Our Council » Bylaws » Bylaw 217 Water Supply
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The Nelson City Council, in pursuance of the powers and authorities vested in it by the Local Government Act 2002, The Bylaws Act 1910, The Health Act 1956, and all other Acts, powers and authorities enabling it in that behalf, hereby makes the following bylaw.
These bylaws may be cited at the Nelson City Council Water Supply Bylaws 2008.
These bylaws come into effect on the 13th day of October 2008.
The following bylaw is hereby repealed.
The Nelson City Council Bylaw 199/99 "Water Supply".
The repeal of the bylaws mentioned above shall not affect any document made, signed or acknowledged, or anything done or suffered, or any appointment, right or benefit created or conferred under or by virtue of such bylaws.
AIR GAP SEPARATION means a minimum vertical air gap between the outlet of the water supply fitting which fills a storage tank, and the highest overflow water level of that storage tank.
APPROVED means approved in writing by an officer of the Council authorised for that purpose and approval has a corresponding meaning.
BACKFLOW means a flow of water or other liquid through any service pipe or supply pipe in a reverse direction to the normal supply flow.
CATCHMENT AREA means an area of land under the control of the Council from where a public water supply is drawn.
CITY means the territory contained within the City of Nelson as defined in Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the Local Government Act 2002.
CONNECTION means the installation of the service pipe and associated permanent fittings for the provision of water to any premises.
COUNCIL means the Nelson City Council, or any officer delegated the authority to exercise the powers of the Council under this bylaw, and includes any person authorised by the Council or an officer to undertake any work in relation to the water supply system.
CUSTOMER means any person who has made application for and obtained a permit to connect any premises in respect of which they are the ratepayer, to the water supply system, and includes the owner of the premises; and in respect of any vacant allotment means the owner thereof.
DIRECT CONNECTION includes any underwater outlet or any arrangement of pipes, hoses, or fittings temporary or otherwise, which renders possible back flow into the water supply system and directly connected has a corresponding meaning.
DISCONNECTION means the physical cutting off of the water supply to any premises.
DOMESTIC SUPPLY means the supply of water to a customer to be used solely for domestic purposes (that is to say water for the use of the customer, the customer's family and up to 4 other persons, all of whom constitute and conduct themselves as one household, for drinking, for ordinary personal ablution, for cooking, for washing linen or clothes, for washing or cleansing floors, windows, domestic or other furniture or utensils or any part of the consumer's dwelling house or premises, and for water closets, baths, and urinals except automatic flushing water closets and urinals). Such purposes shall also include the use of a hose for:
And may include use in a fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with the appropriate standards for a domestic sprinkler system.
EXTRAORDINARY SUPPLY means any water supplied from the waterworks which is used for purposes other than that of a domestic supply.
FIRE HOSE REEL means a hose, permanently connected to the supply pipe on the customer's premises side of the water meter.
FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM means the system of pipes fitted with sprinkler nozzles which open by extraordinary rise in temperature to automatically drench an area for the purpose of extinguishing fire and is maintained with a superimposed pressure so that an alarm is actuated when a nozzle opens allowing the pressure to fall to mains pressure.
PERSON includes a corporation sole and also a body of persons whether corporate or not.
POINT OF METERING is the point at which the meter serving any premises is placed. Typically this will be at the point of supply but it may be situated anywhere along the supply pipe.
POINT OF SUPPLY means the termination point of the Service Pipe, where the service valve is located, as determined by the Council. This marks the boundary of responsibilities between the customer and the Council. Such point may or may not relate to the boundary of the customers' premises or the point of metering.
PREMISES means:
PUBLICLY NOTIFIED means published on one occasion in the Nelson Mail or Live Nelson; or under emergency conditions in the most effective way to suit the particular circumstances as determined by the Council.
RATEPAYER has the same meaning as in the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.
RESTRICTED FLOW SUPPLY means a connection to the Water Supply System through which a limited flow is available, due to the presence of a flow control device, to a storage tank provided by the customer.
ROADING AUTHORITY means the Council, Land Transport Agency or such other body having jurisdiction in respect of any road.
RURAL WATER SUPPLY means any area of the City designated by the Council as an area serviced by a reticulated water supply system which supplies water via restricted flow supplies.
SPRINKLER means any hose which is not held by hand and includes a revolving spray or other sprinkler pipe to distribute water for garden or lawn watering, including a fixed irrigation system.
SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES means the list of items and terms for services associated with the supply of water from time to time as approved by the Council by resolution publicly notified.
SERVICE PIPE means that section of water pipe between a watermain and the point of supply and includes the service valve and fittings at its connection to the supply pipe. This pipe is owned and maintained by the Council.
STANDARD FORM means such forms as the Council shall supply for use under this bylaw.
STREET means any public street or other roadway which is under the ownership of or the control of the Council.
STORAGE TANK means any tank, having a free water surface under atmospheric pressure to which water is supplied across an air gap separation.
SUPPLY PIPE means that section of pipe between the point of supply and the customer's premises through which water is conveyed to the premises. This pipe is owned and maintained by the customer.
URBAN WATER SUPPLY AREA means any area of the City designated by the Council as an area serviced by a reticulated water supply system which supplies water on demand.
WATER METER MANIFOLD means the water meter and all fittings associated with the meter, and where the water meter is located at the point of supply includes the service valve at the junction of the service and supply pipes.
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM means the arrangement of pipes, fittings, temporary or otherwise, that conveys water from the water works to the point of supply, and includes the fittings associated with the point of supply and point of metering.
WATER WORKS includes all rivers, streams, lakes, waters, and underground waters, and all rights appertaining thereto, and all land, watersheds, catchment areas, water collection areas, reservoirs, dams, bores, tanks, and pipes, and all buildings, machinery, and appliances of every kind, vested in the council or acquired or constructed or operated by or under the control of the council, for or relating to the purpose of water supply, whether within or outside the district.
No person shall without the consent of the Council have access to or carry out any work on any part of the water supply system.
No person other than the following shall access and draw water from any fire hydrant:
Without prejudice to other remedies available, the Council may remove and retain possession of any equipment used by any person to gain unauthorised access to any fire hydrant or to facilitate any unauthorised use of water from any fire hydrant.
The Council may authorise an extraordinary supply of water to be taken by means of a standpipe placed upon a specified fire hydrant. Application for such supply shall be submitted in writing on the standard form together with the appropriate application fee. A successful applicant shall be required to pay a charge set to cover the estimated volume of water used.
Any person proposing to carry out work involving excavation shall before commencing such work consult with the Council regarding the potential location of water supply services, and comply with any requirements which may be imposed by the council on such work.
Any person causing damage to any part of the water supply system shall meet all costs associated with the repair of the damage so caused and any other costs incurred by the Council, as a result of the incident.
Note: Information relating to the location of the Council below ground services shall be available for inspection at the Council's offices free of charge during normal office hours. Charges will be levied to cover the costs of making copies of any records so held.
The following activities are permitted within the catchments:
No person shall carry out any of the following activities within any catchment without first obtaining a permit authorising the same:
Unless otherwise authorised, no person to whom any permit has been issued shall enter an area to which the permit relates without notifying the Council of his/her intention of entering, and the anticipated length of their stay in such area.
Every person in any area shall upon demand produce any such permit for inspection by the Council.
No person to whom any permit has been issued shall permit any other person to make use of or attempt to make use of such permit.
The Council may at any time, by notice in writing delivered or posted to the permit holder, revoke or suspend any permit for such time as may be stated in such notice.
No person shall in any catchment carry out any of the following activities:
Any person who accidentally or inadvertently causes spillage, or any event which has the potential to compromise the water supply shall advise the Council with due urgency, and take all reasonable steps to contain the spillage or otherwise limit the effect on the water supply.
No person whether or not holding any permit (other than a duly appointed officer of the Council), shall commit or cause or permit to be committed any act which may interfere with or be likely to interfere with the free and lawful exercise of any rights vested in any other person in any catchment.
Every person wishing to obtain a supply of water to any premises or to replace an existing connection with a new connection shall make application in writing on the standard form for a permit to connect to the water supply system.
Every application shall be accompanied by the appropriate application fee, a plan showing the details of the pipe work and fittings for the proposed connection and the location of the service pipe, and such other information as the Council might require.
The applicant, if not the owner of the premises, shall supply such evidence as the Council considers appropriate to show that they have authority to act on behalf of the owner of the premises for which the supply is sought.
The Council may require any applicant to enter into a separate specific agreement in relation to the supply for which the application is made.
Any person to whom water is supplied pursuant to this bylaw shall be deemed to have accepted the provisions of this bylaw and the terms and conditions set out within the permit under which the said supply is provided, and any fees or charges levied in respect of that supply.
The Council may refuse an application for an extraordinary supply.
The applicant for a supply of water shall be responsible for all costs associated with the supply and installation of the connection including the supply and installation of the service pipe to the point of supply including the meter and all fittings.
No person other than a contractor nominated or approved by the Council shall undertake the installation.
The supply of water to any premise shall be for the purposes detailed within the approved application and no person shall use or permit the use of any water for other than the purposes so detailed. Where water is being supplied to any premises at the date of the coming into effect of this bylaw such supply shall be deemed to be a new supply as at that date and thereafter subject to the provisions of this bylaw and the terms and conditions pertaining to a new supply.
No person shall, without the consent of the Council, use water or water pressure directly from the water system for driving lifts, machinery, eductors, condensers, or any other similar device.
Any customer to whom water is supplied pursuant to this bylaw who wishes to change the use of the water or to change the supply from a domestic to extraordinary supply, or vice versa, shall lodge a new application for supply.
Any customer wishing to disconnect any premises from the Water Supply system shall give notice to the Council in writing on the standard form.
The point of supply for individual dwelling units shall be located adjacent to the front or street boundary of the site as shown in Appendix A, or as close as possible to such boundary where fences, walls, other permanent structures or physical features make it difficult to locate it at the required position. Location of the point of supply in any other position shall be with the specific approval of the Council.
The point of supply in relation to multiple units having access to any street via a private street, access lot or right of way shall be located adjacent to the front or street boundary of the private street, access lot, or right of way, or in such other position as the Council might approve.
For each individual customer there shall be one point of supply unless otherwise approved.
The supply pipe from such point of supply shall not be extended by hose or any other pipe beyond that customer's property without approval.
Any water supplied to a customer in respect of specific premises shall not be provided to any other premises without approval.
No person shall, without the consent of Council, make any connection to any service pipe between the watermain and the point of supply.
The point of metering in relation to any customers' premises will generally be at the point of supply but in relation to multiple premises, whether served by a single supply pipe or multiple supply pipes may be located at a position along the supply pipe serving the premises concerned at the discretion of the Council.
No person shall, without the consent of the Council, carry out any connection to the water supply system between the point of metering and the point of supply.
Where the point of metering is on private property no person shall obstruct or prevent Council access to, and about the point of metering.
The customer shall maintain the area in and around the point of metering keeping it free of soil, growth, or other matter or obstruction which prevents, or is likely to prevent convenient access by Council.
Where free access is not available and a return visit is required to effect a read of the water meter a fee may be charged as for "Special Water Meter" reading.
The customer shall be responsible to meet all fees and charges relating to the availability and/or supply of water to their premises as may from time to time be imposed by the Council.
The Council provides no guarantee that an uninterrupted supply of water will be available to any premises or that any specific maximum or minimum pressure will be maintained in the water supply system.
Any customer or any other person using the water supplied to any premises, having particular requirements for an uninterrupted level of service, (being pressure, flow or quality) shall provide all necessary measures on the premises to ensure this service, including all storage, back up facilities and equipment.
The Council shall not be liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience which the customer (or other person using the supply) may sustain as a result of any change in or interruption to the water supply including change of pressure, change of rate of flow and change in quality of water supplied.
All persons using water supplied to any premises shall comply with any water usage restriction, which may be imposed by the Council from time to time to manage high seasonal or other demands and/or water supply shortages. Such restrictions will be publicly notified and the user shall be deemed to have notice thereof as from the date of such public notification. It shall be an offence for any person to use water supplied from the water supply system contrary to any water usage restrictions in respect of which such notice has been given.
The Council may declare any natural event (such as a flood, drought or earthquake) or an accident which results in any disruption to the supply of water by the Council, to be an emergency.
During an emergency the Council may restrict or prohibit the use of water for any specified purpose, for any specified period, and for any or all of its customers. Any restrictions imposed shall be publicly notified and the customer and any other users of the water shall be deemed to have notice thereof as from the date of such public notification. It shall be an offence for any person to use water from the water supply system contrary to any water usage restrictions imposed in relation to any emergency.
Any proposed connection to the water supply system for the sole purpose of fighting or extinguishing a fire (hereinafter referred to as a fire protection supply) shall be the subject of a separate application to the Council. Any approved connection shall be subject to the provisions of these Bylaws.
All fire sprinkler systems shall be constructed, installed and maintained in good order, and where an unmetered connection has been provided for an approved fire protection supply, any water so supplied shall be used for no purpose other than fighting or extinguishing a fire and testing the customer's fire protection system. The Council may at any time install or require the installation of a meter on any connection used for the purposes of a fire protection supply in which case the provisions of Clause 9 shall then apply.
No supply of water to a fire hose reel shall be permitted through an un-metered connection.
The Council shall be under no obligation to provide water to any approved fire protection supply at any particular rate of flow or pressure and shall not be responsible for any damage that may arise as a result of any interruption in the supply of water via any approved connection, or any failure in the water supply system howsoever occurring.
It shall be the customer's responsibility to ascertain and monitor whether the fire protection supply available is adequate for the intended purpose and the Council's approval of any connection and/or supply shall not be interpreted as in any way relieving the customer of this responsibility.
In the event of a breach of this bylaw, the Council will serve notice on the customer advising the nature of the breach and the steps to be taken to remedy it. If, the customer persists in the breach, and/or fails to take proper steps to remedy the breach to the satisfaction of the Council, the Council may, in respect of a domestic supply restrict the supply without further notice.
Provided that where the breach is such as to threaten the integrity of the water works or the water supply system or likely to create a hazard or cause damage to any property, the Council may disconnect the supply at the same time as giving notice to the customer.
Where the offence relates to an extraordinary supply the Council may temporarily or permanently disconnect the supply without further notice.
Any resumption of the supply of water, including removal of any restriction on the supply to the customers' premises shall only occur after all outstanding charges and any additional fees and charges as determined by the Council have been paid and all other breaches of this Bylaw have been remedied to the satisfaction of the Council.
Any tampering or interfering by any person with any equipment forming part of the water works or water supply system either directly or indirectly, shall constitute an offence against this Bylaw. Without prejudice to its other rights and the remedies, where the interference or tampering relates to any meter the Council shall estimate the water consumption which it has reason to believe has not been recorded and recover the charges for this water and any costs incurred in reinstating the water system to its approved means of supply from the customer.
Any person who is supplied with water from the Water Supply System must not waste the water or allow it to be wasted.
The Council may in addition to or instead of taking the action outlined in the preceding paragraphs in respect of any breach, prosecute any person offending against this bylaw.
Any person convicted of an offence against the bylaw is liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000.
Any person convicted of an offence in relation to the unauthorised use of water from a fire hydrant is liable for a fine not exceeding $5,000.
The Council will take whatever action is appropriate to ensure that any leak which occurs on any supply pipe is repaired in a timely manner, and any person who wastes any water or allows it to be wasted after receiving a written requisition from the Council to repair the leak commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
The Council may by resolution publicly notified set the fees and charges payable in respect of any service given or provided in relation to the water works or water supply system.
The foregoing bylaw was duly made by the Nelson City Council at the ordinary meeting of the Council held on the 2nd day of October 2008.
The COMMON SEAL of the (
NELSON CITY COUNCIL (
was hereto affixed in the (
presence of:
Mayor
Chief Executive
Download the schematic of the point of supply and point of metering locations (PDF @ 15KB).
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The customer shall ensure that the plumbing system serving the premises is designed, installed and maintained, both in its component parts and its entirety, in compliance with the Building Act and the Building Code at the time applying to the system.
No quick-closing valve of any kind, or other equipment which may cause pressure surges to be transmitted, shall be used on any pipe work directly connected to the supply pipe, that is, in any position where it is required to close against mains pressure. The Council may approve the use of such valves subject to a suitable air chamber being fitted in the supply pipe.
The customer shall take all appropriate steps to protect from damage all Council equipment including pipe work, valves, and meters.
The customer shall take all reasonable steps to prevent and shall not intentionally allow water to run to waste from any pipe, tap or other fitting.
It is the customer's responsibility under the Building Act 1991 and the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2007, and pursuant to these Bylaws, to take all necessary measure on the customer's side of the point of supply to prevent water which has been drawn from the Council's water supply from returning to that supply.
For premises covered in the Building Act 1991, this includes:
Customers with supplies serving premises not covered by the Building Act and the New Zealand Building Code, e.g. stock or horticultural water supplies, shall at all times comply with the relevant sections of the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2007 regarding protection of the water supply system from pollution.
Each water supply point available to shipping, including fire connections pursuant to a fire protection supply, shall be equipped with an approved backflow prevention device located to prevent the flow of water from the ship to any supply and/or service pipe.
Not withstanding the above the Council may (at the customers cost) fit a backflow prevention device on the Council side of the point of supply.
The Customer shall permit access by the Council to the water meter for meter reading purposes.
The outgoing customer shall notify the Council of the proposed change of ownership at least two working days prior to the change taking effect, whereupon the Council shall arrange for a final reading of the water meter. In addition to all water consumption and other charges up to the final reading of the water meter, an additional 'special reading' charge shall be levied and included in the outgoing customer's final account.
Unless the Council is otherwise notified, in the event of a change of ownership of any premises to which water is supplied the Council will automatically record the new owner as being the customer at those premises, and the supply of water to the premises shall continue on the same terms and conditions as the supply immediately prior to the change of ownership.
When for any reason a supply of water is no longer required by the customer, the customer, after giving notice to the Council of their requirement for termination of the supply shall arrange, at their cost, for the disconnection to be undertaken.
Where the application is for a replacement connection the customer shall be responsible for arranging the disconnecting of the existing service pipe at the watermain, and to meet the cost of such work.
The Customer acknowledges that:
Note: The water meter manifold, irrespective of its position, remains the property of the Council.
The Customer agrees:
The Customer acknowledges and agrees that:
Provided that no adjustment shall be backdated more than 12 months from the date the error was detected.