Borough of Driftwood
Water System Ordinance No 2025-1
The purpose of a water system ordinance is to establish rules and guidelines for the management, operation, and maintenance of the borough’s public water supply. Such an ordinance is designed to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable, and high-quality water to residents and businesses, safeguard public health, promote efficient water use, protect water resources from contamination, and provide a framework for addressing service disruptions, billing, and enforcement. Ultimately, it serves to support the well-being of the community while ensuring the sustainability of the local water infrastructure.
SECTION 1 Definitions
Unless the context of usage indicates otherwise, the meaning of specific terms in this Ordinance shall be as follows:
A. “Borough” shall mean the Borough of Driftwood, Pennsylvania
B. “Council” shall mean the Borough of Driftwood Mayor and Council Members
C. “water system” or “system” shall mean the complete water supply and distribution system of the Borough, including all properties, facilities and funds
D. “Water Department” shall mean those pipes, other supply pipes and service pipes, used for conveying or distributing water
E. “Main” and “water-main” shall mean those pipes, other than supply pipes and service pipes used for conveying or distributing water
F. “Service stub” shall mean the pipe tapped into a main and extending thence to and including the Curb box at the property line
G. “Meter Pit” shall mean the pit that was installed professionally to house the meter that will record all water usage for property
H. “Service Line” shall mean a pipe extending from the meter into the premises supplying water
I. “Premises” shall mean the particular property connected to the system and includes appurtenant land and improvements
J. “Shall” and “Must” are mandatory, “May” I permissive
SECTION 2 Ownership
The Borough of Driftwood owns the system. Only Council agents and employees may access or alter the water mains; all others are prohibited from disturbing, tapping, modifying, or obstructing them.
SECTION 3 Operation and Maintenance
The Council will oversee the system’s operation, maintenance, alteration, repair, and management. It retains exclusive authority to set and collect rates and charges. The Council may hire personnel and establish rules as needed to ensure efficient system operations and revenue collection.
SECTION 4 Free Service Prohibited
The Borough will not supply water to any person, firm or corporation, without charge except area fire departments.
SECTION 5 Access to Premises
All customers must allow Council maintenance staff to enter for required system maintenance. If a customer refuses entry, the Council may immediately terminate their water service.
SECTION 6 Maintenance and Efficient Operation
The Council is responsible for keeping the system in proper repair and working condition, operating it efficiently, and complying with all rules and regulations set by the Department of Environmental Protection as well as all relevant Pennsylvania state statutes concerning municipal water systems.
The Council is authorized to make purchases, carry out construction improvements, and perform necessary repairs to the system. The Council may also collect charges, fees, and rentals, and set rates for services and facilities provided through public improvements.
SECTION 7 Notice to Customers
Where this Ordinance requires notice to be given, such notice is considered provided when it has been placed in the United States mail and addressed either to the Borough of Driftwood or to the customer at the premises receiving service.
SECTION 8 Connection to Water System
A. The service line beyond the meter shall be installed and maintained by and at the expense of the customer. The portion of the service line installed by the customer shall not be less in size and quality than the service line in the street laid by the Borough and shall be laid not less than 48 inches below the surface and shall not be covered until checked by the water employees. The minimum service line shall be ¾ inch.
B. The service line from the meter to the premises of the customer shall be kept in good condition by the customer under penalty of discontinuance of service by the Borough. No service line shall be laid in the same trench with any gas pipes, sewer pipes or any other facility of a public service company.
- The customer will be notified of any leaks on their property, by phone, email or United States mail, water service will be shut off until the leak is fixed.
- The customer will be given fifteen (15) days to fix the leaks or make arrangements to have the leak fixed. The customer must stay in contact with the Driftwood Water Company on the progress of the repair.
- The customer must notify the Driftwood Water Company immediately upon completion of any repair or replaced waterlines, The Borough will then verify that the leak is repaired and arrange reconnection of the water to the customer.
- If the leak has not been repaired the customer shall be granted an additional five (5) days to repair the leak and will be assessed a fee of $50.00 for any subsequent verification that the leak has been repaired.
- If the customer still has not repaired the leak withing the five (5) day period, the service will remain off until the leak is repaired and the customer will be assessed an additional $50.00 fee for reconnection. The customer shall continue to be responsible for the monthly charge for water service during this time.
- Any damage to the Borough’s curb stops, or meter caused by the property owner or any person hired by the property owner shall be repaired by the Borough and the cost of the labor provided at the prevailing wage in effect for the Borough plus the cost of the materials shall be charged to the property owner. Any such charges not paid within thirty (30) days from the date of billing shall be subject to liens against the property or further court collection.
- Damaged meters shall be repaired by the Borough at the expense of the consumer or property owner, except where the damage is caused by ordinary wear and tear.
B. No Customer will be allowed to supply water to another person or premises. Each premises having its own frontage upon a street upon which there is water main shall have its own individual service
C. No connection of any kind shall be made to the service line between the curb stop and he meter.
D. All cross connections between any type of water supply and municipal water supply are strictly prohibited. In the event a cross connection is discovered, the water will be turned off until the cross connection is severed.
E. A different source of water may be used if it is not intended to be the primary source of water for human purposes or if the user does not have reasonable access to the Borough’s water system
F. Service line will not be installed when service line must pass through property which, at the time, may be the property of a party others than the owner of the premises to be supplied, unless the owner of premises supplied provides, in writing, all necessary rights-of-ways in the name od the Borough of Driftwood and assumes all liability and provides free access for installation and maintenance.
G. Curb stops, and meters are the exclusive use of the Borough and shall not be used by the consumer or customer.
H. The borough shall, in no event, be liable for any damage done by water escaping from the service pipe or any other pipe fixture on the outlet side of the meter, and it is expressly understood by the Borough and the customer that no claims shall be made against the Borough on account of the bursting or breaking of any main or service pipes or any attachment to said waterworks unless said damage is a direct result of gross negligence on the part of the Borough.
I. All water passing through a meter shall be billed at the regular rate, and no allowance will be made for excessive consumption due to leaks and waste.
J. The Proper officials of the Borough may prescribe the size, material and weight per foot of the service pipe when it is deemed necessary in order to give satisfactory service.
SECTION 9 Water Service Disconnection and Reconnection
A. No water service shall be initiated or terminated, and no water meter shall be installed or removed except by the Borough and their employees
B. Only authorized individuals may open, or close fire hydrants or curb stops attached to a water meter. Except during fires, no one may draw water from Borough fire hydrants without a special permit from the Water System Secretary, which is subject to Council discretion. During fires, only active Fire Department members may use hydrants, and only for initial response.
C. Meters will be installed or removed only during regular working days of the Water Department and will not be installed or removed on weekends and holidays.
D. The Borough may discontinue the water service on any part of its system at any time deemed necessary to make repairs or extensions. The Borough will attempt to provide advance notice of any discontinuation of service to all users affected thereby, but shall not be required to do so when circumstances do not permit delay
E. The Borough may discontinue the water service to any property for nonpayment of any charges of fees under this ordinance or for failure to comply with any of the provisions of this ordinance.
F. If water is discontinued due to nonpayment, the water will only be turned back on after a $100 restoral fee has been paid and the account is made current. Payments and restoring of service will only be done during Monday – Thursday 8-5, and Friday 8-3 no weekends or holidays.
G. The Borough shall not be liable for any damage which may result to consumer pipes, appliances or other fixtures from the shutting off water mains or service pipes for any purpose whatsoever, whether previous notice has been given or not. No deductions from the service charge will be made for periods when service is shut off.
H. Under NO circumstances shall any person not authorized by the Borough open or close curb stop or valves in any public line.
I. Service may be discontinued, after due notice, for any of the following reasons
- For adding to said property to fixtures or altering the use to be made of the water supplies, without notice to the Borough
- For molesting any service pipe, meter seal, curb stop or any appliance of the Water Company
- For neglecting to make payments of any account for water supplied or service maintained.
- For refusal of access to property for purpose of inspection or for reading, caring for or removing meters and to installing meters
- For failure to maintain a healthy atmosphere in the area where the water meter is located or failure to maintain open access to the meter
- For violation of any rules and regulations set forth in this ordinance
SECTION 10 METERS
A. The Borough will, without charge, furnish and install and will keep it in repair, except in case of misuse, in which case the expense of repair must be borne by the customer. Auxiliary water meters may be installed at the expense of the customer with prior approval of the Borough Water Company.
B. If a customer wishes to install an meter larger than a 1” the cost of the meter will be billed to the customer and the Borough will order the correct meter needed to be compatible with our existing system. (Neptune Mach 10, with remote reading)
C. Under no circumstances shall any party receive water from the Borough without the water first passing through a water meter, any violation hereof shall result in termination of service
D. Each customer shall have a separate meter
E. All water meters connected directly to the Borough water system shall be furnished by and remain property of the Water Company. The Borough will not furnish any additional or auxiliary water meter, where the water to be metered by the additional meter has not been previously metered.
F. Meters will be maintained by the Water Company as far as ordinary wear and tear is concerned, but the customer shall be responsible for any injury to or loss of any meter arising out of or caused by the customer’s negligence or carelessness ot that of his employees, members of his household or any person upon his property under or by his consent or sufferance. The customer shall permit no one, except an agent of the Borough, to remove, inspect or tamper with the Borough’s meter or other property of the Borough on his premise.
Section 11 Water Conservation - During periods when the supply of water is inadequate or there is an imminent threat that it will become inadequate, the Borough is authorized temporary and during the existence of such period of inadequate supply or threat thereof to issue an order prohibiting the use of water for watering lawns and gardens, washing automobiles or other nonessential uses.
- Voluntary conservation: The Borough shall first request voluntary curtailment of all nonessential uses of water
- Mandatory Conservation. If voluntary cooperation does not achieve satisfactory results, mandatory compliance will be imposed. If any customer refuses to comply with such mandatory measures, the Borough may terminate the service.
- Nonessential uses of water include:
a. The use of hoses, sprinklers or other means for sprinkling or watering of shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables, flowers or other vegetation,
b. The use of water for washing automobiles, trucks, trailers, RVs, boats, UTV and ATV’s or any other type of mobile equipment
c. The washing of streets, driveways, parking lots, service station aprons, office building, exteriors of homes, sidewalks, apartments or other outdoor surfaces.
d. The operation of any ornamental fountain or other structure making a similar use of water
e. The use of water for swimming pools or wading pools
f. The operation of any water-cooled comfort air conditioning which does not have water-conserving equipment
g. The use of water from fire hydrants for construction purposes or fire drills
h. The use of water to flush a sewer line.
i. The use of water for commercial farms and nurseries, other than a bare minimum to preserve plants, crops and livestock. - In addition to the provisions as set forth above, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council is authorized to promulgate, adopt and enforce a water rationing plan by virtue of the Emergency Management Services code, 35 Pa.C.S.A. 7101 et seq., as implemented by the Drought Emergency Proclamation dated November 6, 1980.
SECTION 12 Pollution and Contamination Prohibited: Remedies.
It shall be unlawful for the property owner or occupant of property of the user of the Borough’s water system to introduce or permit the introduction into the Borough’s water system pollution or contamination of any kind. Whenever, cross connection to another water source into the system or any other condition which presents the possibility of contamination or pollution, the Borough shall disconnect and discontinued immediately the water supply to the premises where such condition is found and shall restore such water supply only when the cross connection is eliminated.
SECTION 13 Liability for Expenses
Any corrective measure, disconnection or change on private property shall be at eh sole expense of the owner of such property. Any expenses necessitated by changes required in the Borough’s system outside such private property or between the meter and the main, any charges for cutoff or disconnection shall be added to the charges for water service against the premises necessitating such expenditure.
SECTION 14 Reading of Metered Services & Schedule of Rates
- Meters shall be read once a month by remote meter readers.
- If a discrepancy occurs between the remote reading device and the meter generator, the generator shall take precedence over the remote reading.
- If, due to a discrepancy between the reader and meter, the volume of water used differs from the amount billed, the difference will be included in the next monthly bill
Section 15 Payment and Billing
A. Any parcel of land that has water meter hookups will be charged a monthly rate for the water even if they do not use the water. If water is turned off due to leaks, non-payment or non-usage the bill will continue each month.
B. Water usage shall be billed to the exact number of gallons used during the billing period. Each property owner will, unless otherwise provided, receive a bill for the exact number of gallons of water used monthly, the same to be due and payable upon presentation. Each of these bills shall include the charges for water consumed as well as any other charges which the property owner may have incurred.
C. Bills shall be due and payable not more than thirty (30) days after the billing. Due dates shall be indicated on the face of each bill. Any account that is thirty (30) days past due will receive a shut off notice via mail, the notice will give them ten (10) days to pay or make suitable arrangements to pay the bill. Service so disconnected shall not be restored until all sums than due and owing, including a turn on charge have been paid in full. - Cash payments for water bills are not accepted. Payment must be made by check, money order, or credit card online using the link provided on the Borough’s website. A fee of $75.00 will be applied to any returned checks.
D. All billings made to a customer not paid within thirty (30) days shall be subject to the interest rate of 10% of the outstanding bill.
E. Failure of a customer to pay all applicable fees and charges shall result in the Borough pursuing every means legally possible to satisfy the debit.
F. The bill is ultimately the responsibility of the landowner (not the renters or the people using the property)
G. The Borough will accept without penalty, remittances bearing local postmarks for the last day for payment Failure to receive a bill shall not exempt any customer from accruing a penalty. The presentation of a bill to the customer is only a matter of accommodation and not a waiver of the rules and regulations of this article.
Section 16 Severability
Should any section or provision of this Ordinance be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such a decision shall not affect the validity of this Ordinance as to the whole or any part thereof other than the part so declared unconstitutional or invalid.
SECTION 17 Ordinance in Force
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after it’s passage, approval, recording and publication as provided by law.
ORDAINED AND ENCATED THIS __________day of ___________________2025
Borough of Driftwood
Attest: _______________________________By____________________________________
Secretary President of Borough Council
_________________________________________
Mayor of Driftwood Borough
Welcome to Driftwood Borough 