A. Required: All premises using the City water supply must be equipped with an adequate water meter furnished by the City and paid for by the consumer; provided that such water service may be supplied by the City at a flat rate of charge prescribed by the City Council until such meter may be installed on new service. The City will provide a meter as provided under Section 8-4-5 of this Chapter. On an existing service the City will provide, if not already in place, a suitable meter for each customer's water service connection. The City will determine the size and type of meter. The meter will remain the sole property of the City. The customer shall be responsible for and pay for repairs for any damage to a meter caused by freezing, by hot water backing through the meter or by physical damage.
B. Placement Of Meters: The owner or customer will provide at his expense a clean, dry, safe place, not subject to a great variation in temperature, so that the meter will be properly protected from freezing and other hazards, and so located as to control the entire supply and be easily accessible for installation, maintenance, reading and disconnection.
C. Meters For Individual Trailers: For individual house trailers located in locations other than trailer courts, meters shall be installed in fiber meter pits at least thirty six inches (36") deep and eighteen inches (18") in circumference within five feet (5') of the trailer, and with no less than twelve inches (12") of rise to the valve meter yoke. Above surface installation shall also be allowed, but such installation must be constructed so as to prevent freezing, and with adequate openings to facilitate meter change. (Ord. 147, 1980)
D. Multiple Installations, Master Meters: For all meters which service more than one trailer, dwelling or business, or combination of any two (2) or more of the above, the owner shall pay only one minimum rate which is equal to the current minimum rate applicable to such trailer, dwelling or businesses. The excess of all water used over the minimum as defined herein shall be billed as one billing in addition to the minimum. (Ord. 389, 8-23-1999)
E. Reading: The Superintendent or his duly authorized representative shall read or cause to be read every water meter used in the City at such times as are necessary that the bills may be sent out at the proper time.
F. Testing And Replacement:
1. Test Upon Complaint: Any municipal water meter shall be taken out and tested upon complaint of the consumer, upon payment of a fee of ten dollars ($10.00). If upon test, the meter is not within three percent (3%) of being accurate, it shall be repaired or replaced and the fee returned to the consumer. (Ord. 147, 1980)
2. Replacement Or Repair: The owner or customer is responsible for the full cost of replacement or repair of a meter in the event proper protection of the meter was not taken due to bad weather conditions (for example, freezing, flooding, etc.) or other problems within the control of the owner or customer that may occur. The City will determine the cost of such replacement or repair, and such amount will be added to the customer's monthly bill, and payment of same will be subject to the same requirements as set forth in City ordinance. (Ord. 302, 1994)
G. Removal: The City reserves the right to remove and test any meter at any time and to install another meter in place of the one removed.
H. Access To Premises For Inspection: The Superintendent and every person authorized by him and all meter inspectors shall have ready and reasonable access to the premises, place or building, where such meters are located for the purpose of reading, examining, testing and repairing the same, and examining and reading the consumption, use and flow of water, and it is unlawful for any person to interfere with, prevent or obstruct the Superintendent or such other person or inspector in his work hereunder. Every consumer of water shall take the same upon the conditions prescribed in this Chapter. (Ord. 147, 1980)