40:62-107.6 Operation of system; rates, rents, etc.
40:62-107.6. a. After any municipality shall have purchased a water distribution system pursuant to sections 40:62-107.4 and 40:62-107.5 of this title, the governing body of the municipality shall be authorized to operate the water distribution system as nearly as may be as a part of its own system, and any schedule of rates, rents, charges and penalties which the governing body shall thereafter fix shall be applicable to water users within both municipalities, and in the collection of all rates, rents, charges and penalties the municipality shall have all the rights and remedies that may apply to private water companies supplying water to municipalities of this State.
b. The governing body of a municipality that has purchased a water distribution system shall establish a rate structure that provides for uniform rates, rentals, or other service charges for water supply service and fire protection systems.
The governing body shall not impose standby fees or charges for any fire protection system to a residential customer served by a water service line of two inches or less in diameter.
Nothing in this section shall preclude the governing body of a municipality that has purchased a water distribution system from requiring separate dedicated service lines for fire protection. The governing body of a municipality that has purchased a water distribution system may require that fire service lines be metered. Nothing in this section shall alter the liability for maintenance and repair of service lines which exists on the effective date of P.L.2003, c.278.
Amended 2003, c.278, s.3.