A. Meter Required; Charge: All premises supplied with water by the village shall have meters installed thereon at the expense of the respective owners of said premises. Such meters shall be of the kind designated from time to time by the village board of trustees, and the charge for such water meters, where applicable, shall be determined by the market price of said meters as the village board may direct. (1978 Code § 9-5-10)
B. Test And Installation: All water meters shall be thoroughly tested by or under the direction of the water and sewer division before being put in place and shall have two (2) shutoffs attached, one for the inlet and one for the outlet. All installations or repairs of water meters shall be made under the direction and to the satisfaction of the water and sewer division.
C. Repair And Replacement: If the meter on any premises is out of order, the occupant of said premises shall immediately notify the water and sewer division of this fact. The water and sewer division, on receipt of such notice or upon learning otherwise that any meter is out of order or not registering properly, shall secure the repair of such meter or, if necessary, the installation of a new meter as soon as may be practicable. The owner shall pay for the cost of repairs to or replacement of water meters required because of damage caused by frost, hot water, or negligent or improper act of the consumer. (1978 Code § 9-5-10; amd. 2011 Code)
D. Damage To, Tampering With Meter:
1. It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper with, injure, alter, obstruct, or prevent the action of any meter provided for the purpose of measuring and registering the quantity of water consumed or supplied to any water user, or cause or procure or aid the tampering with, injuring or altering of any such meter or the obstruction or prevention of its action, or make or cause to be made with any water pipe any connection so as to conduct or supply to any pipe, valve, orifice or appliance from which such water may be consumed or utilized without passing through or being registered by a meter or without the consent of the company, municipal corporation, body corporate, commission or individual furnishing or transmitting such water through such water pipe. (1978 Code § 9-5-10)
2. No person shall be permitted to test, repair, remove, or relocate any water meter, proportional, indicating or recording device installed in any building, structure or premises for the control of the water supply thereto, excepting under authority granted by the water and sewer division. (1978 Code § 9-5-10; amd. 2011 Code)
3. The owner of the building, structure or premises for which such meter is installed, or the person in possession, charge or control thereof, shall be held responsible for any unauthorized tampering and interference with the operation of any water meter. The water supply to a building, structure or premises wherein there has been tampering with or interference with the operation of any water meter shall be cut off and shall not again be permitted to be turned on until such tampering or interference has been corrected and the owner or person shall have paid to the village the cost and expense of cutting off and turning on such water supply; provided, that where such person can show that such tampering or interference was done contrary to his efforts to prevent the same, there shall be no such cutting off of the water supply.
4. Any person, firm or corporation who violates a provision of this subsection shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each offense. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense. (1978 Code § 9-5-10)