Applications
for New Water Service
An applicant for new water shall make application at the Water Department
Office. The Water Department shall perform all labor and supply materials,
to supply water to the property line from the street main.
The Water Department shall supply necessary
fittings and labor to connect the meter to the service within the building,
which consists of the meter couplings, meter, ball valve and bushing for a
meter, no larger that 5/8 inch. Any meters installed larger than 5/8 will
need Water Department approval and will be at the owner’s expense. With
Water Department personnel inspecting the installation. No sweat fittings
will be allowed between the street main and the meter, regardless of the
meter location. All meters will be Sensus meters measuring usage in cubic
feet. There will be an entrance fee of $3,000.00 for all new main line cut
ins to existing Town water mains. An entrance fee of $2,400.00 for all
single service tie-ins to the Town's water mains and an $1,800.00 entrance
fee for all tie-ins within a subdivision.
All duplex dwellings will be required to
have a separate service for each unit. Service lines will be one (1) inch -
200 P.S.I. - UHMW-PE A.W.W.A. Class C-901, Ultra High Molecular Weight
Polyethylene.
Services of a size no greater than one (l)
inch shall be furnished by the Water Department. Should a larger service be
desired by the applicant, the cost difference shall be done by the
applicant.
As of January 1, 1988, all applicants for a
new water service, on an accepted Town street must present the Board of
Water Commissioners with a copy of the Board of Health approved Title 5,
Subsurface Disposal System, plot plan showing the proposed building septic
system and water connection as part of the application. Applications will be
honored in order of date and time received and paid after approval.
The applicant shall provide at his or her
expense a trench from the edge of the property line to the basement of the
building, the trench to be approximately five (5) feet deep and two (2) feet
wide at a location designated by the Water Department. A hole of sufficient
513E to accommodate the pipe shall be made through the wall or floor,
whichever location shall be acceptable to the Water Department. Sufficient
piping of the proper size to connect from the property line to twelve (12)
inches inside the foundation wall shall be provided by the applicant.
Service installed by owner prior to Water Department connections, must have
a stake marking location at property line. The applicant shall provide a
suitable place for the water meter, easy access and protected from freezing.
The curb box will be marked and showing on the property line by the owner
for Water Department personnel to turn on the water.
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Application for Renewal of Water Service
An applicant for renewal of a water service shall first make application at
the Water Department Office. The Water Department will renew the connection
to the street main and furnish and install new materials, as required up to
the property line, if in their judgment, this should be necessary.
November 1 is the closing date for
application for new or renewal water services. All applications on file and
paid for as of November 1 will be completed, if possible. Road closings are
at the Highway Supervisor's discretion, except for emergency work, until in
the opinion of the Highway Department, the frost has left the ground in the
spring.
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Responsibilities of Water Takers
Water takers must keep their own water pipes and the fixtures connected
thereto in good repair and protected from frost and freezing at their own
expense. The meter particularly, shall be given proper protection from
damage through freezing. Only one meter will be furnished by the Water
Department if a freeze up occurs with the meter or the meter wears out the
homeowner will be charged for the meter replacement.
Meters under stairways shall be given
special attention, as partitions prevent any warm air circulation, and cold
air penetrating the foundations and sill areas, have in the past caused
meter freeze-ups.
In all cases where boilers or tanks
directly supplied by Town water are suitable safety or vacuum valves shall
be provided to prevent damage from collapse, back pressure or other hazards.
Request for "Turning On" or "Shutting Off a
water service shall be made in writing 24 hours in advance, except in case
of emergency. A charge of $10.00 will be made for each service. Water
Department Personnel Only shall open or close curb cocks.
Requests for "Turning On" or "Shutting Off" water other than normal working
hours (for non- emergencies) shall be billed at the overtime rate, and
hourly minimum as required by Union Contract.
No water user shall supply water to others
except by special permit from the Water Department.
No other source of water shall be connected
to any pipe supplied with Town water.
When the ownership of property changes, the full name and address of the new
owner shall be given to the Water Department Office at once, in order that
bills may be properly rendered. New owners are not entitled to use water at
the premises until such notice has been given. There will be a $25.00 water
reading charge when ownership of property changes.
Water Meters will be tested at the owner's
request if it is felt that the meter readings are inaccurate. If the meter
is tested and showed to be reading accurate which is 97%-l 00%, then the
owner requesting the test will be billed $35.00 for the test. The owner may
be present during the testing if the owner so desires.
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Entrance to Premises
Water Department personnel may enter premises supplied with Town water for
the purpose of reading meters, to change meter connections and to examine
water pipes and fixtures. When the right to enter property is denied by
owner or agent, the water will be turned off to the premises and not turned
on until such examination is allowed. In such cases, a minimum charge of
$20.00 shall be made for turning the water off and $20.00 for turning it on.
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Discoloration Due To The Natural Ground Water
Minerals Iron: Manganese
In the event of periodic discoloration due to the iron and manganese that
are natural ground water elements that arise found in a well water supply
the Bridgewater Water Department is not responsible for the staining of
plumbing fixtures or discoloration of laundry.
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Emergency Closing Of Street Water Mains
In the event of a break in a street water main or damage of a fire hydrant,
it may be necessary to shut off the water with out notice to make repairs,
but reasonable notice shall be given to water takers when practicable,
before water is shut off.
The Water Department shall not be
responsible for dirty water caused by shutting off water for damage caused
by excessive pressure.
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Restrictions Of Use Of Water
The Water Department shall have the right to restrict the use of water for
irrigation or lawn sprinkling, in the event of a prolonged drought for some
unexpected cause.
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Water Bank
By-Law
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Section I -Purpose - The purpose of this By-Law
is to protect, preserve and maintain the public health, safety and welfare
whenever there is in force a state of water supply emergency by providing
for the enforcement of any duly imposed restriction, requirements,
provisions or conditions imposed by the Town of Bridgewater.
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Section II - Definitions - For By-Law, the
following definitions shall apply:
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY shall mean the
Board of Water Commissioners of the Town of Bridgewater who has
responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the water supply.
STATE OF WATER SUPPLY EMERGENCY shall
mean a state of water supply emergency declared by the Department of
Environmental Protection pursuant to MGL, C. 2 1 G, Section 15 and MGL,
C.111 Section 160 or by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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Section III - The following shall apply to all
users of water supplies furnished by the Town of Bridgewater. Following
notification by the Town of the existence of a state of water supply
emergency, no person shall violate any provision, condition, requirement
or restriction relating thereto. Notification of any provision,
restriction, requirement or condition with which users of water supplied
by the Town are required to comply to abate a situation of water emergency
shall be sufficient for purposes of this By-Law if the same is published
in a newspaper of general circulation within the Town or by such other
notice as is reasonably calculated to reach and inform all users of the
Town water supply.
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Section IV - Penalty Any person or entity who
violates the provisions of this By-Law shall be liable to the Town in the
sum of $50.00 for the first violation and $100.00 for each subsequent
violation. Fines shall be recovered by complaint before the Brockton
Division, District Court Department or by the non-criminal disposition
pursuant to, C. 40 Section 21 D. Each separate instance of non- compliance
shall constitute a separate violation. The fines shall be payable to the
Town and credited to water exploration account.
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Section V - Right of Entry Agents of the
enforcement authority shall have the right, for the purposes of non-
criminal disposition procedures, to enter any property for the purposes of
inspecting or investigating any purported violation of this By-Law.
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Hydrants
No person shall tamper with a fire hydrant in any manner nor shall water be
used from a fire hydrant, except for fire purposes, without a permit from
the Water Department or the Fire Department. Anyone caught tampering with a
fire hydrant without permission criminally prosecuted and fined not less
than $500.00.
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Water Main
Extensions
Property owners desiring extension of water mains should file a petition
with the Water Commissioners, giving the size and footage of the requested
extension along with signatures of interested property owners. Approval of
extensions depends upon vote of the Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners.
Water mains being installed by a private
contractor shall be under inspection at the time of installation by an
inspector designated by the Water Department and paid for at his regular
rate of pay, by the installing party. The main shall be chlorinated and
pressure tested by the installer to the satisfaction of the inspector before
acceptance of the job by the Water Department. The inspector must be present
during the bacteria testing.
Only Water Department personnel shall
perform tapping of water mains or others designated by them as acceptable to
perform the work.
The Water Department reserves the right to
refuse to install a service beyond the end of an existing main, unless the
applicant is willing to pay the costs of having the main extended to at
least the center of his property.
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Water Meters
Meters will be supplied by the Water Department. If a meter fails to
register for any cause, the charge for the water shall be based on the
average amount registered by the meter when in order or such charge as the
Water Commissioners may determine after investigation of the probable use
during period.
No person shall change, or tamper in any
way, with the water meter- All settings and repairs will be made by the
Water Department personnel.
In cases where one service connection
supplies two or more separate consumers in one building, only one meter
shall be used, and the water as registered by the meter, shall be charged to
the owner of the property. If additional meters are desired, they will be
furnished at the expense of the applicant, who will assume all
responsibility for their operation or repair. Where there are two or more
separate dwellings on one lot, then a meter shall be installed for each
separate dwelling house.
Upon application of an owner or authorized
agent claiming error in meter registration, the meter shall be removed by
the Water Department and tested on the test bench, in the presence of the
owner or agent. If the test shows the meter to under-register the owner
requesting the test shall pay towards the cost of removing and testing. The
amount for this test will be $35.00. If the test shows the meter is
over-registering, the Water Department shall adjust the meter and an
abatement will be given to the owner to correct the over-charge for the
preceding half. A meter registering within three (3) percent of the true
amount shall be deemed to be accurate.
All water passed through a meter will be
charged whether used or wasted.
- Private Fire Hydrants - $50.00 per year
- Sprinklers - $.025 per head per year
Meters in excess of one (1) inch must be
tested on a scheduled basis. Tests must be performed by a certified tester,
approved by the Water Department. Test results must be in accordance with
approved American Water Works Association Standards or the meter must be
rebuilt to standards or replaced. A certified copy of the test results
and/or repairs shall be forwarded to the Bridgewater Water Department. The
schedule for testing any meters in excess of one (1) inch will be once every
two (2) years. This test will be done at the owner's expense and there must
be a Water Department representative present at the time of testing.
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Water Service
Leaks
The Bridgewater Water Department is only responsible for a service leak if
the leak is on the Town side of the curb box all the way back to the main
line connection. The property owner is responsible for the curb box
connection on the property owner’s side of the curb box all the way into the
house or building.
These regulations supersede all previous
regulations. Please check with the Water Department for latest revisions.
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Water Department Regulations For Private
Contractors
Cut-ins
A permit must be obtained from the Selectmen's office to open a Town street.
A twenty-four (24) notice is required by the Water Department prior to
exposing a main for a cut-in. The main location to be determined by the
Water Department, and a representative from the Water Department must be
present while exposing the main.
- Main line cut-ins for sub-divisions – $
3,600.00
- Water Services installed by Water
Department – $ 2,400.00
- Turn ons for services already in
subdivisions - $ 1,800.00
All proposed sub-divisions and site plans
are required to fill out a Water Impact review form. The fees are as
follows:
| |
Sub-divisions: |
0-20 Lots
21-40 Lots
Over 40 Lots |
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$ 500.00
- $ 750.00
- $1,000.00 |
| |
Site Plans: |
GPD 0 - 5000 GPD
5,001-10,000 GPD
Over 10,000 GPD |
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$ 500.00
- $ 750.00
- $1,000.00 |
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Tees
All Mueller tees, or equal, to have suitable thrust backing, with surface
area of, prime importance: this may be concrete or flat stones wedged
tightly. Hydrant tees to be flanged branch, to flanged gate, on run out.
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Gates
All Mueller gates, or equal, to be open left, to meet A.W.W.A.
specifications, and to be set on flat stone to support weight. Refer to
Specifications for resilient seated gate valve attached. A gate on each
branch of a tee or cross will be required, unless otherwise specified at the
time of approval of the plan. A gate at the end of the line will be required
unless extension of the line, at a future date, is not possible.
Gate boxes not to rest on gate bonnets. In
line gates every 1,000 feet.
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Pipe
All pipe to be J. M. Blue Brute, Clow Super Main 900 P.V.C., C-900 P.V.C. or
ductile Iron, to meet Water Department specifications, and to be no less
than 8" in size, unless otherwise specified.
Pipe to be laid on earth mound, tamped and
back-filled, according to manufacturer's specifications.
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Hydrants
All hydrant to be Mueller, (Bridgewater Specifications), or, Metropolitan
(Bridgewater Specifications), with bury depth compatible to the area of
installation. Hydrant to be "back washed" and "based" with suitable
materials, (cement or flat stones).
Hydrant locations to be determined at time
of the plan approval.
Hydrant behind sidewalk on property line.
Recommend easement at hydrant location.
Hydrants to be 500 feet apart.
Ground line on hydrants must be at finished
grade so that break joint will operate properly on impact.
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Service
Connections
Corporations and curb stops to be compression fittings. Mueller Hayes or
equal, (open left), C.C. thread - I "or equal to be approved by the Water
Department.
Service connections will be tapped with
Smith-Blair service saddles, or equal. Size 1" X 8" or equal to be approved
by the Water Department.
All connections will be at a 45-degree rise
to allow for gooseneck.
All Duplex dwellings will be required to
have a separate service for each unit tapped directly from the main.
All service lines to be 1" Polyethylene,
A.W.W.A. C-901, 200 P.S.I.
All service lines will, at all times, be
inspected by the Water Department Inspector, at the owner's expense, before
the water is accepted by the Department.
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Curb Boxes
All curb boxes to be Erie pattern, with rod, of comparative length 4’ to 5’
bury.
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Inspections
No water installation will be without a full-time inspector as approved by
the Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners, and paid for by the contractor.
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Testing
All bacteria testing will be conducted by the Inspector or in his presence.
No water will be turned on or excepted before a written report is received
from the inspector and stated that all requirements are met. A certified
Sanitarian, reporting on Chlorine Bacteria test and that the water is free
of harmful bacteria. A Pressure Test also has to be conducted (150 lbs For ½
hour, then drop to line pressure and brought back to 150 lobs. And hold for
½ hour).
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Corporation
A 1" corporation to be installed on first length of 8" pipe for chlorine
induction.
A 1" corporation and 1" curb cock, with a
service saddle, to be installed on last length for chlorine blow-off.
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