(A) Except as otherwise expressly permitted by this section, all structures, dwelling units, establishments and persons using water for the municipal water system must have such number of water meters connected to their water system as are necessary, in the judgment of the Water Superintendent, to adequately measure use and determine water charges to the respective users.
(B) Meters will be furnished by the town upon application for a connection, and upon payment of such connection fees and other costs as may be established by the town from time to time by resolution.
(C) Meters shall be deemed to be and remain the property of the town. Whenever a dispute between the Water 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 Town Council after due notice in writing to the parties involved.
(D) The Water Superintendent shall cause meter readings to be taken regularly and shall advise the Recorder/Clerk thereof for the purpose of recording the necessary billings for water service.
(E) Meters may be checked, inspected, or adjusted at the discretion of the town, 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 town, unless special permission is given by the town through its representatives to the customer to do so.
(F) If a customer submits a written request to the Water Superintendent to test his or her water meter, the town 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 12 months after the date of the last previous test, the customer may be required to pay the cost of such test. It the meter is found in such test to record from 97% to 103% of accuracy under methods of testing satisfactory to the town, the meter shall be deemed to accurately measure the use of water.
(G) If the town’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 97% or more than 103% of accuracy, the town shall make such adjustments in the customer’s previous bills as are just and fair under the circumstances.
(H) All damages or injury to the lines, meters, or other materials of the town on, or near, the customer’s premises caused by any act or neglect of the customer shall, in the discretion of the town, be repaired by, and at the expense of, the customer, and the customer shall pay all costs and expenses, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, which may arise or accrue to the town 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. 2004-29, passed - -2004)