A. Required: Except as otherwise expressly permitted by resolution of the city council, all customers must have a water meter capable of measuring the customer's water use. In appropriate circumstances, the department may require a customer to have more than one meter if the superintendent determines that additional meters are necessary to adequately and accurately measure the customer's water use.
B. Disputes Regarding Number Of Meters Required: Whenever a dispute arises between the customer and the superintendent regarding the number of meters necessary to monitor water usage on any property, the matter shall be referred to the city council, which shall hold a hearing after giving notice to both sides and decide the matter.
C. Costs Borne By Property Owner; Size Of Connections: All supplies, labor, machinery or other costs of installing a water meter shall be borne by the property owner. The city will supply and set meters only on three-fourths inch (3/4") and one inch (1") connections. For larger connections, the property owner must supply and set the meter. The property owner must have the meter approved before it is installed and must allow the city to inspect the installation before the water is turned on.
D. Connection Fees: The city council will establish connection fees by resolution. Connection fees shall be paid at the time the customer applies for the connection.
E. Meters Property Of City: After installation, meters shall be and shall remain the property of the city.
F. Reading Meters: The superintendent shall cause meter readings to be taken regularly and shall advise the person designated by the mayor of the readings for the purpose of preparing bills for water service.
G. Inspections And Adjustments: The city may check, inspect or adjust the meters. Customers shall not adjust or tamper with the meters or allow others to adjust or tamper with the meters. Only the city's authorized representatives may open the meter boxes to turn water on or off, or to order a test of the meter.
H. Testing:
1. Customers may request a test of their meters to ensure that the meters are properly measuring the amount of water usage. The city will not conduct a test on a meter for twelve (12) months after the last test. If the city conducts a test on a meter and the test shows that the meter is within the range of ninety seven percent (97%) to one hundred three percent (103%) accuracy, the meter shall be deemed to accurately measure the use of water and the customer shall pay the costs of the test.
2. If the meter is found to be outside the city's acceptable range of accuracy, the city shall make whatever repairs are necessary to bring the meter into the acceptable range of accuracy. If the meter cannot be repaired, the city will replace the meter.
3. If the meter is outside the acceptable range, the city will also make whatever adjustments are necessary to the previous bills as are fair and just under the circumstances.
I. Damages; Repairs: All damages or injury to the lines, meters or other city property caused by any act or negligence of the customer, his/her family members, his/her visitors or invitees shall be repaired at the customer's expense. In emergency situations or if the customer fails or refuses to make the repairs within a reasonable time, the city may make the repairs and bill the customer. Failure to pay the bill within a reasonable time shall be grounds for turning off water service to the customer. Without waiving the right to turn off water service, the city may also commence legal action to recover the costs of repair from the customer. In any such legal action, the city shall be entitled to receive its costs, including reasonable attorney fees.
J. Unobstructed Access To Meters: Customers are responsible to provide unobstructed access to water meters by keeping the meter and the area immediately surrounding it clear of all debris, shrubbery, grass, rocks and other obstructions. Customers also shall not park or store cars, trucks, trailers or other objects over, around or on the meter. (Ord. 168-03, 11-11-2003)