American Samoa Administrative Code

The public may obtain information and make requests concerning utilities operation and inspect utilities rules, final orders, decisions, and opinions at the utility at Satala during working hours. History: Rule 4-80. eff 1 Apr 80. Public Information and Requests.

(a) Power will normally be delivered at 120/240 volts, 60 cycles, single phase. Power may be delivered at 120/208, 1 20/240 or 440 volts, 3-phase where the 3-phase system is adjacent to the building to be served. (b) It should not be assured that 3-phase power will be available u…

(a) Customers or prospective customers should inform the utility in writing as early as possible of contemplated installations in order that details for furnishing service may be planned. This is particularly true with respect to persons desiring service beyond the existing elect…

Consumers must execute or have the owner of the property execute the utility standard form easement at no expense to the utility. History: Rule 4-80. eff 1 Apr 80. Easement.

Installation charges for new service: Type of Service Amount (1) Residential: 2-wire $ 50 3-wire $75 Change 2-wire to 3-wire $50 (2) Commercial: $100 (3) Large power: $5 per KW of billing demand. History: Rule 4-80. eff 1 Apr 80. Installation Charge for New Service; and 4-86, eff…

(a) When, in the judgment of the utility, tile credit standing of an applicant or a consumer justifies the charge, a deposit shall be required. This deposit shall not be less than the charge for the 2 highest months consumption and may be increased as necessary to protect the int…

There is levied a comprehensive fee to cover the expenses incurred to extend any and all high-voltages distribution lines for the electrical servicing of a particular building residence or subdivision. This fee is levied to cover initial expenditures to supply any and all electri…

(a) The delivery point is the point where the utility’s drops attach to the building. The delivery point must be in clear view of a power pole. The delivery point must be approved by the utility before building wiring is installed. Thc utility shall not own or maintain any facili…

(a) It is essential, in order to avoid errors, that the customer ascertain from the utility to that point on the building the utility’s service drop wires will be attached. Upon inquiry by the customer, the utility will designate a location for the service drop wires and the poin…

Where no accessible common meter location is available for buildings such as duplex houses, apartment buildings, etc., separate sets of service entrance conductors brought out to a common point on the building wall, to be connected to a single service drop, are necessary. History…

(a) For business houses normally open during business hours, meters may be located inside. All other meters shall be outside. The meter must be located not less than 5 feet nor more than 7 feet above the ground or floor level from which the meter is to be read. The meter cannot b…

The utility will connect only 1 set of service conductors to a building for each set of service rendered except where special permission is obtained. Any building which is to have more than 1 set of service conductors must have a service wiring plan approved by the utility. If th…

Ground wires installed in accordance with the requirements and specifications of the National Electrical Code are an essential part of all service entrance installations. History: Rule 4-30, eff 1 Apr 80, Grounding.

When the electrician is ready to wire the building, he should contact the utility, which will issue the meter base and other required meter equipment at cost. At time of issuance of meter base, the location of the delivery point and the meter will be determined by the utility. Hi…

All wiring in all buildings must be inspected before initial energization. All major additions to the wiring must be inspected. The utility will not hookup any building which has not been inspected by the ASG and for which a certificate of inspection has been issued. The utility …

The utility reserves the right to refuse service were construction does not comply with the rules set out in this chapter. History: Rule 4-80, eff 1 Apr 80, Unsatisfactory Contractor Installation.

(a) In ease temporary service is desired, the prospective customer will make arrangements for it directly with the utility well in advance of the required service date. Temporary installations requiring special service, meter, or other work, such as for construction purposes, exh…

(a) Once service is established, the consumer shall be responsible for the payment for the power which is registered on the meter assigned to him until such service is ordered discontinued by him in writing. The consumer may order discontinuance of service by telephone to the bus…

Schedule A Residential Service AVAILABILITY Available to domestic customers for residential or farm, the major use of which is for lighting and household appliances for the personal comfort of those residing therein and for bona fide farm use provided however, that if the demand …

Schedule B Commercial and Small-Power Service AVAILABILITY Available to commercial consumers, small industrial consumers, and 3-phase farm consumers for all uses, including lighting, appliances, cooking, heating, and motors. TYPE OF SERVICE Sixty cycle, single-phase and 3-phase w…

Schedule LPI Large-Power Service AVAILABILITY Available to consumers of all classes located near utility’s 3-phase lines. TYPE OF SERVICE Sixty cycle, single phase or 3-phase, at utility’s standard voltage. RATE $5 per month per KW of billing demand, plus energy charge of $0.075 …

(a) There is established an interim debt retirement and capital improvement maximum surcharge of $0.01 per KWH in addition to the rates and charges authorized under 12.0231, 12.0232, and 12.0233 A.S.A.C., as amended. (b) The surcharge is effective upon the effective date of this …

The rules codified in this chapter shall be known and may be cited as “American Samoa Water Utility Division Rules and Regulations.” History: Rule 11-81, eff 1 Aug 81, Art. I § 1.

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter for any reason is held invalid, such an invalidity may not affect the validity and application which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. History: Rule 11-81, eff 1 Aug 81, Art. 1…

The rules set out in this chapter are effective 1 Aug 81. History: Rule 11-81, eff 1 Aug 81, Art. 1 § 3.

The general manager, American Samoa water utility division, shall enforce all rules. A finding, ruling, decision or order made, rendered, or issued by the general manager is conclusive. The conservation, and protection in order to prevent threat of exhaustion, depletion, waste, p…

The area of water service comprises the area within the boundaries of Tutuila Island and such areas within American Samoa as the general manager designates. History: Rule 11-81, eff 1 Aug 81, Art. 2 § 2.

(a) Statement of Policy. (1) The utility will endeavor, so far as is reasonably possible, to deliver a continuous supply of water to the customer at a sufficient pressure at the meter, and to avoid any shortage or interruption in delivery. (2) If in the opinion of the utility, it…

(a) Application. (1) Each applicant for water service will be required to sign a form provided by the utility setting forth: (A) the date and place of application; (B) the location of premises to be served; (C) the purpose for which the service is to be used; (D) the size of serv…

Contracts, other than applications, may be required prior to service, under the following conditions: (1) When construction of special extension facilities is necessary; (2) For temporary service; (3) For standby service or fire service; (4) For connections with other qualified u…

(a) Establishment. Each applicant, before receiving service, is required to establish his credit by making a cash deposit to secure payment of his water bills. (b) Reestablishment. To reestablish his credit, a customer will be required to pay all back bills up to the time service…

(a) Establishment of Credit. The amount required to establish credit for service shall equal twice the estimated average of the periodic bill, but shall not be less thin $25. (b) Unpaid Accounts. Deposits prescribed in this section may be applied to unpaid bills for water service…

(a) To Customers. Notices from the utility to a customer will normally be given in writing and either delivered or mailed to him to his last known address. Where conditions warrant and in emergencies, the utility may resort to notification either by telephone or messenger. (b) Fr…

(a) Service Connections. The utility will furnish and install a service of such size and at such location as the applicant requests, provided such requests are reasonable, the service will be installed from its water distribution main to the curbline or property line of the premi…

(a) Individual Services. Separate premises will be supplied through individual service connections. (b) Multiple Units. (1)Separate houses, buildings, living or business quarters on the same premises, under a single control or management, may be served at the option of the applic…

Existing vacant lots which are above the service limit for the area may be served, provided: (1) only 1 single-family home is constructed on the lot; (2) the elevation of the first floor of the home is at least 60 feet (measured vertically) below the spillway elevation of the sup…

(a) Billing. (1) Meter readings: Meters will be read at regular intervals for the preparation of regular bills and as required for the preparation of opening bills, closing bills, and special bills. (2) Billing period: Bills for water service will be rendered monthly or bimonthly…

Should the customer dispute the correctness of a bill for utility water service and not pay it within 15 days after presentation, the utility will notify the customer in writing: (1) that in lieu of paying the disputed bill he may deposit with the utility the amount claimed due b…

(a) Test. (1) Prior to installation, each meter will be tested and no meter found to register more than 2% fast or slow under conditions of normal operation will be placed in service. (2) On customer request: (A) A customer may, giving not less than 1 week’s notice, request the u…

(a) Nonpayment of Bills. (1) A customer’s water service may be discontinued if a bill is not paid within 15 days after presentation. The service will not be discontinued, however, until the amount of the deposit made to establish credit for that service has been fully absorbed. (…

The minimum service charge for each residential or commercial service within the utility service area shall be fixed by the utility from time to time. History: Rule 11-81, eff 1 Aug 81, Art. 2 § 15.

(a) Obtaining. Temporary service and/or water for construction may be obtained by making arrangement for such service with the general manager. (b) Charges. Charges for water furnished through a temporary service connection shall be at the rates set in the utility rate schedule. …

When an abnormally large quantity of water is desired for filling a pool or for other purposes, arrangements must be made with the utility prior to taking such water. Permission to take water in unusual quantities will be given only if it can be safely delivered through the utili…

(a) Use and Damage. No person or persons, other than those designated and authorized by the department of public safety, or by the utility, shall open any fire hydrant, attempt to draw water from it or in any manner damage or tamper with it. Any violation of this rule will be pro…

The consumer shall, at his own risk and expense, furnish, install and keep in good and safe condition all equipment utilizing water, and the utility shall not bc responsible for any loss of such water equipment, or the negligence, want of proper care, or wrongful act of the custo…

The customer shall be liable for any damage to a meter or other equipment or property owned by the utility which is caused by an act of the customer or his tenants agents, employees, contractors, licensees, or permittees including the breaking or destruction of locks by the custo…

(a) The customer shall install a suitable valve, as close to the meter location as practicable, the operation of which will control the entire water supply from the service. (b) The operation by the customer of the curb stop or valve in the meter box is not permitted. History: Ru…