Delaware Code Title 9. Counties § 2806. Fees;  contracts for use of water

(a) The County Council may establish and from time to time revise fees.  The fees may be based upon the right to use a specified amount of water, or upon its actual use or upon any combination thereof.  It shall be the policy in determining fees to be charged or provided for in contracts entered into under this chapter to collect sufficient moneys to pay the principal and interest of all bonds issued hereunder plus the cost of operation, maintenance and administration of the water supply system.  Upon retirement of all bonds the rates shall be revised consistent with the reduced costs.  The fees charged shall be fees which shall be determined by the County Council to be equitable, giving full consideration to values, such as lands or other rights granted to the County.

(b) The County Council may enter into long-term contracts for the rights to use such water.  Such contracts may provide equitable means for the voluntary sale of such rights and, in the case of rights for which the contractor does not have plant facilities to use, their involuntary sale upon order of the County Council to release such rights to parties prepared to use them.

(c) The County Council may, in contracting for such rights, establish emergency priorities in the use of such water.

(d) The County Council may establish discounts for prompt payment of fees and penalties not to exceed 1% a month for late payment.  The County Council shall provide that failure to pay such fees within a period not to exceed 1 year from the due date shall result in cancellation of the contract.  Unpaid fees shall constitute liens against the property of the contractor as of the date of cancellation of the contract.  The County Council may collect such fees by civil suit on the contract or by sale of the property for the lien.

(e) The fees established under this chapter shall not be subject to approval of the Public Service Commission.