HERBERT R. O'CONOR, GOVERNOR. 1741

to be certified to the County Commissioners of Howard County
for collection by taxation as provided by Section 6.

SEC. 13. And be it further enacted, That for the purpose of
providing funds for maintenance, repairing and operating its
water supply, sewerage or drainage systems, and for its oper-
ation and other expenses, including proper depreciation allow-
ances, and for interest on, and the retirement of bonds as!
specified in this Act, the Commission is hereby empowered 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 super-
vision or ownership. Said rate for both ready to serve and
such charge for the upkeep on sewers shall be uniform through-
out each sub-district, subject to such changes from time to
time as may be necessary. The charge for the upkeep on
sewers shall be reasonable 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 connection leading to the property, and of a charge
for water used, which shall be based upon the amount of water
passing 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 Commis-
sion. If the Commission at any time shall not have meters
available to install in all the properties in a given locality
that are connected to the system, then a flat rate shall be:
charged all properties in which meters have not yet been in-;
stalled, which rate shall be uniform in each sub-district 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 determine, to each
property served, and shall be thereon payable at the office, of
the Commission; and if any bill remain unpaid/after thirty,
days from date of sending, the Commission shall, after written
notice left upon the premises or mailed to the last known;
address of the owner, turn off the water from the property in
question, and the water shall not be turned on again until
said bill shall have been paid, including a penalty of two dol-
lars. If any bill shall remain unpaid for sixty days after being
sent by the Commission, it shall be collectible from the owner
of the property served in the same manner as other debts: are
collectible in the County and said ready-to-serve charge, other
service charges and all penalties shall be a first, lien against
said property. -,;, <.,