(A) Usage: All water used by the water customer shall be measured with a water meter furnished and installed by the water department at no cost to the customer. The water department will own and maintain all meters; provided, however, that additional or auxiliary meter or meters desired by the owner or customer being supplied for the purpose of subdividing the total water used, shall be at the entire expense of such owner or customer, and shall be their property; in that case the reading of such additional meters, and the maintenance thereof, shall be by the owner or users.
Each and every water consumer shall be provided a water meter, except a master water meter may be installed, which shall measure all the water supplied to a number of trailers, apartments, stores or offices provided they are located in one building or on one parcel of land and are under one ownership.
The water department reserves the right to determine the size, location and number of meters required for any service.
(B) Installation: The water meter shall be installed in a convenient location for the personnel of the water department to read and maintain. Wherever practicable meters shall be located inside the building being serviced and shall be located as close as possible to the point of entry of the water service pipe, and the entire length of the service from the point of entry to the water meter shall always be exposed. At no time shall water meters be installed in washrooms.
All meters shall be set plumb and level and secured to remain so. They shall be placed in an accessible location, free from all obstructions, so that they can be easily serviced, and shall be protected by the consumer from freezing or damage. Brass couplings or unions shall be installed on the inlet and outlet side of the meter. A gate valve must be installed within one foot (1') of the meter on both inlet and outlet. No red lead or white lead shall be used in making meter connections.
Where a meter is installed on a water service pipe connected to a hot water boiler, steam boiler or other hot water apparatus, a check and relief valve shall be provided between such meter and boilers or hot water heaters, to protect the water meter from damage caused by back pressure from steam or hot water.
In residential areas where there is no basement and where the design of the building is such that installing the water meter inside would be impractical, the water meter shall be placed in a pit not more than eight feet (8') inside the sidewalk line. The water department will furnish and install a frostproof meter box. The owner will be billed for this service on a time and material basis as outlined in section 8-4-23, schedule 7(F) of this chapter.
Where meters are set in pits, the top of said meter shall be located fourteen inches (14") below the ground line and shall be provided with a yoke with expansion joint or its equal. For five-eighths inch (5/8") meter, a twenty one inch (21") diameter tile will be used for the pit section; for a three-fourths inch (3/4") and one inch (1") meter, a twenty four inch (24") diameter tile will be provided. Said pit will be covered with a cast iron cover provided with an auxiliary inner cover to make air space. Soil will be packed tightly around the tile and cover, clear up to the lid, and care will be taken not to use crushed rock, gravel or cinders. Clay or loam are the best. Water meters over one inch (1") shall be set in a concrete vault.
In business or manufacturing districts, the location of the meter and the construction of a pit for same (if a pit is required) shall be at the discretion of the superintendent.
(C) Sealing: After proper installation of water meters, all meters shall be sealed by the water meter department, which seal or seals shall not be broken except by authority of said department. (1977 Code)
(D) Repair: Ordinary repairs will be scheduled and made to meters by the water department at its own expense. In case of damage to a meter by reason of freezing or hot water or any act or omission of the consumer, the consumer, property owner or both shall pay the water department a repair fee as outlined in section 8-4-23, schedule 7(B) of this chapter for the cost of repairs. The fee will be included with the next water bill, and in case of theft or complete disconnection of any meter by reason of any act or omission of the consumer, the owner shall pay the water department the full value of the meter and all cost associated with replacement and installation in accordance with section 8-4-23, schedule 7(B) of this chapter. (Ord. 2075, 12-10-2013)
(E) Failing To Register: Whenever any meter, by reasons of it being out of repair or for any cause, fails to properly register the water passing through the same, the consumer shall be charged at the rate shown during the corresponding period of the previous year. If no record of the previous year exists, then it shall be the duty of the superintendent to estimate or determine, so far as he can, the amount of water consumed during the time estimated by said superintendent to be due. If the estimated water consumed is judged unfair by the consumer, he may present all facts to the water committee whose decision will be final.
Notice shall at once be given the water department when a meter is found by owner, occupant or tenants to be out of order. (1977 Code)
(F) Testing: In the event a water customer desires to test the accuracy of the water meter, the customer shall fill out and submit a meter testing request form, available from the water department. After receiving the meter testing request form, the water department will send the meter out to be tested for a fee as outlined in section 8-4-23, schedule 7(C) of this chapter. A temporary meter will be installed during the testing period to register water usage. If the meter test indicates that the meter is over registering (fast) in excess of one and one-half percent (1.5%), the meter will be repaired or replaced and the customer will not be charged a testing fee. If the results of the meter test indicate that the meter is registering within one and one- half percent (1.5%), the customer will be charged a fee in accordance with section 8-4-23, schedule 7(C) of this chapter. (Ord. 2076, 12-10-2013)
(G) Tampering: In accordance with section 8-4-24 of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any plumber or other person, without the consent of the water department, to attach, disconnect, repair, test or tamper with any water meter connected with the waterworks system. In case any consumer shall vacate the premises upon which there is a water meter in service without notice being served on the water department in sufficient time to permit the removal of said meter without damage to same, the owner of such property so vacated shall be held liable and responsible for all water passing through the meter and also all damage done to the said meter.
(H) Temporary Metering; Temporary Water Usage: The water department may permit water to be used temporarily from any fire hydrant for other than domestic purposes in locations where no other supply can be obtained by attaching a reducer to one of the hydrant openings and controlling the supply by means of a small valve. The flow from such water supply shall be registered through a meter. The cost for these services and water usage shall be as outlined in section 8-4-23, schedule 7(D) of this chapter, which costs shall include a meter deposit fee which shall be refunded if the meter is still in good repair upon discontinuance of said service. If the meter is in any manner damaged, said water user shall be required to pay for necessary repairs as outlined in section 8-4-23, schedule 7(B) of this chapter. (1977 Code)
(I) Access: If an authorized agent of the water department is unable to gain access to a premises for any reason to install, repair, replace or inspect a water meter, or obtain a reading of the water meter after making two (2) attempts to contact the customer and/or property owner, the water may be shut off by the water department and an estimated charge made for the amount of water consumed. In case water is shut off for any such reason, it will not be turned on until such time as an authorized agent of the water department has been given access to the premises to install, repair, replace, or inspect a water meter or obtain a reading of the water meter and payment for the estimated bill has been made in full plus a turn on fee per section 8-4-23, schedule 8 of this chapter. (Ord. 2078, 12-10-2013)