(A) Application required. Before any service shall be supplied by the department to any customer, the person, business or entity requesting service shall make proper written application for such service with the department and shall complete all information on forms required by the department. If the application is for a new water or wastewater tap, additional information shall be supplied to the department in order to determine the additional cost of the service tap or connection charges, fees, costs and expenses. All new customers are required to pay an activation fee as outlined in the water rate schedule. Any person, business or entity which has been previously a customer shall provide any previous name and address under which the applicant was previously furnished with service and with the applicant shall pay any fees, damages, charges, expenses, penalties or delinquent accounts owed by the applicant to the City of Ferris.
(B) Effect of application and liability for payment. When an application for service has been approved and accepted by the department, the applicant, the occupant and the owner of the premises to be serviced shall be jointly and severally liable for and shall pay upon demand any and all charges, rates, fees, costs, penalties and other amounts that may be imposed, levied or assessed in accordance with this chapter. The application shall further constitute a joint and several agreement on behalf of said applicant, the occupant and/or owner to comply with all terms and provisions of this chapter and all other local, state, and federal laws, as then existing or as thereafter enacted or amended.
(C) Use of water prior to accepted application. No person, business or entity shall use any water, turn on any water service or valve or tap into a city water system, wastewater system or service furnished through any city water system or wastewater system to any premises prior to the city’s acceptance of the required application and the payment of all fees, costs, expenses, charges and other amounts imposed, levied or assessed pursuant to this chapter. Any person, business or entity which uses any water through a city service line, turns or attempts to turn on any water service or valve and/or taps or attempts to tap into any city service, water system or wastewater system prior to the city’
(D) Change in service.
(1) Moving into premises. Any person, business or entity moving into or occupying any premises shall be responsible for complying with all terms and provisions of this chapter.
(2) Moving away from premises. Any customer who moves away from any premises to which service is being furnished shall notify the department during normal business office hours within 72 hours before the moving date and shall provide the department with the customer’s new mailing address.
(E) Change of name. In the event of a change of business or other name for any customer, such customer shall file with the city as soon as reasonably practical after such change of name a new application for water service and shall pay with said application all fees, damages, charges, penalties and delinquent accounts owed by such customer under the former name.
(F) Misinformation on application. Any person, business or entity which provides incomplete, incorrect, false, deceptive, inaccurate or misleading information on any application or which fails to provide any application or other information required by or through any terms or provisions of this chapter shall be in violation of this chapter and shall be subject to the penal provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. O-16-821, passed 7-28-2016)