13.15.100 Metering.
(a) Metering New Commercial and Multiplex Residential Units. Water service to new premises used for commercial purposes or to new residential premises containing four or more units shall be metered.
(b) Metering of Existing Services. The City may require that all existing flat rate multiple unit residential premises containing four or more units and commercial customers be metered and require the customer to install a water meter as provided by these rules and regulations upon not less than 90 days’ notice. In the event a premises is remodeled, altered or changed in such a way as to require metered service under this tariff, the City shall be provided with 30 days’ notice.
(c) Meter Installations. All meters required by these rules and regulations shall be provided by the customer and conform to City specifications. The size of the meter will be determined by the City and shall be installed by a qualified plumber employed by the customer at the customer’s sole cost and expense. The meter shall be inspected by the City prior to connection.
The City shall retain the right to inspect the installation and to remove the meter at any time for testing.
(d) Meter Standards and Testing.
(1) Meter Standards. Water meters provided by the City will conform to the specifications and tolerances established by the American Water Works Association for meters.
(2) Meter Testing. The City may test a customer-owned water meter if the accuracy is in question. If the test results demonstrate the meter varies from the standard tolerance by more than two percent, the customer will repair or replace the meter at no cost to the City.
(3) Inspection of Premises. If a customer requests the City to inspect a premises to determine the cause of high or unusual water consumption, the customer will be charged for labor and equipment costs involved in the inspection unless the cause is determined to be the fault of the City.
(e) Meter Bypass. A meter bypass will be installed in connection with a three-inch or larger meter, and may be installed in connection with smaller meters only if the City determines the bypass is required by considerations of public health, safety or welfare. A meter bypass shall be sealed and tagged in the closed position at the time the meter is installed and the installation shall be inspected and approved by the City.
The bypass may be used only during periods when the meter has been removed for repair and only on the express authorization of the City. If a seal is removed and bypass valve is opened without the permission of the City, the customer shall be billed for the period during which the bypass was operative at three times the average monthly rate of the customer for the preceding year. In addition the City may discontinue service until such time as adequate assurances are provided that the unauthorized use of bypass valve will not occur in the future or until the bypass is removed by the customer.
(f) Responsibility for Meter. The customer will maintain and repair meters and reading devices as required, at its expense. The customer shall provide a location for the meter where it is protected from freezing. A meter damaged by freezing shall be repaired or removed and replaced by the City at the customer’s expense.
(g) Failure to Install Meter. If a customer fails or refuses to install a meter required by these rules and regulations, the City may, after 20 days’ written notice to the customer, enter upon the premises and install the required meter. The customer shall be billed for the actual installation and the cost of the meter. If the City determines that the installation costs of the meter will be higher than normal or that the condition of the building or of the plumbing on the premises creates a likelihood that extensive repairs may be necessitated by the installation, or if access to the location for the logical installation of the meter is in any way restricted, the City may elect to discontinue service to the customer until the meter is installed as required by these rules and regulations. The customer shall be provided with 30 days’ written notice of the intent of the City to discontinue service as provided in this section. [Res. 94-14, 1994. Code 1979 WU § 10.0.]