1128                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 669

ments as the Commission may from time to time formulate, and sub-
ject to such inspection as it may deem necessary. No connection of
any kind shall be made with any water main or sewer constructed
or maintained by the Commission without a permit and under such
conditions as the Commission may authorize. In order to prevent
waste of water the Commission or its agents or employees shall have
the right of entry at reasonable hours to all buildings or premises
connected with the water supply or sewerage systems under its
jurisdiction, and may, upon presenting proper credentials from the
Commission, order and require such changes in all plumbing water
works or water or sewer connection as it may deem necessary to
eliminate leakage, loss of water or unnecessary or improper use of
sewers. The said Commission shall exercise control of the water
supply at all times, and in case of a shortage of water, or if, for any
other reason, the Commission, in the exercise of its discretion, should
determine that the water supply should be conserved, the consumers,
upon notice from said Commission, its agents or employees, or upon
notice published in one newspaper published in said county for one
insertion, shall comply with any order passed by said Commission to
conserve the water supply. Any violation of said order shall be a
misdemeanor punishable under Section 414 of this sub-title, and in
addition to the penalty prescribed the Commission may turn off said
water supply of any person violating said order at any time without
further notice. No private or semi-public water supply or sewerage
installation, intended for use of two or more buildings or premises,
shall be constructed in any sanitary district without the person, firm
or corporation doing the work having first obtained a permit from the
Commission and paid a reasonable charge therefor, and such plant
shall then be installed, maintained and operated under such rules and
regulations as the Commission may require or devise. The Commis-
sion shall have full and complete jurisdiction over all fire hydrants
connected with its water system and no person, firm or corporation
shall operate, use or make connection 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 414 of this sub-title.

404. The Commission shall make such charge as it shall determine
to be reasonable, for every water and sewer connection as provided
in this sub-title, based upon the width of the street, road, alley or
right-of-way in which the connection is made; provided, however,
that the connection charge on either side of the street, road, alley or
right-of-way shall be uniform. All of the revenue above actual cost
derived from such charges shall be retained by the Commission as a
fund for repairs, replacements or any extraordinary expense in the
maintenance and operation of the water supply, sewerage or drainage
systems under its control.

405. All sums collected by the Commission for benefits levied
against the property for water supply, sewerage or drainage con-
struction shall be set aside as a separate fund 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