(A) Meter accuracy. All meters will be tested prior to installation. No meter will be placed in service or allowed to remain in service that is known to have an error in registration in excess of 3% under conditions of normal operation.
(B) Meter test.
(1) Standard test. Meter tests will be conducted in accordance with standards of practice established by the American Water Works Association.
(2) On customer request. A customer may, giving not less than 7-days’ notice, request the Water Department to test the meter serving his or her premises. The Water Department will require the customer to deposit the testing fee as established by Council resolution. The deposit will be returned to the customer if the test reveals the meter to over-register more than 3% under the standard test conditions, the deposit shall be forfeited to the Water Department. Customers may, at their option, witness any meter tests that they request.
(3) On Water Department request. If, upon comparison with past water usage, it appears that a meter is not registering property, the Water Department may, at its option, test the meter and adjust the charges accordingly if the meter either over-registers or under-registers. No charge for meter testing will be made to the customer for the meter test under these conditions.
(C) Adjustments of bills for meter error.
(1) Fast meters. When, upon test, a meter is found to be over-registering more than 3% under normal operating conditions, the Water Department will refund to the customer the full amount of the over-charge, based on the corrected meter readings, not exceeding 2 regular billing periods that the meter was in use.
(2) Slow meters. When, upon test, a meter is found to be under-registering more than 3%, the Water Department may bill the customer for the amount of the under-charge, based upon corrected meter readings, not exceeding 2 regular billing periods that the meter was in use.
(3) Non-registering meters. The Water Department will bill the customer for water consumed while the meter was not registering. The bill will be computed upon an estimate of consumption based on the customer’s prior use during the same season of the previous year, or on a reasonable comparison with the use of other customers receiving the same class of service during the same season and under similar circumstances and conditions, or both
(Ord. 90.01, passed 1-8-1991)