backflow preventer (s) on the property side of a meter is considered necessary for the safety of the water system, such approved device(s) shall be immediately installed at the expense of the Consumer after due notice in writing has been given to the Consumer by the Superintendent. Said device(s) shall be installed and tested in accordance with the drinking water regulations of Massachusetts, 310 CMR 22.22. All tests performed by the Department shall be charged as set forth in Section 8.