1520                                Laws of Maryland                        [Ch. 816

reasonable sum as the Commission may prescribe. Such work shall
be done under and pursuant to such rules, regulations and require-
ments as the Commission may from time to time formulate, and
subject 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 em-
ployees, 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 21 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 Commission 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 dis-
charge 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 punish-
able under Section 21 of this sub-title.

185.  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.

186.    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 desig-
nated as the Metropolitan District Account. The Commission, in