XN000022-1974-12-06 — Page 6

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 6, 1974

WATER SERVICE PROCEDURES REVISED

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THE PROCESS OF REVISING, UPDATING AND STREAMLINING WATER SERVICE PROCEDURES WAS TAKEN A STAGE FURTHER TODAY WITH THE PUBLICATION IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE OF NEW WATERYORKS REGULATIONS.

THESE REGULATIONS, ENTITLED THE WATERWORKS REGULATIONS 1974, DERIVE FROM THE NEW WATERWORKS ORDINANCE WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 17. IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE NEW ORDINANCE REPLACED, AND IMPROVED THE PROVISIONS OF THE PREVIOUS ORDINANCE, WHICH DATED BACK TO 1938, THE NEW REGULATIONS UPDATE AND MODIFY THE OLD 1938 WATERWORKS REGULATIONS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATERWORKS OFFICE SAID THERE WERE A NUMBER OF GAPS IN THE OLD REGULATIONS AND THE OPPORTUNITY HAD BEEN TAKEN TO FILL THESE GAPS AS WELL AS TO UPDATE AND REWORD THE PROVISIONS.

THE REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN RE-ARRANGED IN SEPARATE PARTS SO THAT REFERENCE TO SPECIFIC MATTERS IS SIMPLIFIED,

THEY DEAL WITH SUCH MATTERS AS PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING OR TERMINATING A SUPPLY- RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTENANCE AND CLEANLINESS OF PLUMBING SERVICES- THE PREVENTION OF WASTE, THE CONCESSIONAL USE OF MAINS WATER, AND APPLICATIONS WHERE IT IS PROHIBITED- STANDARDS OF PIPES AND FITTINGS TO BE ADOPTED METERING AND MEASUREMENT OF CONSUMPTION- LICENSING OF PLUMBERS- AND THE ISSUE OF FISHING LICENCES.

APPENDED TO THE REGULATIONS ARE SCHEDULES OF FEES AND

· CHARGES PAYABLE UNDER THE REGULATIONS AND SCHEDULES RELATING

TO THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PIPES, FITTINGS AND APPLIANCES,

THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE REGULATIONS DETAILS THE FEES AND CHARGES TO BE IMPOSED FOR THE PROVISION OF A SUPPLY OF WATER AND ALSO THE CHARGES FOR WATER CONSUMED.

APART FROM REVISIONS IN THE CHARGES FOR WATER, FEES HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1938 AND -- WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CHARGES FOR MAKING A CONNECTION TO THE MAINS -- THESE HAVE NOW BEEN REVISED TO ACCORD WITH PRESENT-DAY PRICES. THE CHARGE FOR WATER, HOWEVER, IS UNAFFECTED BY THESE REVISIONS AND REMAINS AT THE PRESENT RATE.

THE SPOKESMAN

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