(A) The city has opted to utilize an automatic read meter (ARM) system to more accurately and more efficiently obtain meter readings at appropriate times. The ARM system involves a meter that is connected to or through a gateway which transmits the meter data to the city.
(B) Any new installation of a standard water meter shall be required to have the ARM system. All existing water meters will also require conversion to the ARM system. These standard ARM meter/dials shall be installed at the discretion of the city.
(1) The customer receiving such service shall pay a one time minimum charge plus tax. Any customer receiving such service shall pay any additional plumbing fee as required to make a standard ARM installation.
(2) The installation of all water meters to any residential or commercial entity shall be purchased and installed at the expense of the residential or commercial user.
(3) All water meters servicing any residential or commercial users shall be deemed owned by the user. If any repair, maintenance or replacement is required on any such water meter connected to the city water system, then the users shall be responsible for all of the expenses involved in such replacement, maintenance or repair of the water meter, but the ARM components belong to and are the responsibility of the city.
(4) The city shall have the right to inspect all water meters servicing any residential or commercial users. If the water meter is not properly measuring the amount of water that goes through the meter, then the city will notify the residential or commercial owner of the meter to repair the same. In the event that the user of the meter does not repair the meter, the city shall have the right of ingress and egress upon the property to repair or, if needed, replace the water meter. The city will then bill the costs of repairs and/or replacement of the meter to the owner of the meter and such costs will be on the monthly utility bill. If the meter repair or replacement is not made, the city may enforce the collection of the repair or maintenance in the same fashion as the city may collect on a water bill. If the water meter, at any commercial business or residence, is not functioning properly because of any negligence on behalf of the city, then the city shall be responsible for the repair and/or maintenance of such water meter.
(5) In the event that a water meter must be replaced or repaired as set out above, the commercial or residential entities must purchase any replacement water meter through the city, at city’s cost. The purpose is for the city to ensure that quality water meters are installed.
(6) All water meters installed by residential or commercial users after April 4, 2000 shall have shut-off valves on both sides of the meter and shall have dual check valves installed in front of the meter. If any water meters need to be replaced or repaired, the costs shall be borne by the water user. However, if any repair or replacement is required because of negligence of the city, the city shall be responsible for the cost of repair or replacement, including the labor therein.
(7) All water meters, couplings and seals purchased by residential or commercial users must be purchased through the city and all meters will be sold at the city’s cost. The purpose is to ensure that all water meters will be standardized within the city and will be quality meters.
(8) All meter installations shall be in a readily accessible location and protected from climatic conditions.
(9) No person, unless authorized by the city, shall connect, disconnect, remove, repair or otherwise disturb any water meters or ARM components used to record water use and transmit the data to the city.
(10) If for any reason access cannot be gained to a water meter for reading or repairing purposes and if the obstruction to the reading or repairing of such water meter is not removed within five days after written notice is given to the owner or occupant of the property, the water shall be turned off by the city and will not be turned on again until such obstruction is removed and upon the payment of any fees to the City Finance Officer of the city and a receipt issued therefor. When the water has been shut off because of delinquency or other infringements it cannot be turned on again until a certificate is issued authorizing the City Superintendent that the same may be turned on. In addition, if voluntary access is not provided within five days after written notice is given to the owner of the property, there shall be applied to each monthly water bill a water meter surcharge in the amount of $25 which must be paid along with other utility charges, and failure or refusal to pay the surcharge will result in shutting off of the water service following notice to the account holder, following which the water service will be turned on only upon payment of all fees and delinquent amounts and upon compliance with this section. As of May 1, 2019, the water meter surcharge will increase to $50 per month which must be paid along with other utility charges, and failure or refusal to pay the surcharge will result in shutting off of the water service following notice to the account holder, following which the water service will be turned on only upon payment of all fees and delinquent amounts and upon compliance with this section.
(11) If for any cause a meter fails to register the amount of water used for any month, the amount of water so used shall be estimated by the City Superintendent; said estimates to be based on the average amount of water registered during a like period, under like conditions, considering usage and number of persons living in the premises.
(12) Every person taking water supplied through the water system of the city shall permit the City Superintendent at all hours of the day between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to enter his or her premises or building to examine the pipes and fixtures and the manner in which the water is used; and he or she must at all times frankly and without concealment answer all questions put to him or her relative to his or her consumption. Failure to comply with this section may result in the shutting off of water service following notice as provided in division (B)(10) above.
(Prior Code, § 4.03.06) (Ord. 132, passed - -; Ord. 226, passed - -; Ord. 553, passed - -; Ord. 722, passed - -; Ord. 731, passed - -; Ord. 796, passed - -; Ord. 875, passed - -; Ord. 920, passed 2-4-2019)