This chapter shall govern all connections, operations, uses, assessments, and charges for water within Maintenance District No. 22F (Oakhurst), hereinafter referred to as “MD 22F.” The work to be done and performed pursuant to this chapter shall be in compliance with federal and state law and Madera County rules and regulations, including those provisions of Title 13 of this code regarding water systems. (Ord. 608 § 2(part), 2005).

The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:
“Available” refers to water that is actually available to a parcel within the service area. “Available” shall not apply to parcels with “will serve” letters or on-site residential wells existing at the date of enacting of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
“Benefit” refers to the actual availability of water for a parcel, whether by connection to the MD 22F water system or by being within five hundred feet of a fire hydrant within the MD 22F service area.
“Service area” refers to those areas within the geographic boundaries of MD 22F, excluding all municipal water service or other water company systems. (Ord. 608 § 2(part), 2005).

An assessment shall be levied against the following properties within the service area:
A. All parcels currently receiving water from the MD 22F water system;
B. All parcels within five hundred feet of a fire hydrant, whether or not such parcels currently receive water from the MD 22F water system.
The amount of the assessment shall be set at multiple levels, including assessments for parcels currently receiving water, and a lesser rate for parcels within five hundred feet of a fire hydrant, but without water service from the MD 22F system. All assessments shall be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index for “All Urban Consumers.” (Ord. 608 § 2(part), 2005).

Owners of wells existing as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter on parcels within the MD 22F service area may elect to connect to the MD 22F water system when those wells run dry or otherwise become unsuitable for use due to potability problems. However, nothing in this chapter prohibits the drilling of new wells, which permit applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Denial of an application for a permit to drill new wells within MD 22F may be appealed to the board of supervisors as provided by Madera County Code. (Ord. 608 § 2(part), 2005).