(A) Except for extinguishment of fires, only authorized city employees may use water from the water system or permit water to be drawn therefrom, unless the same is metered by passing through a meter supplied or approved by the city. Only persons authorized by the Superintendent may connect, disconnect, take apart or, in any manner, change, or cause to be changed, or interfere with any such meter or the action thereof.
(B) A water meter fee must be paid by customers for the furnishing of water meters by the city. The customer must pay the fee before the water meter is installed. The fee required is not a customer service deposit and is not computed with reference to or based upon service supplied; the fee is required to insure the safekeeping and proper maintenance of the meter only, and for no other purpose. The fee is set by § 36.02 of this code of ordinances. The fee stands to the credit of the property where the meter is installed, rather than to the credit of the owner of the property at the time of the original fee payment. The water meter fee is non-refundable.
(C) (1) The city will maintain and repair all meters when rendered unserviceable through ordinary wear and tear and replace them if necessary.
(2) However, where replacement, repair or adjustment of any meter is rendered necessary by the act, neglect, including damage from hot water backup, freeze-ups or carelessness of the owner or occupant of any premises, the expense caused the city thereby will be charged against and collected from the water customer.
(D) A consumer may, by written request, have a meter (up to one inch) tested by the Water Department; at which time, the owner may be present or have a representative present. If the meter is found to register within 2% of being correct, a charge will be made for making the test. If the meter is found 2% incorrectly, no charge will be made for making the test. If the meter is found to over-register more than 2%, there will be a proportional deduction made from the previous water bill. A water meter will be considered to register satisfactorily when it registers within 2% of accuracy. The charges for meter testing are set by § 36.02 of this code of ordinances.
(E) Except for additional or auxiliary meters, water meters are the property of the city.
(F) Authorized city employees have free access at reasonable hours to all parts of every building and premises connected with the water system for reading, inspection and repair of meters. Failure to provide access may result in one or more of the following actions:
(1) Imposition, along with and in addition to other charges for service, a quarterly penalty charged as established by § 36.02 of this code of ordinances;
(2) Termination of service to the premises; and
(3) Billing and collecting for service to the premises on an estimated consumption basis whether or not meter readings are being obtained.
(G) Commercial or industrial buildings must be metered with one master meter of adequate size, as approved by the Superintendent. If additional or auxiliary meters are desired for recording the subdivision of the supply, the meters must be furnished and set up by the owner or consumer at the owner’s or the consumer’s expense, and the owner or consumer must assume all responsibility of reading, billing and maintaining same.
(Prior Code, § 715.57)