Water service to delinquent customers shall be discontinued or disconnected in accordance with the following:
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)
1. Notice. The City shall notify each delinquent customer that service will be discontinued or disconnected if payment of the combined service account, including late payment charges, is not received by the date specified in the notice of delinquency. Such notice shall be sent by ordinary mail to the customer in whose name the delinquent charges were incurred and shall inform the customer of the nature of the delinquency and afford the customer the opportunity for a hearing prior to the discontinuance or disconnection.
2. Notice to Landlords. If the customer is a tenant, the notice of delinquency shall also be given to the owner or landlord. If the customer is a tenant and requests a change of name for service under the account, such request shall be sent to the owner or landlord of the property if the owner or landlord has made a written request for notice of any change of name for service under the account to the rental property.
3. Hearing. If a hearing is requested by noon of the day preceding the shut off, the City Manager shall conduct an informal hearing and shall make a determination as to whether the discontinuance or disconnection is justified. The customer has the right to appeal the City Manager’s decision to the Council, and if the Council finds that discontinuance or disconnection is justified, then such discontinuance or disconnection shall be made, unless payment has been received.
4. Fees. A fee of $50.00 for service restoration will be applied to all accounts when a water service is terminated due to non-payment. Water service terminated under the provisions of this section may be restored upon application for restoration by the customer and upon payment of the service restoration fee, plus an additional after hours fee of $25.00 if the restoration service is requested at a time other than during normal working hours. In addition to the service restoration fee, the applicant shall also pay any delinquent charges and penalties. All applications for service restoration and the payment of all delinquent amounts must be made at the offices of the City’s billing agency.