Part 1
Water Division
Regulations
[Adopted 6-13-1989
ATM by Art. 22 (Art.
37 of the 1922
Bylaws)]
ARTICLE I
Purpose; Definitions
§
223-1.
Purpose.
The
following
regulations are a
part of the contract
with every person
who takes water and
govern the relations
between the Water
Division and its
consumers and the
Contractors/Developers
who install water
systems.
§
223-2.
Definitions.
As
used in this Part 1,
the following terms
shall have the
meanings indicated:
CONSUMER – The
individual, firm or
corporation listed
as the owner of the
property.
CONTRACTORS and
DEVELOPERS – An
individual firm or
corporation who
installs water
mains, water
services and their
appurtenances.
DIVISION – The Town
of Easton Department
of Public Works,
Water Division.
MAIN
– The supply pipe
laid in the street
from which house
connections are
made.
SERVICE – The pipe
running from the
main in the street
including a curb
stop and curb box at
the property line, a
shutoff valve, meter
and meter connection
usually inside the
cellar wall.
SUPERINTENDENT – The
Superintendent of
the Water Division
or the
Superintendent’s
designee.
ARTICLE II
General Regulations
§
223-3.
Application for
water service; fee.
All
applications for
introduction of town
water onto private
premises shall be
made to the Division
by the owner of the
property by the
person to be charged
therefor or by their
authorized agent.
The fee for
connection charges
must be paid prior
to issuance of a
Building Permit.
§
223-4.
Responsibility for
charges.
Consumers of water
shall be charged
with and held
responsible for all
water passing
through their
service pipes until
such time as the
Division is notified
in writing that they
no longer desire the
use of water.
In case of the sale
of the property,
such notice shall
give the name of the
new owner.
§
223-5.
Private wells.
All
private wells shall
be registered with
the Board of Health
and shall display in
a conspicuous
location a well
registration sign in
accordance with
Board of Health
regulations.
§
223-6.
Unusual
construction.
Owners of property
desiring any unusual
construction,
alterations or
attachments
connected with the
water supply shall
submit plans and
specifications for
the proposed work to
the Superintendent
for inspection and
approval or
disapproval and for
a determination as
to whether the same
is permissible.
The Superintendent
shall determine the
terms, charges and
conditions under
which the proposed
use shall be
permitted.
§
223-7.
Right of entry.
Owners or occupants
of any commercial,
industrial or
residential premises
served by Easton’s
water system shall,
upon presentation by
Division personnel
of their
credentials,
authorize entry to
their premises
without a warrant
for the purpose of
inspecting and
surveying their
water system for new
installations or
cross connections or
to remove, repair or
replace any water
meter at any time
the Division deems
necessary.
When such access is
refused, the water
shall be shut off
and shall not be
turned on until such
access has been
allowed and fees
have been paid for
shutting off and
turning on the
water.
§
223-8.
Fires.
Whenever a fire
occurs in the town,
it is the duty of
consumers to
discontinue, as far
as practicable, the
use of water.
§
223-9.
Conditions of
service.
The
town does not
guarantee constant
pressure or
uninterrupted
service, nor does it
assure the Consumer
either a full volume
of water or the
required pressure
necessary to
effectively operate
hydraulic elevators,
sprinkler systems or
other appliances,
the same being
subject to all the
variable conditions
that occur in the
supply of water from
the town’s water
system.
§
223-10.
Interruption of
service.
No
Consumer shall be
entitled to damages
or to have payment
refunded for any
interruption of
supply occasioned by
accident to any
portion of the
works, by shutting
off for the purpose
of additions or
repairs to the works
or by the stoppage
or shortage of
supply due to causes
beyond the control
of the Division,
such as excessive
drought, excessive
use of and waste of
water by other
Consumers or by
leaks or defects in
the pipes or
appliances owned by
him or her or other
consumers.
§
223-11.
Dirty water.
The
town shall not be
responsible for
damages caused by
dirty water
resulting from the
opening or closing
of any gate for
repairs, the use of
any hydrant or the
breaking of any
pipe.
§
223-12.
Consumer’s pipes.
The
town assumes no
liability for
conditions which
exist in consumer’s
pipes and cause
trouble coincident
with or following
the repairs of any
main, service pipe,
meter or other
appliances belonging
to the Division.
§
223-13.
Safety appliances
for boilers; town
not liable for
damages.
The
Division reserves
the right at any
time and without
notice to shut off
the water in the
mains for purposes
of making repairs,
extensions or for
other necessary
purposes.
Consumers having
boilers or other
appliances on their
premises depending
on the pressure in
the pipes to keep
them supplied with
water are hereby
CAUTIONED against
danger from their
sources and are
required to provide,
at their own
expense, suitable
safety appliances to
protect themselves
against such danger.
In any event, it is
expressly stipulated
that the Division
will not be liable
for any damage,
resulting from water
having been shut
off, either through
accident or
necessity.
§
223-14.
Shutting off water
without notice.
When
it becomes necessary
to shut off the
water from any
section of the town
because of an
accident or for the
purpose of making
changes or repairs,
the Division shall
endeavor to give
timely notice to as
many of The
Consumers affected
thereby, as time and
the character of the
repairs or the
accident will
permit, and shall,
so far as practical,
use its best efforts
to prevent
inconvenience and
damage arising from
any such cause.
However, failure to
give such notice
shall not render the
Division responsible
or liable for any
damages that may
result from the
shutting off of the
water or any
coincident
condition.
§
223-15.
Outside water use.
All
outside water use
for any purpose
shall be used on an
odd-even basis
during June 1 to
September 1.
E.g. 417 Bay road
would be allowed to
use outside water on
any calendar day
with the date being
an odd number
(1,3,5, etc.).
ARTICLE III
Charges
§
223-16.
Minimum charge.
A
minimum charge shall
be assessed for
water service from
the date the water
is turned on,
whether the water is
used or not.
§
223-17.
Turning water on or
off.
A
charge shall be made
for turning on or
shutting off water.
§
223-18.
Collection of
additional charges.
All
bills for labor or
material on
Consumer’s property
and charges for
shutting off or
turning on water
shall be subject to
the same conditions
as bills for water.
§
223-19.
Persons overdue
bills.
No
person who owes an
overdue bill for
water charges shall
be entitled for the
further use of water
at the same or any
other premises until
such water charges
are paid in full,
together with costs.
Such costs shall
include incurred
interest.
§
223-20.
Claims for
adjustment of bills.
All
claims for
adjustments of water
bills shall be made
within 30 days.
§
223-21.
Meter required; all
water to be paid
for.
All
water must be
metered and paid for
whether used or
wasted. A
minimum charge shall
be assessed for
water service from
the date the water
is turned on.
§
223-22.
Broken meters.
If a
meter fails to
register, the
Consumer shall be
charged at the
average daily
consumption as shown
by the meter when in
order, for the
corresponding period
of two years
preceding.
§
223-23.
Supplying water to
other premises
prohibited.
A
consumer shall not
be permitted to
supply the premises
of another person
with water, except
in special
emergencies, and
then only with the
approval of the
Superintendent.
ARTICLE IV
Meters
§223-43.
Requests for turning
on or shutting off
water.
Requests for turning
on or shutting off a
water service shall
be made in writing
24 hours in
advance, except in
case of an
emergency. Consumers
shall be charged for
each such service.
Only Division
personnel shall open
or close curb cocks.
Requests for turning
on or shutting off
water, other than at
normal working
hours, shall be
billed at the
overtime rate.
§
223-44.
Installation during
winter months.
No
new services shall
be installed during
November 15 to April
15 except in such
cases deemed
emergencies.
Applications must be
received by November
1. Installation of
services beyond the
end of an existing
water main shall not
be allowed. The main
must be extended
(including necessary
hydrants and
appurtenances) to
the furthest limit
of the Consumer’s
property at their
expense. Water mains
shall be looped when
required by the
Superintendent.
§
223-45.
Proximity to other
utilities.
Service pipes shall
not be placed within
10 feet of any other
utilities except
under special
conditions and with
the approval of the
Superintendent.
The Division shall
not be responsible
for damage to other
utilities laid
within 10 feet of a
water service or
water main.
§
223-46.
Standby fire
protection.
The
Division shall
furnish water for
standby fire
protection service
in accordance with
the rates for
sprinkler systems.
All equipment for
this purpose shall
be installed
entirely at the
expense of the
Consumer and with
the approval of the
Superintendent. Such
pipes shall not be
used for supplying
water for any other
purposes and must be
so arranged that
easy inspection can
be made by Division
personnel. Whenever
it is considered
necessary for the
protection of the
water supply and in
the interest of the
town, the
Superintendent shall
have the right to
require the
installation of
meters, alarms or
other accessories.
The installation and
upkeep of such
equipment shall be
at the Consumer’s
expense.
§
223-47.
Testing of private
fire systems.
No
water shall be taken
or used through
private fire systems
for the purpose of
testing unless the
Superintendent
issues written
permission. Such
test must be
conducted under the
supervision of the
Division.
§
223-48.
Private fire
hydrants.
Fire
hydrants on private
property shall be
inspected and
serviced once every
two years by the
Division for a fee.
Any repairs
necessary for proper
operation of
hydrants shall be
the responsibility
of the property
owner and shall be
completed within 30
days after due
notice in writing
has been given to
the owner by the
Division.
§
223-49.
Use of fire
hydrants.
The
use of fire
hydrants, town and
private, is
restricted to
members of the Fire
Department and to
employees of the
Division. Other
persons may use the
fire hydrants only
with the specific
permission of the
Superintendent.
§
223-50.
Backflow preventers.
[Amended 4-30-1996
ATM by Art. 39]
If,
in the opinion of
the Superintendent,
the installation of
an approved backflow
preventer(s) on the
property side of a
meter is considered
necessary for the
safety of the water
system, such
approved device(s)
shall be immediately
installed at the
expense of the
Consumer after due
notice in writing
has been given to
the consumer by the
Superintendent. Said
device(s) shall be
installed and tested
in accordance with
the drinking water
regulations of
Massachusetts, 310
CMR 22.22. All test
performed by the
Division shall be
charge as set forth
in Section 8.6.
ARTICLE VI
Requirements and
Specifications for
Water Mains
§
223-51. Pipe
and fittings.
[Amended 4-30-1996
ATM by Art. 39]
A.
All
pipe shall conform
in design and
manufactured to the
latest issue of AWWA
Standard C151,
“Ductile-Iron Pipe,
Centrifugally Cast,
For Water or Other
Liquids.” Pipe shall
have a pressure
class of 350.
B.
All
fittings shall be
ductile iron and
conform in design
and manufactured to
the latest issue of
AWWA Standard C110,
“Ductile-Iron and
Gray-Iron Fittings,”
3-Inch Through
48-Inch For Water
and Other Liquids.
C.
All
pipe and fittings
shall have a
cement-mortar lining
inside and a
bituminous seal coat
applied both inside
and outside to
conform with AWWA
C104, “Cement-Mortar
Lining For
Ductile-Iron Pipe
and Fittings For
Water.”
D.
Push-on and
mechanical joints
are permitted and
shall conform in
design and
manufactured to the
latest issue of AWWA
Standard C111,
“Rubber-Gasket Joint
For Ductile-Iron
Pressure Pipe and
Fittings.”
§
223-52.
Valves. [Amended
4-30-1996 ATM by
Art. 39]
A.
All valves shall
conform in design
and manufactured to
the latest issue of
AWWA Standard C509,
“Resilient-Seated
Gate Valves For
Water Supply.”
B.
All
valves shall have a
two-inch operating
nut, mechanical
joint hubs (except
for wet taps), and
open in a counter
clockwise direction.
If shallow depth of
bury or other
conditions of
service require that
the valve be
installed in a
horizontal position,
a nut-operated bevel
gear shall be fitted
to the valve for
service operation
through a valve box.
§
223-53.
Hydrants. [Amended
4-30-1996 ATM by
Art. 39]
Hydrants shall
conform in design
and manufacture to
the latest issue of
AWWA Standard C502,
“Dry Barrel Fire
Hydrants.”
Acceptable hydrants
are the U.S. Pipe
Metropolitan 250
Model 94, the
Darling B62B and the
A423 Mueller 200
Super Centurion.
A.
Hydrants shall be
manufactured to
highest quality and
design.
B.
Hydrants shall be
compression type,
i.e., the main valve
shall open against
and close with water
pressure. Hydrants
shall be of the dry
top design with “O”
ring seals to ensure
that the operating
threads will be
protected from water
entry. Dry top
design is to include
a factory-lubricated
operating mechanism
that allows
supplemental
lubricant to be
added in the field
without the removal
of the top section.
The downward travel
of the main rod and
valve assembly to
the full open
position shall be
controlled by a
travel stop device
located in the upper
stem section of the
rod or have a
positive stop in the
base of the hydrant
shoe. The
drain mechanism
shall be an integral
part of the valve
assembly. All
internal parts shall
be removable through
the top of the
hydrant when the
bonnet has been
removed.
C.
Hydrants shall
comply with the
following:
(1)
Main
valve opening: 5.25
inches.
(2)
Outlets:
(a)
Hose
connections: two to
2.50 inches.
(b)
Steamer connection:
one to 4.50 inches.
(3)
Operating nut size:
pentagon 1.50 inch
point to flat.
(4)
Thread type:
national standard.
(5)
Shoe:
six-inch mechanical
joint (range 6.90 to
7.10 outside
diameter).
(6)
Direction of
opening:
counterclockwise.
(7)
Bury
length: 5.5 feet.
(8)
Height (bury line to
operating nut):
28.75 inches
minimum.
(9)
Subseat material:
bronze.
(10)
Model: traffic
(breakaway design).
(11)
Color: orange body,
black bonnet and
caps.
D.
All
hydrants shall have
a permanently
mounted marking
device approved by
the Division.
§
223-54.
Cover over pipe.
A.
Pipe
shall have five feet
of cover measured to
finish grade of the
street. Pipe
to be hand-covered
one foot with sand
or stone free gravel
and compacted and
tamped around pipe
to give good support
and protection.
B.
In
case of any
excavations in swamp
or when unsuitable
material is
encountered, the
Contractor shall
replace the same
with a good material
to provide proper
support and
alignment of the
pipe line. In some
cases, the
contractor shall use
crushed stone for a
good bedding.
Trench backfill
shall be suitable
material taken from
the excavation,
approved common
borrow or gravel
hauled in. No
mud, frozen earth,
stones larger than
eight inches or
other objectionable
material is to be
used for refilling.
§
223-55.
Ledge.
All
ledge shall be
removed to a width
two feet greater
than the diameter of
the pipe and one
foot below the
underside of the
pipe. A bed of
sand shall be placed
in the trench prior
to laying pipe.
§
223-56.
Blasting.
All
blasting shall be
completed within a
distance of 50 feet
from any water
service or water
main.
§
223-57.
Survey markers.
Survey markers (line
and grade) shall be
required on all
newly proposed
streets. Pipes
shall be laid within
the roadway layout
(or easement in
certain cases) as
shown on plans
approved by the Town
of Easton Planning
and Zoning Board.
§
223-58.
Excavation within
public ways.7
A.
A street opening
permit shall be
obtained from the
Department of Public
Works before any
excavation can begin
within any
town-accepted
street. The
work shall be
performed in
accordance with
permit.
B.
A street opening
permit shall be
obtained from the
Massachusetts
Department of Public
Works before any
excavation can begin
within either
Belmont Street
(State Route 123) or
Turnpike
Street/Washington
Street (State Route
138). The work
shall be performed
in accordance with
permit.
§
223-59.
Service pipes.
A.
Each unit shall have
its own separate
service, consisting
of a corporation
stop, curb stop,
curb box, cellar
valve, meter and
remote register.
The service pipe
shall be at least
three-fourths-inch
Type K copper in
accordance with
“Underground Service
Lines, Valves and
Fittings,”AWWA C800
latest edition.
B.
Use of any other
material is subject
to approval by the
Superintendent.
No sweat fittings
shall be allowed
between the street
main and the meter
regardless of the
meter location.
Where the service
length is 100 feet
or greater, the size
of the service pipe
shall be subject to
approval by the
Superintendent.
A meter pit at the
street line is
required where the
length of the
service pipe is 150
feet or greater.
C.
Plastic service
pipes will be
allowed after the
meter at meter pit
locations and shall
be copper tubing
size with a minimum
of 160 psi bursting
pressure.
§
223-60.
Testing.
A.
Before acceptance by
the Division, the
pipe shall be
pressure-tested and
chlorinated in
accordance with
“Installation of
Ductile-Iron Water
Mains and
Appurtenances,” AWWA
Designation C600,
latest edition.
B.
No one shall
pressure-test or
chlorinate an
installation without
notifying the
Division at least 48
hours prior.
An employee of the
Division must be
present for the
duration of
pressure test and
chlorination to
witness and sign the
results. All
pressure-test
reports shall
consist of the
actual distance of
pipe by size, number
of valves and
hydrants. The
water for
disinfection and
flushing shall be
furnished by the
town.
7
See also Ch. 136,
Excavation, and Ch.
202, Streets and
Sidewalks.
C.
Samples of water
taken after the
disinfection of the
water pipes shall be
delivered to a
testing laboratory
approved by the
Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
Copies of the test
results shall be
delivered to the
Superintendent who
shall then determine
whether the pipes
may be connected to
the town’s water
system.
ARTICLE VII
Enforcement;
Violations and
Penalties
§
223-61.
Shutting off water.
Any
violations of these
regulations may
result in the
Superintendent
ordering the
shutting off of the
water to the
violator’s premises.
When the water has
been shut off for
violations of rules,
or their offense, it
shall not be turned
on again until the
Division is
satisfied that there
shall not be further
cause of complaint
and charges have
been paid to cover
the cost of shutting
off and turning on
the water.
§
223-62.
Violation of
drinking water
regulations.
[Amended 4-30-1996
ATM by Art. 39]
Any
consumer found to be
in noncompliance
with the drinking
water regulations of
Massachusetts, 310
CMR 22.22, shall be
punished by the
Commonwealth of
Massachusetts,
Department of
Environmental
Protection by a fine
of not more than
$25,000 for each day
that violation
occurs or continues.
§
223-63.
Treatment.
No
treatment shall be
added to water
supplied by the
town, subject to a
fine established by
the Water
Commissioners for
individual offenses.
§
223-64.
Mandatory water use
restrictions.
[Amended 11-17-2008
STM by Art. 9]
A.
Authority. This
section is adopted
by the Town under
its police powers to
protect public
health and welfare
and its powers under
MGL c. 40, § 21 et
seq. and implements
the Town’s authority
to regulate water
use pursuant to MGL
c. 41, § 69B. This
section also
implements the
Town’s authority
under MGL c. 40, §
41A, conditioned
upon a declaration
of a water supply
emergency issued by
the Department of
Environmental
Protection.
B.
Purpose. The
purpose of this
section is to
protect, preserve
and maintain the
public health,
safety and welfare
whenever there is in
force a State of
Water Supply
Conservation or
State of Water
Supply Emergency by
providing for
enforcement of any
duly imposed
restrictions,
requirements,
provisions or
conditions imposed
by the Town or by
the Department of
Environmental
Protection.
C.
Definitions:
(1)
Person shall mean
any individual,
corporation trust,
partnership or
association, or
other entity.
(2)
State of Water
Supply Emergency
shall mean a State
of Water Supply
Emergency declared
by the Department of
Environmental
Protection under MGL
c. 21G, § 15-17.
(3)
State of Water
Supply Conservation
shall mean a State
of Water Supply
Conservation
declared by the Town
pursuant to
Subsection D of this
section.
(4)
Water Users or Water
Consumers shall mean
all public and
private users of the
Town’s public water
system, irrespective
of any person’s
responsibility for
billing purposes for
water used at any
particular facility.
D.
Declaration of a
State of Water
Supply
Conservation. The
Town, through it
Water Commission,
may declare a State
of Water Supply
Conservation upon a
determination by a
majority vote of the
Board that a
shortage of water
exists and
conservation
measures are
appropriate to
ensure an adequate
supply of water to
all water
consumers. Public
notice of a State of
Water Conservation
shall be given under
Subsection F of this
section before it
may be enforced.
E.
Restricted Water
Uses. A declaration
of a State of Water
Supply Conservation
shall include one or
more of the
following
restrictions,
conditions, or
requirements
limiting the use of
water as necessary
to protect the
public water supply.
The applicable
restrictions,
conditions or
requirements shall
be included in the
public notice
required under
Subsection F.
Mandatory outside
water restrictions
shall be in place
annually from May
1st to November 1st.
Lawn watering will
be allowed under the
odd-even
restrictions,
customers at an
odd-numbered address
can water on
odd-numbered days;
those at
even-numbered
addresses can water
on even-numbered
days.
Phase I
Even
numbered addresses
will be restricted
to allow lawn
watering only
between the hours of
5:00 AM to 8:00 AM
and 6:00 PM to 9:00
PM
Odd
numbered addresses
will be restricted
to allow lawn
watering only
between the hours of
5:00 AM to 8:00 AM
and 6:00 PM to 9:00
PM
Handheld hoses will
be allowed anytime.
Phase II
Even
numbered addresses
will be restricted
to allow lawn
watering only on
Monday and Thursday
between the hours of
5:00 AM to 8:00 AM
and 6:00 PM to 9:00
PM
Odd
numbered addresses
will be restricted
to allow lawn
watering only on
Tuesday and Friday
between the hours of
5:00 AM to 8:00 AM
and 6:00 PM to 9:00
PM
Handheld hoses will
be allowed anytime.
Phase III
Even
numbered addresses
will be restricted
to allow lawn
watering only on
Monday between the
hours of 5:00 AM to
8:00 AM
Odd
numbered addresses
will be restricted
to allow lawn
watering only on
Tuesday between the
hours of 5:00 AM to
8:00 AM
Handheld hoses will
be allowed anytime.
Phase IV
All
nonessential outdoor
water use is
prohibited.
Phase V
All
outdoor water use is
prohibited.
“Nonessential
outdoor water use”
includes uses that
are not required: a)
for health or safety
reasons; b) by
regulation; c) for
the production of
food and fiber; d)
for the maintenance
of livestock; or e)
to meet the core
functions of a
business (for
example, irrigation
by golf courses as
necessary to
maintain tees,
greens, and limited
fairway watering, or
irrigation by plant
nurseries as
necessary to
maintain stock).
Examples of
acceptable outdoor
water uses include:
a) irrigation to
establish a new lawn
during the months of
May and September in
accordance with
Phase II
restrictions and
only with approval
of the Water
Operations Manager
or Superintendent;
b) irrigation of
public parks and
recreational fields
in accordance with
Phase II
restrictions and
only with approval
of the Operations
Manager; and c)
irrigation of,
gardens, flowers,
and ornamental
plants via hand held
hoses only.
F.
Public Notification
of a State of Water
Supply Conservation;
Notification of
DEP. Notification
of any provision,
restriction,
requirement of
condition imposed by
the Town as part of
a State of Water
Supply Conservation
shall be published
in a newspaper of
general circulation
within the Town, or
by such other means
reasonably
calculated to reach
and inform all users
of water of the
State of Water
Supply
Conservation. Any
restriction imposed
under Subsection E
shall not be
effective until such
notification is
provided.
Notification of the
State of Water
Supply Conservation
shall also be
simultaneously
provided to the
Massachusetts
Department of
Environmental
Protection.
G.
Termination of a
State of Water
Supply Conservation;
Notice. A state of
Water Supply
Conservation may be
terminated by a
majority vote of the
Water Commission,
upon a determination
that the water
supply shortage no
longer exists.
Public notification
of the termination
of a State of Water
Supply Conservation
shall be given in
the same manner
required by
Subsection F.
H.
State of Water
Supply Emergency;
Compliance with DEP
Orders. Upon
notification to the
public that a
declaration of a
State of Water
Supply Emergency has
been issued by the
Department of
Environmental
Protection, no
person shall violate
any provision,
restriction,
requirement,
condition of any
order approved or
issued by the
Department intended
to bring about an
end to the State of
Emergency.
I.
Penalties. Any
person violating
this section shall
be given a written
warning for the
first violation.
Any person violating
this section shall
be liable to the
Town in the amount
of $50 for the
second violation and
$100 for each
subsequent violation
which shall inure to
the Town for such
uses as the Water
Commission may
direct. Fines shall
be recovered by
indictment, or on
complaint before the
District Court, or
by non-criminal
disposition in
accordance with MGL
c. 40, § 21D. Each
day of violation
shall constitute a
separate offense.
§
223-65.
Damage to meters;
unauthorized water
use.
Whoever unlawfully
and intentionally
injures a water
meter or prevents
such meter from
registering the
quantity of water
supplied through it
or uses or causes to
be used water
without consent of
the Division shall
be fined $200 for
each offense.
§
223-66.
Defacing and
littering town
property in the
watershed.
Any
person or persons
willfully defacing
and/or littering
upon town-owned
property located
within its watershed
shall be fined no
less than $300.