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 Utilities Department, such estimate to be based on the corresponding period of the preceding year or on the average established for such period. Water meters shall be purchased by Council and shall remain the property of the City at all times. Meters over four inches shall be handled as special cases by Council.
When any meter seal has been found broken from any cause whatsoever, the water service will be immediately turned off and water service shall not be restored until the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) has been paid as liquidated damages. The payment of the aforesaid sum may be waived by Council. Meters damaged by misuse, frost, accident or any act of the consumer will be repaired or replaced by the Utilities Department at the expense of the consumer. Meters shall be removed only by authorized personnel of the Utilities Department and no unauthorized person shall remove or tamper with water meters. The Utilities Department 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 Utilities Department will test any meter which in the opinion of the consumer is registering incorrectly. If the meter, upon test, proves to be registering correctly, the consumer shall pay a charge of fifty dollars ($50.00) for such test. Meters shall be kept easily accessible to meter readers and other authorized personnel of the Utilities Department. No person shall permit meters to become covered or obstructed by rubbish or other material. No water meter shall be installed in a coal cellar.
Multiple service shall not be permitted unless especially authorized by Council. Water service provided by the Utilities Department shall not be resold by any consumer.
(Ord. 56-03. Passed 3-19-56; Ord. 81-09. Passed 5-4-81; Ord. 09-17. Passed 9-8-09.)