Docket No - PUC - Pennsylvania PUC · Web view1.5 The word “Company”, as used herein, shall mean Delaware Sewer Company acting through its properly authorized officers, agents

Docket No. A-230051 Sewer – Pa. P.U.C. No. 1

DELAWARE SEWER COMPANY

Rates, Rules and RegulationsGoverning the Furnishing of Sewer Service

In Portions OfTownship Of Delaware,

Pike County, Pennsylvania

ISSUED: November 7, 1996 EFFECTIVE: November 8, 1996By: Scott F. Linde, President

Delaware Sewer Company Filed in compliance with theOne South Main Street Order entered October 4, 1996Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 at Docket No. A-230051

DELAWARE SEWER COMPANY Sewer – Pa. P.U.C. No. 1Original Page No. 1

LIST OF CHANGES

Filed pursuant to the Order entered October 4, 1996 at Docket No. A-230051 to establish an initial tariff.

Issued: November 7, 1996 Effective: November 8, 1996


TABLE OF CONTENTSPage

Title Page..........................................................................................Original

List of Changes............................................................................................1 Original

Table of Contents......................................................................................2-3 Original

Schedule of Rates.........................................................................................4 Original

Rules and Regulations............................................................................5-14 Original

1.0 Definitions........................................................................................5 Original

2.0 Conditions of Service...................................................................5-7 Original

2.1 Compliance with Rules and Regulations

2.2 Application for Service

2.3 Individual Sewer Service Line

2.4 Maintenance, Repair and Relocation of House Sewers

2.5 Inspection of House Sewers and Sewage

2.6 Prohibited Flow – Sanitary Sewage

2.7 Damages

3.0 House Sewers.............................................................................7-11 Original

3.1 Plans and Specifications

3.2 Types of Pipe – House Sewers

3.3 Types of Joints – House Sewers

3.4 Types of Fittings – House Sewers

3.5 Clean Outs – House Sewers

3.6 Laying House Sewers

3.7 Back-Filling Trench – House Sewers

3.8 Main Trap and Vent – House Sewers



TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont.)

3.9 House Sewer and Connections of Sewer Service Lines

3.10 Testing – House Sewers

3.11 Standard of Quality of Construction – House Sewers

4.0 Persons Authorized to do Work Relating to Connections.............11 Original

5.0 Special Devices and Treatment................................................11-12 Original

5.1 Requirement of Special Devices

5.2 Prohibited Wastes – Special Treatment

5.3 Approval of Pretreatment Devices

6.0 Bills...............................................................................................13 Original

6.1 Payment of Applicable Charge

6.2 Delayed Payment Charge; Termination of Service

6.3 Payment of Bill

6.4 No Waiver of Rules and Regulations

7.0 Discontinuance of Service.............................................................13 Original

7.1 Termination of Service

8.0 Customer Deposit.....................................................................13-14 Original

8.1 Amount of Deposit; Interest

8.2 Refund of Deposit

9.0 Miscellaneous................................................................................14 Original

9.1 Rules and Regulations are Binding

9.2 Alteration or Amendments of Rules and Regulations



SCHEDULE OF RATES

Application:

This schedule is available to all residential customers as indicated below.

Charges:

(1) Residential Service:

A charge of $52.00 per month per lot shall be payable by the owner of each lot which is located within the development known as Wild Acres and upon which a structure has been erected which is connected to the Delaware Sewer Company facilities. Such charge shall be payable irrespective of the quantity of sewage discharged.

The term “structure” shall be deemed to mean any building connected to the sewage collection system and containing any one or more of the following fixtures: a wash stand, a flush toilet, a bathtub, a shower or a kitchen faucet.

Terms of Payment:

Charges will be billed payable monthly.



RULES AND REGULATIONS1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 “Sewer System” shall mean sewer mains, lateral sewers from main to point of sewer service line connections, sewer service lines, sewage ejector and/or pumping stations, sewer force mains, sewage treatment plants and all appurtenant facilities operated by Delaware Sewer Company in furnishing sewer service.

1.2 “Company’s Service Line” shall mean all facilities located between a lateral sewer and the curb or, if there is no curb, the property line of the property furnished sewer service.

1.3 “Customer” shall mean all facilities located between a Company’s Service Line and the points of use in premises furnished sewer service.

1.4 “Sanitary Sewage” shall mean spent water, together with human and household wastes ordinarily removed by water carriage. Such definition expressly excludes effluent from septic tanks or cesspools, as well as rain, storm and ground water which could in any way enter the Sewer System as well as roof or surface drainage, drainage of percolating or seeping waters or of accumulations thereof, whether underground or in cellars or basements.

1.5 The word “Company”, as used herein, shall mean Delaware Sewer Company acting through its properly authorized officers, agents or employees, each acting within the scope of the particular duties entrusted to him.

1.6 The word “Customer” as used herein, shall mean the person owning a lot upon which a structure is erected which is connected to the Delaware Sewer Company facilities and which is located within the development known as Wild Acres and within the service area of the Company.

2. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

2.1 Compliance with Rules and Regulations

No connection shall be made, either directly or indirectly, to the Sewer System until all requirements of the rules and regulations have been met. No connection or Customer’s Sewer, through which sanitary sewage does or may enter the Sewage System, shall be constructed, altered, repaired, or allowed to exist, which does not comply with the rules and regulations.

The Company shall have the right to close up or disconnect from the Sewer System any Company Service Line or Customer used in violation of these Rates, Rules and Regulations pursuant to the termination procedures established by the Commission, unless an emergency is present.

2.2 Application for Service

All applications for sewer service must be made in writing, on a form provided by the Company. The application and these rules and regulations constitute a contract between a Customer and the Company.



2.3 Individual Company’s Service Line

Each Customer must have an individual Company Service Line.

2.4 Maintenance, Repair and Relocation of House Sewers

All House Sewers shall be maintained and repaired at the cost of the Customer served, and such repairs shall be subject to the direction, approval and inspection of the Company.

2.5 Inspection of House Sewers and Sewage

The Company, by its agents and employees, shall have the right, at all reasonable times, to enter any premises connected with, or about to be connected with, the Sewer System, to inspect House Sewers, sources and nature of sewage and all fixtures and facilities from which sanitary sewage may be discharged into the Sewer System in order to enforce compliance with the rules and regulations.

2.6 Prohibited Flow- Sanitary Sewage

No flow or drainage, other than sanitary sewage, shall be turned into or permitted to enter the Sewer System, and no connection fixture, device, opening or condition shall be allowed to exist which would permit any flow, other than sanitary sewage, to enter the Sewer System. The Sewer System is intended to convey sanitary sewage and liquid wastes only.

The Company shall have the right to close up or disconnect from the Sewer System any Company Service Line or Customer used for carrying rain, cellar drainage, surface water, ground water or objectionable matter.

Use of this service by a Customer shall be in accordance with the class, scope, and type of use, and for the purpose stated in an application. A Customer shall not use, and shall not allow use by others, of his Customer for other purposes than is covered in the application. A new application will make service available for other purposes or for other character of use.

2.7 Damages

(a) Limitation of Damages for Service Interruptions- The Company’s liability to a customer for any loss or damage from any problem or deficiency in the provision of sewer service due to any cause other than willful misconduct or negligence by the Company, its employees or agents shall be limited to an amount no more than the customer charge or minimum bill for the period in question. The Company will undertake to use reasonable care and diligence in order to prevent and avoid interruptions and fluctuations in service, but cannot and does not guarantee that such will not occur.

(b) Responsibility for Customer Facilities- The Company shall not be liable for any loss or damage caused by reason of any break, leak or other defect in a customer’s own service pipe, line fixtures or other installations, except where the damage is a result of the negligence or willful misconduct of the Company, its employees or agents.



3. HOUSE SEWERS

3.1 Plans and Specifications

Before connecting any proposed sanitary sewer directly or indirectly with the Sewer System or before making any material alterations of existing sanitary sewers, connected directly or indirectly with the Sewer System, plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Company for approval, showing proposed construction and existing plumbing, as applicable.

It shall be the duty of every person constructing or owning any building connected to the Sewer System to assure that their House Sewer, house drain and plumbing fixtures are adequate for the purpose and will allow free passage of any material that enters or should enter the Sewer System.

No change of the Customer of any building shall be permitted unless notice thereof shall have been given the Company and approval of the Company thereto obtained in writing.

All materials for House Sewers, jointing materials, and method of installation shall be subject to approval of the Company.

3.2 Types of Pipe- House Sewers

House Sewers, placed through foundation walls, shall be constructed of not less than six (6) inches inside diameter.

All House Sewers shall be constructed of one of the following types of pipe:

1. Service weight cast iron soil pipe at least six (6) inches in internal diameter conforming to ASTM A-74-66. Cast iron soil pipe and fittings shall be service weight or heavier, hub and spigot pipe, in accordance with Federal Specification WW-P-401 and ASTM Specification A-74, latest revision. Uncoated pipe shall be used. 2. Schedule 40 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) sewer pipe conforming to ASTM D-1785. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pipe Type PSM SDR-35 conforming to ASTM D 3034.

3.3 Types of Joints- House Sewers

All joints of a Customer shall be watertight and root-proof. No cement mortar joints shall be used.



3.3 Types of Joints – House Sewers (Con’t)

Jointing materials for the various types of pipe shall be as follows:

1. Joints in cast iron hub and spigot pipe shall be made with a neoprene gasket conforming to ASTM C-564 and equal to Ty-Seal System as manufactured by Tyler Pipe. The following conditions must be met:

(1) Lubricant shall be recommended product of manufacturer of gasket.

(2) Pipes and gaskets shall be drawn tight with coupler tool designed for that purpose.

(3) Extra care shall be taken in excavation to assure the sustaining of pipe weight over its length.

(4) Gaskets for use must be maintained clean and may not be stored loose on ground.

(5) Pipe hubs shall be thoroughly cleaned, and sharp edges of spigot pipe removed prior to insertion of gaskets and coupling.

2. PVC Pipe shall have solvent welded joints of the same schedule as the pipe used. The solvent shall conform to ASTM D-2564 and the fittings shall conform to ASTM D –2466 (Schedule 40) and D-2467 (Schedule 80).

3. PVC Pipe Type PSM SDR-35 ASTM D 3034 joints shall be push-on with elastomeric gasket, ASTM D 3212: and ASTM 477 for gasket specifications. Gaskets shall be locked to the pipe bell to prevent displacement when pipes are joined.

3.4 Types of Fittings – House Sewers

Fittings in a Customer shall conform to the type of pipe used in construction and shall conform to the same applicable ASTM specification requirements as the pipe.

Changes in direction in a Customer must be made only by use of “Y” branches or of one-eighth (1/8) or one-sixteenth (1/16) bends. No one-quarter (1/4) bends will be permitted. Alignment of self sealing joints to angles of less than a one-sixteenth (1/16) bend equivalent only shall be permitted.



3.5 Cleanouts – House Sewers

Generally, cleanouts shall be provided in each Customer and at intervals to permit complete rodding with a 100 foot long auger or tape. Cleanouts shall be constructed by using a “Y” fitting in the run of pipe with a forty-five (45) degree bend and riser to the ground surface. The riser pipe must be provided with a standard four (4) inch screw type ferrule and plug.

3.6 Laying House Sewers

In laying House Sewers, special care shall be taken to ensure water-tight construction and to prevent infiltration. Any indication of leakage or possible infiltration shall be sufficient basis for disapproval by the Company of the connection. Drain Pipes, either directly or indirectly connected to the Sewer System, shall be laid in trenches excavated to line and exact depth required. The minimum grade or slope for House Sewers shall be one-quarter inch per foot of sewer. Bell holes shall be dug beneath reach joint, and the pipe barrel shall be bedded on a minimum of four (4) inch properly tamped crushed stone. The trench must be kept dry during laying, jointing and inspection. The pipe must be kept true to line and grade, and the pipe ends must be properly centered.

Whenever in the opinion of the Company the trenching conditions require either a specific type of pipe, jointing material or encasement in concrete, such materials as it may direct shall be installed to protect the property owner and/or the Company, for special conditions as follows:

1. Where trench is over twelve (12) feet deep, Schedule 80 PVC pipe (residential only) or PVC pipe Type PSM SDR-35 must be used.

2. Where the trench is less than (4) feet deep in a traveled roadway, special bedding, consisting of crushed stone or concrete encasement, as directed by the Company must be used.

3. Where lines are laid in fill, extra heavy cast iron soil pipe with neoprene rubber gaskets shall be used.

4. Where foundations conditions are poor due to ground water, or sub-surface materials, a bedding of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation No. 57 crushed stone at least six (6) inches in depth shall be installed beneath the pipe.

5. Where rock is encountered, the trench shall be excavated to a depth of six (6) inches below the bottom of the pipe and the trench refilled to the grade line with clean earth or crushed stone.

The Company shall not be responsible for any excavation, construction, installation or maintenance for a Customer’s sewer, which is the sole responsibility of the customer.



3.7 Back-filling Trench - House Sewers

Trenches shall be back-filled by placing loose limestone screening or Pennsylvania Department of Transportation approved 2A modified under the sides and around the pipe to a distance of eighteen (18) inches from the bottom of the trench, thoroughly tamped in six (6) inch layers to a minimum height of twelve (12) inches above the top of the pipe. From this point to the top of the trench, the earth may be tamped in twelve (12) inch layers to a minimum of ninety (90%) in lawn areas and ninety-five percent (95%) in roadway and sidewalks. No trench shall be back-filled until inspected and approved by the Company.

3.8 Main Trap and Vent – House Sewers

There shall be a main or intercepting trap on each Customer of not less than six (6) inches inside diameter. The trap shall be located, wherever possible, within the cellar of the building and shall consist of a double-plugged, cast iron trap with a riser extending upward and out through the wall and terminating in the outside air with suitable grated vent. Where no cellar exists, or the above construction is impossible, a main or intercepting trap may, if approved by the Company, be placed between the Company Service Line and the premises, and in such case, the trap shall be vented by a suitable sidewalk vent or cowl type vent. The vent must be located to prevent surface water or floods from entering the Sewer System.

3.9 Customer and Connections of Company Service Lines

All connections to the Sewer System shall be made at the property line abutting the property furnished sewage service. Where no Company Service Line previously has been constructed, such facilities shall be constructed by the Company or under the Company’s direction and supervision. The Customer shall bear all expense for the construction of his House Sewer.

3.10 Testing - House Sewers

The company shall observe all testing of a House Sewer. All equipment and material required for testing shall be furnished by the Customer to be connected to the Sewer System.

In the event a Customer is not approved by the Company, further test or tests shall be made following the completion of necessary corrections. An inspection fee of $50.00 will be charged by the Company for observation of each test, whether or not the test is successful.



3.10 Testing - House Sewers (Cont’d)

Every Customer shall be tested by filling the same with water with joints exposed, completely, so that every section shall be tested with not less than a ten (10) foot head of water. Water shall be kept in the Customer for fifteen (15) minutes before inspection starts and no leakage shall be observable at the time of inspection. An Air test may be substituted by providing five (5) PSI of air into the system without a drop in pressure for fifteen (15) minutes.

Upon approval of the test of a Customer by the Company, a certificate of approval will be issued to the Customer to be connected to the Sewer System.

Every Customer of any Improved Property shall be maintained in a sanitary and safe condition by the Customer.

Whenever the Company has reason to believe any Customer has become defective, such Customer shall be subject to test and inspection. Defects found upon such test and inspection shall be corrected, as required by the Company in writing, at the cost and expense of the Customer served through such House Sewer.

3.11 Standard of Quality of Construction – House Sewers

All construction, reconstruction and alterations of House Sewers and appurtenances shall be done and installed in a competent, workmanlike manner in accordance with recognized standards of the plumbing trade. The construction of House Sewers shall, at all times, be subject to supervision and inspection by the Company or its representative and shall conform to the Company specifications. The Customer shall not be covered until permitted by the Company and all back-filling of trenches shall be under its supervision. The Company may require reconstruction of any work done improperly.

4.0 Persons Authorized to Do work Relating to Connections

The customer is responsible for the individuals authorized to work on the Customers House Sewers, and all work must satisfy industry standards.



5.0 SPECIAL DEVICES AND TREATMENT

5.1 Requirement of Special Devices

All persons discharging sanitary sewage containing grease, oils or fats into the Sewer System shall provide adequate grease and sand traps or oil separators which shall effectively keep the grease content of sewage leaving the premises to less than 100 parts per million by weight. Such traps or oil separators must be pumped out and cleaned at least once per year.

5.2 Prohibited Wastes- Special Treatment

Sanitary sewage, discharged into the Sewer system, shall not contain any industrial waste, chemicals or other matters:

(a) having a temperature higher than 150 degrees F;(b) containing more than 100 parts per million by weight of fat, oil or grease;(c) containing any gasoline, benzine, naphtha, fuel oil, or other inflammable or explosive liquids, solids or gas;(d) containing any unground garbage;(e) containing any ashes, cinders, sand mud, straw, shavings, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics, wood, paunch manure, or any solids or viscous substance capable of causing obstruction or other interference with the Sewer System or the sewage treatment plant into which the sewage is discharged; (f) having a “pH”, as determined by the company, lower than 6.0 or higher than 9.0, or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures or equipment in the Sewer System or structures, equipment, bacterial action or personnel of sewage treatment plant into which the sewage is discharged;(g) containing a toxic or poisonous substance in sufficient quantity to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, to constitute a hazard to humans or animals or to create any hazard in the receiving water of the sewage treatment plant into which the sewage is discharged. Toxic wastes shall include wastes containing cyanide or copper, chromium, nickel, zinc, or other metallic ions;(h) containing total solids of such character and quantity that unusual attention or expense is required to handle such materials at the sewage treatment plant;(i) containing noxious, malodorous gas or substance capable of creating a public nuisance.

Where wastes are of such character as to violate any of the preceding regulations, the wastes must be pre-treated to such a degree that they will comply with the preceding regulations prior to discharge into the Sewer System.

The Company shall have the right to direct any Customer to cease and prevent discharge into the Sewer System of any wastes not complying with these regulations.



5.3 Approval of Pretreatment Devices

All grease traps, sand traps, or other devices for pretreatment of sanitary sewage or industrial wastes shall be subject to the approval of the Company prior to installation.

6.0 BILLS

6.1 Payment of Applicable Charge

Each Customer shall pay the applicable charge in the amount which is set forth in the Schedule of Rates.

6.2 Delayed Payment Charge; Termination of Service

Bills are due and payable upon presentation. If a bill is not paid within the first 20 days after the due date a 1.25% delayed payment charge will be added. If a bill is not paid within 30 days after the due date, service may be terminated by the Company, then the Company may terminate service pursuant to the Commission’s procedures.

Failure to pay a bill for any billing period shall not excuse the delinquent Customer from the charge, under the Schedule of Rates, for any succeeding billing period.

6.3 Payment of Bill

Payment of a undisputed bill, within the meaning of the Public Utility Code, shall be payment of the bill, with or without discount or penalty, within thirty days following the period for which the bill was rendered or payment within thirty days following presentation of the bill, or payment on any contested bill, payment of which is withheld beyond the period herein mentioned and the dispute is terminated substantially in favor of the Customer and payment made by the Customer within ten days thereafter.

6.4 No Waiver of Rules and Regulations

Presentation or nonpresentation of a bill shall not be held to be a waiver of any of the rules and regulations.

7.0 DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE

7.1 Termination of Service

Service may be terminated by the Company for violation of any rule or regulation. Before service may be terminated, the Company shall give written notice to the Customer, stating the rule violated, the manner of violation, and a reasonable time for correction of the violation.



8.0 CUSTOMER DEPOSITS

8.1 Amount of Deposit: Interest

The Company reserves the right to require a deposit as allowed by the Commission’s regulations. The purpose of such deposit is to secure payments where the credit of the Customer has not been established to the satisfaction of the Company. Upon this deposit, the Company will pay interest at a rate required under currently effective PUC rules and regulations.

Upon deposits held more than a year, the Company will pay to the Customer, at the end of each calendar year, the interest accrued thereon.

8.2 Refund of Deposit

The Company will refund a deposit if the Customer has sold his lot and after payment has been made of all amounts due or when the Customer shall have paid undisputed bills over a period of twelve consecutive months. Any Customer who has secured the return of a deposit shall not be required to make a new deposit unless the Customer’s credit standing has been impaired through failure to comply with tariff provisions.

9.0 MISCELLANEOUS

9.1 Rules and Regulations are Binding

No agent or employee of the Company shall have the right or authority to bind it by any promise, agreement, or representation contrary to the provisions or intent of these rules and regulations.

9.2 Alteration or Amendment of Rules and Regulations

The Company reserves the right to alter or amend these rules and regulations in the manner provided by law.


Documents

Docket No - PUC - Pennsylvania PUC · Web view1.5 The word “Company”, as used herein, shall mean Delaware Sewer Company acting through its properly authorized officers, agents