City of Mansfield v. Humphreys Manufacturing Co.

Citations

• 82 Ohio St. (N.S.) 216

Syllabus

<p>Municipal corporations in Ohio — Authorized to construct waterworks — And supply water to inhabitants — May make rules governing same — Regulation turning off water, when rent unpaid ■ — Reasonable and may be enforced — Consumer may apply to courts — For determination of amount due, when.</p> <p>1. Municipal corporations in Ohio are authorized to construct waterworks and to supply water to their inhabitants, and to collect money for water supplied, and to make such by-laws and regulations as they may deem necessary for the sale, economic and efficient management and protection of the water-works. Under this power a regulation providing that if. any party shall refuse or neglect to pay the water rent when due, the water shall be turned off and not turned on again until all back rent and damages shall be paid and the further sum of one dollar for turning on and off the water, is'-a -reasonable regulation and may be enforced.</p> <p>2. The determination by the proper city officials of the amount due for water supplied is not final, but the consumer who has good grounds for disputing the correctness of the charge made by the city may apply to the courts to determine the amount due and to restrain the enforcement of the rule pending such determination.</p>