To regulate usage of hydrants on the Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission's water distribution system and to adequately protect the Commission's system from the threat of backflow/backsiphonage. In addition, this policy will help prevent the unauthorized usage of hydrants on the Commission's system and give law enforcement a more visible way to recognize legal hydrant usage.
It should be noted that as per US Code Title 42, Section 300i-1 unauthorized usage of a public water supply is a Federal Offense.
Types of Usage
1) Non Transient Hydrant Usage – Is defined as a fixed (determined) point of usage. This type of usage is utilized in new developments and new commercial building sites.
2) Transient Hydrant Usage – Is defined as a tanker, street sweeper or other mobile device which draws water from multiple hydrants on a system.
Non– Transient Hydrant Usage
Temporary hydrant use permits will be required on all stationary sources. These permits will allow temporary un-metered water usage for either up to ninety (90) days or twelve (12) months.
Application
All applicants must fill out the attached Non-Transient Hydrant Usage Permit Application. Hydrant use permits will be issued and approved only for SCDHEC approved water mains. The applicant must know the exact location of the hydrant that they wish to utilize.
Payment
All customers must pay a hydrant usage fee based on the requested size of connection. This fee must be paid in full prior to the installation of any assembly
¾" Assembly
$250.00 good for ninety (90) days of usage
$750.00 good for twelve (12) months of use and up to three different locations
(A fee of $50 will be charged)
1-1/2" Assembly
$500.00 good for ninety (90) days of usage
$1500 good for twelve (12) months of use and up to three different locations
(A fee of $50 will be charged)
Extensions can be made at $100.00 per additional month for
a ¾" assembly and $200.00 per month for a 1-1/2" assembly.
Customer will not pay any additional fees for water consumption. However,
the Commission reserves the right to charge for usage if water is needed
for high volume applications.
Cash and Carry
Any customer needing hydrant supplied water for one time use will be required to pay a one time fee of $25.00. The customer will be directed to a hydrant specified by the Commission. No application will be necessary.
Set-Up
Upon completion of application and payment of fees the Commission will set the assembly within seven days. The Commission will equip the designated hydrant with a backflow prevention assembly and the required connection size. The assembly will have a shut-off valve on the customer's side of the backflow prevention assembly. This is the only valve that shall be operated by the customer.
Usage
If a customer has paid for twelve months of usage and desires a new location, the applicant must contact the Commission for the device to be relocated. The Commission will relocate the assembly within five working days.
If an extension is desired, the applicant must make a request and forward payment to the Commission a minimum of fifteen days prior to the end of the allotted time period for the device. If a time extension is not requested, the device will be removed without notice to the applicant.
The customer is requested to closely monitor water use. The Commission reserves the right to charge for unnecessary water usage.
Transient Hydrant Usage
Transient hydrant usage will be allowed by a permit system. All vehicles that draw from a Commission hydrant that is not equipped with a non-transient device, must posses a transient hydrant usage permit.
Application
All applicants must fill out the attached Transient Hydrant Usage Permit Application. Permits are for the period of July 1 through June 30 of the following year. The applicant must make an appointment to have the truck, tank, etc. inspected by the Commission’s backflow coordinator. At this time the Commission will give instruction on the proper operation of a hydrant. The truck, tank, etc. must be equipped with an air gap or a permanently mounted SCDHEC approved backflow prevention assembly (which has been tested within thirty days from the date of application).
Payment
An annual fee will be required once an approved application is processed. The fee is as follows: tankers which are up to and including 1,000 gallons are required to pay an annual fee of $300; tankers greater than 1,000 gallons and up to and including 3,000 gallons are required to pay an annual fee of $1,000; tankers greater than 3,000 gallons are required to pay an annual fee of $1,500. These fees may be prorated by quarter.
Display of Permit
Upon completion of the application and payment of fees the Commission will issue a Water Usage Permit Decal. This decal must be clearly displayed on the driver’s side window of the approved vehicle. Customers will not be required to call in their hydrant usage. Decals will be color-coded for each calendar year. The Commission will notify customers thirty days in advance of their decal expiration.
Usage
The customer is responsible for notifying the Commission prior to each hydrant use. The customer must specifically identify which hydrant is being used and the amount of water being drawn from the hydrant. (The customer will not be charged separately for water usage.)
The customer is requested to closely monitor water use. The Commission reserves the right to charge for unnecessary water usage.
Penalties
Failure to follow the terms and conditions of this Policy in obtaining the required permits for hydrant usage will result in penalties for unauthorized hydrant usage or illegal connections. Penalties of up to $2,000 per incident per day may be levied. Repeat offenses or non-payment of fines will result in legal action being taken against the individual and/or company.
