Rules and Regulations

Service Application

Application for service shall be on the Hecla Water Association's standard forms and made at the
association's office with payment of the current tap fee.

When accepted by the water association, the application shall constitute a binding contract between the customer and Hecla Water Association, in conformance with this policy statement, the By-laws of the association, and the applicable rate schedules.

A new application on behalf of another individual will not be accepted unless the determination can be made that the party making the application has the legal authority to do so.

The customer's signature shall be obtained on the contract for water service to establish responsibility for payment of bills at the service address of the application. The new member shall be given a copy of the contract for water service after signing and agreeing to the terms of the document.

Hecla Water Association may reject any application when the customer is delinquent in payment of water bills incurred for service previously supplied at any location.

No person shall be permitted to subscribe for service if the capacity of the water system is exhausted by the needs of its existing customers.

Hecla Water Association may discontinue service or remove the meter for violation of any of the provisions of these rules, by-laws or any other regulation of HWA. Where the meter is there after re-installed, the customer shall first pay the arrears water charges and the current reconnection fee. Reconnection shall be done on the next business day, during regular business hours.

The individual in whose name the application is prepared shall be responsible for payments of all bills incurred.

Initial or Minimum Charges

The current tap fee shall be charged for each new meter installation within the limits set forth. The monthly minimum water charge shall commence when the meter is set. Each meter requires a separate water tap account number and each account number will cover a separate and individual account. Water furnished for a given lot or farmstead shall be used on that lot only. Each service must be separately metered at a single delivery and metering point. HWA may shut off water to a customer who allows a connection to be made to his or her service line for the purpose of supplying water to another customer.

The flat minimum monthly water rate, as set up in the water rate schedule, will be payable each month irrespective of whether any water is used by the customer during the month, and irrespective of seasonal use.

In addition to the collection of regular rates, the water company may collect from the customer a proportionate share of use fees or impositions.

HWA Responsibility

HWA will install, maintain and operate a main distribution water pipe line or lines from the source of water supply, and the service lines from the main distribution line or lines to the property line of each customer at which point, designated as delivery points, meters to be purchased, installed, owned and maintained by HWA, shall be placed. The cost of the water lines from the main distribution line or lines to the property line of each customer shall be paid by HWA. HWA will also purchase and install a cut-off valve in each service line or lines, such valve to be owned and maintained by HWA. HWA shall have the sole and exclusive right to use such cut-off valve to turn it on and off.

No new service line or change in an existing service line may be made which will interfere with an existing service line or the delivery of water therein. Each service line connect with the HWA water system at the nearest available place if the water system shall be of sufficient capacity to permit the delivery of water. If the water system shall be inadequate to permit the delivery of water through a service line installed at such place without interfering with a delivery of water through a prior service line, then such service line shall be installed at such place as may be designated by HWA.

Each customer shall be required to dig or have dug a ditch, to purchase and install, and to maintain such portion of the service line or lines from the meter pit to their own dwelling, or other place of use on their premises at their own expense. The customer shall also install a cut-off valve and check valve at the end of the dwelling side of the service line.

HWA's Liability

HWA does not assume the responsibility of inspecting the customer's piping or apparatus, save and except the required Ohio Environmental Protection Agency cross connection inspection; and will not be responsible therefor.

HWA reserves the right to refuse service unless the customer's lines or piping are installed in such manner as to prevent cross connection or backflow.

HWA shall not be liable for damages of any kind whatsoever resulting from water or the use of water on the customer's premises, unless such damage results directly from negligence on the part of HWA. HWA shall not be responsible for any damage done or by resulting from any defects in piping, fixtures, or appliances on the customer's premises. HWA shall not be responsible for negligence of the third persons, or forces beyond the control of HWA resulting in any interruption of service.

Under normal conditions, the customer will be notified of any anticipated interruptions of service.

User's Responsibility

Piping on the premises of the customer must be so installed that the connections are conveniently located with respect to HWA lines and mains.

If HWA is called upon to provide additional meters, each place of metering will be considered as a separate and individual account. The customer shall provide a place of metering which is unobstructed and accessible at all times. If the meter reader cannot read the meter due to debris, vehicle parked on meter or the meter is blocked in some manner, a service charge will be applied to the account. If a vehicle must be towed by HWA in
order to have access to the meter, the customer will be responsible for towing charges.

The customer's piping and apparatus shall be installed and maintained by the customer at the customer's expense in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with HWA rules and regulations and if full compliance with sanitary regulations of the State Board of Health and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. A pressure reducer and a backflow preventer must be installed on the customer's side of the service connection.

The customer shall guarantee proper protection for HWA's property places on the customer's premises and shall permit access to it only by HWA personnel.

In the event that any loss or damage to the property of HWA or any accident or injury to persons or property is caused by or results from negligence or wrongful act of the customer, his agent or employees, the cost of the necessary repairs or replacements shall be paid by the customer to HWA and any liability otherwise resulting shall be assumed by the customer.

The amount of such loss, or damage or cost of repairs shall be added to the customer's bill and if not paid, services may be discontinued by HWA.

Water furnished by HWA may be used for domestic consumption by the customer, members of their household and or employees only. The customer shall not sell or give the water to any other person without approval of HWA. The owner/member shall remain responsible for all billings, water usage, and losses of any nature incurred. Water shall not be used for irrigation, fire protection or other purposes, except when water is available in sufficient quantity without interfering with the regular domestic consumption, then the water may be used for any other purpose. Disregard for this rule shall be sufficient cause for refusal or discontinuance of service.

Extensions to Mains and Services

HWA may supply service for temporary purposes, provided that there is water available in excess of regular needs, and provided that HWA has available material and equipment necessary to supply said service. Each customer for such service must pay in advance to HWA the estimated cost of labor and materials and cost of removing such service.

HWA will construct extensions to its water lines to points within its area; but HWA shall not be required to make such installations unless the customer pays to HWA the entire cost of the installation.

All line extensions shall be evidenced by contract signed by HWA and the person advancing funds for said extension.

No water supplies for public use shall be constructed or operated within the limits of HWA, except as approved by the Board of Directors. The term 'public use' shall signify the use or distribution of industrial or potable water when applied to the needs of two (2) or more separate customers.

Access to Premises

Duly authorized agents of HWA shall have access, at all reasonable hours, to the premises of the customer for the purpose of installing or removing HWA property, inspecting pipes, reading or testing meters or for other purpose in connection with HWA service and facilities.

Each Customer shall grant or convey, or shall cause to be granted or conveyed to HWA a permanent easement and right-of-way across any property owned or controlled by the customer wherever said easement and right-of-way is necessary for HWA's water facilities and lines, so as to be able to furnish services to the customer.

No person or persons shall deposit, or cause to be deposited any matter or material into any reservoir, tank or water pipe, or employ the water services of HWA in such manner as to permit the entry of polluting matter into the water supply thereof, as per Federal Law of the Safe Drinking Water Act Section 1432 which states; any person who tampers with a public water system shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, of fined in accordance with title 18 of the United States Code or both.

Change of Occupancy

If you purchase a residence with Hecla Water Service, you are required to bring a photo ID and proof of ownership to the Hecla Water office in order to transfer service. There will be no deposit required, however, if the meter is locked, there will be a service fee to restore the service. A land contract agreement does not qualify as proof of ownership of the property.

Not less than one working day notice must be given to HWA to discontinue service or to change occupancy.

If any owner / member has a property that is occupied by a renter or persons leasing or purchasing on a land contract, the water service shall remain in the name of the owner / member. All billings, water usage, and losses of any nature shall be the sole responsibility of the property owner. All current accounts with deposits will remain in the renter's name until time of departure, or when their account has been closed, deposit credited and final bill processed.

See Rules and Regualtions Page 2....