Search āø Agenda item attachment
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an updated drought regulation ordinance
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Chapter 13.08 - WATER SYSTEM REGULATIONS
Sections:
13.08.010 - Water BoardāPowers and duties.
The Water Board shall have full power to make all necessary repairs, extensions or improvements
on the works, and to provide new supply pipes. All hydrants, standpipes and drinking fountains,
established by the City, shall be constructed, and all repairs upon such hydrants, standpipes and
drinking fountains made, and the streets, when broken up, shall be again put in good order, to the
satisfaction of the Superintendent of Streets, by and under the direction of the Water Board. The
Water Board shall have no power to expend any money, or to incur any debt, beyond the amount of
appropriations made by the City Council.
13.08.020 - User's responsibilitiesāGeneral regulations.
A. The following regulations shall be considered a part of the contract with every person who
takes the water and every such person, by taking the water, shall be considered to express
his consent to be bound thereby. The regulations shall be printed upon every bill for water
rent, and whenever any one of them is violated (notwithstanding two or more parties may
receive the water through the same pipe), the Chief Superintendent, under the direction of
the Water Board, shall cause the water to be cut off, and it shall not be let on again except
upon payment of two dollars and all chargeable rates; provided, further, in case of any such
violation, the Water Board may declare forfeited any payment made for the water, by the
person committing such violation, and the same shall thereupon be forfeited. The
regulations are as follows:
1. All persons taking the water shall, at their own expense, keep the service pipes in
good repair and protected from frost, and they will be held liable for all damage
which may result from their failure to do so.
2. They shall prevent all unnecessary waste of water, and there shall be no
concealment of the purposes for which it is used.
3. No alteration shall be made in any of the pipes or fixtures installed by the City,
except by its agents, who shall be allowed to enter the premises supplied, to
examine the apparatus, and to ascertain if there is any unnecessary waste. No
plumber or other person shall make any alteration or extension of the pipes in any
house or on any premises without first giving notice to the Chief Superintendent and
procuring a written permit from him which shall be returned to the Chief
Superintendent within ten days after the completion of the work, endorsed with a
statement of all fixtures added or removed. Any person violating this regulation
shall be fined not more than fifty dollars.
4. No water shall be supplied to parties not entitled to the use of it under City
ordinances, unless by special permission.
5. Except as provided in this chapter, no connection of a fountain shall be made,
directly or indirectly, with the water pipes of the City. Persons desiring water for
fountain purposes, shall make application in writing to the Water Board, stating the
number and size of the jets to be used, and the hours of the day and the months
during which it is proposed to use the same. Upon such application the Water
Board shall fix the rate to be charged to the applicant, and the connection with the
water pipes shall be made by and under the direction of the Superintendent; it being
understood and agreed that the water shall be used exclusively for fountain
purposes, unless supplied through a meter.
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6. a. Whenever on account of nonoccupancy of premises or nonuse of water or
abatement is desired, and notice thereof is given at the office of the Chief
Superintendent, while the person liable for the water rates is in possession of the
premises, the water shall be cut off by an employee of the Board and an abatement
made, less the charge of one dollar for cutting off; provided, that such seal locks as
may be adopted by the Water Board may be placed upon faucets in tenements so
connected with other tenements that then cannot be separately shut off in the
street; but they shall not be put in any house that can be so shut off from the street,
except for particular fixtures.
b. The charge of putting on such seal locks shall be established by the Water Board.
Such seal locks shall not be taken off by any one except an employee of the Water
Board, on penalty of forfeiting all claims for allowance, and having the water shut off
from the premises.
7. The Chief Superintendent, with the necessary agents and assistants, may enter the
premises of any water taker to examine the quantity used, and the manner of use,
and to cut off the water for nonpayment of rents and ļ¬nes, or for any violation of
these regulations.
B. The Chief Superintendent shall, under the direction of the Water Board, make all the water
rate charges, excepting charges for metered water, to the owner of the property, and in
every case the owner shall be liable for the water rates, except where the ownership is
changed after water is shut off for nonpayment, in which case the new owner shall be liable
for the water rates from the time when the water is again let on.
13.08.030 - Rate assessment authority.
The Water Board shall determine and assess the water rates according to the tariff of rates adopted
by the City Council, and shall have power to establish such regulations as it may deem expedient
for the introduction and use of water; and the water shall not be supplied to any building unless the
pipes and fixtures are made conformable to such regulations.
13.08.040 - Water rentsāPayable in advance.
The annual rent for the use of water shall be payable in advance on May 1st of each year. All
charges for specific supplies or for fractional parts of the year to May 1st shall be payable in
advance and before the water is let on.
13.08.050 - Water rentsāAbatements.
The Chief Superintendent, under the direction of the Board, may make abatements in the water
rents in all proper cases.
13.08.060 - Recordkeeping.
A. The Chief Superintendent shall cause to be kept suitable books in which shall be entered
the names of all persons who take the water, the kind of building, the name and number of
the street, the nature of the use, the number of takers and the amount charged, and
amounts of abatement, which shall always be kept open to the inspection of the Water
Board, and any committee of the City Council.
B. The Chief Superintendent shall, at the end of each year, report to the Water Board:
1. The amount of the bills sent to the Treasurer;
2. The amount of the abatements;
3. The amount of uncollected bills.
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13.08.070 - Issuance of billsāForm.
A. The Chief Superintendent shall, under the direction of the Water Board, cause the annual
bills for water rates to be issued and delivered on or before April 10th of each year, and
shall make out bills for all other amounts payable to the City on account of the water works,
and deliver the same to the Treasurer, from time to time , as they may become due. All the
bills so delivered by the Chief Superintendent shall be numbered to correspond with the
number of the charge on his books.
B. A certificate of each abatement and refund shall be furnished by the Chief Superintendent,
which certificate shall be addressed to the Treasurer, and shall state the account on which
it is allowed, and the number of the bill. The Chief Superintendent shall, on the first day of
every month, report in writing to the auditor the amount of the bills of each class placed in
the hands of the Treasurer for collection, and also the amount abated or ordered to be
refunded, during the preceding month. Whenever it shall appear to the Chief
Superintendent that an error has been made in the rates charged for any house or tenement
whereby a larger amount has been charged than is required he shall cause an abatement
certificate to be made for the amount of the excess charged, and forthwith transmit the
same to the City Treasurer, who shall send a corrected notice to the owner or the person to
whom the rates are charged.
13.08.080 - Injury to pipes, reservoir or hydrants.
No person shall injure any public pipe, reservoir or fire hydrant connected with the water works, or
shall break and enter the same, or draw off or cause to be removed, any of the water therefrom, or
shall turn on or off the water in any such water pipe, reservoir or fire hydrant, or shall make any
opening or connection with such pipe, reservoir or fire hydrant or remove the cover of any hydrant
except in case of fire, without the license or permit of the Water Board, or by authority of the City
Manager, and then only under the direction of the Superintendent of the Water Works, who shall
provide competent men to perform the same; and the expense thereof shall be charged to the
person or department applying for such license or permit.
13.08.090 - Water restriction authority
A.
The Water Board shall have the power to restrict the use of hand-hose or automatic
sprinkler or similar devices to such hours of the day as it may deem necessary
pursuant to G.L. c. 41, §69B, and the City Manager or if designated, the Managing Director
of the Water Department, shall limit nonessential outdoor water use during a drought
declaration by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the drought region,
pursuant to 310 CMR 36.00; and for any violation of such restrictions the occupant of the
premises shall be liable to the penalties imposed in Section 13.08.110 for a waste or
improper use of water and Chapter 13.12 of this code. A drought declaration by the
Secretary shall restrict water uses as follows:
1. In accordance with 310 CMR 36.07(2)(c), if the Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and
Environmental Affairs declares a drought in the region, county or watershed, such
restrictions shall be in place during a drought declaration and nonessential outdoor
water use shall be restricted as follows:
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0"
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a. Level 1 (Mild Drought). All nonessential outdoor water uses restricted to no more
than one day per week, before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m., except that watering of
ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand-held hose or watering
cans may be permitted.
b. Level 2 (Significant Drought). All nonessential outdoor water uses banned, except
that watering of ornamentals and flower gardens with drip irrigation, hand-held
hose or watering cans may be permitted.
c. Level 3 (Critical Drought) or Level 4 (Drought Emergency). All nonessential outdoor
water uses are banned.
2. For withdrawals for the maintenance of golf course greens, tees, fairways, and roughs
during a drought declaration by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the
drought region, registrants shall comply with the following restrictions on nonessential
outdoor water use:
a. Level 1 (Mild Drought). Irrigation of fairways shall be reduced to 80% of normal,
irrigation of roughs shall be reduced to 50% of normal, and there shall be no
irrigation of landscaping and ornamentals.
b. Level 2 (Significant Drought). Irrigation of fairways shall be reduced to 60% of
normal, and there shall be no irrigation of roughs, landscaping and ornamentals.
c. Level 3 (Critical Drought) or Level 4 (Drought Emergency). Irrigation of reduced to
40% of normal, and there shall be no irrigation of roughs, landscaping and
ornamentals.
3. The Water Board shall have the power to implement nonessential outdoor water use
restrictions that are more stringent than those set forth in 310 CMR 36.07(2)(c), as
described in Section 13.08.090 A, 1 through 2, and D.
2.4.
Once implemented, pursuant to 310 CMR 36.07(2)(c), restrictions on nonessential
outdoor water use at least as restrictive as described in Section 13.08.090 A, 1 through
2, and D, shall remain in place for the respective declared drought level until the drought
level is changed by the Secretary.
5. The Water Department in accordance with G.L. c. 40, §41A, may, upon notification to
the water takers, shut off the water at the meter or curb cock or by other means as the
case may be, during a drought, hurricane, conflagration or other disaster when in the
opinion of the department of environmental protection an emergency exists.
B.
Public Notiļ¬cation of a Drought Declaration: Notice to the public of all provisions, including
all restrictions, requirements and conditions imposed by the City as part of a drought
declaration shall be made as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours following the
declaration of a drought and the City may utilize any of the following forms of notice:
publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the City, notice on the City website,
signage on major roadways or intersections, reverse 911 calls, social media, public service
announcements on local media, informal posting, or other such means reasonably
calculated to reach and inform all water customers.
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C.
Notice of Termination of Drought Declaration: Upon notiļ¬cation to the City that the
declaration of a drought has been terminated by the Secretary, the public will be notiļ¬ed of
the termination in the same manner as the notiļ¬cation of its imposition.
D.
The following is a list of outdoor water uses that will not be restricted under the new
conditions (pursuant to 310 CMR 36.03):
a) for health or safety reasons, including public facilities used for cooling such as splash
pads and swimming pools, and for washing of boats, engines, or marine equipment to
prevent negative saltwater impacts or the transfer of invasive aquatic species;
b) by permit, license, statute or regulation;
c) for the production of food, including vegetable gardens, and ļ¬ber;
d) for the maintenance of livestock;
e) to meet the core functions (those functions essential to the commercial operations) of a
business, including but not limited to:
1. plant nurseries as necessary to maintain stock;
2. golf courses as necessary to maintain greens and tees, and limited fairway watering
per 310 CMR 36.07(2)(c)2.a. through c.;
3. venues used for weddings or similar special events that limit watering to hand-held
hose or drip irrigation as necessary to maintain gardens, ļ¬owers and ornamental
plants;
4. professional washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways and/or
sidewalks as necessary to apply surface treatments such as paint, preservatives,
stucco, pavement, or cement in the course of construction, reconstruction or
renovation work;
f) for irrigation of public parks before 9:00 A.M. and after 5:00 P.M.,
g) for irrigation of public and private recreation ļ¬elds, including those operated by schools,
colleges, universities and athletic associations, before 9:00 A.M. and after 5:00 P.M.,
h) for irrigation of publicly-funded shade trees and trees in the public right-of-way; or
i)
to establish a new lawn as necessary to stabilize soil in response to new construction or
following the repair or replacement of a Title 5 system.
E.
Enforcement of Penalties: Any person who violates any provision of this chapterSection
13.08.090 shall be liable to the City in the amounts listed below: 1st violation: Warning, 2nd
violation: $100, 3rd violation: $200, 4th and subsequent violations: $300. Each day of
violation shall constitute a separate offense.
a) Violationā Criminal Penalty.
Any person who violates any provision of this Section 13.08.090 may be subject to a fine
not exceeding three hundred dollars, and each day's violation shall constitute a
separate offense. For purposes of this section, the enforcing officers shall be
employees of the Water Department designated by the City Manager or if designated,
the Managing Director of the Water Department, Police Officers, Animal Control
Officers and the Director of the Animal Commission.
b) ViolationāNoncriminal disposition.
Whoever violates any provision of this Section 13.08.090 may be penalized by a
noncriminal disposition as provided in G. L. c. 40, §21D. Each day of violation shall
constitute a separate offense. The enforcing officers shall be employees of the Water
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Department designated by the City Manager or if designated, the Managing Director of
the Water Department, Police Officers, Animal Control Officers and the Director of the
Animal Commission. The penalty for each violation shall not exceed three hundred
dollars.
13.08.100 - Pipe and fixture maintenanceāUnnecessary use.
An owner or occupant of premises in which water furnished by the City is used, who fails to keep
his service pipes and fixtures in good order, and neglects to repair the same within three days after
they have, from any cause, become defective, or who neglects to shut off the water after using it,
so that it runs to waste, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars; and if such fine is not
paid within two days from the time when the person incurring it receives notice that he is liable
thereto, the water shall be cut off from his premises, and shall not be let on again until the waste is
stopped and the fine paid, together with an additional sum of two dollars for cutting off and letting
on the water. In case of a second offense during the same year, a fine not exceeding fifty- dollars
shall be imposed, and if it is not paid within two days, as aforesaid, the water shall be cut off, and
shall not be let on again until the cause of the complaint is removed and the fine paid, together with
two dollars for cutting off and letting on the water. In case of a third offense, the water shall be cut
off, and shall not be let on again except by a vote of the Water Board and the payment of such fine,
not exceeding fifty dollars, as the Water Board may impose.
13.08.110 - Waste or improper useāDetermination authority.
The Water Board shall have the power to decide what shall be considered a waste or improper use
of water, and to restrict the use thereof when it may deem necessary. If the water taker refuses or
neglects to comply with any order of the Water Board, after notice given to him, the water may be
cut off, and shall not again be let on, except by a vote of the Water Board, and the payment of such
fine, not exceeding fifty dollars, as the Water Board may impose.
13.08.120 - Waste or improper useāReporting requirements.
The Cambridge Police Department (āCPDā)police shall report to the Chief Superintendent all cases
of leakage, waste or unnecessary profusion in the use of the water, and all violations of this chapter
that may be brought to their notice.the attention of the CPD.
13.08.130 - RatesāEstablished.
A. For the fiscal year commencing on July 1, 1979, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the City
Manager shall recommend as a part of the annual budget submitted to the City Council, a
just and equitable water use charge based on metered water consumption and/or other
applicable standards for computation of water consumption as set forth in this section. The
charge shall take into account all appropriate water related estimated revenues and
available revenue surpluses, and shall produce sufficient revenue to equal or exceed the
annual appropriations proposed for water department operation, maintenance and debt
service. The City Council shall adopt the annual water use charge in conjunction with its
adoption of the annual budget. In so doing, the City Council may increase or decrease the
City Manager's recommended water use charge in proportion to any increase or decrease it
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may adopt in the City Manager's recommended appropriations for water department
operation, maintenance and debt service.
B. The quantity of water supplied by the City through a water meter in good working order shall
be determined by the reading of such meter. If a meter malfunctions and fails to register,
the consumer shall be charged at the average daily consumption as shown by the meter
when in order.
C. The charges established by this section shall be due and payable by the owner of record at
such time or times and in such installments, if any, as the Chief Superintendent from time
to time may shut off the supply, after sending a special notice that the water will be shut off
for nonpayment, and shall not again be let on for the same occupant or owner, except upon
the payment of the whole amount due, together with costs as determined by the Board. The
Superintendent shall, in his order of assessment, designate as the owner of a parcel
assessed, the person who was liable to assessment therefor on the preceding January 1st.
D. A monthly interest charge of one and one-half percent shall be assessed on the balance of
any water bill remaining unpaid after thirty days from the date of billing.
E. When water is required for purposes which are not specified in the foregoing tariff, the rates
shall be fixed by the Chief Superintendent.
F. The Board shall have the power to prevent the erection of yard hydrants, and water shall not
be supplied to any water closets unless such water closets are constructed to conform to
the plumbing ordinance.
13.08.150 - RatesāPenalty for nonpayment.
A. In all cases of nonpayment of the water rent in thirty days after the same is due, the Chief
Superintendent under the direction of the Water Board shall cut off the supply, and the
water shall not again be let on, for the same occupant or owner, except upon the payment
also of the whole amount due together with costs as determined by the Water Board;
provided, that in case of specific supplies or for fractional parts of the year, when the water
has been let on, it may be cut off immediately after notice given at the place that the rent is
not paid, and may be let on again upon the conditions before mentioned. The foregoing
provisions shall apply when two or more parties take the water through the same service
pipes, although one or more may have paid the proportion due from him or them.
B. All bills for water furnished by meter shall be payable quarterly and if the same be not paid
within twenty days after the end of the quarter, the Chief Superintendent shall cut off the
supply after sending a special notice that the water will be so cut off for nonpayment.
Chapter 13.12 - WATER RESERVOIRS
Sections:
13.12.010 - EstablishedāFishing or swimming.
Fresh Pond, Stony Brook and Hobbs Brook are constituted reservoirs, storage basins and water
supplies for the use of the City. No person shall fish, swim or bathe, or intentionally permit any
animal under his control to swim or bathe in Fresh Pond, Stony Brook or Hobbs Brook, or other
reservoir of the water works, or enter into the waters thereof, or place or use a boat in the same, or
throw dirt, rubbish, filth, offensive or other foreign matter, or commit a nuisance therein, or on the
land and driveways of the City connected therewith and appurtenant thereto.
13.12.020 - Speed limit establishment authority.
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The Water Board may regulate the use and speed of any vehicles within the enclosures of Fresh
Pond, Stony Brook, Hobbs Brook or any other reservoir and may prohibit or prevent entrance of any
vehicles within such enclosure.
13.12.030 - Ice skating and other winter sports.
No person shall go upon the ice of Fresh Pond, Stony Brook or Hobbs Brook, or any other reservoir
of the water works for the purpose of skating or place or use a sled, ice boat, sleigh or vehicle
thereon.
13.12.040 - Driving teams.
No person shall drive a team, cart, wagon or other vehicle, for the conveyance of burdens, upon the
land and driveway connected with, and appurtenant to, Fresh Pond.
13.12.050 - Funeral processions.
No person shall drive or conduct a funeral, or a hearse or carriage connected with a funeral, on the
driveway of Fresh Pond.
13.12.060 - Fast driving.
No person having the charge or use of a horse or other animal, shall drive or permit such horse or
other animal to go at a greater rate of speed than eight miles an hour upon the driveway or within
the enclosure of Fresh Pond, and the Water Board may by regulation prohibit or limit the bringing of
any animals within such enclosure.
13.12.070 - Destruction of property.
No person shall injure, deface or destroy any tree, shrub, grass, path, fence, building or wall on the
land and driveway connected with and appurtenant to, Fresh Pond, Stony Brook or Hobbs Brook, or
other reservoir of the water works, or dig or carry away the sward, gravel, rock, stones, sand, turf or
earth on such land and driveway.
13.12.080 - Climbing trees.
No person shall climb a tree on the land connected with, and appurtenant to Fresh Pond, Stony
Brook or Hobbs Brook, or other reservoir of the water works, or tie a horse or other animal to a tree
or fence on such land.
13.12.090 - Posting bills or advertisements.
No person shall post a bill, placard or advertisement within the grounds connected with Fresh
Pond, Stony Brook or Hobbs Brook, or other reservoir of the water works.
13.12.100 Violationā Criminal Penalty.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter and Chapters 2.704, 13.08, (except for Sec.
13.08.090), and 13.12 of this code shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding fifty dollars for each
offense. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. The enforcing officers shall be
employees of the Water Department, Police Officers, Animal Control Officers and the Director of
the Animal Commission.
13.12.110 - ViolationāNoncriminal disposition.
Whoever violates any section of this chapter may be penalized by a noncriminal disposition as
provided in G. L. c. 40, §21D. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. The
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enforcing officers shall be employees of the Water Department designated by the Water Board,
Police Officers, Animal Control Officers and the Director of the Animal Commission. The penalty
for each violation shall be not exceed fifty twenty-five dollars.