Marvin Mandel, Governor                        1633

trict, subject to the provisions of this section and such damages
CHANGES from time to time as may be necessary.

(d)    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. The meter is required to be placed on each water
connection by and at the sole expense of the political subdivision.
If the political subdivision at any time does not have meters avail-
able to install in all the properties in a given locality that are
connected to the system, then flat rates shall be charged all properties
in which meters have not yet been installed. These rates, subject
to the provisions of this section, shall be uniform in each water or
sewerage district and based upon estimates of the amount of
water used by the types of users specified in such rates. Bills for
the amount of the charges as above specified shall be sent quarterly
or semiannually, as the political subdivision may determine, to each
property served, and shall be thereupon payable at the office of the
political subdivision. If any bill remains unpaid after 30 days from
date of sending, the political subdivision 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 the bill has been paid, including
a penalty of five dollars ($5.00). If any bill remains unpaid for 60
days after being sent by the political subdivision, it shall be collect-
ible, together with a penalty of $5.00, from the owner of the prop-
erty served in the same manner, and subject to the same interest,
as taxes are collectible in the county or counties in which the water
or sewerage systems lie and the water service charges, other serv-
ice charges and all penalties shall be a first lien against the prop-
erty.

(e)    The charge for the upkeep on sewers shall be reasonable
and collected annually and shall be a first lien against all property
having a connection with any sewer pipe under the supervision of,
or owned by, the political subdivision.

(f)    The sewer service charge shall be made on whatever reason-
able basis the political subdivision selects and may be collected on
an annual, semiannual, or quarterly basis. If any bill for sewer
service charge remains unpaid for 60 days after being sent by the
political subdivision, it shall be collectible from the owner of the
property served in the same manner, and subject to the same interest
as taxes are collectible in the county or counties in which the
water or sewerage systems lie, and shall be a first lien against the
property.

(g) If a political subdivision furnishes water or sewerage serv-

ice to property of a federal, State or other agency which is exempt

from front-foot benefit charges and/or ad valorem taxes levied to

finance the water or sewerage systems, the political subdivision shall

make charges for water and sewerage service as it deems necessary

and reasonable (with full authority to change the charges from

time to time). In determining this charge, the political subdivision

shall take into consideration, in addition to the regular water and

sewerage charges, the taxes (if any) and front-foot benefit assess-