2528

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 911

during the period between the last two readings, the
meter being required to be placed on each water
connection by and at the sole expense of the Commission.
If the Commission at any time shall not have meters
available to install in all the properties in a given
locality that connected to the system, then a flat rate
shall be charged all properties 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 monthly, quarterly or
semi—annually, as the Commission may determine, 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 the due date or dates specified
therein, 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 charges remain unpaid
for a period of 3 0 days after the due date for payment, a
late charge at the rate of 1 1/2 per centum per month
shall be made until all delinquent charges are paid, the
late charge to be in addition to all other charges. If
any bill shall remain unpaid for sixty days after the due
date, it shall be collectible from the owner of the
property served in the same manner as other debts are
collectible in the County and the ready—to—serve charge,
other service charges and all penalties and late charges
shall be a first lien against the property.]

169. SERVICE RATES.

(A) RATES; GENERALLY. FOR THE PURPOSE OF
PROVIDING FUNDS FOR MAINTAINING, REPAIRING AND OPERATING
ITS HATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS, FOR LINE
EXTENSIONS OF THEM, FOR ITS ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER
EXPENSES, INCLUDING PROPER DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES (IF
ANY) , AND FOR INTEREST ON AND THE RETIREMENT OF BONDS AS
SPECIFIED IN THIS SUBTITLE, THE COMMISSION MAY MAKE
SERVICE RATES AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY ON WATER LINES AND
SEWERS, CHARGEABLE AGAINST ALL PROPERTIES HAVING A
CONNECTION WITH ANY WATER PIPE OR SEWER PIPE UNDER ITS
SUPERVISION OR OWNERSHIP. THE RATE FOR BOTH WATER AND
SEWER SERVICE SHALL BE UNIFORM THROUGHOUT A SANITARY
DISTRICT, [[BUT]] SUBJECT TO CHANGES AS THE COMMISSION
DEEMS TO BE NECESSARY. HOWEVER, WHERE THE COMMISSION
PROVIDES SERVICE TO PROPERTY IN AN AREA IN WHICH IT IS
ECONOMICALLY NOT FEASIBLE TO PROVIDE SERVICE AT THE
UNIFORM RATE PROVIDED FOR THE SANITARY DISTRICT BECAUSE
OF THE DISTANCE OF THE AREA FROM THE PRINCIPAL FACILITIES
OF THE COMMISSION IN SUCH SANITARY DISTRICT, THE
COMMISSION MAY CLASSIFY THE PROPERTY AS A "REMOTE AREA"
AND MAY IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL SERVICE CHARGE TO MEET THE
ADDITIONAL COST OF PROVIDING SERVICE TO THE PROPERTY.
THE COMMISSION MAY COLLECT A REASONABLE DEPOSIT IN
ADVANCE OF FURNISHING WATER OR SEWERAGE SERVICE.