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§ 51.31 INITIAL OR MINIMUM CHARGE.
   (A)   The initial or minimum charge, as provided in the rate schedule, shall be made for each service installed, regardless of location.
   (B)   In resort or seasonal areas where service is furnished to a consumer during certain months only, the minimum charge per service for the period of non-use shall be the regular minimum as set out in the published rates of HRW.
   (C)   Water furnished for a given lot shall be used on that lot only. Each consumer's service must be separately metered at a single delivery and metering point. Each commercial unit and each storeroom or stall used for business purposes shall have a separate meter. All commercial use including storerooms and stalls for business purposes shall be metered separately from any residential use and vice versa, whether now in service or to be installed in the future.
   (D)   Consumers shall be responsible for paying the minimum monthly water bill whether or not water is actually used during a month.
(Ord. passed 6-30-2015; Ord. passed 7-16-2018; Ord. passed 6-15-2020; Ord. passed 11-16-2020)
§ 51.32 HRW’S RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY.
   (A)   HRW shall run a service line from its distribution line to the property line where the distribution line runs immediately adjacent and parallel to the property to be served, and for which a tap-on fee, and system development fee(s) then in effect, will be charged. The tap-on fee is subject to deviate from the set rate due to cost of the service installation.
   (B)   HRW may install a meter at the property line or, at HRW's option, on the consumer's property or in a location mutually agreed upon.
   (C)   When two or more meters are to be installed on the same premises for different consumers, they shall be closely grouped and each clearly designated to which consumer it applies.
   (D)   HRW does not assume the responsibility of inspecting the consumer's piping or apparatus and will not be responsible therefor.
   (E)   HRW reserves the right to refuse service unless the consumer's lines or piping are installed in such manner as to prevent cross-connections or backflow.
   (F)   HRW shall not be liable for damage of any kind whatsoever resulting from water or the use of water on the consumer's premises, unless such damage results directly from negligence on the part of HRW. HRW shall not be responsible for any damage done by or resulting from any defect in the piping, fixtures, or appliances on the consumer's premises. HRW shall not be responsible for negligence of third persons or forces beyond the control of HRW resulting in any interruption of service.
   (G)   Under normal conditions, the consumer will be notified of any anticipated interruption of service.
(Ord. passed 6-30-2015; Ord. passed 7-16-2018; Ord. passed 6-15-2020; Ord. passed 11-16-2020)
§ 51.33 CONSUMER’S RESPONSIBILITY.
   (A)   Piping on the consumer's premises must be so arranged that the connections are conveniently located with respect to HRW's lines or mains.
   (B)   If the consumer's piping on the consumer's premises is so arranged that HRW is called upon to provide additional meters, each place of metering will be considered as a separate and individual account.
   (C)   Where meter is placed on premises of a consumer, a suitable place shall be provided by consumer for placing such meter, unobstructed and accessible at all times to the meter reader.
   (D)   The consumer shall furnish and maintain the service line on the consumer's side of the meter; HRW to provide a like service on HRW's side of such meter.
   (E)   The consumer's piping and apparatus shall be installed and maintained by the consumer at the consumer's expense in a safe and efficient manner and in accordance with HRW's rules, regulations, specifications, and ordinances and in full compliance with the sanitary regulations of the North Carolina State Board of Health.
   (F)   The consumer shall guarantee proper protection for all property controlled by HRW and placed on the consumer's premises by HRW or any predecessor in interest to HRW and shall permit access to it only by authorized representatives of HRW.
   (G)   In the event that any loss or damage to such property or any accident or injury to persons or property is caused by or results from the negligence or wrongful act of the consumer, his agents, or employees, the cost of the necessary repairs or replacements shall be paid by the consumer to HRW and any liability otherwise resulting shall be assumed by the consumer.
   (H)   The amount of such loss or damage or the cost of repairs shall be added to the consumer's bill; and if not paid, service may be discontinued by HRW.
(Ord. passed 6-30-2015; Ord. passed 7-16-2018; Ord. passed 6-15-2020; Ord. passed 11-16-2020) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 51.34 ACCESS TO PREMISES.
   HRW personnel shall have access at all reasonable hours to the premises of the consumer for the purpose of installing or removing property controlled by HRW, inspecting piping, reading or testing meters, or for any other purpose in connection with HRW's service and facilities.
(Ord. passed 6-30-2015; Ord. passed 7-16-2018; Ord. passed 6-15-2020; Ord. passed 11-16-2020) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 51.35 CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY.
   (A)   Not less than three days notice must be given, in person or in writing, to discontinue service for a change in occupancy. Such notice shall be given at the HRW office which has responsibility for management of water and sewer systems.
   (B)   The outgoing party shall be responsible for all water consumed up to the time of departure, or the time specified for departure, whichever period is longest.
(Ord. passed 6-30-2015; Ord. passed 7-16-2018; Ord. passed 6-15-2020; Ord. passed 11-16-2020) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 51.36 SUSPENSION OF SERVICE.
   (A)   Services may be discontinued at the request of the consumer, provided the consumer pays all current balances. When services are discontinued and all bills paid, the deposit will be refunded in accordance with this chapter.
   (B)   Services may also be discontinued by HRW to any customer whose account remains delinquent for more than ten days. The deposit will be applied by HRW toward settlement of the account. Any balance will be refunded to the consumer; but if the deposit is not sufficient to cover the bill, HRW may proceed to collect the balance in the usual way provided by law for the collection of debts.
   (C)   Property owners may have a service discontinued for rental property in the event that the rental unit is vacant for a period not to exceed 12 months. If the rental property is still vacant after 12 months from the original suspension date, the property owner will begin to receive minimum bills for that location to include the account setup of $15.
   (D)   Service discontinued for non-payment of bills will be restored, at the request of the consumer, only after bills are paid in full, and a service charge of $40 paid for each meter reconnected except as set forth hereafter. The consumer being reconnected must also make the required deposit. The consumer may elect to pay an additional service fee of $50 to expedite the reconnection process. The payment of this fee will guarantee the reestablishment of water service to the consumer on the same day the account is paid in full.
   (E)   After a connection has been discontinued for a period of 12 consecutive months HRW may remove the meter base, meter, curb stop valve, meter box and service line for use elsewhere or for storage.
   (F)   At any time after a connection has been discontinued an additional service charge equal to the then current tap-on-fee shall be paid as a reconnection fee. Also the consumer must make the required deposit.
   (G)   HRW reserves the right to discontinue its service without notice for the following additional reasons:
      (1)   To prevent fraud or abuse;
      (2)   Consumers willful disregard for HRW's rules and ordinances;
      (3)   Emergency repairs;
      (4)   Insufficiency of supply due to circumstances beyond HRW's control;
      (5)   Legal processes;
      (6)   Direction of public authorities; and/or
      (7)   Strike, riot, fire, flood, accident, or any unavoidable cause.
   (H)   HRW may, in addition to prosecution by law, permanently refuse service to any consumer who tampers with a meter or other measuring device.
   (I)   HRW gave a privilege for early connection to the water system to every property owner or resident as the water mains were installed. From time to time, HRW may give privileges for connections at reduced amounts in order to encourage additional hookups to increase revenue. Any consumer who takes advantage of a reduced connection will be responsible for paying at least the minimum monthly water bill whether or not water is actually used until such time as the reduced connection fee charged plus all monthly water bills charged equal the then current charge for tap-on connection. The consumer shall remain liable for at least the minimum monthly bill thereafter until he has notified HRW in accordance with other provisions of this chapter that he desires to stop his service.
(Ord. passed 6-30-2015; Ord. passed 7-16-2018; Ord. passed 6-15-2020; Ord. passed 11-16-2020)
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