Adopted 11/13/99

Rev. 12/9/04

Rev. 7/08/06

 

CHAPEL LANE WATER COMPANY

RULES AND REGULATIONS

 

The following permanent policies apply to all individuals and organizations receiving water service from the Chapel Lane Water Company, hereafter called the company.  They were adopted by the Chapel Lane Water Company Board of Directors on November 13, 1999.

 

1.         APPLICATION FOR SERVICE

 

Individual seeking water service from the Company must complete an Application for Water Service and Users Agreement before receiving water.  If the property is already connected to the Company system, the only change will be the deposit.  If this is a new connection then a request for new service must be made and the appropriate connection fee will be charged.  A new application must be made and approved by the Company on any change in ownership of property or in tenancy as described in the original application.  The Company may discontinue water service until such new application is made and approved.

 

2.         RATES AND CHARGES

 

            The members of the Company shall pay a flat rate per month for water service as established and published by the Company.  The fee is due on the first of the month for service received in the previous month.  Payments are considered delinquent if not paid by the 10^th of the month in which the payment is due.

 

            Bulk rate billing for water service is available for homeowner association or multi-unit facilities.  Associations or facilities wishing to apply for such rates must submit a written application for consideration by the Company’s Board of Directors. 

 

Members who are members of an approved homeowners association or multi-facility paying under a bulk rate agreement shall pay water service charges to the homeowners association/landlord who shall, in turn pay the Company a “bulk rate” classification charge per month as established by the Company.

 

3.                  DEPOSITS

 

All new members of the Company shall be required to make a deposit in an amount established by the Company Board of Directors.  This will be required before service will be provided and normally will be equal to two months water service fee.  The deposit will be returned upon termination of membership with all payments current.  If payment for services is not current the deposit will be used to settle that part of the delinquent account that the deposit will cover.  Additional balance will still be due the Company.  Property owners shall be ultimately responsible for the payment of the deposit on rental properties.  No interest will be paid on deposits held by the Company.

 

 

4.         BILLING, PAYMENT AND COLLECTION (Revised December 9, 2004)

            The monthly service rate can be paid by electronic draft or directly to CLWC.  If the occupant wishes to pay by electronic draft, they must request an application form from the CLWC and complete all required information.  Service provided before the effective date of the electronic draft must be paid by the customer.  A payment booklet will be provided to each individual not paying by a “bulk rate” classification agreement or paying by electronic draft containing monthly payment coupons to be used when paying the monthly service charges.

 

            A payment booklet will be provided to each individual not paying by a “bulk rate” classification agreement containing monthly payment coupons to be used when paying the monthly service charges.

 

            Payment is due on the first day of each month for the previous month’s usage.  The month printed on the payment coupon it he month of payment, but is for water service during the previous month (i.e., the coupon printed with February is paid between February 1^st-10^th for January’s service).  Accounts become delinquent after the 10^th day of the month.

 

            If the account is not paid by the 20^th of the month, you will receive a first notice of delinquency.  If the account remains delinquent the next month, a second and final notice will be sent by Certified Mail on the 20^th of that month indicating a two-month delinquency by the resident of record.  If the entire delinquent bill is not paid by the 10^th of the following month, water service will be terminated.

 

            Collection fees plus a late charge of five dollars ($5.00) per month delinquent will be added to the delinquent account.

 

            Property owners will receive this notice although they may be renting their unit.  The Amended By-Laws of the Chapel Lane Water Company, dated February 19, 1989, clearly state in Sections, 2.01, 2.04, 2.05, and 2.06 that it is the responsibility of the property owner to pay delinquent water bills incurred by their tenants.  It is also the responsibility of the property owners to notify the Company when a tenant vacates the property and when a new renter will occupy the property.  The property owner will be responsible for the water billing during vacancy. 

 

Should it become necessary to stop water service for delinquent account, there will be a further fee assessed to the account of fifty dollars ($50.00) plus any extra cost associated with stopping service.  The account must be paid in full before any service will be restored.

 

If a property is to be unoccupied for at least two consecutive months the property owner may apply for a “vacation rate” ($10.00 per month reduction) during the period that the property will be vacant.  The written request must be made in advance to the Board of Directors.  The Company Board of Directors must review and approve request before any rate reduction going into effect.

 

If a property is unoccupied and is being sold, the service rate can be reduced by ten dollars ($10) per month during the period of the sale if that period exceeds two (2) months.  To receive this reduction the owner must first notify the CLWC of the date the property became unoccupied and for sale.  When applying for the refund of their deposit they must include the date of the sale of the property and request for the reduced service rate.  The Company Board of Director must review and approve request before any rate reduction will be granted.

 

5.                  MEMBER SERVICES

Chapel Lane Water Company will provide the following member services at no charge.

 

(a)                Explanation of bills, charges, deposits, operation activities, rules and polices.

(b)               Location of valve boxes and service lines when location surveys can be completed using magnetic or electronic location devices.

(c)                Investigation of leaks unless such investigation requires excavation equipment.

(d)               Consultation on water quality, availability, conservation and use.

(e)                Annual reporting of accounting and operations activities.

 

Members will be charged for assistance in correcting plumbing problems, supervision or inspection of service line construction and repair and consultation on construction of on-lot-facilities.

 

6.                  AUTOMATIC LAWN SPRINKLING SYSTEMS

 

Automatic lawn sprinkling systems supplied by a 1 inch or smaller service line that require flow rates more than twelve (12) gallons per minute must be approved by the Board of Directors before installation.

 

7.                  CONTRACTOR APPROVAL

 

Contractors installing or repairing mains or service lines to be connected to or which are a part of the Company system shall be approved by the Company.  All work must be done by or under the direct supervision of an installer certified under the South Dakota State Plumbing Code.

 

Approval by the Company will be accomplished by the Board of Director.  Approval will be granted by the Board of Directors after the contractor has:

 

(a)                Satisfied the Board of Directors that he/she and all employees scheduled to work are competent as exhibited by satisfactory performance on previous work of a similar nature.  Contactors may be asked to submit a written statement of qualification and/or list of previous similar projects.

(b)               Provide proof of certification if requested as an installer under the South Dakota State Plumbing Code.

(c)                Exhibited to the Board of Directors a thorough knowledge of rules and regulations of the Chapel Lane Water Company.

 

Contactors who fail to conform with the policies and procedures established by the Company or who fail to complete the installation of service lines and mains in a workmanlike and professional manner may have their approval to work on the Company’s system revoked by the Board of Directors.

 

8.                  SERVICE LINES AND CONNECTIONS TO THE SYSTEM (Revised July 8, 2006)

 

Homeowners, developers and others wishing to connect to the Chapel Lane Water Company system, or modify any existing water lines in the Company’s operating area shall secure written permission from the company before beginning any work.  Any new connection to the system will require the payment to the required connection fee before the written approval being proved by the Company.  This connection fee shall be used to cover the costs of inspections and related work associated with the connection.  No connections to the system will be allowed without this written approval.  The Board of Directors reserves the right to establish minimum standards for materials, designs and construction methods.

 

Requirements for approval of modification or additions to the Company system.

(a)                Applicant contractor must be approved by the Company.

(b)               Application must be approved by the Company at least two days before commencing work.

(c)                Al material is to be furnished by the contractor or developer for all work involved.

(d)               All materials used will be approved by the Company.

 

The following information must be provided to the Company before approval will be provided.

 

(a)                Size of tap.

(b)               Type of material to be used.

(c)                Description of property or plans for water main extensions or connections.

(d)               Planned location for all curb stops and type of curb box to be installed.

 

Violators of the approval process will be required to correct any deficiencies identified by the Company at the applicant’s expense and the contactor will have their right to work in the Company’s system reviewed by the Company Board of Directors.

 

Developers wishing to connect to the main system shall submit plans and specifications describing the proposed piping system to the Company Board of Directors for review and approval before initiating construction.  Written approval will be provided by the Board of Directors and all connections fees must be paid before beginning construction.  As-built plans acceptable to the Company must be provided in three (3) copies by the developer before service will be provided to the new main.

 

Developers and property owners connecting to the Company system must furnish the Board of Directors with location sketches showing the precise location of service lines and associated valves and fitting with respect to the lot corners and structures.  This location shall be prepared at the expense of the property owner or developer and shall be prepared in a format acceptable to the Board of Directors.

 

The applicant shall obtain all easements and permits required for construction in the right-of-way and shall complete the work in a manner acceptable to the governing entity that owns or has jurisdiction over the easement of right-of-way.

 

A representative of the Company must be present when any connections are made the Company’s system.  Notice shall be given that the connection is to be made at least 24 hours before construction commences.  The contractor will be required to complete the work in a manner and with the materials approved by the Company.

 

Corporation cocks shall be one (1) inch Mueller No. H15005 and curb stops shall be one (1) inch Mueller No. H15156 to provide uniformity throughout the system.  All services shall be one (1) inch diameter copper water service line.  No service lines over one (1) inch in diameter will be allowed without written approved by the Company prior to construction.  All non-conducting pipes shall be buried with a locator wire anchored firmly to the valve box at ground level and secured to the copper service line.  No multi-service hookups on a single curb stop are permitted without written approval of the Company.

 

All service lines and mains will be disinfected in accordance with standard public health procedures and flushed before use.

 

Unless waived in writing by the system manager, all service lines and mains will be pressured tested in the presence of a Company representative before service will be initiated.  Pressure test results must conform with normally accepted limits before Company approval will be granted.

No interconnections with private or community wells or other water systems will be allowed.

 

After construction, the Company will be responsible for repairs to the service line from the main to and including the curb stop and the property owner will be responsible for the service line from the curb stop to the structure or system being serviced.  Rescind September 10, 2005.  After construction, the Company will be responsible for repairs to the service line from the main to within 1-foot of and including the curb stop (on the main side of the curb stop), and the property owner will be responsible for repairs to the curb stop, all connections to the curb stop, and the service line from the curb stop to the structure or system being serviced. (July 8, 2006).  However, the property owner will be responsible for all pavement repair or settlement that may occur as a result of the original service line constructing.  The property owner shall also be responsible for repair of any damage sustained to the curb stop, curb box, or main as a result of service line construction past the curb stop.  The property owner will also be responsible for any damage to the curb box or curb stop that results from construction on the property for purposes other than water service.  The property owner will also ensure that access to the curb box and curb stop remains readily available.  No landscaping or construction will inhibit this access.

 

If the property owner does block access to the curb box or curb stop, the Company reserves the right to remove the blockage and provide an access to the curb box or curb stop.  All cost associated with this work will be the responsibility of the property owner.

 

The Company or its designated representative shall have the right to enter upon the property receiving service to make necessary additions, modifications, repairs or maintenance to the water system.  Additionally, all pipes and fixtures required to provide water service shall, at all reasonable hours, be subject to inspection by the Company or its duly authorized agent.

 

Any leak in any pipe fixture on the premises of the owner shall be immediately repaired.  Service may be discontinued until such repair is made.

 

Unless an emergency exists, no person shall open or close valves on the main system or on service lines without approval of the Board of Directors or their designated representative.

 

9.                  TEMPORARY USE OF WATER

 

Water service may be provided to a construction site on a temporary basis if the builder or owner agrees to comply with all rules, policies and procedures of the Company including payment of connection fee, receiving written connection approval and prepayment of thirty ($30.00) dollars is made.  Prepayment of the fee would allow contractors to use water from the system for water settling around foundations and in trenches.  However, contractors should work with the system manager when large quantities of water will be required to insure that the demands for construction water do not coincide with peak demands on the system.

 

10.              DAMANGE TO THE SYSTEM

 

Any person, business or entity who shall damage any pipes, valves, hydrants, production facilities or storage facilities shall be responsible for all repair costs associated with such damage.  Contractors excavating in Chapel Lane, Chapel Valley, High Place, or any other area served by the Company shall contact the System Manager at least 24 hours before initiation of any excavation to request location data for pipes and system appurtenances.  It shall be the contractor’s responsibility to locate pipes and appurtenances before construction and to exercise caution when excavating near or adjacent to any part of the Company’s system.

 

CHAPEL LANE WATER COMPANY

 

APPLICATION FOR WATER SERVICE AND USERS AGREEMENT

 

Name of Applicant __________________________________________________________________

 

Name of Property Owner ____________________________________________________________________

(If different from above)

Address _______________________________________Rapid City_____________SD________57702______

                                       Street

Billing Address ____________________________________________________________________________

(If different from above)              Street                                            City                                      State                Zip

 

The applicant hereby requests to be supplied with residential water service to the above described premises.  The Applicant agrees to pay for service at the regularly scheduled rate and agrees to comply with all the terms and condition set forth herein, and the rules and regulations of the Chapel Lane Water Company.

 

1.             CHAPEL LANE WATER COMPANY hereafter referred to as the Company.  The Company, a South Dakota corporation operated not for profit, is owned and operated by the members of the corporation.

 

2.             OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE OF FACILITES.  The property owner owns and is responsible for maintenance and repair of that part of the water system, which lies on the owner’s side of the curb stop.  The owner is also responsible for the condition and access to the curb stop/box if one exists.  The balance of the water system, including well, reservoir, mains, service lines to the curb stop and the curb stop is owned and maintained by the Company.

 

3.        RIGHT OF ACCESS TO THE PREMISES.   The company shall have the right to enter upon the above described premises and make necessary additions, modifications, repairs or maintenance to the water system.

4.               

4.             DAMAGES.  The Company shall in no event be responsible for maintaining any service line owned by the property owner nor for damages done by water escaping there from, nor for defects in lines or fixtures on the owner’s property.  The owner shall at all times comply with all regulations and rules of the Company.

               

                All damage to curb box, curb stop, service pipes or street mains caused by carelessness or negligent work or improper filling or excavation shall be chargeable to the person causing such damage, and the expense of repairing the curb box, curb stop, service pipes or street mains shall be recovered from the person.

 

5.             CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP OR TENANCY.  The above applicant will remain responsible for water service charges until the Company is notified of vacating the property.  A new application must be made and approved by the Company on any change in ownership of property or in tenancy as describe din the original application, and the Company may discontinue the water service until such new application is made and approved.

 

6.             PAYMENT.  At the time of making application for connection or service, the applicant must make payment to the Company of the connection fee, deposits or rates, as the case may be, fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

7.             SERVICE LINES.  The service line from the curb box to the owner’s premises shall be laid and maintained by the owner at his/her cost.  The line shall be ample size, of standard weight and quality, and all cutoff valves, fixtures and appliances furnished by the consumer shall be maintained in good order and conditions.  The owner must install and maintain a backflow prevention valve prior to any diversion point in the property’s water system.

 

8.             LEAKS.  Any leak in any pipe or fixture on the premises of the owner shall be immediately repaired.  Service may be discontinued until such repair is made.

 

9.             INSPECTION.  All pipes, meters and fixtures shall, at all reasonable hours, be subject to inspection by the Company or its duly authorized agent.

 

10.           DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE. Service under any application, including public fire protection ad other public use, may be discontinued for any of the following reasons:&