Sec. 18.1-82. Discontinuing water service for nonpayment of service charges.

(a) Water service may be discontinued by or at the request of the county for any of the following reasons until the defects or faults have been corrected.

(b) When water service is to be discontinued, except in emergency situations involving an imminent risk to property or public health, in which event no notice shall be necessary, ten (10) days' written notice shall be given to the owner, occupant, or agent of the owner. The notice shall state the reason for the proposed termination and shall inform the person notified that a hearing to protest the termination may be had before the county administrator during the ten (10) day notice period if requested in writing by the owner, occupant, or agent of the owner. If a hearing is requested, the county administrator shall conduct it immediately and shall enter a written decision within twenty-four (24) hours of the hearing. Water service shall be terminated unless the owner, occupant, or agent presents clear and convincing evidence that violation or nonpayment has not occurred or unless such termination would impose a serious risk of harm to the occupants of the premises and not merely an inconvenience. The decision of the county administrator shall be final.

(c) If water service is discontinued as provided in this section, in addition to any charges which may be imposed by the water purveyor, a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) shall be payable to the county for administrative expenses.

(d) When water service has been discontinued, the health department shall be notified and service will be renewed only when the conditions for which such service was discontinued are corrected and all fees and charges have been paid.