1084                             Laws of Maryland                       [Ch. 644

662.    All sums collected by the Commission for benefits levied
against the property for water supply [,] or sewerage [or drainage]
construction shall be set aside as a separate fund to the credit of the
District to be known and designated as the District Account. The
Commission, in order to determine the amount which it may deem
necessary to be levied under Section 658 shall deduct such amount
as the Commission may estimate that it will be able to collect out of
the benefits theretofore levied by it but not yet paid, from the whole
amount necessary to be raised in any one year for interest and prin-
cipal payments on outstanding bonds, and the balance then remaining
to be raised shall be the amount to be certified to the particular gov-
erning body or bodies for collection by taxation as provided by Sec-
tion 658.

663.    For the purpose of providing funds for maintenance, repair-
ing and operating its water [supply,] or sewerage [or drainage]
systems, and for its operation and other expenses, including proper
depreciation allowances, and for the repayment of advances author-
ized by Section 649 (e) of this sub-title and for interest 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 and a sewer service charge, all of
such charges being chargeable against all properties having a con-
nection with any water pipe or sewer pipe under its supervision or
[ownership] owned by the District. [Said rate for both] The ready-
to-serve charge for water, [and such] charge for the upkeep on sew-
ers and charge for sewer service shall be uniform throughout [such]
a sanitary district, subject to such changes from time to time as may
be necessary. The charge for the upkeep on sewers shall be reason-
able 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.]
owned by the District. 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 Com-
mission 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 Commission may determine, to each property
served, and shall be [thereon] thereupon 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 pen-
alty of [Two] Five Dollars [($2.00)] ($5.00). If any bill shall re-
main 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 [municipality] county or
counties in which the sanitary district or sanitary districts lie, and
said ready-to-serve charge, other service charges and all penalties