§ 90-32. Water meters.

(a)

Meter required . All premises using the city water supply must be equipped with an adequate water meter furnished by the city but paid for by the consumer. Before any premises are occupied, a water meter shall be installed at such premises as required in this article or application made for such water service at the flat rate of charge until the meter can be installed, or no water shall be furnished such premises.

(b)

Location . Meters shall be installed in a location that will be easy to access.

(c)

Testing . Any municipal water meter shall be taken out and tested upon complaint of the consumer, upon payment of a meter test fee established by resolution of the city commission. If upon testing the meter is not within three percent of being accurate, it shall be repaired or replaced and the meter test fee returned to the consumer.

(d)

Access to meter .

(1)

Authorized city personnel shall have access at all reasonable hours to all premises equipped with a city water meter for the purpose of installing, reading, maintaining, repairing, inspection and removal of meters.

(2)

The property owner shall provide clear access to the meter and shall maintain the area in and around the meter, and a path to the meter, that is free and clear of debris, bushes, overgrown landscape materials and other obstacles to provide clear physical access to the meter. Animals must be secured inside the house or building or inside a fenced area away from the meter.

(3)

If physical access to the meter or other city utility equipment or facility is not free and clear, the city shall have the right and authority to take any reasonable physical action to secure access and remove obstacles, pursuant to section 90-14 of this chapter.

(4)

If the city is unable to access the meter to take a reading, the customer may receive an estimated bill based on past usage.

(Code 1979, § 31-30; Ord. No. 4761-17, § 2, 2-12-2018)