(A) Any and all services shall be metered and the size of the meter to be used shall be determined by the Town Water Utility Manager.
(B) Meters to be furnished by the Water Utility are the property of the town and shall not be tampered with under penalty of law.
(C) The placement of the meter shall be the option of the Water Department authority.
(D) Any changes in the service pipes or fixtures that may be necessary to set the meter properly to avoid freezing and to make all water used on the premises pass through the meter shall be at the expense of the property owner or consumer as applicable.
(E) Where meters are set within the interior of any premises, the customer shall keep the meter clean and maintain ease of access to the meter.
(F) In the eventuality any meter shall become out of order and malfunctions by failing to register the amount of water passing through it, the customer shall be charged at the rate of average consumption registered by the meter for the prior 12-month period before it became out of order.
(G) The Water Utility shall make a test on the accuracy of registration of a 3/4-inch or less water meter, upon written request of a customer to do so, and upon the customer depositing a $20 fee with the Water Utility. If the meter is found to be within the allowable limit of error, which shall be plus or minus 4%, the fee shall be retained by the Water Utility. If the meter is found to be registering outside the allowable error limits, the fee shall be refunded to the depositor.
(H) Customers requesting the testing of water meters one inch or greater outside the time frames established for testing by the Water Utility shall be assessed the actual cost of the test.
(I) The Water Utility may schedule tests for accuracy if deemed necessary by the Water Utility Manager and Town Council within the following time frames:
(1) Three-quarter inch or less, every seven years; and
(2) One inch or more, every five years.
(J) As the Water Utility exercises no control of premises, interior plumbing construction, or fixtures, the customer shall sign an agreement holding the town and the Water Utility harmless from any and all damages when the meter is installed or removed and when water is turned off or turned on.
(K) No person shall be permitted to install any water line or main and connect it to the water lines or mains of the town without prior approval from the Manager. Approval will not be granted without a signed statement on file at the Water Utility’s office that the installation will be constructed in accordance with ASTM standards for water line construction and applicable requirements of local building and plumbing codes and agreeing to inspection by appropriate town and Utility personnel.
(Ord. 4-1991, passed 12-30-1991) Penalty, see § 52.99