Skip to code content (skip section selection)
Compare to:
Walnut Creek Overview
Walnut Creek, NC Code of Ordinances
VILLAGE OF WALNUT CREEK, NORTH CAROLINA CODE OF ORDINANCES
ADOPTING ORDINANCES
CHARTER
TITLE I: USE OF THE CODE AND PENALTIES
TITLE II: GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
TITLE III: PUBLIC SAFETY
TITLE IV: PUBLIC WORKS
TITLE V: VILLAGE UTILITIES
TITLE VI: LICENSING AND REGULATION
TITLE VII: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
TITLE VIII: OFFENSES
TITLE IX: PLANNING AND REGULATION OF DEVELOPMENT
TABLE OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES
PARALLEL REFERENCES
Loading...
§ 50.18 WATER RATES AND CHARGES.
   (A)   The rates and charges for water service shall be established by periodic resolution of the Village Council. Said rates may be higher than standard WWD rates to fund improvements, repairs, or expansion of the village owned utility system. Rates are established on a scale which requires increased per gallon rate for higher usage amounts.
   (B)   Bills for water usage shall be rendered monthly on or about the first Thursday of the month. Failure to make payment by the last Monday of the month shall result in a late fee being added to the outstanding bill. Failure to make full payment of the previous month’s bill including the late fee by the fifteenth of the following month will result in severance of water services. Water service shall not be restored until the person applying for reinstatement has paid the outstanding bill, late fee, and re-connect fee as established by resolution of the Village Council. Additionally, residents who do not have a utility deposit on file and have had their water turned off for non-payment will be required to pay a deposit as established by resolution of the Village Council.
(Ord., passed 1-27-21)
§ 50.19 WATER DEPOSITS.
   Each consumer applying for water service to a residence shall make a deposit via check or money order as established by resolution of the Village Council which will be refunded to the consumer’s new address once the final bill is settled. Even if a deposit has not previously been made, a deposit will be required should water be disconnected for cause and a request for restoration made.
(Ord., passed 1-27-21)
§ 50.20 METER READINGS.
   Although meters will normally be read and bills rendered monthly, the village may vary dates or the length of period covered, temporarily or permanently, if necessary or desirable. Bills for water will be figured in accordance with the rate schedule then in effect and will be based on the amount consumed for the period covered by the meter readings, but the amount payable for each billing period shall not be less than the minimum charge described in the schedule of rates.
(Ord., passed 1-27-21)
§ 50.21 TERMINATION OF SERVICE.
   (A)   When water service is discontinued and all bills are paid, including penalties, the deposit, if one was collected, will be refunded.
   (B)   On discontinuance of service for nonpayment of final bills, the deposit will be applied toward settlement of the account. Any balance will be refunded to the consumer, but if the deposit is not sufficient to cover the amount due, the village may proceed to collect the balance in any way provided by law for the collection of debts.
   (C)   Service discontinued for nonpayment of bills will be restored only after bills are paid in full, re-deposit or initial deposit is made, and a reconnect fee as established by resolution of the Village Council is paid. If a consumer does not have a deposit on file, one will be required prior to service reconnection.
   (D)   The village reserves the right to discontinue water service without notice for any one or more of the following additional reasons:
      (1)   To prevent fraud or abuse;
      (2)   Consumer’s willful disregard of the village’s rules and regulations;
      (3)   Emergency repairs or possible contamination of supply;
      (4)   Insufficiency of supply due to circumstances beyond the village’s control;
      (5)   Legal process;
      (6)   Direction of public authorities;
      (7)   Strike, riot, fire, flood, accident, or any unavoidable cause; or
      (8)   As directed by WWD due to emergency shortages or contingencies.
   (E)   In addition to pursuing a civil penalty, the village may permanently refuse service to any consumer who tampers with a meter or other measuring device.
(Ord., passed 1-27-21) Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.22 USE OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS PROHIBITED.
   The village water system shall not be connected to any permanently installed irrigation system. No person may use water from the water system of the village for the purpose of watering lawns or shrubs other than by a hand-held device or portable sprinkler. Standard water and sewer rates will apply.
(Ord., passed 1-27-21) Penalty, see §  50.99
§ 50.23 UNUSUALLY HIGH WATER METER READING.
   (A)   Consumers may experience a large swing in water usage as documented by water meter readings. This increase in consumption may be due to a number of reasons, but if the consumer believes there is an error, it must be reported to the village staff within ten days of bill close-out. This allows the village staff time to research the issue and provide consumers with analysis and suggestions prior to the billing due date.
   (B)   In the event a consumer feels the current water meeting reading is incorrect, the following procedure will be employed:
      (1)   The consumer may be asked to prove that water sources and/or well permits are in compliance with existing ordinances.
      (2)   In the event of a validated water leak, the consumer may apply in writing for a reduction of a portion of the invoiced amount. The village staff will research historical data to determine average usage which will be the baseline for calculating a possible reduction. Each case will be reviewed based on the circumstances.
      (3)   A reduction request requires written documentation describing the problem along with proof that a repair or correction has been completed. Proof is an itemized bill from a professional service listing the completed repairs. Should the repair or correction be completed by the resident, additional certification may be required on a case-by-case basis.
      (4)   Upon receipt of a request for a reduction, the Water & Sewer Commissioner will review the request and render a decision. In the event the decision is not acceptable to the consumer, a formal request may be made to the Village Council at a regular Council meeting.
      (5)   A request to test a meter for inaccurate readings does not absolve the requirement to pay what is due. In the event the meter is found to be in proper working condition and the bill is paid after the due date, the consumer may be responsible for the late fee. If credits are justified and documented, they will be applied to the account.
(Ord., passed 1-27-21)
§ 50.24 VILLAGE WATER SHORTAGE RESPONSE PLAN.
   The purpose of this plan is to provide for the declaration of official phases of water supply shortage situations and implementation of voluntary and mandatory water conservation measures throughout the village system in the event a shortage is declared. Decision to invoke these procedures will be made by the Mayor after consulting with the Village Council and WWD. However, the Mayor may unilaterally invoke these procedures if deemed necessary and prudent.
(Ord., passed 1-27-21)
§ 50.25 DEFINITIONS.
   The following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   “CRISIS.” A loss of potable water is probable unless there is an immediate reduction of demand.
   “CUSTOMER.” Any person, business or industry using water for any purpose from the village’s water distribution system, and for which either a regular charge is made or, in this case of bulk sales, a cash charge is made at the site of delivery.
   “EMERGENCY.” Water supplies are below the level necessary to meet normal needs and serious shortage exists in the area.
   “FRESH WATER.” Raw water withdrawn from surface water supplies that has not been previously used or private well that does not exceed 100 feet in depth, including water drawn from village lakes.
   “MANDATORY CONSERVATION.” Raw water supplies are consistently below seasonal averages, and if they continue to decline, may not be adequate to meet normal needs, making certain uses prohibited.
   “RATIONING.” Procedures established to provide for equitable distribution of critically-limited water supplies, in order to balance demand and limited available supplies, and to ensure that sufficient water is available to preserve public health and safety.
   “RECLAIMED WATER.” Wastewater that has been treated to allow reuse.
   “SERVICE INTERRUPTION.” The temporary suspension of water supply, or reduction of pressure below that required for adequate supply, to any customer, portion of a water supply, or entire system.
   “VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION.” Conditions exist that indicate potential for serious water supply shortages and certain actions are requested.
   “WASTE OF WATER.” Includes, but is not limited to:
      (1)   Permitting water to escape down a gutter, ditch or other surface drain; or
      (2)   Failure to repair a controllable leak of water due to defective plumbing.
   “WASTEWATER.” Water that has been previously used for industrial, municipal, domestic or other purposes, and has not been returned to the surface source.
   “WATER.” Water available to the village for treatment by virtue of its water rights or withdrawal permit or any treated water introduced by the village into its water distribution system, including water offered for sale.
   “WATER USE CATEGORIES.” Established as follows:
Category 1: Essential Water Uses
Domestic Use:
1.   Water necessary to sustain human life and the lives of domestic pets, and to maintain minimum standards of hygiene and sanitation in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry.
Public Use:
1.   Fire hydrants;
   a.   Firefighting;
   b.   Certain testing and drills by the Fire Department, if performed in the interest of public safety and if approved by the village.
2.   Maintenance of sanitary sewers and hydrants flushing as needed to ensure public health and safety.
Category 2: Socially or Economically Important Uses of Water
Domestic Use: All domestic uses other than those included in Categories 1 and 3.
1.   Minimal watering of lawns, gardens, trees and the like at home as permitted by ordinance.
Commercial and Institutional Uses:   
1.   Water use by public gardens of regional significance where necessary to preserve specimens.
2.   Filling and operation of swimming pools.
3.   Interior cleaning of commercial truck beds.
4.   Restaurants, clubs and eating places.
5.   Air conditioning:
   a.   Refilling for startup at the beginning of the cooling season.
   b.   Make-up of water during the cooling season.
   c.   Refilling specifically approved by health officials and the municipal governing body, where the system has been drained for health protection or repair purposes.
Category 3: Non-Essential Uses of Water   
Ornamental Purposes:
1.   Fountains, reflecting pools, and artificial waterfalls.
Outdoor Non-Commercial Watering (public or private):
 
1.   Filling and operation of private swimming pools.
2.   Washing of motor vehicle exteriors.
3.   Serving water in restaurants, clubs or eating places except by specific request.
4.   Air conditioning: refilling cooling towers after draining except as specified in Category 1.
(Ord., passed 1-27-21)
Loading...