A. Definition: A "dead meter" shall be defined as any water meter located within the city showing no consumption or less than fifty percent (50%) of the average consumption in the same month in the year immediately preceding. A "dead meter" shall further be defined as any water meter located within the city showing less than seventy percent (70%) of the average consumption in the year immediately preceding and more than fifty percent (50%) of the average consumption in the same month and year immediately preceding; provided, that said meter has been determined to be defective by a corporation who operates in the business of providing and maintaining water meters. (Ord. 91-O-20, 6-18-1991; amd. Ord. 92-O-16, 6-2-1992)
B. Estimate Of Charges: In the event that a water meter is determined to be a "dead meter", as defined in subsection A of this section, the city shall be authorized to estimate, charge and collect for water use as follows:
1. In the event of an industrial use, including Eastern Illinois University, trailer parks, and community unit school district 1, the city shall estimate water usage based upon the average of three (3) months using the month twelve (12) months immediately preceding the dead meter estimate, the month prior to said month twelve (12) months preceding the dead meter estimate and the month immediately following the month twelve (12) months prior to the dead meter month. Based upon said estimated charges, the city shall bill and shall be paid for water usage based upon said estimated water use.
2. In the event of residential properties showing a "dead meter", as defined in subsection A of this section, the bill shall be estimated by using the three (3) months immediately preceding the month in which the dead meter is discovered and averaging said three (3) months and charging for water usage based upon said average.
C. New Meters Within Billing Cycle: When a new meter is installed in the middle of the billing cycle, the water customer shall be charged for consumption as last read upon the old meter and consumption as read upon the new meter. (Ord. 91-O-20, 6-18-1991)