Central Water Authority (Water Supply for Domestic Purposes) Regulations 1992

Central Water Authority (Water Supply for Domestic Purposes) Regulations 1992 GN 122/1992 Regulations made by the Central Water Board under section 49 of the Central Water Authority Act 1. These regulations may be cited as the Central Water Authority (Water Supply for Domestic Purposes) Regulations 1992. 2. In these regulations “communication pipe" means that portion of a service which lies between the main and the Authority's meter or stopcock within the boundary of the property of the consumer served; “consumer” means a person to whom the Authority has agreed to supply water; ` “domestic consumer" means a person to whom the Authority has agreed to supply water for domestic purposes; “domestic supply " means water supplied from the water works and used for drinking, washing or cooking, or for any other purpose of domestic life; “living quarter" means a separate and independent place of abode occupied as a distinct and separate holding or tenancy or other-wise by a household for the purpose of living; “main" means any pipe laid by the Authority for the purpose of providing a general supply of water as distinct from a supply to a consumer; “monthly metered water supply" means the volume of water consumed as established by the reading of a meter made not more than thirty-five days after the previous reading; Amended by [GN No. 174 of 2006] “service " means the piping system comprising all the pipes, valves, cocks and other appliances by which water is conducted from the water works to a consumer; “supply pipe" means any part of a service, not being a main or a communication pipe, which is private property of the consumer; “water charges " means the amounts set out in the Schedule; "waste water fee or rate" means the fee or rate levied under section 25 of the Wastewater Management Authority Act. “water works" means the different system of canals, conduits, mains, pipes, wells, dams, reservoirs, fountains, treatment works, machine and other appliances of the Authority, for supplying and measuring water, and includes all works, structures, lands rights of way and other appurtenances held by the Authority for the purpose of carrying into effect these regulations. Added by [GN No. 4 of 2004] 3. (1) Every person who is the owner or occupier of a property and who wishes to have water supplied to that property for domestic purposes shall make a written application to the Authority in the form set out in the First Schedule. (2) On receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Authority shall (a) require the applicant to furnish such further information including site plans, Identity Card and documents, as it may require; and (b) cause the property to be inspected. (3) Where the Authority has agreed to supply the said property and has notified the applicant (a) it shall provide and set up, at the consumer's expense, a communication pipe which shall remain the Authority’s property; and (b) the consumer shall provide and set up, at his own expense, a supply pipe approved by the Authority. (4) where an applicant fails to comply with paragraph (3) (b) within six months from the date of issue of the notice of agreement, he shall be deemed to have abandoned his application. (5) Where the Authority agrees to supply water to an applicant, the Authority may, before fixing the new supply, accept from the applicant payment of not less than 25 per cent of the amount representing the consumer's expense referred to in paragraph (3), and payment of any outstanding balance in 4 monthly instalments. Added by [GN No. 174 of 2006] 4. (1) The flow of water supplied to every consumer shall be measured by a meter. (2) (a) The Authority shall provide and set up, at the consumer's expense, a meter which shall remain the Authority's property. (b) Every meter shall (i) be fixed in or as near as possible to the consumer's property; (ii) be enclosed in a chamber made of cement or other material acceptable to the Authority; (iii) if the Authority so determines, be locked by means of a padlock whose key shall remain in the Authority's custody. (c) The consumer shall be personally liable to the Authority for any damage caused to a meter set up under paragraph (2) (a). (d) (i) Where a meter is out of order, the Authority shall remove it to be repaired or replaced, as the case may be. (ii) The amount of water consumed during a period where the meter has been removed shall be calculated by reference to the average daily rate of consumption as evidenced by the last two readings made before the removal of the meter. (e) A consumer who is dissatisfied with the proper working of his meter may make a written application to the Authority to have it examined on payment of a fee of 200 rupees which shall be reimbursed to the consumer if the Authority is satisfied that the meter required to be repaired or replaced. (f) Where on an examination made under subparagraph (e) the meter is found to be defective the Authority shall adjust the amount of water as specified in subparagraph (d) (ii). (g) A meter shall be considered as accurate with a tolerance of plus or minus five per cent of any reading made from a test meter. 5. (1) No alteration, extension or repair shall be made to a communication pipe except by the Authority. (2) (a) Every consumer who wishes to have his communication pipe altered or extended shall make a written application to that effect to the Authority. (b) On receipt of an application under subparagraph (a) the Authority may (i) require the applicant to furnish such further information including a site plan, Identity Card and documents, as it may require; and (ii) cause the premises to be inspected. (c) Any alteration or extension shall be made at the applicant’s expense and, so far as is reasonably practicable in accordance with the wishes of the consumer. (d) The Authority shall supply to the consumer (i) (i) where it is expected that the cost of the alteration or extension will not extension will not exceed two hundred rupees, with an estimate of the cost; (ii) (ii) where it is expected that the cost of the alteration or extension is likely to exceed two hundred rupees, a detailed estimate of the cost. (e) The consumer shall pay in advance to the Authority any estimate supplied under subparagraph (d). (f) The Authority shall, on completion of the work, supply to the consumer a statement of the actual cost and may recover from him any balance in excess of the estimated cost. 6. (1) Every consumer shall keep his supply pipe in a good state of repair to the satisfaction of the Authority. (2) (a) Where a supply pipe is defective, in need of repair or not in accordance with the other provisions of these regulations, the Authority may, by written notice, require the consumer to rectify the supply pipe to its satisfaction within a period to be specified in the notice. (b) Where a consumer fails to comply with the terms of a notice issued under subparagraph (a), the Authority may cause the necessary repair or alteration to be effected to the supply pipe at the consumer's expense, or shut off the supply. 7. Where a consumer sets up, alters, extends or repairs a supply pipe (a) (a) every pipe and other fitting shall be of a kind approved by the Authority and capable of withstanding a minimum test pressure of 9 Bar; (b) no pipe or other fitting shall be covered up unless it has been inspected or tested by the Authority; (c) every pipe shall be of a material acceptable to the Authority and be of not less than 15 mm nominal bore; (d) every draw-off tap shall be of the screw-down pattern and fitted with loose valves; (e) no pump or other device shall be connected to a supply pipe; (f) every supply pipe shall be provided with a non-return valve to be fixed as near as possible to the water meter. 8 (1) Every consumer shall be liable for the minimum water charge set out in the Second Schedule, in respect of any month even if he has not consumed any water unless he gives written notice to the Authority of his intention to cease consuming water at least one month in advance. (2) Where a consumer wishes to have his water supply discontinued, he shall make a written application to the Authority in the form set out in the Third Schedule and produce his Identity Card together with a past receipt. (3) Where the Authority considers that the water charges are excessive on account of unnoticed leaks from the supply pipe, the Authority may adjust the water charges and, where applicable, the wastewater fee or rates. (4) The Authority may accept payment of arrears of water charges and wastewater fee or rate by instalments. Added by [GN No. 174 of 2006] 9. (1) (a) Every consumer shall pay the deposit specified in item 1 of the Second Schedule before the supply is reconnected. (b) Where a water supply is disconnected for non-payment of water charges or waste water fee or rate otherwise, the consumer shall pay the difference between the existing deposit, if any, and the deposit specified in item 1 of the Second Schedule before the supply is reconnected. (2) The deposit may be used by the Authority to settle any water charges unpaid by the consumer. (3) A deposit shall be returned to a consumer on his application for the termination of the service subject to subparagraph (2). (4) A consumer who has been issued with a bill for water charges and waste water fee or rate shall subject to paragraph (7) pay for it within twenty-one days and any payment made thereafter shall include a surcharge of ten per cent. (5) Where the amount payable under to paragraph (4) is not a multiple of ten cents, it shall be increased to the nearest multiple of ten cents. (6) Where an applicant informs We Authority that the supply will be distributed to more than one living quarter the Authority may either (a) cause each living quarter to be installed with a meter at the applicant's expense wherever possible and treat the owner/occupier of each living quarter as a consumer; or (b) (b) agree that for the purpose of determining the total amount due by the applicant to divide the volume consumed by the number of living quarters indicated by the applicant, compute the bill for each living quarter then multiply this amount by the number of living quarters. (7) A consumer who receives a benefit under Part II of the National Pensions Act shall pay the water charges and wastewater fee or rate within 35 days of the date of issue of the bill and any payment made thereafter shall include a surcharge of 10 per cent. Amended by [GN No. 4 of 2004]; Added by [GN No. 174 of 2006] 9A For the purposes of sections 20(m) and 21A of the Act and section 25 of the Wastewater Management Authority Act, the Authority shall issue a single bill for any claim of water charges and waste water fee or rate. Added by [GN No. 4 of 2004] 10. (1) Any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (a) (a) abstracts, consumes or uses water from the water works; (b) (b) tampers or interferes with, damages or destroys any installation or device set up by the Authority in connection with the supply of water from the water works. shall commit an offence. (2) Any person who (a) without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, opens or closes any cock, valve or sluice in the water works; (b) does or causes to do any act which is likely to impede the flow of water or to pollute water or render it unfit for use of consumption in the water works; (c) (c) trespasses on any land held by the Authority for the purposes of carrying into effect the provisions of these regulations and on or near which a notice giving adequate warning to trespassers has been posted, shall commit an offence. (3) Any person who causes or permits any act or omission, or attempts to commit any act, specified in paragraph (1) or (2) shall commit an offence. 11. (1) A consumer who fails to receive his current month bill shall advise the Senior Meter Reader of his area without delay. (2) (a) Where a bill for water charges remains unpaid after sixty days from its issue, the Authority shall discontinue the supply. (b) The onus to show proof of payment of the alleged unpaid bill shall rest with the consumer. (3) The Authority may discontinue the supply of water of a consumer who fails to pay within such time as may be specified in a notice to that effect any other sum due to the Authority under the other provisions of these regulations. (4) Where 31 supply of water is discontinued at meter under paragraph (2) a fee of one hundred and fifty rupees shall be paid to the Authority for the re establishment of the supply. (5) Where a supply of water is disconnected from the main, the minimum fee which is payable for a new supply shall be paid to the Authority for re-establishment of the supply. (6) Where a supply of water is discontinued at meter or disconnected from the main, the Authority may reconnect the supply of water on payment of not less than 25 per cent of the arrears of water charges and wastewater fee or rate, where applicable, and payment of the remaining balance in 4 monthly instalments. Amended by [GN No. 174 of 2006] 12. These regulations shall come into operation on 15 August 1992. 13. Spent Made by the Central Water Board on 14 July 1992 and approved by the Minister on 4 August 1992. FIRST SCHEDULE (regulation 3) CENTRAL WATER AUTHORITY Application for a Supply of Water for Domestic purposes. 1. Name of Applicant ……………………................................................... 2 Identity Card ………....................................…...................... 3. Address of property to be supplied ………...................................... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… …… 4. Number of living quarters to be supplied ……………………………………….................... 5. Deleted by [GN No. 174 of 2006] 6. Address for delivery of accounts and notices to be served ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… .. 7. Estimated volume of water to be consumed monthly …………........................ 8. Date on which supply is required ………………………………………............................. I/We apply for a supply of water from the Authority as detailed above, and I/We undertake to use and pay regularly for this supply of water in accordance with the Central Water Authority (Water Supply for Domestic Purposes) Regulations 1992. Date .............................. ..................................... Signature of Applicant SCHEDULE (regulation 3) SECOND SCHEDULE (regulations 8 and 9) DOMESTIC CONSUMERS Tariff 11 (Applicable to each Living Quarter) Rs cs 1. 1. Deposit ... ... ... ... ... ... 200.00 2. Water charges (a) (a) Water consumed Rate per month per cubic metre Rs cs First 10 cubic metres ... .. ... ... 4.50 Next 5 cubic metres ... ... ... ... 5.50 Next 5 cubic metres ... ... ... ... 7.50 Next 10 cubic metres ... ... ... ... 9.50 Next 20 cubic metres ... ... ... ... 13.50 Next 50 cubic metres ... ... ... ... 18.00 Amended by [GN No. 113 of 1998];[GN No. 14 of 2000];[GN No. 98 of 2002] THIRD SCHEDULE (regulation 8) CENTRAL WATER AUTHORITY Application for disconnection/reopening of water supply 1. Name of applicant ………………………………............................................... 2. Identity Card No ………......................……………………......................... 3. Address of premises to be disconnected/re-opened …………………………………............... ……………………………………………………………………............................................... .....…… 4. Account Number of supply ..........................................…………………. 5. Address of delivery of accounts ........………………………………………................... (if different from above) …………………………………………...................................... 6. Date on which supply is to be disconnected/re-opened .…………...........................................................................7. I/We ........................................................................ residing at ..........................................................………… hereby apply for the disconnection/re opening of the supply from the Authority as detailed above. I/We undertake to use and pay regularly for the supply of above in accordance with the Central Water Authority (Water Supply for Domestic Purposes) Regulations 1992. Date …………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………… Signature of Applicant Related documents: Related documents: