(a) Requirements. A person may not make a direct or indirect connection to a County water line or wastewater line without permission from the Director and without having complied with connection permit and other connection application requirements of this Code. A person may not turn on a water valve or restore water service that has been disconnected or turned off without permission from the Director. A person may not use County water other than through a water meter with a required backflow preventer.
(b) Notice and charges for unlawful connection; disconnection. On discovery of an unlawful connection, the Department shall issue a notice requiring the property owner to make appropriate applications and pay appropriate charges, including connection charges imposed under § 13-5-813, assessments imposed under §§ 13-5-601 et seq., and past service charges, within 30 days after the date of the notice. The charges shall be determined as of the date of the permit application. If the property owner fails to submit proper applications and pay appropriate charges, the Department may disconnect the premises until proper applications are submitted. The property shall be subject to all other connection requirements and procedures of this Code.
(c) Past service charges; penalties. It is a Class C civil offense to connect to a County water line or wastewater line without a connection permit. The owner of a property served by an unlawful connection who causes damage to or impairs the County water or wastewater system is liable to the County for any expenses, loss, or damage caused by the illegal connection, including court costs and attorney's fees. The owner of any property served by an unlawful connection shall pay the past water and wastewater service charges for use of public water or wastewater since the actual connection. If the time of connection cannot be determined or if the property has been transferred since the connection, the period of violation subject to past service charges shall end at the time of disconnection and shall begin on the last to occur of the following: one year after the system was released for service; on the date legal title was conveyed to the owner; or on the date service was previously disconnected or discontinued for any reason. In calculating past service charges, the average periodic service charge for properties similarly used shall be applied for the period of the violation.
(1985 Code, Art. 25, § 25-5-315) (Bill No. 63-04; Bill No. 62-11; Bill No. 61-20; Bill No. 79-20)