Payment for supply of water,-

In a premises where a meter has been attached ona supply pipe, the occupier shall be liable to pay for the water, shown to have been consumed on the basis of the reading recorded by the meter;

Provided that where a water-meter attached to the supply pipe in any premises or building connected with the service mains of the Municipality, goes out of order, or where there is a dispute about the proper operation of such water-meter, where such water-meter is fraudulently altered or tampered with, the fee for the supply of water to such premises or buildings, shall be two times the average of two preceding bills. 238. Entrustment of operation and maintenance of water supply system, billing and collection of charge,- A Municipality may, with the prior approval of the Government, entrust the work of operation and maintenance of the water supply system within the municipal area and the work of billing and collection of water charges to any