(A) Should any person desire to permanently discontinue the use of the water supply to their premises, the person shall notify the City Clerk's office, at least seven days prior to shut off, and pay in full all assessments in arrears at the office of the City Recorder, and for all service rendered, up to and including the requested date of disconnection. The water will then be turned off by Public Works and no further billing shall be applied. No remission of any water charge will be made for a period of less than one billing cycle, or without notice to the Public Works Superintendent as provided in this section.
(B) Should any person desire to temporarily discontinue the use of the water supply to their premises for the duration of a vacation or absence of not less than one billing cycle, but not more than six months, in one calendar year, the person shall notify the City Clerk's office, at least seven days prior to shutoff, and pay in full all assessments in arrears at the office of the City Recorder. The person shall establish with the City Clerk a date for the resumption of service, which may be revised upon mutual written agreement of the person and City Clerk. Only one revision is allowed. The water will be turned off by Public Works and a lock will be installed on the meter.
(1) During the period of temporary discontinuance, the City will charge a standby rate as set by Council resolution. The City Council establishes the initial standby rate of $90 per month, which includes public safety and street fees. This rate may be revised by Council resolution, as required.
(2) Upon the date established in the request, or as revised, the lock shall be removed, service restored, and normal billing rates resumed.
(C) Upon a voluntary discontinuation of water service, a person may request the removal of their water meter at a cost as set by Council resolution. Future reinstallation of the water meter and reconnection shall require the payment of all required connection and inspection fees as shall be then required for all new connections.
(D) Landlords or next-of-kin who seek to discontinue water service due to an unexpected property vacancy shall notify the City Clerk's office and may request discontinuance in accordance with divisions (A), (B) or (C) of this section. The City Clerk's office may require a death certificate or other documentation to validate the request.
(E) Upon a voluntary discontinuation of water service, if the property owner does not state otherwise, Public Works shall install a lock upon the meter to prohibit the flow of water. A City-installed lock may be removed upon application for new service, for which a charge, as set by Council resolution, will be made. The removal of a City-installed lock without permission shall be considered a violation of §§ 51.21 and 51.22.
(Ord. 500, passed 11-14-1988; Ord. 675, passed 6-1-2022)