Division 2 — TIME AND MANNER OF PAYMENT

Each water bill shall be due and payable upon presentation, and shall become delinquent fifteen (15) days after date of mailing. If it is not paid within sixty (60) days of the delinquency date, service may be discontinued. Service discontinued because of non-payment shall not be resumed until all bills, plus the fees hereinafter specified, have been paid. Any charge or expense required by any provision of this Chapter to be borne or paid by the consumer may be billed with any bill for service, and if not paid when due the entire bill shall be deemed delinquent for the purpose of this Division.

(Ord. 1177, 6-6-62; Ord. No. 2368, § 2, 12-3-19)

In the event that a bill covers a period shorter than the regular billing period, the following minimum charges shall apply:

(1)

If the period is one month or less, one-half (½) of the bimonthly charge shall apply.

(2)

If the period is less than the regular billing period, but longer than one month, the regular minimum charge shall apply.

In the event that a meter in working condition is obstructed at the time the reading would normally be taken, or for any other reason it cannot be read, an estimate shall be made of the quantity of water used and a bill rendered for the estimated quantity. Should the succeeding reading indicate that the estimate is materially in error, an adjustment shall be made in the succeeding bill.

In the event that a meter becomes stuck or damaged, billing shall be based on the quantity used in an equivalent period of time and season, unless circumstance indicates clearly a material change in the rate of consumption, in which case an estimate shall be made of the quantity used, taking into account all pertinent factors, and a bill rendered accordingly.

Upon request and the deposit by the consumer of Twenty-Five and no/100 Dollars ($25.00) for the first test, or Seventy and no/100 Dollars ($70.00) for each additional test within one year, the Department shall test any water meter so specified. If said meter, upon testing, registers no greater than two percent (2%) of required flows over the correct value, the deposit shall be forfeited and all water bills paid as presented; however, if said meter over-registers by more than two percent (2%), the deposit shall be returned and a proportional reduction made in the current bill and another meter substituted therefor.

(Amended by Ord. 2066 adopted 3-4-97)

In case a premises becomes vacant, the regular minimum rates shall be charged and no refund or discount shall be made unless the water has been shut off by the Department upon written request of the consumer.

Whenever a bill for service to any premises becomes delinquent and there has been a change in occupancy without notification to the Department, the new occupant shall be responsible for the portion of such bill covering service after the date of his occupancy if such date can be established to the satisfaction of the Superintendent; otherwise the entire amount shall remain due by former owner or occupant and the service may be shut off and not turned on again until such portion plus any fees hereinafter specified have been paid.

The Superintendent shall have the power in his discretion to adjust complaints and in the event of any dispute as to the water bill rendered to be paid by any consumer or the rate payer, the Superintendent shall determine the same.

Upon any failure to comply with the rules and regulations established as conditions to the use of water, or to pay rates or any other charges due in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, the water may be shut off until payment of all amounts due is made and full compliance with the rules and regulations is made.

(Ord. 1142 adopted 10-3-61 repealed original Ch. 5, Parts 1 through 4 and added a new Ch. 5, Parts 1 through 5)

The City Council may, by resolution or motion, adopt a policy for discontinuation of residential water service. Such policy may include, but may not be limited to, additional procedures concerning billing, discontinuation of service, notifications, restoration of service, contesting or appealing a bill, extensions and alternative payment arrangements, protections available to qualified low-income customers, and related matters. To the extent a policy adopted pursuant to this section conflicts with any provisions of this Chapter, the policy shall control.

(Ord. No. 2368, § 4, 12-3-19)