A. Meters Required:
1. All water furnished consumers shall be metered. All meters shall be furnished and set by the water and sewer department, but owners must provide suitable location in piping system for same. Meters shall be placed on service pipe not to exceed two feet (2') from the wall where such pipe enters the premises. There shall be a stop and waste between the meter and the wall and a suitable place provided for the meter so as to keep it dry and clean and readily accessible at all times to the meter reader and inspectors of the water and sewer department. A gate valve shall also be placed on the pipe on the outlet side of each meter not more than three feet (3') from the meter. All valves and fittings necessary to comply with these requirements and to provide connection to meter, except a coupling or flange at each end of the meter, shall be provided by the owner of premises to be served.
2. For services larger than two inches (2") in diameter, the Water and Sewer Department reserves the right to install two (2) or more meters of smaller size. Where meters are so placed, each meter shall have a valve or shut-off on both inlet and outlet pipe in addition to the basement shut-off.
3. Where a service pipe larger than two inches (2") in diameter is used, the plumber shall call at the office of the Water and Sewer Department for instructions regarding the fittings and space to be provided for the water meters.
4. In case that two (2) or more meters are desired for measuring water to different tenants in the same building from one service connection, they shall be so placed that no one of them shall measure water which has passed through another one.
5. Each residential home, apartment, private dwelling and place of business, heretofore erected, established or structurally modified must be equipped with a water meter furnished by the City.
6. All dwellings and buildings which are divided into apartments or have an apartment in them shall have one of the following:
a. One water service into building with meter and shutoff for each apartment and all will be billed separately; or
b. One water service into building with one water meter. The bill will be the responsibility of owner/manager of the building and will be sent to same. In this case minimum water and sewer rate will be charged for each unit, plus any excess usage will be billed as used.
"Apartment" will be defined as a unit having a bath and kitchen.
7. Meters shall be installed in a location that will be of easy access.
B. Owners to Protect Meters:
1. The owner or occupant of premises where a meter is installed shall be held responsible for its care and protection from freezing or hot water and from other injury or interference from any person. In case of any injury to the meter, or in case of its stoppage or imperfect working, he shall give immediate notice to the office of the Water and Sewer Department. In all cases where meters are broken or damaged by negligence of owners or occupants of premises, or by freezing, hot water, or other injuries, except ordinary wear and tear, the necessary repairs to the meter shall be made by the Water and Sewer Department and the cost of such repairs paid for by such owner or occupant, and in case payment thereof is neglected or refused, the water supply shall be turned off and shall not be turned on until full payment has been made, together with five dollars ($5.00) for turning on the water again. Damaged meters may be repaired by the Water and Sewer Department without first giving notice thereof to the owner of premises served by such meter.
2. No one shall in any way interfere with the proper registration of a water meter, and no one except an authorized employee of the Water and Sewer Department shall break a seal of a meter; provided, however, that the Superintendent of Water and Sewer may grant written permits to licensed plumbers in case of emergency to break such seal for draining pipes or stopping water leaks.
3. Wherever a water meter is installed on a water service in premises that are to be remodeled, removed or destroyed, or where the service is discontinued so that the water meter is no longer needed, the owner of such premises shall give notice to the Superintendent of Water and Sewer to remove such meter, and free access to such meter must be provided at least twenty four (24) hours after notice is given so that the meter may be removed. The owner of the premises shall be held responsible for the meter until such written notice is given, and if the meter is covered or lost, he shall be required to pay for the same at the actual value.
C. Testing Meters:
1. In case there is doubt as to the accuracy of a water meter on the part of the consumer, he may have the meter tested by the Water and Sewer Department, at which test he may be present or have a representative present if he so desires, and if the meter is found to register within two percent (2%) of being correct, a charge of two dollars ($2.00) will be made to pay for a part of the labor for making such tests. If the meter is found to measure more than two percent (2%) incorrectly, no charge shall be made for making the test. If the meter should be found to over-register more than two percent (2%), there shall be a proportional deduction made from the previous water bill. A water meter shall be considered to register satisfactorily when it registers within two percent (2%) of accuracy.
2. If upon investigation and testing of the meter the consumer is dissatisfied with the bill as then rendered, he may, within five (5) days after the investigated or corrected bill is rendered to him, file with the mayor or the city council a complaint, in writing, setting up the grounds of his complaint. Within five (5) days of the receipt of said complaint, the city council shall pass on said bill and complaint, and the decision of a majority of said council shall be final.
3. Penalty for nonpayment of a bill in the time required by this chapter shall attach unless decision is in favor of the consumer. (1994 Code)