Chapter 107: Water
§ 107-1. Applicability.
§ 107-2. Definitions.
§ 107-3. Village rights; liability.
§ 107-3. General provisions.
§ 107-5. Connections, service; maintenance; prohibitions.
§ 107-6. Water taps.
§ 107-7. Water meter.
§ 107-8. Water service shutoff.
§ 107-9. Terms of payment.
§ 107-10. Access to water meter.
§ 107-11. Private fire protection.
§ 107-12. Backflow prevention devices.
§ 107-13. Fees.

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Williamsville 1-28-1991 as L.L. No. 3-1991. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Sewer use -- See Ch. 81.

§ 107-1. Applicability.

§ 107-2. Definitions.

APPURTENANCE - Any material that belongs with or accompanies a water service pipe, water tap or backflow prevention device.

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE - A device to prevent any contaminated water from being siphoned into the potable water supply.

CROSS-CONNECTION - A connection between two (2) otherwise separate piping systems, one (1) containing potable water and the other containing water which may be contaminated.

CURB BOX - A vertical sleeve which provides access to a buried curb cock/stop.

CURB COCK/CURB STOP - A control valve for the water supply of a building, used to shut off water supply and placed usually between the sidewalk and curb.

POTABLE WATER - Water which is approved for drinking, culinary and domestic purposes as set forth in the State Sanitary Code.

PRIVATE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM - Shall include water mains, pipes, hydrants, sprinklers, storage facilities and other facilities installed on private premises for the purpose of private fire protection.

PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM - Shall include all facilities installed in a public street or alley or public right-of-way and used for public protection from fire.

WATER HAMMER - A loud thumping noise that results from a sudden surge or stoppage of the flow of water through any water service pipe.

WATER SERVICE PIPE - That part of a building water main installed by or under the jurisdiction of the Village Water Department.

WATER TAP - A connection, with its appurtenances, to a water supply main.

§ 107-3. Village rights; liability.

B. The village reserves the right to restrict, curtail or prohibit the use of water for any purpose upon the determination by the Village Board that such action is essential to the protection of the public health, safety and welfare as in periods of drought or other emergency. Upon such determination, the Village Board may, by resolution, fix the times when water may be used for all or particular purpose and prescribe any other measures to be taken by the Water Department or its consumers.

§ 107-4. General provisions.

B. The obligation of the village to supply potable water to any premises shall he upon strict compliance with the provisions of this chapter and upon payment of all applicable fees.

C. All water service pipes, water taps, backflow devices, required excavations and related appurtenances shall he subject to inspection by the village or its duly authorized agents.

D. The village, through its duly authorized agents, shall have the right to enter upon any premises where village water is provided, for the purposes of inspecting, reading, installing, removing or repairing meters, turning water service on or off and enforcing this chapter.

E. No unauthorized person shall open or shut any water supply valve, gate or water tap, operate any curb cock/stop, tamper or interfere with any water meter or interrupt or interfere with the village potable water system.

F. No fire hydrant shall be opened, closed or except by those duly authorized under this chapter or by a duly authorized member of the Fire Department.

G. Water supplied by the village to any premises is for use on such premises by the owners or occupants thereof. The sale, delivery, transmission or supplying of such water to other persons or premises is prohibited.

§ 107-5. Connections; service; maintenance; prohibitions.

(1) Application for connection to village water service and/or for water service shall be made to the Village Clerk. No service or connection shall be provided until the applicant has shown compliance with this chapter and paid all required fees.

(2) The receipt of an application shall not obligate the village to provide water or perform the service requested. The village shall not be obligated to extend any main into any street. On approval of the application by the village, the owner shall be responsible for payment of all applicable rates and charges and shall comply with the rules and regulations relating to such service.

(3) All water accounts shall be established in the name of the owner of the premises.

B. Connection.

(1) All water tap connections shall be made only by the village alter prior approval by the Building Department and after payment of all applicable fees a established by resolution of the Board of Trustees.

(2) Any required street opening in connection with water tap shall be made in compliance with Chapter 89, Streets and Sidewalks, of this Code.

(3) All new or replacement service lines shall be of Type K or L copper tubing, located not less than four (4 feet below the established street grade level and on a direct line into the premises. Where compliance is determined to be impractical, the Department Public Works may grant approval, in writing, for a alternate method of installation.

(4) Any water service line shall be located wholly within its own trench. Where compliance is determined be impracticable, the line may be placed on a shelf within a sewer trench. In no case shall the line be located within the same trench, at a level equal to or lower than the sewer line.

C. Curb bomb stop installation.

(1) A separate curb box/stop shall be installed for each premises where the water service is to be individually metered.

(2) In a residential district, installation shall between the sidewalk and curb. In a commercial district, it shall be located one (1) foot inside the curb. The top of the box shall be set even with pavement and in every case flush with the surface of the sidewalk.

D. Water leaks. [Amended 7-22-1996 by L.L. No. 4-1996]

(1) The property owner shall be responsible for any repair and replacement of a water service line at any point between the water main and water meter. The leak shall be repaired or replaced within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt by the property owner of personal or written notice (certified mail) from the village.

(2) If the property owner fails to comply with the notice within the forty-eight-hour period, the village will cause the waterline to be repaired and all expenses for such repair shall be billed to the property owner.

(3) All payments for repairs shall be due within thirty (30) days of billing. Interest for nonpayment shall be accrued on the outstanding amounts at a rate to be set by resolution of the Village Board of Trustees.

E. Temporary water supply.

(1) No temporary water supply shall be used except for construction purposes.

(2) No certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the Building Department until all temporary water rents are fully paid and a permanent water meter is installed on the premises.

(3) Unmetered temporary water supply. Application shall he made to the Village Clerk for temporary use of water during construction. A daily rate, as established by resolution of the Board of Trustees, shall be paid from the date of the water lap to the date the water meter is installed.

F. Water service outside village limits.

(1) The village reserves the right to require that water service from village mains be by written agreement between the property owner and the village. Such service shall be conditioned upon strict compliance by the property owner with all conditions and limitations established by the village.

(2) The fee shall be one and one-half (1 1/2) the rate as established by resolution of the Board of Trustees for properties located within the village boundaries.

G. Prohibitions.

(1) Cross-connections are prohibited. In addition to any penalty imposed for violation of such prohibition, the property owner shall be liable for any damage or expense resulting from the prohibited cross-connection.

(2) Upon determination by the Department of Public Works of the existence of water hammer, the village shall notify, in writing, the property owner responsible for the condition. The notice may require the installation of water hammer elimination devices, which shall be at the property owner's expense.

§ 107-8. Water taps.

B. Excavation prior to installation shall be the responsibility of the property owner and shall have an area of at least four (4) square feet and a depth of not less than six (6) inches below the main.

C. A separate water tap shall be required for each building on any premises supplied with water. No service line shall be connected to any other building or premises. Connecting of two (2) or more services lines is prohibited.

D. A water tap intended to replace an existing service line shall not be installed unless the existing tap is disconnected and sealed at the water main and thereafter inspected by the Department of Public Works. All replacement expenses shall be borne by the property owner.

E. Where any existing water service line is abandoned or not used for one (1) year, the service line shall be disconnected and sealed at the water main and thereafter inspected by the Department of Public Works. All expenses shall be borne by the property owner.

F. The property owner shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair of all water tap connections, distribution lines and appurtenances beyond the meter to the water main. All expenses shall be borne by the property owner.

§ 107-7. Water meter.

(1) An individual meter shall be required for each premises and for each separate water lap to a premises.

(2) All meters shall be set in a horizontal position and shall be accessible for inspection and reading.

(3) In order to provide an accurate meter reading, any service line that extends more than one hundred (100) feet from the street pavement edge to the building line shall have its water meter set in a vault close to the curb stop.

(4) All meters shall be protected against both freezing and hot water.

B. Initial installation. [Amended 6-13-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]

(1) All water meters shall be provided to the property owner at the expense of the village, and the meter shall be treated thereafter as a fixed appurtenance to the premises on which it is located.

(2) The property owner shall be responsible for installation of all necessary piping, fittings, valves and pipe couplings required to receive the meter.

(3) The meter shall, upon inspection, be sealed by the Department of Public Works and thereafter be under the exclusive control thereof. No sealed meter shall be removed without written permission of the Department of Public Works.

(4) All meters shall be connected to the water service line by a shutoff valve on each side of the meter. No connection in any water service line shall be made between the water main and the meter.

(5) The village may order the installation of a backflow prevention device where it deems necessary.

C. Maintenance.

(1) The property owner shall be responsible for damage to the meter due to freezing, hot water, tampering or other external causes.

(2) Meter repair or replacement due to ordinary wear on all meters shall be the responsibility of the village. [Amended 6-13-1994 by L.L. No. 2-1994]

D. Testing.

(1) All meters shall be made accessible to the village, at reasonable times, for the purpose of testing.

(2) The village reserves the right to remove and test any meter and to substitute another meter in its place.

(3) In the case of a disputed water charge involving the accuracy of a meter, the meter shall be tested by the village upon payment of a fee as established by resolution of the Board of Trustees. In the event that the meter is proved defective, the testing fee shall be waived and the water charge shall be adjusted at the discretion of the Village Board. Any credit or additional charge for such adjustment shall be applied to the owner's next water bill.

§ 107-8. Water service shutoff.

(1) Any misrepresentation by the applicant as to the property or fixtures to be supplied or the purpose for which the water is to be used.

(2) Failure to maintain connections, service lines or fixtures in proper working order.

(3) Nonpayment of charges, rates or fees for water supplied or services rendered by the village.

(4) Cross-connecting pipes carrying potable water with any other source of supply or with any apparatus which may endanger the quality of potable water supply.

(5) Refusal of reasonable access to the property for the purpose of reading, repairing, testing or removing meters or observing water pipes and other fixtures.

(6) The furnishing or receiving of a supply of water from another premises.

(7) Failure to maintain the water meter or to protect the meter from freezing or hot water.

(8) Abandonment of the premises.

(9) In order to make necessary repairs, connections or maintenance.

(10) Failure to install and maintain backflow prevention devices or water hammer devices pursuant to an order issued under this chapter.

(11) Any other violation of this chapter.

(12) Failure to obtain or purchase a water meter and establish a water account.

(13) for cause as established by the Board of Trustees or the Water Department.

B. Consumer shutoff request.

(1) Any water consumer may discontinue water service by giving the Village Clerk notice to such effect at least three (3) business days prior to the date on which such shutoff is intended to take place.

(2) The consumer shall provide access to the indoor meter between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

C. Method of shutoff Water service to any premises shall be shin off only by the village or its duly authorized agent.

D. Restoration of water service. Where water service has been shut off for reasons other than an emergency, the village shall renew service only when conditions which resulted in the shutoff are corrected and only after payment of all applicable charges and/or fees.

§ 107-9. Terms of payment.

B. All bills for water consumption shall be payable on the designated due date.

C. Any water bill or other related charges required under the chapter not paid by the due date of the bill shall incur penalty of ten percent (10%) of the outstanding balance.

D. Failure to pay any bill, including penalty charges, for a per exceeding six (6) months or more, prior to March 1 of particular year, shall result in the delinquent charges be added to the next taxes to the property, and village may, without notice, shut off water service.

§ 107-10. Access to water meter.

B. When premises are not made accessible, a meter-reading card shall be left on the premises. It shall be the duty of the occupant to read the meter, record the reading on the card provided and promptly return the card to the village.

C. Where a consumer fails to provide required access to read the meter or fails to return the meter reading card for more than twelve (12) months, the village may, without notice, shut off the water system to the premises.

§ 107-11. Private fire protection.

(1) The application shall include two (2) copies of the plumbing schematic or plan, showing the proposed type of private fire protection, water service location and waterline size. The schematic or plan shall be designed in accordance with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and shall be signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer or Bred architect.

(2) The procedure for installation of a sprinkler system shall include the following:

(a) Approval, in writing, from the Village Fire Department.

(b) Verification by the Department of Public Works that the necessary water pressure will be available to the fire system when domestic water service is being used at peak capacity.

(c) Installation of a backflow prevention device on the domestic water system in accordance with the New York State Sanitary Code.

(d) Approval, in writing, of the schematic or plan by the New York State Health Department.

(e) Installation by a certified sprinkler company, in combination with a plumber licensed by the village where applicable.

(f) At the owner's expense, the village shall install the proper water service connection tap and valve upon approval of the sprinKler system and payment of fees as established by resolution of the Board of Trustees.

(g) Each premises with a sprinkler system shall be every June 1 an annual fee as established by resolution of the Board of Trustees.

(h) Every sprinkler system shall be inspected annually, at the expense of the owner, by an independent certified inspector. Records of the inspection and any required repairs shall be forwarded to the village within thirty (30) days of completion of the inspection.

(3) The procedure for installation of a private or large fire hydrant system shall include the following:

(a) Approval, in writing, from the Village Fire Department.

(lb) Plans showing the system as installed wholly on the owner's property.

(c) Upon completion of the installation, the system shall be approved and inspected by the village, which reserves the right to approve the type of hydrant an the manner of installation before final approval.

(d) Each premises with a private hydrant system shall be every June 1 an annual fee as established by resolution of the Board of Trustees.

B. Any use of water designated for private fire protection for any purpose other than the private fire protection system shall be unlawful.

§ 107-12. Backflow prevention devices.

B. Procedures for installation of a backflow prevention device shall require a permit issued by the village and shall include the following:

(1) (2) copies of the plumbing schematic or plan, sealed by a licensed professional engineer or architect.

(2) Prior approval of the schematic or plan by the New York State Health Department.

(3) Pent of a fee as established by resolution of the Board of Trustees.

C. Installation; inspection.

(1) All plumbing work related to the installation of any backflow device shall be by a plumber licensed by the village and inspected by a certified inspector upon installation completion.

(2) Every backflow device shall be inspected and annually, at the expense of the owner, by a state certified inspector. Records of the inspection, testing and any required repairs shall be forwarded to the village within thirty (30) days of completion.

§ 107-13. Fees.

B. Water consumption fees shall be established by resolution of the Board of Trustees only after a public hearing.

C. Any fee for work commenced under this chapter shall be doubled where such work is begun without the appropriate permit.

D. Any fee under this chapter which remains unpaid after March 15 of any given year shall be added to the next taxes against that property.

A picture of 56 Spring St The Williamsville Water Mill as pictured in 1866. The middle section is the original saw mill of Jonas Williams erected in 1811. click here to see a bigger picture.

A picture of 56 Spring St taken in 1925. The Williamsville Water Mill as pictured around 1925. click here to see a bigger picture.