Chapter 13.20
WATER METERS
Sections:
13.20.020 Determination of type of metering.
13.20.070 Inoperative meter – Determination of use.
13.20.080 Electrical grounding prohibited.
13.20.010 Size and location.
A. The director shall determine the correct size and layout of metering installation. The minimum size meter is five-eighths-inch, with three-fourths-inch piping connections. The minimum size meter is normally used for single-family dwellings. For each premises for which application is made for water service, the director shall determine the minimum size of the service pipe and meter to be installed. This determination shall be based on the applicable sections of the city’s plumbing and building codes and other applicable matters. If the applicant requests a larger sized meter than that determined to be the minimum, the director may approve it.
B. Wherever possible the meter shall be located on the public right-of-way adjacent to the boundary of the premises being served. Where this is not feasible, the meter shall be located within the parcel being served. The director may require an easement for a meter installation located on private property. The customer shall as a condition of service keep the metering installation uncovered and reasonably accessible for reading and maintenance. (Prior code § 14-171).
13.20.020 Determination of type of metering.
Separate premises shall be served by a separate metering installation. A multiple dwelling unit in the same structure may be served by an individual water meter or through a single master meter if approved by the director. Each separate multiple dwelling structure shall be served separately. The director may permit adjacent commercial and industrial structures on a single parcel of land to be served through a single meter. (Prior code § 14-174).
13.20.030 Multiple meters.
Multiple meters on a single service, installed by the city for its own convenience, are considered for billing purposes as a single meter of a size equivalent in capacity to the sum of the capacities of the individual meters. Multiple meters installed at the request of the customer to meet his needs are considered as individual meters for billing purposes. (Prior code § 14-175).
13.20.040 Change of size.
A person receiving water service may request a change of meter size. The director shall consider the request on the same basis as sizing of a meter for a new service. If the request for meter change is granted, the city shall make the change upon payment by the customer of an amount equal to the charge for installation of a new meter of the requested size or the estimated actual cost of the change, whichever is least. (Prior code § 14-172).
13.20.050 Change of location.
When a customer requests relocation of an existing meter or service connection for the customer’s convenience, the relocation is at the customer’s expense on the basis of the actual cost of relocation. When relocation of an existing meter or service connection is done to protect the property of the water system or the city’s interest, the city shall pay the cost of it. (Prior code § 14-173).
13.20.060 Testing.
A. The city will test a meter upon request of the customer and the deposit of an amount equal to the bimonthly minimum charge for each meter to be tested. A meter will be tested within five working days of a request for testing.
B. If the tested meter is found to indicate underregistration, the city will keep the testing deposit. If the tested meter is found to overregister by more than 2.0 percent, the city shall provide an accurate meter, the testing deposit shall be returned, and the city shall make an adjustment for overcharge for the determined percentage error for a period of one year or the total period of service, whichever is shorter. (Prior code § 14-176).
13.20.070 Inoperative meter – Determination of use.
When the city finds that a meter is not working, the customer shall be charged on the basis of minimum water use by the customer during any equal period of time during the same season of the preceding year. (Prior code § 14-177).
13.20.080 Electrical grounding prohibited.
The city will not permit or provide a continuous grounding circuit through meters or service piping. A customer may not rely on water system facilities for electrical grounding. The city may hold the customer liable for damage to the water system resulting from use of the system as a grounding circuit, whether the use is intentional or not. (Prior code § 14-178).