A. Customer Request for Test. The department shall test meters as it finds necessary or upon the request of any customer.

B. Result of Test – Meter Repair. If the meter is found by such test to be defective, it shall be replaced or repaired at the city’s expense and affected bills outstanding or paid during the previous six months shall be adjusted. Such adjustments shall be based, at the option of the department, upon either the nearest preceding six-month average use when the meter was in good order, or upon the same month of the preceding year if the use is seasonal.

C. Meters for Seasonal Requirements. Meters of different sizes will not be installed to meet seasonal or temporary requirements except on payment of the cost of all charges by the customer.

D. Deduct Meter. Deduct meters, for the purpose of subdividing the registration of the master meter, may be installed by the customer for their convenience. Where one or more deduct meters are installed the master meter consumer shall be billed by deducting the amount registered on the deduct meter or meters from the master meter registration.

E. Meter Damaged by Hot Water. Whenever a meter is found to have been damaged by hot water from the customer’s heating equipment, the customer shall pay the actual cost of removing, repairing and replacing the meter. The previous water bills shall be corrected on an estimated basis to cover the period during which the meter was evidently so damaged and all such charges and amounts shall be thereupon due and payable.

F. Check and Relief Valve Installation. The department may, at its option, install a check valve in any service where there has been damage to the meter caused by hot water, or where there is reason to believe danger of such damage exists. The customer shall be notified at the time of installation of a check valve and shall be warned of the danger of possible bursting of hot water tanks and piping. The department will not resume service prior to such installation by the customer of a relief valve, and will not be liable for any damage, direct or consequential, from any accident due to the placing of a check valve or failure of the consumer to receive notice and install a relief valve. (Ord. M-4359 § 1, 2021; Ord. M-4022 § 11, 2012; Ord. M-1167 § 7, 1970; Ord. M-810 § 10, 1966; Ord. M-144 § 16, 1954)