[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Monroe as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
CHARTER REFERENCES
Water connections — See § C-269.
Installation of water facilities — See § C-324.
GENERAL REFERENCES
General penalty — See § 1-27.
Plumbing code — See Ch. 275, Art. V.
Plumbing regulations — See Ch. 500.
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 625.
Water in subdivisions — See Ch. 630.
STATUTORY REFERENCES
Water supply generally — See Mich. Const. Art. 7, § 24; MCLA §§ 46.171 et seq., 486.51 et seq. 486.101 et seq.
Water quality — See MCLA § 67.38.
[Adopted as Ch. 1044 of the 1995 Codified Ordinances of Monroe]
[Amended 11-17-2014 by Ord. No. 14-006]
Service connections will be made or water service will be supplied upon application made by the property owner/tenant or their respective authorized representatives. The property owner's name shall also appear on the bill. Utility Service maybe denied for applicants who are in financial default with the City of Monroe.
[Amended 4-6-1998 by Ord. No. 98-004; 5-16-2005 by Ord. No. 05-006]
A. 
No application for service will be approved unless a main exists in front of or at the rear of the location desiring service. If a main does not exist in front of or at the rear of his or her property, the owner must take the necessary steps to have a main constructed.
B. 
An application for service may be approved in an area where no water main exists in front of or at the rear of the location desiring service only under the following circumstances:
(1) 
The local government having jurisdiction over the location desiring service makes a written request to have the requirement for water main construction for the area waived.
(2) 
No unserviced buildable properties exist beyond the location desiring service.
(3) 
In the opinion of the Director of Water:
(a) 
A waiver of the requirement for water main construction would not create a detriment in the service to or of any adjacent property owners currently or potentially serviced by the Monroe water system, whether within or without the City of Monroe; and
(b) 
The location for which the waiver is being sought can be serviced adequately with a private water service.
[Amended 6-18-1962 by Ord. No. 809]
All bills shall be due and payable on a date which shall be inscribed on the bill. Said date shall be at least 21 days after the bill is mailed.
[Amended 6-18-1962 by Ord. No. 809]
A. 
The Water Department shall deliver or mail all bills to the address given on the application until notified by the customer of a change of address.
B. 
Failure to receive a bill does not entitle the consumer to a discount.
[Amended 5-16-2005 by Ord. No. 05-006; 6-5-2006 by Ord. No. 06-007; 5-27-2007 by Ord. No. 07-007; 5-19-2008 by Ord. No. 08-003; 6-1-2009 by Ord. No. 09-006]
Rates for water and services supplied to residents of the City and to customers outside the City shall be those established by ordinance of the City Council, upon recommendation of the Director of Water. Such rates shall be on file in the office of the Director of Water. Rates shall include call-out and turn-on fees, administrative fees and such other service charges deemed appropriate by Council.
A. 
Charges for water and services under the provisions of Section 21 of Act 94 of the Public Acts of 1933, as amended, and made a lien on all premises serviced thereby, are hereby recognized to constitute a lien.
B. 
Whenever any such charge against any property shall be delinquent for six months, the City officials in charge of the collection thereof shall certify to the City Assessor the fact of such delinquency.
C. 
Such charge shall be entered upon the next tax roll as a charge against such premises.
D. 
The charge shall be collected and the lien thereof enforced in the same manner as general City taxes against such premises are collected and liens thereof enforced.
[Added 3-16-1998 by Ord. No. 98-002; amended 6-5-2006 by Ord. No. 06-008; 5-19-2008 by Ord. No. 08-003; 6-1-2009 by Ord. No. 09-006; 6-4-2018 by Ord. No. 18-004]
A. 
Assessment of fee. In addition to all other charges provided for, each premises requesting connection to the City of Monroe's municipal water system shall pay a water system development fee to be assessed against previously unserviced property or property which is being developed for a more intensive use. A water system development fee for redeveloped property shall only be assessed based on the upsized water meter size for the proposed use (i.e., five-eighths-inch to a two-inch). As determined by the Director of Water, a water system development fee shall not be assessed for an existing water user with any established water connection desiring to add a secondary water-only meter for irrigation purposes, filling swimming pools, etc.
B. 
Determination of fee. Said fee shall be paid in full at the time that application for connection to the system is made. The assessment is based on a fair buy-in fee to recover the new user's fair share of the amortized cost of the water system based on the depreciated value of the water system's assets and the current number of five-eights-inch diameter equivalent users in the water system. Users requiring meter sizes larger than five-eighths-inch diameter shall be assessed a fee using the American Water Works Association meter capacity ratios. A water system development fee shall be assessed against all user type classes (government, residential, commercial, multiple-residential, church, industrial, miscellaneous, schools, community bulk water users, etc.) desiring a connection with the City of Monroe's municipal water system. For each unserviced or redeveloped premises, the minimum meter size shall be five-eighths-inch diameter or as sized in accordance with the American Water Works Association Manual M22 and conform to the most recent edition of the Michigan Plumbing Code, as adopted in Chapter 275, Article V, of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Monroe. A water system development fee for the connection(s) to the system shall be as listed in the Water System Development Fee Table in Subsection D. Water system development fees shall be reviewed on an annual basis by the Director of Water.
C. 
Condominium, townhouse, or multiple-residence developments. For developments consisting of no more than two units per building, separate water meters for each unit shall be required and a water system development fee shall be assessed for each unit in accordance with the Water System Development Fee Table listed in Subsection D. For developments consisting of three or more units per building, one water meter per building shall be required and a water system development fee shall be assessed in accordance with the Water System Development Fee Table listed in Subsection D.
D. 
Water System Development Fee Table.
[Amended 6-21-2021 by Ord. No. 21-005]
Meter Size
(inches)
Per Connection Fee
5/8
$3,000
1
$7,500
1 1/2
$15,000
2
$24,000
3
$52,500
4
$90,000
6
$187,500
8
$270,000
10
$435,000
12
$645,000
The Water Department may extend distributing pipes, aqueducts and mains and erect hydrants outside the City, and may regulate, protect and control such portions of the works, and the water supply therefrom, in the same manner as it may regulate and control the works and water supply within the City.
Water service shall be supplied to each person requesting service through a single service line to the main. Where two or more buildings, or two or more families or establishments in a single building, are supplied by one service line and are, with the approval of the Water Department, presently contracting separately for water furnished, such multiple service through a single service line shall be continued. Multiple service through a single service line may be allowed upon request by the Water Department. Each such service must have its own curb stop.
No owner or tenant of any premises supplied by the Water Department shall be allowed to furnish water to other persons or families except as specified in his or her request for service or as specially permitted by the Department. In case of violations of this rule, the supply shall be discontinued and the owner charged for past service, in accordance with the rates of the Department.
Service may be discontinued by the Water Department for proper cause at any time.
The use of a fire service for any reason other than for fire protection or testing purposes shall be prohibited. Service shall be discontinued upon a violation of this section.
In addition to other remedies provided, the City shall have the right to shut off and discontinue the supply of water to any premises for nonpayment of water rates when due.
[Amended 5-19-2008 by Ord. No. 08-003; 6-1-2009 by Ord. No. 09-006]
A. 
The Water Department shall have the right to limit or cut off the water supply without notice in case of fire, breakdown or other unavoidable causes, or for the purpose of making necessary repairs, connections, etc., and will furnish reasonable notice when practicable.
B. 
The Department will not be liable for any damage which may result to consumers by the shutting off or turning on of the water main or service for any purpose whatsoever.
C. 
No person shall violate any written order issued by the City of Monroe Water Department, pursuant to the supervision, implementation and enforcement of this chapter of the Code of the City of Monroe.
No application for service at flat rates will be accepted by the Water Department.
For all temporary work for which water is required and where it is not practical to place a meter, a charge will be made on the estimated quantity used.
No person, except an authorized agent of the Water Department, shall have the authority to turn on or off any valve, stop cock, service cock or other street connection or to tamper with the meter or meter seals.
Water consumers are not guaranteed any specific quantity of water. The consumer is entitled to all the water available depending upon his or her location and the size and condition of the service connection, subject to emergencies as hereinafter described.
A. 
The Water Department shall have the right to reserve a sufficient water supply at all times in its reservoirs to provide for fire or other emergencies.
B. 
The Department may restrict or regulate the quantity of water used by consumers in case of scarcity or whenever the public welfare may require it.
[Amended 5-16-2005 by Ord. No. 05-006]
A. 
No person, except an authorized representative of the Water Department, shall take water from any public fire hydrant, draw cock, standpipe or fountain, except for fire purposes or for use of the Fire Department in case of fire.
B. 
No public fire hydrant shall be used for any other purpose than those specified in this chapter unless specially permitted, in writing, by the Water Department for the particular time and occasion.
C. 
A minimum deposit shall be required for all small or large fire hydrant setups along with a daily fire hydrant connection and water usage charge assessed for all purposes except fires.
[Amended 7-25-1988 by Ord. No. 88-014]
A. 
Authority. The following procedure shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this section. By virtue of his or her authority as Mayor of the City, the Mayor, or the Mayor Pro Tem in the absence of the Mayor, may declare a water emergency. Where the term "Mayor" is used hereinafter, the term "Mayor Pro Tem" may also be used.
B. 
Compliance required. When a water emergency has been declared, all customers of the City water supply system shall comply with the provisions of this section and the agreements by and between the members of the system.
C. 
Sprinkling prohibition.
(1) 
When the Mayor finds that drought weather conditions exist and that such conditions make it necessary to prohibit the sprinkling of lawns, the Mayor shall cause to be put into effect a lawn sprinkling prohibition in a manner prescribed in this section.
(2) 
Once in effect, the prohibition under this section shall remain in effect until terminated by announcement of the Mayor in accordance with this section. While the prohibition is in effect no person shall sprinkle lawns.
D. 
Public announcement required. The Mayor shall cause such declaration made by him or her pursuant to this section to be publicly announced by means of broadcasts from stations with a normal operating range covering the City and nearby areas, and he or she may cause such declaration to be further announced in a newspaper of general circulation in the City when feasible. Each announcement shall describe the action taken by the Mayor, including the time it became or will become effective. The Mayor shall make or cause to be made a record of each time and date when any declaration is announced to the public in accordance with this section.
E. 
Termination of lawn sprinkling prohibition. Whenever the Mayor shall find that the conditions which gave rise to a lawn sprinkler prohibition pursuant to this section no longer exist, he or she may declare such prohibition terminated.
F. 
Enforcement. Law enforcement officers of the City and employees of the Monroe Water Department, specifically service persons and meter readers, have the authority to issue appearance tickets to persons in violation of this section pursuant to MSA 5.1891 and MCLA § 106.8, as amended. Such authority shall extend into all jurisdictions serviced by the Monroe water supply system as if the system were entirely located within the City pursuant to MSA 28.868(3) and MCLA § 764.9c, as amended.
[Amended 5-16-2005 by Ord. No. 05-006; 6-1-2009 by Ord. No. 09-006]
A. 
The Water Department shall install all services from its mains to the meter and will endeavor to do this work at as low a cost as possible, the same to be paid for by the property owner.
B. 
All service pipes shall be one inch or larger.
C. 
No connection shall be made with Water Department mains except by the Department.
D. 
Services larger than two inches in diameter are considered private service lines and shall be installed, tested and maintained by the property owner in accordance with § 699-26.
[Amended 1-4-2005 by Ord. No. 04-018; 6-21-2021 by Ord. No. 21-005]
A. 
No service line shall be laid in the same trench with a sewer or gas pipe unless authorized and approved by the Water Department as to method of construction.
B. 
The minimum requirements in laying sewer and water service in the same trench shall be installed such that the lines are offset horizontally at least five feet and conform to the most recent edition of the Michigan Plumbing Code adopted in Chapter 275, Article V, of the Code of the City of Monroe.
[Amended 6-1-2009 by Ord. No. 09-006]
Any service line which is abandoned for any reason whatsoever shall be shut off at the main. Charges in connection with this shutoff shall be borne by the property owner, contractor or authorized representative who is abandoning the service.
[Amended 5-19-2008 by Ord. No. 08-003]
All fire service installations shall be made by the Water Department or under the supervision of the Department, and the cost thereof shall be defrayed by the property owner. The fire installation shall include a double check detector assembly conforming to ASSE Standard #1048. If chemical additives will be introduced to the system, or if there will be a secondary water source available, the installation shall include a reduced pressure detector assembly conforming to ASSE Standard #1047. The quarterly standby charges for this service shall be determined by the diameter of the flange connection of the detector check valve, and the rates shall be as established by the Council in the rate ordinances. No fire service installation shall be used as an auxiliary to an outside source of supply.
[Amended 5-16-2005 by Ord. No. 05-006; 6-1-2009 by Ord. No. 09-006]
A. 
Service pipes shall be of the materials and shall meet the requirements set forth below:
Size
(inches)
Seamless Copper Tubing, Mueller
or Equal Wall Thickness
Ductile Iron
1
0.065
1 1/2
0.072
2
0.083
Larger than 2
Class 52, cement lined
B. 
Service pipes shall be of the materials and meet the requirements of the Water Department for copper. All copper must be K grade.
C. 
Cast iron and plastic are not permitted for use as service pipe.
D. 
All ductile iron pipe must be wrapped in polyethylene encasement (eight-mil minimum thickness) per AWWA C105 and tested in accordance with Water Department requirements.
[Amended 5-16-2005 by Ord. No. 05-006; 6-1-2009 by Ord.No. 09-006; 6-21-2021 by Ord. No. 21-005]
A. 
In the case of failure between the main and the curb stop of an existing wrought or galvanized iron or steel service pipe, it shall be replaced by the Water Department with a one-inch (minimum) service pipe pursuant to § 699-26, subject to the State of Michigan Lead and Copper Rule regulations.
B. 
The cost for new service pipes, between the main and the curb stop, shall be defrayed equally by the Water Department and the property owner unless it is subject to the State of Michigan Lead and Copper Rule regulations where the Water Department shall pay for the replacement cost pursuant to budget and schedule obligations.
C. 
In case of a failure of an existing wrought or galvanized iron or steel service pipe between the curb stop and the meter, it shall be replaced by the Water Department with a one-inch (minimum) service pipe pursuant to § 699-26, and the cost for new service pipes, between the curb stop and the meter, shall be defrayed by the property owner unless it is subject to the State of Michigan Lead and Copper Rule regulations where the Water Department shall pay for the replacement cost pursuant to budget and schedule obligations.
D. 
All maintenance and renewal of existing lead, copper or plastic service pipes previously installed and maintained by the Water Department shall be performed by and at the cost of the Water Department subject to the State of Michigan Lead and Copper Rule regulations pursuant to budget and schedule obligations.
[Amended 8-22-1994 by Ord. No. 94-012; 5-16-2005 by Ord. No. 05-006; 5-19-2008 by Ord. No. 08-003; 6-4-2018 by Ord. No. 18-004]
A. 
Scope. This section does not supersede the State Plumbing Code, but is supplementary to it.
B. 
Adoption of state rules. The document on file in the office of the Clerk/Treasurer, being marked and designated as Water Supply Cross-Connection Rules of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, being R 325.11401 through R 325.11407 of the Michigan Administrative Code, is hereby adopted by the City the same as if fully set out herein for the purpose of regulating cross-connections with the City water system.
C. 
Inspections. It shall be the duty of the Water Department to cause inspections to be made of all properties served by the public water supply where cross-connections with the water distribution system are deemed probable. The frequency of inspections and reinspections based on potential health hazards involved shall be as established by the Water Department and as approved by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
D. 
Duty to provide information; right of entry. Whenever requested by the Water Department, the owner of any parcel or premises served by the water distribution system shall furnish to the Department all information requested concerning the piping system or systems serving the said parcel or premises. The owner, lessee or occupant shall allow the Department to enter and be upon said parcel or premises in question to make inspections or investigations as the Department shall deem to be necessary or desirable. The refusal of such information or refusal of access, when requested, shall be deemed to be prima facie evidence of the presence of cross-connections of the type prohibited by this section.
E. 
Right to discontinue water service. Whenever the Water Department shall find a cross-connection of the type prohibited by this section, or whenever an owner, lessee or occupant of any parcel or premises refuses to furnish the information requested or to permit access to said lands or premises for the purpose of investigation or inspection as set forth above, the Department is hereby authorized and directed to discontinue water service to any parcel or premises wherein any connection in violation of this section exists and to take such other precautionary measures deemed necessary to eliminate any danger of contamination of the public water supply system. Reasonable notice shall be given to the owner, lessee or occupant of said parcel or premises in question by the Department if imminent danger of contaminating the water main is not present. Where contamination of the public water supply or any water main is an immediate possibility, or where contamination of any main occurs, the Department shall order the water to be immediately shut off without giving notice to the consumer or owner/lessee or occupant of the parcel or premises. Water service to such property shall not be restored until the cross-connection has been eliminated or evidence has been furnished and access permitted to enable the Department to determine that no cross-connection as prohibited by this section exists.
F. 
Backflow prevention device required.
(1) 
The Water Department shall require a backflow prevention device or other means of preventing contamination of the public water system at all locations where there is potential for a cross-connection to exist. All testable backflow prevention assemblies shall be tested upon installation, subsequent testing of assemblies shall be tested as specified by the City of Monroe, in accordance with the State Plumbing Code and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality requirements, and the results shall be certified.
(2) 
Testing notice shall be given by the City Water Department in accordance with the following schedule:
(a) 
First notice: 90 days.
(b) 
Second notice: 10 days and then shut off.
(3) 
Required testing shall be at the owner's expense. Only persons that hold an active ASSE 5110 tester's certification shall perform such testing. Said person shall certify, in writing, the results of each test conducted. Assemblies that do not pass the test shall be corrected and approved within 30 days of receipt of the test data unless there is an imminent threat to health and welfare, in which case the City shall have the right to immediately disconnect service until such time as repair or replacement has been completed.
G. 
Protection of water from contamination. The potable water supply made available on the properties served by the public water supply system shall be protected from possible contamination as specified by this section and by the State Plumbing Code. Any water outlet which could be used for potable or domestic purposes and which is not supplied by the potable system must be labeled in a conspicuous manner as follows: WATER UNSAFE FOR DRINKING.
The Water Department shall furnish all labor and materials necessary to install and repair all water meters and water service pipes between the water main and the water meter, in accordance with the regulations set forth in this chapter.
The water service tap shall be supplied by the Water Department and shall constitute a tap or taps into the main of suitable size and number to adequately supply the service desired.
[Amended 6-1-2009 by Ord. No. 09-006]
The curb stop, fitted with a suitable box extending to the ground surface to give access to the stop, shall typically be located between the street and sidewalk, or if no sidewalk exists, near the property line. In the townships, the curb stop and box shall be located near the property line.
[Amended 11-17-2014 by Ord. No. 14-006; 6-21-2021 by Ord. No. 21-005]
The service pipe shall be installed by the Water Department from the main to the curb stop, and thence to a suitable location for the meter. All new or renewed water service line installations and routings shall place meters in basements or meter pits. Basements are a below-ground-level habitable story of the building. Crawl spaces are not acceptable locations for meter installations. Alternative basement construction materials (i.e., walls, floors, etc) and installation types and locations must be approved prior to application and or completion of the work.
If a building is subject to freezing temperatures, the owner must take precautions to prevent the meter and service from freezing. The expense of all repairs to meters and services which are damaged by freezing shall be defrayed by the property owner.
[Amended 5-16-2005 by Ord. No. 05-006]
A. 
Water services. Charges for installation for water services will be made at the current unit cost to the Water Department. "Current unit cost" shall be the actual cost of labor, material and equipment plus 20% for the use of small tools, superintendence, engineering and office work. "Actual cost" shall be the full amount expended by the City to purchase labor, materials and equipment.
B. 
Service from main to stop box. All new services are charged to the center of the right-of-way, regardless of which side of the street the main is located on.
A. 
Petition required. Where water supply is desired at a location which does not abut a water main, a petition shall be submitted to the City Council for the construction of a new water main for the district involved, in accordance with § C-324 of the City Charter.
B. 
Assessment of costs.
(1) 
The cost of the construction within the City of water mains and appurtenances, exclusive of fire hydrants and appurtenances, shall be charged against the property benefited on a front-foot basis except as hereinafter provided.
(2) 
Frontage on a side street of a corner lot in excess of 125 feet shall be assessed on a front-foot basis for the installation.
(3) 
The Water Department shall determine the size and location of any proposed water main, which size shall not be less than six inches.
C. 
Cost of large mains.
(1) 
The Water Department shall pay one-fifth of the cost of the construction of an eight-inch main and appurtenances exclusive of fire hydrants.
(2) 
In cases where a main installed is larger than eight inches in diameter, the difference between the cost of an eight-inch main and the cost of the one installed shall be defrayed by the funds of the Water Department.
D. 
Cost of fire hydrants. The cost of the installation of fire hydrants and appurtenances shall be borne by the Water Department.
E. 
Construction outside the City.
[Amended 8-12-1996 by Ord. No. 96-018]
(1) 
The entire cost of all mains located outside the City limits shall be defrayed by the property owner, provided that the Council may, by resolution, authorize and order the Water Department to assume all or any part of the difference in cost between that of an eight-inch main and that of a larger main whenever the Council is of the opinion that the installation of a main larger than eight inches is to the future benefit and advantage of the Department. Where a main is constructed within the City on a street which has frontage outside the City, property owners outside the City shall pay the proportionate amount, in accordance with their frontage, of the total cost of the installation, including fire hydrants and appurtenances, before a tap to the water main is granted. The size, location and methods of construction shall be determined by the Water Department. If constructed outside the City by the Water Department for the benefit of persons outside the City limits, advance payments must be made before the work will be started, except in those instances where the extension is for the use and benefit of public institutions located within the County, in which latter case the Council may enter into a contract providing for installation and construction on an installment payment basis. All construction not performed by the City shall be under City supervision and inspection, and the cost of such supervision and inspection shall be defrayed by the property owners. By contract, the City may allow construction not performed by the City to be under the supervision and inspection of a registered professional engineer acceptable to the City.
(2) 
Whenever any water main is constructed which is larger than eight inches, such water main shall be deemed an "over-size main." The difference between the cost of constructing an over-size main and the cost of constructing the same length of an eight-inch main shall be deemed the "cost of the over-size." Whenever an over-size main is to be constructed outside the City, the party petitioning for such water main extension shall defray the entire construction cost. However, the petitioning party may be entitled to reimbursement for over-size costs as determined by the contract between the City and the petitioner.
F. 
Main benefiting one side of street. If a main benefits only one side of the street, 1/2 of the cost as outlined in Subsection E(2) hereof shall be charged against the property and the other part of the cost shall be charged against the Water Department.
G. 
Maintenance.
(1) 
The maintenance of all water mains located outside the City limits for leakage, broken mains, etc. shall be performed by and at the expense of the Water Department unless otherwise contracted.
(2) 
The cost of repairs to hydrants, valves, etc., damaged from shock, shall be defrayed by the parties producing the damage.
[Amended 5-16-2005 by Ord. No. 05-006; 6-1-2009 by Ord. No. 09-006; 6-21-2021 by Ord. No. 21-005]
A. 
Cost of meter installations. The valves before the five-eighths-inch to one-inch meter will be maintained by and at the expense of the Water Department, subject to the service line requirements of §§ 699-22 and 699-27. The valves and appurtenances (i.e., spool pieces, meter pits, valves, etc.) in connection with one-and-one-half-inch and larger meters shall be maintained by the property owner.
B. 
Standards.
(1) 
The meter setting to be supplied and installed by the Water Department, for sizes of five-eighths-inch, three-fourths-inch and one-inch meters, shall consist of a meter, together with a valve immediately before the meter and a suitable connection with the service pipe.
(2) 
In cases where meters of larger sizes are required, the meter shall be supplied by the Water Department, and the cost thereof shall be defrayed by the property owner.
(3) 
The owner or his or her agent shall be required to install such meters and to furnish and install a suitable gated bypass, gates immediately before and after the meter and a plugged test outlet suitable to the size of the meter between the meter and the following valve.
(4) 
Unless a one-half-inch longitudinal spring in the pipeline may be readily obtained to facilitate removal of the meter, a suitable slip joint shall be included in the meter setting.
(5) 
The installation shall be approved by the Water Department before water is turned on. The cost of a meter setting shall be borne by the property owner in accordance with the prices as listed by the Water Department.
C. 
Style and location.
(1) 
All meters shall be of the style and character adopted by the Water Department and shall be conveniently located at a point approved by the Department.
(2) 
When a building is remodeled or renovated, and access to the meter or service line is changed, the owner of said building shall notify the Department, which shall inspect the location of the meter and service line routing. The Department shall order any necessary action to be taken to ensure continued access to the meter and the service line. Meters that are to be relocated shall be relocated to a nonconfining space in which continued access is readily available, service lines requiring rerouting shall be relocated to a location that meets current ordinance approved location; otherwise the meter and service line shall be relocated into a meter pit external of building. All costs associated with the meter and service line relocation shall be borne by the property owner.
D. 
Responsibility to maintain meters; removal and storage by Department.
(1) 
Meters shall be maintained by the Water Department insofar as ordinary wear is concerned. Damage due to freezing or hot water or external causes shall be paid for by the applicant, owner, or customer.
(2) 
The Department shall, upon notice of vacation of a property, remove and store the property owner's meter until such time as it is again needed. No fee shall be charged for this service.
E. 
Inspecting and testing of meters and connections. The Water Department reserves for its representatives the right, at any reasonable time, to read and inspect meters and connections, including service lines, or to test any meter which, in the judgment of the Department, is not registering properly or is in need of repair.
F. 
Conclusiveness of meter readings. Where water is furnished by a meter, the quantity recorded by it shall be considered conclusive by both the applicant and the Water Department, except when the meter has been found to be registering inaccurately or has ceased to register. If the meter has ceased to register, the quantity may be estimated from the average registration for a similar period during the year just past.
G. 
Tests at request of consumer.
(1) 
In case of a disputed account involving the accuracy of a meter, the meter shall be tested at the request of the consumer and in his or her presence.
(2) 
In the event that the meter so tested is found to have an error in registration outside the accuracy limits set fourth by the AWWA, the bills will be increased or decreased accordingly over the entire period of the current bill, unless it can be shown that the error is due to an accident or other cause, the exact date of which can be determined, in which case it shall be figured back to such time.
(3) 
If the meter so tested shall be found to be accurate within the limit herein specified, a fee shall be paid to the Water Department by the consumer requiring such a test, but if not so found, then the cost thereof shall be borne by the Department.
(4) 
The amount of the fee shall be at the current rate as posted and established by the Water Department. The charge for a requested test of meters above one inch shall be the actual cost of labor and material for removing, testing and replacing each meter.
H. 
Tampering with meter seals; opening hydrants; property destruction.
(1) 
Any tampering with or breaking of meter seals shall be deemed a misdemeanor.
(2) 
No person, except an employee of the City in the performance of his or her duties, shall open or use any fire hydrant, except in case of emergency, without first securing written permission from the Water Department. In no case shall any hydrant be opened or closed except with a hydrant wrench provided by the City.
(3) 
No person shall break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface or tamper with any structure, appurtenance or equipment of the City water system.