13.10.010 All Water to pass through meter

All water service shall be metered (except for fire fighting). Customers who refuse to convert to the metering system will have their water service terminated. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984 §13.08.280).

13.10.020 Selection of meters

Selection of meters for customer applications shall be made by the City. The City may replace any meter at such time as it may see fit and shall be the judge of the size and make of any meter installed. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984 §13.08.171, Part A).

13.10.030 Installation of meters

1. Meters are owned and installed by the City except for new construction where the permittee shall fully install the meter and appurtenances.
2. Remote receptacles shall be installed on or near the front of the house or structure.
   1. Remote receptacles shall not be placed behind or within two feet of any shrub or vegetation. In the event any fences or structures are built after the remote receptacle is installed and said fence or structure blocks direct access to the remote system, the City may relocate the remote system outside of the fenced area or structure.
   2. The City shall determine the height of the remote receptacle above the ground, but not less than 30 inches above ground level.
3. Remote meter systems otherwise installed, that do not comply with this section, shall be removed and the City shall install the appropriate unit.
4. The removal and replacement of any obstruction which interferes with the installation of the water meter is the responsibility of the property owner.
5. A leaking or otherwise defective water shut-off valve must be replaced in order to facilitate meter installation. The City or property owner may replace this valve with the cost of valve and installation charge to the property owner. Curb box locations and shut-off services to accommodate valve replacement will be provided by the City at no charge.
6. Every meter setting shall include approved valves at both the inlet and discharge sides of the meter thereby enabling service or replacement without back flooding. Where backflow preventers are installed immediately downstream from meter settings, no valve is required on the discharge side of the meter.
7. Settings for meters three inches or larger shall include valved bypass lines thereby enabling repair or regular testing without interruption of customer service. Only the City shall operate meter bypass valves which shall remain sealed in the "off" position when not in use.
8. When insufficient space is available in existing water piping to accept a proper meter installation, the cost of plumbing modifications or special meter setting equipment shall be charged to the property owner.
9. For new construction, the permittee shall fully install the meter and appurtenances. The meter shall be furnished by the City.
10. Every displacement meter, compound meter, turbo meter, detector check and fire main meter shall be installed level in a horizontal plane with register or registers facing upward. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984 § 13.08.170, 13.08.171 (part)).

13.10.040 Meter maintenance

The consumer must furnish proper protection from freezing or other damage, and the meter must be located where it is easily accessible for reading purposes and repairs. Where proper protection is not furnished and meter damage occurs from freezing or other means, the consumer will be charged for labor and materials required to rebuild the meter. If the meter is damaged beyond repair, the consumer will be charged for a new meter to replace the damaged meter. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984 §13.08.190).

13.10.050 Mobile homes—Meters.

1. All existing mobile home services shall be metered, either under or inside the home ahead of any branch lines coming off the main service line. If the City determines the water meter cannot be installed, a meter pit will be installed in the boulevard area at the City's expense. If the mobile home owner refuses to have a meter installed either under or inside the home when the City maintains it is possible, the owner will pay for labor, equipment and materials required to install a meter pit.
2. All new mobile home services shall be required to have meter pits located in the boulevard area. The City shall furnish proper pits (concrete, plastic, fiberglass or equal) to be installed in its proper location by the contractor installing the water service. Costs for the pit and all labor shall be charged to the property owner.
3. Remote readers shall be located within a reasonable distance of the meter and shall be mounted on a 4x4 redwood post set four feet in the ground. Distance from ground to the remote shall be forty-four inches.
4. An individual water connection will be provided at an appropriate location for each mobile home connection. The connection will consist of a riser terminating at least four inches above the ground surface, with two three-quarter-inch valved outlets. The outlets shall be threaded enabling connection to the home's water piping system with one outlet and the other for use as a hose connection. The ground surface around the riser pipe shall be graded to divert surface drainage away from the connection and the mobile home. The riser pipe shall be encased in insulating material in a six-inch pipe. An insulated cover shall encase both valve outlets enabling connection to the mobile home at all times. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984 §13.08.191, (part)).

13.10.060 Additional meters

In no case will the City furnish water from one meter to two or more houses, mobile homes or any combination thereof, whether the same are owned by one person or not. Mobile home trailer parks, multi-unit dwellings, campuses, public building complexes, and medical complexes may be excepted. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984 §13.08.240, 13.08.200).

13.10.070 Interference with meter

Water consumers are not permitted to interfere in any way with the meter and appurtenances thereto after it is set in place. In case the meter seal is broken or the working parts of the meter have been tampered with or the meter damaged, the City may render a bill for the current month, based on an average of the previous quarter or the same quarter of the previous year, if available, whichever the City determines more accurately reflects water usage for the inaccurate period, together with the full cost of such damage as has been done to the meter, and may refuse to furnish water until account is paid in full. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984 §13.08.230).

13.10.080 Temporary meters for construction sites

Water for construction purposes will be furnished through temporary meters and paid for at the regular meter rates. In addition to the cost of the water, the customer will be required to pay the actual cost of setting and removing the temporary meter. In case it is not possible or practical to set a temporary meter, the cost will be determined by applying the regular meter rates to a quantity of water estimated by the City. (Ord. 2645, 1993; Ord. 2356 Exh. B (part), 1984 § 13.08.320).