176 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 99

person, firm or corporation shall operate, use or make con-
nection with the same without the written authority of the
Commission, excepting that no restrictions shall apply to
any bona fide fire department in the discharge of its duties.
No person, firm or corporation shall tamper with, deface,
damage or obstruct any fire hydrant. Any violation of any
of the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor
punishable under Section 444 of this sub-title.

Section 437. For the purpose of providing funds for
maintenance, repairing and operating its water supply,
sewerage or drainage systems, and for its operation and
other expenses, including proper depreciation allowances,
and for interest on, and the retirement of bonds as
specified in this Act, the Commission is hereby empow-
ered to make a ready-to-serve charge on water and a
charge for the upkeep of sewers chargeable against all
properties having a connection with any water pipe or
sewer pipe under its supervision or ownership. Said rate
for both ready-to-serve and such charge for the upkeep on
sewers shall be uniform throughout each sanitary district,
subject to such changes from time to time as may be neces-
sary. The charge for the upkeep on sewers shall be reason-
able and collected annually in the same manner as benefit
assessments are collected and shall be a first lien against
all property having a connection with any sewer pipe under
its supervision or ownership. The rates for water service
shall consist of a minimum or ready-to-serve charge, which
shall be based upon the size of the meter on the water con-
nection leading to the property, and of a charge for water
used, which shall be based upon the amount of water pass-
ing through the meter during the period between the last
two readings, said meter being required to be placed on
each water connection by and at the sole expense of the
Commission. If the Commission at any time shall not have
meters available to install in all the properties in a given
locality that are connected with the system, then a flat rate
shall be charged all properties in which meters have not
yet been installed, which rate shall be uniform in each dis-
trict and based upon the amount of water used. Bills for
the amount of the charges as above specified shall be sent
quarterly or semi-annually, as the Commission may deter-
mine, to each property served, and shall be thereon payable
at the office of the Commission; and if any bill remain un-
paid after thirty days from date of sending, the Commis-
sion shall, after written notice left upon the premises or
mailed to the last known address of the owner, turn off