The Water Department shall furnish and install for each customer supplied with water a suitable water meter and such appurtenances as are customarily furnished in order to connect the customer's equipment.
Water meters shall be maintained by the Water Department so far as ordinary wear and tear are concerned, but damages due to freezing or external causes shall be paid for by the customer.
The charge for the reinstallation or changing of a water meter, when removed because damaged in any way, due to negligence of the customer, shall be in accordance with the existing rates as adopted by the Township Council.
Water meters shall be conveniently located at a point approved by the Water Department so as to control the entire supply. A proper place and protection for the meter shall be provided by the applicant. All meters placed in buildings shall be located in the cellar or first floor, as near as possible to the point of entrance of the service, in a clean, dry, safe place, not subject to great variation in temperature, located so as to be easily accessible for installation or disconnection and for reading, and of a type suitable for the purpose and location.
A stop or gate valve shall be placed on the service line on the street side of the water meter and a stop and waste stop on the other side of the water meter.
[Amended 8-22-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-17]
The Water Department shall test the accuracy of a water meter on any premises within 10 days upon written request of any customer. Any person requesting such a test shall pay a fee as provided in Chapter 152, Fees, in advance to cover the cost of the test; however, such costs shall be refunded if the meter shall be found to be inaccurate not as a result of tampering. If a meter is found to be inaccurate in accordance with § 346-40 but no dispute has been filed, the bill for water charges of the current quarter shall be adjusted by the Water Department in such a manner as will be fair pursuant to § 346-39, unless there is evidence that the meter has been tampered with.
Where water is furnished by a water meter, the quantity recorded by it shall be taken to be the amount passing the meter, except where 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 order, or by such fair and reasonable method as shall be based upon the best information obtainable.
[Added 8-22-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-17]
The Water Department shall maintain suitable and adequate facilities for testing water meters. No equipment shall be used in testing water meters unless it has been examined, calibrated and sealed by the New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures at least once every five years, and evidence of such examination, calibration and sealing shall be fixed to the equipment. A water meter shall be considered correct if, flowing water at both immediate and full flow capacities, as set forth in the American Water Works Association M-6 Manual, it shows an error not greater than 1 1/2%. A report of the results of a test on any meter shall be transmitted to the customer, the Water Department, and the Township Chief Financial Officer and shall be certified by the individual conducting such a test. Any meter found to be inaccurate not as the result of tampering shall be replaced without charge to the customer.