§ 12-9. Illegal water connections and/or theft of water.

A person commits an offense of theft of water by any of the following actions:

(a)

A person may not knowingly tamper, connect to, or alter any component of the city's water system including valves, meters, meter boxes, lids, hydrants, lines, pump stations, ground storage tanks, and elevated storage tanks. This shall include direct or indirect efforts to initiate or restore water service without the approval of the city.

(b)

If, without the written consent of the city manager or the city manager's designee, the person knowingly causes, suffers or allows the initiation or restoration of water service to the property after termination of service(s), for purposes of this section, it shall be assumed that the owner, occupant, or person in control of the property caused, suffered, or allowed the unlawful initiation or restoration of service(s).

(c)

A person may not knowingly make or cause a false report to be made to the city of a reading of a water meter installed for metered billing.

(d)

A person commits a separate offense each day that the person performs an act prohibited by this section or fails to perform an act required by this section.

An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,000.00 and/or discontinuance of water service by the city.

(Code 1968, § 25-9; Ord. No. 2394, §§ 2, 3, 1-20-09)