(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
INSIDE READING. The direct and actual reading of a properly functioning meter by a city employee or agent or a reading obtained electronically by the city.
(B) All original meters/valves provided to the customer shall be supplied by the city at a cost determined from time to time by the city and shall remain property of the city. All meters/valves herein required for air conditioning and air cooling systems shall be paid for by the customer and shall be subject to regulations of the Director of Public Works regarding installation, inspection and maintenance to the same extent and in the same manners as meters furnished by the city.
(C) There shall be installed, on the inlet side of the meter, a ball valve issued by the city. There shall also be installed on the outlet side of the meter, a ball valve issued by the city. The meter shall be set in places readily accessible for removal and for reading, and set in such a manner as to prevent freezing or submersion in water. All meters shall have a working clearance on top of not less than 16 inches and on all other sides of not less than 10 inches.
(D) Meter Conversion. All existing water department meters shall be replaced with a new automatic meter reading (AMR) unit water meter as approved by City Council at no cost to the customer. The Director of Public Works shall undertake a systematic program to change all existing water department meters. The new AMR units shall be installed at no expense to the customer. The customer shall be required to allow the city onto their private property for installing the new AMR unit in a location approved by the city.
(E) The city shall have the right to remove, inspect, test, and replace any meter when, in the opinion of the Director of Public Works, there is reason to believe that the meter is inaccurate.
(F) Whenever a new customer is added or deleted, the meter and its ancillary components may be tested or inspected for accuracy at the direction of the Director of Public Works.
(G) (1) To promote accurate billing, enhance the detection of leaks, and reduce waste, it is the policy of the city to require inside readings or to have those readings collected electronically of all metered properties. Estimated bills shall not constitute an inside reading and shall be subject to the provisions of this section.
(2) Whenever the city has been unable to obtain an inside reading for six consecutive months, the customer shall be sent a notice that, in the event the city is unable to obtain an inside reading for the next billing period, a surcharge shall be imposed and an automatic meter reading unit (AMR) shall be required as set forth in division (G)(3) of this section.
(3) Whenever the city has been unable to obtain an inside reading for two consecutive billing periods, the customer shall be required to allow the city to install an automatic meter reading (AMR) unit. The AMR unit shall be installed at no expense to the customer. In addition, a surcharge shall be imposed whenever the city has been unable to take an inside reading for two or more consecutive billing periods; or when the city has been denied access by the customer to install a new AMR unit. This surcharge shall be assessed each billing period, shall be in addition to the estimated bill and shall be in addition to any other actions permitted pursuant to this chapter. The surcharge imposed shall be in an amount equal to the water charges for 20,000 gallons of water. The surcharge shall continue to be imposed for each billing period until a shutoff or disconnection has occurred, or an accurate inside reading has been taken and/or an AMR unit installed. The surcharge shall be a credit toward actual water use when an accurate reading is ultimately taken and established. Return of the surcharge in excess of actual consumption shall be conditioned upon the installation of the AMR unit.
(H) The Director of Public Works may cause water service for any metered location to be shut off for nonpayment of water charges, failure to permit inside reading, failure to comply with the city's cross-connection program, unauthorized bypassing or alteration of meter or remote reading devices or automatic meter reading units, refusal to permit access as required under §
50.30(D) to comply with a conversion of a metering device to an electronic meter reading unit, or a violation of any provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation of the Director of Public Works, Finance Director or related to the administration of this chapter.
(I) Water service may be disconnected and removed from the city's system for the following reasons:
(1) If water service is connected or turned on at any location without prior approval of the city;
(2) If a meter required under this Code is bypassed or tampered with in such a manner so that readings are reduced; or
(3) If a shutoff is authorized for a metered property within a multiple metered service location.
(Ord. 95-388, passed 6-14-95; Am. Ord. 98-113, passed 7-29-98; Am. Ord. 01-282, passed 1-12-01)