921.04 TAMPERING WITH WATER SYSTEM.

   (a)   No person shall connect to any water line, tamper with or remove any meter, registering device or seal placed by the City or insert a meter by-pass without the written permission of the Director of Administration. If City personnel find that a seal has been broken or any by-pass inserted and there is evidence that the meter or registering device has been tampered with, water service to the unit may be terminated after written notice to the consumer and an opportunity for a hearing. The water shall not be turned on again until the consumer or owner of the premises pays for the estimated quantity of water which has been used and not registered, and, in addition thereto, the standard fee for turning off and the standard fee for turning on such water. Payment of the fees will not in any way relieve any person from criminal prosecution. Meters damaged by abuse, misuse, accident or any act of carelessness shall be repaired or replaced at the expense of the customer.

   (b)   No person shall operate, open or otherwise tamper with any valve, corporation stop, curb stop, or other device after the same has been closed for violation of any rule or regulation of the City; nor unlawfully secure a supply of water through such valve, corporation stop, curb stop, or other device after same has been closed for the violation of any rule or regulation of the City; nor in any way take water for private use unlawfully or without first having secured written permission from the Director of Administration.

   (c)   No person shall tamper with, damage or disturb any fire hydrant, or any part thereof, nor take any water from such hydrant under any circumstances, without written authorization from the Director of Administration. In case any damage is done to a fire hydrant by any person, s/he shall, upon demand of the Utilities Division, pay such damages and all cost and expense incurred by reason thereof.

(Ord. 2017-24. Passed 9-5-17.)