Sherbrooke Water Utility — Rules and Regulations (UARB-approved) — full text

This is an automated transcription (OCR) of the captured official document — minor recognition errors are possible; the source document governs. Snapshot 9e79eb93ec50 · verified 2026-06-05 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

## NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD ## IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT - and - IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION of the MUNICIPALITY of the DISTRICT of ST. MARY'S on behalf of the Sherbrooke Water Utility for Approval of Amendments to its Schedule of Rates for Water and Water Services and its Schedule of Rules and Regulations BEFORE:  KaR Kulinder S. Dhilion, PEng, Member ## ORDER WHEREAS the Municipality of the District of St. Mary's, on behalf of the Sherbrooke Water Utility ("Utility"), filed an application with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board ("Board") for approval of amendments to its Schedule of Rates and Charges for water and water services and its Schedule of Rules and Regulations; day of October , and As Bar duas planto sue is Decision on to to da of December, 2013; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Schedule of Rates, attached hereto as Schedules "A", "B" and "C", be approved for water and water services supplied on and after January 1, 2014, April 1, 2014 and April 1, 2015 respectively; IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Schedule of Rules and Regulations as amended in the Board's Decision and attached hereto as Schedule "D", be approved effective January 1, 2014; AND IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Utility file a report with the Board on how it plans to deal with the reduced water pressure issue no later than December 16, 2014. DATED at Halifax, Nova Scotia, this 16"h day of December, 2013.  Tam Wagn Clerk of the Board M05812 ## SCHEDULE "C" Municipality of the District of St. Mary's ## Sherbrooke Water Utility  ## Schedule of Rates for Water and Water Services (Effective for water and water services rendered on and after April 1, 2015) ## RATES he rates set out below are the rates approved by the Board for water and water services whe ayment is made within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bil 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 In this Schedule, the word "Utility" means the Sherbrooke Water Utility of the Municipality of the District of St. Mary's. ## RATES FOR WATER SERVICE: ## Rates | (a) | Base Charges Quarterly | |---------------|--------------------------| | Size of Meter | | | 5/8" | 72.39 | | 314" | 107.46 | | 1" | 177.60 | | 1.5" | 352.96 | | 2" | 563.39 | | 3" | 1,124.54 | | 4" | 1,755.83 | | 6" | 3,509.41 | | 8" | 6,315.14 | - (b) Consumption Rate $ 1.633 per cubic metre - (0) Minimum Bill The minimum bill shall be the Base Charge. ## 2. Rates for Sprinkler Service Each building having a sprinkier system installed shall pay annually for the service as follows: | pile of i or si id by a sprinkler senice | $160.00 | |--------------------------------------------|-----------| | Pipe lui or morningday a sprinkler senice | $200.00 | ## 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 of such installation. ## Private Hydrant Rates Per hydrant per year $200.00 ## 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 $60.00 for connection and disconnection and a consumption charge for the amount of water used, as estimated by the water utility, at meter consumption rates. ## 6. 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 $100.00 ## 7. Connection Fee The Utility shall charge a $50.00 fee for the creation of a water account, notwithstanding he fact that no physical disconnection of the system may have occurred. This fee shal be $100.00 if water is turned on after regular working hours of the Utility ## 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 $100.00 shall apply. ## Charge for Non-Negotiable Cheques The Utility may charge a $25.00 administration fee for cheques that, due to nonnegotiability have been rejected by the Utility's bank. ## 10. Special Service Charge A special service charge of $50.00 ($100.00 if such work is performed after regular working hours) shall be made to each customer receiving a necessary or requested service, such as the shutting off or turning on of water service or other special services not provided for the Rules and Regulations. In the case where the shutting off is requested because there is no operable shut off valve serving the dwelling, an isolation valve must be installed. ## 10. Charge for Missed Appointments by Customers Where an appointment has been made by 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 $25.00 for each visit if, in the judgment of the Utility, it is required.  ## SCHEDULE "D" ## Municipality of the District of St. Mary's ## Sherbrooke Water Utility ## Schedule of Rules and Regulations Governing the Supply of Water and Water Services (Effective January 1, 2014) 1. In these Rules and Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, the expression: "Municipality" means the Municipality of the District of St. Mary's "Utility" means the Sherbrooke Water Utility; "Customer" means a person, firm or corporation who, or which, contracts to be supplied with water at a specific location or locations. "Domestic Service" means the type of service supplied to the owner or his authorized agent or to the occupant or tenant of any space or area occupied for the distinct purpose of a dwelling house, rooming house, apartment, flat, etc. "Metered Rate Service" means that type of service charged for at metered rates and is supplied to customers other than those supplied by fixture and flat rate service. Metered rate service is required for all new services. 2. Lability 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: 2. (a) the customer applying for and receiving approval for water service: 3. (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 ecord) moves out of the premises, in which case the customer of record shal emain iointly and severallv liable for the water service account up to the date th Utility is notified that the customer of record wishes to terminate the supply of water service. A property owner who rents or leases a property or self contained unit to a tenant or lessee shall be the customer. The property owner shall 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 onsent of the Utility, shall be liable for the cost of such water service which cos hall be determined in the sole discretion of the Utility based upon its reasonabl estimate of the amount of water utilized. : 3. Deposits: When required, an applicant for service shall deposit with the Utility a sum equal to the estimated charges for such service for a period of six months. The estimated charges will be based on the minimum bill for metered customers. 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 consumer ceases to use the service and discharges all his liability to the utility in respect of such service, the deposit shall be returned to him with interest at the rate of 2% per annum, not compounded. 2. Refusal of Service: Service may be refused or suspended to any customer who has failed to discharge all of his liabilities to the Utility. 3. 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 quarterly base rate charge will apply for each quarter regardless of water turn-offs. - Payment of Bills: Bills shall be rendered to each customer at intervals of approximately three months and are due and payable when rendered. Bills not paid within 30 days of the date rendered, shall incur an interest charge at the prescribed monthly rate for each month or part thereof. ## 7. 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, suct whichever is the longest. Notwithstanding the above, in the event that a billing adjustment is the customer's illegal connection to the water system or wilfu 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 interterence to meter equipment took place. - (c) Customer over billed - Shall it become necessary for the Utility to make a billing adjustment as a result of a customer being over billed for any reason, suct adjustment will be estimated by the Utility, and the Utility will be responsible fo payment of the over billed amount with interest calculated on the basis of current : 8. 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 Iccordance with the best data available; subject, however, to the provision that in n ircumstances will an estimated reading be used for more than two (2) consecutiv 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. 9. Suspension of Service for Non Payment of 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 sum of $50.00 for reconnecting after each suspension. If reconnection is made after regular working hours, the charge shall be $100.00. 10. Water to be Supplied by Meter: The Utility may at any time install a meter on the premises of any customer. The Utility shall determine the size and type of meter to be installed in each case. All meters shall be the property of the Utility. 11. Installation and Removal of Meters: Meters shall be installed and removed only by employees 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 with expense to the Utility. 12. Meter Readers: Each meter reader shall be provided with an official identification, which he/she shall exhibit on request. 13. Access to Customer's Premises: Representatives of the Utility shall have right of access to all parts of a consumer'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 water service to any consumer who refuses such access. 14. 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 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. 15. Damage to Water Meters: Each customer shall be responsible for the meter installed on his service and shall protect it. He 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 $50.00 to defray, in part, the cost of making the test for meters up to 1½ inch in size. In the case of meters 1½ 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 (1½%) 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. Remote Registering Water Meters: When a remote registering water meter is installed on a customer's premises under a general outside register installation program of the Utility, then the cost of the meter and its installation shall be paid by the Utility. The meter shall become the property of the Utility which shall become responsible for its operation, maintenance and replacement. Any damage to the meter 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. ## 19. 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, ol allow to remain connected to the water system, or plumbing installation, withou 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 consumer, at the consumer's sole cost and expense, to install at any point on the consumer's 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 consumer. Such inspections shall take place upon installation, and thereafter annually, or more often if required by the Utility. The consumer 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) 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. - (e) In the event of any breach, contravention or non-compliance by a person of any of the provision and regulations in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c), or (d), the Utility may: - (1) suspend water service to such person, or - (ii) give notice to the person to correct the breach, contravention or noncompliance 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. 20. Dangerous Connections: No connection shall be permitted to any installation; equipment or source in such a manner as may allow any contamination to pass trom 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. 21. 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 for supplying locomotives or ships, etc., 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, which permission shall specify what special arrangements, such as - elevated storage tanks, surge tanks or equalizing tanks, etc., must be provided by the customer. 22. Improper Use or Waste of Water: No consumer 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 he sell or give water to any persor except upon such conditions and for such purposes as may be approved in writing by 23. 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 diameter shall be laid for any service. The cost of supplying and laying a 3/4" service pipe and fittings between the main pipe and the street line shall be paid by the Utility. From the street line to the premises the cost of the service pipe and fittings shall be paid by the customer. 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 premises, shall be the responsibility of the applicant for water service and all such work shall be performed without cost to the Utility. For services larger than 3/4" the whole cost shall be borne by the customer, less the cost of a 3/4" service from the main 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 in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Municipality and to the satisfaction of the Utility. When a service has been installed without objection from the customer as to the location of the same, no 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. 24. Repairs to Service: 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 property 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 consumer at his/her expense. If the leak or trouble occurs in a service line which provides private fire protection services (sprinkler 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 ay 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 his service pipe and, after being notified of same, he refuses or unduly delays 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 25. 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. 26. Season for Laying Pipes: The Utility shall not be required to lay any pipe at any season of the year or any time which, in its opinion, is not suitable. 27. 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. 28. 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 water for any purpose. 29. 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 his paragraph contained shall be deemed to prevent an officer or member of the Fir Department engaged in the work of such Department, from using any hydrant or othe source of water supply of the Utility for such purpose. 30. 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. 31. 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 include a 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 of the building foundation wall and is provided with an approved shutoff valve located outside of 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. 32. 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 supply 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 times. 33. Pressure Relief Valves: Whenever a pressure reducing valve has been installed by a customer in accordance with Regulation 32, 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 vaive 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. 34. Extensions: Upon the request of the owner/developer of any property situated on any street or highway in which no water main has been laid, for the extension of the water service thereto, such extension shall be subject to payment of the complete cost by the owner/developer. Installations shall be made in accordance with the Sherbrooke Water Utility specifications and be subject to inspection by the Superintendent of Public Works.