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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-144RESOLUTION NO. 03-144 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA ADOPTING A UNIFORM SERVICE POLICY FOR THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY UTILITIES H.E.W. LAKEWOOD PARK UTILITY DISTRICT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the 3oard, on the advice and recommendation of its utility staff and technical advisors, finds that the adoption of a Uniform Service Policy for the St. Lucie County H.E.W. Lakewood Park Utility District attached to this Resolution is just and equitable and in the public interest. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA: Section 1. The Uniform Service Policy for the St. Lucie County H.E.W. Lakewood Park Utility District attached to this Resolution is hereby adopted. Section 2. Th~s Resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage. After motion and second, the vote of this Resolution follows: Chairperson Cliff Barnes AYE Vice Chairman Paula A. Lewis ABSENT Commissioner John D. Bmhn AYE Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson ABSENT Commissioner Doug Coward AYE PASSED AND DELY ADOPTED this 15th day of July, 2003. ATTEST: ~?"' ~ /~ By: Deputy ~l~erk ; ...... -' APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: BOARD OF COLrNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA County Attorney UNIFORM SERVICE POLICY ST. LUCIE COUNTY HEW/LAKEWOOD PARK UTILITY DISTRICT TECHNICAL TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 1.0 BACKFLOW PRE',)'ENTER - A device installed to prevent contaminants of any kind from entering the potable water supply system. 2.0 BASE FACILITY CHARGE - (BFC) - See Uniform Extension Policy/Rate Resolution. 3.0 BANK DRAFT - Direct payment of monthly water and/or wastewater bills electronically deducted from customer's bank account after completing and signing the Pre-Authorizec Direct Bank Payment Plan form. 4.0 CONSUMER - The person, firm, association, corporation, governmental agency or other entity or organization supplied with water and/or wastewater service by the District. 5.0 CUSTOMER - The person, firm, association, corporation, government agency or other entity or organization who has entered into an agreement to receive water and/or wastewater service from the District and who is liable for the payment of that water and/or wastgwater service and shall abide by all the District's Rules and Regulations. 6.0 CUSTOMER'S WASTEWATER INSTALLATION - All pipes, fittings, fixtures and appliances or apparatus of every kind and nature used in connection with or forming a part of an installation for disposing sewage located on the customer's side of "Point of Collection" whether such installation is owned by customer, or used by consumer under lease or otherwise. 7.0 CUSTOMER'S WATER INSTALLATION - All pipes, fittings, valves, fixtures and appliances or apparatus of every kind and nature used in connection with or forming a part of an installation for utilizing water for any purpose ordinarily located on the customer's side o' "Point of Delivery", whether such installation is owned by customer or used by consumer under lease or otherwise. 8.0 DISTRICT - St. Lucie County H.E.W. Lakewood Park 9.0 DOMESTIC WASTEWATER - Wastewater generated by dwellings, business buildings, institutions, and the like. 10.0 EQUIVALENT RESIDENTIAL CONNECTION (ERC) - See Uniform Extension Policy. 11.0 GREASE TRAPIO L SEPARATORS - A device for separation of grease, oil or similar deleterious substances from wastewater by flotation, so that it can be removed from the surface prior to discharge into a sanitary wastewater system. 12.0 HAZARDOUS WASTE - Any substance, waste or product that is potentially damaging to envi-onmental health because of toxicity, ignitability, corrosivity, chemical reactivity, radioactivity, infectious characteristics, or any other reason. 13.0 INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER ~ Wastewater generated by industrial soumes or processes includin~ reject water from reverse osmosis treatment units. 14.0 MET(ER - A device used to measure water delivered to a customer by the District. 15.0 POINT OF CONNECTION - The point where the District's main collector pipes are connected with pipes of the customer. 16.0 POINT OF DELIVERY - The point where the District's pipes (mains) or meters are connected to pipes of the customer, or customer's property line if so designated by District. 17.0 POTABLE WATER - Water that is considered satisfactory for domestic use. 18.0 RATE RESOLUTION - The resolution of the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners ad 3pting rates, fees and charges for the District, as amended from time to time. 19.0 RECLAIMED WA-ER MAIN - A pipe, conduit, or other facility installed to convey reclaimed water to individual service lines or to other mains. 20.0 SERVICE LINES - The customer's pipes (service laterals) which are connected to the District's mains at the "Point of Collection". 21.0 SERVICE POLICY- The Uniform Water and Wastewater Service Policy of St. Lucie County H.E.W. Lakewood Park District as amended from time to time. 22.0 WASTEWATER MAIN - A pipe, conduit, or other facility installed to convey sewage from individual service lines or other mains. 23.0 STORM WATER - The water which results from and occurs immediately following a rainfall event; water produced by unusually high tides and/or hurricane surges. 24.0 UNIFORM EXTENSION POLICY- The Uniform Extension Policyadopted bythe St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners, as amended from time to time. 25.0 WATER MAIN - A 3ipe, conduit, or other facility installed to convey water service to individual service lines or to other mains. IhDEX OF RULES AND REGULATIONS RULE NUMBER 1.0 POLICY DISPUTE 2.0 GENERAL IN :ORMATION 3.0 SIGNED APP_ICATION NECESSARY 4.0 APPLICATIONS BY AGENTS 5.0 WITHHOLDII~ G SERVICE 6.0 EXTENSIONS OF FACILITIES 7.0 LIMITATION OF USE 8.0 CONTINUITY OF SERVICE 9.0 TYPE AND MAINTENANCE 10.0 CHANGE OF 3USTOMER'S INSTALLATION 11.0 INSPECTION OF CUSTOMER'S INSTALLATION 12.0 PROTECTIOI' OF DISTRICT'S PROPERTY 13.0 ACCESS TO PREMISES 14.0 RIGHT-OF-WAY OR EASEMENTS 15,0 BILLING PER ODS 16.0 DELINQUENT BILLS 17,0 PAYMENT OF WASTEWATER AND WATER SERVICE BILLS CONCURRENTLY 18.0 TEMPORARY DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE 19,0 EVIDENCE O -- CONSUMPTION PAGENUMBER 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 RULE NUMBER 20.0 21.0 22.0 23.0 24.0 25.0 26.0 27.0 28.0 29.0 30.0 31.0 32.0 33.0 34.0 35.0 INDEX OF RULES AND REGULATIONS (cont.) TAX CLAUSE CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY UNAUTHORIZED CONNECTIONS - WASTEWATER UNAUTHORIZED CONNECTIONS - WATER ADJUSTMENT OF BILLS CUSTOMER I~)EPOSlT STORM WAT--R INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER GREASE TR~PS, OIL SEPARATORS HAZARDOUS WASTES METERS ALL WATER -HROUGH METER REQUEST FOR METER TEST BY CUSTOMER ADJUSTMEN- OF BILLS FOR METER ERROR BACKFLOW PREVENTERS MISCELLANEOUS SERVICE CHARGES PAGE NUMBER 10 11 11 11 11 12 13 13 13 13 13 14 14 14 15 16-17 RULES AND REGULATIONS 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 POLICY DISPUTE - Any dispute between the District and the customer or prospective custor~er regarding the meaning or application of any provision of this Policy, upon written request by either party, will be resolved by the St. Lucie County Utility Director. Any party not satisfied by this decision, may, within ten (10) days thereof, appeal the decision to the County Administrator. GENERAL INFORMATION - In the event the District's Rules and Regulations are inconsistent with any Statute, Law or Court Order, and Stature, Law or Court Order shall prevail and the District's Rules and Regulations shall be null and void. These Rules and Regulations apply to the rate schedules, applications and contracts of the District. In the absence of specific written agreement to the contrary, these rec~ ulations apply without modification or change to each and every customer to whom the District renders water and/or wastewater service. In the event that a portion of these Rules and Regulations is declared unconstitutional or void for any reason by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shal in no way affect the validity of the remaining portions of the Rules and Regulalions for water and/or wastewater service unless such court order or decision s~all so direct. SIGNED APPLICATION NECESSARY - Water and/or wastewater service is furnished upon signed application accepted by the District and the conditions of such application are binding upon the customer as well as upon the District. A copy of the application for water and/or wastewater service accepted by the District will be furnished to the applicant on request. The applicant shal furnish to the District the correct name, street address and legal description o' property to which water and/or wastewater service is to be rendered. APPLICATIONS E,Y AGENTS - Applications for water and/or wastewater service requested by firms, partnerships, associations, corporations, and others (principals), shall be tendered only by duly authorized parties (agents). When water and/or wastewater service is provided under application(s) entered into between the District and an agent of the principal, the use of such water and/or wastewater service by the principal or agent shall constitute full and complete consent by the prir cipal of the application(s) entered into between agent and the District and under which such water and/or wastewater service is rendered. 5.0 6.0 WITHHOLDING S~RVICE - The District may withhold or discontinue water and/or wastewater service provided to any customer if all prior indebtedness to the District has no- been settled in full. Service may also be discontinued for any violation by the customer or consumer of any rule or regu ation set forth in this Tariff. The District will provide written notice by mail or p3sting at customer service location. EXTENSIONS OF FACILITIES - Extensions will be made to the District's facilities in compliance with the District's Uniform Extension Policy and Rate Resolution. 7.0 LIMITATION OF I.,SE - (A) Wastewater service purchased from the District shall be used by the customer only for the purposes specified in the application or agreement for wastewater service. Wastewater service furnished to the customer shall be for :he customer's own use and sewage shall be received directly from the customer into the District's main wastewater lines. In no case shall a customer, except with the written consent of the District, extend his lines across a street, alley, lane, court, property line, avenue, or other way, in order to furnish wastewater service for adjacent property, even though such adjacent property is owned by that customer. In case of such unauthorized extension, sale or disposition of service, customer's wastewater service is subject to discontinuance until full payment is made of bills for wastewater service, calculated on proper classifications and rate schedu es and reimbursement in full made to the District for all extra expenses incurred for clerical work, testing and inspections. Also, see Rule 26.0 tc 29.0: Storm Water, Industrial Waste, Grease Traps and Hazardous Wastes. (B) Water service purchased from the District shall be used by the customer only for the 3urposes specified in the application or agreement for water service. Water service furnished to the customer shall be rendered directly to the customer through District's individual meter and may not re- metered by :he customer for the purpose of selling or otherwise disposing of water set/ice for a profit to lessees, tenants, or others and under no circumstances shall the customer or customer's agent or any other individual, association or corporation install meters for the purpose of so re-metering said water service for the purpose of making a profit. In no case shall a customer, except with the written consent of the District, extend his li3es across a street, alley, lane, court, property line, avenue, or other way, in order to furnish water service for adjacent property through one meter, even though such adjacent property is owned by that customer. In case of such unauthorized extension, re-metering, sale or disposition of service, customer's water service is subject to 8.0 9.0 10.0 discontinua 3ce until full payment is made of bills for water service, calculated on proper classification and rate schedules and reimbursement in full made to the District for all extra expenses incurred for clerical work, testing, and inspections. Under no circumstances shall any source of water other than the District's be connected to the District's water supply system or any part thereof, be it on private or public property except with the written consent of the District. The District shall have the right of inspection at reasonable times during customer's nstallation to verify compliance with Rules and Regulations. CONTINUITY OF SERVICE - The District will at all times use reasonable diligence to provide continuous water and/or wastewater service, and shall not be liable to the customer for failure or interruption of continuous water and/or wastewater service. The District shall not be liable for any act or omission caused directly or ndirectly by strikes, labor troubles, accidents, litigations, breakdowns, shutc owns for emergency repairs, or adjustments, acts of sabotage, enemies of the United States, Wars, United States, State, Municipal or other governme 3tal interference, Acts of God or other causes beyond its control. If at any time the District shall interrupt or discontinue its service for any period greater than one hour, except for emergency repair as indicated, all customers effecte¢ by said interruption or discontinuance shall be given not less than 24 hours notice by publication, radio or television service announcement. TYPE AND MAINTENANCE - The customer's pipes, apparatus, and equipment shall be selected, installed, used and maintained in accordance with standard practices, conform ng with the Rules, Regulations and Specifications of the District, subject to -'ull compliance with ail laws and governmental regulations applicable to same. The District shall not be responsible for the maintenance and operation of customer's pipes and facilities. The customer expressly agrees not to utilize any appliance or device which is not properly constructed, controlled and protected, or which may adversely affect the water and/or wastewater service. The District reserves the right to discontinue or withhold water and/or wastewater service to such apparatus or device. CHANGE OF CUSTOMER'S INSTALLATION - No changes or increases in customer's installation, which will materially affect the proper operation of the pipes, mains or pumping stations of the District shall be made without written consent of the District. The customer will be liable for any changes resulting from a violation of his rule. 11.0 INSPECTION OF CUSTOMER'S INSTALLATION - All customer's water and/or wastewater service installations and/or changes shall be inspected during 12.0 13.0 14.0 15.0 installations and/o' by a District representative to ensure that customer's piping, equipment, and devices have been installed in accordance with accepted standard practice, company rules, regulations and specifications and such local governmental rules. Where municipal or other governmental inspection is required by local rules or ordinances, the District cannot render water and/or wastewater service until such inspection has been made and a formal notice of approval from the nspecting authority has been received by the District. Failure to have an inspecbon will result in the customer having to expose the service line for inspection at his own costs. The District reservgs the right to inspect the customer's installation prior to rendering water ar d/or wastewater service and from time to time thereafter, but assumes no responsibility whatsoever for any portion thereof. PROTECTION OF DISTRICT'S PROPERTY - The customer shall exercise reasonable diligen ;e to protect the District's properly on the customer's premises, and sha I knowingly permit no one but the District's agents, or persons authorized by law, to have access to the District's pipes and apparatus. In the event of any loss, or damage to property of the District caused by or arising out of carelgssness, neglect or misuse by the customer, the cost of making good such loss or repairing such damage, including attorneys' fees and court costs if enfomement proceedings are initiated, shall be paid for by the customer, which cost shall constitute a lien on property served until paid. ACCESS TO PRE VlISES - The duly authorized agents of the District shall have access at all reasonable hours to the premises of the customer for the purpose of inspection of customer's installation to verify compliance with District's Rules and Regulations, installing, maintaining, and inspecting or removing District's property, and other purposes incident to performance under or termination of the District's agreement with the customer and in such performance shall not be liable for trespass. RIGHT-OF-WAY OR EASEMENTS - The customer shall grant or cause to be granted to the District without cost to the District, all rights, easements, permits, and privileges which are necessary for the rendering of water and/or wastewater service, including r3ains, lines, pump stations, fire hydrants and the like. BILLING PERIODS - Bills for water and/or wastewater service will be rendered monthly. Bills are due when rendered and shall be considered as received by customer when de ivered or mailed to wastewater service address or some other place mutually agreed upon. Nonreceipt of bills ~y customer shall not release or diminish obligation of customer with respect to payment thereof. 16.0 17.0 18.0 19.0 20.0 DELINQUENT BI,.LS - Bills are due when rendered, and if not paid within twenty (20) days thereafter become delinquent, and water and/or wastewater service may then, after five (5) days written notice, be discontinued. Service will be resumed only upcn payment of all past-due bills and penalties, together with a service charge es:ablished on the basis of the expenses incurred in the disconnection ant restoration of service which shall be nondiscriminatory in its application. There shall be no liability of any kind against the District by reason of discontinuance of service to the customer for failure of the customer to pay the bills on time. No partial payment of any bill rendered will be accepted by the District, except by agreement with District, or by order or direction of the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissigners. PAYMENT OF WASTEWATER AND WATER SERVICE BILLS CONCURRENTLY - When both waste~vater and water service are provided by the District, payment of any wastewater service bill rendered shall not be accepted by the District without the simultaneous or concurrent payment of any water service bill. If the charges for wastewater are not paid, the District may discontinue both wastewater service and water service to the customer's premises for non- payment of the wastewater service charges, oflr if the charges for water are not paid, the District may discontinue both water service and wastewater service to the customer's premises for non-payment of the water service charge. The District shall not reestablish or reconnect wastewater and water service or either of customer's services until such time as all wastewater and water service charges and all ot~er expenses or charges established or provided for by these Rules and Regulations are paid. TEMPORARY DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE - Where service is to be restored at the same premises to the same customer (member of household or designated agent~, customer will pay to the District the base facility charge for each billing perioc during which service was discontinued. All prior indebtedness must be paid before service will be restored. EVIDENCE OF CONSUMPTION - The initiation, continuation, or resumption of water service to tt' e premises shall constitute evidence of the initiation, continuation, or resumption of wastewater service to the premises, regardless of occupancy. TAX CLAUSE - Rates and/or charges may be increased or a sumharge added in the amount of the applicable proportionate part of any taxes and assessments imposed by any governmental authority in excess of those in effect after the approval of this rue which are assessed on the basis of meters or customers or the price of or revenues from water and/or wastewater service sold, not including income taxes. 21,0 22.0 23.0 24.0 25.0 CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY - When change of occupancy takes place at any premises supplied by the District with water and/or wastewater service, WRITTEN NOTICE may be requested and shall be given at the office of the District not less th~ n three (3) days prior to the date of change by the outgoing customer, who will be held responsible for all water and/or wastewater service used on such premises until such WRITTEN NOTICE is so received and the District has had reasonable time to discontinue water and/or wastewater service. However, if such WRITTEN NOTICE has not been received, the application of a succeeding occupant for water and/or wastewater service will automatically terminate the prior account. Customer's deposit may be transferred from one service location to another, if both locations are supplied by the District and the customer has esta 31ished a satisfactory credit record. Customer's deposit may NOT be transferred from one name to another. For the convenience of its customers, the District will accept telephone orders to discontinue or transfer water and/or wastewater service and will use all reasonable diligence in the execution thereof. However, oral orders or advice shall not be deemed binding or be considered formal notification to the District. UNAUTHORIZED ;ONNECTIONS - WASTEWATER - Connections to the District's wastewater system for any purpose whatsoever are to be made only by employees of the District or under direct supervision of District's authorized employee. Unauthorized connections render the service subject to immediate discontinuance wit lout notice and wastewater service will not be restored until such unauthorized connections have been removed and unless settlement is made in full and fo' all penalties, damages, and wastewater service estimated by the District to have been used by reason of such unauthorized connection. UNAUTHORIZED ~,ONNECTIONS - WATER - Connections to the District's water system for any purpose whatsoever are to be made only by employees of the District or under direct supervision of District's authorized employee. Unauthorized connections render the service subject to immediate discontinuance wit ~out notice and water service will not be restored until such unauthorized conn ~ctions have been removed and unless settlement is made in full and for all penalties, damages, and water service estimated by the District to have been used by reason of such unauthorized connection. ADJUSTMENT OF BILLS - When a customer has been undercharged as a result of incorrect application of the rate schedule, or if wastewater service is measured by water consumption, a meter error is determined, the undercharged amount may be bil ed to the customer. CUSTOMER DEPOSIT - Before rendering service, the District shall require a deposit or guarantee satisfactory to the District to secure the payment of bills. The District shall g ve the customer a non-negotiable and non-transferrable deposit receipt. The amount of such deposit shall be calculated in accordance with the District's Rate Resolution. After a residential customer has established a satisfactory payment record and has had continuous service for a period of 25 months, the District will refund the customer's deposit provided the customer has not, in the preceding 12 months, (a) made more tha3 one late payment of the bill (after the expiration of 20 days from the date of mailing or delivery by the District), (b) paid with a check refused by a bank, (c) been disconnected for non-payment, or at any time, (d) tampered with the meter, or (e) used service in a fraudulent or unauthorized manner. The District will accrue interest on the customer's deposit and shall apply said interest to the customer's active account on an annual basis. If a customer terminates service the deposit plus accrued interest will be credited against the final account and t le balance, if any shall be returned to the customer with forty- five (45) days of service discontinuance. The District shall accrue interest on customer deposits at an annual rate not to exceed the rate earned by the District in the preceding fiscal year. The District may require, upon reasonable written notice of not more than fifteen (15) days, such re( uest or notice being separate and apart from any bill for service, a new deposit, where previously waived or returned, or an additional deposit, in order to secure payment of current bills; provided, however, that the total amount of the required deposit shall not exceed an amount equal to the average actual chs rge for water and/or wastewater service for two billing periods. In the event the customer has had service less than two billing periods, then the District shall base ks new or additional deposit upon the average actual monthly billing available. Governmental enti-ies are exempt from the deposit requirement as are other utilities that provide service to the District which have reciprocating no deposit requirements. Governmental entities include: 2. 3. 4. 5. Federal, State and County Agencies Municipalities Spec al Taxing Districts St. Lucie County School Board Entities lawfully empowered to levy and collect taxes 26.0 STORM WATER - No storm water systems of any kind shall be connected to the District's wastewater system, including air conditioner cooling water and condensate lines which normally discharge to storm water drainage systems or drainfields. No storm water shall be diverted into the District's wastewater system through m[nholes, cleanouts, and the like. Failure to comply with this rule will cause discontinuance of water and wastewater service. 27.0 INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER - The District will accept only domestic wastewater in its wastewater system. No industrial wastewater or the like, including septage, shall be discharged into District's wastewater system unless proper pretreatme3t facilities are provided on customer's premises by customer, propedy operated and approved in writing by District and all applicable regulatory agencies. 28.0 29.0 30.0 GREASE TRAPS, OIL SEPARATORS - All commercial food preparation facilities and all ot ler facilities generating wastewater with high grease and/or oil concentrations must have a grease trap to intercept these wastes prior to discharge into the District's sanitary wastewater system. Location and type of grease trap used must be approved, in writing, by District and all applicable regulatory agencies. Grease traps must be properly maintained by customer or owner. Design and maintenance of grease traps shall be in accordance with St. Lucie County rules, regulations and codes, and shall conform to the specifications and requirements of the District. If grease and/or oil in excess of allowable amounts, in accordance with District's and regulatory agency requirements, is d scharged, District shall inform operator and/or owner of premises to propedy repair and maintain or replace, if necessary, said grease traps. Failure to c~ase discharging wastewater with high grease and/or oil concentrations shall be cause for discontinuance of water and wastewater service. HAZARDOUS WASTES - No hazardous wastes of any kind shall be discharged into District's wastewater system under any circumstances without prior written authorization from District. Failure to comply with this rule shall be cause for discontinuance of water and wastewater service and violator(s) will be subject to criminal prosecution. METERS - All water meters shall be furnished by an remain the property of the District and shall be accessible and subject to is control. The customer shall provide meter spa ;e to the District at a suitable and readily accessible location and, when the District considers it advisable, within the premises to be served. The customer sha I also provide adequate and proper space for the installation of meter and other similar devices. 31.0 32.0 ALL WATER THROUGH METER - That portion of the customer's installation for water service shal be so arranged that all water service shall pass through the meter. No temporary pipes, nipples, or spacers are permitted and under no circumstances are connections allowed which may permit water to by-pass the meter or metering equipment. REQUEST FOR N ETER TEST BY CUSTOMER - Should any customer request a bench test of his water meter, the district will require a deposit to defray cost of 33.0 testing and that the test be requested in wdting. Such deposit not to exceed the schedule of fees set forth in the Rate Resolution. If the meter is four~l to register in excess of the accuracy limits prescribed under the Rule No. 33.0 of this Policy, the deposit will be refunded. But if below such accuracy limit, the deposit will be retained by the District as a service charge for conducting the tes. Further, upon written request of any customer, the District shall, without charge, make a field test o-' the accuracy of the water meter in use at customer's premises provided that the meter has not been tested within the past six (6) months. ADJUSTMENT OF BILLS FOR METER ERROR - In meter tests made by the District, the accuracy of registration of the meter and its performance in service shall be judged by its average error. The average meter error shall be considered to be the average of the errors at the test rate flows. FAST METERS - ~Vhenever a meter tested is found to register fast in excess of the tolerance provided in the Meter Accuracy Requirements provision herein, the District shall refun¢ to the customer the amount billed in error for one-half the period since the last test. Said one-half period not to exceed twelve 912) months except that if it can be shown that the error was due to some cause, the date of which can be fixed, the overcharge shall be computed back to but not beyond such date, based upon available records. Re refund shall not include any part of any minimum char3e. SLOW METERS - The District may back bill in the event that a meter is found to be slow, non-regis' ering or partially registering. The District may not back bill for any period greater than twelve (12) months from the date it notifies a customer that the meter is sl3w, non-registering or partially registering. If it can be ascertained that the meter was slow, non-registering or partially registering for less than twelve (12) months prior to notification, then the District may back bill only for the lesser 3eriod of time. In any event, the customer may extend the payments of the back bill over the same amount of time for which the utility issued the back bil. METER ACCURACY REQUIREMENTS - All meters used for measuring quantity of water delivered ;o a customer shall be in good mechanical condition and shall be adequate in size and design for the type of service which they measure. Before being insta led for the use of any customer, every water meter, whether new, repaired or removed from service for any cause, shall be adjusted to register within the accuracy limits set forth in the following table: METER TYPE ACCURACY LIMITS IN PERCENT MAXIMUM INTERMEDIATE RATE RATE NEW REPAIRED 34.0 35.0 Displacement 98.5 - t01.5 98.5 - 101.5 95-101.5 90-101.5 Current 97 - 103 97 - 103 95 - 103 90 - 103 Compound* 97 - 103 97 - 103 95 - 103 90 - 103 * The minimum required accuracy for compound meters at any rate within the "c langeover" range of flows shall be 85% BACKFLOW PREVENTERS - St. Lucie County requires the installation of backflow prevention devices with all new services. A backflow prevention device shall be installed in accordance with the District's specifications. All installations shall be prior to or in conjunction with the meter installation. All backflow prevention devices subject to the District's control. If approved by the District, the Distric: shall own and maintain the backflow prevention device itself between the inlet and outlet valves of the device on all installations two-inch and smaller. For insta ations larger than two-inch, the District shall retain ownership and maintenance responsibility for all piping and appurtenances between the connection to the District's main and the discharge flange of the downstream valve on the above-ground backflow preventer assembly. In the event the District does not so determine tc own and maintain the backflow or prevention device as set forth above, the custorrer shall own and be responsible for the maintenance and all certifications required by law with respect to the operational status of the backflow prevention device. The customer shall provide space at a suitable and readily accessible location and, when the district considers it advisable, within the premises to be served. The customer shall also provide adequate and proper space for the installation, operati3n and maintenance of backflow prevention devices. Customers with existing services are required to install backflow prevention devices upon request by the District if District determines that a potential hazard for other customers exist. MISCELLANEOUS SERVICE CHARGES - The District shall charge the following miscellaneous service charges as set forth in the Rate Resolution in accordance with the terms al~o stated below, If both water and wastewater services are provided, only a s ngle charge is appropriate unless circumstances beyond the control of the District require multiple actions. INITIAL CONNECTION - This charge would be levied for service initiation at a location where service did not exist previously. NORMAL RECOI~ NECTION - This charge would be levied for transfer of service to a new customer account at a previously served location, or reconnection of service subsequert to a customer requested disconnection. VIOLATION RECONNECTION - This charge would be levied prior to reconnection of an existing customer after disconnection of service for cause, including a delinquency in bill 3ayment. PREMISES VISIT ;HARGE (IN LIEU OF DISCONNECTION) - This charge would be levied when a service representative visits a premises for the purpose of discontinuing service for non-payment of a due and collectible bill and does not discontinue service because the customer makes payment arrangements with the District, and the customer service representative verifies arrangements with service personnel. Service personnel cannot accept payments in anyform from customers. RETURNED CHECK CHARGE/BANK DRAFT - It is the policy of the District (the "County") to accept checks or bank drafts from the public for the payment of fees and other charges drawn only on United States banks in U.S. currency. Checks must include the drawer's name and address imprinted on the checks. Pre- Authorization is required for the establishment of direct bank payments. The customer must complete the Pre-Authorized Bank Payment Plan Enrollment Form. It is the further policy of the District to invoke any and all available penalties, service fees, service charge or civil actions, including reasonable attorneys' fees, when checks or bank drafts are dishonored. The District's rece pt of a check or bank draft is considered to be a conditional payment until it is honored by the drawer' bank. If the check or bank draft fails to clear the bank for any reason, it is considered a non-payment. Payment of delinquent accounts by a check failing to clear will result in immediate discontinuance of service at the District's discretion. Upon District's receipt of dishonored check or bank draft notice will be sent to the drawer indicating that the drawer has 30 (thir:y) days from receipt of notice to tender payment in cash of the full amount of the check or bank draft, and service charges and/or service fees authorized under Section 125.0195, Florida Statutes. If payment is not received within 30 days, the District reserves the right to pursue any criminal actions, pursuant to Section 832.07, Florida Statutes. In order for the Di4trict to recover a portion of the cost for handling dishonored checks or bank drafts the District may charge the maker of a worthless check or bank draft a service fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), if the face value of the check or bank draft does not exceed $50.00; thirty dollars ($30.00) if the face value exceeds $50.00 but does not exceed $300.00; forty dollars ($40.00), if the face value exceeds $3£0.00; or five pement (5%) of the face amount of the check or bank draft (whichever is greater), pursuant to Section 125.0105, Florida Statutes. REFUND FOR RE=UNDABLE CHECK DEPOSITS - No refunds will be made for refundable utility deposits until at least fifteen (15) working days after the date of the deposit of the check by the District. REMINDER NOTICE LATE CHARGE - When a utility bill is delinquent (See Rule No. 16 Delinquent Bills) and a written notice is issued, the District shall impose a late charge of $1 .C0 or 1.5% of the delinquent amount, whichever is greater.