(A) (1) The water company may not, for any reason, unless requested by the consumer for safety reasons, or unless tampering with utility company equipment or theft of water or utility company equipment has occurred cease to provide water to any residential consumer for the period beginning on November 15 and ending on the following April15, unless:
(a) The account of the consumer is in arrears 30 days or more; and
(b) Where the occupant of residential premises is a tenant whose landlord is responsible for payment for the service provided by the company, the company has five days previously, notified the occupant of its intent to discontinue service to him or her.
(2) If, between November 15 and April 15, the company ceases to provide water to any residential premises because of a failure to pay the amount due for such water the company shall notify the County Welfare Department within 24 days after taking such action, unless this notice is waived by the occupant of the premises after notification of intent to discontinue service.
(B) (1) No person shall knowingly without the utility’s consent, with intent to violate R.C. § 545.143:
(a) Tamper with water meter, conduit or attachment of a utility; or
(b) Reconnect a water meter, conduit or attachment of a utility that has been disconnected by the utility.
(2) In a prosecution under division (B)(1)(a) above, proof that a meter, conduit or attachment of a utility has been tampered with is prima-facie evidence that the person who is obligated to pay for the services rendered through the meter, conduit or attachment and is in possession or control of the meter, conduit or attachment at the time the tampering occurred has caused the tampering with intent to violate R.C. § 545.143.
(3) In a prosecution under division (B)(1)(b) above, proof that a meter, conduit or attachment disconnected by a utility has been reconnected without the consent of the utility is prima-facie evidence that the person in possession or control of the meter, conduit or attachment at the time of the reconnection has reconnected the meter, conduit or attachment with intent to violate R.C. § 545.143.
(4) For the purpose of this division (B), the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
TAMPER. To interfere with, damage or bypass a utility meter, conduit or attachment with the intent to impede the correct registration of a meter or the proper functions of a conduit or attachment so as to reduce the amount of utility service that is registered on said meter.
UTILITY. Any waterworks company owned or co-owned by this village.
(C) (1) No person shall knowingly consume any water that has been correctly registered because a meter conduit or attachment of a utility has been tampered with as defined in division (B)(4) above or knowingly use service that has been discontinued by a utility and reconnected without the utility’s consent.
(2) For the purpose of this division (C), the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
UTILITY. Any waterworks company or any similar utility owned or operated by this political subdivision.
(3) Such utility shall notify its customers on an annual basis of the consequences of tampering with or bypassing a meter.
(Res. 1714, passed 11-6-1978) Penalty, see § 51.99