Marvin Mandel, Governor                       1875

sewerage and drainage AND DRAINAGE SEWER systems and the
operation and maintenance thereof and for the purchase of equip-
ment and supplies necessary to the operation of the county. Connec-
tion charges shall be established from time to time by the county.
Such charges may be based upon such reasonable classifications as
the county may determine and such classifications may vary within
any water, sewerage and drainage system and among any such

systems depending on any special drainage system and among any

such systems depending on any special circumstances which the
county finds exists. The charges herein provided shall not be limited
to the costs to the county for making such connections. The county is
empowered to determine the manner in which such charges shall
be payable.

19-30. Service charges and upkeep charges.

19-20.

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 property depre-
ciation allowances, and for interest on and the retirements of bonds
as specified in this subtitle, the county may make the following
charges:

(1)    A water and sewer service charge. The rates for water and
sewer service shall consist of a minimum of 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 county, and it shall remain the prop-
erty of the county. Such rates shall be uniform throughout each
such system operated by the county but the county may make such
classifications as it deems advisable within any such system based
upon quantities of water used. If the county 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 semi-annually
as the county may determine to each property served and shall be
payable at the office of the Department of Public Works COUNTY
TREASURER or such other place as the county 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 the date of sending, the county, after written notice
left upon the premises or mailed to the last known address of the
owner, SHALL TURN OFF THE WATER FROM THE PROP-
ERTY 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