A. Power To Place Meters: When deemed advisable to do so, the public works director may, at any time, place a meter on any service line or any line serving a category business in which metering is an option, and to change the method of payment from a flat rate to a metered rate. (Ord. 454, 5-7-1996, eff. 6-1-1996)
B. Payment For Meters: All meters shall be paid for by the customer requesting or receiving city water service where a meter is required as part of a new water service connection. Existing businesses, as of the date of adoption of this subsection will be responsible for the cost of installing a meter. New businesses starting subsequent to June 1, 1996, if provided for by statute, shall pay the cost of the meter prior to service being established. (Ord. 454, 5-7-1996, eff. 6-1-1996; amd. 1999 Code)
C. Ownership: All water meters installed within the water system shall become and shall remain the property of the city and may be removed or replaced or changed as to size and type by the water department whenever deemed necessary. (1980 Code § 4.6.15)
D. Maintenance: The water department shall maintain and repair all meters. Where a replacement, repair, or adjustment of any meter is rendered necessary by this chapter, neglect or carelessness of the owner or occupant of any premises, any expense incurred by the water department thereby shall be charged against and collected from the water consumer, and water service may be discontinued until the defect is corrected and the amount charged collected. (1980 Code § 4.6.16)
E. Location And Access: Meters shall generally be located within a manhole near the property line, allowing for convenient access. The area adjacent to the meter shall be kept from obstructions at all times. (1980 Code § 4.6.17; amd. 1999 Code)
F. Meter Reading: Meters shall be read and bills shall be rendered, as nearly as practicable, at monthly or bimonthly intervals for all metered water service supplied during the preceding months. (1980 Code § 4.6.27)
G. Meter Rates For Multiple Meters: Where an individual consumer is supplied with water through more than one metered service, charges shall be computed separately for each individual meter. (1980 Code § 4.6.28)
H. Bulk Water Metering: Any entity or person seeking use of bulk water outside of individually metered business shall pay a fee as established in subsection 8-1-11F of this chapter to install a water metering device onto a hydrant. The fee shall be used to offset the cost of city personnel installing the meter and to help defray purchase cost. Should the meter need to be reinstalled, an additional fee shall apply. Anyone who tampers with the meter to avoid or minimize charges shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. (Res. 108, 9-24-2003)