1782 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 715

to be known and designated as the Metropolitan District
Account. The Commission, in order to determine the amount
which it may deem necessary to be levied under Section
463F, shall deduct such amount as the Commission may esti-
mate that it will be able to collect out of the benefits there-
tofore levied by it but not yet paid, from the whole amount
necessary to be raised in any one year for interest and
principal payments on outstanding bonds, and the balance
then remaining to be raised shall be the amount to be certi-
fied to the County Commissioners of Allegany County for
collection by taxation as provided by Section 463F.

463M. For the purpose of providing funds for mainte-
nance, repairing and operating its water supply, sewerage
or drainage systems, and for its operation and other ex-
penses, including proper depreciation allowances, and for in-
terest on, and the retirement of bonds as specified in this
sub-title, 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 connec-
tion 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
throughout such sanitary 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 re-
quired 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 to the sys-
tem, then a flat rate shall be charged all properties in which
meters have not yet been installed, which rate shall be uni-
form in each sanitary 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 remains unpaid after thirty days from date