51.07 Water meters – Service control valve.
(A) Generally. Water meters are required for all customers of the water system.
(B) Location – Access.
(1) Every meter location shall be designated by the city.
(a) Ordinarily, the meter and related fittings shall be installed within a public right-of-way outside the building or fence, as near the main as practical.
(b) The meter may be located on private property, but only when a location within a public right-of-way is impractical.
(c) When a meter is located on private property, and as a condition preceding service to the customer, an easement or other written permission, satisfactory to the city, shall be required of the property owner giving the city the right to locate the meter on the relevant property and providing sufficient authority and area so as to allow the city access to install, maintain, read and upgrade the meter at the city’s discretion.
(2) Access to water meters. Access to water meters, whether on private property or within a public right-of-way, must remain unobstructed so that meter reading, repair or replacement can be done unimpeded and unimpaired.
(C) Multiple-unit customers.
(1) Each separate residence or equivalent residential unit shall be metered separately, where possible. However, if one building or property houses two or more residential or equivalent residential units, water may be served through a single meter where it is impractical or impossible to serve each single use through separate meters, solely at the discretion of the city.
(2) In making its determination, the city may base such decisions on whether the intended use(s) will be owned separately (duplexes) or under single ownership (condominiums, RV parks and the like), in order to conclude whether multiple meters are warranted.
(D) Meter error.
(1) A customer may request the city to test the meter servicing his, her or their property.
(2) The customer will be notified, prior to the meter being removed, to verify the ID number of the meter. The customer shall deposit an amount to cover the reasonable cost of the test. If the city elects to test a meter at its own discretion, it shall be at the city’s own expense.
(3) The deposit will be returned to the customer if the meter is found to register more than 2% fast or 4% slow.
(4) If the test result reads over 2% fast or 4% slow, the customer’s bill will be credited or debited with an adjustment based on corrected meter readings for a period not exceeding four months.
(5) If a meter is found to be defective or otherwise unrepairable, a replacement meter of the same type and size shall be installed at no cost to the customer, unless such defects are a result of those prohibited acts contained within § 51.11 of this chapter.
(E) Service control valve.
(1) The city shall install a service control valve on the customer’s side of the meter, at the same time a meter is installed. The purpose of this valve is to control the entire water supply from the service connection to a customer. After installation, the valve and related fittings shall belong to the customer for the customer’s use.
(2) At no time shall a customer be permitted to operate the curb stop in the meter box as a means to control the water supply from the meter or main to his, her or their property. Such action will be considered a violation of § 51.11 of this chapter. (Ord. 2010-02, passed 06/14/2010; Ord. 2022-01, passed 06/13/2022)