Except as herein elsewhere expressly provided, all meters, service connections and other equipment furnished by or for the municipality shall be and remain the property of the municipality. Each customer shall provide space for and exercise proper care to protect the property of the municipality on his or her premises. In the event of loss or damage to the property, arising from the neglect of a customer to properly care for same, the cost of necessary repairs or replacements shall be paid by the customer.
(`83 Code, § 13-119)