ARTICLE I
Purpose
Section 1. Mission of the GJWA
The Greater Johnstown Water Authority is a
joint municipal authority organized by the City of Johnstown and
Boroughs of Southmont and Westmont. The Authority serves customers
in 17 separate municipalities in two counties. The Articles of
Incorporation filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth in
1963 by the three municipalities provide:
ASaid
Authority shall be organized for the purpose of acquiring, holding,
constructing, improving, maintaining and operating, owning and
leasing, either in the capacity of lessor or lessee, projects
of the following kind and character: waterworks, water supply
works, water distribution systems, lakes, reservoirs, low head
dams, watershed areas, permanent open space land areas and all
appurtenances there to in and for the benefit of the citizens
of the City of Johnstown, the Borough of Westmont and the Borough
of Southmont and surrounding and adjacent townships into which
one or more of the projects of the Authority extends or is to
extend.@
The Authority finds that the extent and scope
of water supply service is within its discretion to define considering
always the cost and quality of the service provided to its customers.
Section 2. Non Discrimination
It is the policy of the GJWA that all customers
in all municipalities shall to the extent that purely physical
differences make this possible, be treated equally in terms of
the extent, quality, and quantity of service available.
ARTICLE II
Public Fire Hydrants
Section 1. Public Fire Service
When a city, borough or township desires the installation of an additional fire hydrant, the Authority shall bear the cost of the new hydrant and the installation thereof; provided:
(a) the requesting party complete and sign the required application and submit said application to the GJWA .
(b) the new hydrant at its proposed location can be satisfactorily supplied from the Authority's existing distribution system.
(c) that the new hydrant will not be less than 1000 feet distance from an existing hydrant.
(d) an annual service fee shall be paid to
maintain and service these hydrants.
Section 2. Relocation of Public Fire Hydrants.
Whenever the location of a fire hydrant is
ordered changed by a municipality, the change will be made by
the Authority at the expense of the municipality.
Section 3. New Fire Hydrants - System improvements solely to accomplish Fire Service or improvement of Fire Service.
Installation cost of hydrants or other facilities
shall be governed by Section I of this Article.
Approval shall be in a form sufficient to bind the municipality/developer/private
owner to the payment of the costs involved and shall mention this
section.
Section 4.
A new hydrant must have the capability of being supplied by the
existing distribution system. The Authority shall have the right
to refuse the granting of a hydrant installation if it is determined
by Authority personnel that the mains or service lines are not
sufficient to provide such service.
ARTICLE III
System Improvements Solely to Accomplish Fire Service
Section 1. Generally
The Authority shall not undertake improvements to the water system solely for the purpose of improving or extending public fire service unless the governing body of the affected governmental agency or developer:
(a) shall make the request for improvement(s) in writing
(b) make arrangements for the installation
of additional fire hydrants (as may be required) pursuant to Article
II Section 3.
ARTICLE IV
Fire Service Improvements
as part of Ongoing System Upgrade
Section 1. Generally
The Authority shall consider fire service needs
and the effect of a project on fire service when undertaking general
improvements to its water delivery system. When considering fire
service needs, the Greater Johnstown Water Authority will incorporate
an engineering study within said project for the purpose of improving
or upgrading fire service.
Section 2. Additional Costs
The balance of necessary expenses (as per Article
IV Section 1) will come from the benefiting municipality or developer.
ARTICLE V
Private Fire Hydrants
Section 1. Generally
Fire hydrants for private (non-municipal) entities
shall be installed by the Authority upon written request (as per
Article II Section 3) and shall be served by a separate water
service.
Section 2. Costs
Cost of the hydrant and installation shall
be borne by the requesting private entity.
Section 3. Use
The use of private fire hydrants shall be governed
by the rules established for hydrant use (As per Article VI)
ARTICLE VI
Use of Fire Hydrants and Fire Service
(a) No fire hydrant shall be used without the Authority's permission for any purpose other than an emergency threatening the public safety.
(b) Fire Departments desiring to use hydrants for training shall make a written request at least one week in advance of the intended use. If, in the opinion of the Manager, use of the hydrant or hydrants will cause a water supply or quality problem, the Manager will designate an alternate hydrant for use.
(c) requests for use of fire hydrants by any municipality must be made to the Operations Department of the Management Company. The Authority reserves the right to designate an alternate hydrant or to regulate the time of use and volume. If the amount to be used is significant (more than 1000 gals.) The Authority may require that a meter be temporarily installed and the amount be billed.
(d) Testing of Fire Hydrants and Private Fire Services must be done with advance notice to an permission of the Authority, so as not to disrupt service to the Authority's customers.