Appendix B - maine-water-terms-and-conditionspdf-1.pdf_safe.pdf

THE MAINE WATER COMPANY Fourth Revision

Effective: January 1, 2019 Docket No. 2018-XXX

Richard Knowlton, President

CONSOLIDATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS

These Terms and Conditions made by The Maine Water Company ("the utility"), received and accepted by the Maine Public Utilities Commission ("Commission"), will govern and guide the utility in the operation of its business. These Terms and Conditions will also govern and guide the relationship between the utility and its customers.

All utility credit and collection procedures in these Terms and Conditions will conform to and be based upon Chapter 660 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations. These Rules and Regulations are on file in the utility's office and are available online at http://www.maine.gov/mpuc/legislative/rules/part6-water.shtml.

SECTION I

DEFINITIONS

The word "utility" means The Maine Water Company and its operating divisions in Biddeford Saco, Bucksport, Camden and Rockland, Freeport, Greenville, Hartland, Kezar Falls, Millinocket, Oakland, and Skowhegan.

The word "Commission" means the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

The word "customer" means any person, firm, corporation or government division which has applied for and is granted service or which is responsible for payment of service.

The word "establishment" means a location at which water service is sought or rendered.

The phrase "Limited Service Contract" means a written agreement approved by the Commission under which the utility agrees to provide and the customer agrees to accept a substandard level of service described in the contract.

The word "person" means an individual, partnership, or voluntary association.

The word "private line" means (1) a water line constructed prior to May 7, 1986 across private property to serve one or more customers and not considered by the utility to be a main; (2) except as provided under Section 2(C) of Chapter 65 of the Commission's Rules & Regulations, a water line constructed after May 7, 1986 across private property to serve a single customer, a single multi-unit dwelling complex, or a single commercial or industrial development upon which no other person has an easement or other right of access for water line purposes. All other water lines shall be considered mains.

The word "service pipe" means the pipe running from the water main to the customer's establishment.

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EFFECTIVE 1/1/19

DOCKET NO 2018-00305

The word "water main" means a water pipe, other than a service pipe, that is owned, operated, or maintained by the utility, used for the transmission or distribution of water.

SECTION II

ESTABLISHMENT OF SERVICE

1. Application for Water Service

An application for service is to be made by either the owner, or the owner's agent, or the occupant of the establishment to be served by the utility. If a new service connection, or other work on the establishment is required by the utility, the owner or the occupant must authorize the utility to enter the premises to do the necessary work. Service work shall be performed consistent with the standards established in Chapter 62 of the Commission's Rules & Regulations. The applicant for a new water service connection shall provide the estimated maximum gallon per minute demand from this service and a lot location or site plan.

2. Service Pipe

The utility shall require individual service pipes for individual properties, lots or land parcels regardless of ownership of the properties, lots or land parcels. The utility shall install, own and maintain the service pipe within the public right of way from the water main to the curb stop (shutoff valve), also called the service drop, subject to the payment and other requirements of Chapter 65. The curb stop shall normally be located at the limit of the public way or the utility’s right of way. The customer shall pay for, install, own and maintain the service pipe on private property, from the curb stop to the customer's establishment. The service pipe on private property shall be adequately sized according to utility standards, and all service line materials prior to the water meter shall meet utility standards and be rated to withstand a minimum of 200 pounds per square inch of working pressure.

3. Access to Premises

Customers must provide access to employees of the utility having proper identification at all reasonable hours to all premises supplied with water to permit the inspection of plumbing and fixtures, to set, remove, or read meters, to ascertain the amount of water used and the manner of use, and to enforce these Terms and Conditions.

4. New Customer Charge for Establishment of Service

A new customer will pay a $30.00 new customer service establishment fee when a new account record is created. This fee covers the cost to collect the initial meter reading.

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5. Seasonal Customer

A seasonal customer is one who regularly takes service for only a portion of the year from a summer main. Summer mains are surface or shallow mains not used in winter months that are normally turned on May 1st of each year and turned off on October 15th of each year.

Seasonal Customers shall be charged annually for the re-establishment of service as described in paragraph 6 below, but shall not be charged for service termination.

6. Restoration of Service/ Reconnection Charges

When water service to a property has been terminated, the utility will charge a customer a reconnection fee to restore service. This charge applies to properties currently vacant and/or if service was disconnected for reasons allowable under Chapter 660 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations, including but not limited to the nonpayment of bills, violation of these Terms and Conditions, fraudulent use of water, dangerous conditions on the customer's premises, violation of Commission rules or at the customer’s request with the one exception of temporary suspension of service for repairs as described in paragraph 7. The reconnection charge is $60.00 for resumption of service made during the normal field service business hours of 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

The charge during other than normal field service business hours is $90.00 per hour with a minimum charge of $90.00.

7. Temporary Suspension/Restoration of Service for Repairs

Temporary Suspension of Service shall be defined as a discontinuance of service for a period of less than 30 days at the request of an existing customer to allow for plumbing repairs to be performed. The utility shall not charge for the temporary suspension or restoration of service during the hours of 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

The utility shall charge $90.00 per hour with a minimum charge of $90.00 for the temporary suspension or restoration of service during other hours and on holidays.

SECTION III

BILLING, PAYMENT, CREDIT AND COLLECTIONS

8. Billing Procedures and Terms of Payment

Bills are rendered monthly, quarterly or seasonally. The utility reserves the right to bill at a different frequency upon notice to the Customer, agreement with the Customer, or outside the normal provision of water (e.g. temporary construction meters). Bills are payable upon issue. All bills are past due no less than twenty-five (25) days from the bill date. All bills for metered water service will be in arrears unless otherwise noted. Fixed period charges shall be pro-rated daily for service periods less than the billing period. The customer is responsible for providing a correct billing address. Bills may be paid by any utility approved payment method. Failure to receive a bill does not relieve the customer of the obligation of payment, nor from the consequences of nonpayment.

9. Credit and Collections Procedures

All credit and collection procedures for both residential and nonresidential customers will be based upon Chapter 660 and Chapter 870 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations. The utility may demand a deposit from a Customer as permitted in Chapter 660. Pursuant to Chapter 870, the interest rate on Customer deposits shall be at the rate set by the Commission.

10. Collection Charge for Past Due Bills

If utility personnel visit the customer's premises to obtain payment, to make final notice or to disconnect service for nonpayment and in lieu of actual disconnection, the customer pays or makes a payment arrangement for the entire past due balance, the utility will charge a collection fee of $30.00, or $100.00 for single meter, multi-unit dwellings, as permitted in Chapter 660 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations.

11. Late Payment Charge

Late charges shall be assessed to bills that remain unpaid after the due date at the maximum amount allowed under Chapter 870 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations.

12. Lien Charges

Upon or prior to disconnection for nonpayment, the utility will enforce its lien rights in accordance with 35-A MRSA §6111-A to collect a past due water bill. A charge covering lien notification, preparation, filing and processing as specified under 35-A MRSA §6111-A will be added to the past due amount, and included as part of the lien filing.

13. Disconnection of Leased, Rented and Single Meter, Multi-Unit Residential Properties

Before disconnecting a leased or rented residential property, the account for which is in the landlord’s name, the utility shall comply with the notice requirements contained in Chapter 660 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations, and must offer the tenant the right to take responsibility for future payments. If the utility disconnects service to a single-meter multi-unit dwelling for non-payment, the utility may require each dwelling unit to be separately metered at the landlord's expense prior to reestablishment of service.

In addition to the above and pursuant to Chapter 660, before the Utility disconnects service to a leased or rented single meter, multi-unit dwelling, the Utility will:

a. Apply any existing deposit to the current account balance, N N N N

b. Assess against the landlord a collection fee of $100.00 in addition to any applicable reconnection fee set forth in Section 6 of these Terms and Conditions.

14. Charge for Returned Check or ACH Payment

A charge will be made to the account of any customer whose payment is returned by the bank. The charge shall be the greater of $5.00 or an amount equal to the actual bank charges up to but not exceeding $15.00. The utility will furnish the customer with proof of any bank charges in excess of $5.00 upon request.

15. Electronic Bill Payment

The utility may allow customers to pay amounts owed the utility for service by using a credit card, debit card, ACH (automatic clearinghouse) or pre-authorized draft (collectively electronic bill payment). The utility or any vendor retained by the utility to process electronic bill payments may charge customers a fee equal to the vendor charge of up to but not to exceed $5.00, the customer would be notified of a convenience fee prior to making the payment.

16. Low Income Assistance

For utility customers requesting assistance in paying their water bill, the utility will refer customers to potential sources of assistance including the Department of Health and Human Services, Community Action Agencies, 211 and municipal government.

SECTION IV

CUSTOMER / COMPANY RESPONSIBILITIES & LIABILITIES

17. Unauthorized Use of Water

No customer shall supply water to another, nor shall water be used for any other purpose not mentioned in his/her application without utility approval. No person shall obtain water from a hydrant, private sprinkler system or other utility fixture without prior utility approval.

No customer or his agent shall bypass any meter, nor restore service without utility authorization, nor unreasonably interfere with utility service nor otherwise take action to prevent the proper metering of water consumed by the customer. In the event of discovery of such unauthorized use of water, the customer shall be immediately disconnected, pursuant to Chapter 660 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations. In addition, the utility shall be entitled to bill and recover from the customer or responsible person the cost of the estimated amount of water consumed, based on the utility’s approved rates, plus interest at an annual rate of 5%. Where the unauthorized use of water has occurred, the utility shall assess the customer all documented costs of investigation and adjustment incurred by the utility for each service visit to the customer’s premises necessary to investigate and address the unauthorized use of water, including removing the meter bypass, taking measures to prevent further diversion of water, and verifying that corrective measures have been taken and maintained. In addition, pursuant to Title 35-A MRSA §2706 as amended or replaced, the customer or person responsible for the unauthorized use may be liable in a civil action to the utility for all other reasonable costs to the utility, including attorney’s fees, costs of undertaking and completing the investigation resulting in the determination of liability, and for a civil penalty not to exceed twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500.00), due and payable to the utility for each violation.

18. Maintenance of Plumbing

To prevent leaks and damage, all customers shall maintain at their own expense their service pipe and the plumbing and fixtures within their own premises in good repair and protect them from leaks and freezing. If a customer requests and the utility agrees to provide assistance in the location and repair of leaks or the thawing of frozen service lines, the utility shall perform the work as utility jobbing as described in Paragraph 39 of these terms and conditions.

19. Fluctuation of Pressures by Customers Apparatus

No customer shall install or use water consumption apparatus which will affect the utility's pressure or operating conditions so as to interfere with the service of another customer.

Where a customer has installed, or proposes to install, apparatus which requires water in sudden and/or material quantities impairing the pressure to the detriment, damage or disadvantage of other customers, the utility reserves the right to require such customer to install devices or apparatus which will confine such fluctuation of demand or reduction of pressure within reasonable limits determined by the utility.

If the customer, after receiving written notice from the utility, fails to present an acceptable remedial plan within a time limit set by the utility, service will be discontinued pursuant to provisions of Chapter 660 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations.

20. Safeguarding Direct Pressure Water Devices and Systems Supplied By Automatic Feed Valves

All customers having direct pressure water devices, including but not limited to booster pumps, hot water tanks or secondary systems supplied by automatic feed valves, shall have installed and maintained in operating condition appropriate vacuum, temperature, pressure relief valves and low water cutouts in their water system to prevent damage should it become necessary to shut off the water main or service or should a pressure failure occur for any other reason. Water service supplied to any customer not providing such protective devices will be strictly at the risk of the customer, and the utility will not be held liable for damage resulting from lack of or failure of such protective devices or high pressure from thermal expansion.

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21. Interruption in Water Supply

The utility cannot guarantee a sufficient nor uniform pressure, nor an uninterrupted supply of water at all times under all circumstances, and customers are cautioned to provide sufficient storage of water where an absolutely uninterrupted supply must be assured; such as for steam boilers and domestic hot water systems.

As specified in Chapter 660 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations, the utility will provide reasonable notice of any planned shut-off to affected customers. If the service interruption is expected to last more than 5 hours or to affect more than 10 customers or a single commercial customer on a dedicated line, notice will be given at least twenty-four hours in advance of the interruption of service. The utility will notify customers when practicable of the cause and duration of any unplanned interruption of service. If a customer requests, the utility will make a pro-rata reduction in the customer’s minimum bill if service is interrupted for longer than 48 hours and the interruption is not due to negligence or improper care of equipment by the customer.

22. Limited Service Agreement

A Limited Service Agreement between the utility and a customer will be required when the customer's premises is in an area of the utility's distribution system that cannot consistently provide a pressure greater than 20 pounds per square inch (psi) at the utility’s main at all times. This Limited Service Agreement must be approved by the Commission and registered at the appropriate county Registry of Deeds.

23. Conservation

The utility shall take all reasonable steps to prevent unnecessary waste of water.

Customers must prevent all unnecessary waste of water. Customers shall not allow water to run to prevent freezing, or longer than necessary for proper use, without written authorization from the utility. If a leak is located on a customer’s service pipe, the utility shall provide notice to the customer that the leak must be repaired expeditiously. If a customer fails to repair a leak on their service pipe within a reasonable period specified by the utility, service shall be disconnected pursuant to Chapter 660 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations.

When necessary to conserve the water supply, the utility may restrict or prohibit the use of outside hoses, sprinklers or other non-agricultural irrigation systems.

The utility will periodically promote water conservation to its customers by publishing water conservation tips in its newsletter or other publication or newspaper and by distributing leak detection aids and flow restricting devices.

24. Liability of Utility

The utility shall in no event be liable for any damage or inconvenience caused by reason of any break, leak or defect in the customer's service pipe or fixtures.

If for the purpose of making repairs, extensions or connections, or for any other reason beyond the control of the utility, it becomes necessary to shut off water in the mains, the utility will not be responsible for any damages occasioned by such shut-off. The utility will not be responsible for damage caused by turbid water which may be occasioned by cleaning of pipes, reservoirs or standpipes, or the opening or closing of any gates or hydrants, or any other cause when the same is not due to lack of reasonable care on the part of the utility.

The utility will not be responsible for meeting water quality standards that exceed Primary Drinking Water Standards set by the Maine Department of Human Services.

Notwithstanding these Standards, the utility makes no representations or warranties about the quality of the water and will not be liable thereby for any damages caused by unsatisfactory water quality.

SECTION V

METERING, NEW SERVICE LINES AND MAIN EXTENSION POLICIES

25. Metering

No customer shall supply water to another, nor use it for purposes not mentioned in his/her application without prior utility approval. The utility will provide only one meter for each service, or in the case of certain multi-unit establishments, one meter for each unit to be located in a utility room or common area that the utility has access to. Water meters must be located in a clean, warm, dry and accessible location that is acceptable to the utility. The meter will be sized by the utility according to known or anticipated demand. Meters may be sized to accommodate residential private fire protection systems designed to meet NFPA standard 13D. Future maintenance of all utility meters is provided at the utility's cost. If additional auxiliary or sub-meters are required by the customer for showing subdivision of supply, they shall be purchased, installed, maintained, and read by the customer.

The utility shall enforce its standards for service lines whenever an internal plumbing change allows the service line entrance through the meter setting to be brought into conformance with the utility standards, including the installation of a proper backflow preventer and shut off valves before and after the water meter. The customer shall be responsible to provide an adequate environment (location and plumbing in accordance with utility standards) for a water meter.

Except as provided in Chapter 660 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations, where there is more than one occupant of a building supplied with water, the utility may require the owner to arrange the plumbing to permit separate connections with shutoffs and meters in locations acceptable to the utility for each place of business or abode.

The owner of an establishment, structure or mobile home park not previously served by the utility shall, at the owner’s cost, arrange the piping so that each dwelling unit or place of business has a separate shutoff valve, meter and backflow device installed. The location of the meter(s) must be acceptable to the utility.

When an existing multi-unit establishment, structure, or mobile home park currently served through a single meter is reconstructed or renovated or when a single unit is converted to a multi-unit establishment/structure, the utility shall require the owner of the establishment, structure, or mobile home park to arrange the piping so that a separate shutoff valve will be installed for each unit.

If a mobile home park currently served through a master meter wishes to have each individual unit metered by the utility, the owner, at his or her expense, must meet the following conditions of service:

a. The water main, service pipe, and any other water system facilities serving the mobile home park must be in sound condition and satisfactory to the utility.

b. Each unit must be provided with its own outside shut-off valve on the service line supplying the unit and an appropriate backflow prevention device after each meter.

c. A clean, warm, dry and accessible location, acceptable to the utility, must be provided for each meter and its appurtenances.

d. Ownership and maintenance for the main and appurtenances may be transferred to the utility in accordance with Chapter 65 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations if all water main, service pipe and other water system facilities meet all utility specifications.

e. A utility easement shall be provided to the utility.

26. Meter Pit Policy

The utility may require the owner/developer of a property to supply and install a meter pit at the edge of the public right of way as a condition of service when:

a. The actual laying length of the service pipe measures over 300' from the street sideline and a main extension is not warranted.

b. The service location makes discovery of a possible leak unlikely.

c. The use of non standard or inferior service pipe makes the possibility of a leak likely. Copper pipe must be type K; plastic pipe must be copper tubing size (CTS) and be 200 psi rated; only approved brass compression fittings will be allowed.

d. A single service supplies two or more units with no suitable common area (accessible independently of any individual tenant/owner) in which to install the meter.

e. A property of two or more units is supplied through multiple services, any one of which is located in front of, or enters a unit other than, the one it serves.

f. The customer does not provide a clean, warm, dry and accessible location for the meter and its appurtenances.

27. Charges for Repair or Replacement of Damaged Water Meters or Other Equipment

The charges to customers for costs incurred for the repair or replacement of meter(s) or other equipment damaged due to improper care by customers are as follows:

METER FEES

Charges to Replace During Normal Business Hours**(8:00 am to 3:30 pm Mon-Fri)

After hours or weekends** 3:30 pm to 8:00 am Mon-Fri, weekends or holidays

Meters -All $60.00 + cost of meter replacement

$90.00 + cost of meter replacement

Repair costs for other equipment will be the cost of the equipment replacement to the utility plus a 15% markup.

Water meter replacement fees for meters damaged by freezing must be paid at the time the meter is replaced. A new meter will not be put back into a property until the meter location is adequately protected from freezing temperatures.

28. Leak Adjustment Policy

The utility may adjust a portion of a customer's bill for leakage. The adjustment will be available once in any three year period on each account. Proof may be required to substantiate the leakage and repair. The adjustment will be based upon deducting one-half of the billing in excess of normal usage, or such other amount agreeable to both the utility and the customer.

29. Meter Testing

The utility tests its water meters according to the schedule and standards prescribed in Chapter 62 of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Customer requests to test a water meter for accuracy are accommodated by the utility without charge once every 18 months.

More frequent tests are at the customer's expense and subject to a charge if the meter is found to be operating within acceptable limits. Meters less than 2” inch that can be tested by the utility will be charged a fee of $60.00. Larger meter tests must be performed by outside vendors and the customer will be charged the actual fees incurred. A written estimate based on a third party vendor fee will be provided and agreed upon prior to the meter test being performed. It is recommended that the customer witness the meter test.

30. Close Meter Accounts

To close an account, the utility requires the service to be discontinued at the curb stop, or if

C C I a multi-metered structure with a single curb stop, at the meter shutoff with the meter removed.

31. Stop Valve

The customer must provide the utility with operable isolation valves located before and after the meter inside the building near the service entrance, easily accessible, and protected from freezing. All piping shall be so arranged as to prevent back-siphoning and to permit draining whenever necessary. An appropriate backflow prevention device may be required.

If a customer, after receiving notice from the utility, fails to provide or arrange their plumbing system to accommodate the metering, cross connection and general service requirements of the utility, service shall be discontinued pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 660 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations.

31.2 By-Pass Valve

By-pass valves around water meters are not allowed under any situation.

32. New Service Lines and Meters

As permitted in 35-A MRSA §6106 and Chapters 62 and 65 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations, each applicant for a new water service will be responsible for the costs of the entire service line, including all inspections, excavation, restoration, permits, equipment rental, labor and materials necessary to complete the service line from the main to the customer’s establishment.

The service line location for the service drop portion of the service line will be set or reviewed by the Utility prior to excavation. The service drop must be located to provide a service that is perpendicular to the water main and a straight line from the water main to the building.

The Utility shall provide the Customer with an estimate of its costs associated with the new service line, and a deposit equal to the estimate will be collected prior to the Utility performing any work. This estimate will detail the services that can only be rendered by the Utility, including inspection of the service line, supply of materials and contractor support.

Upon completion of the service line, the Utility shall reconcile its actual costs for the service line with the deposit amount and return any excess deposit or collect any additional amount necessary as a condition of service.

The Utility may offer to install the portion of the service line that will be owned and maintained by the Utility from the water main to the curb box. If the Utility offers to provide service line installation service, it shall be at the Customer’s option to select the Utility for this work, and the work will be performed as Utility Jobbing as described in Paragraph 39.

The service line, including the customer owned portion, must be installed to applicable

N T N N N plumbing codes and to Utility standards and specifications. The Utility must inspect the installation of the customer’s side of the service line and must be notified before the service line is buried or enclosed.

33. Extension of Mains

As permitted in 35-A MRSA §6106, all water main extensions shall be installed at the Customers expense. Procedures related to the installation of a main extension and the ownership and maintenance of a main extension shall be governed by Chapter 65 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations. The Utility shall provide the Customer or Developer a main extension agreement that details the location and design of the main extension and the obligations of both the Utility and the Customer/Developer in the completion and acceptance of the main extension. The Utility shall invest in main extensions as allowed in Chapter 65 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations.

34. Bulk Water Sales

All water sold by the utility shall be on the basis of meter measurements or as otherwise provided in its rate schedules, and the utility may install meters wherever it deems expedient. As an exception, the utility may offer bulk water sales for the purpose of filling tanks, swimming pools, highway construction, etc. at rates established by the utility as being fair and reasonable as follows.

Bulk Water by Truck Load Daily Fee Minimum Charge up to 4,000 gallons $50.00

4.001 to 10,000 gallons per day $90.00 per day 10,001 to 20,000 gallons per day $125.00 per day 20,001 to 35,000 gallons per day $200.00 per day 35,000 to 50,000 gallons per day $250.00 per day

Bulk water quantities hauled by truckload outside the range listed shall be at a rate negotiated with MWC.

For bulk water sales from temporary connections or fire hydrants, the daily fees above shall apply to the volume of water sold plus an additional meter setup and removal fee of $100.00 will be charged.

SECTION VI

CROSS CONNECTIONS

35. Cross Connections

M P9 M P9 M P9 M P9 T M P9

N N N N N N

N N

N

No cross connection between the public water supply system and any other supply will be allowed unless properly protected in accordance with the directives and rules of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”), and no new cross connection may be installed without the approval of the DHHS and the utility. No connection capable of causing back flow between the public water supply system and any plumbing fixture, device or appliance, or between any waste outlet or pipe having direct connection to waste drains will be permitted. If the owner of such a connection fails or refuses to break or properly protect the connection within a time limit specified by the utility, service shall be discontinued pursuant to Chapter 660 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations.

36. Cross Connection Backflow Device Testing Requirements

Cross Connection Backflow Devices are required to be tested monthly, semi-annually or annually, according to rules of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the degree of hazard as determined by the utility and on the test schedule set up by the utility. Test results must be provided to the utility within 30 days of the actual test date.

37. Charge for Testing Cross Connection Backflow Device

Cross connection backflow device testing, if available through the utility, regardless of whether the device passes or fails the test, will be performed as utility jobbing as described in Paragraph 39 of these terms and conditions.

SECTION VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

38. Tampering with Utility Property

There shall be no unauthorized tampering with utility property. No valve, shut-off, hydrant or standpipe will be opened, closed or otherwise operated, modified or removed without utility authorization. Tampering will subject a customer or other responsible party to the same charges and actions outlined in section 16, entitled Unauthorized Use of Water. In addition, in the event of such tampering, the responsible party may be subject to a civil action, pursuant to Title 35-A MRSA §2707, as amended or replaced.

39. Utility Jobbing

Utility jobbing (jobbing) is the providing of unregulated utility services, such as construction services. Jobbing services are offered at the discretion of the utility and are at the customer’s request. Jobbing rates are established annually by the utility and are available upon request.

When the utility provides jobbing services, a deposit may be required equal to the utility's written estimate. Unless the work is done on a flat rate basis, the utility will return any excess deposit upon completion. If the final cost exceeds the deposit, the customer must pay the additional amount upon completion.

40. Joint Use of Service Pipe Trench

Normally, water service pipes will not be placed in the same trench with other utility facilities.

State regulations require that a horizontal separation of ten feet be provided between water service pipes and all other utility facilities. Where extenuating, unusual or special circumstances are encountered, a lesser separation may be allowed with mutual agreement of the parties involved and provided that the installation shall be approved by the Department of Human Services, Division of Health Engineering.

41. Size of Water Distribution Mains

The utility provides water for domestic use and fire protection. The utility requires all distribution water mains be adequately sized in accordance with Chapter 65 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations.

SECTION VIII

FIRE PROTECTION

42. Fire Hydrants

Fire hydrants may not be used for purposes other than the extinguishment of fires, training purposes or for such other purposes as may be agreed upon by the utility and the municipality or owner of a private hydrant. In no case shall fire hydrants be operated by a person other than those authorized by the utility.

All public hydrants installed for Public Fire Protection purposes will be cared for and maintained in good working order (unavoidable accidents excepted) by the utility. New hydrants are to be connected only to mains having a diameter of 8 inches or larger. Once any Fire Hydrants are actually installed and are in operation, the total monthly Fire Protection charge then in effect shall not be reduced should the Municipality request one or more hydrants discontinued.

Should the Municipality request any hydrant moved to a different location, the Municipality shall pay all costs of moving said hydrant or hydrants.

43. Private Fire Protection

Customers requiring private fire protection should contact the utility to ascertain the availability of fire service at their location. Fire service, if available, will be installed at the customer's expense within the bounds of the public way or right-of-way. The fire service line, after installation, will be owned and maintained in the public way or right-of-way by the utility.

The utility does not guarantee any quantity of water or pressure available through a fire protection service. The owner of such service shall determine, from time-to-time, the adequacy of supply through the fire service by conducting tests of his private system.

Timely notice must be given the utility so a representative of the utility can be present to observe the test.

The utility permits residential sprinkler systems meeting NFPA standard 13D to be connected after the meter as a household plumbing system. All new private fire connections 2 inch or larger or requiring hydraulic capacity greater than 50 gallons per minute shall require individual service pipes and appropriate backflow protection devices. The utility may also require the installation of a flow detection meter if water loss is suspected. Individual shut off valves shall be provided and be accessible to the utility on all private fire protection service pipes.

44. Charge to Flow Test Hydrants

For a hydrant (private or public) flow test to generate the static pressure, residual pressure and the water flow for a single hydrant, the charge is $200.00. For each additional hydrant flow test concurrently administered at the same site, an additional $60.00 will be charged. If MWC employee is witnessing a flow test, a rate of $60.00 per hour with a minimum fee of $60.00 will be charged.

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