(A) Before any water conveyed through the water system shall be used or utilized on the land or premises of any person, firm or corporation, there shall first be installed a water meter that will accurately measure the water consumed on the premises, except and unless such installation shall be exempted by the Utility. The meter shall be installed in a location approved by the Utility. Water meters are the property of the Utility.
(B) All applications for the installation, maintenance, and repair of water meters shall be made to the Director, who shall proceed to comply with such application within a reasonable time thereafter. All meters installed shall be supplied by the Utility.
(C) For all new services the water meter shall be installed by a licensed plumber. The plumber shall install the meter and all necessary fittings in accordance with the requirements of the Utility. The Utility shall install remote reading devices and accessories.
(D) No person, firm or corporation other than the Utility, Utility approved designee, or licensed plumber shall install, maintain, or repair any water meter. Every water meter connected to the water system shall be sealed by or under the direction of the Utility. No person, firm or corporation shall break or remove such seal; provided that a licensed plumber may break such seal or remove such meter and said plumber shall notify the Utility within twenty-four (24) hours after the seal is broken or the meter is removed. Whenever any seal attached to a water meter is found broken, the broken condition of such seal shall be sufficient evidence that such seal was broken contrary to the terms and provisions in violation of this chapter.
(E) Water meters shall be repaired or replaced from time to time as is necessary to insure accurate measuring of the flow of water. The cost of the repair or replacement shall be borne by the Utility, except that whenever a meter has been damaged due to negligence or willful action on the part of persons other than the employees of the Utility, the owner of the premises or such other person desiring the use of the water shall reimburse the Utility for the expense of repairing or replacing any such meter. Upon failure to reimburse the Utility within a reasonable time and upon demand therefore, the water service and supply to said premises may be shut off or discontinued as determined to be in the best interest of the Utility.
(F) It shall be unlawful for any person to break any seal, tamper with, alter, bypass or in any manner whatsoever interfere with the proper use and functioning of any water meter.
(G) Whenever a customer questions the accuracy of the meter and desires that the meter be tested, the customer shall pay a fee, the amount of which shall be established from time to time by ordinance. If the meter tests accurate within a range of minus 3% to plus 1½% the meter shall be reinstalled and the fee forfeit. If the meter is not accurate within this range, the fee for testing shall be refunded, an accurate meter installed, and an adjustment on the water bill will be made for the period of time that the meter is assumed to be inaccurate, not to exceed two (2) billing periods.
(Ord. 397, passed 9-7-2010)