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Sec. 78-21. - Definitions.#
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Approved means accepted by the town water division as meeting an applicable specification stated or cited in this article, or as suitable for the proposed use.
Auxiliary water supply means any water supply, active or available, to the premises other than that furnished by the water utility.
Backflow means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes of the town's water supply system from any source other than its intended source.
Backflow or backsiphon preventer means a device or means designed to prevent backflow or backsiphonage. Most commonly categorized as air gap, reduced pressure principle device, double check valve assembly, pressure vacuum breaker, atmospheric vacuum breaker, hose bibb vacuum breaker, residential dual check, double check with intermediate atmospheric vent, and barometric loop. (1)
Air gap means a physical separation sufficient to prevent backflow or backsiphonage between the free-flowing discharge end of the potable water system and any other system; physically defined as a distance equal to twice the diameter of the supply side pipe diameter, but not less than one inch.
(2)
Atmospheric vacuum breaker means a device which prevents backsiphonage by creating an atmospheric vent when there is either a negative pressure or subatmospheric pressure in a water system.
(3)
Barometric loop means a fabricated piping arrangement rising at least 35 feet in the air having a "U" bent at the top and returning to the point of origin.
(4)
Double check valve assembly means an assembly having two independently operating spring loaded check valves against the flow, with tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of each check valve.
(5)
Double check valves with intermediate atmospheric vent means a device having two spring loaded check valves separated by an atmospheric vent chamber.
(6)
Hose bibb vacuum breaker means a device which is permanently attached to a hose bibb and which acts as an atmospheric vacuum breaker.
(7)
Pressure vacuum breaker means a device containing one or two independently operated spring loaded check valves and an independently operated spring loaded air inlet valve located on the discharge side of the check. The device includes tightly closing shutoff valve on each side of the check valves and properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valves.
(8)
Reduced pressure principle backflow preventer means an assembly consisting of two independently operating approved check valves with an automatically operating differential relief valve located between the two check valves, tightly closing shutoff valves on each side of the check valves, plus properly located test cocks for the testing of the check valves and the relief valve.
(9)
Residential dual check means an assembly of two spring loaded, independently operating check valves; generally employed immediately downstream of the water meter to act as a containment device.
Backpressure means a condition in which the owner's and/or customer's system pressure is greater than the town's system pressure.
Backsiphonage means the flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution system of the town's water supply system from any source other than its intended sources caused by the sudden reduction of pressure in the town's water supply system.
Containment means a method of backflow prevention which requires a backflow or backsiphon preventer at the water service entrance.
Contaminant means a substance that can impair the quality of the water to a degree that it may create a health hazard to the public.
Cross connection means any actual or potential connection between the public water supply and a source of contamination or pollution.
Customer means any person, firm, corporation, company, association, governmental unit or owner of property as grantor, furnished water service by the water utility.
Developer means any person, firm, corporation, company, association, governmental unit or owner of property as grantor, that proposes to and/or actually constructs any distribution system in governments/expansions.
Distribution system means the mains, service connections, storage tanks and pumping facilities used for distribution of water from its source to the customers' premises.
Fixture isolation means a method of backflow prevention in which a backflow preventer is located to correct a cross connection at an in-plant location rather than at a water service entrance.
Long service means a service pipe that crosses more than 50 percent of the roadway width.
Main means a water pipe, owner operated and maintained by the water utility, which is used for the purpose of transmission or distribution of water, but is not a water service pipe.
Meter means any approved device for measuring the quantity of water used as a basis for determining charges for water service to a customer.
Owner (as it applies to pipeline extensions) means the owner of record of real property. The term "owner," as it applies to applications for water services and payments for water, shall mean the owner of real property and dwellings or structures thereon or the owner of dwellings or structures on leased land.
Permit means a document issued by the town which specifies the use of a backflow preventer for all testable devices.
Person means any individual, partnership, company, public or private corporation, political subdivision or agency of the state department, agency or instrumentality of the United States or any other legal entity.
Premises means, but is not restricted to, the following: (1)
A building or combination of buildings owned by one customer in one common enclosure occupied by one family as a residence;
(2)
Each unit of a multiple building separated by a solid vertical partition wall owned as a residence or owned or leased by one firm as a place of business;
(3)
A building owned or leased by one customer and having a number of apartments, offices or lofts using in common one hall and one or more means of entrance;
(4)
A building two or more stories high under one roof owned by one customer and having an individual entrance for the ground floor occupants and an entrance for the occupants of the upper floors;
(5)
A combination of buildings owned by one customer, in one common enclosure, none of the buildings of which is adapted to separate ownership;
(6)
A public building;
(7)
A single plat used as a park or recreational area.
Pollutant means a foreign substance, hazardous or not, that if permitted to get into the public water system, will degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard, or impair the usefulness or quality of the water to a degree which may create an actual hazard to the public health and which does adversely and unreasonably effect such water for domestic use.
Property line means the edge or limit of the street, highway, public way or right-of-way as may be shown or platted on maps of record before entering on private property of the premises.
Service means the service pipe and meter to provide water to the customers' premises.
Service pipe means the pipe that runs between the main and the customer's place of consumption or the customer's meter. That portion from the main to the property line is the utility property; that portion from the property line to the premises is the owner's property.
Short service means a service pipe that crosses less than 50 percent of the roadway width.
Superintendent means the superintendent of the water division or another employee, person or office duly authorized to administer the provisions of this article.
Town means the Town of Narragansett.
Utility means the water division of the town.
Water service entrance means that point in the owner's water system beyond the sanitary control of the town, generally considered to be the outlet end of the water meter and always before any unprotected branch.
(Code 1986, § 20-16)
Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.
Sec. 78-22. - Trespass.#
No person shall without permission, enter or remain on any premises of the utility used for the storage or distribution of water or for the storage of materials or equipment.
(Code 1986, § 20-17)
Sec. 78-23. - Tampering.#
(a)
No person shall damage, disfigure or tamper with any of the physical property of the water storage and/or distribution system.
(b)
No person shall cause or permit to be inserted in any water pipe which is part of the distribution system of the utility or which is directly or indirectly connected with the system any object, material or substance which may cause damage or become a health hazard to the system or may cause discontinuation of the flow of water in the system.
(c)
No person shall tamper with a water meter or remove or install a water meter without proper written authorization issued by the superintendent.
(d)
No person shall tamper with, open or close a hydrant valve or hydrant other than fire department personnel without the express permission of the superintendent.
(Code 1986, § 20-18)
Sec. 78-24. - Tapping mains.#
No person shall without proper written authorization from the superintendent tap the mains, insert stopcocks in the mains, interfere with water gates or curb cocks or change or operate any pipe or fixture on a water service pipe between the outlet end of the meter and the street main.
(Code 1986, § 20-19)
Sec. 78-25. - Unauthorized use.#
No person shall without proper written authorization from the superintendent, tap or make any connection with any main or service pipe connected with the water system or open any gate valve connected with the distribution system or in any way or by any device obtain the use of water from the system without such authorization.
(Code 1986, § 20-20)
Sec. 78-26. - Rates, prices and rents to become liens on property.#
The owner of any house, building, tenement or estate shall be liable for payment of the price, rent or rates fixed by the town to the owner or occupants of such house, building, tenement or estate. Such price, rent or rates shall be a lien upon such house, building, tenement and estate in the same way and manner as taxes assessed on real estate or liens, and if not paid as required by the town shall be collected in the same manner that taxes assessed on real estate are collected by law. The utility reserves the right to turn off as in section 78-49 for nonpayment of a bill, provided that the utility has made a reasonable attempt to effect collection. Refer to section 78-70.
(Code 1986, § 20-21)
Sec. 78-27. - Construction damage.#
All damages to water mains or service pipes, hydrants or other parts of the water system caused by any person or public agency as a result of any construction activities shall be chargeable to the owner of the premises for whom such work is done. If no specific owner of the premises is apparent, then the person or public agency causing such damage shall make the repairs to the satisfaction of the utility at no cost to the utility. The person or public agency will be billed for any materials, labor or equipment supplied by the utility.
(Code 1986, § 20-22)
Sec. 78-28. - Liability for accidental or temporary stoppage.#
No person shall be entitled to damages, nor to have any portion of a payment refunded, for any stoppage of supply occasioned by accident to any portion of the waterworks, nor for stoppage for purpose of additions or repairs; nor for nonuse occasioned by absence or any other reason. The utility shall have the right at all times to shut off the water either at or along the main distribution system or for an individual customer or customers temporarily without notice for necessary repairs, extensions or other necessary work connected with the distribution system or for causes beyond its control.
(Code 1986, § 20-23)
Sec. 78-29. - Liability for boiler collapse.#
All customers having pressure-supplied boilers on their premises are hereby cautioned against the danger of the boiler's collapse. The utility does not recommend the installation of boilers on direct pressure and will not be responsible for accidents or leaks arising from such boilers. The utility and its agents shall not be held liable for damages, cost or expense for personal or property damages caused by bursting, collapse or leakage of pressure boilers or hot water tanks, or from any leakage from pipes, fixtures or other appliances on the premises.
(Code 1986, § 20-24)
Sec. 78-30. - Property transfer.#
(a)
When property transfers are to be made, those interested should have the meter read for the proper water charge adjustment between buyer and seller. The seller should promptly notify the water division office of the sale as of the date of sale and give the name and address of the purchaser. The new owner must promptly sign a new application for service.
(b)
Whenever a customer sells or transfers property for which application for service has been granted, the customer shall promptly notify the utility in writing, giving the name and address of the new owner for signing of a new application form. Failure to notify the utility shall make the customer of record liable for payment of all just charges including bills for water furnished him or his lessees during his ownership and until such time as the utility receives notice in writing of the transfer of his property.
(Code 1986, § 20-25)