(a) An authorized representative of the Water Department shall read the water meters of customers of the Water Department, but under no circumstances will a water meter not be read at least once during a six (6) month period.
(b) If a meter fails to register, or if the meter is unable to be inspected for that particular month, a consumption for the month shall be estimated from the consumption for previous months when water was supplied under similar conditions and was visually inspected.
(c) If a consumer is dissatisfied with registration of the meter and requests that it be tested, the Water Department shall make such tests after the consumer has deposited the amount specified in the Fee Schedule. If the meter is found to over-register by an amount exceeding 2- 1/2%, another meter will be furnished at no cost to the consumer, the proper reduction shall be made on the Water bill and the meter testing fee will be refunded.
(Ord. 24-05. Passed 2-14-05.)
(d) Water bill is due and payable monthly as billed at the office of the Water Department for the City of Conneaut on the fourteenth (14th) day after the date of the billing. Bills remaining unpaid after the fourteenth (14th) day after the date of the billing shall be subject to termination as specified under subparagraphs (e) or (f). (Ord. 72-12. Passed 8-27-12.)
(e) If the water bill is not paid in full on its due date, the Water Department shall send a notice that failure to pay the bill within fourteen (14) days will result in termination of service. Failure to pay the past due amount prior to disconnection will result in a late fee being charged, even if no disconnection is made, pursuant to Section 110.10(a) of the Conneaut Codified Ordinances. (Ord. 81-17. Passed 11-27-17.)
(f) Consumers who are unable to make payment on their water bills as they become due because of economic hardship shall, at the discretion of the City Manager or his authorized representative, be allowed to enter into a staggered payment schedule that shall not exceed three (3) months. This agreement shall be signed by the consumer and by the authorized representative of the City Manager and shall continue in effect for three (3) months insofar as the conditions are met. Violations of any part of the agreement may result in immediate termination of water services.
(g) Water shut off for non-payment shall not be turned on again until the account is paid in full and a fee in accordance with the Fee Schedule is paid to the City Water Department to cover the cost of re-installing service during normal working hours, a higher charge in accordance with the rate schedule shall be assessed to the consumers for re-installation of services after normal working hours. Such fee shall be paid before the water service is reconnected. The City Manager expressly reserves the right to adjust said fees to cover future increases in the cost of materials and labor.
(h) If a metered water bill seems excessive to the consumer, the consumer should file a written complaint as soon as possible with the Water Department at 294 Main Street, Conneaut, OH 44030. The Water Department shall take steps to reread the meter and provide reasonable assistance to the customer to determine a reason for any water loss and may propose an adjustment to the bill if the cause is beyond the control of the customer.
(i) Waterline extensions constructed by the City will recover all costs including labor, equipment, rental, materials and any other associated costs.
(Ord. 24-05. Passed 2-14-05.)