(A) Disputed water bills.
(1) Water rebates shall not be granted under the following conditions:
(a) When the water loss is the result of leaking service or distribution lines;
(b) When the water loss is the result of malfunction of fixtures, including, but not limited to, washers, ice machines and water softeners;
(c) Once the water has run through the meter, it becomes the responsibility of the customer to pay for the water, except where it is discovered through the normal billing process and checked by the Water Superintendent that an excessive amount of water has been metered and subsequently lost, without any evidence of the water leak being evident or observed and where the water user was not aware of the leak or negligent in any manner regarding the leak; or
(d) When the water loss is the result of improper installation and operation of service line and related fixtures.
(2) Water rebates may be granted when one or more of the following conditions exist:
(a) Incorrect meter readings due to the negligence of city personnel;
(b) Faulty meter;
(c) Faulty meter installation;
(d) Leaks in city-owned equipment; or
(e) Where it is discovered through the normal billing process and checked by the Water Superintendent that an excessive amount of water has been metered and subsequently lost, without any evidence of the water leak being evident or observed and where the water user was not aware of the leak or negligent in any manner regarding the leak.
(3) A customer wishing to dispute a water utility billing may do so provided the customer:
(a) First pays the disputed bill in full, and then;
(b) Files a written request for review of said billing on a form provided by the city within 30 days following the receipt of the disputed bill; and
(c) Where the disputed bill exceeds three times a 12-month average of normal water usage monthly billing. Partial payment in the amount of the undisputed portion of the bill may be accepted by the City Finance Office prior to the review of the disputed amount of the bill.
(4) Adjustments:
(a) The disputed bill shall be adjusted by using the following formula: a 12-month average of normal water usage shall be determined. The overage water used shall be billed at 30% of the current rate per thousand, as produced by the city; and
(b) Any water bill adjustments granted in this section shall be made in the form of a credit to the water bill, unless the account is being closed, then the adjustment shall be made in the form of a check refund paid after the next regular meeting of the City Council.
(B) Testing water meters at request of user.
(1) In addition to routine city meter tests, the city will test a meter whenever it is requested to do so by a water user. A fee, set by resolution of the City Council, shall be charged for the removal of the meters to be tested. The fee shall be paid to the city by the water user in advance of such requested test. User is also responsible for the applicable third party testing fees as well as any shipping charges.
(2) In the event the meter so tested is found to have an error in registration of more or less than 3% of its normal rated capacity, the advance charge will be refunded and the disputed bill or bills shall be corrected accordingly.
(3) In the event the meter so tested is found to be accurate within 3% of its normal rated capacity, then the advance charge will be retained by the city.
(4) Correction of a disputed bill shall apply both to excess or insufficient registration. All meters shall be considered accurate if they register within 3% fast or 3% slow. Whenever a meter is found to be inaccurate, it shall be replaced by the city with an accurate meter without expense to the water user.
(5) A disputed bill will be corrected retroactive for a maximum of three billing periods only.
(Prior Code, § 26-A-07) (Ord. 964, passed 2- -2000; Ord. 1063, passed 6- -2008; Ord.1101, passed 2- -2011; Ord. 1063, passed 5- -2013; Ord. 1151, passed 11- -2014; Ord. 1196, passed 12-3-2018; Ord. 1217, passed 10-5-2020)