(A) The meter shall determine the quantity of water for which the consumer shall be charged, and all water passing through the meter shall be charged for, whether such water shall have been used or wasted or the premises shall not have been occupied. Where any meter shall have become locked, so that it has not registered correctly the quantity of water which has passed through since the last reading, the quantity for the month during which the meter has failed to register shall be determined by taking an average of the water consumed during the three months next preceding the month in which the meter has failed to register, and the consumer or owner shall be charged for that quantity.
('69 Code, § 23-29)
(B) Each consumer of water from the city water system shall be required to have a separate water meter; provided, that one meter may be used for several premises, apartments, blocks of stores, shops and tenement houses, where they shall be the property of the same owner and such owner shall agree to pay for all water consumed by the tenants of such property. In case the ownership of one or more of such premises shall pass to another person, separate meters shall be installed at once.
('69 Code, § 23-20)
(C) Testing and fees.
(1) Meters shall be tested by the Water and Sewer Department upon request of the consumer and the payment in advance of $20 for a testing fee.
(2) Meters found to have a malfunction will be repaired or replaced and the $20 fee for testing will be credited to the customer account.
(3) Meters found to be functioning correctly will be put back in service and the $20 testing fee retained by the city.
(D) In-ground irrigation systems connected to the city water system.
(1) On and after September 11, 2009, all new in- ground irrigation systems that are to be supplied with water from the city water system shall be independently connected to the system, and water consumption shall be measured through a separate irrigation meter. Notwithstanding any other provision found in this chapter, and regardless of whether the irrigation system is located within or outside of the corporate limits of the city, it shall be unlawful for any person to install a new in-ground irrigation system in a manner that does not strictly conform to the requirements specified in division (D) of this section.
(2) An irrigation service line may be installed by means of a direct tap into the water main or by means of a split line that connects to the non-irrigation service line at a point between the main and the non-irrigation meter. Either method of connection shall be performed by the city’s water maintenance department or by a licensed contractor that has obtained a permit from the city authorizing the installation of an irrigation service line. The decision as to whether to permit a licensed contractor to make the connection or to utilize city forces to make the connection shall be in the sole discretion of the Water Resources Director or his or her designee. It shall be unlawful for a contractor to install an irrigation service line without first obtaining from the city’s Water Resources Director or his or her designee a permit authorizing the installation of an irrigation service line. At a minimum, the applicant for such a permit will not be eligible for the issuance of the requested permit until the city has received payment in good funds for the meter and any related items to be provided by the city.
(3) Unless specifically addressed by a provision in division (D) of this section, an irrigation service line, the irrigation meter, and all related appurtenances shall be installed in accordance with the same regulations, policies and procedures that apply to non-irrigation meters.
(Am. Ord., passed 5-4-95; Am. Ord. 41 ORD 9-09, passed 9- 10-09)