(A) Except for extinguishment of fires and uses as may be authorized by the Council, no person other than an authorized city employee shall use water from the city water supply system or permit water to be drawn therefrom unless the water passes through a water meter supplied or approved by the city.
('82 Code, § 3.221)
(B) Whenever any premises is connected to the city water supply system, the customer shall provide and cause to be installed, at the customer’s own expense, a water meter which will accurately measure the amount of water used upon the premises. Meters shall be installed, disconnected, taken apart or in any other manner changed only by authorized city employees or a licensed plumber.
('82 Code, § 3.222)
(C) Meters shall be maintained, repaired and replaced at the customer’s expense. If any customer fails to replace or repair a defective or inaccurate meter, the city may do so and add the expense thereof to the customer’s water bill.
('82 Code, § 3.223)
(D) When a customer complains that the bill for the immediate past service period is excessive and requests that the meter be re-read, the city shall have the meter re-read. Any customer who remains dissatisfied may request that the meter be tested.
('82 Code, § 3.224)
(E) The city may test a meter for accuracy at any time. The Council may, by resolution, establish a reasonable charge for testing any meter at the request of any customer. If any test shows a meter to be inaccurate, it shall promptly be repaired or replaced by the customer.
('82 Code, § 3.225)
(F) If a test shows a meter to be inaccurate by more than 5%, the tester shall promptly notify the city of the inaccuracy. The city may retest any meter at its own expense. Whenever the city determines that any meter was inaccurate by more than 5%, the bill for the immediate past service period and the bill for the elapsed portion of the current service period shall be adjusted accordingly. If by reason of stoppage of the meter or any other reason, it is not possible to determine, with reasonable accuracy, the amount of water actually used, the city may estimate by any reasonable means, the amount of water which was used. In no event, shall any adjustment be made for any service periods prior to the immediate past service period.
('82 Code, § 3.226)
(G) Installation and inspections.
(1) Authorized city employees. No person except authorized city employees shall turn water on at the street, unless authorized by the Utility Superintendent.
(2) Newly constructed homes. On a newly constructed home, water shall not be turned on at the street until the following conditions have been met:
(a) Curb stop must be brought to grade.
(b) Water meter and radio read remote have been installed according to the following specifications:
1. The service pipe from the water main to the meter shall be brought through the floor in a vertical position. A stop and waste valve shall be installed about 12 inches above the floor.
2. The meter shall be located so that the bottom is from six to 12 inches above the finished floor line. The meter shall be set not more than 12 inches measured horizontally from the inside line of the basement wall, unless an alternate method is approved by the plumbing inspector. A suitable bracket to support the meter in a proper horizontal position and to prevent noise from vibration shall be provided.
3. Radio read remotes should be mounted using the supplied bracket. (See attached instructions for installation procedures.)
4. In no case shall there be more than 12 inches of pipe exposed between the point of entrance through the basement floor and the gate valve. A valve must also be installed in the house side of the meter. Gate valves shall be brass 125 pounds standard.
(3) Inspections.
(a) Meter inspections can be scheduled during working hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by calling 952-442-7520.
(b) A 24-hour notice is required prior to performing an inspection.
(c) All inspections of water meters and any tests involved are to be done by the Building Inspector or Utility Superintendent.
(4) Additional information. Meters are city property. All water meters shall be and remain the property of the city and may be removed and replaced or changed as to size and type by the city whenever deemed necessary.
Penalty, see § 10.99