2368

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 240

(B) METERS.

(1) AT ITS OWN EXPENSE, THE POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION SHALL PLACE A METER ON EACH WATER CONNECTION.

(2) IF THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION DOES NOT HAVE
METERS AVAILABLE TO INSTALL IN ALL PROPERTY THAT IS
CONNECTED TO THE SYSTEM IN A LOCALITY, THE POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION SHALL CHARGE A FLAT RATE TO ALL PROPERTY IN
WHICH METERS ARE NOT INSTALLED.

(C) BILLS.

(1) THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION SHALL SEND BILLS
FOR WATER SERVICE QUARTERLY OR TWICE A YEAR TO EACH PROPERTY
SERVED.

(2) THE BILLS ARE PAYABLE AT THE OFFICE OF THE
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION ON RECEIPT.

(3) IF ANY BILL REMAINS UNPAID AFTER 30 DAYS
FROM THE DATE THE BILL IS SENT, THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION
SHALL:

(I) NOTIFY THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY
SERVED, IN WRITING, THAT THE BILL IS IN ARREARS AND THAT
WATER SERVICE WILL BE DISCONTINUED; AND

(II) LEAVE THE NOTICE ON THE OWNER'S
PROPERTY OR MAIL THE NOTICE TO THE LAST KNOWN ADDRESS OF THE
OWNER; AND

(III) DISCONTINUE WATER SERVICE TO THE
PROPERTY UNTIL THE OWNER PAYS THE BILL AND A $5 PENALTY.

(4) IF ANY BILL REMAINS UNPAID AFTER 60 DAYS
FROM THE DATE OF SENDING THE NOTICE:

(I) THE BILL AND THE $5 PENALTY SHALL BE
COLLECTIBLE FROM THE PROPERTY OWNER IN THE SAME MANNER AND

SUBJECT TO THE SAME INTEREST AS TAXES ARE COLLECTIBLE IN THE
COUNTY IN WHICH THE WATER OR SEWERAGE SYSTEM LIES; AND

(II) THE WATER SERVICE CHARGES AND ALL
PENALTIES SHALL BE A FIRST LIEN ON THE PROPERTY.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived
without substantive change from former Article
43, § 427A(d).

In subsection (a)(2)(i) of this section, the
former language "or ready-to-serve" is deleted as
unnecessary.