8-1-8: BILLING PROCEDURES AND DELINQUENCIES:

Water rates or charges for water services shall be billed and payable bimonthly in the following manner:

   A.   Bimonthly Billing: Bills for water services shall be rendered for bimonthly readings ending February 28, April 30, June 30, August 31, October 31, and December 31 of each year. (Ord. 1173, 1-9-2002)

   B.   Penalty For Late Payment: The Village Treasurer shall mail billings to each owner, occupant or user between the first and fifteenth days of January, March, May, July, September and November, for the two (2) month period ending on the last day of the preceding month. A late charge of thirty dollars ($30.00) shall be added to any bill in which payment is not received within thirty (30) days of the date of mailing. If payment is not received by the due date, a "second and final bill before shutoff" will be generated, indicating the total amount due, with a due date no later than fifteen (15) days from date of mailing. The water supply may be suspended if the owner, occupant or user fails to remit timely payment to the Village as so specified in the "second and final bill" and the outstanding balance exceeds thirty one dollars ($31.00). The water service shall not be reinstated until any and all past water billings together with a one hundred dollar ($100.00) service charge is remitted to the Village Treasurer. The Village Treasurer shall indicate on the bill the date after which the late charge will be assessed. Billings for such services may be combined with billing for sewer service charges or garbage collection charges, if applicable, and payment of combined billing shall be applied first to sewer service charges, then to garbage collection charges, and finally to water service charges. (Ord. 1646, 6-26-2013)

   C.   Delinquency; Lien: In the event the charges for services are not paid within thirty (30) days after the date of mailing, such charges shall be deemed and are hereby declared to be delinquent, and thereafter such delinquencies shall constitute a lien upon the real estate for which service is supplied. The Village Clerk, upon being directed to do so by the Village Administrator, is hereby authorized and directed to file a notice of such lien in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Will County, as provided in 65 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/11-139-8. (Ord. 1596, 3-14-2012)

   D.   Authority To Discontinue Water Service; Notice; Fee: (Rep. by Ord. 1596, 3-14-2012)

   E.   Request For Meter Test; Fee: In the event any owner, occupant or user of Village water services is of the opinion that the water meter on the premises being served is not accurate, he may, by depositing fifty dollars ($50.00) with the Village Treasurer, request a test of said meter. If, upon such test, the meter is found to be accurate, said fee shall be forfeited to the Village as cost of such test, but if the meter is found to be inaccurate, said fee shall be returned to the property owner and the meter properly adjusted to register accurately.

   F.   Inaccurate Meter Reading; Billing Averaged: Whenever it is found that a meter has been registering inaccurately or has not registered since the last reading, the individual authorized to issue billings as provided in section 8-1-5 of this chapter, with the consent of the committee, shall render a billing based on the average for previous periods or based on water consumption of a similar water user. (Ord. 1173, 1-9-2002)

8-1-9: BILLING AND COLLECTION FOR SERVICES:

   A.   Rendition Of Bills: The Village Treasurer or an appropriate individual directed by the Board of Trustees shall render bills for water services and to collect all monies due thereon. (Ord. 525, 11-25-1980; amd. 1999 Code)

   B.   Water Fund: All revenues and monies collected or derived from the operation of the water system shall be turned over to the village treasurer and held by the treasurer in a separate fund designated as the "village of Monee water fund" and said treasurer shall administer such fund in every respect in the manner provided by the provisions of the Illinois Compiled Statutes.

   C.   System Of Accounts; Annual Audit: The village treasurer shall establish a proper system of accounts and shall keep proper books, records, and accounts in which complete and correct entries shall be made of all transactions relative to the water system, and at regular annual intervals, shall cause an audit of said accounts to be made by an independent auditing concern to show the receipts and disbursements of the water system. (Ord. 525, 11-12-1980)

8-1-10: GOVERNMENT OF CONSUMERS:

The following rules and regulations shall govern all connections with the village water mains for the purpose of conveying water to any building or premises and all uses of village water and maintenance of all water systems: (Ord. 468, 6-8-1977, eff. 7-1-1977)

   A.   Fire Hydrants: No person, except a legally authorized person of the village, shall take water from any public or private hydrant, plug, hose or pipe, except for fire purposes and for the use of the fire protection district, nor shall in any way use or take water for private use, excepting through a meter and he shall pay the village treasurer for water used through said meter at the rates then in effect. (Ord. 468, 6-8-1977, eff. 7-1-1977; amd. 1999 Code)

   B.   Excavations; Permission Required: No person shall make any excavation in any street, alley or public grounds for the purpose of laying water pipe or connect to any water or service pipe already laid without written permission from the committee on water, and only such person authorized to perform such work shall do so.

   C.   Service Pipes:

      1.   Service pipes will not be permitted to go from one lot to another along streets wherein water mains are laid, but water must be obtained directly from the mains in front of the premises adjacent thereto; provided, that one service pipe may be used to supply all parties occupying the same building. All service pipes must be laid at least three and one-half feet (31/2') below the surface of the ground.

      2.   All water pipes and fittings used in replacements of now existing water lines and on any new installations shall be of copper, cast iron or other approved noncorrosive material, and the use of steel or common iron pipe or fittings is hereby forbidden. In the case of an emergency, application must be made to the committee on water for use of steel or common iron pipe or fittings, and said committee may issue permission for their use if in their opinion an emergency exists.

   D.   Nonliability Of Village: No claim shall be made against the village by reason of the breakage of any main, pipe, service pipe or cock, or for any interruption of the water supply by reason of the breaking of the waterworks machinery or stoppage for necessary repairs.

   E.   Maintenance By Water User: Persons using water must keep their service pipe, curb boxes and all fixtures connected thereto, in good condition and protected from frost at their own expense. They must also prevent all unnecessary waste under penalty of having water supply shut off.

   F.   Injuring Property Of Waterworks: No person shall wilfully break, injure, mar, deface, interfere with or disturb any building, machinery, apparatus, attachments or appurtenances of the municipal waterworks, or any public or private hydrant or stopcock, service plug, water or service pipe or any part thereof; nor shall any person injure or deposit anything in any service box, or commit any act tending to obstruct or impair the intended use of any of the above mentioned things, without the permission of the committee on water or village board; excepting in cases herein provided.

   G.   Temporary Vacancy; Water Turn Off: Whenever any premises becomes vacant and remains vacant for a period of thirty (30) days or more, upon affidavit served on the owner or duly authorized agent of the premises, verified by an inspection made by a member of the committee, or at the written request of the owner of such premises, the water supply of such building or premises may be shut off, and if the owner or authorized agent shall at future times make a formal request to the committee that the water be turned on, it shall be done free of charge, and the said committee shall cause same to be done.

   H.   Authority To Turn On Water: Water will not be turned on into any house or private service pipe, except upon order of the committee or village board, nor until all previous water fees or charges against the premises for which the supply is intended shall have been paid. Plumbers are strictly prohibited from turning water on into any service pipe, except upon an order or upon permission from the committee or village board; provided, however, that this rule is not to be construed to prevent any plumber from admitting water to test pipes and for that purpose only. (Ord. 468, 6-8-1977, eff. 7-1-1977)

   I.   Illegal Use Of Water; Fine: Consumers of water from the waterworks who shall permit others, not members of his family, to use water from his hydrants, faucets or other devices without first being assured by the committee that the proper rate has been paid for the use of the same, and anyone who shall thus obtain water without a permit from the committee shall be subject to penalty as provided in section 1-4-1 of this code. (Ord. 468, 6-8-1977, eff. 7-1-1977; amd. 1999 Code)

   J.   Stop And Waste Cock Required: There shall be a stop and waste cock attached to every service pipe at the point where it enters the building.

   K.   Owner Responsible For Water Line Repairs:

      1.   The owner of the premises being provided water service shall be responsible for all repairs to water lines servicing the subject premises, including damage or blockage due to freezing, from the apparatus commonly known as "buffalo box" to the subject premises.

      2.   In the event the village should make such repairs to provide continuous water service, the amount of the costs of such repairs or thawing shall be added to the water bill for the next billing period. (Ord. 468, 6-8-1977, eff. 7-1-1977)

   L.   Private Wells:

      1.   The owners of any premises which have been connected to the village water service who still have operable private wells may continue to use said wells for usages outside the structure, such as lawn watering, car washing and the like.

      2.   Under no circumstances shall said private well be connected to the water lines or water system inside the structure and no dual water systems shall be allowed within the village for service inside structures.

      3.   Any commingling of private well water systems and the village water service is expressly prohibited.

      4.   The village may inspect the water systems of any resident user who has an operating private well, to determine that there is no violation of this section. (Ord. 565, 7-11-1984)

8-1-11: VILLAGE NOT COMPELLED TO FURNISH WATER:

No provision in this chapter shall be construed to the effect that the village is compelled to furnish water service to any resident or nonresident of the village when, in the best judgment of the village board, such extension of water services is not convenient, reasonable, or is excessively costly to the village. (Ord. 468, 6-8-1977, eff. 7-1-1977)

8-1-12: CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL:

To provide an effective means for protecting the public water supply system of the village from contamination due to backflow of contaminants through the customer water service connection into the public water system, all plumbing installed within the village shall comply with the following provisions:

   A.   Superintendent Of Water: Wherever hereafter reference is made to the "superintendent of water", such reference shall be deemed to mean the officially appointed plumbing inspector of the village, unless the board of trustees appoints another individual to be the superintendent of water for the village.

   B.   Compliance With State Regulations; Notice To Install Backflow Prevention Device: All plumbing installed within the village shall be installed in accordance with the Illinois plumbing code, 77 Illinois administrative code 890. If in accordance with the Illinois plumbing code or in the judgment of the superintendent of water, an approved backflow prevention device is necessary for the safety of the public water supply system, the superintendent of water will give notice to the water customer to install such an approved device immediately. The water customer shall, at his own expense, install such an approved device at a location and in a manner in accordance with the Illinois plumbing code, Illinois environmental protection agency and all applicable local regulations, and shall have inspections and tests made of such approved device upon installation and as required by the Illinois plumbing code, Illinois environmental protection agency and local regulations.

   C.   Private Water System; Approval Required: No person shall establish or permit to be established or maintain or permit to be maintained any connection whereby a private, auxiliary or emergency water supply other than the regular public water supply of the village may enter the supply or distribution 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 superintendent of water and the Illinois environmental protection agency.

   D.   Surveys And Investigations Required: It shall be the duty of the superintendent of water to cause surveys and investigations to be made of industrial and other properties served by the public water supply to determine whether 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 at least every two (2) years, or as often as the superintendent of water shall deem necessary. Records of such surveys shall be maintained and available for review for a period of at least five (5) years.

   E.   Right Of Entry For Inspection; Request For Information: The approved cross connection control device inspector 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 verifying the presence or absence of cross connections, and the water superintendent or his authorized agent 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 verifying information submitted by the customer regarding the required cross connection control inspection. On demand, the owner, lessees or occupants of any property so served shall furnish to the superintendent of water any information which he may request regarding the piping system or systems or water upon such property. The refusal of such information, when demanded, shall, within the discretion of the superintendent of water, be deemed evidence of the presence of improper connections as provided in this section.

   F.   Discontinuance Of Water Service For Violation; Notice; Fee:

      1.   Authority Of Water Superintendent: The superintendent of water is hereby authorized and directed to discontinue, after reasonable notice to the occupant thereof, the water service to any property wherein any connection in violation of the provisions of this section is known to exist, and to take such other precautionary measures as he may deem necessary to eliminate any danger of contamination of the public water supply distribution mains.

      2.   Remedial Action Required; Payment Of Fee: Water service to such property shall not be restored until such conditions have been eliminated or corrected in compliance with the provisions of this section, and until a reconnection fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) is paid to the village.

      3.   Immediate Disconnection; Danger Of Harmful Contamination: Immediate disconnection with verbal notice can be effected when the superintendent of water is assured that imminent danger of harmful contamination of the public water supply system exists. Such action shall be followed by written notification of the cause of disconnection. Immediate disconnection without notice to any party, can be effected to prevent actual or anticipated contamination or pollution of the public water supply; provided, that, in the reasonable opinion of the superintendent of water or the Illinois environmental protection agency, such action is required to prevent actual or potential contamination or pollution of the public water supply.

      4.   Nonliability Of Village: Neither the public water supply, the superintendent of water, or its agents or assigns shall be liable to any customer for any injury, damages or lost revenues which may result from termination of said customer's water supply in accordance with the terms of this section, whether or not said termination was with or without notice.

   G.   Consumer Responsible For Cleanup Cost: The consumer responsible for back siphoned or back pressured material or contamination through backflow, if contamination of the potable water supply system occurs through an illegal cross connection or an improperly installed, maintained or repaired device which has been bypassed, must bear the cost of cleanup of the potable water supply system.

   H.   Regulations Adopted By Reference: The village regulations on cross connection control, attached to ordinance 783 as exhibit A, on file in the office of the village clerk, are hereby approved and adopted by reference as regulations on cross connection control for the village. Said regulations may be changed or amended as approved by the board of trustees from time to time. (Ord. 783, 3-10-1993)

8-1-13: RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF VILLAGE WATER:

   A.   (Rep. by Ord. 1460, 10-24-2007)

   B.   (Rep. by Ord. 1460, 10-24-2007)

   C.   Whenever it is deemed essential for the public health and safety that the consumption of water from the village water system be temporarily limited, the village president or the superintendent of water may impose temporary restrictions on the use, including, but not limited to, partial or total bans on lawn and plant watering, car washing, swimming pool filling, and other outside uses of hoses to dispense water. The village president and board of trustees may impose such other water use restrictions as they deem necessary to preserve the public water supply.

   D.   Notice of such water use restriction shall be disseminated through reasonable communication media throughout the village, including, but not limited to, posting notice of the same at various public buildings within the village, including the village hall. Such notice shall include a description of the restriction provisions in effect.

   E.   Violators of any water use restrictions shall be subject to a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each observed violation. In addition, the superintendent of public works shall have the authority to enforce this section by discontinuance of water service in the event of any violation of this section.

   F.   Every police officer of the village shall diligently enforce the provisions of this section. (Ord. 1084, 4-12-2000)