Article 3 - Meters

Section 1.

All meters, remote reading devices and appurtenances used for measuring the consumption of water shall be furnished by the Water Works and remain its property.  The size of the meter to be furnished shall be determined by the Water Works, based upon demand data furnished by the applicant for service.  The Water Works reserves the right to require an increase or decrease in the size of the meter, when after two (2) years of consumption experience it is determined by the Water Works that the meter is not properly sized.  The cost of any plumbing changes to accommodate the replacement meter shall be the responsibility of the property owner.  The Water Works shall not be obligated to increase the size of a meter to accommodate fire flow demands from a combined domestic and residential fire service or to accommodate lawn sprinkler demands where an underground lawn sprinkler system is connected to the domestic supply.

Section 2.

All meters up to 3-inches in size shall be installed by employees of the Water Works.  Larger meters shall be installed by the customer or his contractor.  A meter installation charge will be made for each installation in accordance with the terms of Fee Schedule F, payable in advance upon signing the application for service.

Section 3.

Only one meter will be furnished or permitted for each tap or service line, except where a size over two inches (2") is required.  In these cases, a battery of meters in parallel may be used, as determined by the Water Works.

Section 4.

The Water Works will require forty-eight (48) hours notice from the customer of his intention to use water after connections are completed in order for the Water Works to set the meter.  No service shall be activated until the meter is set.

Section 5.

Failure of the customer to give notice of his intention to use water, or the using of water without the permission of the Water Works is punishable and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Section 6.

Plumbers shall not connect the water pipes inside the premises with the service line until the meter has been installed by the Water Works.

Section 7.

A. The Water Works shall determine whether the meter is to be set in the interior of the building to be served or in a meter pit at the property line.  In general, where buildings require a service line over 60 feet in length from the proper location of the curb stop, a meter pit will be required.

B. Interior settings shall conform to Detail 13.

C. Meters up to 2" in size that are to be housed in pits shall be set to conform with Detail 11 for meters 1" and smaller in size and with Detail 12 for 1½" and 2" meters.

D. Where a 3" or larger meter is required to be housed in a pit, or where a fire line bypass meter and any size domestic meter is required to be housed in a pit, such pit shall be constructed to conform to Water Works specifications.  Such pit may be either precast or built in-place.  If a precast pit is furnished the applicant is required to furnish a certification from the manufacturer that all construction joints have been water stopped.

The applicant for service requiring such a pit shall be responsible for the structural design, and for provision of a water proof pit, and shall provide 24 hours advance notice of each step of construction where inspection is required, e.g. before any concrete pours; after grouting of pipe entries and wall joints; after waterproofing and before backfilling; and upon completion prior to setting of the meter(s).  In the event the applicant or subsequent property owner fails to provide and/or maintain a properly graded waterproof pit, he/she shall be responsible to correct the condition, and at the option of the Water Works, he/she may be required to re-excavate and waterproof and/or be required to provide a sump pump of a type, size and design acceptable to the Water Works.

E. The property owner shall be responsible for maintaining the pit, cover, ladder and all appurtenances in a dry, safe and sanitary condition, and to keep the pit accessible at all times.  The pit may not be fenced off, nor shall parking of vehicles over the pit be permitted.  A fee will be charged when it is necessary to pump flooded pits in order to read, inspect, test or change the meter.

Section 8.

Interior setting meters shall be kept in a heated area, unobstructed and easily accessible to the employees of the Water Works, so that they may be read in an upright position by the meter reader.  The valves and couplings shall be accessible so that the meters can be readily removed without destroying partitions or cabinet work.  The cost of removal of obstructions will be charged against the property owner and the Water Works will not be responsible for their replacement.  Safe, sanitary access to the meter shall be maintained at all times.  Where unobstructed, safe or sanitary access to the meter is not maintained, the Water Works may require the property owner to relocate the meter in a pit at the property line, the cost of such relocation to be borne by the property owner.

Section 9.

Employees of the Water Works in the performance of their duty shall have access to and be permitted to enter the premises of any customer during business hours and at other reasonable times to examine the meter, pipes and fixtures and to record the quantities of water used, including the manner of its use.

Section 10.

No person other than an employee of the Water Works shall be allowed to turn on or to turn off the curb stop or service line valve, or in any way interfere with the supply of water on any premises without written consent of the Manager of the Water Works.

Section 11.

The property owner shall be held responsible for the safeguarding of the meter, the remote device and wiring connecting the two units and for the proper care thereof.  The cost of repairing a frozen or damaged meter, the remote device and wiring connecting the two units will be a proper charge to such property owner and such charge will attach in the same manner as any charge for water actually used.

Section 12.

No person shall remove, damage or deface any seals placed on meters, valves or other fixtures by the Water Works and the  property owner shall be held responsible for the proper safeguarding of such seals.

Section 13.

All new applicants for water service shall be required to have a remote reading device installed on the outside wall of the building at a location acceptable to the Water Works, except that when the meter is installed in a meter pit the Water Works may waive this requirement in lieu of the installation of such remote reading device in an alternate location.  The applicant shall be responsible for drilling the necessary hole(s) and providing the necessary wire between the meter and the remote reading device in accordance with the standards of the Water Works.

Section 14.

All existing customers not yet provided with a remote reading device shall permit the installation of such device and appurtenances upon receipt of notice from the Water Works of its intention to install such device.