4        SERVICE CLASSIFICATIONS

4.1                         Tap Status- Definitions.

4.1.1                        Assigned. A tap that has been assigned to a particular parcel of land, which is or is about to be included within the District's boundaries.  Not Active nor committed for service. 

4.1.2                        Ready-to-Serve. An assigned tap where a physical connection to a lateral or the main either presently exists or could exist by virtue of the fact that the assigned property's boundaries either include a right of way for a lateral or the main or are contiguous to either an easement for or an existing lateral or the main. A Committed Connection in which the Service Connection Fee has been paid.

4.1.3                        Active. A ready-to-serve tap where a physical connection to a lateral or the main exists and is not shut off.  All active taps shall be metered and billed for consumption subject to water service fees as specified in the District's schedule of rates and fees.

4.1.4                        Unconnected. A ready-to-serve tap where there is no physical connection to a lateral or the main, or where the District has disabled the physical connection.  Unconnected ready-to-serve taps shall be subject to a periodic water service fees, as specified in the District's schedule of rates and fees.  A Committed Connection in which the Service Connection Fee has been paid or is being paid using our standard billing practices.

4.1.5                        Shut Off. A ready-to-serve tap where a physical connection to a lateral or the main exists, but service has been interrupted by means of shutting off a valve in the service line, either at the customer's request, or as a result of nonpayment of District charges.  Shut off taps shall be subject to the District's minimum periodic service charge, as specified in the District’s schedule of rates and fees.

4.1.6                        Isolated. An assigned tap where, due to circumstances beyond the tap owner's control, the tap cannot be classified as ready-to-serve.

4.1.7                        Unassigned. A tap, which has not been connected or assigned to a parcel of land, included within the District.

4.1.8                        Inactive Request.  A tap status that is designated for water service requests that are no longer valid or where service has been rejected as being unfeasible.

4.1.9                        Committed Connections vs. Uncommitted Inquiries.

4.1.9.1                       Committed Connections shall include those that have a Tap Status of Ready-to-Serve, Shut Off, Isolated, and Unconnected.

4.1.9.2                       Uncommitted Inquires shall be those that have a Tap Status of Assigned Tap.

4.2                         District Not a Recorder of Property Ownership.

4.2.1                        The Clerk and Recorder of Island County, (not Juniper Beach Water District), is the official recorder of real property ownership within the County and the District.  The Board is the final authority to determine whether a person or entity is a tap owner who is entitled to water service from the District.  The Board shall make such determinations based on the best available evidence, which can be produced, but shall not be obliged to make any independent investigations.  Generally, a trail of bills of sale or recorded deeds shall be persuasive in ascertaining ownership of a tap.  It is the District's policy that tap assignment be disclosed upon conveyance of real property to ensure that said transfers become matters of public record. 

4.3                         Tap Types. A tap's type is significant with respect to regulation of permitted water uses on the premises served and rates to be charged for consumption at the tap.  Taps bear the respective types designated by the District's Board.

4.3.1                        Residential. A metered tap through which water can be delivered to one single family dwelling unit through a single meter.  Each single-family dwelling unit shall require its own tap. A residential tap can serve separate structures appurtenant to the dwelling, including garages, barns and guesthouses, provided that no such structure served by the tap shall be leased to a non-family member.

4.3.2                        Commercial. A metered tap through which water can be delivered to a single business enterprise, church or eleemosynary organization, through a single meter.  

4.3.3                        Governmental. A metered tap through which water can be delivered for use by a governmental unit, other than a fire protection district, or its residential or commercial tenant or concessionaire. A distribution pipe connected to the Main to which two or more service lines are connected.  Unless formally conveyed to and accepted by the District from its owners, laterals are jointly owned private property governed by but not the financial responsibility of the District.

4.4                         Changes in Tap Status or Type.

4.4.1                        Involuntary Shut Off. The District, after due process specified herein, may shut off service to a tap for failure of the customer to pay amounts billed by the District.  Shutoff and reactivation fees, as scheduled, shall be charged to the Tap Owner, but may be waived if the facts and circumstances of a case warrant relief.

4.4.2                        Change of Ownership of Active Taps.  Upon transfer of ownership of a parcel of land in which a tap exists, the transferor shall give the District advance notice including the scheduled dates of transfer and prorating, the transferor's forwarding address, the name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the escrow agent handling the transaction, and the name of the transferee.  All current fees and billed amounts shall be paid prior to transfer.

4.4.3                        Change of Ownership of Non-Active Taps. Upon transfer of ownership of a parcel of land in which a non-active tap exists, the transferor shall give the District advance notice including the scheduled dates of transfer and prorating, the transferor's forwarding address, the name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the escrow agent handling the transaction, and the name of the transferee. All current fees and billed amounts shall be paid prior to transfer.

This policy has been adopted by the Juniper Beach Water District.  This policy is official and in effect, as written, unless repealed or amended at a regularly scheduled or specially called meeting of the Board.

Adoption Date: September 10, 2009

Amended: June 20, 2019

Amended: April 17, 2025