(a) Sewer user charges or related charges imposed by ordinance shall be a lien on the improved property connected to and served by the sewer system; and any such sewer user charges or other charges which are delinquent for a period of 30 days shall, together with a penalty of 10% and a reasonable attorney’s fee, be filed as a lien against the improved property and premises so connected to and served by the sewer system, which lien shall be filed in the office of the Clerk of the County Commission, and shall be collected in the same manner now provided by law for the enforcement of tax liens on real property. Such liens shall be of equal dignity, rank and priority with a lien on such premises for state, county, school and municipal taxes.
(b) At the discretion of the city, it may request that the water service to any improved property be shut off for nonpayment of sewer user charges if the bill for sewer user charges is delinquent for a period of 50 days and such owner shall have received 24-hour notice from the city of the intention to shut off the water supply, provided such action is not in violation of any rules of the West Virginia Public Service Commission or the state’s Department of Health. In such event, water service shall not be restored until the owner of the improved property has paid all delinquent user charges to the city, plus the then appropriate charge for the re-installment of the water meter and opening of the water service line.