(a) Accuracy of meter questioned by consumer. When the consumer questions the accuracy of the water meter, the City Manager shall, upon request and payment of the water meter testing fee, cause an official test to be made. Meters are tested by certified testers contracted by the City. The meter shall be tested on variable rates of delivery and, if the average registration is more than three percent (3%) in excess of the actual quantity of water passing through the meter, another meter shall be substituted therefor. The City Manager shall refund to the consumer, in addition to the meter testing fee charged at the rate shown in § 6-8.51(d)(6), the overcharge based upon the reading and billing for the current period preceding the test, unless it can be shown that the error was due to some cause for which the date can be fixed. In the latter case, the overcharge shall be computed back to and not beyond such time.
(b) Non-registering meters. The City may bill the customer for water consumed while the meter was non-registering, but not to exceed a period of two (2) months, at the minimum monthly meter rate, or upon an estimate of the consumption based upon the customer’s prior use during the same season of the year, if conditions were similar, or upon an estimate based upon reasonable comparison with the use of other customers during the same period receiving the same class of service under similar circumstances and conditions.
(c) Meter errors. When it is found that error in a meter is due to some cause, the date of which can be fixed, the overcharge or the undercharge shall be computed back to but not beyond such date, not to exceed the current statute of limitations law.
(§ 6, Ord. 2785, eff. November 16, 2003, as amended by § 7, Ord. 2946, eff. January 6, 2012)