(A) Metered water required. All water consumers supplied by the village shall be supplied through meters only and shall pay for the water at the rates and in the manner specified in this chapter. On all service lines, whether meters have been ordered or not, the plumbing shall be so arranged that no water from the village water supply system shall be taken or supplied to the building and fixtures for which the meter was intended, except that which will pass through and be registered by the meter.
(B) Type of meter; cost. All meters must be purchased through the Village Board, and the kind and pattern of the water meters shall be as determined by the Mayor and Board of Trustees. No other kind shall be installed or used.
(C) Installation and location.
(1) All meters shall be placed in the basement of buildings or in some frost-proof enclosure within the building where service pipes enter the same and so as to afford easy access for examining and reading. Where there is no basement or frost-proof enclosure within the building, the meter shall be placed in a tile or concrete box inside the curb line not more than one foot distant from the service cock. The box shall be so controlled as to amply protect the meter against frost and shall be easily accessible to the employees of the village. In the event that a meter is situated in a location that is inaccessible or difficult of access, the Superintendent of Public Works shall notify the owner or consumer of the condition. If the condition is not remedied in a satisfactory manner within 15 days after receipt of the notice, the water will be shut off and remain shut off until the condition is remedied.
(2) When a meter is placed in any pipe connected to a hot water boiler or other hot water appliance, a check and relief valve must be placed between the meter and the boiler or hot water appliance to protect the meter from back pressure of steam or hot water. The type of check and relief valve shall be approved by the Superintendent of Public Works. There shall also be installed a shut-off valve on each side of the meter in addition to the check and relief valve.
(3) After the meter is placed, only officers or employees of the village shall be allowed to repair, remove or in any manner interfere with the same. A stopcock or valve shall be placed on each side of the meter.
(D) More than one meter on a single service. Property owners may have, at the option of the village, more than one meter installed in one building on one service and controlled by a single stopcock in the parkway; provided that, the meters are not connected in tandem. Nothing less than the minimum charge will be made for each meter so installed, and the bills for the whole supply furnished through the service shall be made to the owner of the premises. Each meter shall be considered as a separate and distinct account and shall be subject to all rules and regulations applicable to one account.
(E) Testing meters.
(1) All meters of a size two inches and under shall have a test tee with a one-inch opening inserted between the meter and the stop valve on the outlet of the meter. All meters larger than two inches shall have a test tee with a two-inch opening between the meter and the stop valve on the outlet side of the meter. Each test tee shall be provided with either a suitable valve or brass plug.
(2) The village may, at any time, remove a meter temporarily for the purpose of testing its accuracy. Any meter so tested and found to register within 2% of the correct amount shall be considered acceptable and its registration shall be considered correct.
(F) Tampering with, injury to meters.
(1) No seal placed by the Water Department for the protection of any meter, valve, fitting or other water connection shall be defaced or broken except on written authority from the Superintendent of Public Works. Meters shall be left in the condition and manner as set by the village and shall not be injured, defaced, marred, destroyed or interfered with or tampered with in any manner whatsoever. No meter shall be moved or disturbed without special permission from the Superintendent of Public Works; provided that, duly licensed plumbers, when making repairs to frozen services or meters may remove the meter, providing it is immediately delivered to the Superintendent of Public Works for inspection and testing and providing that a bond wire is installed prior to the removal. It shall be the duty of the owner of or applicant for the meter to promptly notify the village of all defects in any meter or its failure to properly register the quantity of water used.
(2) In no case shall a pipe coupling be inserted in the line in place of a meter; except that, in case of frozen meters, a licensed plumber or the Water Department shall be permitted to make the insertion. Any person violating this provision shall be required to pay an amount estimated to cover the loss or revenue by reason of the incorrect registration of the meter.
(G) Responsibility for costs.
(1) The cost of the meter and the installation thereof shall be paid by the applicant or the owner of the premises where the same is placed.
(2) All repairs and renewals of meters shall be at the expense of the village; except that, the owner of or applicant for the meter shall at all times be responsible for any damage done to the meter, including that caused by freezing, heat or breakage, or for theft thereof.
(Prior Code, § 7-4B-4)
(Ord. 622, passed 11-4-1976)