(A) Requirements and installation.
(1) Except for extinguishing of fire, no person or other entity except authorized city employees shall use water from the water supply system or permit water to be drawn there from unless the same be metered by passing through a meter furnished by the Public Works Department at the expense of such person or entity.
(2) The Public Works Department shall ensure that every customer and user of city water is provided with a properly installed water meter upon request therefore. All meters shall be installed by a licensed plumber or by the Public Works Department in accordance with the following rules:
(a) Meters shall be placed on the service pipe not to exceed one foot from the wall or floor where such pipe enters the premises;
(b) Valve installation requirements as set forth in § 4.304(I);
(c) The meter must be placed in a suitable place so as to keep it dry and clean, protected from frost;
(d) All meters shall be readily accessible with a minimum if three feet on all sides, and above the meter to allow the meter reader, inspectors and Public Works Department personnel adequate access and space to work and perform repairs.
(3) For purposes of enforcing the provisions of this code, delegated city officials upon presentation of proper identification shall have the authority to enter any premises during reasonable hours to read, inspect, repair, or replace said water meter.
(a) The owner shall allow the city’s employee, or assigned agent, to complete the inspection, repair or replacement within 30 days of written notice from the city that an inspection, repair or replacement of the meter is required.
(b) Upon a property owner’s failure to permit city personnel, or its assigned agent, onto the property to inspect, repair or replace the meter as required in this division a monthly surcharge in an amount duly adopted by the City Council and set forth in the city’s fee schedule shall be imposed against the property on which the meter is located. The monthly surcharge will be imposed for every month during which the compliance with this division is not met and charged on the property’s municipal utility billing statement, whether the non-compliance has existed for the entire month or a portion thereof.
(c) If a property owner does not allow access to the property for the inspection, repair or replacement of the water meter following the addition of the surcharges to the utility bill, with 30 days written notice to the property owner and any occupants or lessees, city staff can request permission from the City Council to shut off the water service to the property until access is granted, subject to the provisions of the Cold Weather Rule M.S. § 216B.097.
(B) Protection damage and repairs. The property owner or occupant of premises where a meter is installed shall be held responsible for its care and protection from freezing or hot water, and from other injury or interference from any person or persons. Meters that are liable to become damaged by hot water shall be protected by the installation of a reliable check and relief valve. In case of damage to the meter, or in case of its stoppage or imperfect working, the property owner or occupant shall give immediate notice to the office of the Public Works Department. All meters that are broken or damaged by negligence of owners or occupants of the premises, or by freezing, hot water, or other damage, shall be repaired or replaced by the Public Works Department and the cost of repairs or replacement shall be paid by the owner or occupant.
(C) Removal; replacement. Whenever a water meter is installed on a water service in a premise that is to be remodeled, removed, or destroyed, or where the service is discontinued so that the water meter is no longer needed, the owner of such premises shall give notice to the Public Works Department to remove such meter, and free access to such meter must be provided so that the meter may be removed. If the meter is lost or damaged, the owner of the premises shall be required to replace the same at the replacement value.
(D) Tampering prohibited; estimation of bill. No one shall in any way interfere with the proper registration of a water meter. If any meter is found to have been tampered with, the water bill shall be estimated for the period and the meter replaced at the property owners expense. A surcharge in an amount duly adopted by the City Council and set forth in the City's fee schedule shall be imposed against the property on which the meter is located. Upon repetition of the offense, it will be optional with the Public Works Department to discontinue the water service or collect the amount estimated due. An escalating surcharge in an amount duly adopted by the City Council and set forth in the city’s fee schedule shall be imposed against the property on which the meter is located for each additional offense.
(E) Meter testing. In case there is doubt as to the accuracy of a water meter on the part of the customer, they may have the meter tested by an organization equipped to accurately perform the test; at which test they may be present if they so desire. If the meter is found to register within 2% of being correct a charge will be made to pay for the cost of making such tests, plus a testing fee in an amount duly adopted by the City Council and set forth in the city’s fee schedule. If the meter is found to measure 2% or more incorrectly, no charge shall be made for making the test. If the meter should be found to over-register more than 2%, there shall be a proportional deduction made from the previous water bill. A water meter shall be considered to register satisfactorily when it registers within 2% of accuracy.
(F) Remote meter registers. When remote registers have been installed, and there is a conflict between the inside meter reading and the remote register reading, the inside meter reading shall prevail as the actual reading for billing purposes.
(Ord. 1227, passed 8-26-91; Am. Ord. 1677, passed 4-25-22)
Penalty, see § 4.319