(A) One meter to each service. Each separate service must be recorded by one meter only, for which only one bill will be rendered by the city. Following are the only three exceptions:
(1) Meters that are installed for the purpose of metering irrigation water only;
(2) For service provided outside the city limits to nongovernmental entities, the user may have more than one separate service recorded by one meter so long as the user receives prior approval from the city; and
(3) Duplexes and multi-family dwellings may be individually metered provided that each meter is provided with a shut-off valve that is accessible to the city without entering a private residence.
(B) Meter location and accessibility.
(1) Each owner or water user shall provide a suitable location for the water meter to be installed by the city. The city shall have the right to deny water service where a meter is set in violation of this code.
(2) Where a meter pit is not used, meters may be located on the water user’s premises in the basement, cellar, utility room or in exterior meter pits on the property of the consumer. Locations that are tight, narrow or low, such as crawl spaces with less than four feet of vertical clearance, are not acceptable locations for meter installations.
(3) The city may install remote meter reading devices on the structure of the owner or water user and such devices shall be considered as part of the water meter. Each meter must be accessible for the purpose of reading, inspecting or repairing such meter.
(4) If the owner or water user refuses to grant access to any water meter or refuses to keep free access to said water meter for the purpose of reading, inspecting or repairing by the city, the water service shall be shut off from such property and not turned on again until such violations have been corrected and a disconnect and reconnect fee, set by Council and subject to change is paid.
(5) The reading of the meter shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of water consumed.
(C) Access to consumer’s premises. The city shall be given permission to enter the water user’s premises for the purposes of reading meters, inspecting and keeping them in repair, and/or installing or removing any or all of its apparatus used in connection with the supply of water or for any of the following reasons:
(1) To make necessary or desirable repairs, or because of leaks, alterations or extensions;
(2) For non-payment of any bills;
(3) For failure to provide proper security when requested to do so;
(4) For fraudulent use of water;
(5) For misrepresentation in the application to the city for water service;
(6) When the water user has vacated the premises;
(7) For tampering with the city’s meter or meter connections, or to safeguard the city’s property from damage or further damage;
(8) For reasons of health and/or safety;
(9) During periods of water shortage;
(10) For the purpose of securing compliance with orders issued by civil or military authority;
(11) For any violation of the provisions of this Water Code or contract for water service;
(12) To ensure compliance with this chapter; or
(13) To verify the size of the tap, the number of users, the kind of service and the purposes for which the water is used.
(D) Meter location for non-resident users. Water meters for all non-resident users will be located inside the corporate limit boundary or at a location designated by the city. The city will not be responsible for any water mains, water service, water meters or apparatuses installed outside the city limits unless the same are installed by the city, and meet the materials requirements set forth in this chapter.
(E) Meter responsibility. The city provides the initial meter and is only responsible for the meter and meter yoke, but not responsible for service lines in or out when there is a point of shut off before the meter.
(F) Frozen/damaged meters.
(1) City will assist with thawing frozen meters once per season, if necessary. Repeat calls for service will be charged a call out fee set by Council from time to time.
(2) The customer is responsible for all damage to the meter caused by repeated freezing, tampering, or other mistreatment.
(Prior Code, § 26-A-05) (Ord. 964, passed 2- -2000; Ord. 1063, passed 6- -2008; Ord. 1130, passed 5- -2013; Ord. 1196, passed 12-3-2018; Ord. 1249, passed 11-6-2023)