Marvin Mandel, Governor                        1837

Where the aforesaid fixtures do not exist, or are of a nature which,
in the judgment of the Commission, is improper or inadequate, satis-
factory equipment shall be installed by the owner on the premises
consisting of at least one water closet and one sink or wash basin,
both of which shall be properly connected with the sewer of said
Metropolitan Commission. All cesspools, sink drains and privies lo-
cated on properties connected to sewers provided by the Commission
shall be abandoned, closed and left in a sanitary condition so that
no odor or nuisance shall arise therefrom. Any violation of the pro-
visions of this section shall be a misdemeanor punishable under Sec-
tion 176 of this subtitle.

169. Service Charges.

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 speci-
fied in this subtitle, the Commission is hereby empowered to make a
ready-to-serve charge on water and a charge for the upkeep of
sewers chargeable against all properties having a connection with
any water pipe or sewer pipe under its supervision or ownership
or which are otherwise served by the water supply or sewerage sys-
tems or a part thereof. Said rate for both ready-to-serve and such
charge for the upkeep on sewers shall be uniform throughout such
sanitary district, subject to such changes from time to time as may
be necessary. The Commission shall have the right to collect in
advance of water or sewerage service a reasonable deposit. The charge
for the upkeep on sewers shall be reasonable and [collected] pay-
able [annually,] in the same manner as benefit assessments [are
collected] and shall be a first lien against all property having a con-
nection with any sewer pipe under its supervision or ownership or

which are otherwise served by the water supply or sewerage sys-

tems or a part thereof. 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 be-
tween the last two readings, said meter being required to be placed
on each water connection by and at the sole expense of the Com-
mission. If the Commission at any time shall not have meters avail-
able to install in all the properties in a given locality that are
connected to the system, then a flat rate shall be charged all proper-
ties 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 de-
termine, to each property served, and shall be thereon 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 the water from the property in question,
and the water shall not be turned on again until said bill shall
have been paid, including a penalty of five dollars ($5.00). If any
bill shall remain unpaid for sixty days after being sent by the Com-
mission, it shall be collectible from the owner of the property served