CHAPTER 31 - ELECTRICITY, WATER, NATURAL GAS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS - South Carolina Statutes

Title 5 - Municipal Corporations

CHAPTER 31.

ELECTRICITY, WATER, NATURAL GAS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS

ARTICLE 1.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 5-31-10. Laying water pipes under streams or highways.

Any municipal corporation of this State having power to construct and operate a plant for water supply or any person contemplating the laying of pipes for supplying water to a municipal corporation or to a community of citizens may lay water pipes for the purpose of carrying water on or under the bed of any nontidal navigable stream of this State and, with the approval of the county authorities in any county, on or under any highway of such county. Such pipes shall be so laid as not to interfere with the free use of such highway or the navigation of such streams by boats to the same extent that they would be navigable if such pipes were not laid.

Every such municipality or person, having laid such pipes, shall keep them in repair.

SECTION 5-31-20. Interference with sewers, waterworks and the like prohibited.

No person shall turn, remove, raise or in any manner tamper with any cover of any manhole, filter, bed or other appurtenance of any public sewer without a written permit from the proper authorities of such works and no person except those engaged by the proper authorities shall enter any public sewer without a special written permit.

And no person shall, either within or without any city or town, obstruct, damage or injure any pipe, ditch, drain, filter, beds or appurtenance of any waterworks, sewerage or drainage of any such city or town.

Every person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days.

SECTION 5-31-30. Investment of proceeds of sale of public utilities; sinking funds for outstanding bonds.

Whenever any city or town in this State had prior to February 7 1927 issued bonds for the acquisition, by construction, purchase or otherwise, of any waterworks, lighting plant or other public utility and sells such utility prior to the maturity of such bonds, the governing body of such city or town may invest an amount of the proceeds of sale of such utility equal to the amount of outstanding bonds in duly secured notes of the purchaser of such utility or otherwise, as the governing body may determine. Upon any such investment being made, such governing body may, by resolution, set apart such investment as a sinking fund for the retirement of such outstanding bonds and when such investment is so made and set apart any other sinking funds on hand for the retirement of such bonds shall become freed of their character as sinking funds and may be lawfully diverted to any other legal municipal purpose; and no further annual tax levy for the repayment of such bonds shall be necessary.

SECTION 5-31-40. Powers under certain sections cumulative.

The powers conferred by Sections 5-31-210 to 5-31-270, 5-31-430, 5-31-610 to 5-31-640, and 5-31-660 upon the cities and towns of the State are, and shall be taken, deemed and construed to be, in addition to the powers now enjoyed by such cities and towns.

SECTION 5-31-50. Exclusive municipal franchises for furnishing water or waste disposal service.

All cities and towns of this State may grant to persons the exclusive franchise of furnishing water or waste disposal service to such cities and towns and the inhabitants thereof for a period not exceeding forty years. No such franchise shall be valid unless it shall first receive the vote of two thirds of the governing body of the city or town granting it and be subsequently confirmed by a vote of a majority of the qualified electors of such city or town, voting at an election to be called specially for the purpose. Any ordinance or resolution granting such a franchise shall prescribe a method for determining rates for furnishing water, both for public and private consumption, and for waste disposal service, and make provision for periodic renewal of such franchises. No such franchise shall exceed a period of forty years from the initial delivery of water or the commencement of waste disposal services or affect any existing contractual rights.

ARTICLE 3.

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS

SECTION 5-31-210. Election and terms of commissioners of public works in municipalities.

At any election for bonds held to meet the costs of acquiring property of the character referred to in Section 5-31-610 the elector shall vote for three citizens of the city or town whose terms of office shall be respectively two, four and six years and until the general election for municipal officers next following the expiration of the short term, and until their successors are elected and qualified. The classification above designated as to the term shall be ascertained by the commissioners after election by lot. At each general election for municipal officers following the expiration of the term of the commissioner holding the short term and at every such election every two years thereafter, one such commissioner shall be elected for a term of six years and until his successor is elected and qualified. The officers so elected and their successors in office shall be known as the commissioners of public works of such municipality and by that name may sue and be sued in any of the courts of this State.

In addition to the three members of the board of commissioners of public works of a municipality authorized above, the governing body of a municipality with a population of fifty thousand persons or less according to the 1980 official United States Census may provide by ordinance for the election of two additional commissioners. The new commissioners must be elected at a special election or at any general election following the enactment of the ordinance in the same manner that the other commissioners are elected. The new member receiving the highest number of votes in that election shall serve for a term of six years and the new member receiving the next highest number of votes in that election shall serve for a term of four years. Their successors must be elected in the election for municipal officers every four or six years thereafter for terms of office of six years. The members elected shall serve until their successors are elected and qualify. Vacancies in these two new positions must be filled in the same manner as other vacancies on the board of commissioners of public works are filled. The provisions of this paragraph for two additional commissioners apply only to boards of commissioners of public works founded after 1920.

SECTION 5-31-215. Ex officio commissioners of public works in certain cities.

In a city with a population of more than thirty thousand persons and fewer than fifty thousand persons, according to the most recent official United States Census, in addition to the commissioners of public works to be elected as provided in Section 5-31-210, the mayor and the chairman of the committee on water supply, if there be such a committee, shall be ex officio commissioners of public works, if requested by a resolution approved by seventy-five percent or more of the commissioners of public works and authorized by an ordinance approved by seventy-five percent or more of the members of the municipal council of the municipality. The board of commissioners of public works in any such city shall fill any vacancy occurring in the commission by appointment for the unexpired term, appointment to be made by the remaining commissioners, except in the case of an ex officio member of the commission.

SECTION 5-31-220. Special provisions for cities over 50,000.

In cities of fifty thousand inhabitants or more, in addition to the three commissioners of public works to be elected as provided in Section 5-31-210, the mayor and the chairman of the committee on water supply, if there be such a committee, shall be ex officio commissioners of public works. In such cities such commissioners of public works shall serve without compensation. The board of commissioners of public works in any such city shall fill any vacancy occurring in the commission by appointment for the unexpired term, appointment to be made by the remaining commissioners, except in the case of an ex officio member of the commission.

SECTION 5-31-230. Municipalities in which there are no board of commissioners of public works.

The following cities and towns shall have no board of commissioners of public works: Abbeville, Allendale, Barnwell, Beaufort, Belton, Bennettsville, Blackville, Bluffton, Bowman, Branchville, Camden, Central, Chapin, Cheraw, Cherry Grove Beach, Chesnee, Chester, Clemson, Clinton, Clio, Clover, Conway, Cowpens, Crescent Beach, Denmark, Dillon, Donalds, Due West, Duncan, Edgefield, Elgin, Estill, Fairfax, Forest Acres, Fort Mill, Fountain Inn, Georgetown, Goose Creek, Govan, Great Falls, Hampton, Hardeeville, Heath Springs, Hemingway, Hilda, Honea Path, Irmo, Iva, Jamestown, Johnston, Kingstree, Lake City, Lamar, Lancaster, Landrum, Lane, Latta, Lexington, Liberty, Little Mountain, Lodge, Loris, Lyman, Marion, McCall, Moneta, Mullins, Myrtle Beach, Newberry, North Augusta, Norway, Ocean Drive Beach, Orangeburg, Pelion, Pelzer, Pickens, Prosperity, Quinby, Ridgeland, Ridge Spring, Ridgeville, Rock Hill, St. George, St. Stephen, Salem, Salley, Scranton, Sharon, Simpsonville, Smoaks, Society Hill, Springfield, Sumter, Swansea, Timmonsville, Trenton, Union, Varnville, Walhalla, Walterboro, Ware Shoals, West Columbia, West Greenville, West Union, Westminster, Williams, Windy Hill Beach, Winnsboro, and York. In these cities and towns, the duties, powers, and responsibilities vested in a board of commissioners of public works must be vested in the respective city or town council, except that (a) in the cities of Marion and Newberry and in the town of Landrum, they must be vested in the mayor and aldermen; (b) in the cities and towns of Beaufort, Bennettsville, Blackville, Branchville, Chesnee, Clio, Clover, Dillon, Due West, Hampton, Johnston, Kingstree, Lancaster, Myrtle Beach, North Augusta, Prosperity, Rock Hill, Salley, Union, Walhalla, West Columbia, West Union, and York, they must be vested in the mayor and city or town council or in the intendant and wardens, as applicable; (c) in the town of Winnsboro, they must be vested in the mayor and commissioners; (d) in the city of Forest Acres, they are devolved upon a director of public works until June 30, 1975, and thereafter are devolved upon the city council; and (e) in the city of Westminster, they are devolved upon the city council on July 1, 2005.

SECTION 5-31-235. Abolition of commissions of public works.

(A) If the commissioners of public works unanimously, by resolution, petition the municipal council to abolish the commission, the municipal council may, after a public hearing, adopt an ordinance abolishing the commission of public works.

(B) The municipal council of any municipality shall, upon receiving a petition signed by thirty percent of the registered voters of the qualified voters of the municipality, call for a binding referendum to determine whether or not the Commission of Public Works must be abolished. The referendum must be held in accordance with the general election laws of this State. The question on the ballot must be as follows: "Shall the Commission of Public Works of the municipality of (name of the appropriate municipality) be abolished?"

Yes [ ]

No [ ]

(C) If a majority of the voters who vote in that referendum determines that the Commission of Public Works be abolished, then the municipal council shall adopt an ordinance abolishing the Commission of Public Works and the municipality shall assume all the rights, duties, responsibilities, assets, and liabilities of the former Commission of Public Works. The Commission of Public Works shall cease to exist as of the date of the final passage of the ordinance abolishing it, and the municipality shall assume the rights, duties, responsibilities, assets, and liabilities of the former Commission of Public Works at the same instant. The referendum provided for in subsection (B), whether successful or unsuccessful, may not be conducted more often than every thirty-six months.

(D) As an alternative to the procedure provided in subsections (B) and (C), a commission of public works may be abolished by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the commission transferring the rights, duties, responsibilities, assets, and liabilities of the former commission to a municipality. The transfer is effective when the municipality adopts an ordinance accepting the transfer.

(E) The provisions of subsections (B), (C), and (D) of this section apply only to a municipality which has been created as a result of the consolidation of two or more municipalities.

SECTION 5-31-240. Qualification; organization; officers; vacancies.

The mayor of the city or the mayor or intendant of the town shall notify the persons so elected as members of the commissioners of public works of their election, within ten days after the results of such election are declared. The persons elected or appointed to such office shall qualify by taking the same oath as the elected officers of the municipality take. At the first meeting of the commissioners after the election, and after any election for a full term, they shall organize by the election of one of their number as chairman. The clerk or recorder of the municipality shall act as secretary of the commissioners. The mayor and aldermen or council of the city or the mayor or intendant and the council or wardens of a town shall fill any vacancy occurring in the commission by appointment for the unexpired term.

SECTION 5-31-250. Powers.

The board of commissioners of public works of any city or town may purchase, build or contract for building any waterworks or electric light plant authorized under Article 7 of this chapter and may operate them and shall have full control and management of them. It may supply and furnish water to citizens of the city or town and also electric, gas or other light and may require payment of such rates, tolls and charges as it may establish for the use of water and light.

SECTION 5-31-260. Incurring indebtedness.

No board of commissioners of public works may incur any indebtedness without the concurrence of the city or town council.

SECTION 5-31-270. Monthly financial report.

Each board of commissioners of public works shall make a full statement to the city or town council at the end of each month of its receipts and disbursements of all kinds during the preceding month.

ARTICLE 5.

ACQUISITION AND CONDEMNATION OF LANDS

SECTION 5-31-410. Purchase of lands for public works within corporate limits.

Any municipal corporation desiring to become the owner of any land, situate within the corporate limits of such municipal corporation, in this State, for the erection of a public building for the use of the corporation or the purpose of procuring a supply of water or establishing a sewerage system or other public works for the use of the corporation, may purchase such land from the owner thereof and pay for it in such manner as such municipal corporation may determine.

SECTION 5-31-420. Condemnation upon refusal to sell land desired.

In case the owner of a any land situate within the corporate limits and desired by a municipal corporation for any of the purposes referred to in Section 5-31-410 or (b) any land desired by the corporation for enlarging, extending, or establishing a sewerage system or a water system within or without the corporate limits shall refuse to sell it, the municipal corporation may condemn the land in the manner provided in the Eminent Domain Procedure Act (Chapter 2 of Title 28).

SECTION 5-31-430. Powers of municipalities with respect to acquisition of property and operation of water and electric works.

Cities and towns may purchase and hold suitable lands and water and erect aqueducts, dams, canals, buildings, machine shops, and other works and construct and lay conduits, mains, and pipes as may be necessary to obtain and secure a supply of water and power for operating the waterworks and electric light works. They may erect poles and wires along any of the adjacent highways and in the cities and towns and may condemn (a) any property and lands, the drainage from which would contaminate the water supply of the city or town, (b) streams, lakes, or lands as may be required for the water supply of the city or town, or (c) rights-of-way to enable them to lay mains and pipes for water, sewerage, or drainage, and erect and operate the aqueducts, dams, canals and water and electrical works and electric lines after paying to the owner just compensation for the property or rights-of-way to be condemned, as determined in the manner provided by the Eminent Domain Procedure Act (Chapter 2 of Title 28).

SECTION 5-31-440. Condemnation of land for waterworks and to protect watersheds.

Any municipal corporation in this State desiring to establish waterworks or to enlarge or extend such works, whether it owns or operates the plant or not, may condemn lands, water rights, and water privileges or any other property, including existing waterworks or pipelines, or any part of them, necessary for the purpose of establishing, maintaining, extending, or operating a waterworks plant for supplying water to the municipal corporation and to its citizens. Proper compensation must be first made to the owners. The condemnation must be made in the manner provided in the Eminent Domain Procedure Act (Chapter 2 of Title 28). No municipality shall condemn any waterworks during the life of any franchise, nor when by contract there is any other method of valuation for the purpose of acquisition by the municipality upon the expiration of the franchise, except that the condemnation actions may be had during the last year of the term of the franchise to take effect by the transfer of title and possession immediately upon the expiration of such franchise. A municipal corporation may also enter upon and condemn lands and tenements for the purpose of protecting the watersheds from contamination, nuisances, or any condition which may be a menace to the public health, upon proper compensation being first made to the owner.

SECTION 5-31-450. Drains for surface water.

Whenever, within the boundaries of any municipality, it shall be necessary or desirable to carry off the surface water from any street, alley or other public thoroughfare along such thoroughfare rather than over private lands adjacent to or adjoining such thoroughfare, such municipality shall, upon demand from the owner of such private lands, provide sufficient drainage for such water through open or covered drains, except when the formation of the street renders it impracticable, along or under such streets, alleys or other thoroughfare in such manner as to prevent the passage of such water over such private lands or property. But if such drains cannot be had along or under such streets, alleys or other thoroughfare, the municipal authorities may obtain, under proper proceedings for condemnation on payment of damages to the landowner, a right of way through the lands of such landowner for the necessary drains for such drainage. If any municipal corporation in this State shall fail or refuse to carry out the provisions of this section, any person injured thereby may have and maintain an action against such municipality for the actual damages sustained by such person.

SECTION 5-31-460. Condemnation for use of another corporation.

When any lands are condemned by a municipal corporation for the use of a corporation other than itself, such other corporation shall pay all the costs and expenses incurred in such condemnation, together with all damages which may be assessed in favor of the landowner under such condemnation proceedings, as well as all damages that may be recovered against such municipality in any court of competent jurisdiction by anyone injured or damaged by such condemnation. If in any such case the ingress or egress from the lands of any person be cut off, such corporation shall open, construct and maintain a convenient means of ingress and egress to the lands so cut off. No such condemnation shall be had for the benefit of any corporation unless it is made to appear to the satisfaction of the city or town council that the land sought to be condemned is necessary for the proper use and maintenance of a waterworks or for the proper protection of the health of the citizens of such municipality, the city or town council of such municipality to determine the question as to whether such land is necessary for the proper use and maintenance of such waterworks or for the proper protection of the health of such municipality.

ARTICLE 7.

MUNICIPAL UTILITIES GENERALLY

SECTION 5-31-610. Construction and operation of municipal utilities.

Any city or town may:

(1) Construct, purchase, operate and maintain waterworks and electric light works within or without, partially within and partially without, their corporate limits for the use and benefit of such city or town and the inhabitants thereof;

(2) Purchase, own, operate and maintain machinery, equipment and apparatus for generating either electricity or gas for the use and benefit of such city or town and the inhabitants thereof;

(3) Acquire existing waterworks by condemnation;

(4) Contract for the erection of plants for waterworks, sewerage or lighting purposes, one or all, for the use of such cities and towns, and the inhabitants thereof; and

(5) Sell, convey and dispose of any and all such properties, any such sale, conveyance or disposal of an electric light plant or water system, however, to be made under the provisions of Article 13 of this chapter and not under the succeeding provisions of this article.

SECTION 5-31-620. Election prerequisite to action under article.

Before such construction, purchase, sale, conveyance or disposal of any such property, or any part thereof, shall be made under the provisions of this article, the city or town council of the municipality shall submit the question of such construction, purchase, sale, conveyance or disposal of the qualified registered electors of the city or town at an election to be ordered for that purpose by the city or town council and to be conducted in accordance with the laws governing municipal elections.

SECTION 5-31-630. Election prerequisite to condemnation of waterworks.

Proceedings to condemn existing waterworks shall not be instituted until after an election ordered by the city or town council upon thirty days' notice shall have determined, by a majority of the qualified electors of the city or town, the policy of the city or town in favor of municipal ownership of waterworks.

SECTION 5-31-640. Petition prerequisite to election.

Before any election shall be held under the provisions of this article at least twenty-five per cent of the resident freeholders of the city or town, as shown by its tax books, shall petition the city or town council that such election be ordered.

SECTION 5-31-650. Question may refer to issue of revenue bonds.

Any question set forth in any petition for an election on the question of a city or town acquiring, by construction or purchase, and operating a waterworks system, presented and filed pursuant to Section 5-31-640, may, but need not, state that the cost of constructing or purchasing the waterworks system described in such question shall be met by the issuance of bonds payable solely from the revenues derived from the operation of such system.

SECTION 5-31-660. Action if election result is favorable.

If a majority of the electors voting in such election shall vote for the construction or purchase of such property in question, the city or town council shall so declare by ordinance and shall acquire the property. And if a majority of the electors voting in any such election shall vote for the sale of the property in question, the city or town council shall sell, convey and transfer the same as so authorized.

SECTION 5-31-670. Furnishing water for compensation; sewerage charge.

Any city or town or special service district may, after acquiring a waterworks or sewer system, furnish water to persons for reasonable compensation and charge a minimum and reasonable sewerage charge for maintenance or construction of such sewerage system within such city or town or special service district.

SECTION 5-31-680. Sale, lease or other disposition of municipally owned natural gas system.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, any city or town may sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any municipally owned natural gas system upon the favorable vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the municipality voting in a general or special election held after notice thereof, explaining in general terms the proposed transaction, has been given in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town once a week for two successive weeks, the first of which shall appear not more than thirty days prior to the election date. Such election shall be held in accordance with the laws governing municipal elections and no petition as prescribed by Section 5-31-640 shall be required in connection therewith.

ARTICLE 9.

SEWERAGE SYSTEMS GENERALLY AND SEWERAGE COMMISSIONS

SECTION 5-31-810. Establishment of municipal sewerage system.

Any city or town in this State may incur bonded indebtedness and own and possess property to any amount within the discretion of the municipal authorities of such city or town for the purposes of purchase, establishment and maintenance of sewerage systems; provided, that the question of such purchase, establishment or indebtedness shall be submitted to an election and no such purchase, or establishment or indebtedness shall be made except upon the vote in favor thereof of a majority of the electors of such city or town who are qualified to vote on the bonded indebtedness of such city or town; and provided, further, that the question of incurring such indebtedness be submitted with favorable results to the freeholders of such municipalities by petition.

SECTION 5-31-820. Sewerage commission; composition.

Any municipal corporation in this State which is about to enlarge, extend or establish a system of sewerage therein may, by its mayor and aldermen, intendant and wardens or city or town council, elect five or seven of its citizens, who shall be freeholders therein, as a sewerage commission, which shall be known and designated as the sewerage commission of such municipal corporation; provided, that not more than three persons so elected as members of said commission shall be members of the body electing such commission. The members of the sewerage commission shall continue as such for a term of two years and until their successors are elected or until the enlarging, extending or establishment of the system of sewerage is fully completed, as contemplated under the laws and ordinances providing therefor.

SECTION 5-31-830. Sewerage commission; oaths of members; officers; vacancies and removal from office.

The members of the sewerage commission, before entering upon their duties, shall take the same oaths required of members of the body electing them. They shall organize by electing one of the members as chairman thereof and a secretary, who may be the same person as the clerk of the city or town council.

Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the commission shall be filled by election as provided in Section 5-31-820 and any member thereof may be removed for cause by any such city or town council.

SECTION 5-31-840. Sewerage commission; duties.

Any such sewerage commission shall have the construction of the sewerage system in charge and, subject to the approval of the city or town council, shall advertise for bids for at least thirty days in two or more newspapers for the work to be done and for material to be used therein, with the right to reject any and all bids, and shall enter into contracts with the lowest responsible bidders thereon and secure competent persons, if deemed advisable, to superintend the construction and counsel and advise in matters relating thereto.

SECTION 5-31-850. Sewerage commission; contracts with member.

No member of any such commission shall be permitted to enter into any contract with such commission for furnishing materials or for the construction of any of the work of such sewerage system.

SECTION 5-31-860. Sewerage commission; expenditures.

No such sewerage commission shall expend more money in enlarging, extending or establishing the system of sewerage than has been appropriated therefor, according to law. All payments for material furnished and work performed shall be made by the treasurer of the city or town council on warrants issued by the commission and approved by the city or town council.

SECTION 5-31-870. Sewerage commission; records.

A permanent record shall be made and kept by each sewerage commission of all its proceedings, contracts and other matters done and performed by it, including an accurate plan of the work done, showing the situation of the sewerage pipes, manholes, water flushes and all other things relating thereto that should be shown. And such records shall be open at all times to the inspection of any citizen of such municipality and to the city or town council thereof and shall be turned over to such city or town council as a permanent record thereof, with all convenient speed, on the completion of the work.

SECTION 5-31-880. Use of streets, highways and public buildings for sewerage purposes.

Any municipal corporation in this State, for the purpose of enlarging, extending or establishing a system of sewerage, may use any of the streets of such municipal corporation, and any of the public buildings, roads and highways of the county in which the municipality is located for the purpose of constructing, operating, repairing and protecting such system. But it shall restore all highways to as good a condition as they were in prior to such use without any unnecessary delay and with the least possible inconvenience to the public.

SECTION 5-31-890. Contracts as to systems of sewage disposal.

All municipalities in this State owning, controlling, leasing or planning to construct a system of sewage disposal with or without outfalls, rights of way, easements and appurtenances thereto, may, through proper officials, commissioners of public works, sewer commissions or any of them or like bodies, enter into contracts and agreements with persons or political subdivisions outside the corporate limits of such municipalities, whether contiguous thereto or not, for the construction, maintenance, operation, improvement, leasing, controlling or furnishing the use, benefits and facilities thereof upon such terms and at such rates and charges as may be fixed by the contract or agreement between the parties when, in the judgment of the proper officials, commissioners of public works, sewer commissions, or any of them or like bodies, as the case may be, it is for the best interest of the city, town or municipality so to do. But no such contract or agreement shall be for a period exceeding thirty years from the effective date thereof.

Nothing herein contained shall be construed as abrogating, limiting or qualifying any contracts or agreements of the nature set forth herein which may have heretofore been entered into and under which the parties thereto are operating.

SECTION 5-31-900. General ordinances, rules and regulations.

Any such municipal corporation may enact all necessary ordinances, rules and regulations consistent with law for the establishment, construction, maintenance, operation, protection, use, control and repairing of its system of sewerage, both within and without its corporate limits.

SECTION 5-31-910. Contracts with public agency to provide municipalities with primary, secondary or tertiary sewage treatment or to dispose of solid waste; definitions.

As used in Sections 5-31-910 to 5-31-940, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "council" shall mean the governing body of any incorporated municipality.

(b) "municipality" shall mean any incorporated municipality under the laws of the State of South Carolina.

(c) "public agency" shall mean any County, Authority, Special Purpose District, or other political subdivision of the State of South Carolina empowered within its service area either to dispose of solid waste or to provide primary, secondary or tertiary sewage treatment.

SECTION 5-31-920. Contracts with public agency to provide municipalities with primary, secondary or tertiary sewage treatment or to dispose of solid waste; terms and conditions.

Each municipality, subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 5-31-930, is authorized to enter into contracts with any public agency in order to provide such municipality with primary, secondary or tertiary sewage treatment or in order to dispose of solid waste, upon such terms and conditions as its council shall deem appropriate, including, without limitation, the following:

(a) that the municipality unconditionally obligates itself to pay a stipulated or ascertainable amount for a designated period of time;

(b) that the obligation of the municipality under the contract is secured by a pledge of the municipality's full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of which an unlimited ad valorem tax shall be levied upon all taxable property in the municipality;

(c) that the obligation of the municipality under the contract is primarily payable from designated revenues other than revenues derived from ad valorem taxes;

(d) that the obligation of the municipality under the contract is primarily payable from designated revenues other than revenues derived from ad valorem taxes and such obligation is guaranteed to the extent such revenues are insufficient by a pledge of the municipality's full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of which an unlimited ad valorem tax shall be levied upon all taxable property in the municipality.

SECTION 5-31-930. Contracts with public agency to provide municipalities with primary, secondary or tertiary sewage treatment or to dispose of solid waste; ordinance.

No municipality shall enter into a contract under the authorization of Sections 5-31-910 to 5-31-940 except pursuant to an Ordinance which shall have been duly enacted by its council after compliance with the following:

(a) Subsequent to the introduction of such Ordinance and prior to its second reading, a public hearing shall be held on the question of the passage of such Ordinance at which all interested persons may appear and be heard. Such hearing shall be held after notice thereof has been published in a newspaper having general circulation in the municipality not less than seven (7) days prior to the date of the hearing.

(b) The Ordinance shall not be given final reading sooner than seven (7) days following the holding of the public hearing prescribed herein.

SECTION 5-31-940. Contracts with public agency to provide municipalities with primary, secondary or tertiary sewage treatment or to dispose of solid waste; powers and authorizations cumulative.

The powers and authorizations herein are in addition to all other powers and authorizations now or hereafter vested in municipalities and none of the provisions of Sections 5-31-910 to 5-31-940 is intended to be construed as a limitation upon or in derogation of any such other powers and authorizations.

ARTICLE 11.

UNAUTHORIZED USE OF MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM

SECTION 5-31-1110. Interfering with or opening fire hydrants.

It shall be unlawful for any person not connected with the commissioners of public works of any municipality of this State, the fire department of any such municipality or the body charged with the duties of commissioners of public works in municipalities which have no such commissioners to interfere with or open for any purpose whatever any of the fire hydrants on the mains of the waterworks of such municipalities, except in case of fire, without first having obtained a proper permit so to do from the authorized representatives of such commissioners, fire department or other such body.

SECTION 5-31-1120. Interfering with property or appurtenances.

It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere or tamper with any of the property or appurtenances belonging to a municipality or controlled by the commissioners of public works or other body charged with the duties of commissioners of public works in municipalities which have no such commissioners in connection with the waterworks system or to turn on or off the supply of water to any premises at and with the curb cock, without first having obtained the proper permit so to do from the authorized representatives of such municipality or the commissioners of public works or other such body.

SECTION 5-31-1130. Injury or obstructions to systems; pollution of water.

It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, obstruct, deface or injure, within or without the corporate limits of any municipality, any of the fire hydrants, public drinking fountains or valve covers or any pipe, ditch, drain or appurtenances of the waterworks of any municipality or to pollute the water supply of any municipality of this State, controlled by such municipality or by the commissioners of public works of such municipality or other body charged with the duties of commissioners of public works in municipalities which have no such commissioners.

SECTION 5-31-1140. Unauthorized use of water.

Any person who has a contract, agreement, license or permission, oral or written, with or from any municipality or the commissioners of public works thereof or other body charged with the duties of commissioners of public works in municipalities which have no such commissioners for the use of water belonging to or furnished by any such municipality, commissioners of public works or other such body, for certain specified purposes, who shall willfully and intentionally withdraw or cause to be withdrawn water in any manner and appropriate it to his own use or to the use of any other person, for purposes other than those specified, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided in Section 5-31-1170. Any such person to whom such water is furnished from or by means of a meter, who shall, willfully and with intention to cheat and defraud any such municipality, commissioners or other such body, alter or interfere with such meter or by any contrivance whatsoever withdraw or take off water in any manner except through such meter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and be punished as provided in said section.

SECTION 5-31-1150. Use of water without contract is a misdemeanor.

Any person who has no contract, agreement, license or permission with or from any municipality or the commissioners of public works thereof or other body charged with the duties of commissioners of public works in municipalities which have no such commissioners, for the use of water belonging to or furnished by such municipality, commissioners or other such body, who shall willfully withdraw or cause to be withdrawn in any manner and appropriate such water from the water mains or pipes of such municipality, commissioners or other such body or any water mains or pipes connected therewith, for his own use or for the use of any other person, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in Section 5-31-1170.

SECTION 5-31-1160. Tapping water main without permit.

It shall not be lawful for any person to extend service pipes attached to the mains and water supply on any premises within or without a municipality without first obtaining permission therefor in writing from the municipality or the commissioners of public works or other body charged with the duties of commissioners of public works in municipalities which have no such commissioners and before any workman or plumber shall perform any work connected with the extension of such service pipes written permission for such extension shall be obtained.

SECTION 5-31-1170. Violations.

Any person violating any provision of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding sixty days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

ARTICLE 13.

SALE OF MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC OR WATER PLANT

SECTION 5-31-1310. Election to consider sale of light or water plants.

Should the city or town council of any city or town in this State which owns its electric light plant and water system, either or both, at any time receive an offer for such electric light plant or water system, the council may order a special election in such city or town for the purpose of determining whether or not such offer shall be accepted.

SECTION 5-31-1320. Security from proposed purchaser.

Prior to the ordering of such election, such city or town council may take from the proposed purchaser such security as it may deem sufficient for the performance of the offer of purchase in the event of its acceptance.

SECTION 5-31-1330. Notice of election.

In the event such election be ordered, six weeks' notice thereof shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in such city or town once each week for six weeks preceding the date of such election. Such notice shall contain in substance the terms of the offer for such property.

SECTION 5-31-1340. Persons entitled to vote; conduct of election.

The city or town council shall conduct the election, appoint managers therefor and canvass and declare the result thereof in the manner provided by law in reference to general elections in such city or town. All qualified electors of such city or town shall be entitled to vote in the election.

SECTION 5-31-1350. Sale if majority favors.

In the event the result of the election is in favor of the acceptance of the offer so submitted to the people, the city or town council of such city or town shall accept such offer and complete the sale by the conveyance to the purchaser of the property purchased, executing and delivering all proper deeds of conveyance therefor.

SECTION 5-31-1360. Operating agreement with purchaser; maximum rates.

In connection with such sale, such city or town council may make and enter into an agreement with the purchaser for the operation of the property so purchased and the furnishing to the people of the city or town of electric current or water or both, as the case may be, and may fix maximum rates therefor during such period as may then be agreed upon.

SECTION 5-31-1370. Grant of franchise.

In connection with such sale such city or town council may grant to the purchaser an exclusive or nonexclusive franchise for furnishing electric current or water, or both, to such city or town and the inhabitants thereof. But no such exclusive franchise shall affect any existing contractual rights and no such exclusive franchise for furnishing water shall be for a period exceeding thirty years.

ARTICLE 15.

EXTENSION OF WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS

SECTION 5-31-1510. Extension and assessment therefor.

Upon the written request of any property owner requesting the city or town to extend to him water and sewer service and agreeing to pay the cost thereof the city or town may provide such service and levy an assessment against the property of the owner so requesting such service for the costs thereof.

SECTION 5-31-1520. Extension beyond city limits.

Any city or town may extend its system to any property beyond the city limits provided that both the water and sewer systems are extended to such property.

SECTION 5-31-1530. Ordinance to provide for payment of costs.

Any incorporated city or town of this State may provide by ordinance for the payment of the costs of extending its water and sewer system to any property owner as herein provided.

SECTION 5-31-1540. Entry of assessments.

Such assessments shall be entered in a book kept by the city or town clerk, to be entitled "water and sewer assessment liens," stating the names of the owners, the location of the property, the amount of the assessment and the time or times of payment.

SECTION 5-31-1550. Entry of assessments when extensions are beyond city limits.

When such water and sewer system is extended to property beyond the city limits the assessments shall be entered in an assessment book in the office of the clerk of the court for the county in which such city is located which shall be furnished by the city.

SECTION 5-31-1560. Lien of assessments.

The assessments so laid shall constitute a lien upon the property so assessed which shall be superior to all other liens except the liens for county, State and city taxes and payment thereof may be enforced as the payment of city or town taxes is enforced. Such lien shall continue from the date of entry on the "water and sewer assessment liens" book until the expiration of five years from the date when final payment is due and payable, unless sooner paid.

SECTION 5-31-1570. Effect of default in payment of installment.

Upon default in the payment of any installment or deferred portion of any assessment, at the time and in accordance with the terms and conditions fixed by ordinance, the total amount of such assessment then unpaid, including deferred installments or payments and interest, shall immediately become due and collectible, at the option of the city or town, and shall be collectible as city or town taxes are collected, with such penalties and costs as are provided for the payment of such taxes.

SECTION 5-31-1580. Entry of satisfaction of assessments.

It shall by ordinance be made the duty of the city or town clerk to make entry of satisfaction on such water and sewer assessment liens book as soon as full payment is made, and the lien shall be thereby extinguished.

SECTION 5-31-1590. Deposit and use of receipts.

The amounts of money raised by such assessments shall constitute and be kept as a separate fund, to be used for the purpose for which it was raised.

SECTION 5-31-1600. Certificates of indebtedness against assessments.

The city or town council of any such city or town may issue certificates of indebtedness showing the amounts of money due to such city or town by property owners as deferred payments or installments upon such assessments and may sell any such certificates of indebtedness or borrow money by pledging any of them as collateral security for the payment of such debt or debts and, in the event of either a sale or collateral pledge of such certificates, or any of them, may pledge the faith and credit of such city or town for the payment thereof and guarantee the payment thereof for and in the name of such city or town. In any such case it shall not be necessary for a separate certificate of indebtedness to be issued showing the amount due from each property owner, but such certificates may be issued in denominations of one hundred dollars, or any multiple thereof. Nor shall it be necessary for the maturities of such certificates of indebtedness to correspond exactly to the maturities of such deferred payments or installments of the assessments and such certificates may be issued having fixed dates of maturities, but, in the event of payment of the assessments before the maturity of the certificates, the amount of such assessments so paid shall be placed in a sinking fund and held solely for the payment of the certificates of indebtedness issued against them.

ARTICLE 17.

EXTENSION OF WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS BEYOND CORPORATE LIMITS OF TOWNS BETWEEN 3,000 AND 4,000

SECTION 5-31-1710. Authorization for municipalities having populations between 3,000 and 4,000 to extend water or sewer disposal facilities beyond city limits.

Any municipal corporation in this State having a population of between three thousand and four thousand based upon the latest United States census is hereby authorized and empowered, through action of its town council, to extend its water or sewer disposal facilities, any one or both, to any persons or corporations without the corporate limits of such municipality and to enter into contracts with such persons or corporations, or both, for the furnishing of water or sewage disposal facilities, any one or both, upon such terms, rates and charges as may be fixed by town council, either for domestic or industrial purposes, or both, when in the judgment of the town council it is for the best interest of the municipality so to do. No such contract shall be for a longer period than ten years but any such contract may be renewed from time to time for successive periods of ten years.

SECTION 5-31-1720. Assessments for costs of extensions.

Any municipality, as provided in Section 5-31-1710, may provide by ordinance for the payment of the costs of extending its water or sewer system, any one or both, to any property owner by assessments as herein provided.

SECTION 5-31-1730. Assessment book.

Assessments shall be entered in an assessment book, to be entitled "water and sewer assessment liens for the town of __________," and shall state the names of the owners, the location of the property, the amount of the assessment and the time or times of payment, and such assessment book shall be furnished by the municipality and kept in the office of the clerk of the court for the county in which such municipality is located.

SECTION 5-31-1740. Lien of assessments.

The assessments so laid shall constitute a lien upon the property so assessed which shall be superior to all other liens except the liens for county and State taxes, and payment may be enforced as the payment of city or town taxes is enforced. Such lien shall continue from the date of entry on the "water and sewer assessment liens" book until the expiration of five years from the date when final payment is due and payable, unless sooner paid.

SECTION 5-31-1750. Effect of default in payment of installment.

Upon default in the payment of any installment or deferred portion of any assessment, at the time and in accordance with the terms and conditions fixed by ordinance, the total amount of such assessment then unpaid, including deferred installments or payments and interest, shall immediately become due and collectible, at the option of the municipality, and shall be collectible as city or town taxes are collected, with such penalties and costs as are provided for the payment of such taxes.

SECTION 5-31-1760. Entry of satisfaction of assessments.

The municipality shall require the town clerk to make entry of satisfaction on the water and sewer assessment liens book as soon as full payment is made, and the lien shall be thereby extinguished, and the municipality shall adopt a suitable ordinance to require this duty of the clerk.

SECTION 5-31-1770. Deposit and use of receipts.

The amounts of money raised by such assessments shall constitute and be kept as a separate fund, to be used for the purpose for which the money was raised.

SECTION 5-31-1780. Certificates of indebtedness against assessments.

The town council of any municipality as provided in this article may issue certificates of indebtedness showing the amounts of money due to such municipality by property owners as deferred payments or installments upon such assessments and may sell any such certificates of indebtedness or borrow money by pledging any of them as collateral security for the payment of such debt or debts, and, in the event of either a sale or collateral pledge of such certificates, or any of them, may pledge the faith and credit of such municipality for the payment thereof and guarantee the payment thereof for and in the name of such city or town. In any such case it shall not be necessary for a separate certificate of indebtedness to be issued showing the amount due from each property owner, but such certificates may be issued in denominations of one hundred dollars, or any multiple thereof. Nor shall it be necessary for the maturities of such certificates of indebtedness to correspond exactly to the maturities of such deferred payments or installments of the assessments and such certificates may be issued having fixed dates of maturities, but, in the event of payment of the assessments before the maturity of the certificates, the amount of such assessments so paid shall be placed in a sinking fund and held solely for the payment of the certificates of indebtedness issued against them.

ARTICLE 19.

CONTRACTS FOR SERVICE WITHIN AND WITHOUT CITY LIMITS

SECTION 5-31-1910. Authorization for cities and towns to furnish water and electric current beyond corporate limits.

Any city or town in this State owning a water or light plant may, through the proper officials of such city or town, enter into a contract with any person without the corporate limits of such city or town but contiguous thereto to furnish such person electric current or water from such water or light plant of such city or town and may furnish such water or light upon such terms, rates and charges as may be fixed by the contract or agreement between the parties in this behalf, either for lighting or for manufacturing purposes, when in the judgment of the city or town council it is for the best interest of the municipality so to do. No such contract shall be for a longer period than two years but any such contract may be renewed from time to time for a like period.

SECTION 5-31-1920. Special provision for cities over 70,000, 1940 census.

The limitation of two years imposed by Section 5-31-1910 shall not apply to cities having a population of over seventy thousand according to the 1940 United States census, and such cities may enter into a contract as set forth in said section with persons, other cities, towns, public service commissions or political subdivisions without the corporate limits of the city, whether contiguous to the corporate limits or not, either for lighting or manufacturing or any other purposes, for any period or periods not exceeding fifty years, and such contracts may include options for extending the existence thereof beyond the date of their expiration for any additional period or periods, not exceeding fifty years, and for similar extensions beyond the date of any such extended period or periods.

SECTION 5-31-1930. Special provision for cities of 50,000 to 60,000, 1950 census.

The limitations imposed by Section 5-31-1910 shall not apply to cities having a population of over fifty thousand and not more than sixty thousand as shown by United States Government census of 1950. Such cities may contract as set forth in said section with persons or other cities or towns, public service commissions or other political subdivisions without the corporate limits of the city, whether contiguous to the corporate limits or not, and may contract for a period not exceeding twenty-five years.

ARTICLE 21.

ADDITIONAL POWERS OF MUNICIPALITIES AS TO SEWAGE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL

SECTION 5-31-2010. Declaration of legislative findings and intent.

The General Assembly takes note of the fact that incorporated cities and towns (municipalities) throughout the State have in many instances experienced considerable growth with the result that sewage collection and treatment facilities must be extended and enlarged in order to serve all of the persons residing within the corporate limits. Such extensions and enlargements are customarily paid from ad valorem taxes levied throughout the municipality and from sewer service charges. However, it appears that in some instances the cost of constructing all or a portion of such facilities can be more equitably distributed by assessing all or a portion of the cost of constructing sewer laterals against the properties facing thereon.

The General Assembly concludes that in order to facilitate the construction and operation of sewer systems by municipalities, all municipalities should be granted all of the powers set forth in this article.

In view of the foregoing, the General Assembly has determined to confirm in the governing body of each municipality the power: (1) To place into effect, revise, enforce, and collect a schedule of charges for its sewage collection service and (2) to adopt and enforce regulations requiring all properties to which sewer service is available to connect to the municipality's sewage collection facilities as now existing or hereafter improved; and to give the governing body of each municipality in addition to those powers already vested in them, the power: (a) To contract with any public or private agency operating a water system for the collection of such sewer charges; (b) to make regulations generally with respect to the discharge of sewage and the use of privies, septic tanks and any other type of sewage facilities; (c) to impose front-foot assessments against properties abutting the sewage collection laterals; and (d) to make unpaid sewer service charges a lien against the property served.

It is the legislative intent of this article that it shall be deemed complementary and supplementary to existing laws relating to any municipalities and to add to the powers, functions and duties committed to the several governing bodies thereof in order that all municipalities may fulfill their function of preserving the public health, and provide for all those who own, use or occupy dwellings, commercial buildings or other structures therein. In enacting this article, the General Assembly exercises its general police powers having found that such exercise was necessary for the maintenance and preservation of the health of the inhabitants of the State. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to be in derogation of the powers of the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

SECTION 5-31-2020. Definitions.

For all purposes of this article:

(a) The term "municipality" shall mean any incorporated city or town now or hereafter existing;

(b) The term "council" shall mean the governing body of any municipality as now or hereafter constituted;

(c) The term "water distribution agency" shall mean any public or private agency operating a water distribution system within any municipality or any portion thereof;

(d) The term "sewage" shall mean domestic or industrial waste requiring collection, disposal and treatment;

(e) The term "sewer service charge" shall mean the monthly, quarterly or annual charge imposed by any municipality for the collection, treatment and disposal of sewage irrespective of whether the same shall be collected by a water distribution agency or whether it shall be assessed against the property served as provided by Section 5-31-2030;

(f) The term "sewer connection charge" shall mean the charge imposed upon property owners as a condition to authorizing them to connect to and discharge sewage into any public sewer system; and

(g) The term "front-foot assessment" shall mean the assessment levied to reimburse a municipality for that portion of the cost of installing sewer laterals (collection lines) imposed by the council on a front-foot basis.

SECTION 5-31-2030. Powers of municipalities enumerated.

Each council is empowered by ordinance duly adopted:

(1) To place into effect and revise whenever it so wishes or may be required a schedule of sewer service and sewer connection charges for the use of and connection to any sewage disposal system which it may operate. Prior to the furnishing of any sewage disposal service for which the prescribed sewer service charge shall, pursuant to Section 5-31-2040, become a lien on the property affected and prior to any subsequent increase in any such sewer service charge, not less than ten days' written notice shall be given to each affected property owner notifying him of the nature and quantum of the sewer service charge and providing such property owner an opportunity if desired and requested, to appear and be heard in person or by counsel before the council. Following such hearing, if such be requested and held, action shall be taken by the council and notice of its decision shall be given to the property owner concerned or to his counsel, as the case may be, not less than ten days prior to the effective date of the sewer service charge. Any property owner aggrieved by the action of the council may proceed by certiorari in the court of common pleas for the county in which the property affected or any part thereof lies to have such court review the action taken by the council, at which time the court will determine the validity and reasonableness of the sewer service charge so made. Sewer service charges not intended to become liens in the case of nonpayment can be imposed and subsequently increased upon any user in the municipality without such notice and hearing.

(2) To enter into contracts with any water distribution agency upon terms and conditions to be mutually agreed upon by which the council shall constitute the water collection agency the agent of the council, for the purpose of collecting such sewer service charges as the council shall from time to time impose upon those who utilize its sewage disposal facilities and shall empower the water collection agency as such agent to disconnect water service upon failure of any user to pay such sewer service charges.

(3) To prescribe and enforce regulations (a) requiring persons who shall be residents of the municipality to make use of any sewer system which the municipality shall from time to time operate; and (b) generally with respect to the discharge of sewage and the use of privies, septic tanks and other sewage facilities within the municipality.

(4) To provide that the actual cost of the establishment and construction of any sewer lateral collection lines hereafter constructed by the municipality and any extensions thereof within the municipality, or so much of the actual cost thereof as the council in its discretion deems appropriate, shall be assessed subject to the provision of the succeeding paragraph, upon the lots and parcels of land abutting directly on such lateral lines or extensions thereof according to the extent of the respective frontage thereon, by an equal rate per foot of such frontage; but the council may, in its discretion, provide, in the instance of corner lots, for an assessment deemed to be equitable. The council may provide in such resolution that the front-foot assessments to be levied in connection with such installations may be paid in equal installments covering a period of not exceeding ten years. Such deferred payments shall be payable annually within the period that county taxes are payable and late payments shall be penalized to the same extent as in the case of county taxes. The General Assembly does not intend through this article to permit assessments against abutting property where no benefit will result to such property or where any such benefit would result only at some remote future time.