§ 47-73. Testing meters.  


Latest version.
  • (a)

    In case any consumer of water questions the accuracy of a city water meter, he may obtain a test thereof upon written request therefor to the department. The customer may additionally request that he be permitted to be present at the removal and testing of the meter in person or by agent, and the customer may also invite an independent expert, at the customer's expense, to observe the removal and testing, provided the customer identifies in the written request the name of the expert and the expert's area of expertise.

    (b)

    Upon the receipt of a written request therefor, the city shall cause the meter to be thoroughly and accurately tested. If the party complaining of the meter has requested that he be present for the removal and testing of the meter, he shall be afforded the opportunity to be present and participate therein.

    (c)

    All meters must meet the accuracy test guidelines of the American Water Works Association. The department shall adjust customer bills for up to 24 months on the basis of results of tests performed by the department. If the meter or register is defective, the department shall repair or replace it. If a meter is damaged so that it cannot be tested, the customer's account may be adjusted for up to 24 months based on the average usage. Any adjustment in the bill to the city's advantage associated with a water meter shall be payable by the customer prorated over future billings equal to the number of past billings for which the adjustment was accrued; provided, however, in an instance where the utility official finds that such a payment plan would constitute extreme economic hardship, based on a determination that the customer's monthly household income meets the criteria established in section 36-62(2)b of this Code, the utility official may extend the payment plan over additional billings as the official may deem appropriate. A decision by the utility official under this subsection as to whether or not a payment plan should be extended shall be final and not subject to appeal.

    (d)

    When the department retests the meter at the request of the customer, the department shall bill the customer for the cost as follows:

    (1)

    If a customer requests that a meter be tested that is within the manufacturer's warranty period, and such meter when tested is accurate under the American Water Works Association guidelines; or

    (2)

    If the department has tested the meter within the previous 12 months, and such meter when retested at the request of the customer is accurate under the American Water Works Association guidelines, then the department shall charge the customer the fee stated for this provision in the city fee schedule for the following:

    a.

    Field testing of meters less than three inches.

    b.

    Bench testing of meters less than three inches, plus cost of the new meter and related electronic devices.

    c.

    Bench testing three-inch and larger meters, plus cost of the new meter,

    (e)

    If the department re-reads a meter at the customer's request, and the reading verifies that the department's original reading was correct (equal to or greater than the prior reading), the department shall charge the customer the fee stated for in this provision in the city fee schedule. Provided, however, that exempt senior customers, disabled veterans and persons with disability are exempt from this fee.

(Code 1968, § 49-64; Ord. No. 87-1326, § 12, 8-5-87; Ord. No. 07-599, §§ 29—32, 5-16-07; Ord. No. 2011-1168, § 13, 12-14-2011; Ord. No. 2013-320, § 7, 4-10-2013, eff. 6-1-2013)