Chapter 13.16
WATER METERS

Sections:

13.16.010    Meters and materials – City ownership.

13.16.020    Installation location – Obstructing access prohibited.

13.16.030    Number of consumers served by a single meter – Property owner liability.

13.16.040    Maintenance, repair and replacement – Costs.

13.16.050    Testing procedures and costs.

13.16.060    Shutoff following test of connections.

13.16.010 Meters and materials – City ownership.

Title to all meters and materials used in making a water service connection shall be with the City. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; 1960 code § 24.27)

13.16.020 Installation location – Obstructing access prohibited.

Water service meters shall be installed only in public streets, alleys or easements. It is unlawful for any consumer to enclose by a fence or wall, or otherwise obstruct access to water service meters. (1960 code § 24.28)

13.16.030 Number of consumers served by a single meter – Property owner liability.

A. Where more than one residential consumer is supplied through one service connection and one meter, the City shall hold the owner of the property responsible for payment of all water furnished through such one service connection and one meter.

B. Where practicable to serve each consumer through a separate meter service from a single connection, the City may install meters for each consumer at the property owner’s or consumer’s expense, and collect at the established meter rates for water supplied through each meter.

C. All commercial buildings must be equipped with a separate water meter to comply with Section 10631 of the California Water Code. Commercial buildings which have multiple consumers on one or more water services must have a separate meter for each customer in the building. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1437 § 2, 1995; 1960 code § 24.29)

13.16.040 Maintenance, repair and replacement – Costs.

A. All water meters shall be maintained, repaired and replaced by the City.

B. Where replacements or adjustments for any meter are necessary by the act, neglect or carelessness of the owner or occupant of any premises, any expense thereby caused to the City shall be charged against and collected from the owner or occupant of the premises. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; 1960 code § 24.30)

13.16.050 Testing procedures and costs.

A. When requested by any consumer, upon deposit of an amount to be set by resolution with the City by any consumer, the City shall test the meter. The consumer shall be notified at least 24 hours in advance and may be represented at such test.

B. If the meter is found to overregister more than two percent, an accurate meter shall be installed, the deposit shall be refunded, and the water bill adjusted to correct the error discovered.

C. If the meter is found to be correct or to register less than the actual quantity of water passing through it, the deposit shall be retained by the City. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1199 § 2, 1986; 1960 code § 24.31)

13.16.060 Shutoff following test of connections.

Whenever any person connecting service pipes to the property side of the meter uses the water for testing pipes in the premises, he shall shut the water off from unoccupied premises before leaving the same, and in all cases leave the meter box properly installed to full depth in the ground or sidewalk, with the cover securely fastened in place. (1960 code § 24.32)