Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-07-23
NEW WATER ORDINANCE
Council Passed Water Ordinance At
ter Raising Rates somewhat aud
Making other Minor Changes
ordinance In Effect Al Once.

The City Council in adjourned sea.
sion Tuesday night finally passed
the muca talked OF water ordinance.
with the emergency clause. and The
same viii be IN funNorce and effect
immediatel, after its publication.
Commission To Administer Dcpt.
Probably the best feature of 'hn
ordinance Is that section calling Tor
a water commission. which will adj
minister the affairs OF the depar,-
mont Tho commission is TO be nom
political. and win comprise three bus
mess men. one appointed for one
year, one for two years. and one foe
three years. as we'll az one member
Of the Council. also 20 be selected 10y
the Council This commission will sc-
leot its manager and superintendent.
and act as board Of directors 10
administer the department affairs.
and act MS an advisory and supcrds-
ing hoard for the superintendent
Violations OF any Of the rules Of
the department viii deprive persons
OF the use Of water. which service
will not be resumed until all expcn-
ses incident TO the cutting OF
OF the water and turning II on again,
have been paid Any Of the follow
ing acts will constitute violations OF
the ordinance: (i) Using water
water from any hydrant not on one's
property for any use without permis-
sion from the Commission. (2) Al
lowing others TO hahitually use vat
er from ones hydrant ta) Opening
fire hydrant. save for fire purposes
90 obstructing access to fire hy-
drants. (5) Injqring any hydrant
pipe or other apparatus OF the de-
yartment
Property Owaers liable
The ordinance makes the owners
OF all property liable for the payment
OF all water and sewer rentals, re-
gardless OF whether tho property ls
occupied by the owner or tenant
Applicants for water service will be
required to sign contract. OF which
the ordinance and all its provisions
will be part. The ordinance makes
rentals based upon the flat rate due
and payable at the city treasurer's
office on the first OF each month in
advance. and ten per cent penalty
Is added for non-payment by the
tenth. Meter rate patrons must pay
by the tenth OF the month following.
or stand the same penalty. consum-
ers whose rentals and charges are
not paid as set out above will at once
be deprived 81 use " water II Is
also provided that persons desiring
TO discontinue use OF water must givo
written notice, and viii be held lia-
BILE until such nothe is given.
! Meter or Flat Rate Optional
II Is further provided that no con.
tract for water service will be made
for period OF less than one year
Consumers are required to keep the
pipes and fixtures in good repa'r a'
their own expense The Commission
will also have the right 20 set meter
wherever II Is their belief that th
qauntlty OF water used is greater
: than that contemplated in makini
flat rates Property owners are al
SO given the right 10 install a mete
: where they may be dissatisfied Will
the flat rates. Persons using waite
Il on established flat rates shall be per
mitted to use II for sprinkling fron
D. m. TO p. m. only.
l. Penalties for VioltIons
The ordinance pre9cr'h"s that yic
= lators shal be fined not moer ;ha
s25, and shall be subject to imprll
r cnmont uHlos such fine and cost
are pad.
r. G4tcs Prc~crlhcI
The ordinance prescribos rates II
,t every known kind of business an
4 occupation. b1sed upon the amour
A. of water which II is contemplate
thet occupation or business will coi
sumo. Rates which win effect ever
h, one using water, and in residence
n are as follows;
n Rates per annum
Dwellings. four rooms or less SO
Each additional rom ..,...
Beth tub ,....,., ,s,,.s's.. ~
Stable. one horse .......... lt
n Each additional horse ..... .
II Urinals. private homes .... g.
v. water closets. one bowl ., -
81 sewer ...ss.'.s.'.s. sss''ss o.
x. Az originally proposed the year
rate for urinals was TO have be-
$1.50, ard on water closets s2.40.