§ 26-221. Surreptitious use of water.

(a)

When the utility has reasonable evidence that a consumer is obtaining his supply of water, in whole or in part, by means of devices or methods used to stop or interfere with the proper metering of the utility service being delivered to his equipment, the utility reserves the right to estimate and present a bill for service unmetered as a result of such interference and such bill shall be payable immediately. Service may be discontinued with a written 24 hours disconnection of service notice for nonpayment. When the utility shall have disconnected the consumer for any such reason, the utility will reconnect the consumer upon the following conditions:

(1)

The consumer will be required to deposit with the utility an amount sufficient to guarantee the payment of the consumer's bills for utility service to the utility.

(2)

The consumer will be required to pay the utility for any and all damages to its equipment on the consumer's premises due to such stoppage or interference with its metering.

(3)

The consumer must further agree to comply with reasonable requirements to protect the utility against further losses.

(4)

Wis. Stats. §§ 98.26 and 943.20, as relating to water service, are hereby adopted and made a part of these rules.

(Code 1989, § 9-1-42)