§ 53.031 APPLICATION FOR SERVICE; DEPOSITS.
   (A)   All persons desiring water service to be furnished to them by the city shall make written application to the Finance Officer for the service stating the address where the water service is desired and shall enter into a written contract with the city whereby the applicant agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the Water Department and by this code pertaining to water distribution and service. The contract shall be filed in the office of the City Finance Officer.
   (B)   At the commencement of any new service at the premises of any residential user who is not the owner of the premises, a minimum deposit of an amount set by resolution shall be required for the user and thereafter retained until service is discontinued.
   (C)   At the commencement of service at any commercial establishment, a minimum deposit shall be required for the commercial user in an amount to be fixed by the Water Superintendent and shall be in an amount commensurate with the estimated water to be used in one month, but not less than the minimum amount set by resolution for residential users. Deposits now on hand or hereafter made for any commercial user shall be retained on deposit to the account of the user; provided, however, that if, for a period of 12 consecutive months, the commercial user shall promptly and fully pay for all water and sewer services furnished, then the Finance Officer shall credit the amount of his or her deposit to his or her account; and he or she shall thereafter be excused from maintaining the deposit.
   (D)   If water service to a consumer is discontinued for any reason and his or her account is not paid in full to the time when service is discontinued, the Finance Officer shall apply the consumer’s deposit toward the payment and satisfaction of his or her account.
   (E)   No taps shall be made to any main until the applicant has signed the application and contract, deposited the required sum, and has been issued a permit for service.
(1975 Code, § 25-34) (Ord. 360, passed 3-17-1958; Am. Ord. 843, passed 11-21-1983; Am. Ord. 858, passed 12-28-1984; Am. Ord. 986, passed 5-4-1992; Am. Ord. 1039, passed 11-6-1995) Penalty, see § 53.999