WATER RATES AND ENFORCEMENT

CHAPTER 23.

23-1. Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is to fix water rates and to provide a method for enforcing their collection.

23-2. Water Rates. Water shall be furnished at the following monthly rates per building within the city limits:

The first 3000 gallons...................................... $17.00 minimum

3001 to 7000 gallons.....................$5.00 per 1000 Gallons

All over 7000 gallons ..................... $3.40 per 1000 gallons

Water, when available, will be furnished to area farmers for use outside the city limits at the following rates:

$6.00 per 1000 gallons.

"Building" as used in this Chapter shall mean only those buildings that have water connections and shall exclude outbuildings.

23-3. Payment. Bills for the rates and charges as herein established shall be sent monthly. All bills shall be payable on the first day of the month following the period of service and shall be paid to the city clerk. If any charge or the water supplied shall not be paid by the 10th day of the month in which it shall become due and payable, a charge of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bill shall be added thereto and collected therewith.

23-4. Enforcement. If any bills for the water supplied shall remain unpaid after 30 days following the rendition of the bill therefor, (such bill to notify the customer of right to request a hearing) the water supply for the building affected shall be cut off and shall not be turned on again except on payment in full of the delinquent charges therefor. A fee of $20.00 will be assessed to the customer for reconnecting water service.

23-5. Meter Accuracy and Test. All water shall be supplied through meters that accurately measure the amount of water supplied to any building. The superintendent shall make a test of the accuracy of any water meter at any time when requested in writing. If it is found that such meter overruns to the extent of 2 percent or more, the cost of the tests shall be paid by the city and a refund shall be made to the customer for overcharges collected since the last known date of accuracy but not for longer than 3 months. If the meter is found

to be accurate or slow or less than 2 percent fast, the patron shall pay the reasonable costs of the tests.

23-6. Deposit. A payment of deposit of $50.00 shall be required for all new customers, such deposit to be used to pay unpaid bills upon disconnect, or returned to the

customer after full settlement. If a customer account is current after one year, and no delinquencies in that year, deposit to be returned.

23-7. Damaged City-Owned Meters. The consumer shall reimburse the city for the repair or the replacement of any city-owned meters damaged due to the negligence of the consumer.

23-8. Assessment of Unpaid Fees. Water use charges remaining unpaid and delinquent after 60 days shall constitute a lien on the premises served and shall be certified to the County Auditor for collection in the same manner property taxes, in accordance with Iowa Code Chapters 384 and 476 (1997).