(A) Connection charges shall be the personal obligation of the owners of the property.
(1) All water rates and charges, other than connection charges, shall be the primary obligation of the occupant of the lot, property or building receiving the benefits of such use and service, but the city shall have a lien on the property served to secure the payment of said charges.
(2) The satisfaction of the liability by any party shall be a discharge of the liability for which the payment is made.
(B) Multiple users.
(1) Where two or more tenants or occupants (of different rental units) of property are served by a single water meter, the water rates and charges shall be the personal obligation, collectible by law, of the person or persons who apply for such service and, where applicable, make the required deposit.
(2) Each of the occupants shall be billed his proportionate (to the number of users and not to the quantity used) share of the water charges applicable to such property, and each shall constitute a separate user and be billed accordingly, and in any event, not less than the minimum rates herein prescribed.
(3) The computation of water consumption above the amount allowed in the minimum bill to such water users shall be made the same as if only one customer occupied the entire property; provided, however, that upon the filing of an application for a separate water meter and upon payment of the applicable fee and deposit therefor, the city shall install a separate water meter for such applicant, in which event such applicant will be billed at the water rates applicable to the usage of water service recorded by such separate water meter.
(4) Under no circumstances shall two (2) or more separate dwellings be served by a single water meter. This shall be the case whether or not the dwellings are owned by the same person, persons, or organization. This restriction shall become effective January 5, 1998.
(Ord. 3-96, passed 7-1-96; Am. Ord. 10-97, passed 1-5-98)