§ 1-2. Rates and charges.

(a) Assessment; records.

The Director of Public Works shall:

(1) assess the water rates or charges on all buildings and premises where the rates are established by law; and

(2) keep suitable books in which shall be entered:

(i) all transactions of the department;

(ii) the kind of building or premises;

(iii) the amount charged;

(iv) the names of the owners of all buildings or premises;

(v) the street and number of the building or premises; and

(vi) the front footage.

(b) Meter readings.

The Director of Public Works must ensure that:

(1) every consumer's accessible water meter is actively read and the actual reading accurately recorded at least once a month; and

(2) no water bill based on an estimated rather than actual reading is sent to any residential consumer whose water meter is accessible to Department of Public Works employees when they attempt to read the water meter.

The charges imposed under this article and all increases, interest, and penalties thereon shall be a lien upon the property of any person liable to pay the same to the City. Such lien shall be recorded in the Tax Lien Records maintained by the Department of Finance.