(A) All charges demanded or received by any public utility or by any two or more public utilities for any product or commodity furnished or to be furnished or any service rendered or to be rendered shall be just and reasonable. Every unjust or unreasonable charge demanded or received for the product or commodity or service is unlawful.
(B) No public utility shall, as to rates, charges, service, facilities or in any other respect, make or grant any preference or advantage to any corporation or person or subject any corporation or person to any prejudice or disadvantage. No public utility shall establish or maintain any unreasonable difference as to rates, charges, service, facilities or in any other respect either as between localities or as between classes under this section.
(C) No public utility shall raise any rate or so alter any classification, contract, practice or rule as to result in any increase in any rate except upon a showing before the Council and a finding by the Council that the increase is justified. The Council may establish the rules it considers reasonable and proper for each class of public utility providing for the nature of the showing required to be made in support of proposed increases, the form and manner of the presentation thereof.
(D) The Council may, upon a hearing, investigate a single rate, classification, rule, contract or practice, or any number thereof, or the entire schedule or schedules of rates, classifications, rules, contracts and practices or any thereof of any public utility and may establish new rates, classifications, rules, contracts or practices or schedules or schedules in lieu thereof.
('61 Code, § 8.6) (Ord. 573, passed - - )