1658                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 754

be paid in the office of the Commission or elsewhere as the Com-
mission may designate.

439U.

For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subtitle the
Commission may make a charge for every sewer and water connec-
tion. The funds derived from such charges may be used for payment
of principal and interest on bonds, accumulating funds for capital
improvements, for acquisition and construction of water, sewerage
and drainage systems and the operation and maintenance thereof
and for the purchase of equipment and supplies necessary to the op-
eration of the Commission. Connection charges may be established
from time to time by the Commission subject to the approval of the
Board. Such charges may be based upon such reasonable classifica-
tions as the Commission may determine and such classifications may
vary within any water, sewer, or drainage system and among any
such systems depending on any special circumstances which the
Commission finds exist. The charges herein provided shall not be
limited to the costs to the Commission for making such connections.
The Commission is empowered to determine the manner in which
such charges shall be payable.

439V.

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 depreciation
allowances, and for interest on and the retirements of bonds as spec-
ified 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 classified within the county in
such a manner as the Commission deems advisable; provided, how-
ever, that such classification shall be based upon the quantities of
water used and shall be, insofar as possible, uniform throughout the
county. If the Commission at any time shall not have meters avail-
able to install in all the properties in a given locality that are con-
nected to the system, then a flat rate shall be charged on properties
in which meters have not yet been installed, which rate shall be uni-
form 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 semi-annually 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