All service shall be metered unless specifically exempted by these regulations.
(a) Service may not be required to be metered for temporary services to premises when it is not practical to install a meter because of difficulty of protection of the meter during construction of a building. This installation is permitted only until, in the opinion of the Water Department, the building has been completed to the extent that reasonable protection can be given to the meter.
(b) No more than one meter shall be used per premises serviced by a single service tap except for the following:
(1) Auxiliary meters may be purchased and set by the owner of the premises wherever he/she wishes for the purpose of determining the amount of water used in certain areas of the premises. The Water Department shall not read these meters nor be responsible in any way for their accuracy or maintenance. (Ord. 1980 Code 50.06; Ord. 23-97.)
(2) Supplemental meters shall be a “supplement” to a primary meter for the purpose of monitoring “non-sewer” water usage such as swimming pools and lawn and garden care. An application for a supplemental meter shall be completed by the property owner and shall be approved by the Municipal Administrator prior to installation. At the time of application, a one-time fee as determined from time to time by Council shall be paid by the Applicant. Such meter shall remain the property of the Municipality.
(Ord. 52-05. Passed 10-24-05.)
(c) In the event a customer fails or refuses to permit the installation of a radio frequency based automatic meter reading device, the water service to that customer and to the subject premises may be discontinued following the procedure for notification of discontinuance of service provided in Section 931.04.
(d) Meters/Meter Pits. All new water services shall be required to have a meter pit installed in accordance with the current City of Waterville specifications. The customer shall install, own, and maintain the meter pit including the meter pit cover and piping within the pit. The customer’s obligation to maintain the meter pit includes keeping it clean and free of debris. The City will install, own, and maintain the water meter including the automatic meter-reading device.
(Ord. 25-17. Passed 1-8-18.)
(e) Removal of meters. Meters shall be removed only by authorized employees of the Water Department except as otherwise herein provided. Violation of this regulation shall result in:
(1) Immediate disconnection of service;
(2) A charge being added to the customer's account for all expenses incurred; and/or
(3) A charge for the amount of unmetered water estimated to have been used.
(f) Meter repairs and charges. If the need for repair to meters and/or remote reading registers by the Water Department arises as a result of freezing, hot water passing through the meter, neglect or malicious damage, the cost of such repairs shall be assessed the customer. Changing piping necessary to reset the location of the meter to avoid freezing shall be at the expense of the customer.
(Ord. 1980 Code 50.06; Ord. 23-97.)
(g) Tampering with meters and/or remote registers. No person shall change, remove or break the seal on any meter after it is installed other than a duly authorized employee of the Water Department. Meters and/or remote registers shall not be tampered with.
If the Water Department finds that a meter has been tampered with, the water shall be shut off and not turned on again until a payment as determined from time to time by Council has been made to pay for the resealing of the meter and/or remote register. The customer shall also pay for the estimated quantity of water which has not been registered because of tampering of the meter before water service is turned on. Repeat violations shall result in termination of water service and prosecution to the fullest extent allowable by law.
(Ord. 52-05. Passed 10-24-05.)
(h) Bypass on meter settings. Bypass around meter settings shall be installed on all 1- 1/2 inch and larger meters. Such bypass installation shall be in accordance with the Water Department specification.
(i) Obsolete water meters. All five-eighths inch by three-fourths inch and one inch water meters/remote readers which have been determined to be obsolete shall be replaced at no cost to the property owner.
(1980 Code 50.06; Ord. 23-97.)