All consumers not otherwise provided for in this chapter shall
be supplied with water only when measured through a meter. Meters
two inches (2") and under shall be provided by the city. Meters three
inches (3") or above shall be provided by the contractor with meter
box, bypass, backflow preventers, and detector checks as required
by the director of public works and shall become the property of the
city once installed to city specifications. The director of public
works shall direct and select the location of installation of all
meters.
(1990 Code, sec. 8.601; Ordinance
adopting Code)
The director of public works shall determine the size, type
and number of meters and services to be installed or used on any water
service to any building or division of space in a building or property
subdivision.
(1990 Code, sec. 8.602)
(a) When any consumer of water is of the opinion that the meter through which the water is supplied is incorrect for any reason, he or she may make application to the utility office to have the meter examined and tested at an annually established rate to be determined by the appropriate fee setting official. The utility office shall have the duty to test the meter at the earliest convenience, at the rates set forth in section A20.04.033 of the fee schedule in appendix
A to this code. If any meter of one inch (1") or smaller, upon such test, shall have been found to register over three percent (3%) more water than actually passes through it, based on a series of tests over the range of flow recommended by the meter manufacturer, another meter will be substituted therefor, and the above-referenced test fee shall be waived. If any meter larger than one inch (1") in size upon such test shall be found to register over three percent (3%) more water than actually passes through it, based on a series of tests over the range of flow recommended by its manufacturer, another meter will be substituted therefor, and the above-referenced fee will be waived.
(b) Whenever a meter is found to be out of order and not registering
correctly, the consumer shall be charged with an average daily consumption
as shown by the meter registering correctly, but not to exceed three
(3) months back.
(c) Any person shall have the right to request that his or her meter be reread by the utility office. It shall be the duty of the utility office to cause the meter to be reread at the earliest convenience. There shall be no charge for the reread service unless more than one (1) reread has been requested within the last twelve-month period and if the reread indicates that the initial meter reading was correct, in which case the person requesting such reread shall be charged the sum as provided in section A20.04.033 of the fee schedule in appendix
A to this code.
(Ordinance 20-065 adopted 9/8/20)
Whoever intentionally, by any means or device, prevents water from passing through any meter belonging to the water department used in connection with the supply of water to any consumer by said department to register the amount of water passing through said meter, or intentionally prevents a meter from duly registering the quantity of water supplied, or in any way interferes with its proper action or just registration, or without the consent in writing of the utility office manager, intentionally diverts any water from any pipe of the water department or otherwise intentionally uses, or causes to be used, without the consent of the water department, any water produced or distributed by said water department, or any person who retains possession of or refuses to deliver any meter or other appliance loaned to him or her by the water department shall for every such offense be punished as provided in section
1.01.009 of this code. The presence at any time of any device or pipes resulting in the diversion of water or prevention of its free passage and registration by the meter or diverting from the meter as herein defined or resulting in the prevention of water from reaching the meter or preventing the just registration of the meter or the taking of any water except through a meter as above set forth shall constitute prima facie evidence of knowledge on the part of the person owning or having custody and control of the room, building, place or premises where such device or pipe is found and knowledge of such existence to the person who would be benefitted by the failure of the water to be properly metered, and shall further constitute prima facie evidence of the intention on the part of such person to defraud, and shall bring such person prima facie within the scope, meaning and penalties of this section and this code.
(1990 Code, sec. 8.604)
All water meters and equipment furnished by the water department
shall remain at all times the property of the city and shall be maintained
and repaired, when rendered unserviceable through fair wear and tear,
and renovated by the water or utility department. When replacements,
repairs or adjustments of any meter or equipment are rendered necessary
by the act, neglect or carelessness of the owner or occupant of any
premises, any expense caused to the waterworks thereby shall be charged
against and collected from the owner of the premises, and if not paid
services shall be discontinued. The charges in section A20.04.036
of the fee schedule will reflect the scope of work performed by the
utility division.
(Ordinance 20-065 adopted 9/8/20)