Section 600.10  Statutory

 

"An Act concerning public utilities" (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. ch. 111⅔, pars. 1 et seq.) contains the following provisions:

 

a)         Article I, Section 10.15, Definitions

            "Service" is used in its broadest and most inclusive sense, and includes not only the use or accommodation afforded consumers or patrons, but also any product or commodity furnished by any public utility and the plant, equipment, apparatus, appliances, property and facilities employed by, or in connection with, any public utility in performing any service or in furnishing any product or commodity and devoted to the purposes in which such public utility is engaged and to the use and accommodation of the public.

 

b)         Article IV, Section 54, Standards of Service

            The Commission shall have power to ascertain, determine and fix for each kind of public utility suitable and convenient standard commercial units of service, product or commodity, which units shall be lawful units for the purposes of this Act; to ascertain, determine and fix adequate and serviceable standards for the measurements of quantity, quality, pressure, initial voltage or other condition pertaining to the performing of its service or to the furnishing of its product or commodity by any public utility, and to prescribe reasonable regulations for examining, measuring and testing such service, product, or commodity, and to establish reasonable rules, regulations, specifications and standards to secure the accuracy of all meters and appliances for examining, measuring, or testing such service, product or commodity.

 

Section 600.20  Authorization of Rules

 

In accordance with the statutory provisions in Section 54 of "An Act concerning public utilities" above, the attached revised rules for water service applicable to public water utilities have been prepared and approved by the Commission to be effective January 1, 1975.

 

Section 600.30  Application of Rules

 

a)         Except as hereinafter otherwise provided, this Part sets forth the minimum general requirements and shall apply to any public utility defined as such by the Illinois Public Utilities Act, which is now or hereafter may be engaged in providing public water service and which comes under the jurisdiction of the Commission.

 

b)         This Part shall supersede any rate, rule, regulation or condition of service which any water utility presently has on file with the Commission. Any rate, rule, regulation or condition of service which fails to meet the minimum general requirements in this Part shall be considered null and void and the utility shall refile such rate, rule, regulation or condition of service to conform with the provisions of this Part.

 

Section 600.40  Saving Clause

 

The adoption of this Part shall in no way preclude the Commission from altering or amending it, in whole or in part, or from requiring or permitting any other or additional service, equipment, facility or standard, either upon complaint, upon its own motion, or upon the application of any utility; and, furthermore, this Part shall in no way relieve any utility from any of its duties under the laws of this state.

 

Section 600.50  Definitions

 

            The word "Commission," used in this Part, shall be construed to mean the Illinois Commerce Commission.

 

            The word "customer," used in this Part, shall be construed to mean any person, firm, or corporation, municipality or other political subdivision of the state taking water service from any such utility.

 

            The word "utility," used in this Part, shall be construed to mean public utility.

 

Section 600.60  Modification or Exemption from Rules

 

If hardship results from the application of any rule herein prescribed, or if unusual difficulty is involved in complying with any rule or otherwise upon good cause shown, a formal application or written request, as may be appropriate under the circumstances, may be made to the Commission for the modification of the particular rule or for an exemption from its provision. Upon good cause shown  the Commission may then modify that rule or provide an exemption for that utility.

 

Section 600.110  Records and Reports

 

a)         Attention is invited to the requirements of Section 16 of "An Act concerning public utilities," which presently reads as follows:

            "Each public utility shall have an office in one of the cities, villages or incorporated towns in this State in which its property or some part thereof is located, and shall keep in said office all such books, accounts, papers, records and memoranda as shall be ordered by the Commission to be kept within the State.  The address of such office shall be filed with the Commission. No books, accounts, papers, records or memoranda ordered by the Commission to be kept within the State shall be at any time removed from the State, except upon such conditions as may be prescribed by the Commission."

 

b)         All records required by this Part shall be kept within the state and shall be available for inspection by the Commission or its staff, except as permitted by order of the Commission.

 

c)         The rules prescribed in 83 Ill. Adm. Code 615 (General Order 189), as revised from time to time, will govern the destruction of records of water utilities.

 

Section 600.120  System Records

 

Each utility shall keep daily records which shall substantially reflect and provide for continuity of operations of its plant.  The utility shall also keep, insofar as practicable, a record of such details of system operation as may be necessary to substantially reproduce its operation.  Such records shall show the quantities of water pumped from each source of supply.

 

Section 600.130  Pressure Record

 

a)         Each utility furnishing service within a given contiguous service area to 300 or more customers or a population equivalent of 1,000 persons shall maintain a graphic pressure gauge located at its plant or at some central point in the distribution system where continuous records shall be made of the pressure in the mains at that point.  All records or charts shall be identified, dated and filed chronologically and shall be open to inspection by the public.

 

b)         Each utility shall furnish and place other recording pressure gauges at such locations and for such periods as may be determined by the Commission.

 

Section 600.140  Maps and Records

 

a)         Each utility shall maintain reasonably accurate up-to-date maps which shall show the area for which certificates of convenience and necessity have been issued by the Commission.  Where applicable, the maps shall indicate each area by Docket Number.

 

b)         Each utility shall also maintain reasonably accurate up-to-date supply diagrams and distribution maps.  The supply diagram shall contain a plot plan of the supply facilities showing equipment, capacities, and flow directions. The distribution map shall show all mains indicating their general location and size, all hydrants and all valves.  Such maps and other such information as necessary shall enable the utility to promptly and accurately advise interested individuals as to the location of mains and services.

 

c)         Separate valve, hydrant and service connection records shall be kept for each valve, hydrant and service connection.  Each record shall give the date of installation, size, make and model (if known), location, number and history of maintenance where applicable.

 

d)         Maps showing the certificated area of the utility (when the Commission has issued a certificate for a specific area) and the principal transmission and distribution mains shall be submitted to the Commission by March 31, 1975.  Maps showing additions and changes thereto in each calendar year shall be submitted by March 31 of each succeeding year.  If there are no changes in such calendar year, the utility shall so notify the Commission in writing of this fact and, in those cases, it will not be necessary to refile such maps.  Because of the necessity of such maps, any utility not possessing same shall begin an immediate program to permit the preparation and filing thereof.  In the event such maps cannot be filed within the period above stated, the utility shall request Commission approval for additional time.

 

Section 600.150  Customer Meter Test Records

 

Each utility shall keep a record for each meter showing the make, size, style, number and date of purchase of the meter.  Such record shall also reflect at all times the results of the latest test conducted on the meter, the reason for the test and the testing method used.

 

Section 600.160  Meter Bills

 

a)         Except as hereinafter set forth, bills rendered periodically to customers for metered service shall show the date and the reading of the meter at the beginning and the end of the period for which the bill is rendered, the due date of the bill, the volume of water used, the amount of the bill and a condensed statement of the principal rates.

 

b)         In cases, however, whereby reason of the use of postal or other card form of billing, or for other good reasons, the information set forth in the preceding paragraph cannot reasonably be placed on such bills, any utility shall present for filing with the Commission, in conjunction with its rules, a proposed form of billing.  Upon the said proposed form being approved or passed to the files by the Commission, billing shall be made in accordance therewith.  The Commission may reject or require modification of any such proposed form of billing, or at its discretion, require a hearing thereon.

 

c)         In those cases where the principal rates are not shown on the bill, the utility shall provide each customer a copy of the rates at least once each year and following a change in the rates.  Said notice may accompany the regular bill for service.

 

d)         In addition to the above, each utility shall file with the Commission Water Engineering Staff within 30 days from the date of this order, two copies of the bill form presently in use.  Each time said form is changed, the utility shall file 2 copies of the new form with the staff and, if required, file a copy with the Commission.

 

Section 600.170  Complaint Records

 

a)         A full and prompt investigation shall be made of each complaint received. The word "complaint," as used in this Section, shall be construed to mean substantial objection made to a utility by a customer as to its charges, facilities, or service, the disposal of which complaint requires investigation or analysis. The receipt of all written complaints shall be acknowledged in writing or by personal contact.

 

b)         A record shall be kept of each complaint, showing the name and address of the complainant, the time of day and date received, the nature of the complaint, the result of the investigation, when and by whom conducted, the final disposition of the complaint and the date of such disposition.

 

c)         Complaints shall be summarized at least quarterly by each operating office.  Said summaries shall categorize complaints by type and number and shall be kept for 3 years.

 

Section 600.210  Quality of Service

 

Each utility shall furnish a safe water supply suitable for drinking and free of any hazards to health in adequate quantities to meet the needs of its customers.  The water should be free from objectionable odor and taste and should be colorless.  It shall conform to the standards for drinking water as established by the State of Illinois, Environmental Protection Agency or any successor agency or organization.

 

Section 600.220  Interruptions of Service

 

a)         Each utility shall make all reasonable efforts to prevent interruptions of service.  When interruption occurs, the utility shall re-establish service with the shortest possible delay consistent with general safety and public welfare.  The Commission shall be notified promptly if service is interrupted for a period of 12 hours or more in any major portion of the distribution system.

 

b)         Whenever service is to be interrupted for the purpose of working on the system, this work shall be done at a time which will cause the least inconvenience to customers and those customers who will be most seriously affected by such interruption shall, so far as practical, be notified in advance.  The utility shall also notify the proper officer of the fire department at least 6 hours in advance, if at all possible, as to the extent of the interruption.  At the completion of repairs, the same officer shall be notified that service has been restored.

 

c)         Each utility shall keep a record of all interruptions affecting service to the entire system and to any major portion of the distribution system. This record shall show the date, time of day, duration, extent and cause of the interruption.

 

Section 600.230  Adequacy of Service

 

a)         Each utility shall furnish and maintain sufficient facilities to provide a continuous and adequate supply of water at reasonable pressure.  Unless other acceptable provisions are made to insure continuous service, the utility should be able to meet the maximum daily demand with its largest well and/or pump out of service.

 

b)         An average pressure of at least 35 pounds per square inch (psi) is recommended at the customer's service connection.  Under normal operating conditions, pressure below 20 psi at the customer's service connection will not be considered reasonable.

 

Section 600.240  Inspection and Maintenance of Valves and Hydrants

 

Each utility shall establish a valve and hydrant inspection program.  Valves and hydrants shall be kept in good operating condition and should be inspected at least annually.  Valves and hydrants found to be inoperable shall be repaired or replaced.  Valve covers shall be maintained at grade level and not paved over.  Each inspection and all maintenance performed shall be properly noted on the valve or hydrant record card.

 

Section 600.250  Emergency Telephone Number

 

a)         In addition to a toll free phone number available during normal working hours, each utility shall maintain a toll free number available 24 hours a day for emergency situations.  Said numbers shall be published in the telephone directory in each area served by the utility.

 

b)         Within 30 days from the effective date of this Part each utility shall notify the Commission Water Engineering Staff of such numbers and promptly advise said staff of any changes in the numbers.  In cases where the numbers are changed the utility shall notify its customers in printing.  Said notice may accompany the next regular billing.

 

Section 600.260  Metered Service

 

All general water service furnished within the State of Illinois shall be by metered measurement, unless otherwise approved by the Commission.

 

Section 600.300  Testing Facilities

 

Each utility furnishing water service to any of its customers on a metered basis shall, unless specifically excused by the Commission, make provision for a suitable meter testing laboratory and equipment or apparatus as may be necessary to make the tests required by this Part and other orders of this Commission.  Meter testing equipment shall, at all reasonable hours, be accessible for inspection and use by authorized representatives of the Commission.

 

Section 600.310  Test and Allowable Error

 

a)         The accuracy of a water meter shall be tested by comparing the actual amount of water passing through it with the amount indicated on the dial.

 

b)         The test shall be conducted in accordance with the standards for testing Cold Water Meters as prescribed by the American Water Works Association (AWWA C705-60) with quantities and flows for positive displacement meters as follows:

 

TEST FLOWS (G.P.M.) & QUANTITY
	MINIMUM			INTERMEDIATE			MAXIMUM
Size of	Flow	QUANTITY		FLOW	QUANTITY		FLOW	QUANTITY
meter	G.P.M.	Gal.	Cu.Ft.	G.P.M.	Gal.	Cu.Ft.	G.P.M.	Gal.	Cu.Ft.
⅝"	¼	10	1	2	10	1	15	100	10
¾"	½	10	1	3	10	1	25	100	10
1"	¾	10	1	4	10	1	40	100	10
1½"	1½	100	10	8	100	10	80	1000	100
2"	2	100	10	15	100	10	120	1000	100
3"	4	100	10	20	100	10	250	1000	100
4"	7	100	10	40	100	10	350	1000	100
6"	12	100	10	60	100	10	700	1000	100

 

No meters shall be placed in service when the accuracy is different than follows:

 

	NEW METERS	REPAIRED METERS
MINIMUM RANGE	95-101.5%	90-101.5%
INTERMEDIATE RANGE	98.5-101.5%	98.5-101.5%
MAXIMUM RANGE	98.5-101.5%	98.5-101.5%

 

c)         The utility may make such additional tests as it may deem necessary but in a manner that will not unreasonably inconvenience the customer.

 

Section 600.320  Meter Tests on Premises

 

Tests may be made at the place the meter is installed, provided the method employed by the utility for so testing a meter has been submitted to and has received the approval of the Commission.

 

Section 600.330  Installation of Meters

 

No meter shall be placed in service unless it has been tested previous to its installation and found accurate within the limits prescribed in Section 600.310.  This test shall be made either by the utility or the meter manufacturer. If made by the latter, the utility must obtain a copy of the result of the manufacturer's test.

 

Section 600.340  Frequency of Tests

 

Unless otherwise approved by the Commission, each service water meter shall be periodically inspected and tested in accordance with the following schedule, or as often as the results may warrant, to insure that the meter accuracy is maintained within the limits set out in Section 600.310:

 

    ⅝ inch meter – 10 years or for each 100,000 cubic feet registered

    ¾ inch meter – 6 years or for each 300,000 cubic feet registered

    1 inch meter – 6 years or for each 300,000 cubic feet registered

    Meter 1½ inch and over – 4 years

 

Section 600.350  Meter Tests Requested by Customer

 

a)         Each utility furnishing metered water service shall, without charge, test the accuracy of any meter upon request by the customer served by such meter, provided that the meter in question has not been tested by the utility or by the Commission within two years previous to such request.  If the customer so desires, he or his representatives shall have the privilege of witnessing the test.  A written report, giving the results of the test, shall be made to the customer.

 

b)         When a meter which has been in service less than two years since its last test is found to be accurate within the limits specified in Section 600.310, the customer shall pay a fee to the utility not to exceed the following:

 

1)         1 inch meter or smaller – $7.50

 

2)         1½ inch or 2 inch meter – $15.00

 

c)         Fees for testing meters not included above or so located that the cost will be out of proportion to the fee specified will be determined by the Commission upon receipt of a complete description of the case.

 

Section 600.360  Commission Referee Tests

 

a)         Upon written application to the Commission by any customer, a test will be made of the customer's meter by a representative of the Commission. For such a test a fee as provided for in Section 600.350 must accompany the application.

 

b)         If the meter is found to be registering more than 1.5 percent fast on the average when tested as prescribed in Section 600.310, the utility shall refund to the customer the amount of the fee.

 

c)         The utility shall in no way disturb the meter after a customer has made an application for a referee test until authority to do so is given by the Commission or the customer in writing.

 

Section 600.370  Service to New Customers

 

The utility shall extend service to customers under the following terms and conditions:

 

a)         The utility will provide all supply plant (backbone plant) at its cost and expense without requiring contributions or tap-on-fees from customers, developers or promoters, except in those unusual cases where extensive plant additions are required before customers can be attached.  In such instances the utility may require the customer, developer and/or promoter to advance funds, subject to refund as customers are attached, or require a revenue guarantee in lieu of customers being attached.  Each contract for such an advance or revenue guarantee shall be filed with the Commission for approval.

 

b)         Unless other terms and conditions are formally approved by the Commission, the utility shall extend its water mains from the end of existing mains on the following terms and conditions:

 

1)         Upon application being made for an extension of a water main, the utility shall determine the necessary size, location and characteristics of the main and of all valves, fittings and other appurtenances and shall make an estimate of the cost of the proposed extension, including pipe, valves, fittings, all other appurtenances and other materials and all other costs such as labor, permits, etc., including the utility's expense for supervision, engineering, insurance, tools and equipment, accounting and other overhead expenses.  Extensions made under this Section shall be on the basis of a main size of eight (8) inches in diameter unless the requirements of the customer or customers to be served call for a larger main, in which case the cost shall be based on the larger main.  In special cases, exceptions to the size of main can be made by the utility to comply with good engineering principles.

 

2)         If the estimated cost of the extension is not greater than one and one-half (1½) times the utility's estimate of annual revenue to be received from customers who will immediately attach to the extension, the utility will finance and make the extension without the requirement of any payment.

 

3)         If the estimated cost of the extension exceeds one and one-half (1½) times the utility's estimate of annual revenue to be received from customers who will immediately attach to the extension, the applicant or applicant's authorized agent shall contract for such extension and shall deposit with the utility the estimated cost of the extension less one and one-half (1½) times such estimated annual revenue.

 

4)         Original prospective customers to be considered in (2) and (3) above shall be those who sign a contract for at least one year's water service and guarantee to the utility that they will take water service at their premises within thirty (30) days after the date water is turned into the main, and whose street service connections are directly connected to the mains installed under said extension.  Estimates of annual revenue shall be made by the utility and shall be the average revenue received from similarly situated customers.  Where there are no similarly situated customers, the utility shall make an estimate of the annual bill.

 

5)         The utility shall make refunds during the first ten (10) years after the date upon which the deposit aforesaid was made and only to the depositor, his successors or assigns, as follows:

 

A)        Should the actual cost of the extension be less than the estimated cost, the utility shall refund the difference as soon as the actual cost has been ascertained.  Should the actual cost of the extension exceed the estimated cost, the difference shall be used as an offset against any refunds that may become due pursuant to (B), (C) and (D) below.

 

B)        Upon completion of the first yearly billing period of the original customers, for whom there were no similarly situated customers, as defined in subparagraph (4) above, the utility shall refund an amount equal to one and one-half (1½) times the difference between the annual revenue originally estimated by the utility and the actual revenue received, provided the actual revenue is greater than the estimated revenue.  If the actual revenue is less than the estimated revenue, the difference shall be used as an offset against revenues which would otherwise become the basis for refund pursuant to (C) below.

 

C)        During the first ten (10) years from the date of the aforesaid deposit the utility shall refund, for each additional new customer taking service from said extension under a regular yearly contract, at the end of the first year's billing for service to such additional new customer, an amount equal to one and one-half (1½) times the annual average water revenue of similarly situated customers.  If there are no similarly situated customers, the utility shall refund one and one-half (1½) times the actual annual revenue received.

 

D)        If the extension abuts property which the applicant does not own or have an interest in, the utility shall pro-rate the cost of the extension on a front foot or per lot basis and, if during the term of the extension agreement the owner or occupant of such property requests water service, the utility shall collect from such new applicant an amount equal to his pro-rata cost of the extension less one and one-half (1½) times the estimated annual revenue to be received from said new applicant.  The utility shall refund money so collected to the original applicant, such refund being in addition to the refund provided for in paragraph (C) above.

 

E)        The total amount refunded to the original applicant pursuant to paragraphs (A), (B), (C) and (D) above shall not exceed the original deposit, without interest, and the utility shall not require any deposit pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (D) in excess of the unrefunded deposit of the original applicant.  At the expiration of said 10 year period the refund account will be closed and no further refunds will be made.

 

6)         All mains, valves, fittings and other appurtenances and materials installed in accordance with this Section shall be and remain the sole property of the utility.

 

7)         The utility shall have the right to further extend its mains from and beyond the terminus of each main extension made under this Section.  The applicant making a deposit hereunder shall not be entitled to any refund on account of any other or further extension or the attachment of any services or hydrants to any other or further extension.

 

8)         When the utility desires to install a main larger than eight inches (8") in diameter for a purpose other than the applicant's service requirements, then the utility shall pay the additional cost of the larger main.

 

9)         All water main extensions, except those that may be installed by the utility without the necessity of a contract, will be made by contract with the applicant in accordance with the conditions of this particular Section as outlined above.

 

10)         Any main extension agreement made pursuant to this Section and the right to refund thereunder shall not be assigned by the applicant without the prior written consent of the utility.

 

c)        

 

1)         The utility shall furnish, install and maintain at its expense the permanent service connection, meter and any other appliance necessary to deliver and measure the water furnished.  Temporary service connections and fire service connections shall be installed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the utility on file with the Commission.  In those cases where services are installed in advance of paving, the cost of such services shall be included in the deposit for the main extension.  The total cost of such services shall be computed and said amount divided by the number of services so installed. Such average cost so computed shall be refunded immediately to the applicant who made the deposit upon a customer being connected to such a preinstalled service.

 

2)         The "service connection" furnished by the utility after the adoption of this Part shall include a shut off device at the main (corporation cock), a shut off device located near the curb line or property line (curb cock and curb box) and the water service line between the main and the curb cock and curb box.  In those instances where outside meters are installed, a separate curb cock will not be required if the meter setting is located near the curb line or property line and includes a shut off valve.  When the outside meter setting is installed near the curb line or property line, the water service line furnished by the utility shall extend from the main to the meter setting.  The service connection shall be installed perpendicular to the main where practical.  It shall be located so that no portion of the customer's service line shall pass through lands, buildings or parts of buildings which are not the property of the applicant for service.

 

3)         The customer shall be responsible to furnish, install and maintain in good repair the necessary pipe to make the connection from the curb stop or outside meter setting to the building to be served.  Said line shall be known as the "customers' service line."  No tees or branch connections shall be allowed before the meter unless to serve another meter.

 

Section 600.400  Sale of Water

 

No utility shall furnish, transmit, sell or deliver water except at the rates shown in the tariff schedule of the utility on file with the Commission in accordance with the provisions of the Public Utilities Act as amended.

 

Section 600.410  Credit Deposits

 

No utility shall demand, attempt to collect or collect credit deposits except under conditions allowed by rules of the Commission as may be in effect from time to time.