RULES, RATES AND REGULATIONS
OF FAYETTE WATER COMPANY
As of July 1, 2024
SECTION 1. Application for Service:
Water service shall be furnished only to members upon filing of an application and water user’s agreement with the Secretary of the Corporation upon a form to be supplied by the Corporation.
SECTION 2. Initial and Minimum Charges Whether Water Used or Not:
A. Rates.
The rates as shown in the rate schedule in Section 8 of these rules shall be paid by each member who has signed a water user’s agreement, beginning at the time the Corporation makes the service available to the member.
B. Minimum Rate.
The minimum rate will be paid by those members not using the service, even though they may not be connected to the system, commencing upon public notification.
C. Voluntary Disconnect.
A member may voluntarily disconnect from the system upon notification to the Company. There shall be a $150.00 charge for a voluntary disconnect if there is a break in service of 1 to 364 days inclusive. There shall be a $2,750.00 charge for a voluntary disconnect if there is a break in service of 365 days or more. It shall be the member’s obligation to notify the Company for re-connection after a voluntary disconnect.
D. Tap-on Fee – Meters up to 3/4″.
There shall be a $750.00 tap-on fee for service to each property in which an application and water user’s agreement has been filed prior to the established cut-off date or completion of final plans, whichever comes first. The tap-on fee for service after the established cut-off date, shall be a $2,750.00 flat fee for both near or far side meter set. Where an easement has not been granted pre-construction, there shall be an additional tap-on fee of $1,550.00.
E. Tap-on Fee – Meters larger than 3/4″.
For meters larger than 3/4″, the tap-on fee will be the actual cost of installing the meter and appurtenances. In addition to the above charges, a $200.00 deposit shall be made by the member to guarantee payment of water bills. The deposit shall be returned to member without interest upon termination of water service and all accounts of that member being paid.
SECTION 3. Corporation’s Responsibility and Liability:
A. Ownership, Installation and Maintenance.
The Corporation shall install, own and maintain the complete water system, water mains, and service lines to the property lines or a mutually agreed upon point, subject to the Board of Directors’ determination that a particular service is economically feasible to install. The Corporation shall furnish, install and maintain a meter and appurtenances including a shutoff valve. The shutoff valve shall be installed on the member’s property line or such other point determined by a duly authorized representative of the Corporation. The meter may be located near the shutoff valve or within the member’s premises as determined by the Corporation representative. The meter and shutoff valve must be located at a point where it is readily accessible.
B. Refusal of Service.
The Corporation may at any time refuse additional service(s) to any applicant if in the judgment of the Board of Directors the capacity of the system will not permit such use.
C. Liability.
All water service supplied by the Corporation shall be upon the express condition that the Corporation shall not be liable nor shall any claim be made against it for damages or injury caused by reason of shutting off of water for repair, relocation, or expansion of any part of the system, or failure of any part of the system or for concentration of water for such purposes as fire-fighting or restricted use of water.
D. Use of Water on Members Premises.
The Corporation shall reserve the right to use the water from the members facilities at any time deemed necessary. No charge shall be made by the member for the use of his facilities and no charge shall be made by the Corporation for the water used by the Corporation.
SECTION 4. Member’s Responsibility:
A. Installing and Maintaining Service Lines.
The member shall be responsible for installation and maintenance of service lines between the curb stop and the residence or business. Such service lines must be at least 3/4″ in diameter, and must be installed at a minimum depth of three feet. Service lines must have a minimum working pressure rating of 160 psi at 73.4 F and must be constructed of one of the following types of materials: Copper, (Type K), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene or polybutylene. Service lines must not be covered until they are inspected and approved by a duly authorized Corporation representative. The member will not connect any service line or any plumbing connected with the service line to any other water source. The service line must meet any requirements of the State of Illinois, Environmental Protection Agency.
B. Provisions for Location of Meter.
The member shall permit the meter to be located upon their property.
C. Easements.
The member shall give such easements and rights-of-way as necessary to the Corporation and allow access for the purposes of construction, repair, maintenance, meter reading, relocation or expansion of the water system. The necessity of such easements shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
D. Damage to Corporation
Property. No person shall tamper, adjust, damage, or in any manner interfere with the components or operations of the water system owned by the Corporation. The shutoff valve shall be opened only by a duly authorized representative of the Corporation. Penalty for tampering, damaging, adjusting, or in any manner interfering with the components or operation of the system shall be up to $1,000.00, payable to the Corporation. If the penalty is not paid within thirty days after the amount is determined, the Corporation shall discontinue the water service. The amount of penalty shall be determined by the Board of Directors. In addition to the above penalty, the member responsible shall reimburse the Corporation for the actual cost of repairing any damage arising from the person’s act. Members shall report any known evidence of tampering, adjusting, damaging, or interference with operation of the system, owned by the Corporation, to the President of the Board of Directors. Any malicious act or damage to the system that is not appropriately punishable by the foregoing may be prosecuted through a court of law.
E. Shut-off Valve.
The Corporation will make available a shut-off valve. A member may open or close this shut-off valve as the member requires or deems necessary.
F. Specified Uses of Water.
Water purchased from the Corporation may be used for ordinary domestic, industrial or farm use upon the premises of the member provided:
1.No member shall resell or permit the resale of water purchased from the Corporation.
2.Each dwelling, apartment, business, and farm located outside and separate from a single family living unit is a separate unit. The member must make application for service for each unit, and each unit shall have a separate cutoff valve, meter and service line, and member shall pay the minimum monthly rate and other rates and fees herein established for each unit.
3.For purposes of this section the following definitions apply:
oDwelling: Single family living unit
oApartment: Single family living unit that may be an individual living unit or part of a multiple family living complex
oBusiness: Business outside and separate from a single family living unit
oFarm: Consists of one single family dwelling and all related farm enterprises served by that meter and service line.
G. Cross-Connections.
1. Definitions. For the purpose of this subsection the following definitions shall apply:
a.“Back flow” shall mean water of questionable quality, wastes or other contaminants entering a public water supply system due to a reversal of flow
b.“Cross-connection” shall mean a connection or arrangement of piping or appurtenance through which a back flow could occur
c.“Safe air gap” shall mean the minimum distance of a water inlet or opening above the maximum high water level or overflow rim in a fixture, device or container to which public water is furnished which shall be at least two times the inside diameter of the water inlet pipe; but shall not be less than one inch and need not be more than twelve inches
d.“Secondary water supply” shall mean a water supply system maintained in addition to a public water supply, including but not limited to, water system from ground or surface sources not meeting the requirements of Act No. 98 of the Public Acts of 1913, as amended being Sections 325.201 to 325.214 of the Compiled Laws of 1948, or water from a public water supply which in any way has been treated, processed or exposed to any possible contaminant or stored in other than an approved storage facility
e.“Submerged inlet” shall mean a water pipe or extension thereto from a public water supply terminating in a tank, vessel, fixture or appliance which may contain water of questionable quality, waste or other contaminant and which is unprotected against back flow.
2. Cross-Connections Prohibited. Cross-connection of public water supply systems and any other water supply system or source including, but not limited to, the following are prohibited:
a.Between a public water supply system and a secondary water supply
b.By submerged inlet
c.Between a lawn sprinkling system and the public water supply system
d.Between a public water supply and piping which contain sanitary waste or a chemical contaminant
e.Between a public water supply system and piping immersed in a tank or vessel which may contain a contaminant.
3. Cross-Connection Control Program. The water utility shall develop a comprehensive control program for the elimination and prevention of all cross-connections, and removal of all existing cross-connections and prevention of all future cross-connections.
4. Corrections and Protection Devices. Any user of the water utility water shall obtain written approval form the water utility of any proposed corrective action or protective device before using or installing it. The total time allowed for completion of the necessary corrections shall be contingent upon the degree of hazard involved and include the time required to obtain and install equipment. If the cross-connection has not been removed within the time as hereinafter specified, the water utility shall physically separate the water system from the on-site piping system in such manner that the two systems cannot be connected by any unauthorized person.
5. Piping Identification. When a secondary water source is used in addition to the water supply, exposed water utility water and secondary water piping shall be identified by distinguishing colors or tags and so maintained that each pipe may be traced readily in its entirety, it will be necessary to protect the water utility water supply at the service connection in a manner acceptable to the water utility.
6. Private Water Storage Tanks. A private water storage tank supplied from the water utility water supply system shall be deemed a secondary water supply unless it is designed and approved for portable water usage.
7. Elimination of Existing Cross-Connections. Within one year from the effective date of this Section all existing cross-connections to the water utility water supply systems shall be eliminated. The expenses of such elimination shall be that of the owner of the property on which such cross-connection exists.
8. Inspection. The water utility or any representative thereof shall have the authority to inspect any premises to determine the presence of any existing cross-connection and to order the elimination of such cross-connection.
9. Discontinuance of Water Service. The water utility shall discontinue water service after a reasonable notice to any person owning any property where a cross-connection in violation of this Code exists or where the user refuses to allow an inspection to determine the presence of a cross-connection. The water utility may take such other precautionary measures as necessary to eliminate any danger of the contamination of the water utility water supply system. Water service to such property shall not be restored until such cross-connection has been eliminated.
SECTION 5. Extension of Mains:
A. Determination of Who Pays Expenses of Extension.
The Board of Directors shall first determine if an extension of water main is economically feasible based on the estimated cost of the extension and the number of existing potential users that will use water along the extension. If the extension is economically feasible then the Corporation may install and pay the cost of the extension at the discretion of the Board of Directors. If the Corporation elects not to pay the cost of extending the water main then the person or persons desiring water service shall install the extension at their own personal expense upon written consent by the Board of Directors. The Corporation shall not pay for any extensions to an undeveloped area such as a subdivision being developed unless there are sufficient existing residents or businesses to make the extension economically feasible.
B. Requirements if Extension is Installed by Someone Other than the Corporation.
1.The Corporation must approve all plans and specifications for any extensions.
2.Before any extensions are installed, the plans and specifications must be reviewed and approved by the State of Illinois, Environmental Protection Agency.
3.Ownership, rights-of-way, and title must be conveyed to the Corporation for all extensions installed by anyone other than the Corporation. The Corporation will maintain the mains thereafter.
4.No extension will be permitted if in the opinion of the Board of Directors, the system does not have the necessary capacity to serve the proposed extension.
SECTION 6. Change in Occupancy:
A. Notice to Corporation.
Any member requesting a termination of service shall give written notice to the Corporation ten days prior to the time such termination of service is desired. The meter shall be read by the Corporation and the member will be billed.
B. Responsibility for Payment of Services Already Consumed.
Responsibility for payment for water consumed prior to the date of termination shall be with the property owners as well as the member.
C. Charges for Change.
There shall be a $50.00 charge for transferring the water service to the subsequent member, so long as there is no break in service. (There shall be a $100.00 charge for transferring the water service to the subsequent member if there is a break in service of 1 to 364 days inclusive.) There shall be a $2,750.00 charge for transferring the water service to the subsequent member if there is a break in service of 365 days or more. It shall be the member’s obligation to notify the Company for re-connection.
SECTION 7. Payment of Bills:
A. Date Due.
Bills shall be due on the 15th day of each month and shall be delinquent ten days thereafter. Bills shall be paid to the Treasurer of the Corporation or his designated representative.
B. Penalties for Late Payment.
There will be a $75.00 service fee added to each bill that is unpaid ten days after becoming due. If a bill remains unpaid ten days after becoming due, the water supply to the property affected will be shut off by the Corporation and the service will not be restored until the delinquency, penalty and applicable service fee are paid in full. Payment of delinquent bills will not be accepted in the field, but instead must be mailed or delivered as any normal bill payment. Service will be restored during regular business hours. However, when requested and when possible, service will be restored after hours for an additional service fee of $25.00. Bills remaining unpaid thirty days after becoming due shall constitute a lien upon the real estate to which the service has been rendered. The Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to file a notice of such lien in the Office of the Recorder, Fayette County, Illinois, and to pursue such legal action as is necessary to collect the delinquent charges. If after sixty days from the date of becoming due, the account remains unpaid, all remaining services under that membership shall be shut off and the membership canceled.
C. Security Deposit for Rental Property.
Members who do not own the property to which water services are rendered, or who are not residents of the property to which service is desired, shall be required to make a deposit of $150.00 for each meter requested. Said deposit shall be retained by the corporation until such time as service is disconnected and all bills are paid in full.
D. Meter Reading Charges.
If the Corporation is required to read a member’s meter to determine the amount of a delinquency, a $20.00 charge will be added to the member’s bill.
SECTION 8. Rate Schedule:
A. Non-Commercial Users.
The monthly bill for non-commercial users will be computed on the following rate schedule. The minimum monthly bill will be payable irrespective of use:
•First 1,000 gallons per month (minimum): $42.45
•All over 1,000 gallons per month (per 1,000 gallons): $9.48
B. Municipal Users.
The monthly bill for municipal users shall be as determined by separate, written contract.
Dennis L. Vaughn, President
Matt Howard, Secretary
