§ 18.104A. Mandatory connections made by Department of Public Works.

(a)

Health Department Issuance of Order to Connect. The Health Department may issue an order to connect a property to the public water or sewerage system or both pursuant to the provisions of section 12.105, "Connection of Property With Public Water Supply or Sewerage System," of the Howard County Code.

(b)

Duty of Department of Public Works to Require Mandatory Connections. The Department of Public Works shall require, at the property owner's expense, that property be connected to the public water or sewerage system or both, including the connection of all spigots, hydrants, toilets and waste drains with the water main or sewer main, within the time frame prescribed by the Health Department or by a court when:

(1)

The Department has been ordered by the court to make the connection pursuant to subsection (e), "Court Action to Enforce Order," of section 12.105, "Connection of Property With Public Water Supply or Sewerage System," of the Howard County Code; or

(2)

A property owner has been ordered by the health department to connect to the public water or sewerage system or both and is eligible and approved for financing of such work pursuant to subtitle 7 "Water/Sewer Connection Financing Program," of title 20, "Taxes, Charges, and Fees" of the Howard County Code.

(c)

Department of Public Works to Determine Method of Connection. The Director of Public Works shall determine if a mandatory connection shall be made:

(1)

By the Department of Public Works if the Director determines that it is in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare to perform the connection; or

(2)

By a licensed on-site utility contractor retained by the property owner in accordance with subsection 18.104(b) of this subtitle.

(d)

Authority to Enter Property. Whenever the Department of Public Works makes a mandatory connection pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the Department or its agents may enter the property to do work associated with the connection.

(e)

Agreements to Perform Work. Whenever the Department of Public Works makes a mandatory connection pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the Department may enter into agreements with licensed master plumbers and licensed on-site utility contractors to perform the work required in the Health Department's order to connect.

(f)

Connection Costs. Whenever the Department of Public Works makes a mandatory connection pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, it shall have the work performed "at cost" and shall keep an accurate account of the costs of such connection, including the subcontractor's cost of construction and inspection and administrative costs incurred by the County. The Department shall provide the Director of Finance with a copy of the accounts.

(g)

Billing. Upon completion of a mandatory connection made pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the Director of Finance shall bill the property owner for the costs of the connection including all subcontractor and administrative costs and any connection or in-aid-of-construction charges imposed by subtitle 6, "Water and Sewer Charges and Assessments," of title 20, "Taxes, Charges, and Fees" of the Howard County Code.

(h)

Payment of Costs by Property Owner. The property owner shall pay the costs of connection within 30 days of billing or, if eligible and approved for financing of such work pursuant to subtitle 7, "Water/Sewer Connection Financing Program," of title 20, "Taxes, Charges, and Fees" of the Howard County Code, within ten years of the billing. All charges are a lien against the property and shall be enforced and in every respect be treated as County real estate taxes.

(C.B. 46, 1983; C.B. 6, 1998; C.B. 26, 2007, § 1)