(A) Water service connections will be made available in the order in which applications for water service are approved by the county. Service shall be provided on a “first come-first served” service basis, subject to the capacity of the county water system, and the policies and procedures established by the county for the administration, operation and extension of the county water and sewage system.
(B) Subject to the limitations contained in this section, water service connections will be made to premises contiguous to county water mains, upon application by the owner, lessee or their authorized agent of the property to be benefitted, upon compliance with all requirements imposed upon the service connection by the water and sewage department.
(C) Upon approval of the applicant’s application for service, the applicant shall pay the standard service connection fee as established by the county. No service shall be provided until all fees relating to the service have been paid.
(D) Property owners who are either indigent or over the age of 65 years and in need of financial assistance, and whose existing well has failed, may, at the discretion of the water and sewage department, obtain a water service connection upon the following special terms and conditions:
(1) The property owner must be declared indigent, or be a resident of the county in the county’s defined service area, over 65 years of age and in need of financial assistance, as determined by the department of social services;
(2) The well of the applicant must be condemned by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control;
(3) A water main must be directly available for service connections. No extensions of the county water system shall be made under this program;
(4) The size of the water service connection shall not exceed 3/4-inch;
(5) Private service lines from the county-installed meter to the residence to be served shall not qualify for service connections under this policy or program;
(6) The property owner(s) must make application for the water service connection and pay at least 10% of the fees normally charged by the water and sewage department for similar service connections. The balance of the usual and customary fee for the services shall be charged to a special account administered in connection with this special program;
(7) The water and sewage department will establish an accounts receivable, wherein the applicant will be billed monthly for a partial payment of the service connection and tapping privilege fees. The term over which the fees shall be payable shall not exceed a maximum of five years;
(8) Failure of the applicant to pay monthly partial payment promptly, and in no event more than 30 days after the same shall be due, shall result in termination of service. In order to secure the sums due for service connection under this program, the applicant shall be required to grant to the county a lien upon the property for which service is provided.
(‘77 Code, § 7-53) (Ord. 1485, passed 10-7-85; Am. Ord. 5206, passed 12-18-06)