Member Policy & Procedure

Application for service shall be on the Scioto Water, Inc. (hereinafter "SWI") standard forms and made at the company's office with payment of the current tap fee and transfer fee.

When accepted by the water company, the application shall constitute a binding contract between the applicant and SWI, in conformance with this policy statement, the By-laws of the company and the applicable rate schedules.

A new application on behalf of another individual will not be accepted unless the determination can be made that the party making the application has the legal authority to do so. The applicants' signature shall be obtained on the User's Agreement to establish responsibility for payment of bills at the service address of the application.

The new member shall be given a copy of the User's Agreement. A picture ID and Social Security or Driver's License number is required at the time of application.

SWI may reject any application when the applicant is delinquent in payment of water bills incurred for service previously supplied at any location. No person shall be permitted to subscribe for service if the capacity of the water system is exhausted by the needs of its existing members.

The current tap fee shall be charged for each new meter installation within the limits set forth. The monthly water charges shall start upon the tap being set. The current minimum charge will be in place for two years even if not connected and $12.50 will be charged indefinitely even if tap is not in use.

Each meter requires a separate water tap account number and each account number will cover a separate and individual account. SWI only allows one residence per meter. Bulk meters may be purchased to accommodate apartments.

Water furnished for a given lot or farmstead shall be used on the lot only. Each service must be separately metered at a single delivery and metering point.

SWI will install, maintain and operate a water distribution system including main lines, hydrants, pumping stations, towers, service lines, sources of supply and treatment. The corporation also may purchase and install a cutoff valve and meter in each service line from its main distribution line or lines.

Such cutoff valve and meter shall be owned and maintained by the corporation. The corporation shall have the sole and exclusive right to use of such cutoff valve (SWI Bylaws, Article XI, Section 1). Every member is allowed access to the meter pit for the purpose of turning off and on the water, and to take their own meter reading. However, all equipment contained in the meter pit is the property of SWI, and it is illegal to tamper with the meter or any part thereof.

Each member shall be entitled to one (1) service line from the company's water system unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors. Each service line shall connect with the Company's water system at the nearest available place to the place of desired use.

SWI does not assume the responsibility of inspecting the member's piping or apparatus, save and except the required Ohio Environmental Protection Agency cross connection and backflow inspection and will not be responsible therefore.

SWI reserves the right to refuse service unless the member's lines or piping are installed in such manner as to prevent cross connection or backflow. SWI shall not be liable for damages of any kind whatsoever resulting from water or the use of water on the member's premises unless such damage results directly from negligence on the part of SWI.

If possible under normal conditions, the member will be notified of any anticipated interruptions of service.

Each residential member is required to have the following items: a service line capable of handling a minimum of 200 psi, a pressure reducing regulator, a shut off valve, and check valve.

Each commercial member and farmstead that uses water for non-domestic purposes are required to have a service line capable of handling a minimum of 200 psi, a pressure regulator, a shut off valve, and a backflow prevention device that has been approved by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. They must have their backflow prevention device tested annually and must send a copy of the test results to SWI.

The member shall provide a place of metering which is unobstructed and accessible at all times. If the meter reader cannot read the meter due to debris, vehicle parked on meter, animals, or other obstructions, a service charge may be applied to the account.

The member's piping and apparatus shall be installed and maintained by the member at the member's expense in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with SWI's rules, regulations, the State Board of Health, and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

If service is requested in an area not currently served by SWI, a study must be done to determine if service can be provided. The cost of the study is the sole responsibility of the person/s making the request for service. A $1,500 deposit will be required before commencement of the study.

Once determined that service can be provided, the cost of the extension will be billed and must be paid in full before any work will be performed. These fees will be set by the Board of Directors who will also determine if the extension is feasible.

Any main line extension over 500 feet must be engineered, must be approved by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and must follow the guidelines established by the separate system expansion policy.

Duly authorized agents of SWI shall have access at all reasonable hours to the premises of the member, for the purpose of installing or removing SWI property, inspecting pipes, reading or testing meters or for other purpose in connection with SWI service and facilities.

Any fencing that is installed on the property by the owner or occupant that would prohibit or hinder access to the meter shall be constructed with a gate that would allow access to the meter area. All equipment contained in the meter pit is the property of SWI.

Each member shall grant or convey, or shall cause to be granted or conveyed to SWI a permanent easement and right-of-way across any property owned or controlled by the member wherever said easement and right-of-way is necessary for SWI's water facilities and lines.

Notice must be given in person or in writing to the Company if there is a change in ownership of any property where water service is provided. The prior owner(s) shall be responsible for all water consumed up to the time transfer of ownership, and the prior owner(s) must pay any and all outstanding balance(s) owed before the Company will transfer ownership of the SWI account(s).

A final reading will be taken whenever a final reading is requested by the member receiving the bill. The service will be disconnected if not transferred into another name.

Meters will be read monthly. Bills will be rendered monthly, but SWI reserves the right to vary the dates or length of period covered, temporarily or permanently if necessary or desirable. Bills are generated and mailed out on a schedule to be determined by SWI.

Bills are due within 15 days of the billing date as specified on the bill. A ten percent (10%) late charge will be assessed on the current unpaid balance of the account if not paid within five (5) days of the due date.

All accounts past due are subject to disconnection. A notice of delinquency is on your monthly bill. The day of disconnection, the entire bill plus trip charge must be paid to avoid the disconnect.

Service discontinued for nonpayment of bills will be restored only after bills are paid in full and service charges paid for each meter reconnected. SWI reserves the right to discontinue its service without notice for the following additional reasons: to prevent fraud or abuse, consumers willful disregard of SWI's rules, emergency repairs, insufficiency of supply due to circumstances beyond SWI's control, legal process, direction of public authorities, strike, riot, flood, accident or any unavoidable causes.

The Company may in addition to prosecution by law, permanently refuse service to any member who tampers with a meter or other measuring device. If a bill is left owed on an account in excess of six months the tap may be pulled at the corp.

Tampering with a meter in anyway shall result in the pulling of the meter from service and any water used must be paid before service is restored. In addition to a service fee and reconnection fee, it is the Company's policy to charge additional fees for any damages due to the setter, valve top, removal of the lock, or jumper being placed in the meter pit.

Fire Departments Service Taps located on SWI's distribution system will be billed the current minimum rate for a 3/4" tap regardless of the size tap serving the said Department. Water use is restricted to "Fire Department Use Only." Personal car washes, filling of swimming pools, purging of wells, etc., is not permitted from any sources of water provided by SWI.

Fire Department Use of Flush Hydrants

All "Hydrants" located throughout any of SWI's distribution systems are classified by SWI as FLUSH hydrants only. Any Fire Department may use any of the flush hydrants in our systems to "Bucket Fill" their pumper trucks, tanker trucks, and/or a dump tank at any time without charge. All flush hydrants must be operated in a manner that will not cause oscillation or "Water Hammer" in the system.

As of September 2020, the SWI Board adopted a fire suppression sprinkler fee which will be charged at a set fee per inch based upon the size of the main line.

If a member believes the bill to be in error, he or she shall present his or her claim, in person or in writing to the office of SWI before the bill becomes delinquent. Such claim if made after the bill has become delinquent shall not be effective in preventing discontinuance of service.

The member may pay such bill under a protest and said payment shall not prejudice his or her claim. Should the member request a special reading once the billing has been mailed, a trip charge may be added to the member's account if the meter reading has already been verified by the meter reader or through a work order.

If a seal of a meter is broken by other than an SWI representative, a penalty will be added if the meter fails to register correctly or is stopped by any cause. The member shall pay an amount estimated from the record of his or her previous bill and/or other proper data.

Purchasing

Water taps can be purchased at the main office in Franklin Furnace. Water taps can be purchased by installments with a minimum down payment of 50% with the remaining balance due within six (6) months. A water tap must be paid in full, all easement forms must be signed, and a water users agreement must be signed before the tap will be put on the schedule to be set.

Tap Relocation

Existing taps can be relocated if the property owner relinquishes the rights to said tap providing water is available and all fees are paid in advance and the tap is on Scioto Water, Inc. system.

Placement

Piping on the premises of the member must be installed so that the connections are conveniently located with respect to Company lines and mains. The Water Company shall have the final decision for the location of the water meter.

Connection

It is the member's responsibility to make the final connection. When the tap is set, a short piece of pipe will be supplied and left exposed on the outlet side of the meter. The member is responsible for any and all leaks that occur on the discharge side of the meter outside of the meter pit.

Additional & Upgrading Taps

Current SWI members who desire to purchase additional taps may do so providing proof of ownership. If an existing member wishes to upgrade their current tap to the next size or larger, they can do so at a reduced charge of 50% of the requested tap fee.

No promise, agreement or representation of any employee of SWI shall be binding upon SWI except as it shall have been agreed upon in writing, signed and accepted by the officers of SWI. No modification of rates or any of the Rules and Regulations shall be made by any agent of SWI. These Rules and Regulations may be modified or amended at any time by SWI and thereupon be binding upon all members.

Current water rates and fee schedules are maintained on our Water Rates page. All fees are set by the Board of Directors and subject to change.

Scioto Water, Inc. has contracted with Servline to offer service line protection insurance to our customers. Monthly fees vary by account type. If a customer opts out there is a 30-day waiting period to re-enroll.

A fire suppression sprinkler fee is charged at a set fee per inch based on the size of the main line being used for Fire Suppression. This is a monthly charge that will be added to the bill.