(a) No person other than an authorized agent of the Municipality shall connect to any portion of the water supply system, tamper with or remove any meter, seal or part thereof, or insert a meter by pass, without permission of the Department of Service. Tampering is defined as provided in this section as any attempt by an individual to mechanically influence the proper functioning of a water meter, whether sealed or unsealed, for the purpose of gaining a benefit such as a lowered utility charge, and includes breaking the seal on a sealed water meter. Any of the above constitutes a tampering violation, which carries the penalty provided in Section 1034.99, and also constitutes due cause for discontinuance of water service.
(b) If the Municipality finds that a meter seal has been broken, a connection has been installed ahead of the meter, a by pass has been inserted or that there is evidence that a meter has been tampered with, the water will be shut off and will not be turned on again until the consumer or owner of the premises pays for the estimated quantity of water which has been used and not registered and, in addition, pays a fee for turning on the water. The criminal laws of the State and the Municipality provide severe penalties for tampering with water meters, meter seals, valves and other devices in the system. The penalties herein provided are in addition to the penalties provided by the criminal laws of the State and the Municipality, and the payment of penalties herein provided for will not in any way relieve any person from prosecution for violations of such laws.
(c) No person shall unlawfully secure a supply of water through a corporation stop, curb stop, valve or other device after it has been closed due to a violation of any of these Water and Sewer Regulations, without first securing the necessary permit from the Municipality.
(d) No person shall remove the cover of any public or private cock, meter box, or valve box, or place any dirt, stones or other obstructions in such boxes, or commit any act tending to obstruct the use thereof, or shall in any manner deface or injure any hydrant, building, machinery, pipe, apparatus, tools or fixtures of the waterworks.
(e) The Manager reserves the right to decide what shall constitute waste or improper use of water when it is deemed necessary.
(f) The Service Director shall be responsible to alert the appropriate officials concerning all cases of suspected tampering.
(Ord. 25-10. Passed 12-14-10.)