(a) In the event any water meter has failed to register the water used, the estimated charge for water service shall be based on the previous year's consumption amount. If the customer does not have consumption history for the prior year period, the average of the class or other equitable method may be utilized.
(b) In the event meters that are equipped with an automatic meter reading device (AMRs) that fail to transmit readings, the billing will be corrected by utilizing the actual meter reading registered on the meter. The consumption will be distributed over the months where the reading transmission failed.
(c) When the accuracy of a water meter is questioned by the consumer, the department shall cause an official test to be made upon payment by the consumer in the amount of one hundred eleven dollars and thirty-seven cents ($111.37). For testing three (3) inch or larger meters, the charge shall be based on a department estimate of the actual cost.
If, upon completion of the official test, it is found that the meter is registering over three (3) percent more water than actually passes through at any flow, another meter will be substituted therefor, and the fee charge for such test will be refunded to the applicant. An adjustment for a period of three (3) months prior to the test will be made on the basis of the percentage the meter is over-registering.
(1953 Code, ch. 25, § 24; Ord. No. 4489, § 11, 5-24-76; Ord. No. 4626, § 9, 3-3-77; Ord. No. 7391, § 6, 4-16-90; Ord. No. 8446, § 3, 2-13-95; Ord. No. 9238, § 5, 6-14-99; Ord. No. 9377, § 1, 4-17-00; Ord. No. 9388, § 1, 5-22-00; Ord. No. 9555, § 1, 5-14-01; Ord. No. 9704, § 2, 5-13-02; Ord. No. 9842, § 1, 5-12-03; Ord. No. 9977, § 2, 5-24-04; Ord. No. 10359, § 2, 12-12-06, eff. 1-16-07; Ord. No. 10510, § 2, 3-18-08, eff. 7-1-08; Ord. No. 10897, § 2, 5-24-11, eff. 7-5-11; Ord. No. 11072, § 2, 5-21-13, eff. 7-1-13)