1132                                Laws of Maryland                         [Ch. 694

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
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 to 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 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 Com-
mission 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 of sending, the Commission shall,
after written notice left upon the premises or mailed to the last
known address of the owner, turn off 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 Dollars ($2.00).
If any bill shall remain unpaid for sixty days after being sent by
the Commission, it shall be collectible from the owner of the prop-
erty served in the same manner as other debts are collectible in the
municipality and said ready-to-serve charge, other service charges
and all penalties shall be a first lien against said property.

892. The Commission is authorized and empowered to purchase
or acquire by gift, any existing water, sewerage or drainage systems
in or adjacent to its District, which in its judgment are desirable
or necessary for the purpose of providing adequate water or sewer-
age service or both for the residents of said District.

893. Whenever said Commission shall have extended its water
supply or sewerage system up to and is ready to connect with any
municipally owned or privately owned water supply of sewerage sys-
tem, and it deems it advisable and proper for the adequate operation
of the system under the jurisdiction to take over the said water or
sewerage system, it may purchase the same upon such terms and con-
ditions as may be agreed upon, but shall have no right of condemna-
tion with respect thereto, but before any part of the purchase price
is paid, other than a nominal sum of money to bind the agreement,
it shall be the duty of the vendor or agent to furnish a statement to
said Commission setting forth all names and addresses of persons
having any interest or claims against said property whatsoever,
which shall be verified by an oath in writing. Thereupon it shall be
the duty of said Commission to notify personally or by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, all persons having any
interest whatsoever in said property, and in addition thereto the
Commission shall give three weeks' notice of its intention to purchase
said property in a newspaper or newspapers published within said