A. Number Of Meters; Dispute: Except as otherwise expressly permitted by this chapter, all structures, dwelling units, establishments and persons using water from the city water system must have such number of water meters connected to their water system as are necessary in the judgment of the superintendent to adequately measure use and determine water charges to the respective users.
B. Meters Furnished By City: Meters will be furnished by the city upon application for a connection, and upon payment of such connection fees and other costs as may be established by the city council from time to time by resolution.
C. Disputes: Meters shall be deemed to be and remain the property of the city. Whenever a dispute between the superintendent and the property owner arises as to the appropriate number of meters to be installed on any premises, the matter shall be heard and determined by the city council after due notice in writing to the parties involved.
D. Meter Readings: The superintendent shall cause meter readings to be taken regularly and shall advise the city recorder thereof for the purpose of recording the necessary billings for water service.
E. Tampering: Meters may be checked, inspected or adjusted at the discretion of the city, and they shall not be adjusted or tampered with by the customer. Meter boxes shall not be opened for the purpose of turning on or off the water except by an authorized representative of the city, unless special permission is given by the city through its representatives to the customer to do so.
F. Meter Testing: If a customer submits a written request to the superintendent to test his water meter, the city may, if under the circumstances it deems it advisable and in its discretion, order a test of the meter measuring the water delivered to such customer. If such request is made within twelve (12) months after the date of the last previous test, the customer may be required to pay the cost of such test. If the meter is found in such test to record from ninety seven percent (97%) to one hundred three percent (103%) of accuracy under methods of testing satisfactory to the city council, the meter shall be deemed to accurately measure the use of water.
G. Estimation In Case Of Failure: If the city's meters fail to register at any time, the water delivered during the period of failure shall be estimated on the basis of previous consumption during a period which is not questioned. In the event a meter is found to be recording less than ninety seven percent (97%) or more than one hundred three percent (103%) of accuracy, the city shall make such adjustments in the customer's previous bills as are just and fair under the circumstances.
H. Damage By Customer: All damage or injury to the lines, meters or other materials of the city on or near the customer's premises caused by any act or neglect of the customer shall, in the discretion of the city, be repaired by and at the expense of the customer, and the customer shall pay all costs and expenses, including a reasonable attorney fee, which may arise or accrue to the city through its efforts to repair the damage to the lines, meters or to other equipment of the department or collect such costs from the customer. (Ord. 80-5, 5-8-1980)
I. Existing Connections Without Meter: Persons already connected to the city water system which have not caused to have an appropriate meter installed shall do so prior to occupancy being granted. Failure to do so shall be grounds for termination of the water service to the premises following a hearing conducted by the city council, with appropriate written notice to the said person at least five (5) days prior to the hearing. The city council may also, in its discretion, cause the meter to be installed and to have all costs and fees thus incurred added to the water bill of said person. (Ord. 80-5, 5-8-1980; amd. 2003 Code)
J. Access To Meters: It is the responsibility of each resident to maintain the area surrounding the water meter to assure access to the meter for monthly reading. (Ord. 84-8, 10-11-1984)
K. Meter Size:
1. The purpose of this subsection K is to set a maximum size for residential water meters to reduce waste of water and demand on the entire city water system while allowing for exceptions based on fire code requirements.
2. The maximum size of a residential water meter shall be one inch (1"). A two inch (2") lateral may be brought to a residential lot for fire protection purposes only; however, the culinary service to the residential dwelling shall be reduced to a maximum of one inch (1"). Each lateral or service shall have a separate water meter (i.e., a 1 inch meter for the 1 inch culinary service and a 2 inch meter for the 2 inch fire service). Agricultural or irrigation use shall not be considered as fire protection purposes for this subsection. Exceptions to this subsection may be granted after application to the city council based upon fire code requirements as adopted by the city council. (Ord. 99-9-14-8, 9-14-1999, eff. 9-14-1999; amd. 2003 Code)