It shall be unlawful for the occupant or owner of any premises in the city, or within 3,000 feet of the corporate limits thereof, or the agent of the owner, if the owner be a nonresident or absent from the city, to cause, suffer or permit any collection of standing or flowing water in which mosquitoes breed or are likely to breed on such premises, unless such collection of water is treated in the manner prescribed by the health officer of the city or his duly authorized representative, so as to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, and any such collection of water so unlawfully maintained is hereby declared to be a nuisance. (Code 1941, Art. 86-37)