(a) Undetectable Leaks.
(1) The Finance Department shall have the authority to adjust water charges where underground water leaks have occurred and have not been detected for a period of time by the customer and which have been determined to be the cause of abnormal water usage.
A. An undetectable leak shall be a water line leak that occurs in a customer's piping system beyond the water meter and in which, because it is located underground, under structures, and is near drains or sewers or porous material or is otherwise located, a leak develops without becoming apparent to the customer until a meter reading indicates a water leak is occurring. Leaks in faucets, toilets and other plumbing fixtures shall not be considered as undetectable leaks for the purpose of this subsection.
B. Prior to an adjustment, the customer shall provide proof that a leak in the service line or other underground lines did occur and that adequate repairs have been made.
C. Failure by the customer to react to the Finance Department’s notice that an abnormal usage has been determined by repairing leaks within a ten day period, following such notice, shall forfeit the customer’s right to receive an adjustment.
D. Any internal leaks within the building that requires the City to shut the water off at the curb stop or meter pit, shall require the repairs to be made and shall include the installation of a whole house shut off valve where the water service enters the building before the water is turned back on.
(2) A. In certain cases customers may request adjustments for leaks that occur in the internal plumbing when it is clearly shown that the leak was not detectable for some time or until the Department notice was received.
B. Requests for such adjustments shall be made to the Water and Sewer Review Board and shall be accompanied by letters from the plumber and the owner explaining in detail the circumstances involved.
(3) The Finance Department may adjust those bills mentioned in subsections (a)(1) and (2) hereof by reducing in half the consumption in cubic feet above the normal usage for the quarter in which the high bill occurred.
(b) Prevention of Line Freeze-Ups.
(1) The Finance Department shall have the authority to prepare a list of those customers who have a usage during winter months which is determined by the Department to be considerably above the normal water usage, and those customers shall be notified of the higher than normal usage and those customers shall be required to verify that the above normal usage was caused by running water to prevent freezing of lines.
(2) The Finance Department shall have the authority to adjust winter quarter usage, where water has been run to prevent freezing, back to represent a normal winter consumption based on past usage records or when no prior winter quarter experience is available, a fair and just pro-rate based on the number of persons using the service from that account’s service line.
(3) The City reserves the right to notify customers who run water to prevent freezing in cases where practical, to properly protect lines so that the wasting of water can be prevented. Failure to insulate or protect these lines from freezing shall be cause to refuse an adjustment in future bills.
(Ord. A-1423. Passed 2-2-82; Ord. A-2405. Passed 11-8-04; Ord. A-2948. Passed 10-22-18.)