THE TOWN OF HARWICH WATER DEPARTMENT RULES & REGULATIONS

SECTION 7 - Violations

7.1 Violations of Regulations
Any violation of these regulations may result in the Superintendent ordering the shutting off of the water to the violator's premises. When the water has been shut off for violations of rules or their offences, and it shall not be turned on again until the Department is satisfied that there shall not be further cause of complaint and charges have been paid to cover the cost of shutting off and turning on the water.

7.2 Discontinuance of Service
Water service may be discontinued by reason such as nonpayment of water bills, fees, charges and liens or for violations of any rules and regulations contained herein, and in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40 Section 42. Water bills not paid within thirty (30) days of issue date will be deemed overdue. When a water bill is deemed overdue, the property owner will be issued a demand charge. If the overdue water bill and demand charge and interest owed are not paid within the specified time, the account will be subject to termination. The discontinuance of water service and the lien procedure are at the option of the Board of Water Commissioners. The Department shall issue a termination notice five (5) days prior to termination of service, to avail the owner to comply. A water service may be terminated without notice for fraudulent use. Reconnection of terminated service will be done ONLY during normal working hours of the Department; a reconnection fee shall be applied. If by mutual agreement with the Water Superintendent, reconnection is scheduled for other than normal working hours, the consumer will be responsible for any and all costs, which include parts and labor. The water service will not be reconnected until all charges have been paid.

7.3 Cross Connections
Any Consumer found to be in noncompliance with the drinking water regulation of Massachusetts, 310 CMR 22.22 shall be punished by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Environmental Protection by a fine of not more than $25,000 dollars for each day that the violation occurs or continues. Water will be turned off immediately until violation has been corrected. There will be a Turn on and Turn fee assessed per violation. There is also a testing fee per device, see non water related fees.

7.4 Treatment
No treatment by any unauthorized personnel shall be permitted. If anyone is found adding any treatment to Town's water they will be subject to fines established by the Board of Commissioners for each individual offence.

7.5 Mandatory Water Use Restrictions
Any Consumer found in violation of a water ban shall be fined as follows:

First Offence - written warning
Second Offence - $100.00 dollars
Third and any subsequent offence - $300.00 dollars

7.6 Unauthorized Water Use
Whoever unlawfully and intentionally injures a water meter or prevents such meter from registering the quantity of water supplied through it or use or causes to be used water without consent of Department shall be fined no less than $1000.00 dollars for each offense.

7.7 Defacing and Littering Upon Town Owned Property
Any person or persons willfully defacing and/or littering upon Town owned property located within its watershed shall be fined no less than $300.00 dollars.

7.8 No Tampering with Department Property
All gates, valves, shutoffs, water meters and standpipes and any other portion of the municipal system, which are the property of the Harwich Water Department, are not to be open or closed or in any way tampered with by any person other than those authorized by the Water Superintendent. Violators will be subject to charges or penalties as stated herein or by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 165.

7.9 Alterations in Pipes
No Consumer shall install any addition to or make any alterations to the service pipe or "upstream" of the water meter for any purpose without submitting an application for the change, submitted with plans and specification to the Department and obtaining approval

7.10 Any unauthorized Use of Fire Hydrants
Any unauthorized use of fire hydrants without written permission of the Harwich Water Department will result in a $1,000.00 Fine.