(A) Placement. Meters shall hereafter be placed, at the expense of the consumer, in the basement or inside the residence or business building on the premises of the consumer and shall have an outdoors remote reader, both with the specifications as are hereinafter provided; provided, hereafter water meters may be placed in a pit to be located at or near the inner line of the sidewalk on applicant’s property if the Water Commissioner is convinced that the water meter so placed will be properly protected and conveniently set for reading.
(B) Meter pits. Meter pits shall have an inside measurement of not less than 48 inches for a distance of 30 inches from the bottom of the pit, tapering to the top to accommodate a 24-inch cast iron ring and cover.
(C) Specifications. All parts and apparatus to be placed in the water service connection shall be approved by the Water Commissioner. Hereafter, water meters and remote readers required for measuring water used by the applicant or consumer shall be provided by the city at the expense of the property owner. All meters and remote readers so furnished by the city shall remain the property of the city.
(D) Setting and sealing. Meters and remote readers shall be so set that the dial or face shall be easily accessible to the Water Commissioner when reading or testing the same. All meters and remote readers shall be sealed, and no person shall deface, injure or break any of the seals unless authorized to do so by the Water Commissioner.
(E) Tampering. It is hereby declared unlawful for any person to tamper with any water meter or remote reader, or by means of any contrivance or device, to divert the water from the service pipe so that the same will not pass through the meter, or while passing through the meter cause the meter or remote reader to register inaccurately. If any water meter or remote reader is found to have been tampered with, the water rent shall be estimated for the rental period and the meter and/or remote reader shall be repaired and tested. Upon repetition of the offense, it will be optional with the Water Commissioner to discontinue the water service or to collect the amount estimated to be due.
(F) Frozen or recklessly destroyed. If the consumer permits or allows a water meter or a remote reader to be damaged, injured or destroyed through his or her own recklessness, carelessness or neglect so that the water meter or remote reader must necessarily be repaired or replaced, the Water Commissioner shall bill and collect from the consumer the cost of the meter and/or remote reader repair or replacement, the same as water rent; and permitting a water meter to be damaged or destroyed by freezing shall be deemed and considered always as negligence on the part of the consumer.
(1998 Code, § 3-106) Penalty, see § 51.99