(a) General Rules. Services for water are available to individuals having a premise that qualifies as a residence, commercial, or industrial setting as described in the Elmore Codified Zoning Ordinances. Such premises shall be considered for service when the premises is located within the corporation limits of the Village and where public water lines are installed within 200 feet of a building or structure foundation wall that is to be served on the premises.
The following rules are hereby established for the extension of water and sewer services:
(a) Rule 1. No water or sewer services shall be extended to any users outside the corporate limits of the Village except those water and sewer users as of March 28, 1995, or except under the conditions set forth in Rules 2 and 3.
(b) Rule 2. The Village may extend water and sewer service to land, which is not within the present corporate boundaries provided, however, that before such water and sewer service is extended the owner of such land must enter into an agreement with the Village to obtain annexation of his property including signing an annexation petition. However, the annexation agreement provisions of this Rule shall not apply to land which is owned by the State of Ohio or instrumentality of the State of Ohio, or any commission created by Ohio R.C. Chapter 5537.
(c) Rule 3. Those persons seeking water or sewer service installation or extension in accordance with Rule 2 above, will be required to bear the entire cost of such construction. All construction plans, specifications and installation shall be subject to the approval of and be under the direct supervision of the Village.
The necessary water service tap shall be as provided pursuant to these Rules after the required cash payment of deposit has been made and after the customer has fulfilled the customer’s
portion necessary for the completion of the service.
The Village will not be required to furnish service to the customer or property owner until a reasonable time after the application has been accepted by the Utility Department
The Utility will operate, maintain, and repair the service line and appurtenances extending from the main to and including the curb stop. The property owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of all lines entering the property owner's property from the curb stop.
Normal maintenance and repair of the meter will be done by the Utility at the Utility’s expense; however, extraordinary maintenance and repairs caused by freezing, backup of hot water through meter, or by other negligence on the part of the customer, shall be paid for by the customer, including, but not limited to, the cost of all labor and the meter.
Consumer’s water rates outside the corporation are fifty percent (50%) over the inside corporation utility rates.
An adjustment can be made once per year to the sewage bill if a definite water leak can be
determined.
Consumers who may decide to a continuous water run to keep pipes from freezing in extreme cold may be given an adjustment on the water bill portion by the Village Administrator. This adjustment may be up to double the normal consumption as averaged over a six (6) month period. Consumers will assume responsibility for additional consumption above the double amount.
(b) Tap and Service Line Installation. The Utility will install the necessary tap and will furnish, install, and maintain the service line extending from the main to and including the curb stop and box. The curb shut off box will be installed by the Utility at a location to be determined by the Village. The fee for installation shall be as established by the Utility, as may be amended from time to time, governing utilities. The cost of the installation of the necessary tap will be paid by the requesting customer.
In the case of a new multiple lot subdivision or development, all taps, and service lines must be installed at the time the water mains are installed. The service line installation shall extend from the main to and include the curb box and shut off valve. The cost of the taps and service lines will be paid by the property developer, builder, or contractor. Service connection fees shall apply to residential subdivisions or developments within the corporate limits when constructed to Utility
standards.
In all cases where new water mains are being installed, every property owner will be required, at the property owner's expense, to install at that time the tap, the service line, curb shut off box, and incidentals thereto.
(c) Tap Charge. The initial establishment of water service is subject to a tap charge as established by the Utility and as may be amended from time to time.
(d) Meter Installation. All service lines from the main to the curb stop shall be of not less than one (1") inch inside diameter of Type K soft copper pipe.
The property owner shall furnish a suitable frost-free location, within the owner's building,
for the location of Utility’s water meter. The installation shall be such as to be protected from injury by the elements or through negligence or deliberate acts of any person. The Utility will furnish, install, and maintain the meter and mounting yoke where required. All other piping and valves on the property owner's side of curb box shall be furnished, installed, and maintained by the property owner/designee.
The service line and all connections extending from the curb box to and throughout the property owner's premises shall be installed, owned, operated, and maintained by the property owner. Said service line extending to the Utility’s utility meter shall conform to and be installed in accordance with Utility’s specifications.
If the Utility’s meter is damaged by hot water, freezing, steam, rough use, or any cause other than normal wear and usage, the customer shall be charged the amount of repair. The amount shall be placed upon the water/sewer bill of the customer for the succeeding month and shall be due and payable within the payment period specified for bills. If said amount is not paid within the time provided for the payment of such bill, the water service may be disconnected as in other cases for nonpayment of bill.
If problems occur between the main and the curb stop or in the meter, the Utility Department should be called. If the problem is beyond the meter, the curb stop will be shut off by the Utility and a private plumber contacted.
To avoid possible contamination of the Village’s water supply, under no circumstances shall cross connections be permitted between any piping of the property owner/customer and any other sources of water supply or drainage. When any such cross connections exist, the Utility may immediately shut off without notice, its water service to the customer involved, in which event service will not be reestablished until the condition, at the property owner's/customer's expense, is corrected to the Village’s satisfaction.
(e) Special Watering. For summer watering of grass or the like, hose meters will be issued upon payment of a deposit as determined by the Utility Department. Meters are limited; therefore, meters will only be issued to people watering a new yard, or newly planted trees, shrubs or the like, or filling swimming pools or the like, and will be distributed on a first come first serve basis. During prolonged drought conditions, and at the Village Administrators’ discretion, hose meters will be available to customers doing summer watering of grass, trees, shrubs, or the like for a maximum of thirty (30) days. When filling swimming pools or the like, the maximum period for hose meter use will be seventy-two (72) hours. The purpose of these meters is to allow metering of water usage and will be used to exclude sewer charges on the monthly bills.
(f) Second Meter. When a second meter is installed on a premises for irrigation or other non-potable purposes, utilizing Village water, where no discharge enters the sanitation sewer, the Customer shall pay all cost associated with installation, including time and material therefore and shall be charged the standard water rate applicable to the particular type premises, excluding any sewer charges.
(g) Miscellaneous Services. The Utility will continue to thaw water lines from the main to the curb box. The utility customer is responsible for the lines from the curb box to the dwelling.
(h) Bulk Water Sales. Bulk water sales will be available at the Village of Elmore Water Treatment plant. Rates shall be pursuant to the current rate schedule, if no special rate is developed for “bulk” sale, then it shall be the standard water rate.
(i) Backflow Prevention Program. There is hereby adopted by the Utility, the Rules pertaining to backflow prevention as adopted by the State of Ohio in the Ohio Revised Code and/or any Ohio State Administrative Code, including but not limited to Sections 6109.13 R.C. and the Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3745-95.
If in the judgment of the Village Administrator, an approved backflow prevention device is necessary for the safety of the public water system, the Village Administrator will give notice to the water customer and/or property owner to install such an approved device immediately. The water customer and/or property owner, at his/her own expense, shall install such an approved device at a location and in a manner approved by the Village Administrator and shall have inspections and tests made of such approved devices as required by the Village Administrator.
No person shall establish or permit to be established or maintain or permit to be maintained any connection whereby a private, auxiliary, or emergency system of the Village, unless such private, auxiliary, or emergency water supply and the method of connection and use of such supply shall have been approved by the Village Administrator and by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
The Village Administrator shall cause surveys and investigations to be completed of any industrial and any other properties served by the public water supply where actual or potential hazards to the public water supply may exist. Such surveys and investigations shall be made a matter of public record and shall be repeated as often as the Village Administrator deem necessary.
The Village Administrator shall have the right to enter at any reasonable time any property served by a connection to the public water supply or distribution system of the Village for the purpose of inspecting the piping system or systems thereof. On demand the owner, lessees or occupants of any property so served shall furnish to the Village Administrator any information which he may request regarding the piping system or systems of water use on such property. The refusal of such information, when demanded, shall, within the discretion of the Village Administrator, be deemed evidence of the presence of improper connections as provided in these Rules.
The Village Administrator is hereby authorized and directed to have service discontinued after reasonable notice to the occupant thereof, as contained in these Rules, the water service to any property wherein any connection is in violation of the provisions of this Rule is known to exist, and to take such other precautionary measures as he/she may deem necessary to eliminate any danger of contamination of the public water supply distribution mains. Water service to such
property shall not be restored until such conditions shall have been eliminated or corrected in compliance with the provisions of this Rule The appeal process for disconnection is applicable to this Rule, except that disconnect may occur prior to hearing if the public’s health, safety, or welfare is at issue.
The Village Administrator may establish rules and regulations to govern the application of the backflow prevention program, including but not limited to, developing necessary questionnaires, forms, and reports. The Village Administrator shall not establish rules and regulations that are in conflict with this program or Ordinance in general
(j) Applications. Applications for service are to be filed with the Utilities Clerk prior to service. The Red Flags Rule (Identity Theft Prevention Program) will be followed to protect new applicants.
(k) Deposits. Deposits must be paid prior to service. The deposit for water and/or sewer residential service is two hundred dollars ($200.00). This amount is not additive for electrical deposits. Deposit applies to renters only.
The deposit for non-residential property is determined by the utility department based upon the nature of the property, its intended use, and the anticipated utility service cost during the months when maximum utilities will be used.
Deposit will be maintained until the final bill is paid or applied to the final bill.
(l) Billing. Utility bills are to be mailed before the 15th of every month. They are due on the 5th of the following month.
A contract for electricity will be considered a contract for all utilities being furnished and received; therefore, if all utility accounts of the customer are not so paid on the specified date as stated on the bill, the gross charge shall be paid. Such gross charge shall be the net charge as shown on such bill plus a delinquent charge of ten (percent (10%).
Any time the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, consumers are extended a one-day period of grace before late charges are applied.
A returned check for payment due to non-sufficient funds or closed account check fee is thirty dollars ($30.00). After two (2) NSF checks, cash only or electronic payment through the Village of Elmore Online Payment portal will be accepted for payment.
In the event of the stoppage of or the failure of any meter to register the full amount of water consumed, the customer will be billed for such billing period on an estimated consumption basis which will be based upon customer’s normal use of water in a similar period during the time the meter was registering correctly.
A customer may enter into an agreement with the Village of Elmore due to non-payment whereas the arrears may be paid on six (6) equal payments along with the current billing period for a period of six (6) months. If a customer fails to pay bills as rendered on the equal payment plan, the Village shall have the right to withdraw the plan with respect to such customer and to restore the customer to billing as provided for in the applicable schedules, in addition to any other rights which the Village may have under such schedules in case of arrearage in payment of bills. Payment of utility bills by other than cash means, including but not limited to credit card payment, electronic payment, or Internet payment is authorized subject to implementation and acceptance by the Village of Elmore.
(m) Responsibility of Bills by Property Owner. Upon the effective date of these Rules, in addition to other legal action allowed by law to collect unpaid charges, the Village is entitled to follow the below procedure:
All bills and other charges due customers who are owners and occupy the premises served by utility service, if not paid after same are due and payable, shall be certified to the Auditor of Ottawa County along with certification that the unpaid rents or charges have arisen pursuant to a service contract made directly with the owner who occupies the property served. Such shall be a lien on the property served, and the Auditor shall place same on the tax duplicate of the County, together with the interest and penalties allowed by law and to be collected by the County Treasurer. The lien shall be released only upon payment in full of the certified amount.
See Certification of Utility Charges Due to the Village of Elmore form to be used for these
charges.
(n) Voluntary Termination of Service. Requests for voluntary disconnection of electrical service must be made, in writing, at the Village’s Public Works Department and shall be approved by the customer contractually obligated to pay charges incurred at the service premises.
A customer who intends to move from the service premises or discontinue the use of water service or in any way terminate their liability hereunder, shall give the Village’s Public Works Department a notice of such intention not later than forty-eight (48) hours before moving and the customer shall be liable for all applicable, water service, and meter charges that may be used upon the service premises until such notice is given and the Village’s Public Works Department has made the final meter reading.
(o) Nonpayment and Disconnection. The charge for reinstalling any meter taken out because of nonpayment of a bill is fifty dollars ($50.00). Meters will be reinstalled on the same day no later than 11:00 pm.
Consumers who are one month behind and/or a one hundred dollar ($100.00) balance shall be sent shut off notices ten (10) days prior to the proposed termination of service. The notice will include the date of the proposed termination, the reason for the termination and a statement that the resident can avoid the termination by paying the current balance. The notice will provide the address and business hours of the office at which payment of delinquent amounts are accepted.
Disconnections must be made on a day on which reconnection is available the following day. The person performing the disconnection should attempt to contact the occupants at the address to be disconnected by means such as knocking at the door. A notice should be delivered to the occupant and placed at the entrance to the service address. The notice should state the reason for the termination, the amount left unpaid and/or fee for reconnection, and the location and hours of the office. The municipal representative will be authorized to accept payment for past due amounts or may contact the office.
Disconnection of service for nonpayment will not occur when disconnect of service would be especially dangerous to health as certified pursuant to the certification provisions of this rule. Customer may, to avoid disconnect, enter into, and make payment in accordance with an extended payment plan.
No disconnect for residential service will occur for nonpayment at times when temperatures are below freezing on any given day; however, a limiter (when available) may be installed on your service.
When a Village resident changes address within the Village and has a balance at the “old” address, it must be paid in full before utilities can be put in their name at the “new” address.
(p) Water Rates.
INSIDE CORPORATION WATER RATES | ||||||
Effective Date | 02/01/23 | 02/01/24 | 02/01/25 | 02/01/26 | 02/01/27 | 02/01/28 |
Usage Charge (first 200 cubic ft/per cf) | $0.0787 | $0.0866 | $0.0866 | $0.0866 | $0.0866 | $0.0866 |
Usage Charge (next 600 cubic ft/per cf) | $0.0632 | $0.0695 | $0.0695 | $0.0695 | $0.0695 | $0.0695 |
Usage Charge (Over 800 cubic ft/per cf) | $0.0534 | $0.0587 | $0.0587 | $0.0587 | $0.0587 | $0.0587 |
Minimum Monthly Billing (includes first 200 cf) | $15.74 | $17.31 | $17.31 | $17.31 | $17.31 | $17.31 |
OUTSIDE CORPORATION WATER RATES | ||||||
Effective Date | 02/01/23 | 02/01/24 | 02/01/25 | 02/01/26 | 02/01/27 | 02/01/28 |
Usage Charge (First 200 cubic feet/per cf) | $0.1179 | $0.1297 | $0.1297 | $0.1297 | $0.1297 | $0.1297 |
Usage Charge (next 600 cubic ft/per cf) | $0.0955 | $0.1050 | $0.1050 | $0.1050 | $0.1050 | $0.1050 |
Usage Charge (over 800 cubic ft/per cf) | $0.0801 | $0.0881 | $0.0881 | $0.0881 | $0.0881 | $0.0881 |
Minimum Monthly Billing (includes first 200 cf) | $23.59 | $23.95 | $23.95 | $23.95 | $23.95 | $23.95 |
BULK WATER SALES | PRICE | EFFECTIVE DATE |
$15.00 | 10/01/2023 | |
$16.00 | 10/01/2024 | |
$17.00 | 10/01/2025 | |
$17.00 | 10/01/2026 | |
$18.00 | 10/01/2027 | |
$18.00 | 10/01/2028 |
(Ord. 24-23. Passed 11-27-23.)