Chapter 15.20
WATER METERS
Sections:
15.20.010 Meter ownership and installation.
15.20.020 Meter exchange and reinstallation.
15.20.030 Meter maintenance and repair.
15.20.040 Customer water meter leak and repair.
15.20.050 Meter tests and bill adjustments.
15.20.010 Meter ownership and installation.
All meters installed on water service connections by the city shall be and remain the property of the city and shall be removed only by authorized city personnel. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 5 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 5 (part), 2003)
15.20.020 Meter exchange and reinstallation.
A. Whenever the owner of any premises desires to change the size of a meter, an application shall be made to the city and, upon approval, the exchange will be made at the expense of the owner.
B. The city will notify the owner or occupant of the serviced premises whenever a meter is overloaded and demand exceeds its rated capacity to the extent that the meter may become damaged. After evaluating the premises requirements, the city shall advise the owner or occupant of what size meter is necessary to give proper service without damage to the meter. At no charge, the city shall provide an estimate of costs to install a larger meter. If the owner or occupant does not make the required deposit for installation of the larger meter within thirty days after the date of notice, then the city may choose to either install the proper size meter and charge the total cost to the owner’s account or discontinue service. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 5 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 5 (part), 2003)
15.20.030 Meter maintenance and repair.
A. The city will maintain and repair all water service meters and will periodically replace meters when a meter is rendered unserviceable due to ordinary use.
B. When replacement or repairs to any meter are necessary because of the willful act, neglect or carelessness of the owner or occupant of the premises served, all expenses for such replacement shall be borne by the owner or occupant of such premises. Failure to pay any of the expenses incurred shall result in disconnection of water service to the premises until such expenses are paid. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 5 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 5 (part), 2003)
15.20.040 Customer water meter leak and repair.
If the customer discovers and repairs a leak in a timely manner to any plumbing on his/her premises, the customer may, upon submission of proper documentation to the city of such repairs, request a credit for up to four months of excess consumption. A determination of the applicable credit amount is at the sole discretion of the city. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 5 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 5 (part), 2003)
15.20.050 Meter tests and bill adjustments.
A. Upon request from the customer, based upon a complaint that the bill for any period has been excessive, the city shall have the meter re-read.
B. If the customer wishes the meter to be tested for accuracy, the customer shall provide a written request for such test along with a fifty dollar deposit to the city. The customer may include in the request that he/she would like to be present when the meter is tested. In the event the test discloses an error of more than three percent in favor of the city, the deposit shall be refunded to the customer and the city will credit the customer’s account for the excess overage for up to four months. The city will promptly install a correct registering meter at that location. When the test discloses either no error or an error of three percent or less, the amount of deposit will be retained by the city to cover part of the cost of such test and all charges shall remain as billed. (Ord. 1611-0104 § 5 (part), 2004: Ord. 1581-0103 § 5 (part), 2003)