The county will endeavor to render a dependable supply of potable water, in quantities adequate to meet the reasonable needs of its customers within the service areas. The delivery of such supply will be at the service connection. The county may suspend temporarily the delivery of water, for the purpose of making repairs or improvements to its system. Such repairs or improvements will be made as timely as practicable.
(Ord. 1008 § 1, 1999)
Before water service will be provided by the county, the customer shall obtain approval of facilities furnished or installed by him/her which may be required by the Inyo County building and safety department or the community volunteer fire department or any other authority whose approval is required by law.
(Ord. 1008 § 1, 1999)
The county will require each prospective customer or his/her agent to make an application for the service desired and also to establish his/her credit. Application may be made at the business office of the county water operator. The county may require that such application for service be signed by the prospective customer. Such application may require furnishing the following information:
A. 
Name of applicant;
B. 
Date and place of application;
C. 
Location of premises to be served;
D. 
Date service is desired;
E. 
Purpose for which service is to be used;
F. 
Customer's mailing address and, if residential, the business address; and, if business, the residential address of the applicant;
G. 
Whether applicant is owner or tenant, and if tenant, the mailing address of the owner;
H. 
Information to establish the credit of the applicant;
I. 
Such other information as the county may reasonably require.
(Ord. 1008 § 1, 1999)
A. 
The county's requirements for the type of service desired must be met before an application will be approved. If, main, service connection and meter required for service to the premises have not been installed, the applicant will be informed of the terms and conditions which must be met before an application for service will be approved.
B. 
Special contracts may be required as a condition precedent to service:
1. 
When required in connection with extension or installation of facilities pursuant to Chapter 4.16, Distribution System Extensions and Enlargements, or with Chapter 4.18, Service Connections, Meters and Customers' Facilities, or with Chapter 4.20, Temporary Service.
2. 
Because of special circumstances of the service.
(Ord. 1008 § 1, 1999)
When an application for service is made by a former customer who has failed to pay water charges owned by him/her to the county, service may be refused until such charges are paid.
(Ord. 1008 § 1, 1999)
Any person, persons, association, or corporation who takes possession of a premises where water supply has been shut off by the county, and uses water without making proper application for water service, shall be responsible for all charges for the water service. The amount of such charges shall be determined by the county either by meter readings or on the basis of the estimated consumption for the time water is used. When the county finds that water is being used without proper application for service or service connection, the service may be disconnected without notice.
(Ord. 1008 § 1, 1999)
All prospective customers shall be required to make a deposit in an amount to be set by resolution of the board of supervisors.
If a customer's water service is discontinued under any of the circumstances set out in Inyo County Code Section 4.10.130 or at the request of the customer, the customer's deposit shall be automatically applied to cover any outstanding balance. Before service is reestablished, the customer shall be required to pay any additional amount necessary to bring his or her previous deposit up to the current charge for a deposit.
(Ord. 1008 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1256 § 3, 2020)
When a customer has furnished a deposit to guarantee payment of county water bills, and service has been terminated, such deposit will be refunded to the customer after deduction of any unpaid charges or indebtedness due the county.
(Ord. 1008 § 1, 1999)
A. 
A customer may have service discontinued by giving not less that twenty-four hours advance notice to the county. Charges for service will be required to be paid until the requested date for discontinuance.
B. 
When such notice is not given, the customer will be required to pay for service until one day after the county has actual knowledge that the customer has vacated the premises or otherwise has discontinued water service.
(Ord. 1008 § 1, 1999)
A. 
Nonpayment of Bills. A customer's water service may be discontinued for non-payment of a bill for water service rendered, if the bill has not been paid within the time prescribed by Section 4.12.040.
B. 
Noncompliance with the County's Rules. If a customer fails to comply with any provision of this title other than provisions requiring the timely payment of bills, the county will advise the customer of such failure by providing five days' written notice informing the customer of the nature of the noncompliance and that service will be discontinued unless the customer remedies the noncompliance. After such notice, the county may discontinue service to the customer without further notice.
C. 
Conditions Detrimental or Damaging to the County or its Customers. If an unsafe or hazardous condition is found to exist on the customer's premises, or if the use of water thereon by apparatus, appliances, equipment, or otherwise is found to be detrimental or damaging to the county or its customers, the service may be shut off without notice. The county will notify the customer of the reasons for the discontinuance and the corrective action to be taken by the customer before service can be restored.
(Ord. 1008 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1256 § 3, 2020)
Service restoration charges shall be set by resolution of the board of supervisors. The cost of such charges shall be limited to the actual cost incurred by the county and in no event shall it be higher than the permissible charges set forth in California Health and Safety Code Section 116914(a)(1); provided, however, that if a customer's water is shut off for a reason stated in Inyo County Code Section 4.10.030 and the customer, without the permission of the county, turns the water back on or allows the water to be turned on without the county's permission, the county shall collect an additional amount of one hundred dollars from the customer before water is restored as a penalty.
(Ord. 1008 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1256 § 3, 2020)