CHAPTER 91

WATER METERS
91.01 Purpose 91.06 Meter Costs
91.02 Water Use Metered 91.07 Meter Repairs
91.03 Fire Sprinkler Systems- Exception 91.08 Right of Entry
91.04 Location of Meters 91.09 Separate Meter for Outside Watering
91.05 Meter Setting

91.01 PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to encourage the conservation of water and facilitate
the equitable distribution of charges for water service among customers.

91.02 WATER USE METERED. All water furnished customers shall be measured through meters
furnished by the City and installed by the City.

91.03 FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS - EXCEPTION. Fire sprinkler systems may be connected to
water mains by direct connection without meters under the direct supervision of the Superintendent. No
open connection can be incorporated in the system, and there shall be no valves except a main control valve
at the entrance to the building which must be sealed open.

91.04 LOCATION OF METERS. All meters shall be so located that they are easily accessible to meter
readers and repairmen and protected from freezing.

91.05 METER SETTING. The property owner shall provide all necessary piping and fittings for proper
setting of the meter including a valve on the discharge side of the meter. Meter pits may be used only upon
approval of the Superintendent and shall be of a design and construction approved by the Superintendent.

91.06 METER COSTS. The additional cost of any meter larger than that required for a single-family
residence shall be paid to the City by the property owner or customer prior to the installation of any such
meter by the City, or, at the sole option of the City, the property owner or customer may be required to
purchase and install such meter in accordance with requirements established by the City.

91.07 METER REPAIRS. Whenever a water meter owned by the City is found to be out of order the
Superintendent shall have it repaired. If it is found that damage to the meter has occurred due to the
carelessness or negligence of the customer or property owner, or the meter is not owned by the City, then
the property owner shall be liable for the cost of repairs.

91.08 RIGHT OF ENTRY. The Superintendent shall be permitted to enter the premises of any customer
at any reasonable time to read, remove, or change a meter.
91.09 SEPARATE METER FOR OUTSIDE WATERING.
1. Installation. The installation of water meters and remote reading devices subject to the
applicable provisions of this chapter for the purpose of measuring water used for irrigation,
swimming pools, spas, ponds, yard and garden watering, or other uses where the water so used
does not enter the sanitary sewer system is permitted and no sewer service charge shall be made
for water so used. The following regulations apply:
A. Any request for the installation of an irrigation meter shall be directed to the
Public Works Director.
B. The Public Works Director shall review the request and make a determination
that the separate line will not discharge into the sanitary sewer system of the City.
C. The outside watering meter shall be installed not more than two (2) feet from the
prime meter and shall be installed parallel to the prime meter.
D. The outside watering meter setting must be made on the street side of the prime
meter. The water lines must be separately valved and run directly to outside faucets.
E. Shut-off valves are required ahead of and after the irrigation meter and must be
within one foot of the meter.
F. A backflow preventer (approved by the City) to protect against contamination of
the water system must be installed after the irrigation meter.
G. The City will provide one (1) meter, which remains property of the City. Resident
shall install the meter using licensed plumber, and provide required shut-off valve and
backflow preventer. Additional meters shall be at the expense of the customer.
(Ord. 312 – Feb. 16 Supp.)
2. Service Restricted. In order to provide a fair and equitable program of outside water
service, the following restrictions shall apply:
A. If a customer requests disconnection of an outside water service, a thirty dollar
($30.00) disconnection fee shall be assessed. If a customer requests reconnection of an
outside water service, a thirty dollar ($30.00) reconnection fee shall be assessed.
B. During any period in which the City determines that it is necessary to conserve
water, all outside water meter services may be disconnected immediately. Disconnection
will be completed by the City. Reconnection shall occur only when the water conservation
period is over, as determined by the City. In the event of mandatory disconnection during
water conservation periods, the fees as provided for in subsection A shall be waived.
C. If at any time it is brought to the attention of the City that the customer is using
the outside water meter to provide water for use in a building or such outside water
enters the sanitary sewer system, the outside water meter shall be removed and the
customer shall no longer be eligible for outside water service. The customer will also be
charged all applicable sewer charges and fees.
D. Any sign of meter tampering by the customer shall result in the immediate
termination of outside water service.
3. Rates. Water service through outside water meters shall be considered Contract or Bulk
Sales and shall be sold without a service charge at $2.90 per 1,000 gallons.
(Ord. 314 – Feb. 16 Supp.)