(A) In case of breakage, stoppage or any other irregularity in the meter, the owner or consumer is to notify the Department of Municipal Services immediately and all necessary repairs will be made by the city, except as provided in § 52.008(D).
(B) Upon the written request of the owner or consumer, the proper official will test the meter servicing the premises. A deposit of money in an amount which is equal to the current rate charged to the city to calibrate the water meter, as such amount is determined by the Department of Municipal Services or his or her designee from time to time, will be required before the meter is tested. The deposit will be returned after the meter is tested if it is found to be registering incorrectly, that is greater than 2% of accurate, such condition being to the disadvantage of the consumer. Otherwise, the deposit shall be retained by the city to cover the costs of the test. The owner or consumer may be present at the time of the test, and the results of the test shall be reported to the owner or consumer as the case may be. If the testing of a meter indicates that it was registering incorrectly, the charge to the consumer for water used shall be on the basis of the consumption for the corresponding period of the previous year. If the meter had not been in service for a year, or in the corresponding period of the previous year, or if for any other reason the charge for the corresponding period cannot be properly determined, the charge shall be equitably adjusted by the Municipal Services Committee. The minimum metered rate as hereinafter specified will be charged for as long as the meter remains on the service.
(C) In response to the written request of the owner or the owner’s authorized agent asking that the water be shut off and the meter removed, the city will proceed to comply with such request, and the minimum rate as hereinafter specified will cease on the date when the meter is removed. No charge will be made for the removal of a meter, but a charge as set forth in the city’s fee and fine schedule will be imposed for reinstallation of a meter. After the water supply has been shut off for any reason except for repairs, the service will not be reestablished unless a written order is given to the Department of Municipal Services by the owner or authorized agent and any arrearage in payments are paid in full.
(D) Where a meter reading must be estimated because of inaccessibility of the meter, the charge to the consumer will be a weighted average of previous use. The consumer shall pay all additional charges when the meter is read and shall not be entitled to a cash refund should the charge be higher than the reading, unless authorized by theCity Administrator or designee after appeal thereto. A consumer shall always be charged at least a minimum charge as provided for in § 52.022, even if a gallonage credit exists. A card returned by the consumer showing an actual reading of the meter shall not be considered an estimate.
(Prior Code, § 52.23) (Ord. 2014-007, passed 2-11-2014; Ord. 2015-033, passed 11-10-2015; Ord. 2022-046, passed 8-23-2022)
Penalty, see § 52.999