(a) Liability for payment of service will continue to the owner of a residence or rental unit with a sewer connection unless providing such residence or rental unit occupancy is interrupted by complete vacation of the entire premises for an extended period to exceed thirty days. A time frame of vacancy will not be the only criterion. The question will depend upon the physical vacancy of personal property along with an absence of a tenant and is contingent upon an inspection by City personnel to determine the qualification for exclusion from liability. (Removal of the water meter may be required.)
(b) In the event of any exclusion, liability will continue for the current quarter. Upon resumption of service liability will be for the full quarter during which service was resumed.
(c) Commercial establishments that are occupied at a rate of decreased activity equal to fifty percent (50%) or more of the highest occupancy rate over the preceding twelve months shall be given relief based on the percentage of the difference between the highest monthly water usage during the past twelve months and the lowest anticipated water usage during the period in which relief is requested.
(1) The customer seeking relief will be required to present the records of water usage for the twelve month period prior to the date when relief is requested. A form for this purpose will be available at the billing office. In all cases a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the normal usage charges will be required.
(2) Requests for relief shall be for a minimum of three months and shall be pro-rated back to the beginning of the last billing period prior to the date relief is granted. At the end of the relief period water usage records for the months in which relief was granted shall be provided to the billing office by the customer. At this time the billing office will determine if adjustments are required for the charges during the relief period. Adjustments shall be added to the next full quarter billing. At no time shall billing charges be less than ten percent (10%) of the aforementioned twelve month period.
(d) Continuing quarterly inspections will be necessary to assure compliance.
(e) Relief may be granted for the period during which this section is enacted with the approval of the Service Director.
(f) Any person or firm purposely providing false information or using sewer facilities during a period of discontinuance shall be subject to penalties specified in Section 937.99. (Ord. 150-1992. Passed 8-17-92.)