(A) Meter Readings:
1. Meters will be read and customers billed on the basis of the meter reading to the nearest one thousand (1,000) gallons.
2. The City will keep an accurate account on its books of all readings of meters, and such account so kept shall be offered at all times, places, and courts as prima facie evidence of the use of water service by the customer.
(B) Rendering Of Bills:
1. Billing Period: All meters shall be read and bills rendered monthly.
2. Bills For More Than One Meter: All meters supplying a customer's premises shall be billed separately, except that where the City has for operating purposes installed two (2) or more meters in place of one, the reading may be combined for billing.
(C) Failure To Read Meters: In the event that it shall be impossible or impractical to read a meter on the regular reading date, the water consumption shall be prorated on the basis of thirty (30) days per month and the total water consumption for billing purposes for that period shall be estimated. (Ord. 2013-1, 6-19-2013)
(D) Payment Of Bills: Each bill rendered shall contain the final due date of the 10th of every month. If the bill is not paid by the end of the month for which the bill is issued, the account shall be considered delinquent, unless other arrangements have been made with the City, in writing, that specify another due date.
(E) Delinquent Accounts:
1. Delinquent Notice: A reminder of account delinquency may be sent, at the discretion of the City Clerk-Treasurer, to each delinquent account on or about fifteen (15) days after the account becomes delinquent.
2. Late Charges: Late charges shall be assessed on the last day of the month when assessments are made for the previous month.
3. Turnoff Notice: Once an account becomes delinquent in an amount over one hundred dollars ($100.00), a turn off notice may be sent or delivered to the customer. Said notice shall advise that after seven (7) days, the water will be turned off if the delinquent account is not paid in full prior thereto. The City is not obliged to, but may work with citizens regarding payment on the delinquent account at any time.
4. Service Turnoff: On the turnoff date, the meter reader or other agent of the City shall deliver a written notice to the customer stating that the water service is being turned off until all delinquent amounts have been paid. The meter reader or other agent of the City shall immediately thereafter turn off the service. A delivery of the notice to the premises served by the meter shall be considered a delivery to the customer.
5. Service Charge: In all instances where water has been turned off because of delinquent accounts, a service charge shall be made for the restitution of services. The service charge for restitution of delinquent accounts shall be established by resolution, and be reviewed from time to time. (Ord. 2018-2, 5-16-2018)
(F) Hearing Before Council: Any person who protests a proposed termination of water services as being unjustified shall have the right to request a hearing before the City Council if the request is in writing and filed with the City Clerk within fifteen (15) days after the account becomes delinquent. Upon receipt of the written request for hearing, the City Clerk shall notify the complainant of the time and place that the hearing shall be held. The complainant shall have the right to be present at the hearing.
The Council shall give full consideration to the evidence presented by the complainant and by the City and shall render its decision after discussion of the same and shall notify the complainant of its decision and of any amount due and owing by the complainant.
(G) Decision Adverse To Complainant: If the decision rendered by the City Council is adverse to the complainant, he shall pay the charges or fees owing within five (5) days after the decision has been rendered or water services to his premises shall be terminated. No water service shall be terminated during the course of the hearing described in this section.
(H) Reconnection Fee: Once water service is disconnected, the person desiring resumption of water service shall pay a reconnection fee as prescribed by resolution of the City Council, together with all arrearages due and owing the City, before services shall be resumed.
(I) Installment Payment Of Delinquent Accounts: In cases of extreme hardship, the City shall have the discretion of renewing service to a delinquent account upon receipt of a satisfactory installment plan for the payment of the overdue amount. This decision requires the Mayor's approval.
(J) Request For Termination: A user of the water or sewer system may request in writing the discontinuance or termination of water services to his premises in order to prevent further user fees. If a user so requests, he shall pay the city a fee in a sum as set by resolution of the city council. If said user, or his successors in interest, request reconnection, he shall pay the city a fee as established by resolution of the city council.
(K) Reconnection Following Nonpayment: If a user's water service has been discontinued or terminated as a result of failure to pay fees owing the city, prior to reconnecting water service to the premises owned or operated by the user, the user or his successor in interest, shall request reconnection in writing, and pay the city a reconnection fee as established by resolution of the city council.
(L) No Habitation: No premises may be used for human occupancy or habitation during any period that water service has been turned off, discontinued, or terminated to said premises.
(M) Improper Customer Facilities:
1. Unsafe Facilities: The city may refuse to furnish water and may discontinue services to any premises without prior notice where plumbing facilities, appliances, or equipment using water are dangerous, unsafe, or not in conformity with the plumbing code of the state of Idaho.
2. Cross Connections: A "cross connection" is defined as any physical connection between the city's system and another water supply. The Idaho state health division and the U.S. environmental protection agency prohibit cross connections. No cross connections are allowed. Refer to section 6-1-3 of this code.
3. Cross Connection Prohibited: The city will not permit any cross connection and will discontinue service to any persons or premises where a cross connection exists. Service will not be restored until the cross connection is eliminated.
(N) Water Waste: Where water is wastefully or negligently used on a customer's premises, seriously affecting the general service, the city may discontinue service if such conditions are not corrected after due notice by the city.
(O) Service Detrimental To Others: The city may refuse to furnish water and may discontinue service to any premises where excessive demands by one customer will result in inadequate service to others.
(P) Fraud Or Abuse: The city will refuse or discontinue service to any premises where it is deemed necessary to protect the city from fraud or abuse. Discontinuance of service from one or both of these causes will be made immediately upon receipt of knowledge by the city that the condition or conditions exist.
(Q) Unauthorized Turn On: Where water service has been discontinued for any reason and the water is turned on by the customer or other unauthorized person, the water may then be shut off at the main or the meter removed. The charges for shutting off the water at the main or removing the meter shall be computed at actual cost to the city. These charges shall be billed to the offending customer, and water shall not be furnished to the premises or customer until such charges are paid and the city has reasonable assurance that the violation will not reoccur.
(R) Noncompliance With Regulations: The city may, upon five (5) days' notice, discontinue service to a customer's premises for failure to comply with any of the provisions of these regulations. If an emergency exists as a result of the customer's action or failure to comply with these rules and regulations, the city may immediately discontinue service without notice to the customer. Notice shall be made to the customer as quickly as the emergency permits. (Ord. 2013-1, 6-19-2013)