All water consumers shall be liable for the water consumption as shown by the meter, whether used, wasted or caused by leakage or otherwise, provided that wherever the city shall find any meter not registering, then an average bill may be rendered based at the option of the city on either the nearest prior three months’ average use, when in good order, or on the same month of the preceding year if the use is seasonable. Whenever the city shall have reason to believe that the meter is not reading correctly, then an average bill may be rendered and the water meter removed for testing. Should the average bill prove to be incorrectly estimated, either by actual test or by actual water consumption after being replaced by a correct meter, then the bill so rendered shall be revised to conform to the same.
(1986 Code, § 20-81)