(a) If a meter stops or fails to register or has become out of order between meter reading dates, an estimate of water consumed for the period shall be made by the City, the estimate to be based on the corresponding period of the preceding year or on the average established for that period. Meters damaged by misuse, frost, accident or any act of the consumer shall be repaired or replaced by the City at the expense of the consumer. Meters shall be removed only by authorized personnel of the City and no unauthorized person shall remove or tamper with water meters.
(b) The City may remove a meter from a consumer's premises at any time and may substitute the same for the purpose of testing or repairing meters. The City shall test any meter which, in the opinion of the consumer, is registering incorrectly. If the meter, upon being tested, proves to be registering correctly, the consumer shall pay the current charge for the test.
(c) Meters are to be kept easily accessible to meter readers and other authorized personnel of the City and no person shall permit meters to become covered or obstructed by rubbish or other material. No person shall install a water meter in a coal cellar.
(d) Multiple service shall not be permitted unless specifically authorized by Council. Water service provided by the City shall not be resold by any consumer.
(e) The City shall have no authority to make reductions or corrections in water bills where leakage or alleged leakage has occurred in any water pipe, tank or other apparatus or device. The amount of water registered by the meter serving the property shall be charged and paid for in full, irrespective of whether the water, after having been registered, was lost by leakage, accident or open faucets or otherwise. No rebate or discount shall be allowed because of leaks, open faucets or otherwise.
(1987 Code 50.43)