(A) Metered water required.
(1) Requirements for installation of water meters.
(a) All water furnished by the city shall be metered unless otherwise provided in this chapter. The owner shall provide an easily accessible location and plumbing system for the water meter. The owner shall be responsible for contacting the city for the installation of each meter. On new construction, the water meter(s) shall be installed prior to or coincident with installation of plumbing fixtures. The water meter(s) shall be installed in accordance with city standards adopted by City Council.
(b) Plumbing systems shall be so constructed and the meters so placed that the volume of water passing through the service line shall be measured by the water meter(s).
(c) A meter charge in the amount set forth in the schedule of fees (§ 54.19), will be required for each meter provided by the city.
(d) All owners and occupants of property where water meters are located are deemed to have consented to the city’s right to enter the owner’s and/or occupant’s property to test water meters where the city has reasonable grounds to believe the water meter is not operating according to performance standards of appropriately installed and operating water meters. If access to the meter is not permitted, the water service may, after written notice to the property owner, be turned off by the city until access is allowed.
(2) Requirements for single purpose water meters. A person may apply to the Department of Public Works for a single purpose water meter. If the department determines that such property is eligible for installation of a meter, it shall be inspected and installed by the city, upon payment of a nonrefundable single purpose meter fee, as set forth in the schedule of fees (§ 54.19
), and upon payment of the meter deposit.
(a) A single purpose water meter shall be installed according to city standards.
(b) For residential, commercial, and industrial customers, a second meter, parallel to the dual purpose meter, may be installed to measure water flow to irrigation systems or other systems in which the water does not flow into the city’s sewer system.
(c) The single purpose meter setting must be made on the street side of the existing meter. The setting must be separately valved and run directly to outside faucets.
(d) The irrigation meter shall be carried as a separate account. The account shall be billed at the existing water rate.
(e) During the winter months when the single purpose water meter is not being used, the account shall be billed at the minimum monthly water rate.
(f) If the single purpose water line is determined to cause potential backflow or cross connection problems, a suitable backflow prevention device will be required and the account holder shall have such installed and maintained.
(g) Proof prerequisite to installation. In a new building or structure, all plumbing involving water meters shall be approved by the city plumbing inspector after installation.
(3) Protection of meters.
(a) The owner of the property where a water meter is located shall be responsible for the care and protection of the water meter. In case of damage to the water meter or in case of its stoppage or improper operation, the property owner shall give immediate notice to the Newton Waterworks.
(b) In all cases where water meters are broken or damaged, except for ordinary wear and tear, the necessary repairs to the water meter shall be made by the city, and the cost of such repairs shall be paid by the property owner. If payment for damages is not received at the time of demand, the city may, after written notice, shut off the water and not restore service until full payment has been made.
(c) No person shall, in any way, interfere with installed water meters, except an authorized employee of the Newton Waterworks.
(4) Meter tests. Whenever the city has reasonable grounds to believe a water meter is not operating according to performance standards of an appropriately installed and operating meter, the owner of the property may request and the city may perform a test on the water meter.
(a) Inspections permitted. All persons occupying and/or owning property where city water meters are located shall permit the city to inspect all water meters on or within the property when the city has reasonable grounds to believe the water meter is not operating according to performance standards of an appropriately installed and operating water meter. If city access is not permitted to the meter, the water may, after written notice to the property owner, be turned off by the city until access is allowed. If city access is not permitted to the meter, the city may estimate water use for purposes of water and wastewater treatment charges.
(b) Removal of meters. Whenever water service is to be discontinued, the owner of the property shall grant the city access to the property for the purpose of removing the water meter.
(Ord. 2421, passed 11-8-2022)