J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                      519

system, the construction of which has been added in whole or in
part to the purchase price of land or lots abutting upon said system
and which contribution the Commission has determined to be a
factor in the cost to the Commission of such system, the Commission
may, in its discretion, levy a front foot assessment less than the
uniform front foot assessment levied in the remainder of the [sub-
district] Metropolitan District in which said system is located.

134.

(a) Before any plumbing, water works or sewer construction is
done in any building or upon any private property within [any
subdistrict] the Metropolitan District the person, the firm or cor-
poration doing the same shall first obtain a permit from the Com-
mission and pay therefor such reasonable sum as the Commission
may prescribe. Such work shall be done under and pursuant to
such rules, regulations and requirements 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 Com-
mission without a permit and under such conditions as the Com-
mission may authorize.

137.

For the purpose of providing funds for maintenance, repairing
and operating its water supply, sewerage or drainage systems, and
for its operation and other expenses, including proper depreciation
allowances, and for interest on, and the retirement of bonds as
specified in this subtitle, the Commission is hereby empowered to
make water service charges and sewer service charges payable by
all properties having a connection with any water pipe or sewer
pipe under its supervision or ownership. The rates for both water
service charges and sewer service charges shall be uniform through-
out [each subdistrict] the Metropolitan District, subject to such
changes from time to time as may be necessary. The rates for
water service shall consist of a minimum or ready-to-serve and/or
meter 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, but,
subject to a reasonable charge as aforesaid, and the rates for sewer
service shall be calculated at a percentage of the water rates. 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 subdistrict] the Metropolitan District and based upon the
amount of water used. Bills for the amount of the water and sewer
service 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 remain 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 the water
from the property in question, and the water shall not be turned on
again until said bill shall have been paid, including such monetary