[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of
the Town of Denton 4-1-2021 by Ord. No. 714. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. Terms defined. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
APPROVED
Accepted or acceptable under an applicable requirement stated
or cited in this chapter or accepted as suitable for the proposed
use under procedures and powers of the Town.
BACK-SIPHONAGE
The flowing back of used, contaminated, or polluted water
from a plumbing fixture or vessel into a water supply pipe due to
negative pressure in such pipe.
BACKFLOW
The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances
into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any
source or sources other than its intended source.
BACKFLOW PREVENTER
An assembly, device, or method that is compliant with American
Waterworks Association (AWWA) standards and 10-State Standards and
that is installed to prevent backflow into the Town's public
water supply system.
BUILDING
A structure built, erected, and framed of component structural
parts designed for the housing, shelter, enclosure, or support of
persons, animals, or property of any kind.
CROSS-CONNECTION
Any connection or arrangement between two otherwise separate
piping systems, one of which contains potable water and the other
either water of unknown or questionable safety or steam, gas or chemical,
whereby there may be a flow from one system to the other, the direction
of flow depending on the pressure differential between the two systems.
INSIDE
Lying within a building.
OUTSIDE
Lying exterior to the confines of a building.
OWNER
A proprietor; one who owns or has exclusive right of possession.
PERSON
Any individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative,
fiduciary, or representative of any kind and any firm, company, association,
partnership, society, corporation, church, school, group, or other
entity.
PLUMBING FIXTURES
The installed receptacles, devices or appliances which are
supplied with water or which receive or discharge liquids or liquid-borne
wastes, with or without discharge into the drainage system with which
they may be directly or indirectly connected.
POLLUTED WATER
Water in which there are microorganisms, chemicals or waste
materials in a concentration which renders the water harmful or objectionable.
POTABLE WATER
Water which is satisfactory for drinking, culinary and domestic
purposes and meets the requirements of the health authority having
jurisdiction.
PRIVATE
Of, belonging to or concerning a particular person and not
open to or intended for the public.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM or WATERWORKS
The works, structures, equipment, and processes required
to supply, treat, and distribute water to people at large or to any
considerable number of members of the public indiscriminately for
domestic, commercial, industrial and fire uses.
SEWAGE
The water-carried wastes from residences, businesses, buildings,
institutions, and industrial establishments.
SUPERINTENDENT
The Superintendent of Waterworks or Water Supply Facilities
or his authorized deputy, agent or representative.
SWIMMING POOL
Any structure, basin, chamber, or tank containing an artificial
body of water for swimming, diving or recreational bathing.
TOWN
The Town Council of Denton or Town of Denton, a municipal
corporation of the State of Maryland and/or its duly authorized officers
or agents.
WATER MAIN or MAIN
The principal pipes of a water supply system to which water
services may be connected.
WATER PLUMBING SYSTEM
The water supply and distribution pipes, plumbing fixtures
and traps and water-treating or water-using equipment, including their
respective connections, devices, and appurtenances, within the property
lines of the premises.
WATER SUPPLY PIPING
The water-distributing pipes and necessary connecting pipes,
fittings, control valves and all appurtenances in a building which
convey water from the water service pipe to plumbing fixtures and
other water outlets.
B. Word usage.
(1) "May" is a permissive term.
(2) "Shall" is a mandatory term.
Any items pertaining to water plumbing systems installed within
the Town which are not specifically covered under this chapter shall
meet or exceed the minimum provisions of the Plumbing Regulations
of the State of Maryland. In case of conflict between this chapter
and the plumbing regulations of the State of Maryland, the provisions
of this chapter shall govern.
A. Except as provided in Subsection
G below, the owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes, situated within the Town and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is located a public water main of the Town, is hereby required, at his expense, to connect all inside water plumbing systems with the proper public water main in accordance with the provisions of this chapter within three months after date of official notice to do so, provided that said public water main is within 300 feet of the property line. If an owner of a house, building, or property used for the purposes above does not have fixtures or drains (including spigots or hydrants, toilets, and waste drains) or if the Town believes that the fixtures or drains are inadequate, the owner shall install adequate spigots or hydrants, toilets, and waste drains at his expense to the satisfaction of the Town.
B. Each mobile home and/or trailer unit used for residential or commercial
purposes, and having domestic water and/or sanitary facilities therein,
shall be considered a separate and independent building and, as such,
shall have its own water plumbing system.
C. If an owner attempts to comply with Subsection
A above and encounters conditions beyond the owner's reasonable control that make it impracticable to complete the required connection to the water main within the three-month time period provided, and if the owner provides evidence of the conditions to the satisfaction of the Town Council, the Town Council may grant a temporary waiver or extension of the time period for completion of the connection. The decision to provide a temporary waiver or extension is within the discretion of the Town Council.
D. The Town reserves the discretion to require that an owner comply
as soon as practicable, notwithstanding the three-month time period
above, if there is an existing privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool,
drain, or other facility that the Town, the Health Department, or
the Maryland Department of the Environment has determined is either
failed or is failing that may impact the potable water on the property.
E. This section is supplemental to the authority vested in the Health
Department and/or the Maryland Department of the Environment to regulate
public or private water usage.
F. This section does not prohibit the Town from electing not to provide
connections for improved or unimproved property for any reason.
G. This section does not apply to any owner with an executed annexation
agreement that limits the requirement to connect to the public water.
In such case, the terms of the annexation agreement govern.
H. Failure to comply with this section shall subject the owner to penalties pursuant to §
124-34 below.
A. Potable use prohibited. Except as provided below, no well or spring
shall be drilled, used, or maintained on any property located within
the Town for potable water use or consumption where the property is
located within 300 feet of the public water main.
B. Outdoor or irrigation uses on residential property. No new wells shall be drilled for use by any residential dwelling unit (including any single-family or multifamily residence), for any purpose, including outdoor irrigation, gardening, or other uses incidental to any residential use. For residential properties with an existing well located on the property as of the effective date of this section, or for any residential property annexed into the Town of Denton after the effective date of this section, which is served by an existing well, the existing well may continue to be used for outside water supply purposes only, in accordance with the provisions of §
124-6 herein.
C. Outdoor or irrigation uses on agricultural or recreational property. For any property used for agricultural or recreational purposes (e.g., ballparks, public parks, etc.), the Town may permit a well to be drilled for outdoor uses or irrigation purposes in accordance with §
124-6 herein. For purposes of this section, "agriculture" shall have the same meaning prescribed by Chapter
128, Zoning, §
128-8, and is not intended to apply to any gardening, planting, or other outdoor activity that is incidental to a residential use.
Except as hereinafter provided, after the commencement of public
water supply service to a property previously served by a well, the
well shall be abandoned and capped or closed in a manner satisfactory
to the Town and in the timeframe required by the Town.
Where an existing well is permitted to be used on residential property for outdoor use or irrigation purposes, or where a new well is permitted to be drilled for irrigation purposes in connection with agricultural or recreational uses in accordance with §
124-4 herein, the well shall be examined and the well water tested by the Caroline County Department of Health or the Town of Denton to determine whether the well is polluted or will be a menace to health. If the well will not create a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, it may be used for outside water supply purposes, provided that it has been approved by any other state or governmental agency having jurisdiction over the same, and further provided that it is not physically connected to the inside water supply piping or water plumbing system or sewerage system. Should such a well be found to be polluted or a menace to health, it shall be abandoned and capped or closed in a manner satisfactory to the Town and in the time frame required by the Town.
No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with,
use, alter or disturb any public water main, water service or appurtenances
thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the Town Council
of Denton and/or the Superintendent and/or their duly authorized agent.
There shall be three classes of building water service permits:
residential service, commercial service, and industrial service. In
each case, the owner or his agents shall make application to the Town
for a permit on a special form furnished by the Town. When requested,
the permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications
or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the Town.
All costs and expenses incidental to the installation and connection
of the building water service shall be borne by the owner. The owner
shall indemnify the Town from any loss or damage that may directly
or indirectly be occasioned by the installation of the building water
service.
A. A separate and independent building water service shall be provided for every building, except as hereinafter provided in §
124-11 or except where one building stands at the rear of another on an interior lot, and no private water service is available or can be constructed to the rear building through an adjoining alley, courtyard, or driveway. In the latter case, the building service from the front building may be extended to the rear building and the whole considered as one building service, provided that this shall only apply when both buildings have the same ownership.
B. In any case in which the Town of Denton Planning Commission has required
that a commercial building maintain vegetative plantings, upon request
by the property owner, the Town may permit a separate water meter
to be installed for the irrigation system designed to support such
plantings. When an irrigation meter is approved, the sewer charge
for the meter shall be waived.
C. The Town may permit residential property owners to install a separate
water meter exclusively for outside water usage. When a separate water
meter for outside water usage is approved, the sewer charge for that
meter shall be waived. The outside water meter shall be subject to
the following conditions.
(1) An outside separate water meter and access fee will be assessed.
This fee shall be the equivalent of 1/2 of the capacity charge for
water set by the Town Board.
(2) The applicant will be assessed a fee for the cost of the second meter
and meter pit. The fee will be as established by the Town Council.
(3) Billing for an outside water meter shall be based on the usage rate
established by the Town Council of Denton for the water system.
(4) It shall be a municipal infraction for any property owner to misappropriate
any outside water usage supplied by the Town.
A. The owner of a property housing mobile homes, trailer units and/or
multifamily dwellings used for commercial or residential purposes
and having domestic water and/or sanitary facilities therein shall
have the options of:
(1) Connecting all units or dwelling units to the public water main via
a single building water service;
(2) Connecting all units or dwelling units to the public water main via
two or more building water services; or
(3) Considering each unit or dwelling unit as a separate entity and connecting
each unit or dwelling unit to the public water main via a separate
and independent building water service.
B. The water rate structure established for use of the Town's public water mains will be such that revenue required from a property owner choosing either option in Subsection
A(1) or
(2) above will be equal to that revenue secured had each unit or dwelling unit been required to have its own separate and independent building water service.
All connections of building water services into the public water
mains or public water services or installation of water meters shall
be performed by a registered plumber, licensed by the Maryland State
Board of Plumbing, or such other contractor as expressly authorized
and approved by the Superintendent.
Existing building water services may be used in connection with
new buildings or with additions to existing buildings only when they
are found, on examination and test by the Town, to meet all requirements
of this chapter. If in the Town's discretion an existing building
water service may not be used, the owner shall pay all costs and expenses
to install a new building water service to provide service to the
building or buildings.
The size, depth, alignment and materials of construction of
a building water service, and the methods to be used in excavating,
placing of the pipe, jointing, testing and backfilling the trench,
shall all conform to the requirements of the Town's Public Works
Standard Specifications and Details for Public Works Construction,
as that document may be amended from time to time, and the plumbing
regulations of the State of Maryland. Any deviation from the prescribed
procedures and materials must be approved by the Town before installation.
Specific provisions of this chapter pertaining to the construction
of building water services are indicated herein.
A. The building water service shall be at least as large as the public
water service and larger if required by the water demand, length of
service pipe and pressure available. It shall, in no case, be less
than 1 1/4 inch in diameter.
All excavations for building water service installation shall
be adequately guarded with barricades and lights so as to protect
the public from hazard or injury. Streets, sidewalks, parkways, and
other public property shall not be disturbed in the course of the
work without prior consent by the Town and shall be restored in a
manner satisfactory to the Town at the property owner's expense.
If restoration is not satisfactory, the Town may elect in its discretion
to restore the street, sidewalk, parkway, and/or other public property
and seek reimbursement from the appropriate party after the work is
completed.
The applicant for the building water service permit shall notify
the Town when the building water service is ready for inspection and
connection to the public water service, and before the water service
installation is backfilled or covered. The connection shall be made
under the supervision of the Superintendent or other authorized Town
representative. The applicant shall obtain the Superintendent's
approval before backfilling or covering the water service pipe.
A. Subject to §§
124-10 and
124-11 above, each property owner shall install a water meter for each dwelling unit or building connected to the Town's water system. The water meter will remain under the ownership of, and will be maintained by, the Town as far as ordinary wear and tear are concerned. The property owner shall be responsible for any injury to, or loss of, the meter not caused by Town.
B. The Town will determine the size and type of any water meter and
the type and location of the setting.
C. The meter housing or meter vault will be installed so that the top
is on the ground surface of the permanent grade.
D. It shall be unlawful for any person not specifically authorized by the Town to interfere with, remove, replace, or tamper with a meter or a meter seal. Violations shall subject the responsible person to penalties pursuant to §
124-34 below.
E. No connection shall be made to any water service pipe between the water main and the meter, except such bypass as the Town may install. If such unlawful connection is found, the water house connection will be cut off at the main until such unlawful connection is disconnected and abandoned. Any expense to which the Town shall be subjected, due to the above work, shall be paid for by the owner before the service is restored. Violations shall also subject the responsible person to penalties pursuant to §
124-34 below.
F. Where the water meter fails to register the total amount of water
used, the property owner shall pay for such period an estimated amount
based on consumption in a similar period. The property owner shall
at once notify the Town of any injury to, or any cessation in registration
of, the water meter as soon as it comes to his knowledge. In case
of a disputed account involving the accuracy of a water meter, such
meter shall be tested, upon the request of property owner, in conformity
with the provisions of the rules and regulations pertaining to water
service utilities of the Public Service Commission of Maryland. In
the event the water meter so tested is found to have an error in registration
of 4% or more, the bills will be increased or decreased accordingly
as provided by the aforesaid rules.
G. If water is supplied from the Town water system, then the number
of gallons charged for in computing the sewer bill shall be determined
from the reading of the water meter supplying the property owner.
If water is supplied from a source other than from the Town water
system, then the property owner shall install a water meter on each
such source, and the reading of such meter shall be used in computing
the sewer bill.
H. In addition to any penalties prescribed in §
124-34, and in addition to any other charges established herein or established elsewhere by Town ordinance for water or sewer services, any property owner who fails to install a water meter as required pursuant to this chapter within 30 days after written notice to the property owner by ordinary first-class mail at his address stated in the Town property tax rolls shall be liable to the Town for the following additional charges during such period until the water meter has been installed.
(1) For water services: Charge as established by the Town Council.
(2) For sewer services: Charge as established by the Town Council.
I. If a property owner has a peculiar or exceptional practical difficulty
or exceptional hardship in installing a water meter as required under
this chapter due to circumstances concerning a particular property,
the Town may grant such property owner a variance in the installation
of such water meter, but subject to such terms and conditions as the
Town deems appropriate. Rates for properties receiving such variance
shall be as set forth, from time to time, by further ordinance.
A. The Town will maintain all water services from the street main to
the property line.
B. All pipes and appurtenances on private property shall be maintained
by, and at the expense of, the property owner. The Town, where it
shall deem such action necessary, may do maintenance or repair work
on private property, in which case the cost, including overhead expense,
shall be paid by the property owner. Likewise, the cost of any work
outside of the property line made necessary by the neglect or through
the action of a property owner, tenant, or guest, or other agent of
the property owner shall be charged to the property owner.
C. In the event of a complaint regarding a leak on a water service,
the Town will determine if the leak is in the public way, in which
case the leak will then be repaired by the Town. If it is found that
the leak is not the Town's responsibility, the owner will be
so notified, and it shall be his responsibility to have the leak repaired
at once by a master plumber at the owner's expense. If the property
owner fails to make such repairs within five days after written notification
by the Town, the Town, in order to conserve water and protect the
public health, will make such repairs as are necessary and will bill
the owner for the costs of such work.
Water from the Town's system may be used for residential,
business, industrial and public purposes. The Town reserves the right
to impose at any time such restrictions on the use of water as, in
its judgment, may appear necessary.
A. No person, other than an authorized employee of the Town or a member
of a Fire Department acting under orders of his proper superior in
the performance of his duties, may operate a public fire hydrant unless
in possession of a permit from the Town to do so.
B. Public or private fire hydrants may not be used for flushing or for
any other purpose except by special written permission of the Town,
for the time and at the location specified. If such permission is
granted, the water used shall be paid for by the user, who shall be
charged for the water at the rate established by the Town Council.
C. Any violation of this section, including but not limited to the unauthorized use of water from a fire hydrant for any purpose, shall subject the responsible person to penalties pursuant to §
124-34 below.
A. All buildings or properties which are served with public water from
the Town's system shall have approved water supply and plumbing
fixtures and piping; where the same do not exist or are not of proper
character, in the judgment of the Town, or are in a state of disrepair,
they shall be provided, altered or repaired, as the case may be, in
such manner as shall be required and within the time named, by notice
served by the Town upon the property owner or occupant. No such building
shall be hereafter erected in a location accessible to a public water
main or sewer without being provided with adequate water supply and
plumbing arrangements as required in this chapter.
B. The Town may at any time inspect existing plumbing systems and require
such modifications as, in its judgment, may be necessary to put said
plumbing in an approved, sanitary condition.
A. Potable water supply systems shall be designed, installed, and maintained
in such manner as to prevent nonpotable liquids, solids, or gases
from being introduced into the potable water supply through cross-connections
or any other piping connections to the system.
B. Piping conveying potable water shall be constructed of nontoxic material.
No chemicals or other substances that could produce either toxic conditions,
taste, odor, or discoloration in a potable water system shall be introduced
into or used in such systems. The interior surface of a potable water
tank shall not be lined, painted, or repaired with any material which
will affect either the taste, odor, color or potability of the water
supply when the tank is placed in or returned to service.
C. No physical connection or cross-connection shall be permitted between
the public water supply and an industrial, fire or other auxiliary
or emergency water supply source. This prohibition applies to all
piping systems, whether inside or outside of any building or buildings.
D. Backflow or back-siphonage.
(1) No plumbing fixture or device shall be installed which will provide
a cross-connection between the Town's water supply and a drainage
or sewerage system so as to permit or make possible backflow into
the Town's water supply system; nor shall any such plumbing fixture
or device be installed which will provide a possible cross-connection
between the Town's water supply system and any well, spring,
cistern, river or other private source of water supply. No water closet
bowl shall be supplied directly from a domestic water supply system
through a flush valve unless such valve is set above the water closet
bowl in a manner so as to prevent any possibility of polluting the
water supply and the valve is protected by an approved air-break or
backflow preventer. The owner of a property with such fixture or device
shall remove the fixture or device if directed to do so by the Town,
within the timeframe established by the Town and at the owner's
expense. If the property owner fails to comply, the Town may elect
in its discretion to remove the fixture and device and seek reimbursement
from the appropriate party after the work is completed.
(2) In order to prevent back-siphonage, all heating plants connected
to the water system shall have a Town-approved check valve installed
on the waterline supplying the plant, and the check valve shall be
installed ahead of the plant's automatic water feeder or ahead
of the boiler shutoff valve.
(3) All humidifiers or similar devices having the water inlet below the
overflow level shall be equipped with a Town-approved nonsiphon ball
cock.
(4) Water which has been used for cooling or heating purposes shall not
be reused for domestic purposes.
(5) The owner of any property connected to the Town's potable water
supply lines shall, if directed by the Town, install a backflow device
to prevent any cross-contamination of the water system, within the
time frame established by the Town and at the owner's expense.
E. Town inspections of backflow devices or cross-connections.
(1) The Town or other duly authorized employees or representatives of
the Town are authorized to obtain, and the owner or responsible person
of a property shall provide, documentation or information concerning
the installation and/or maintenance of backflow devices which have
a bearing on the Town's potable water supply lines.
(2) The Town or other duly authorized employees or representatives of
the Town bearing proper credentials and identification shall be permitted
to enter all properties for the purpose of inspecting potential cross
connections with the Town's potable water supply lines and for
the purpose of inspecting a backflow device installed on the property.
F. Soda, bar, laboratory, dental, medical, surgical, and other appliances
requiring either a waste or water supply connection are plumbing fixtures,
and no such fixture may be connected to either a waste or water supply
unless the said fixture is approved as free of any possibility of
cross-connection or back-siphonage. Dental, surgical, or other aspirators
shall not be of the type operated by water pressure, unless equipped
with a Town-approved vacuum-break device.
G. Failure to comply with any part of this section will result in a fine and/or other enforcement pursuant to §
124-34 below.
A. No direct connection shall be made from a swimming pool to the water
supply piping of any building.
B. There shall be no direct connection between any domestic water supply
line and any circulating pump, filter, water softener or other apparatus
or device that comes in contact with water in or from a swimming pool.
The potable water supply inlet to the make-up tank or pool shall be
located above the extreme overflow level in such a manner as to prevent
water from the tank or pool from entering the potable water supply
line.
C. Water discharged from a public or private pool is not allowed in
the storm drain or sewer system and shall be maintained on the owner's
property and not allowed directly in the street.
A. In general. For the purpose of this section, the following words
have the meaning indicated:
APPROVED SHOWER HEAD
Any automatic flow shower head using no more than 2.5 gallons
of water per minute, with the rate based on a pressure at the fixture
of not more than 60 pounds per square inch under no-flow conditions.
APPROVED SINK FAUCET FOR A PUBLIC FACILITY
Any faucet with spring-loaded valves or other devices that
stop the flow of water upon release of the handle or that stop the
flow of water after not more than 1.0 gallon of water has flowed through
the fixture.
APPROVED URINAL
Any single flush-type urinal using not more than 1.5 gallons
of water per flush, with the rate based on a pressure at the fixture
of not more than 60 pounds per square inch under no-flow conditions.
APPROVED WATER CLOSET
Any water closet using not more than 1.6 gallons of water
per flush, with the rate based on a pressure at the fixture of not
more than 60 pounds per square inch under no-flow conditions.
BUILDING
Includes any building or structure the initial construction
of which commenced on or after the effective date of this section.
CONSTRUCTION
The building, inspection and supervision of new structures
and the installation of equipment required in connection with the
new structures.
LOCAL PLUMBING INSPECTION
Inspection by the appropriate agencies or units of the Town
which inspect the installation of plumbing fixtures and devices and
water, drainage, and sewage systems.
REMODELED
The complete reconstruction, relocation, or addition of a
whole plumbing system to another part of a building.
B. Required water-conserving fixtures and devices. Except as provided under Subsection
D, the following fixtures or devices shall be installed, as necessary, in buildings constructed or remodeled after the effective date of this article:
(1) Approved water closets in every building.
(2) Approved showerheads in every building.
(3) Approved sink faucets for private residences and in buildings with
restrooms not intended for public use.
(4) Approved sink faucets for a public facility in buildings with restrooms
intended for public use.
(5) Approved urinals for buildings intended for public use.
C. Excessive pressure. When street main pressure exceeds 60 pounds per
square inch, an approved pressure-reducing valve and an approved relief
device shall be installed in the water service pipe near its entrance
to the building to reduce the water pressure to 60 pounds per square
inch or lower. Pressure at any fixture shall be limited to no more
than 60 pounds per square inch under no-flow conditions.
D. Enforcement suspended. Enforcement of this section may be suspended
by the Town Engineer for a specified period of time if it is determined
by the local plumbing inspectors that:
(1) There is an inadequate supply of approved water closets, approved sink faucets or approved showerheads, or water-conserving devices intended for attachment to water closets, sink faucets or showerheads to allow the fixtures to qualify as approved fixtures, under Subsection
A; or
(2) The configuration of a drainage system for a building requires a
greater quantity of water to adequately flush the system than is delivered
by approved fixtures; or
(3) There would be an adverse effect upon an historic restoration.
No unauthorized person shall maliciously, willfully, or negligently break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment which is a part of the waterworks. No person shall discharge any substance into any part of the waterworks. Any person violating this provision shall be subject to immediate arrest under charge of disorderly conduct or for violation of any of the laws of the State of Maryland. Violation shall also subject the responsible person to penalties pursuant to §
124-34 below.
The Town and other duly authorized employees or representatives
of the Town bearing proper credentials and identification shall be
permitted to enter all properties for the purpose of inspection, observations,
measurements, sampling, and testing, meter reading, and repair or
removal of water meters in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter.
The Town or other duly authorized employees are authorized to obtain, and the owner or responsible person for industrial processes shall provide, information concerning industrial processes which have a bearing on the interconnection of potable water supply lines with industrial process water supply systems and on the amounts of water required from the public water supply system. Failure to provide requested information shall subject the responsible person to penalties pursuant to §
124-34 below.
The Town and other duly authorized employees or representatives
of the Town bearing proper credentials and identification shall be
permitted to enter all private properties through which the Town holds
a duly negotiated easement for any of the purposes provided in the
easement, including, but not limited to, inspection, observation,
measurement, sampling, repair and maintenance of any portion of the
waterworks lying within said easement.
Water service charges as set by the Town Council of Denton shall
be charged to each building water service. The Town may bill the property
owners monthly, every other month, quarterly, or semiannually, at
the Town's discretion.
The Town reserves the right to increase or decrease the rates and charges herein set forth by further ordinance and to establish different classifications as to rates for residential, commercial, or industrial use and for special use where multiple units or dwelling units are served by a single building water service or by two or more building water services in accordance with §
124-11.
All rates, charges and/or fines referred to in this chapter
shall constitute a lien on the real estate served and shall be collectable
in the same manner as Town taxes or by suit of law.
Any person who violates any provision of or fails to perform
any duty imposed by this chapter or who fails to perform any duty
imposed by a rule, regulations, order, or permit adopted pursuant
to this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction is subject
to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months,
or both.
The property owner shall be responsible for all charges for
water used or lost through leaks, carelessness, or neglect after the
same has passed through the water meter. However, every property owner
shall have the right to present to the Town Council for abatement
any water bill or meter reading that such customer considers improper.
The Town Council may defer the request to the Utility Commission for
a recommendation. The Town Council, in its discretion, shall have
the authority to abate charges upon a finding by a majority of the
Council that the property owner has demonstrated good cause for such
abatement.
Any person found violating any provision of this chapter shall
become liable to the Town of Denton for any expense, loss or damage
occasioned the Town by reason of such violation.
Whenever the public necessity, convenience and general welfare
of the Town and its citizens require, the Town may amend or repeal
any provision herein upon motion duly made and carried by a majority
of the Town Council of Denton.