(A) Generally. Water service may be shut off at any connection whenever:
(1) The owner or occupant of the premises served or any person working on any pipes or equipment thereon which are connected with the water system has violated, or threatens to violate, any of the provisions of this chapter;
(2) Any charge for water, service, meter or any other financial obligations imposed on the present or former owner or occupant served is unpaid; and
(3) Fraud or misrepresentation by the owner or occupant of the premises serviced in connection with an application for service.
(B) Disconnection for late payment.
(1) It is the policy of the city to discontinue utility service to customers by reason of non-payment of bills only after notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard on disputed bills. The city’s form for application for utility service and all bills shall contain, in addition to the title, address, room number and telephone number of the official in charge of billing, clearly visible and easily readable provisions to the effect that:
(a) All bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill;
(b) If any bill is not paid by or before that date, a second bill will be mailed containing a cutoff notice that if the bill is not paid within ten days of the mailing of the second bill, service will be discontinued for non-payment; and
(c) Any customer disputing the correctness of his or her bill shall have a right to a hearing; at which time, he or she may be represented in person and by counsel or any other person of his or her choosing and may present orally or in writing his or her complaint and contentions to the city official in charge of utility billing. This official shall be authorized to order that the customer’s service not be discontinued and shall have the authority to make a final determination of the customer’s complaint.
(2) Requests for delays or waiver of payment will not be entertained; only questions of proper and correct billing will be considered. In the absence of payment of the bill rendered or resort to the hearing procedure provided herein, service will be discontinued at the time specified, but in no event until the charges have been due and unpaid for at least 30 days.
(3) When it becomes necessary for the city to discontinue utility service to a customer for non- payment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills for service then due have been paid, along with a turn-on charge as established by City Council resolution.
(Prior Code, § 50.72)