Each water service from curb stop or meter pit to a property shall be metered. The Department reserves the right to determine the size and location of the meter.
All water meters will be furnished by the Department upon payment of a service fee equivalent to the cost of the meter, yoke and installation. The meter shall be installed under the supervision of the Department and will remain the property of, and the control of, the Department and will be accessible.
After the applicant has provided space for the meter which will be readily accessible and will provide property protection for the meter, and has had the plumbing arranged to receive the meter at a convenient point approved by the Department and so positioned as to meter and control the entire supply, the Department will have the meter set. In cases where it is not practical to place the meter within a building, a brick, concrete or other approved meter box or pit, fitted with a suitable and approved type of iron cover, shall be built inside the property line by the customer. The size and dimensions of the pit or box shall be approved by the Department, provide adequate access to the meter and permit its ready installation or removal. Meters shall be capable of being read on the outside of the premises being serviced. The water meter shall be accessible to the Department at all times.
A. 
The box shall be of a round style and made of cast iron and manufactured in accordance with AWWA C800. The box shall be sized to accept a one-inch (minimum) water meter and shall have a minimum outside diameter of 18 inches with a minimum depth of 30 inches. The box shall have a locking cast-iron lid located 1 3/4 inches below the top of the box. The lock lug in the box shall be cast iron and be attached to the box wall using rivets. The lock lug surfaces shall be curved to accept the lock lever from the lid and exert a tightening force between the lid and the top of the box as the lock is rotated. The inlet and outlet shall have external tapered iron pipe threads protected by polyethylene cap plugs.
B. 
The inlet and outlet brass connections shall pass through the box wall and shall be locked in place by brass hex nuts on straight external iron pipe threads. The other end of the inlet connection shall be attached to copper tubing. The pit shall include lockwing angle valve on the meter inlet, angle dual check valve on meter outlet, brass risers with PVC stabilizing brackets, and MIP inlet and outlet connections. The tubing shall have a pressure rating of 250 psig. The other end of the copper tubing coil shall be attached in a similar manner to another brass connector. The copper tubing shall be coiled between the inlet connector and the connector at the base of the movable platform. The connector at the base of the platform shall be attached to an inlet's angled valve with female tapered iron pipe threads on the inlet and with a meter coupling outlet. The valve shall be lockwing. An angled dual check valve with independent acting checks shall be downstream of the water meter. The check valve shall have a meter coupling inlet and an internal tapered iron pipe thread outlet and shall be contained inside the box. Both the inlet valve and the outlet valve (or fittings) shall be connected to and movable on the platform to increase or decrease the gap where the meter is placed. The platform in its normal position shall be supported by a circular strip attached to the box wall. The strip shall be made from PVC material. The platform shall be designed so it can be raised to the top of the box without disconnecting any of the piping. In the raised position, it shall be capable of being set atop the lock lug surfaces at the top of the box, thereby allowing the meter to be removed or otherwise worked on at ground level. All brass material used in contact with the water must have a minimum copper content of 80% and a maximum zinc content of 10%.
C. 
When required, the box shall have a metal bottom mechanically attached to the box wall.
A wheel handled gate valve or ball valve shall be placed by the customer on the service line directly prior to and directly after the meter when installed within dwellings. A suitable and approved check valve shall be placed by the customer between the house side gate valve and meter. When a check valve is installed, an expansion tank should be inserted at some convenient point in the house piping to relieve excess pressure due to heating water.
Meters will be maintained by the Department so far as ordinary wear and tear are concerned, but damage resulting from freezing, hot water or external causes due to the negligence of the customer shall be paid for by the customer.
The customer shall pay a charge for the installation or changing of a meter when removed because of damage in any way due to the negligence of the customer. The charges shall be equal to the cost of all equipment, labor and materials expended by the Department to make the necessary repairs as listed in the Rate Schedule.
Each meter is installed subjected to a fixed minimum quarterly charge in accordance with the adopted rate schedule, for which certain quantities of water will be furnished without additional charge. Such minimum charge shall be nonabatable for nonusers of water and noncumulative against subsequent consumption. In the case of fractional period bills covering less than a quarter, minimum charges and allowances shall be prorated.
The customer shall immediately notify the Department of injury to or non-working of the meter, as soon as known by the customer.
The quantity recorded by the meter shall be conclusive on both the customer and the Department except when the meter has been found to be registering inaccurately or has ceased to register. In such cases, the quantity may be determined by the average registration of the meter when in proper working order.
In the event of a disputed account involving the accuracy of a meter, such meter will be tested upon the request of the customer, in conformity with the provisions of these Rules and Regulations. If when so tested, the meter is found to have an error in registration of 4% or more, the bills will be increased or decreased correspondingly.
When a meter is removed, after installation, at the request of the customer for testing, the following regulations shall apply:
A. 
The Department shall, upon written request of a customer, and if he so desires in his presence or that of his authorized representative, make a test of the accuracy of his meter. When a customer desires, either personally or through a representative, to witness the testing of a meter, he may require the meter to be sealed in his presence before removal, which seal shall not be broken until the test is made in his presence. If the meter so tested shall be found to be have a error in the registration in excess of 3%, the bills will be corrected accordingly. If in the event the meter so tested is not in error (less than 3%), a fee (see Rate Schedule) shall be paid to the Department by the customer requiring such test, but if not so found, then the cost thereof shall be borne by the Department, when making such request, the customer shall agree to the basis of payment herein specified.
B. 
A report of such test shall be made to the customer and a complete record of such test shall be kept by the Department. The amount of the fee is listed in the Schedule of Rates.
Neither the customer nor any plumber or other person shall turn the water on or off at any corporation stop, curb stop or meter valve; or disconnect or remove the meter, or permit its disconnection or removal, without the written consent of the Department.
Where the meter has been inspected and found to have been removed, damaged or tampered, the customer will be notified by letter that a service charge will be required to repair the meter. If the customer refuses entry to the premises, service can be discontinued and an additional fee will be charged to restore the service.