The customer shall be liable for all water that passes through the meter until provisions are made for the city to turn off water service or remove the meter. All water through meters will accurately measure the amount of water supplied each customer. It shall be a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine or imprisonment in the county jail, for any person, entity or party to alter, tamper with or deface any water meters, valve pits, fire hydrants, water main valves or any structure that belongs to the city. It shall also be a simple misdemeanor for any person, party or entity to secure city water by routing the water’s flow around a water meter to avoid incurring a bill for the water used. It shall also be a misdemeanor to turn on or remove a tag from a meter that has been sealed off. When a customer is moving out of a premises and orders the water meter read on a certain day, the water must be turned off when the meter is read, unless there is an application already on file from a prospective customer. The customer shall protect and safeguard water service pipes and fixtures. The owner, at his or her expense, must keep service pipes from the water main and all appurtenances in good working order. The city is not responsible for service pipes and fixtures past the meter pit or curb stop.
(Ord. D-20, passed 10-21-2014)