(a) No person shall knowingly, without the Water Division, public water works or utility’s consent, with intent to violate § 923.06, do either of the following:
(1) Tamper with a water meter, conduit or attachment of the Water Division or utility; or
(2) Reconnect any water equipment or water meter, conduit or attachment of the Water Division or utility that has been disconnected by same.
(b) In a prosecution under division (a)(1) above, proof that a meter, conduit or attachment of the Water Division or utility has been tampered with, is prima facie evidence that the person who is obligated to pay for the service rendered through the meter, conduit or attachment and is in possession or control of the meter, conduit or attachment at the time the tampering occurred, has caused the tampering with intent to violate § 923.06.
(c) In a prosecution under division (a)(2) above, proof that a meter, conduit or attachment disconnected by the Division of Water or utility, has been reconnected without the consent of the Division of Water or utility, is prima facie evidence that the person in possession or control of the meter, conduit or attachment at the time of the reconnection has reconnected the meter, conduit or attachment with intent to violate § 923.06.
(d) As used in this section,
TAMPER
means to interfere with, damage or by-pass the Water Division or utility meter, conduit or attachment with the intent to impede the correct registration of a meter or the proper functions of a conduit or attachment so as to reduce the amount of utility service that is registered on such meter.
(e) As used in this section,
UTILITY
means any water works company, when engaged in the business of supplying water through pipes or tubing or in similar manner to consumers within the city, and includes within its meaning, the Water Division and the water works company of any other political subdivision of the state supplying and furnishing water or water services to and for the benefit of the city.
(Ord. 04-08, passed 2-19-2008) Penalty, see § 923.99