(a) Every water service shall be equipped with a meter, either purchased new from the Division of Utilities or tested and approved by the Division of Utilities, if used. The Division of Utilities reserves the right to reject used meters due to age or other reasons. No meter smaller than five-eighths inch by three-fourths inch shall be installed in a new building or residence. If no water service is provided by the City then the sewer system shall be equipped with a meter. Meters may be equipped on both the water and sewer systems upon the approval of the Division of Utilities.
(b) The Division of Utilities will, on its initiative, undertake to test and correct any meter, which in its judgment is registering incorrectly, without the consent of the owner. The Division of Utilities shall not be responsible for breakage of pipes or valves occurring during the removal or installation of meters.
(c) Upon request from an owner or consumer and agreement to pay for a test charge, the Division of Utilities will remove any meter to the meter shop for test upon payment of a twenty dollar ($20.00) fee for a five-eighths inch meter and for all other sizes a fee of the cost of removing and testing the meter. If, upon examination and test, it is found that the meter registers outside the tolerance limits of five percent (5%) over or under on flows from one to twenty gallons per minute, on all meters, types and sizes, it shall be considered inaccurate and the water charges will be adjusted on the basis of this test. If charges are adjusted, only the current bill will be subject to change. The customer has the right to request a meter test at the time of each billing. Payment of the bill constitutes acceptance of charges made.
(d) Meters damaged by use, abuse, misuse, accident or any act of carelessness will be repaired by the Division of Utilities at the expense of the owner. Meters damaged beyond repair shall be replaced by the owner of property upon receipt of notice from the Division of Utilities.
(e) Meters furnished by the City shall remain the property of the City and the cost thereof shall be included in the water tapping charges.
(f) All customers of the City of Heath Water Distribution System with a compound metering device will be required to have their meter tested every three years with a company approved by the Utilities Director, starting in the year 2010 and shall continue each three years thereafter. Such testing shall be completed by August 1st of the year in which it is due. Failure to comply by August 1st could result in water termination until the testing requirements are achieved. A written report of the result of the testing shall be submitted to the Utilities Director. Cost of the testing and repairs or replacement shall be the responsibility of the owner or customer.
(Ord. 88-2009. Passed 11-2-09.)