ARTICLE 13. SEWAGE WORKS AND STORMWATER WORKS.

§16-13-1. Acquisition, operation, etc., of works; acquisition of property; issuance of bonds.

(a) Any municipal corporation and/or sanitary district in the State of West Virginia is hereby authorized and empowered to own, acquire, construct, equip, operate and maintain within and/or without the corporate limits of such municipal corporation:

(1) A sewage collection system and/or a sewage treatment plant or plants, intercepting sewers, outfall sewers, force mains, pumping stations, ejector stations, and all other appurtenances necessary or useful and convenient for the collection and/or treatment, purification and disposal, in a sanitary manner, of the liquid and solid waste, sewage, night soil and industrial waste of such municipal corporation and/or sanitary district, including acquisition of the municipal sewerage system resulting from the severance of a combined system pursuant to section one-b, article twenty, chapter eight of this code; and

(2) A stormwater collection system and control system, including all lines, pumping stations and all other facilities and appurtenances necessary or useful and convenient for the collection and control of stormwater, and an associated stormwater management program.

(b) Any municipal corporation and/or sanitary district in the State of West Virginia is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by gift, grant, purchase, condemnation, or otherwise, all necessary lands, rights-of-way and property therefor, within and/or without the corporate limits of such municipal corporation and/or sanitary district, and to issue revenue bonds to pay the cost of such works and property.

(c) Any municipality may serve and supply the facilities of such sewerage system and a stormwater system and associated stormwater management program within the corporate limits of the municipality and within the area extending twenty miles beyond the corporate limits of such municipality: Provided, That the municipality may not serve or supply the facilities of such sewerage system or stormwater system within the corporate limits of any other municipality without the consent of the governing body thereof: Provided, however, That for stormwater systems, within the twenty miles beyond the municipality's corporate limits the only areas the municipality may serve and supply shall be those areas from which stormwater affects or drains into the municipality.

(d) No obligations shall be incurred by any municipality and/or sanitary district in construction or acquisition except such as is payable solely from the funds provided under the authority of this article.

(e) No municipal corporation or sanitary district may acquire, construct, establish, extend, repair or equip or thereafter repair, maintain and operate a combined waterworks, sewerage or stormwater system, which includes highways, road and drainage easements, and/or stormwater facilities constructed, owned and/or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways without the express agreement of the commissioner of highways.

§16-13-2. Sanitary board to supervise and control construction, etc., of works; appointment of board; definitions.

(a) The construction, acquisition, improvement, equipment, custody, operation and maintenance of any works for the collection, treatment or disposal of sewage and, in addition, for the collection and control of stormwater and the collection of revenues therefrom for the service rendered thereby, shall be under the supervision and control of a sanitary board appointed by the governing body as set forth in section eighteen of this article.

(b) As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the text clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) "Board" means the sanitary board as set up in section eighteen of this article.

(2) "Governing body" means the mayor and council or other legally constituted governing body of any municipality.

(3) "Municipality" means any municipal corporation, incorporated city, town, village or sanitary district in the State of West Virginia.

(4) "Sewage works" means a works for the collection and/or treatment, purification and disposal of sewage, in its entirety or any integral part thereof.

(5) "Stormwater system" or "stormwater works" means a stormwater system in its entirety or any integral part thereof used to collect and dispose of stormwater and an associated stormwater management program. It includes all facilities, structures and natural water courses used for collecting and conducting stormwater to, through and from drainage areas to the points of final outlet, including, but not limited to, any and all of the following: Inlets, conduits, corals, outlets, channels, ponds, drainage easements, water quality facilities, catch basins, ditches, streams, gulches, flumes, culverts, syphons, retention or detention basins, dams, floodwalls, levies, pipes, flood control systems and pumping stations, and associated stormwater management program. The term "stormwater system" and "stormwater works" shall not include highways, road and drainage easements, and/or stormwater facilities constructed, owned and/or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways.

(6) "Stormwater management program" means those activities associated with the management, operation, maintenance and control of stormwater and stormwater works, including, but not limited to, public education, stormwater and surface runoff water quality improvement, mapping, planning, flood control, inspection, enforcement and any other activities required by state and federal law: Provided, That, as used in this article, "stormwater management program" shall not include those activities associated with the management, operation, maintenance and control of highways, road and drainage easements, and/or stormwater facilities constructed, owned and/or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways without the express agreement of the commissioner of highways.

(7) "Works" means sewage works and stormwater works either separately or collectively.

§16-13-3. Powers of sanitary board; contracts; employees; compensation thereof; extensions and improvements; replacement of damaged public works.

The board shall have power to take all steps and proceedings and to make and enter into all contracts or agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this article: Provided, That any contract relating to the financing of the acquisition or construction of any works, or any trust indenture as provided for, shall be approved by the governing body of the municipality before the same shall be effective.

The board may employ engineers, architects, inspectors, superintendents, managers, collectors, attorneys, and other employees as in its judgment may be necessary in the execution of its powers and duties, and may fix their compensation, all of whom shall do the work as the board shall direct. All compensation and all expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this article shall be paid solely from funds provided under the authority of this article, and the board shall not exercise or carry out any authority or power herein given it so as to bind said board of said municipality beyond the extent to which money shall have been or may be provided under the authority of this article.

No contract or agreement with any contractor or contractors for labor and/or material, exceeding in amount the sum of  $25,000, shall be made without advertising for bids, which bids shall be publicly opened and award made to the best bidder, with power in the board to reject any or all bids.

After the construction, installation, and completion of the works, or the acquisition thereof, the board shall operate, manage and control the same and may order and complete any extensions, betterments and improvements of and to the works that the board may consider expedient, if funds therefor be available or are made available as provided in this article, and shall establish rules and regulations for the use and operation of the works, and of other sewers, stormwater conduits, and drains connected therewith so far as they may affect the operation of such works, and do all things necessary or expedient for the successful operation thereof, including, but not limited to, those activities necessary to comply with all federal and state requirements, including stormwater and surface runoff water quality improvement activities.

The sanitary board may declare an emergency situation in the event of collector line breaks or vital treatment plant equipment failure and shall be exempted from competitive bidding requirements and enter into direct purchase agreements or contracts for the expenses. All public ways or public works damaged or destroyed by the board in carrying out its authority under this article shall be restored or repaired by the board and placed in their original condition, as nearly as practicable, if requested so to do by proper authority, out of the funds provided by this article.

§16-13-4. Payment of preliminary expenses of surveys, etc.

All necessary preliminary expenses actually incurred by the board of any municipality in the making of surveys, estimates of costs and of revenue, employment of engineers or other employees, the giving of notices, taking of options and all other expenses of whatsoever nature, necessary to be paid prior to the issue and delivery of the revenue bonds pursuant to the provisions of this article, may be met and paid in the following manner. Said board may from time to time certify such items of expense to the clerk or recorder of said municipality, directing him to pay the several amounts thereof, and thereupon said clerk or recorder shall at once draw a warrant or warrants upon the treasurer of said municipality, which warrant or warrants shall be paid out of the General Funds of said municipality not otherwise appropriated, without a special appropriation being made therefor by the governing body; or, in case there are no general funds of such municipality not otherwise appropriated, the clerk or recorder shall recommend to the governing body the temporary transfer from other funds of such municipality of a sufficient amount to meet such items of expense, or the making of a temporary loan for such purpose, and such governing body shall thereupon at once make such transfer of funds, or authorize such temporary loan in the same manner that other temporary loans are made by such municipality: Provided, however, That the fund or funds of such municipality from which such payments are made shall be fully reimbursed and repaid by said board out of the first proceeds of the sale of revenue bonds hereinafter provided for, and before any other disbursements are made therefrom, and the amount so advanced to pay such preliminary expenses, shall be a first charge against the proceeds resulting from the sale of such revenue bonds until the same has been repaid as herein provided.

§16-13-5. Ordinance necessary before acquisition or construction of works.

Before any municipality shall construct or acquire any works under this article, the governing body shall upon petition of the board, enact an ordinance or ordinances which shall: (a) Set forth a brief and general description of the works and, if the same are to be constructed, a reference to the preliminary report which shall heretofore have been prepared and filed by an engineer chosen by the board as aforesaid; (b) set forth the cost thereof estimated by the engineer chosen as aforesaid; (c) order the construction or acquisition of such works; (d) direct that revenue bonds of the municipality shall be issued pursuant to this article in such an amount as may be found necessary to pay the cost of the works; and (e) contain such other provisions as may be necessary in the premises.

§16-13-6. Publication and hearing upon ordinance.

After such ordinance shall have been adopted, an abstract of the ordinance, determined by the governing body to contain sufficient information as to give notice of the contents of such ordinance, together with the following described notice, shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code, and the publication area for such publication shall be the municipality. The notice shall state that said ordinance has been adopted, and that the municipality contemplates the issuance of the bonds described in the ordinance, and that any person interested may appear before the governing body upon a certain date, which shall not be less than ten days subsequent to the first date of publication of such abstract and notice which shall not be prior to the last date of publication of such abstract and notice, and present protests. At such hearing all objections and suggestions shall be heard and the governing body shall take such action as it shall deem proper in the premises: Provided, however, That if at such a hearing written protest is filed by thirty percent or more of the owners of real estate situate in said municipality, then the governing body of said municipality shall not take further action unless four fifths of the qualified members of the said governing body assent thereto.

§16-13-7. Acquisition by condemnation or purchase.

Every such municipality shall have power to condemn any such works to be acquired and any land, rights, easements, franchises and other property, real or personal, deemed necessary or convenient for the construction of any such works, or for extensions, improvements, or additions thereto, and in connection therewith may have and exercise all the rights, powers and privileges of eminent domain granted to municipal corporations under the laws relating thereto. Title to property condemned shall be taken in the name of the municipality. Proceedings for such appropriation of property shall be under and pursuant to the provisions of chapter fifty-four, of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, and acts amendatory and supplemental thereto: Provided, That the municipality shall be under no obligation to accept and pay for any property condemned, and shall in no event pay for any property condemned or purchased, except from the funds provided pursuant to this article; and in any proceedings to condemn, such orders may be made as may be just to the municipality and to the owners of the property to be condemned, and an undertaking or other security may be required securing such owners against any loss or damage to be sustained by reason of the failure of the municipality to accept and pay for the property, but such undertaking or security shall impose no liability upon the municipality except such as may be paid from the funds provided under the authority of this article. In event of the acquisition by purchase the board may obtain and exercise an option from the owner or owners of said property for the purchase thereof, or may enter into a contract for the purchase thereof, and such purchase may be made upon such terms and conditions, and in such manner as the board may deem proper. In event of the acquisition of any works already constructed by purchase or condemnation, the board at or before the time of the adoption of the ordinance described in section five hereof, shall cause to be determined what repairs, replacements, additions, and betterments will be necessary in order that such works may be effective for their purpose, and an estimate of the cost of such improvements shall be included in the estimate of cost required by section five hereof, and such improvement shall be made upon the acquisition of the works and as a part of the cost thereof.

§16-13-8. Cost of works.

The cost of the works shall be deemed to include the cost of acquisition or construction thereof, the cost of all property, rights, easements, and franchises deemed necessary or convenient therefor and for the improvements determined upon as provided in this article; interest upon bonds prior to and during construction or acquisition and for six months after completion of construction or of acquisition of the improvement last mentioned; engineering and legal expenses; expense for estimates of cost and of revenues; expenses for plans, specifications and surveys; other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of the enterprise, administrative expense, and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the financing herein authorized and the construction or acquisition of the works and the placing of the works in operation and the performance of the things herein required or permitted in connection with any thereof.

§16-13-9. Contracts and obligations incurred to be paid for solely by revenue bonds.

Nothing in this article contained shall be so construed as to authorize or permit any municipality to make any contract or to incur any obligation of any kind or nature except such as shall be payable solely from the funds provided under this article. Funds for the payment of the entire cost of any of the works referred to in this article, exclusive of any portions of the cost that may be defrayed out of any grant or contribution, shall be provided by the issuance of revenue bonds of the municipality, the principal and interest of which shall be payable solely from the fund herein provided for the payment, and the bonds may not, in any respect, be a corporate indebtedness of the municipality, within the meaning of any statutory or Constitutional limitations thereon. All the details of the bonds shall be determined by ordinance or ordinances of the municipality.

§16-13-10. Interest on and redemption of bonds; form; statement on face of bond; negotiability; exemption from taxation; registration; execution; sale; disposition of surplus proceeds; additional and temporary bonds.

Such revenue bonds shall bear interest at not more than twelve percent per annum, payable at such times, and shall mature at such time or times as may be determined by ordinance. Such bonds may be made redeemable before maturity at the option of the municipality, to be exercised by said board, at not more than the par value thereof and a premium of five percent, under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the bonds. The principal and interest of the bonds may be made payable in any lawful medium. Said ordinance shall determine the form of the bonds, either coupon or registered, shall set forth any registration and conversion privileges, and shall fix the denomination or denominations of such bonds and the place or places of payment of the principal and interest thereof, which may be at any bank or trust company within or without the state. The bonds shall contain a statement on their face that the municipality shall not be obligated to pay the same or the interest thereon except from the special fund provided from the net revenues of the works. All such bonds shall be, and shall have and are hereby declared to have all the qualities and incidents of, negotiable instruments under the Uniform Commercial Code of the state. Said bonds shall be exempt from all taxation, state, county and municipal. Such bonds shall be executed by the proper legally constituted authorities of the municipality, and be sealed with the corporate seal of the municipality, and in case any of the officers whose signatures appear on the bonds or coupons shall cease to be such officers, before delivery of such bonds, such signatures shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if they had remained in office until such delivery. Such bonds shall be sold at a price not lower than a price, which when computed upon standard tables of bond values, will show a net return of not more than thirteen percent per annum to the purchaser upon the amount paid therefor, and the proceeds derived therefrom shall be used exclusively for the purposes for which said bonds are issued and same may be sold at one time or in parcels as funds are needed. Any surplus of bond proceeds over and above the cost of the works shall be paid into the sinking fund hereinafter provided. If the proceeds of the bonds, by error of calculation or otherwise, shall be less than the cost of the works, additional bonds may in like manner be issued to provide the amount of such deficit and, unless otherwise provided in said ordinance authorizing the issuance of the bonds first issued or in the trust indenture hereinafter authorized, shall be deemed to be of the same issue and shall be entitled to payment without preference or priority of the bonds first issued. Prior to the preparation of the definitive bonds, temporary bonds may under like restrictions be issued with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds upon the issuance of the latter.

§16-13-11. Additional bonds to extend or improve works.

The governing body may provide by said ordinance authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust indenture hereinafter referred to, that additional bonds may thereafter be authorized and issued, at one time or from time to time under such limitations and restrictions as may be set forth in said ordinance and/or trust indenture, for the purpose of extending, improving or bettering the works when deemed necessary in the public interest, such additional bonds to be secured and be payable from the revenues of the works equally with all other bonds issued pursuant to said ordinance without preference or distinction between any one bond and any other definite bonds upon the issuance of the latter.

§16-13-12. Additional bonds for extension, etc., of works to have equal priority with original bonds.

The governing body may provide by said ordinance authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust indenture hereinafter referred to, that additional bonds may thereafter be authorized and issued, at one time or from time to time, under such limitations and restrictions as may be set forth in said ordinance and/or trust indenture, for the purpose of extending, improving or bettering the works when deemed necessary in the public interest, such additional bonds to be secured and be payable from the revenues of the works equally with all other bonds issued pursuant to said ordinance without preference or distinction between any one bond and any other bond by reason of priority of issuance or otherwise.

§16-13-13. Application of revenue from bonds; lien.

All moneys received from any bonds issued pursuant to this article, after reimbursements and repayment to said municipality of all amounts advanced for preliminary expenses as provided in section four of this article, shall be applied solely to the payment of the cost of the work, extensions, improvements or betterments, or to the appurtenant sinking fund and there shall be and hereby is created and granted a lien upon such moneys, until so applied, in favor of the holders of the bonds or the trustees hereinafter provided for.

§16-13-14. Securing bonds by trust indenture.

In the discretion of the governing body such bonds may be secured by a trust indenture by and between the municipality and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within the State of West Virginia but no such trust indenture shall convey or mortgage the works or any part thereof. The ordinance authorizing the revenue bonds and fixing the details thereof may provide that such trust indenture may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper, not in violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties of the municipality and the board in relation to the construction or acquisition of the works and the improvement, operation, repair, maintenance and insurance thereof, and the custody, safeguarding and application of all moneys, and may provide that the works shall be contracted for, constructed and paid for under the supervision and approval of consulting engineers employed or designated by the board and satisfactory to the original bond purchasers, successors, assigns or nominees, who may be given the right to require the security given by contractors and by any depository of the proceeds of bonds or revenues of the works or other moneys pertaining thereto be satisfactory to such purchasers, successors, assigns or nominees. Such indenture may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders and/or such trustee, restricting the individual right of action of bondholders as is customary in trust indentures securing bonds and debentures of corporations. Except as in this article otherwise provided, the governing body may provide by ordinance or in such trust indenture for the payment of the proceeds of the sale of the bonds and the revenues of the works to such officer, board or depository as it may determine for the custody thereof, and for the method of disbursement thereof, with such safeguards and restrictions as it may determine.

§16-13-15. Sinking fund; transfer of balance of net revenues.

At or before the issuance of any such bonds the governing body shall by said ordinance create a sinking fund, to be remitted to and administered by the West Virginia Municipal Bond Commission, for the payment of the bonds and the interest thereon and the payment of the charges of banks or trust companies for making payment of such bonds or interest, and shall set aside and pledge a sufficient amount of the net revenues of the works, hereby defined to mean the revenues of the works remaining after the payment of the reasonable expense of operation, repair and maintenance, such amount to be paid by the board into said sinking fund at intervals to be determined by ordinance prior to issuance of the bonds, for: (a) The interest upon such bonds as such interest shall fall due; (b) the necessary fiscal agency charges for paying bonds and interest; (c) the payment of the bonds as they fall due, or, if all bonds mature at one time, the proper maintenance of a sinking fund in such amounts as are necessary and sufficient for the payment thereof at such time; (d) a margin for safety and for the payment of premiums upon bonds retired by call or purchase as herein provided, which margin, together with any unused surplus of such margin carried forward from the preceding year, shall equal ten percent of all other amounts so required to be paid into the sinking fund. Such required payments shall constitute a first charge upon all the net revenue of the works. Prior to the issuance of the bonds the board may by ordinance be given the right to use or direct the West Virginia Municipal Bond Commission to use such sinking fund or any part thereof in the purchase of any of the outstanding bonds payable therefrom at the market price thereof, but not exceeding the price, if any, at which the same shall in the same year be payable or redeemable, and all bonds redeemed or purchased shall forthwith be cancelled and shall not again be issued. After the payments into such fund as herein required, the board may at any time in its discretion transfer all or any part of the balance of the net revenues, after reserving an amount deemed by the board sufficient for operation, repair and maintenance for an ensuing period of not less than twelve months and for depreciation, into the sinking fund or into a fund for extensions, betterments and additions to the works. The amounts of the balance of the net revenue as and when so set apart shall be remitted to the West Virginia Municipal Bond Commission to be retained and paid out by said commission consistent with the provisions of this article and with the ordinance pursuant to which such bonds have been issued. The West Virginia Municipal Bond Commission is hereby authorized to act as fiscal agent for the administration of such sinking fund, under any ordinance passed pursuant to the provisions of this article, and shall invest all such sinking funds as provided by general law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments of principal and interest on any bonds owned by the United States of America or any agency or department thereof may be made by the governing body directly thereto.

§16-13-16. Rates for service; deposit required for new customers; forfeiture of deposit; reconnecting deposit; tenant's deposit; change or readjustment; hearing; appeals board.

(a) A governing body has the power and duty, by ordinance, to establish and maintain just and equitable rates, fees, or charges for the use of and the service rendered by:

(1) Sewerage works, to be paid by the owner of each lot, parcel of real estate or building that is connected with and uses the works by or through any part of the sewerage system of the municipality or that in any way uses or is served by the works; and

(2) Stormwater works, to be paid by the owner of each lot, parcel of real estate or building that in any way uses or is served by the stormwater works or whose property is improved or protected by the stormwater works or any user of such stormwater works.

(b) The governing body may change and readjust the rates, fees, or charges from time to time. However, no rates, fees, or charges for stormwater services may be assessed against highways, road and drainage easements or stormwater facilities constructed, owned, or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways.

(c) All new applicants for service shall indicate to the governing body whether they are an owner or tenant with respect to the service location. An entity providing stormwater service shall provide a new applicant for service a report of the stormwater fee charged for the entire property and, if the new applicant is a tenant, that portion of the fee to be assessed to the tenant. Any municipality that provides stormwater utilities shall form a municipal stormwater appeals board. The board shall consist of a member of the stormwater utility board, a municipal council member, and a rate payer. New applicants for service may appeal the estimated residential usage or equivalent dwelling usage to the board. Any such appeal must be brought within 60 days of receiving the report of the stormwater fee.

(d) The governing body may collect from all new applicants for service a deposit of $50 or two twelfths of the average annual usage of the applicant's specific customer class, whichever is greater, to secure the payment of service rates, fees, and charges in the event he or she becomes delinquent as provided in this section. In any case where a deposit is forfeited to pay service rates, fees, and charges which were delinquent at the time of disconnection or termination of service, service may not be reconnected or reinstated by the governing body until another deposit equal to $50 or a sum equal to two twelfths of the average usage for the applicant's specific customer class, whichever is greater, is remitted to the governing body. After 12 months of prompt payment history, the governing body shall return the deposit to the customer or credit the customer’s account with interest at a rate as the Public Service Commission may prescribe: Provided, That where the customer is a tenant, the governing body is not required to return the deposit until the time the tenant discontinues service with the governing body.

(e) The rates, fees, or charges shall be sufficient in each year for the payment of the proper and reasonable expense of operation, repair, replacements and maintenance of the works and for the payment of the sums herein required to be paid into the sinking fund. Revenues collected pursuant to this section shall be considered the revenues of the works.

(f) No such rates, fees, or charges may be established until after a public hearing, at which all the users of the works and owners of property served or to be served thereby and others interested shall have an opportunity to be heard concerning the proposed rates, fees, or charges.

(g) After introduction of the ordinance fixing the rates, fees, or charges, and before the same is finally enacted, notice of the hearing, setting forth the proposed schedule of rates, fees, or charges, shall be given by publication as a Class I legal advertisement in compliance with §59-3-1 et seq. of this code and the publication area for the publication shall be the municipality. The first publication shall be made at least five days before the date fixed in the notice for the hearing.

(h) After the hearing, which may be adjourned, from time to time, the ordinance establishing rates, fees, or charges, either as originally introduced or as modified and amended, shall be passed and put into effect. A copy of the schedule of the rates, fees, and charges shall be kept on file in the office of the board having charge of the operation of the works, and also in the office of the clerk of the municipality, and shall be open to inspection by all parties interested. The rates, fees, or charges established for any class of users or property served shall be extended to cover any additional premises thereafter served which fall within the same class, without the necessity of any hearing or notice.

(i) Any change or readjustment of the rates, fees, or charges may be made in the same manner as the rates, fees, or charges were originally established as hereinbefore provided: Provided, That if a change or readjustment be made substantially pro rata, as to all classes of service, no hearing or notice shall be required.

§16-13-16a. Discontinuance of services; lien and recovery.

(a) Whenever any rates, fees, rentals, or charges for services or facilities furnished remain unpaid for a period of 20 days after they become due, the user of the services and facilities provided is delinquent. The user is liable until all rates, fees, and charges are fully paid. When any payment for rates, rentals, fees or charges becomes delinquent, the governing body may use the security deposit collected in accordance with §16-13-16 of this code to satisfy the delinquent payment.

(b) The governing body may, under reasonable rules promulgated by the Public Service Commission, shut off and discontinue water services to a delinquent user of sewer facilities 10 days after the sewer services become delinquent regardless of whether the governing body utilizes the security deposit to satisfy any delinquent payments: Provided, That nothing contained within the rules of the Public Service Commission may require agents or employees of the governing body to accept payment at the customer's premises in lieu of discontinuing service for a delinquent bill.

(c) The board collecting the rates, fees, or charges shall be obligated under reasonable rules to shut off and discontinue both water and sewer services to all delinquent users of water or sewer facilities and shall not restore either water facilities or sewer facilities to any delinquent user of any such facilities until all delinquent rates, fees, or charges for water and sewer facilities, including reasonable interest and penalty charges, have been paid in full, as long as the actions are not contrary to any rules or orders of the Public Service Commission: Provided, That nothing contained within the rules of the Public Service Commission may be considered to require any agents or employees of the municipality or governing body to accept payment at the customer’s premises in lieu of discontinuing service for a delinquent bill.

(d) The governing body or the board collecting the rates, fees, or charges may shut off and discontinue water services to users with delinquent stormwater fees, provided that:

(1) The water service and stormwater fee are in the name of the same user;

(2) The rates, fees, or charges incurred by the user are at least 90 days past due;

(3) The provider has given the user written notice of termination of water service for nonpayment. Such notice must be given to the user at least 10 days before the termination of service and must notify the user of their right to enter into a deferred payment plan;

(4) The provider has attempted to make personal contact with the user at least two times in the 24 hours immediately before the termination of the service. If the provider makes personal contact with the user, the provider must inform the user of their right to enter into a deferred payment plan.

(5) The water service for a user who has entered into a deferred payment plan under this subsection may not be shut off or discontinued as long as the user is in conformance with the agreed to payment plan. In the event the user falls out of compliance with the deferred payment plan, no sooner than five days after the missed payment, the provider may terminate service: Provided, That the provider must make one attempt to make personal contact with the user in the 24 hours immediately before the termination of the service.

(e) All rates, fees, or charges, if not paid when due, shall constitute a lien upon the premises served by the works. If any service rate, fee, or charge is not paid within 20 days after it is due, the amount thereof, together with a penalty of 10 percent and a reasonable attorney's fee, may be recovered by the board in a civil action in the name of the municipality. The lien may be foreclosed against the lot, parcel of land or building in accordance with the laws relating thereto. Where both water and sewer services are furnished by any municipality to any premises, the schedule of charges may be billed as a single amount or individually itemized and billed for the aggregate thereof.

§16-13-17. Government units subject to established rates.

The municipality and any county government, state government and federal government served by the services of the works shall be subject to the same fees, charges and rates established as provided in this article, or to fees, charges and rates established in harmony therewith, for service rendered the municipality, county, state or federal government and shall pay such rates, fees or charges when due from corporate funds and the same shall be considered to be a part of the revenues of the works as herein defined, and be applied as herein provided for the application of the revenues. However, no rates, fees or charges for stormwater services may be assessed against highways, road and drainage easements, and/or stormwater facilities constructed, owned and/or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways.

§16-13-18. Supervision of works by sanitary board; organization of board; qualifications, terms and compensation of members.

(a) The governing body shall provide by ordinance the organization of the board, and that the custody, administration, operation and maintenance of such works are under the supervision and control of a sanitary board, created under this section.

(b) The sanitary board shall be composed of either the mayor of the municipality, or the city manager thereof, if the municipality has a city manager form of government, and two persons appointed by the governing body: Provided, That, in the event of an acquisition or merger of an existing works, the governing body may increase the membership to a maximum of four members in addition to the mayor or city manager of the municipality served by the board.

(c) During the construction period, one of the members must be a registered professional engineer, except that if a registered professional engineer is under contract for the project, the membership of the board is not required to include a registered professional engineer. The engineer member of the board need not be a resident of the municipality. After the construction of the plant for which no registered professional engineer is under contract has been completed, the engineer member may be succeeded by a person not an engineer. No officer or employee of the municipality, whether holding a paid or unpaid office, is eligible for appointment to the sanitary board until at least one year after the expiration of the term of his or her public office. The appointees shall originally be appointed for terms of two and three years respectively, and upon the expiration of each term and each succeeding term, an appointment of a successor shall be made in like manner for a term of three years. Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. Each member shall give bond, if any, as required by ordinance. The mayor or city manager shall act as chairman of the sanitary board, which shall elect a vice chairman from its members and designate a secretary and treasurer (but the secretary and the treasurer may be one and the same) who need not be a member or members of the sanitary board. The vice chairman, secretary and treasurer shall hold office at the will of the sanitary board.

(d) The members of the sanitary board are entitled to receive compensation for their services, either as a salary or as payments for meetings attended, as the governing body determines, and are entitled to payment for their reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The governing body shall fix the reasonable compensation of the secretary and treasurer in its discretion, and shall fix the amounts of bond to be given by the treasurer. All compensation, together with the expenses previously referred to in this section, shall be paid solely from funds provided under the authority of this article. The sanitary board may establish bylaws, rules and regulations for its own governance.

§16-13-18a. Publication of financial statement.

Every sanitary board shall prepare a financial statement and cause the same to be published as a Class I legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code, and the publication area for such publication shall be the sanitary district. Such statement shall contain an itemized account of the receipts and expenditures of the board during the previous fiscal year, showing the source from which all money was derived, and the name of the person to whom an order was issued, together with the amount of such order, and why such order was issued, arranging the same under distinct heads, and including all money received and expended from the sale of bonds, and also a specific statement of the debts of such board, showing the purpose for which any debt was contracted, the amount of money in all funds at the end of the preceding year, and the amount of uncollected service charges. Such statement shall be prepared and published by the board as soon as practicable after the close of the fiscal year: Provided, That such statement for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1956, may be published any time during the year 1957. The statement shall be sworn to by the chairman and secretary and treasurer of the board. If a board fails or refuses to perform the duties hereinbefore named, every member of the board concurring in such failure or refusal shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500 and the circuit court or criminal court and justices of the peace, of the county where the offense was committed, shall have concurrent jurisdiction to try such offense.

§16-13-19. Contract with other municipalities for service of works; powers of lessee as to rates; intercepting sewers.

Any municipality operating a sewage collecting system and/or a sewage disposal plant or plants or stormwater works as defined in this article, or which as herein provided has ordered the construction or acquisition of such works (in this section called the owner), is hereby authorized to contract with one or more other municipal corporations or political subdivisions within the state (in this section called the lessee), and such lessees are hereby authorized to enter into contracts with the owners, for the service of such works to such lessees and their inhabitants, but only to the extent of the capacity of the works without impairing the usefulness thereof to the owners, upon such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the boards and approved by ordinances of the respective contracting parties: Provided, That no contract shall be made for a period of more than forty years or in violation of the provisions of said ordinance authorizing bonds hereunder or in violation of the provisions of said trust indenture.

The lessee shall by ordinance have power to establish, change and adjust rates, fees and charges for the service rendered therein by the works against the owners of the premises served, in the manner hereinbefore provided for establishing, changing and adjusting rates, fees and charges for the service rendered in the municipality where the works are owned and operated, and such rates, fees or charges shall be collectible and shall be a lien as herein provided for rates, fees and charges made by the owner.

The necessary intercepting sewers and appurtenant works for connecting the works of the owner with the sewerage system of the lessee shall be constructed by the owner and/or the lessee upon such terms and conditions as may be set forth in said contract, and the cost or that part of the cost thereof which is to be borne by the owner may be paid as a part of the cost of the works from the proceeds of bonds issued under this article unless otherwise provided by said ordinance or trust indenture prior to the issuance of the bonds. The income received by the owner under any contract shall, if so provided in said ordinance or trust indenture, be considered to be a part of the revenues of the works as in this article defined and be applied as herein provided for the application of the revenues.

§16-13-20. Discharge of lien on property acquired.

No property shall be acquired under this article upon which any lien or other encumbrance exists, unless at the time such property is acquired a sufficient sum of money be deposited in trust to pay and redeem such lien or encumbrance in full.

§16-13-21. Action on certificates or attached coupons; receivers.

Any holder of any such certificates or any of the coupons attached thereto, and the trustee, if any, except to the extent the rights herein given may be restricted by said ordinance authorizing issuance of the bonds or by the trust indenture, may either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding protect and enforce any and all rights granted hereunder or under such ordinance or trust indenture, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by this article or by such ordinance or trust indenture to be performed by the municipality issuing the bonds or by the board or any officer, including the making and collecting of reasonable and sufficient charges and rates for service rendered by the works. If there be any failure to pay the principal or interest of any of the bonds on the date therein named for such payment, any court having jurisdiction of the action may appoint a receiver to administer the works on behalf of the municipality and the bondholders and/or trustee, except as so restricted, with power to charge and collect rates sufficient to provide for the payment of the expenses of operation, repair and maintenance and also to pay any bonds and interest outstanding and to apply the revenues in conformity with this article and the said ordinance and/or trust indenture.

§16-13-22. Powers conferred in addition to existing powers; jurisdiction outside corporate limits.

The authority herein given shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any power existing in any municipality under any statutory or charter provisions which it may now have or hereafter adopt. For all purposes of this article, all municipal corporations shall have jurisdiction for twenty miles outside the corporate limits thereof: Provided, That for stormwater systems, within the twenty miles beyond the municipality's corporate limits the only areas the municipality may serve and supply shall be those areas from which stormwater affects or drains into the municipality.

The jurisdiction and authority provided by this section does not extend to highways, road and drainage easements, and/or stormwater facilities constructed, owned and/or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways.

§16-13-22a. Grants, loans and advances.

Any municipality is authorized and empowered to accept loans or grants and procure loans or temporary advances evidenced by notes or other negotiable instruments issued in the manner, and subject to the privileges and limitations, set forth with respect to bonds authorized to be issued under the provisions of this article, for the purpose of paying part or all of the cost of acquisition or construction of said sewage works and the construction of betterments and improvements thereto, and for the other purposes herein authorized, from any authorized agency of the state or from the United States of America or any federal or public agency or department of the United States or any private agency, corporation or individual, which loans or temporary advances, including the interest thereon, may be repaid out of the proceeds of bonds authorized to be issued under the provisions of this article, the revenues of the said sewage works or grants to the municipality from any agency of the state or from the United States of America or any federal or public agency or department of the United States or any private agency, corporation or individual or from any combination of such sources of payment, and to enter into the necessary contracts and agreements to carry out the purposes hereof with any agency of the state, the United States of America or any federal or public agency or department of the United States, or with any private agency, corporation or individual. Any other provisions of this article to the contrary notwithstanding, interest on any such loans or temporary advances may be paid from the proceeds thereof until the maturity of such notes or other negotiable instrument.

In no event shall any such loan or temporary advance be a general obligation of the municipality and such loans or temporary advances, including the interest thereon, shall be paid solely from the sources specified in this section.

§16-13-22b. Contracts for abatement of pollution.

When determined by its legislative body to be in the public interest and necessary for the protection of the public health, any municipality is authorized to enter into and perform contracts, whether long-term or short-term, with any industrial establishment for the provision and operation by the municipality of sewerage facilities to abate or reduce the pollution of waters caused by discharges of industrial wastes by the industrial establishment and the payment periodically by the industrial establishment to the municipality of amounts at least sufficient, in the determination of such legislative body, to compensate the municipality for the cost of providing (including payment of principal and interest charges, if any), and of operating and maintaining the sewerage facilities serving such industrial establishment.

§16-13-22c. Refunding bonds.

Any municipality is authorized to issue refunding revenue bonds to refund, pay or discharge all or any part of its outstanding revenue bonds, including interest thereon, if any, in arrears or about to become due. The relevant provisions in this article pertaining to revenue bonds shall be equally applicable in the authorization and issuance of refunding revenue bonds, including their terms and security, the ordinance, the trust indenture, rates, or other aspects of the bonds.

§16-13-22d. Subordination of bonds.

Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary in this article, any municipality authorizing the issuance of bonds under this article in an effort to aid in the abatement or reduction of the pollution of any waters or streams may provide in the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the bonds and in any trust indenture pertaining thereto that such bonds, or any additional bonds that may thereafter be issued to extend or improve the works, shall, to the extent and in the manner prescribed, be subordinated and be junior in standing, with respect to the payment of principal and interest and the security thereof, to such other bonds as are designated in the ordinance.

§16-13-22e. Operating contract.

Any such municipality may enter into contracts or agreements with any persons, firms or corporations for the operation and management of the facilities and properties of said sewerage system, or any part thereof, for such period of time and under such terms and conditions as shall be agreed upon between such municipality and such persons, firms or corporations. Such municipality shall have power to provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds hereunder, or in any trust indenture, securing such bonds, that such contracts or agreements shall be valid and binding upon the municipality as long as any of said bonds, or interest thereon, are outstanding and unpaid.

§16-13-22f. Exemption of bonds from taxation.

Said bonds and the interest thereon, together with all properties and facilities of said municipality owned or used in connection with the works, and all the moneys, revenues and other income of such municipality derived from such works shall be exempt from all taxation by the State of West Virginia or any county, municipality, political subdivision or agency thereof.

§16-13-22g. Covenants with bondholders.

Any resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds hereunder, or any trust indenture with any bank or trust company within or without the state, for the security of the bonds, may contain covenants with the holders of such bonds as to:

(a) The purpose or purposes to which the proceeds of sale of such bonds, or the revenues derived from the sewerage system or stormwater system, may be applied and the securing, use and disposition thereof, including, if considered desirable, the appointment of a trustee or depositary for any of such funds;

(b) The pledging of all or any part of the revenues derived from the ownership, operation or control of such sewerage systems or stormwater system, including any part thereof heretofore or hereafter constructed or acquired or derived from any other sources, to the payment of the principal of or interest thereon of bonds issued hereunder and for such reserve or other funds as may be considered necessary or desirable;

(c) The fixing, establishing and collecting of such fees, rentals or other charges for the use of the services and facilities of such sewerage system or stormwater system, including the parts thereof heretofore or hereafter constructed or acquired and the revision of same from time to time, as will always provide revenues at least sufficient to provide for all expenses of operation, maintenance and repair of such sewerage system or stormwater system, the payment of the principal of and interest on all bonds or other obligations payable from the revenues of such sewerage system or stormwater system, and all reserve and other funds required by the terms of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of such bonds;

(d) The transfer from the General Funds of the municipality to the account or accounts of such sewerage system or stormwater system of an amount equal to the cost of furnishing the municipality or any of its departments, boards or agencies with the services and facilities of such sewerage system or stormwater system;

(e) Limitations or restrictions upon the issuance of additional bonds or other obligations payable from the revenue of such sewerage system or stormwater system, and the rank or priority, as to lien and source and security for payment from the revenues of the sewerage system or stormwater system, between bonds payable from the revenues;

(f) The manner and terms upon which all bonds and other obligations issued hereunder may be declared immediately due and payable upon the happening of a default in the payment of the principal of or interest thereon, or in the performance of any covenant or agreement with bondholders, and the manner and terms upon which defaults may be declared cured and the acceleration of the maturity of such bonds rescinded and repealed;

(g) Budgets for the annual operation, maintenance and repair of such sewerage system or stormwater system and restrictions and limitations upon expenditures for such purposes, and the manner of adoption, modification, repeal or amendment thereof, including the approval of such budgets by consulting engineers designated by holders of bonds issued hereunder;

(h) The amounts of insurance to be maintained upon such sewerage system or stormwater system, or any part thereof, and the use and disposition of the proceeds of any insurance;

(i) The keeping of books of account, relating to such undertakings and the audit and inspection thereof, and the furnishing to the holders of bonds issued hereunder or their representatives, reports prepared, certified, or approved by accountants designated or approved by the holders of bonds issued hereunder;

(j) Such other additional covenants as shall be considered necessary or desirable for the security of the holders of bonds issued hereunder, notwithstanding that other covenants are not expressly enumerated hereunder, it being the intention hereof to grant to the municipalities the power to make any and all covenants or agreements necessary in order to secure greater marketability for bonds issued hereunder as fully and to the same extent as such covenants or agreements could be made by a private corporation rendering similar services and facilities and to grant such municipalities full and complete power to enter into any contracts, covenants or agreements with holder of bonds issued hereunder not inconsistent with the Constitution of the State of West Virginia.

§16-13-23. Article deemed full authority for construction, etc., of works and issue of bonds; alternative method; powers of state department of health unaffected.

This article, shall, without reference to any other statute, be deemed full authority for the construction, acquisition, improvement, equipment, maintenance, operation and repair of the works herein provided for and for the issuance and sale of the bonds by this article authorized, and shall be construed as an additional and alternative method therefor and for the financing thereof, and no petition or election or other or further proceeding in respect to the construction or acquisition of the works or to the issuance or sale of bonds under this article and no publication of any resolution, ordinance, notice or proceeding relating to such construction or acquisition or to the issuance or sale of such bonds shall be required except such as are prescribed by this article, any provisions of other statutes of the state to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided, however, That all functions, powers and duties of the state department of health shall remain unaffected by this article.

§16-13-23a. Additional powers of municipality to cease pollution.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this article, and in addition thereto, the governing body of any municipality which has received or which hereafter receives an order issued by the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection or the Environmental Quality Board requiring the municipality to cease the pollution of any stream or waters is hereby authorized to establish and maintain, by ordinance, just and equitable rates, fees or charges for the use of the services and facilities of the existing municipal sewer system and/or stormwater system, or for the use of the services and facilities to be rendered upon completion of any works and system necessary by virtue of said order, to be paid by the owner, tenant or occupant of each and every lot or parcel of real estate or building that is connected with and uses any part of such sewer system or stormwater system, or that in any way uses or is served thereby, and may change and readjust such rates, fees or charges from time to time.

(b) The rates, fees or charges shall be sufficient to all the proper and reasonable costs and expenses of the acquisition and construction of plants, machinery and works for the collection, treatment, purification and disposal of sewage or stormwater and the repair, alteration and extension of existing sewer facilities or stormwater facilities, as may be necessary to comply with such order of the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection or the Environmental Quality Board, and for the operation, maintenance and repair of the entire works and system.

(c) The governing body shall create, by ordinance, a sinking fund to accumulate and hold any part or all of the proceeds derived from rates or charges until completion of the construction, to be remitted to and administered by the Municipal Bond Commission by expending and paying the costs and expenses of construction and operation in the manner as provided by said ordinance.

(d) After the completion of the construction, the rates, fees or charges shall be sufficient in each year for the payment of the proper and reasonable costs and expenses of operation, maintenance, repair, replacement and extension, from time to time, of the entire sewer and works or entire stormwater works.

(e) No such rates, fees or charges shall be established until after a public hearing, at which all the potential users of the works and owners of property served or to be served thereby and others shall have had an opportunity to be heard concerning the proposed rates or charges.

(f) After introduction of the ordinance fixing rates, fees or charges, and before the same is finally enacted, notice of such hearing setting forth the proposed schedule of rates, fees or charges shall be given by publication of notice as a Class II-0 legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code. The publication area for such publication is the municipality. The first publication shall be made at least ten days before the date fixed therein for the hearing.

(g) After such hearing, which may be adjourned from time to time, the ordinance establishing the rates, fees or charges, either as originally introduced or as modified and amended, may be passed and put into effect. A copy of the schedule of the rates, fees and charges so established shall be kept on file in the office of the sanitary board having charge of the construction and operation of such works and in the office of the clerk of the municipality. The schedule of rates, fees and charges shall be open to inspection by all parties interested. The rates, fees or charges established for any class of users or property served shall be extended to cover any additional premises thereafter served which fall within the same class, without the necessity of any hearing or notice.

(h) Any change or readjustment of rates, fees or charges may be made in the same manner as rates, fees or charges were originally established as hereinbefore provided: Provided, That if such change or readjustment be made substantially pro rata, as to all classes of service, no hearing or notice is required.

(i) If any rate, fee or charge is not paid within thirty days after it is due, the amount thereof, together with a penalty of ten percent and a reasonable attorney's fee, may be recovered by the sanitary board of the municipality in a civil action in the name of the municipality.

(j) Any municipality exercising the powers given herein has the authority to construct, acquire, improve, equip, operate, repair and maintain any plants, machinery or works necessary to comply with the order of the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection or the Environmental Quality Board and the authority provided herein to establish, maintain and collect rates, fees or charges is an additional and alternative method of financing such works and matters, and is independent of any other provision of this article insofar as the article provides for or requires the issuance of revenue bonds or the imposition of rates, fees and charges in connection with the bonds: Provided, That except for the method of financing such works and matters, the construction, acquisition, improvement, equipment, custody, operation, repair and maintenance of any plants, machinery or works in compliance with an order of the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection or the Environmental Quality Board and the rights, powers and duties of the municipality and the respective officers and departments thereof, including the sanitary board, are governed by the provisions of this article.

(k) The jurisdiction and authority provided by this section does not extend to highways, road and drainage easements and stormwater facilities constructed, owned or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways and no rates, fees or charges for stormwater services or costs of compliance may be assessed against highways, road and drainage easements and/or stormwater facilities constructed, owned and/or operated by the West Virginia Division of Highways.

(l) A municipality which has been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as an entity to serve a West Virginia Separate Storm Sewer System community, as defined in 40 C.F.R. §122.26, has the authority to enact ordinances or regulations which allow for the issuance of orders, the right to enter properties and the right to impose reasonable fines and penalties regarding correction of violations of municipal stormwater ordinances or regulations within the municipal watershed served by the municipal stormwater system, as long as such rules, regulations, fines or actions are not contrary to any rules or orders of the Public Service Commission.

(m) Notice of a violation of a municipal stormwater ordinance or regulation shall be served in person to the alleged violator or by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice shall state the nature of the violation, the potential penalty, the action required to correct the violation and the time limit for making the correction. Should a person, after receipt of proper notice, fail to correct the violation of the municipal stormwater ordinance or regulation, the municipality may make or have made the corrections of the violation and bring the party into compliance with the applicable stormwater ordinance or regulation. The municipality may collect the costs of correcting the violation from the person by instituting a civil action, as long as such actions are not contrary to any rules or orders of the Public Service Commission.

(n) A municipality which has been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as an entity to serve a West Virginia Separate Storm Sewer System community shall prepare an annual report detailing the collection and expenditure of rates, fees or charges and make it available for public review at the place of business of the governing body and the stormwater utility main office.

§16-13-24. Article to be construed liberally.

This article being necessary for the public health, safety and welfare, it shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purpose thereof.