11.10.080 Discontinuance of service.
(1) Nonpayment of Bills.
(a) A customer’s water service may be discontinued if the water bill is not paid in accordance with the procedures as listed in MMC 11.10.040.
(b) Nonpayment of Deposit. A customer’s water service may be discontinued if the deposit is not paid within 72 hours of application of service as listed in MMC 11.10.040.
(2) Unsafe Apparatus.
(a) The utility may refuse to furnish water and may discontinue service to any premises where apparatus, appliances or equipment using water is dangerous, unsafe or is being used in violation of laws, ordinances or legal regulations.
(b) The utility does not assume liability for inspecting apparatus on the customer’s property. The utility does reserve the right of inspection, however, if there is reason to believe that unsafe or illegal apparatus is in use.
(3) Service Detrimental to Others. The utility may refuse to furnish water and may discontinue service to any premises where excessive demands by one customer will result in inadequate service to others.
(4) Fraud and Abuse. The utility shall have the right to refuse or to discontinue water service to any premises to protect itself against fraud or abuse.
(5) Noncompliance. The utility may, unless otherwise provided, discontinue water service to a customer for noncompliance with any of these water system rules and regulations any time after giving written notice to the customer of the utility’s intention to discontinue service. If such noncompliance affects matters of health or safety or other conditions that warrant such action, the utility may discontinue water service immediately.
(6) Customer Request for Service Discontinuance.
(a) Customers may have their water service discontinued by notifying the utility during normal working hours and providing at least 24 hours’ advance notice (excluding weekends) of the desired weekday date of discontinuance. The customer will be required to pay all water charges through the date of such discontinuance.
(b) If notice is not given to the utility, the customer will be required to pay for the water service through the date the utility has learned that the customer has vacated the premises or otherwise has discontinued service.
(7) Restoration – Reconnection Charge. The utility shall charge, as provided by Council resolution, for restoring water service which has been discontinued because of noncompliance with these rules. Water service which has been discontinued because of nonpayment or noncompliance with these rules shall not be restored in the name of any relative, friend, family member nor in the same customer name when the head of the household has not changed or when the customer of record at that service location would continue to receive water service unless all charges have been paid.
(8) Penalty for Turning on Water Service Without Authority. Should the water be turned on by any water customer or other person without authority from the utility, the water may then be shut off at the main or the meter may be removed. The charge for shutting water off at the main shall be the actual cost plus 15 percent overhead. The charge for removing and/or reinstalling the meter shall be established by Council resolution. All such charges shall be chargeable to the customer and water shall not again be furnished to the customer until said charges are paid.
(9) Tampering. Water services locked off for nonpayment or noncompliance will be subject to tampering fees as specified by Council resolution should any customer or person without authority from the utility remove or destroy said locking devices in order to self-restore water service. Tampering charges and/or costs shall be chargeable to the customer. (Ord. 68 § 1, passed 2-19-1991; Code 2014 § 50.08)