(A) Application required. A person shall not use a service without first making the proper application for the service with the Water Utilities Department. For general service accounts, a written application will be required of those persons desiring service. The application must be made on forms provided by the Water Utilities Department. The Utility Manager is authorized to establish other procedures, not in conflict with this chapter or state law, to process and accept customer applications and to collect and process security deposits as necessary to secure customer accounts.
(B) Restriction of application. The person making the application shall include that person's spouse, if any, as an applicant on the application. If unmarried or unrelated individuals or unrelated business entities who jointly own or occupy premises desire service, the Utility Manager may require application to be made jointly in the names of those individuals or business entities. The Utility Manager may also require application for service to be made only by and in the name of the owner of property if the Utility Manager determines that substantial risk of financial loss to the Utility Department would occur as a result of acceptance of an application for a person other than the owner. Only adults over the age of 17 years of age or those persons 17 years of age and under who are or have been married shall be allowed to make application for utility service.
(C) Contract. The application constitutes a contract to pay all charges for service and to abide by all provisions of this chapter, the provisions of this code, and other local, state and federal laws relating to the service.
(D) Accurate information. An applicant shall furnish the names and addresses of any other joint owners, regardless of whether or not they reside at the premises, if this information if known to the applicant. An applicant shall also furnish proper identification and shall correctly furnish any other relevant information, including but not limited to proof of ownership or agency, required by the Utility Department in order to properly provide the service. If information is not furnished or is false, the application may be denied and service, where provided, may be discontinued. A person commits an offense if he knowingly makes a false statement on an application for service under this chapter.
(E) Use without application. A person who occupies premises and uses service without making application is responsible for all water used from the date of the last meter reading previous to that person occupying the premises. If the person is a tenant and the owner of the premises failed to give notice required by this chapter, then the owner is jointly and severally liable with the tenant for the charges.
(F) Outstanding balance of applicant. If any person, firm or corporation applies to the city for service and it is determined by the Utility Department that such person, firm or corporation is indebted to the city on any previous utility account, such service shall not be connected, or if discovered later, shall be disconnected until full payment, plus any charges, is received by the Utility Department.
(G) Transfer accounts.
(1) For all customers requesting a transfer of service from one place to another within the city, such request may be made by telephone. Person requesting transfer will be required to identify the correct utility account by giving the following information:
(a) Account Number.
(b) Customer Name.
(c) Service Address.
(2) A transfer fee shall be charged in accordance with § 51.034(A).
(H) Final accounts. For all customers requesting to terminate their utility service, such request may be made by telephone. Persons requesting termination of service will be required to identify the correct utility account by giving the following information:
(1) Account Number.
(2) Customer Name.
(3) Service Address.
(I) Meters for multi-unit service. Any structure having multi-unit design, whether multiple dwelling units or multiple business units, shall be required to provide a separate water main tap and meter for each unit if the tenant is responsible for the utility bill. If the entire water service to the structure is paid by the owner or landlord, then only one water main tap and meter shall be required.
(Ord. 10-1993-36, passed 10-12-93) Penalty, see § 51.999