(a) As described in this chapter, the volume of sewage from any user's property shall, for the purpose of computation of sanitary sewer user charges, be the same as the volume of water from the City water system as recorded by water meters, unless:
(1) Water used by the user is from a source other than the City water system.
(2) A known volume of water is purchased by the user and measured by a separate meter installed at the expense of the user and approved by the City.
(3) The volume of sewage is measured by a sewage flow meter approved by the City.
(4) The volume of sewage flow is determined by another method approved by the City.
All meters shall be read by the City.
(b) Sewage meters not owned by the City shall be tested for accuracy at the expense of the user or owner once every two years. The City may remove the meter on its own initiative to undertake a test of accuracy. If the meter is found to be registering outside its published manufacturer's specification accuracy, then the cost of the test and the removal, repair and reinstallation or replacement of the meter shall be at the expense of the user or owner. If the meter is found to have been causing overcharges, a refund shall be due. If the meter is found to have been causing an undercharge, an amount due for the difference shall be computed for one-half of the time since the date of the previous test. During any time period that a meter is not in service, the volume of flow shall be estimated by the Safety-Service Director or his or her representative following a method approved by the Director.
(c) Because all classes of system users in general return a smaller volume of waste to the system than recorded on their water meters, any user's volume determined by an approved sewage flow meter shall be increased by fifteen percent before computing charges with rates stated in this chapter.
(Ord. 86-41. Passed 2-19-86.)