J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                      529

powered to determine the manner in which such charges shall be
payable.

423.

For the purpose of providing funds for maintaining, repairing,
and operating its water supply, sewerage, or drainage systems,
and for its operation and other expenses, including proper deprecia-
tion allowances, and for interest on and the retirements of bonds as
specified in this subtitle, the Commission may make the following
charges:

(1)    A water and sewer service charge. The rates for water and
sewer service shall consist of a minimum or ready-to-serve charge
which shall be based upon the size of the meter on the water con-
nection 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. The meter
shall be required to be placed on each water connection by and at
the sole expense of the Commission, and it shall remain the property
of the Commission. Such rates shall be uniform throughout each
such system operated by the Commission but the Commission may
make such classifications as it deems advisable within any such
system based upon quantities of water used. 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 on properties in which meters have not
yet been installed, which rate shall be uniform in each sanitary
system and based upon the ready-to-serve charge and the amount
of water used. Bills for water and sewer charges shall be sent
quarterly or semiannually as the Commission may determine to each
property served and shall be payable at the office of the Commission
or such other place as the Commission may designate. Such charges
shall be a lien upon the property served and collectible as elsewhere
herein provided. If any bill remains unpaid after thirty (30) days
from date of sending, the Commission, after written notice left upon
the premises or mailed to the last known address of the owner, shall
turn off the water from the property in question; and the water
shall not be turned on again until said bill has been paid, including
a penalty of three dollars ($3.00).

(2)  A charge for the CONSTRUCTION AND upkeep of drainage
water and sewer systems against all properties benefited by such
drainage system or having a connection with any water main or
sewer under its operation or ownership. The charge for the CON-
STRUCTION AND upkeep of the drainage system and the water
and sewer system, if any, shall be made upon such reasonable
basis as the Commission may determine and shall be collected
annually in the same manner as are front foot benefit assess-
ments against all property benefited by such drainage system
or having a connection within a water main or sewer under the
operation or ownership of the Commission and shall be a lien against
such property. Such charges shall be based upon such classifications
as the Commission from time to time may establish and shall be
uniform throughout each sanitary system within each such classi-
fication; provided, however, that no charge for the upkeep of water
and sewer systems shall be made against any property in any year