The following rules and regulations are hereby established for the operation, maintenance and protection of the Municipal water and sewer systems in the City, such rules and regulations to be administered by responsible personnel of the Division of Utilities.
(a) The public water and sewer systems of the City, including all water mains, laterals, valves, hydrants, meters, manholes, lift stations, sewer lines and services shall be under the exclusive control of the Division of Utilities and its authorized agents and employees. Such control shall include all piping from the City mains to the point of ultimate consumption or where the City water if finally discharged freely at atmospheric pressure.
(b) No person shall make or maintain a physical connection between any other source of water or liquid and the public water supply piping. No spigot or outlet shall be physically connected to a sewer or drain, nor shall such be below a tree overflow or submerged. If such a connection is made, it will be considered as a cross connection and if not removed, will be just reason for discontinuing service.
(c) Any person having a connection to the public water supply system who permits public water to be wasted from such connection, either by unnecessary use, faulty piping or to prevent freezing, or fails to prevent such wastage shall have, after personal notification, such water connection turned off.
(d) No person may connect to any public water line, tamper with or remove any meter or meter seal, or insert a meter bypass without the permission of the Department of Service under penalty provided in this chapter and also under penalty of having the water turned off. If the Division of Utilities finds that a meter seal has been broken or any bypass inserted and there is evidence that the meter has been tampered with, the water shall be shut off and shall not be turned on again until the consumer or owner of the premises shall pay for the estimated quantity of water which has been used and registered, and in addition thereto a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) for turning on such water. The criminal laws of the State of Ohio provide severe penalties for the tampering with water meters, meter seals, etc.
The penalties hereinabove are in addition to the penalties provided by the criminal laws of the State of Ohio and by making the payment hereinabove will not in any way relieve any person from criminal prosecution.
(e) No person shall operate, open or otherwise tamper with any valve, stopcock, curbcock or other device, after the same shall have been closed for a violation of any rule or regulation of the Division of Utilities, or unlawfully secure a supply of water through such valve, stopcock, curbcock or other device after the same shall have been closed for the violation of any rule or regulation of the Division of Utilities, or in any way take water for private use unlawfully or without first having secured the necessary permit from the authorized representative of the Division of Utilities.
(f) No person shall put filth, animal matter, chips, shavings or any other substance into any City reservoir or bathe therein, or do injury thereto or walk or ride on the turf thereof.(Ord. 61-95. Passed 6-5-95.)
(g) EDITOR’S NOTE: Former subsection (g) was repealed by Ordinance 88-2009, passed November 2, 2009.
(h) Any person or premises desiring water and/or sewer service shall sign an application at the water works office before water service is prohibited. Water and/or sewer may be refused to an applicant or premise owing for previous service. The Division of Utilities will require the owner of multi-unit rental property, both residential and commercial, to be ultimately responsible or jointly and severally liable with the tenant for all water and sewer bills for the rental unit. Failure to pay the bill in accordance with provisions hereof may result in a termination of service. (Ord. 22-2003. Passed 3-17-03.)
(i) Meter reading will be taken monthly and as near the same date each month as possible. Meters/remote reader must be installed in such a manner and place that will make them safely and readily accessible for reading. If the meter reader is unable to obtain a reading by reason of the meter being out of order or unable to gain access to the meter/remote reader, an estimated charge will be made on previous readings or similar services of the same use of water. If safe access to meter reading is not provided, Section 505.18 will be enforced.
(Ord. 40-2004. Passed 6-7-04.)
(j) Any person, in person or by agent, desiring a water or sewer connection shall make application for a permit for such connection at the office of the Division of Utilities. There shall be but one house, apartment unit, mobile home unit or building on each meter. There may be more than one meter for each building. Each single family residential unit, individual apartment unit and individual mobile home unit shall have a meter. Each meter constitutes a separate service and each house, apartment unit, mobile home unit or building a separate sewer lateral.
(k) Any person or a water user may discontinue water and sewage service by proper notice to the office of the Division of Utilities and be relieved of their responsibility when the water is turned off at the curb box and the account cleared on the records of the Division of Utilities.
(l) Charges for construction purposes shall be due and payable at time of purchase of a building permit and the charges shall be as follows:
(1) Twenty dollars ($20.00) for a residential dwelling.
(2) Fifty dollars ($50.00) for a commercial or manufacturing building up to 20,000 square feet in floor area.
(3) For buildings over 20,000 square feet in floor area fifty dollars ($50.00) plus metered use charge. (Ord. 61-95. Passed 6-5-95.)
(m) Each meter size five-eights inch or greater shall be provided with a ball valve on both inlet and outlet piping of the meter. Such shutoffs shall be readily accessible. These valves must be functioning properly or the Division of Utilities reserves the right to require necessary repairs to be made by the owner. Valves that fail in the course of meter maintenance are the sole responsibility of the property owner for repair.
(n) Inspectors, meter readers or employees of the Division of Utilities whose duty it may be to enter upon private premises to examine meters, pipes or other fixtures used in connection with the City water system shall be equipped with a proper badge or such other credentials as the Department of Service may deem necessary to identify them as agents of the Division of Utilities. Such inspectors, meter readers or employees authorized by the Division of Utilities must have free access at all reasonable hours to all parts of the building for purpose of inspecting meters, examining fixtures, surveying for Back Flow/Back Siphonage hazards, and observing the manner in which the water is used. In case any authorized inspector, meter reader or employee is refused admittance to any premises or shall be hindered or prevented from making such examination, the water will be turned off and not turned on again until free access is given and the turn on fee described in subsection (cc) herein has been paid. (Ord. 40-2004. Passed 6-7- 04.)
(o) No plumber shall make any extensions or alterations for conducting water into any premises until he first obtains a written permit from the Division of Utilities office for each separate job, and must make a full and complete report on the back of the permit of the uses for which water is supplied. Such report must be made within forty-eight hours after the completion of the work, and no stopcock shall be left open or water turned on unless the permit so states.
(p) Whenever a break or leak occurs in a service line between the main and the curb box, the Division of Utilities shall repair this at its own expense as soon as possible, but if such break or leak occurs back of the curb box at any place upon the premises supplied, the property owner shall have the break or leak repaired at his own expense. Failure to make repairs may result in water being turned off. Stoppages in the main sewer lines are removed by the Division of Utilities. Stoppages from the house to the main are the property owner's responsibility. Breakage in the sewer from the property line to the main is the responsibility of the Division of Utilities.
(q) Owners of property shall be held responsible for water used in their premises, but payments will be accepted from tenants. In case the tenants do not pay in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Division of Utilities, water will not be supplied to the property. All unpaid accounts shall be a lien against the property served.
(r) The Division of Utilities does not guarantee any fixed pressure or continuous supply but it will, in case of accident that will cause shortage or water to be shut off, endeavor to notify consumers affected thereby. Those using steam boilers and receiving their supply direct from the City mains should have a tank large enough to hold an ample supply for emergency cases as no claims will be considered for damage of any nature whatsoever arising from such action. The City will not be held responsible for damages caused by stoppages in house service laterals from the house to the main.
(s) EDITOR’S NOTE: Former subsection (s) was repealed by Ordinance 88-2009, passed November 2, 2009.
(t) EDITOR’S NOTE: Former subsection (t) was repealed by Ordinance 88-2009, passed November 2, 2009.
(u) The installation of fire protection service connections to supply water to stand pipes and sprinkler systems for fire protection only shall be permitted when applications and plans for such service have been submitted and approved and the classification of such service determined by the Division of Utilities.
(v) No person, except an authorized agent of the Division of Utilities or the Fire Division, or a person with a special permit from the Director of the Division of Utilities, shall damage or disturb any fire hydrant or any part thereof or take any water from such hydrants under any circumstances. In case any damage is done to a fire hydrant by any person, he shall, upon demand of the Division of Utilities, pay such damage and all cost and expense incurred by reason thereof.
(Ord. 61-95. Passed 6-5-95.)
(w) Applicants for connection with City mains for the purpose of obtaining a supply of water for sprinkler systems must first furnish plans and specifications of the same to the Division of Utilities for approval. Plans and specifications shall include a detector check or equal instrument. Plans or blueprints showing the fire system as completed, with all measurements, outlets, etc., must be filed with the Division of Utilities office before water will be allowed to supply the system. There will be no charge for water used through such a system. However, a tap fee of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) shall be assessed and collected.
(Ord. 95-2008. Passed 1-5-09.)
(x) In case of fire the Fire Division shall have the right to use any hydrant, hose, pipe or other fixture wholly or in part from any pipe used for fire protection.
(Ord. 61-95. Passed 6-5-95.)
(y) (1)
The following rates shall be charged for water services furnished to resident consumers of the City of Heath, effective on the dates specified hereafter on a monthly basis:
Step I. | (effective January 1, 2021) |
administrative charge plus $6.02 per 100 cubic feet |
Step II. | (effective January 1, 2022) |
administrative charge plus $6.17 per 100 cubic feet |
Step III. | (effective January 1, 2023) |
administrative charge plus $6.32 per 100 cubic feet |
Step IV. |
(effective January 1, 2024) |
administrative charge plus $6.48 per 100 cubic feet |
No billing shall be made for less than the charge for 100 cubic feet during the effective period of any step established herein.
(2) The following rates shall be charged for water services furnished to large consumers of the City of Heath:
TIER I: | For use up to 500 units; | Residential rate in effect within the City of Heat |
TIER II: | Between 501 and 5,000 units | |
(effective January 1, 2021) | administrative charge plus $4.53 per100 cubic feet | |
(effective January 1, 2022) | administrative charge plus $4.64 per 100 cubic feet | |
(effective January 1, 2023) | administrative charge plus $4.76 per 100 cubic feet | |
(effective January 1, 2024) | administrative charge plus $4.88 per 100 cubic feet | |
TIER III: | For use above 5,001 units; | Negotiable |
(Ord. 1-2021. Passed 1-19-21.)
(z) (1) Water connections. Charges, shall be assessed and collected for all water connections or taps, and are as follows:
TAP SIZE | WATER CAPACITY FEE |
3/4" | $5,560 + cost of meter |
1" | $7,990 + cost of meter |
1 1/2" | $16,080 + cost of meter |
2" | $26,940 + cost of meter |
3" | $56,720 + cost of meter |
4" | $105,690 + cost of meter |
6" | $214,480 + cost of meter |
8" | $296,580 + cost of meter |
(Ord. 79-2023. Passed 9-18-23.)
(2) Requirements:
A. A remote, outside meter-reading device shall be required to be installed upon application for service.
B. Taps larger than three-quarter inch size installed within City limits shall be charged at labor and material cost (including street repair), plus thirty percent (30%), with a two hundred fifty dollar ($250.00) deposit.
C. After the recovery of all costs as defined by the Utilities Director, the net of all charges collected under subsection (z)(1) hereof, shall be credited to the Water Capital Improvement Fund account.
D. Included in the above tapping charges, there shall be a connection charge as determined by Council. This connection charge shall not be charged for tapping onto the following types of water lines which are constructed as a part of the City system:
1. Water lines put in by private individuals;
2. Water lines paid for by assessment of the cost of same on the abutting property owners.
(Ord. 61-95. Passed 6-5-95.)
(3) Waste water connections. Charges, shall be assessed and collected for all wastewater connections or taps, and are as follows:
WATER TAP SIZE | SANITARY CAPACITY FEE |
3/4" | $5,560 |
1" | $9,220 |
1 1/2" | $18,300 |
2" | $30,830 |
3" | $61,400 |
4" | $112,220 |
6" | $229,000 |
8" | $335,190 |
(Ord. 75-2023. Passed 9-18-23.)
(4) Inspections. All work involved with the connection is to be done by the property owner, or his contractor who must be licensed by the City as a sewer tapper, and all work must be inspected. Inspection will be the responsibility of the City of Heath Wastewater Department.
(5) Requirements.
A. Of the various tapping charges for waste water charges for waste water mentioned hereinabove in subsection (z)(3) hereof, one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) of each tapping charge shall be for inspection of the sewer tap, and shall be deposited in the Waste Water Fund. (Ord. 74-2008. Passed 10-20-08.)
B. After the one hundred fifty dollar ($150.00) inspection fee is deducted, the remaining balance of the tapping charge shall be deposited in a wastewater capital improvement fund account.
C. All sewer tap permits shall be effective for a period of six months from date of issue, after which they shall expire and are null and void, and a new permit must be purchased if the sewer tap called for in the permit is not made prior to the expiration of this six month period.
(Ord. 85-2004. Passed 9-20-04.)
(Ord. 85-2004. Passed 9-20-04.)
(aa) Water and sewer services, including bulk, commercial, residential and industrial services, may be extended beyond the City limits, if approved by Council and the Mayor. Unless the City and a consumer negotiate a different rate, all consumers residing outside the City who are supplied with City water or sewer services or both shall be charged at the same rates as set forth in subsection (y) hereof plus an additional charge of one hundred percent (100%) of the total amount of such bill.
(Ord. 1-2020. Passed 3-16-20.)
(bb) In case it becomes necessary to turn off the water on account of violation of any rule or regulation of the Division of Utilities, a charge as described in subsection (cc) herein will be made for turning the water back on.
(Ord. 61-95. Passed 6-5-95.)
(cc) All unpaid water rents and sewer charges shall become due and payable on the fifteenth day of each month (excepting if the fifteenth happens to fall on a weekend or city-recognized holiday, then the next work day) following receipt of the bill. After the due date, a ten percent (10%) late fee shall be assessed against any unpaid water and sewer charge(s). If the late utility bill is not paid within 45 days, a delinquent notice shall be sent. If payment is not received by the date indicated on the delinquent notice; services may be terminated without further notice. When services are turned off (service call) for non-payment, they shall not be turned on (service call) again unless the amount of the charge, including all late fees, plus fifty dollars ($50.00) for service calls between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (workdays); and one hundred dollars ($100.00) at other times, have been paid. For any user that has had two or more service call fees assessed in the immediately preceding 12 months (as measured from the due date of the oldest current delinquent account), the service call fee shall be twice the fee otherwise specified herein. For users that have turn on or turn off valves or services that are inaccessible to city employees, service call charges shall still be assessed and payable by the user, whether or not services were actually disconnected or reconnected. Failure to receive notice by mail shall not excuse utility customers from paying for services. Any person, firm, corporation, or premises having a delinquent account with the Division of Utilities shall not be provided utility services until all such accounts are settled. Owners of habitually delinquent accounts will be required to install turn on or turn off valve or service that are accessible to City employees. A habitually delinquent account is one that has more than three delinquent notices issued in a 12-month period. Upon failure of any owner to install said turn on or turn off valve or service the Director of Public Service shall cause such valve or service to be installed. The Director of Public Service shall report to Council the costs thereof with respect to each valve or service installed. Upon approval by Council, the Clerk of Council shall make a return to Auditor of Licking County of such charges which will be entered upon the owners tax duplicate of the County, all in accordance with Ohio R.C. 731.54.
(Ord. 22-2003. Passed 3-17-03.)
(dd) EDITOR’S NOTE: Former subsection (dd) was repealed by Ordinance 88-2009, passed November 2, 2009.
(ee) Each house or building shall have a separate and distinct stopcock located outside the premises, opposite such premises and on the public right of way.
(ff) In all cases where any servant, employee, apprentice or minor tenant shall be guilty of any violation of the provisions of the rules of the Division of Utilities or any ordinances pertaining thereto for the management and protection of the Division of Utilities, the landlord, master, mistress, employer, parent or guardian of such person shall be held responsible, for the violation or damage as well as the person committing the offense to the Division of Utilities.
(gg) Whenever in these rules it is stated that notice will be given the consumer, it signifies that notice left on or sent to the premises where water is consumed shall be sufficient notification.
(hh) The Division of Utilities tries to give proper notice of water and sewer charges, but by law cannot guarantee the delivery of such charges by mail. Owners buying or selling properties should see that proper transfer of ownership is made at the office of the Division of Utilities and such charges paid to date of transfer of title. The Division of Utilities will make every possible effort to collect water and sewer charges or assessments as promptly as the nature and volume of its business permit, but no consumer or owner of property shall be relieved from an obligation for assessments that may be unpaid through failure of the Division of Utilities to make collections as provided by its rules.
(ii) Specifications for gasket joint PVC pipe, couplings and fittings, for the construction of water mains only as set out in Ordinance 76-72, adopted November 6, 1982, are hereby incorporated by reference and saved from repeal.
(Ord. 61-95. Passed 6-5-95.)