(A) Meters required. Except for the extinguishment of fires, 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 meter supplied or approved by the city. No person not authorized by the City Administrator-Treasurer shall connect, disconnect, take apart or in any manner change or interfere with any such meter or its use.
(B) Deposit. A city meter shall be installed by a licensed plumber. A perpetual care fee shall be set by Council resolution, a copy of which shall be in § 39.01.
(C) Maintenance. The city shall maintain and repair at its expense any meter that has become unserviceable through ordinary wear and tear and shall replace it if necessary. Where repair or replacement is made necessary by act or neglect of the owner or occupant of the premises it serves, any city expense caused thereby shall be a charge against and collected from the water consumer, and water service may be discontinued until the cause is corrected and the amount charged is paid.
(D) Complaints/meter testing. When a consumer complains that the bill for any past service period is excessive, the city shall have the meter reread on request. If the consumer remains dissatisfied, he or she may, on written request and the deposit of an amount adopted by Council resolution, a copy of which is in § 39.01, have the meter tested. If the test shows an error in the individual’s favor exceeding 5% of the water consumed, the deposit shall be refunded, an accurate meter shall be installed, and the bill shall not extend back more than one service period from the date of the written request.
(E) Meters property of the city. Water meters shall be the property of the city and may be removed or replaced as to size and type when deemed necessary.
(F) Meter reading and inspection. Authorized meter readers shall have free access at reasonable hours of the day to all parts of every building and premises connected with the city water supply system in order to read meters and make inspections.
(G) Owner responsible for service line. On new construction, the property owner is responsible for installation of new service line from the main to the home, and must connect to public water if within 200 feet of the existing main. This includes saddle, corporation, curb stop and curb box. The service line will be a minimum of one-inch copper or high pressure plastic from the main to the curb stop. Upon completion of the service line and on existing homes, the city will be responsible for repairs of the line from the main to the property owner’s side of the curb stop. Curb stops must be accessible to the city. If not accessible, the property owner is responsible for costs incurred to gain access.
(2009 Code, § 402.02) (Ord. passed 2-23-2015)