Early Rules and Regulations

In 1896, the Water Commission established the rules, regulations, and rates. Ssome examples follow:

Regulations:

• All applications for water must be made to the Water Commissioners. No additions of water fixtures allowed without permit.
• All users must keep their pipes in good repair, protect them from freezing, and prevent unnecessary waste (ex. water was not to be left running to prevent freezing). If a user was found to be wasting water, they could be fined $2 for the first offense, and $4 for the second offense.
• No person could supply others with water without permission.
• Water to stables for horses was to be charged whether the water was carried or delivered by hose.
• No watering of animals at public water troughs for the purpose of evading a water charge. If found to be doing so, you would be fined $20 for each offense.
• Where water usage is measured, a minimum rate of $12 will be charged and had to be paid in advance.
• No opening of hydrants without permission.

Rates:

• Unmetered water users were charged based on the plumbing fixtures they had in their homes.
• The first faucet was charged $6, each additional faucet cost $2. If 2 or more families shared a faucet, then the charge was $4 per family. If you had a hot water faucet and a cold water faucet emptying into the same basin, you were charged only for one faucet.
• The first bath tub was charged $5, each additional bath tub cost $2. If 2 or more families shared a tub, the charge was $4 per family.
• The first toilet cost $5, each additional toilet cost $2. If 2 or more families share a toilet, the charge was $4 per family.
• Stables were charged based on the number of animals, $5 for the first horse, $2 for each additional horse. Oxen and cows were charged $1 each.
• Hoses used to wash windows, sprinkle streets, water gardens, etc... were charged based on the size of the nozzle (the charge ranged from $5 to $8). Usage of a hose was limited to 2 hours per day between the hours of 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
• Maximum charge was $20 (exclusive of hose and stable charges).
• Metered Water Customers were charged based on the actual volume of water used.
• Homes were charged $0.30 per 1000 gallons (with a minimum charge of $12 per year).
• Manufacturers were charged $0.15 per 1000 gallons (with decreasing rates for large water users).
• (interesting to note, most domestic users paid a flat rate based on the plumbing they had in the home - this resulted in a great deal of waste as there was no connection between the amount of water you used and what you paid.).