TITLE 20      

APPENDIX F

Water Facilities

Sections:
20.F.010 General provisions.
20.F.020 Definitions.
20.F.030 Conditions of service.
20.F.040 Notices.
20.F.050 Application for service.
20.F.060 Rates and charges
20.F.070 Basis of billing.
20.F.080 Time and manner of payment
20.F.090 Disputed bills.
20.F.100 Service connection.
20.F.110 Main extensions.
20.F.120 Termination and restoration of service.

    20.F.010 General provisions.
     A.  This appendix is known and may be cited as the Douglas County water service ordinance.
     B.  This ordinance is adopted pursuant to NRS 244.157.
     C.  The county may furnish systems used for the supply, treatment, and distribution of water in the service area designated by the board of county commissioners, including all parts of the enterprise, all appurtenances, land, easements, rights in land, contract rights and franchises.
      D.  Any person with standing, aggrieved by a final determination on any provision of this appendix by the director or his designee may appeal the final determination to the appellate body, and in the manner provided by chapter 20.28.
      E.  The director retains the right to grant adjustments and exceptions to the provisions of this ordinance in order to vary or modify the strict application in cases where there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships.
  The board may find by reason of special circumstances that the application of any provision of this appendix should be suspended or modified as applied to a particular premise and may, by resolution, order the suspension or modification for any premises during the period of the special circumstances.
      F.  This ordinance shall be reviewed by the board not less than every two years to insure that the provisions of this ordinance are kept up to date and sufficient to operate the water facilities.
      G.  Any violation of the provisions of this ordinance is an infraction and may result in discontinuance of the customer’s service.  Termination of water service shall be in accordance with section 20.F.120 of this ordinance.   (Ord. 883, 1999)    

     20.F.020 Definitions.
     A.  Words defined:
         1.  Applicant means the person making application for service who is the owner of the premises, or its authorized agent.
         2.  Application means a written request for water service on a form provided by the county as distinguished from an inquiry as to the availability of or charges for service.
         3.  Average month consists of 30 days.
         4.  Billing period means the period for which a billing is made.  It may be for an average month and need not coincide with the calendar month (i.e., may be billed on a cycle of 29 to 31 days.)
         5. Building means any structure used for human habitation or a place of business, recreation or other purposes containing potable water facilities.
         6. Contractor means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership or association duly licensed by the state of Nevada to perform the type of work to be done under a permit.
         7.  County means Douglas County.
         8. Customer means the person in whose name service is rendered and who signed the application or contract for that service, or in the absence of a signed instrument, by the receipt and payment of bills regularly issued in his name regardless of the identity of the actual user of the service.
         9. Date of presentation means the date upon which a bill or notice is mailed, postmarked or delivered to the customer.
         10. Developer means the person or persons who have made an application to Douglas County to perform development.
         11. Development means a parcel of property being improved and requiring installation of water mains to and possibly on the property being improved.
         12. Director means the Douglas county community development director or his designee.
         13. Gallon means the volume of water that occupies 231 cubic inches.
         14. Law means any statute, rule or regulation established and enforced by federal, state, county or municipal authorities.
         15. Living unit means any residence, apartment, or other structure to be occupied for habitation purposes by a single person or family requiring water service. 
         16. Main classification:
              a. Off-site main means a water main, regardless of size, that extends from an existing water system to a development, but excluding on-site mains.
              b. On-site main means those public mains that are installed specifically to provide service to developments, and generally located within the development’s boundaries.
              c. Public main means those mains that are owned, operated and maintained by the county after completion and acceptance.
              d. Private main means all water mains not o3wned, or operated and maintained by the county after completion.
          17. Metered service” means a service for which charges are computed on the basis of measured quantities of water by a meter.
          18. Owner means a fee owner of the premises.
          19. Permanent service means a service which, in the opinion of the director, is of a permanent and established character.  The use of the water may be continuous, intermittent or seasonal in nature.
          20. Permit means any written authorization required pursuant to this or any other regulation for the installation or operation of any water works.
          21. Person means any individual, firm, co-partnership, joint venture, association, social club, fraternal organization, company, joint stock association, corporation, estate, trust, organization, business, business trust, public agency, school district, State of Nevada, and its political subdivisions or instrumentalities, receiver, syndicate or any group of combination thereof, acting as a unit, including any trustee, receiver or assignee.
          22. Premises means all of the real property and services to a single integrated activity operating under one name to one or more buildings, locations, or services, provided that (a) such a building, location or services are to a single unit of property; or (b) such two or more units or property immediately adjoining, except for intervening public highways, streets, alleys or waterways.
          23. Private fire service means a service through a line, to hydrants or sprinkler system used to extinguish accidental fires, not located within a public dedicated and accepted right-of-way.
          24. Service and connection classification:
               a. Combined service means a service connection that provides water for the dual purposes of fire protection and domestic use.
               b. Commercial service means a service connection to include, but not limited to, office buildings, private clubs, motels, hotels, department stores, restaurants, casinos and schools.
               c. Domestic service means a service connection obtained for purposes exclusive of fire protection, but including residential, commercial, and industrial uses.
               d. Emergency service means a temporary service connection for the purpose of providing water to safeguard health and protect private or public property, subject to the conditions governing temporary service connections.
               e. Industrial service means a service to customers engaged in a process that creates or changes raw or unfinished materials into another form or product including, but not limited to, factories, mills, machine shops, mines, pumping plants, canning and packing plants, and processing activities.
               f. Interim service means a non-permanent service connection for use during the construction of subdivisions, or other construction projects.
               g. Non-standard connection means service connection installed at a location not adjacent to the property served and where there will never be a main installed contiguous to the property.
               h. Private fire service means a service connection through which water is delivered to private property for fire protection exclusively.
               i. Residential service means the piping, meter, meter pit, and associated appurtenances from the main to a customer in a single family dwelling, mobile home or building, or in an individual flat, condominium, or apartment in a multiple family dwelling, or building or any portion occupied as the home, residence or sleeping place of one or more persons.
               j. Service connection means the lateral pipe from the point of connection to a county water main including the curb stop valve or meter box to the customer’s property line.
               k. Standard service connection or Permanent service connection means a service connection installed at a location adjacent to the property being served.
               l. Temporary service connection means a service connection installed at a location, not adjacent to the property served, that is subject to removal or relocation at the time a main is constructed.
       25. Tenant means a person renting or leasing a premises from the owner or the owner’s representative.   (Ord. 883, 1999)    

     20.F.030 Conditions of service.
       A.  All applicants for service connections or water service are required to accept the conditions of pressure or service provided by the distribution system at the location of the proposed service connection, and to hold the county harmless for any damages arising out of low or high pressure conditions or interruptions in service.  Minimum operating pressure will equal or exceed 40 psi at the outlet of the meter pit.
       B.  Properties within the boundaries of a county water service area are eligible for water serv ice from the county in accordance with the provisions of this appendix.  Properties outside the boundaries of the county’s water service areas must be annexe into a county service area to be eligible to receive water from the county.
       C.  New applications for water service will be accepted only if the water main is extended to the property being served, and the main must be within a dedicated right-of-way or easement granted to the county.
       D.  To obtain service to property not immediately adjacent to a water main the applicant may provide a main extension in accordance with the provisions of this appendix, or the applicant may make application for a non-standard service if the property meets the specified requirements. 
       E.  The county is not liable for damage to property resulting from water running from open or faulty piping or fixtures on the customer’s property or from interruption or termination of service in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.  Customers who request activation of a service shall be responsible for damage resulting from the activation due to open or faulty piping and fixtures on the customer’s property.
       F.  No one except an employee or designated representative of the county may operate the curb stops or valves, main stops, gates or valves of the county’s system.  No one shall interfere with the meters or their connections, street mains, or other parts of the system.
       G.  The customer must, at their own expense, furnish, install, and maintain all equipment necessary for receiving, controlling, applying and utilizing water on their premises.  The county is not responsible for any loss or damage caused by the improper installation of equipment, or the negligent or wrongful act of the customer or their tenants, agents, employees, contractors in installing, operating, or maintaining their equipment.
        H.  County employees shall have the right to access customer’s property at all reasonable hours for any purpose related to the furnishings of service and protection of water quality.  County employees are prohibited from entering upon customer’s premises to repair or alter a customer’s piping and fixtures.
        I.  No customer shall knowingly permit leaks or waste of water.  Where water is wastefully or negligently used on a customer’s premises, or is allowed to flow onto adjacent properties, roads, or drainage ditches, the county may terminate water service if the conditions are not corrected within 5 days after giving the customer written notice.
        J. The county has the right to restrict, and apportion, its available water supply during any emergency caused by drought, or other threatened or existing water supply shortage, and to prohibit the waste of water or the use of water during any period for any purpose other than household uses, or other uses as may be determined to be necessary.  The county may prohibit use of water during these periods for specific uses that they county may from time to time find to be nonessential.   (Ord. 883, 1999)  

    20.F.050 Application for water services.
      A.  Water service will be furnished to applicants whose premises are wholly situated within the boundaries of the service areas adopted by the board.  Premises outside of the service area boundaries can be served on the basis of a contract to be negotiated between the applicant and the county, or inclusion in the service area.
      B.  For new service each applicant will be required to apply for a water connection permit on a form provided by the county.  The application must be accompanied by payment of all applicable fees as adopted by the board.  Water connection permits will be issued by the director, or his designee, upon payment of the required fees.  The property owner will certify that no property other than their own or public property will be crossed, or an easement in a form suitable to the county must accompany the application.  The application must include information concerning the type of service; the purpose and the type of facilities to be served on a form prescribed by the director.
      C.  If an applicant provides incorrect information as to the size and location of a service connection or requests a change in the size or location after work has commenced, the applicant must pay all costs incurred by reason of any corrections and changes.
      D.  Applications for service through existing connections or new connections may be rejected if:
           1.  The account of the applicant at the same or any other location is delinquent.
           2.  The purpose of the applicant, in the opinion of the director, is to circumvent discontinuance of service in another name because of non-payment of water bills.
           3.  If the applicant is not within the boundaries of the county water service area.
           4.  If the intended use will be detrimental or injurious to existing customers.
           5.  If the applicant fails to comply with any of the provisions of this appendix.
           6.  If, in the judgment of the director, the applicant’s installation for using the service is unsafe, hazardous or subject to freezing, flooding, or is of a nature that satisfactory service cannot be rendered.
           7.  Where service has been disconnected for fraudulent use, the county water system will not serve an applicant until the director has determined that all conditions of fraudulent use or practice have been corrected.
      E.  When an applicant is refused service, the director or his designee will notify the applicant, by procedures outlined in section 20.F.400, Notices, of the reason for refusal of service and the right of the applicant to appeal the decision to the board.   (Ord. 883, 1999)    

     20.F.060 Rates and charges.
       A. All rates, fees and charged are set by resolutions adopted by the board.
       B. Charges and fees for connection to the potable water system consist of a connection fee, installation fee, inspection fee, and in lieu of water rights fee when required.
           1. Connection fee: To equalize in investments in facilities made be new service and present water users, a connection fee will be collected for all new services in the amounts established by resolution.  The connection fee does not include the service connection (tap and service lateral to the property).
           2. Installation fee: In addition to the connection fee, an installation fee will be collected to cover the cost of materials, equipment, and labor for installing a service connection (tap and service lateral to the property).  The installation fee will be collected in the amounts established by resolution.  The director reserves the right to require the applicant to install the service connection, in lieu of collecting the installation fee.       
          3. Inspection fee: When the applicant is required by the director to install the service connection, the applicant will pay an inspection fee for the inspection and approval of the installation.  The inspection fee will be collected in the amounts established by resolution.
          4.  Cash in lieu of water rights: The county reserves the right to collect a fee in lieu of dedication of water rights in accordance with, subsection 20.100.040.  The fee in lieu of dedication of water rights will be collected in the amounts established by resolution.
      C.  Connection fees are required for all new connections.  The fee shall be charged for each connection, including but not limited to, each dwelling unit or lot, irrigation connection, and common area or facility on the final subdivision or parcel map.  The fee shall be paid to the county prior to approval of the final subdivision map or parcel map, issuance of building permit, or initiation of work by the county.
      The connection fee for service to residential units shall be charged for each residential unit being served.  Each apartment of an apartment building, each condo of a condominium development, each mobile home, whether on individual lots or parks, shall be charged a residential connection fee.  The connection fee shall apply whether each unit is individually served or a group of residential units are served through one connection.
      The connection fee for service to commercial and industrial units shall be charged for each unit under separate ownership being served.  The connection fee shall apply whether each unit is individually served or a group of units are served through one connection.   (Ord. 883, 1999)    

     20.F.070 Basis of billing.
      A. All metered services shall be billed on the basis of service line size in accordance with the water usage charge and monthly base rates established by resolution.
      B. All unmetered services shall be billed on the basis of service line size in accordance with the monthly rates established by resolution.
      C. Customers are responsible for payment of all water recorded as having passed through a meter regardless of whether the water was put to the beneficial use.
      D. The owner of the property will be ultimately responsible for payment of water bills and fees in case of non-payment by a tenant.
      E. In the event a single meter is used to serve more than one dwelling or commercial unit under separate ownership, a monthly base charge will be collected for each dwelling or unit served plus the usage charge.  Two or more houses under one ownership and on the same lot or parcel may be supplied through the same service connection; provided that for each house under separate roof an additional base fee be applied to the monthly billing.   (Ord. 883, 1999)    

     20.F.080 Time and manner of payment.
      A. The utility division will read the water meters in the service area monthly and, as soon thereafter as practical, the treasurer will issue a bill for each service in accordance with the provisions of this appendix.  For unmetered customers, bills may be issued in advance of or after a billing period.
      B. Account snot paid by the first of the following month are delinquent and will be charged a late payment penalty as established by resolution on the outstanding balance.
      C. The county may discontinue service to a customer having a delinquent bill that is more than 90 days in arrears.  Termination of water service shall be in accordance with section 20.F.110.
      D. Until paid, all rates, tolls and charges constitute a perpetual lien on and against the property served and may be foreclosed upon as provided by law.
      E. If any opening or closing bill is for a period shorter than the regular billing period, the base rate charge or flat rate charge for service shall be reduced in the same proportion as the actual period of use is reduced from the regular billing period.
      F. Failure to receive a bill shall not relieve the customer of the obligation to pay for service received.
      G. Checks presented in payment of bills that are returned by a bank will be treated as through no payment has been made, and a handling charge will be levied by the treasurer plus any additional charges of the bank.
      H. For the purpose of computing charges, each meter will be considered separately, and readings of multiple meters will not be combined, except where a battery of smaller meters has been installed in lieu of a larger meter one of the county system’s convenience.  In such cases, charges will be computed as if the water used has been measured through a single meter.
      I. If a meter cannot be read because of obstructions or other causes, the county water system may estimate the quantity of water used, and a bill shall be issued for the estimated service.  The next succeeding bill that is based upon actual meter readings will reflect the difference between prior estimates and actual consumption.  If a meter is found to be non-operable, the county water system may estimate the consumption and bill for that amount.
      J. If a dispute between a customer and the director as to the correct amount of any bill rendered by the county water system for water service furnished to the customer, the customer must deposit with the treasurer the amount claimed by the director to be due.
      K. If the customer fails to make the deposit within 15 days after written notice by the treasurer that the deposit be made or service disconnected, the county water system may discontinue service to the customer without further notice.   (Ord. 883, 1999)    

     20.F.090 Disputed bills.
     A. If a dispute between a customer and the director as to the correct amount of any bill rendered by the county waster system for water service furnished to the customer, the customer must deposit with the treasurer the amount claimed by the director to be due.
     B. If the customer fails to make the deposit within 15 days after written notice by the treasurer that the deposit be made or service discontinued, the county water system may discontinue service to the customer without further notice.
     C. In the event of dispute concerning nay bill, charges or service, the treasurer will investigate the situation, as may be required, and report the findings of the investigation to the customer.   (Ord. 883, 1999)    

     20.F.100 Service connections.
     A. The county reserves the right to determine the size of service connection to be installed, giving considera5tion to the needs of the applicant and the capacity of the main to which the service is connected.  No service connection will be approved of a size larger than can be supplied by the main without adversely affecting service to other customers.  If an existing main is determined to be inadequate to meet the requirements of an applicant and a main extension will provide for those requirements, provisions of this ordinance applying to main extensions will be followed.  Whenever two mains are available from which service can be provided, the county shall, at its discretion, determine the main to which the service connection will be made.
      B. Service connections must be installed at right angles to a main and the point of connection must not be within a street intersection.  The meter box or shutoff valve location must be within the public right-of-way or easement adjacent to existing or proposed curb line.  In alleys or easements, meter or shutoff valve boxes shall be located at a point as close as practicable to the property line near where the main is located.  All meter and shutoff valve boxes must be located outside of driveways and other areas where access by county water system personnel for operation and maintenance may be restricted.
      C. All service connections must conform with the county’s design criteria and improvement standards.
      D. Service connections, excluding private fire services, including the lateral, meter, meter box and appurtenances up to the customer property line are will remain the property of the county.  All piping and appurtenances on the customer’s side of the meter or shutoff valve shall be maintained by the property owner.
      E. Private fire service is restricted to standby for emergency fire protection.  The director may require installation of an approved backflow prevention device.  The customer shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the service from the main to the building.
      F. Combined service for domestic and private fire service will not be allowed.
      G. The director may authorize a temporary service connection when the applicant’s property is not adjacent to a water main.  As a condition to installation of temporary service, the applicant must make application for a main extension and pay all applicable fees.  Temporary service will be allowed only when approved by the director.  The temporary service connection will be disconnected and terminated within the time frame specified by the director.  The applicant will be charged for water usage in accordance with the schedule of rates, fees and charges established by resolution.
      H. Emergency service may be authorized for limited periods of time when the ususal source of supply fails or is declared to be potentially harmful or in other circumstances that endanger health or property.  Emergency service may be allowed only when approved by the director.
      I. Non-standard service may be authorized when in the opinion of the director, a main extension will never be necessary for orderly development of the system, fire protection, service to other property, or other reasons.  Non-standard service laterals from curb stop of meter box or shutoff valve to the customer must not be located within public thoroughfare.  A copy of the recorded easement deed over private property for the service lateral shall be made available to the county water system.
      J. Each residential dwelling or commercial unit under separate ownership must be provided with a separate service connection.  Two or more houses under one ownership and on the same lot or parcel may be supplied through the same service connection; provided that for each house, under separate roof, an additional base fee be applied to the monthly billing, or a separate service connection may be provided for each building and each charged as a separate service.  The director reserves the right to limit the number of houses or the area of land under one ownership to be supplied by a single service connection.
      K. A service connection shall not be used to supply adjoining property of a different of a different owner or to supply property of the same owner across a street or alley.  When property provided with a service connection is divided, each service connection shall be considered as belonging to the lot or parcel of land that it directly enters. 
      L. A planned unit development may consist of attached or detached single family dwelling units, townhouses, cluster units, condominiums, garden apartments, or any combination.  A separate service connection is required for each dwelling unit within the development.  Separate connections are required for common areas, including irrigation, recreation and utility.  These areas or buildings shall not be interconnected or served directly from services providing water to dwelling units.
      M. For installation of county water system facilities by a developer, the following shall apply:
         1. The developer shall pay to the treasurer prior to the approval of any installation of water facilities or subdivision map, all applicable fees and charges in accordance to the rate schedule in effect.
         2. Plans and specifications for the water system improvements to be construed by the developer shall be prepared by a Nevada professional engineer retained by the developer, and shall be approved by the director and all applicable agencies before construction is started.
         3. All county water system facilities must be located within easements or rights-of-way.  Meter boxes or shut off valve boxes must be located outside of the public thoroughfare and must be protected from vehicular traffic, as determined  by the director.
         4. The county water system employee or representative must inspect and approve the installation of the water facilities before service is provided.
      N. Service connections, other than in subdivisions, must be installed by the county water system.  The director reserves the right to permit installation of the service connection by independent licensed contractors.  In such event, county design specifications must be adhered to and tapping of a main will be permitted only in the presence of a county water system representative. 
      O. The director reserves the right to prohibit connections to certain mains when,  in his opinion, the connections may impair the integrity of the mains or the location would not be conductive to the orderly development and planning of the water system.
      P. Enlargement of a service connection to the same property, requiring abandonment of the existing connection and installation of a complete replacement connection of increased size will be treated as a new connection and will be charged accordingly.  The fees to be paid by the property owner upon application for increase in size of service connection shall be the installation fee for the size of the larger service being installed and a connection privilege fee which shall be determined by subtracting the connection fee for the size of the service being abandoned from the connection fee for the size of service being installed.
      Q. An existing service connection may be relocated, if the new service is of like size and will provide a water supply to the same parcel or property, upon application and payment of an installation fee by the property owner.  (Ord. 883, 1999)    

     20.F.110 Main extensions.
      A. If the director requires the owner to extend the water main, then the owner must extend the water main the entire frontage of his parcel unless the director finds it to be physically improper to do so.
      B. The applicant is responsible for the construction of the water main along any of the property sides or frontages of the property that a water main is needed for the overall completeness and continuity of the county’s water system.  The applicant is responsible for the necessary and required water system within the interior tract of land.
         1. The applicant shall construct all needed water lines (of county approved sizes) within and along all sides or frontages of any piece of property prior to final approval of the development or the issuance of any certificate of occupancy.  Phased construction of the water line system may also be specifically allowed if provided for in a development agreement between the applicant and the county.  In lieu of actually constructing the required water line system, the applicant may secure the improvements in accordance with section 20.720.030.
         2. Whenever an applicant is required to construct a water line from the applicant’s property to the nearest water line outside of the applicant’s property, and where, in the opinion of the director, it is necessary that water line be constructed of a larger size than the minimum size needed to serve the property and that the extended water line will be or can be used in the distribution of water to adjacent properties, the director shall require the applicant to construct the larger size water line in accordance with the plans and specifications as approved by the director.  Should the director require an oversized water line, the director will reimburse the applicant for the costs of the additional water line size as long as the line is greater than required by the county’s design and improvements standards, as set forth in a reimbursement agreement pursuant to chapter 20.460.
         3. When the director agrees to pay for an increase in water line size, at least three proposals, signed and prepared by a contractor, shall be required which show the comparable cost of the incremental increase requested by the director.  In no event will the county pay more than the lowest proposal presented.
      C. If the applicant must extend the water line system through another property owner’s property or along the frontages of various intermediate property owners, and if those properties are not currently served by the county’s water system, then the intermediate and benefiting property owners shall be responsible, when the development commences or connection is made, for a pro rata share of the costs of the water line extension provided that the parcels were identified in the reimbursement fair share analysis and agreement.
         1. When the applicant is required to extend a water line, he shall pay the entire cost of the water line constructed and will be responsible for the actual construction of the water line.  Any owners of properties to be served by the extended water main will thereafter be responsible for reimbursing the first property owner for a pro rata share of the costs of the water line system at the time the subsequent owners apply for a permit to plat, parcel, develop, or build upon their parcels or when connection is made for existing buildings.
         2. The pro rata shares for the applicant and all subsequent or other owners benefitted by the extended water line must be determined prior to the board entering into the reimbursement agreement.  The director shall collect at 15% administrative fee from the applicant who pays for the water line construction upon reimbursement.
         3. In no event shall any owners of the property to be served by an extended water line be permitted to connect without first paying to the applicant or to the county water system the pro rata share of the costs described above as well as all other fees required by the director.
      D. Any facilities installed pursuant to subsections A through C of this section are the property of the county water system upon inspection and approval by the director.
      E. Whenever the county water system, or a contractor hired by the county water system, extends a water main along the frontage of any property not connected to the county water system, the director may elect to install a water service lateral within the public right-of-way or easement adjacent to the property.  If the service lateral is installed by the county water system or it’s contractor, the property owner shall reimburse the county for the costs of the installation prior to connection of the property owner’s water system to the water main.  For the purposes of this section, the costs which must be reimbursed are the costs incurred by the county water system at the time of the installation and include the county’s water system final contract cost for the service and any required pavement replacement. 
      F. Reimbursement agreements shall be negotiated between the director and the applicant, and approved by the board.  If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the dispute may be presented to the board for resolution.  Each agreement shall become null and void and no further reimbursement is obtainable ten years after the recording of the final map that provides for or re quires construction of the addition to the water system.  (Ord. 883, 1999; Ord. 801, 1998; Ord. 692, 1995)    

      20.F.120 Termination and restoration of service.
      A. A customer may have service terminated by giving not less than 5 working days advance notice to the county water system, and provide a mailing address to which the closing bill will be mailed.  Charges for service may be required to be paid until the requested date of discontinuance or a later date that provides not less than the required 5 days advance notice.  When notice is not given, the customer shall be required to pay for service until 5 days after county water system had knowledge that the customer had vacated the premises or otherwise had terminated service.  Failure to notify the county water service of termination of service shall not relieve the customer or property owner, if other than customer, of responsibility of payment of water bills.
      B. Conditions or water uses that create a basis for the county water system to terminate water service include, but are not limited to, the following:
         1. A service may be terminated by the director for non-payment of a bill for service furnished if the bill is not pa id within 90 days after presentation, provided the county water system has given the customer at least 5 days prior notice of disconnection.  The county water system shall charge the cost of disconnection, reconnection, and all ancillary charges associated with the disconnection before premises are reconnected to the water system.
         2. The county water system may discontinue service to any customer for violation of any provision of this ordinance after it has given the customer at least 5 days written notice of the disconnection.  Where safety of the potable water supply is endangered, service may be terminated without notice.
         3. When the county has discovered that a customer has obtained service by a fraudulent means, or has altered the water service for unauthorized use, the service to that customer maybe discontinued without notice.  The county waster system shall not restore service to the customer until the customer has complied with the county water system rules and regulations and the county water system has been reimbursed for the full amount of the service rendered and the actual cost that the county water system has incurred by reason of the fraudulent use.
      C. Service will be restored to the customer’s premises under the following conditions:
          1. The county will endeavor to make reconnections during regular working hours on the day of the request, if conditions permit; otherwise, reconnection will be made on the regular working day following the day the request is made.
          2. When a customer has requested that the reconnection be made at other than regular working hours, the county will reasonably endeavor to make the reconnection if practicable under the circumstances, but will be under no obligation to do so.
      D. When service it terminated under the provisions of this appendix, the county water system will notify the applicant, by procedures outlined in section 20.F.040 Notices, of the reason for termination of service.  Whenever termination of water service will effect more than one dwelling unit, the county water system will make reasonable effort to give notice to all dwelling units.  The county shall cause notice to be given at least 5 calendar days but no more than 15 calendar days prior to the date of intended termination.   (Ord. 883, 1999)