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CHAPTER 196

WATER AND SEWERAGE CORPORATION 1 WATER SUPPLY RULES

(SECTION 39) [Commencement 29th June, 1953]

1. These Rules may be cited as the Water Supply Rules. 2. In these Rules, unless the context otherwise

requires — “consumer” means the owner, lessee or occupier of

any premises, the receiver, attorney, agent, manager, guardian, or committee of such owner, lessee or occupier, or any other person in charge or having the control or possession of any premises in the right of the owner, or having possession in his own right or in that of his wife or any other person;

“distributing pipe” means any pipe conveying water supplied by the Minister and directly connected to the supply pipe and owned by the consumer;

“Minister” means the Minister responsible for Water and Sewerage;

“premises” means any dwelling house, hotel, shop, office, or any place of business, together with its appurtenances;

“service pipe or main” means any pipe line of the water supply system owned and controlled by the Minister and intended for the distribution of water;

1 Made under section 35 of the Water and Sewerage Act, 1933 (No. 7 of 1933) and

continued in force by section 41 of the Water and Sewerage Act, 1976 (No. 6 of 1976).

G.N. 160/1953 G.N. 268/1953 G.N. 70/1960 G.N. 255/1960 G.N. 265/1962 G.N. 2/1963 G.N 64/1963 S.I. 41/1969 S.I 23/1970 S.I. 3/1971 S.I. 74/1976 S.I. 67/1977 S.I. 55/1978 S.I. 53/1982 S.I. 56/1982 S.I. 64/1993 S.I. 14/1999 Short title.

Interpretation.

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STATUTE LAW OF THE BAHAMAS [Original Service 2001]

“supply pipe” means a pipe directly subject to water pressure from a service pipe or main and owned by the consumer;

“water for domestic purposes” means a supply of water for use on premises for the reasonable drinking, washing, cleaning, cooking’ and sani- tary requirements of the consumer.

3. (1) The Minister when requested in writing may agree to supply water to a consumer for domestic purposes or any other purpose in accordance with the Water and Sewerage Act.

(2) Water will not be supplied through any one metered connection with the supply main to more than two water closets.

(3) Where more than two water closets are installed in any new building on one proposed metered water connection or in any part of any new building such part being on one proposed metered water connection, then no water connection will be made until an independent water supply system has been installed to supply all the water closets in such new building or such part of a new building.

(4) If a third water closet is installed in a building or past of a building on an existing water connection then the connection will be cut off unless an independent water supply system is installed to supply all the water closets in the said building or part of a building.

(5) The Minister may under special circumstances exempt owners from the provisions of subrules (2), (3) and (4).

4. For the purpose of these Rules no plumbing or fitting of any description whatsoever, in relation to, or in connection with, the water supply system, shall be done either inside, or outside of any premises except by a person or persons holding a licence to carry out such work which shall have been issued by the Minister. This rule shall apply to all existing installations, repairs to same, and to all new works.

5. Every supply pipe shall be fitted, inside the premises, with a stop valve with an area of water-way of a size and type to be approved by the Minister and such stop valve shall, if below the surface of the ground, be suitably protected by a cement concrete box of approved type and size and fitted with a proper cover.

G.N. 2/1963.; S.I. 41/1969.; S.I. 74/ 1976.

Supply of water to premises.

Plumbing to be done by persons holding a licence.

Stop valve on supply pipe.

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6. The Minister shall be responsible for all repairs to a service pipe or main, but such responsibility shall cease at the consumer’s side of the meter at a point where the supply pipe is connected.

7. No supply pipe or distributing pipe shall be laid so as to pass through any sewer or drain or any man-hole connected therewith or into or through any ashpit or manure hole, or be laid or allowed to remain in contact with any foul soil or injurious matter. Where the laying of such pipe through foul soil cannot be avoided, such pipe shall be sufficiently protected from contact with such soil either by being carried through an exterior cast iron pipe or other approved means.

8. Every pipe hereafter laid or fixed in connection with water supplied by the Minister shall when laid in open ground be laid at least one foot below the surface and be protected against immersion by salt or brackish water.

9. No pipe for the conveyance of, or in any way connected with the water supplied by the Minister, shall connect with any pump, pipe, fitting or other receptacle used or intended to be used for the conveyance or reception of any water other than that supplied by the Minister except with the permission of the Minister in writing.

10. Unless otherwise specially authorized, no pipe through which water is supplied by the Minister to any water closet, slop hopper, slop sink or urinal, shall connect with any part of such water closet, slop hopper, slop sink or urinal or with apparatus connected therewith except the flushing cistern thereof.

11. (1) Consumption of all water used will be measured by a meter which is the property of the Minister, and the consumer is bound to accept the registered figure as correct, unless it is proven to the satisfaction of the Minister that there is some defect in the mechanism of the meter.

(2) If a meter for any reason ceases, omits or otherwise fails to register the quantity of water consumed, a consumer shall pay in respect of water supplied a reasonable sum in respect of any such period (not exceeding three months) of meter failure, based on the amount of the consumption of such consumer to be ascertained by comparison with periods of like duration.

Repairs to service pipe or main.

Laying of supply pipe.

Depth of pipe.

No connection with other water supply.

Supply through cisterns flushing to water closets.

Record of meter to be accepted as correct.

S.I. 53/1982.

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STATUTE LAW OF THE BAHAMAS [Original Service 2001]

12. Except with the permission of the Minister no consumer shall be permitted to sell water to any other person. Such permission may be granted on such terms and conditions as the Minister may deem fit.

13. No meter shall be removed or interfered with under any circumstances, except by a person in the employ of the Minister.

14. (1) The owner of any house or premises supplied with water by the Minister, or any other person liable for payment of charges for water, shall give to the Minister notice in writing of his intention to discontinue the use of such water or of the intention on the part of the occupier to vacate such house or premises, seven clear days before such discontinuance or such vacation and if such person neglects to give such notice, he shall be liable to pay for all water registered by the meter until the use of the water is discontinued or the house or premises become vacant, as the case may be whichever is the later date.

(2) The notice required by paragraph (1) of this rule shall be of no effect unless it be in writing signed by or on behalf of the person liable for payment of the water charges and be left at or sent by prepaid registered letter post to the office of the Minister.

15. Public Departments may be supplied with water from the street hydrants for public purposes on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the Minister and the Public Departments in question.

16. Water may be supplied to builders for the purpose of erecting new buildings or altering or extending existing buildings at the rate of twelve dollars and forty cents per 1000 gallons or a part thereof, exclusive of the charges payable for the connection of any supply pipes.

17. Any person appointed by the Corporation far the purposes of section 6(1)(e) of the Act, to inspect and examine pipes, meters, fittings, works and apparatus for the supply of water shall be dressed either in the uniform clothing of the Ministry or provided with an authority signed by a responsible official of the Ministry, which said authority must be produced if required by the owner or occupier of any premises which are being inspected.

Sale of water. G.N. 2/1963.

Interference with metres.

S.I. 41/1969.; S.I. 74/1976.

Notice of discontinuance or supply.

Supply to Public Departments.

Supply of water to builders.

Inspectors.

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18. The consumer shall maintain in good order and condition all pipes, faucets, valves, flushing cisterns and fittings of every description within the premises and shall be liable for all waste whatsoever the cause. The inspector appointed by the Minister shall have the right of access at all times to the premises to examine for waste and shall have authority to serve notice upon the consumer to repair any defect within forty-eight hours. If the consumer neglects to remedy such defect within the time specified in the notice, then the Minister shall have the power to enter and cut off the supply.

19. (1) Accounts for water supplied and for other charges due to the Corporation shall be rendered monthly or quarterly as the Corporation may direct.

(2) The charges to be paid by a consumer in respect of the water supply shall be in accordance with the follow- ing —

(a) in respect of dwelling houses (including apart- ments) —

(i) a minimum charge (including the first 3, 000 gallons or part thereof) per quarter per meter of the respective size specified here- under —

Meter Size (in inches)

Minimum Charges

½, 5/8 $36.00 ¾ $45.00 1 $70.00

1¼ $96.00 1½ $122.00

(ii) $12.10 for every 1,000 gallons or part thereof in excess of 3,000 gallons but not exceeding 13,000 gallons per meter per quarter;

(iii) $18.95 for every 1,000 gallons or part thereof in excess of 13,000 gallons but less than 100,000 gallons per meter per quarter; and

Waste of water.

S.I. 53/1982.

Charges and deposits.

S.I. 64/1993; S.I. 14/1999.

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STATUTE LAW OF THE BAHAMAS [Original Service 2001]

(iv) $15.26 for every 1,000 gallons or part thereof in excess of 100,000 gallons or more per meter per quarter:

Provided that in respect of a period of less than a quarter the charges shall be calculated on the basis of a proportionate amount of water and rates, as the case may be, to those specified in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv);

(b) in respect of any other establishment (excluding apartments and hotels) —

(i) a minimum charge (including the first 3,000 gallons or part thereof) per quarter per meter of the respective size specified here- under —

Meter Size (in inches)

Minimum Charges

½, 5/8 $60.00 ¾ $60.00 1 $91.00

1 ¼ $124.50 1 ½ $159.50

2 $239.00 3 $297.50 4 $795.00 6 $1,390.00 8 $1,987.00

(ii) $13.15 for every 1,000 gallons or part thereof in excess of 3,000 gallons but not exceeding 13,000 gallons per meter per quarter;

(iii) $20.90 for every 1,000 gallons or part thereof in excess of 13,000 gallons but not exceeding 400,000 gallons per meter per quarter;

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(iv) $15.50 for every 1,000 gallons or part thereof in excess of 400,000 gallons per meter per quarter:

Provided that in respect of a period of less than a quarter the charges shall be calculated on the basis of a proportionate amount of water and rates, as the case may be, to those specified in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv);

(d) in respect of hotels — (i) a minimum charge (including the first 3,000

gallons or part thereof) per quarter per meter of the respective size specified here- under —

Meter Size (in inches)

Minimum Charges

½, 5/8 $60.00 ¾ $60.00 1 $91.00 1 ¼ $124.50 1 ½ $159.50 2 $239.00 3 $297.50 4 $795.00 6 $1,390.00 8 $1,987.00

(ii) $13.15 for every 1,000 gallons or part

thereof in excess of 3,000 gallons but not exceeding 13,000 gallons per meter per quarter;

(iii) $20.90 for every 1,000 gallons or part thereof in excess of 13,000 gallons but not exceeding 400,000 gallons per meter per quarter;

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STATUTE LAW OF THE BAHAMAS [Original Service 2001]

(iv) $15.50 for every 1,000 gallons or part thereof in excess of 400,000 gallons per meter per quarter:

Provided that in respect of a period of less than a quarter the charges shall be calculated on the basis of a proportionate amount of water and rates, as the case may be, to those specified in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv).

(3) Deposits in respect of the distribution and supply of water shall be as follows —

(a) for dwelling houses (including apartments), with one bathroom or one water closet or otherwise supplied with water — $55.00;

(b) for dwelling houses (including apartments), with two or more bathrooms or two or more water closets — $115.00.

(c) for commercial establishments (excluding apart- ments) — such amount as is equivalent to the average or estimated billing per meter per quarter but being an amount not less than $115.

20. (1) The Minister may rent meters at the following rates —

Entry and Discharge Pipes Per Quarter $ (a) ½ in., 5/8 in. or ¾ in. pipes 3.00 (b) 1 in., 11/8 in., 1½ in. or 2 in. pipes 4.00 (c) 3 in. pipes 5.00 (d) 4 in. pipes 6.00

(2) When at the request of a consumer a reading of a meter is made at a time other than that of the normal reading, a charge of eight dollars shall be made for every such reading, and at the time of any such reading the Corporation shall if requested disconnect or reconnect the meter.

(3) The charge for removing, replacing or testing a meter at the request of a consumer shall be as follows —

½ in., ¾ in., 5/8 in. meter $17.00 1 in. meter or greater $42.00

S.I. 64/1993.

S.I. 64/1993.

S.I. 64/1993.

S.I. 74/1976.

Rental of water meters.

S.I. 53/1982.

S.I. 64/1993.

S.I. 64/1993.

S.I. 53/1982; S.I. 64/1993.

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(4) Meters may be disconnected and removed for nonpayment of water charges and such meters will not be re-installed until the account due has been paid and in addition there shall be paid an additional charge of twenty- one dollars, or ten per centum of the account due, whichever is the greater, to meet the cost of such a disconnection or any visit made for that purpose in relation to a non-payment.

(5) The charge for disconnecting or reconnecting a meter at the request of a consumer shall be sixteen dollars.

(6) The charge for resiting a service connection at the request of the consumer or for effecting repairs of damage to or interference with a meter installation shall be the actual cost of the work.

(7) The charge for handling a dishonoured cheque which was issued by a consumer in respect of the payment of water rates, is fifteen dollars.

21. (1) The connection of every supply pipe with any service pipe or main shall be made by the Minister and paid for in advance by the owner of the premises concerned, the amount to be charged for connections of different sizes of supply pipe being as follows —

(a) ½ in. or ¾ in. supply pipe diameter — $262.50; (b) 1 in. supply pipe diameter — $375.00; (c) 2 in. or more supply pipe diameter — actual cost: Provided that, in any case where the distance from

the main to the boundary of the premises is more than sixty feet, the actual cost of the work shall be charged.

(2) In addition to the charges specified in paragraph (1) there shall be paid to the Corporation in respect of such new connections made by the Corporation a Distribution and Wellfield Construction Supply Charge in accordance with the following —

Supply Pipe diameter (Inches)

Charges ($)

½, ¾ 250.00 1½ 500.00 2 1,500.00

S.I. 53/1982.

S.I. 64/1993.

S.I. 53/1982. S.I. 64/1993.

S.I. 53/1982.

S.I. 64/1993.

G.N. 255/1960.; S.I. 74/1976.; S.I. 53/1982.

Connection of supply pipes.

S.I. 64/1993.

S.I. 64/1993.

S.I. 64/1993.

S.I. 53/1982.

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3 2,500.00 4 5,000.00

6 or greater actual cost.

22. The charge for road reinstatement occasioned by trenching and damage to any service pipe or main shall be at the rate of two dollars per lineal foot of road so requiring reinstatement.

23. (1) The charge for the delivery of bills by hand to addresses shall be one dollar.

(2) The Minister reserves the right to make or fix a charge for all duplicate bills demanded by a consumer.

24. (1) The amount due to the Minister for water supplied shall be due and payable on demand to the Minister.

(2) The amount due and demanded for water supplied shall be paid by and recoverable from the person entering into the agreement with the Minister.

(3) Such agreement shall in all cases be made between the Minister and the owner of the premises, save that when the owner of the premises is the Government or any Public Department then the Minister may make such agreement with a tenant or other occupier of the premises.

(4) If any person makes a default in payment of any sum payable by him, the Minister may cut off the supply of water to that person until such sum, together with all the expenses incurred by the Minister, shall have been paid.

25. (1) Any person who uses any water supplied by the Corporation for any purpose other than that for which it is supplied shall be liable to a fine of sixty dollars in respect of each day or part thereof during which such user occurs.

(2) Any person who commits any offence against these Rules for which no punishment is specifically provided shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of sixty dollars or to imprisonment for four months.

G.N. 255/1960.

Road reinstatement charges.

S.I. 41/1969. Bills.

S.I. 74/1976.

Recovery of water charges.

S.I. 41/1969. Penalties.