§ 13.04.120. Termination of service

A. The city may discontinue or refuse water service for any of the following reasons:

1. When the customer requests it;

2. When the water bill becomes delinquent, after proper notice and the opportunity for a hearing has been provided;

3. When detrimental conditions exist on the customer's premises, such as a serious leak in the water line from the main water line in and/or through the customer's property;

4. When the customer fails to provide credit information or a security deposit as required by the city;

5. When the customer misrepresents his or her identity for the purpose of obtaining water service;

6. When the customer refuses to grant city personnel access, during normal working hours, to equipment installed upon the premises of the customer for the purpose of inspection, meter reading, maintenance, or replacement;

7. When the customer violates any rule of the utility, which violation adversely affects the safety of the customer or other persons, or the integrity of the water delivery system;

8. When the customer causes or permits unauthorized interference with, or diversion or use of, water service situated or delivered on or about the customer's premises.

B. None of the following shall constitute sufficient cause for the utility to discontinue service:

1. The failure of a customer to pay for special charges;

2. The failure of the customer to pay for service received at a separate metering point, residence or location. In the event of discontinuance or termination of service at a separate metering point, residence or location in accordance with these rules, the utility may transfer any unpaid balance to any other service account with the customer's written consent;

3. The failure of the customer to pay for a different class of service received at the same location. The placing of more than one meter at the same location for the purpose of billing the usage of specific devices under optional rate schedules or provisions is not construed as a different class of service for the purpose of this rule;

4. The failure of a customer to pay a bill which is in dispute; provided, however, that the customer pays that portion of the bill not in dispute.

C. Except for discontinuance pursuant to subsection (A)(1), (3), (7) and (8), the utility shall not discontinue service unless:

1. At the time of the proposed discontinuance, for one hour after discontinuance and on the day following discontinuance, the utility office or personnel identified in the notices given are open or available to the customer for the purpose of preventing discontinuance or obtaining reconnection; and

2. The utility employee who is to disconnect service is also authorized to accept payment of amounts due for utility charge and thereby either avert disconnection or provide for reconnection.

(Prior code § 15-103)