§ 24-51. New service.

(a)

Permit required/application for new service. No connections with a water main shall be made without a permit being issued and twenty-four-hour notice having been given to the operations manager or his/her designee. All such connections shall be made by the City of Effingham at the expense of the applicant. Applications for such connections must be made to the utility billing office located at City Hall, 201 East Jefferson Ave, Effingham, IL, 62401 on the form(s) provided. An agreement by the applicant must be signed stating that they are responsible for the payment of all bills, that they will abide by and accept all of the provisions governing the use of the city water system, that they or a member of their household eighteen (18) years of age or older do not owe the City of Effingham any outstanding bills, charges, or monies, and that they will voluntarily sign an annexation petition presented to them by the city at the time the premises being serviced with water becomes contiguous to the corporate territory of the city, if such premises are not presently in such territory. The charge for said connection shall be a minimum as indicated in section 24-78 or the cost of labor and materials (including meter) which are necessary to make said connection, whichever is greater. The minimum connection fee shall be deposited at the time of making application, and the balance shall be due upon completion of said connection. Water will be turned on immediately after installation, unless otherwise directed by applicant in writing. If water is not turned on immediately, later application to turn water on will be considered as an application to renew existing service, requiring additional fee as hereinafter provided. The owner of the property shall be liable for any and all services, repairs and damages which in accordance with this chapter are the responsibility of the property owner.

(b)

Photo identification/social security number/contact information required. Residential applicants for new utility service shall provide a copy of valid photo identification and this social security card number, when initially applying for service. Said identification shall be kept with the applicant's application. Commercial and industrial applicants shall provide a valid Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and a valid contact phone number, mailing address, and e-mail address. This contact information will be kept with the applicant's application.

(c)

Household members disclosure required/delinquent household members prohibited. Residential applicants for new service shall be required to disclose, in writing, the name(s) of any household member that is eighteen (18) years of age or older that will reside in the household of the applicant, at the time of application. If any household member that is eighteen (18) years of age or older is delinquent to the city for any outstanding bills, charges, or monies, the requested application for water service shall be denied. If it is determined that a member of the household that is eighteen (18) years of age or older is delinquent to the city for any outstanding bills, charges, or monies, after the service has been provided to the applicant, the city shall serve written notice to the customer on file that said delinquent bill, charges, or monies shall be paid in full within ten (10) days or the water service shall be disconnected pursuant to section 24-58 of this chapter. Said notice shall be served by certified mail or documented personal service.

(d)

List of customers; preparation; contents. The city utility billing office shall maintain an up to date list of all premises receiving municipal water service. This list shall show the name, mailing address, and valid phone number of the property owner and the name and valid phone number of the occupant of each premise, if not the owner.

(Ord. No. 52-2001, § I, 5-1-2001; Ord. No. 54-2008, § I, 8-5-2008; Ord. No. 23-2012, § VI, 5-15-2012)