921.09   BILLING; NONPAYMENT.
   (a)   Unlawful Taking of Water. No person, firm or corporation shall take water from any connection to the water system of the Water Division unless a proper water service connection is installed according to law and water bills are paid, except as otherwise provided for temporary use or Municipal use of water.
 
   (b)   Time of Payment. Water bills shall be paid on or before the due date stated on the bill, after which the account is overdue and subject to a ten percent (10%) late charge.
 
   (c)   Termination of Water Service for Nonpayment. If an account is more than 45 days past due, the Superintendent shall turn off the water service in accordance with bylaws and regulations established by the City Manager or his/her designee. There shall be a charge of forty dollars ($40.00) for termination of water service under this section.
 
   (d)   Assessing Charges.
      (1)   Any person, firm or corporation served by any water service connection shall be considered as accepting the provisions of all laws, ordinances, bylaws and regulations of the Water Division and as agreeing, in particular, to be liable for all water and service charges for such premises.
      (2)   When more than one meter is supplied by a single service branch and where only one curb stop is used to control water to that service branch, the owner of the property on which the service branch is located shall be liable for all water and service charges for such property whether the account for such premises is carried in the name of the owner or in the name of tenants or other persons. The maintenance of water service connections being a substantial and valuable benefit to land, any owner of real estate premises served by such water service connections shall assume responsibility for the total of all water charges levied against the premises during his ownership in the same manner as the person who actually incurred the charges or in whose name the account is carried.
   This assumption of responsibility shall be a necessary condition to the continuation of water service to the premises.
 
   (e)   Restoration of Water Service. Water service shall not be restored to any premises for which there is an unpaid water account unless satisfactory arrangements for the payment of the unpaid account are made pursuant to bylaws and regulations established by the City Manager or his/her designee. There shall be a charge of forty dollars ($40.00) for restoration of water service after termination for non-payment under this section.
 
   (f)   Estimated Bills. Bills for water usage may be estimated.
 
   (g)   Processing Fee. If an account is more than 45 days past due, the account shall be charged a processing fee of twenty dollars ($20.00).
(Ord. 116-11. Passed 11-14-11.)