Alhambra Municipal Code Ch. 15.12 Water Meters

All city water used on any premises where a meter is installed must pass through the meter, except as provided in the case of private fire services. No bypass or connection around the meter between the services and the main shall be made or maintained. Consumers will be held responsible and charged for all water passing through their meters.

('86 Code, § 15.12.010) (Ord. 2028, passed - - ) Penalty, see § 1.12.010

Any consumer may demand that the meter through which water is being furnished be examined and tested by the city for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not it is registering correctly the amount of water which is being delivered through it. Such demand shall be made in writing to the Water Depart-ment and shall be accompanied by a minimum deposit of $5. Upon receipt of such demand, it shall be the duty of the Water Department to cause the meter to be examined and tested for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not it is registering correctly the water being delivered through it. If on such examination and test the meter shall be found to register over 3% more water than actually passes through it, another meter will be substituted therefor, and the deposit shall be repaid to the person making the application, and the water bill for the current period adjusted in such a manner as the Water Super-intendent may deem fair and just. If the meter be found to register not over 3% fast, the deposit shall be forfeited to the city and the water bills paid as rendered.

('86 Code, § 15.12.020) (Ord. 2028, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3628, passed - - )

In all cases in which water is served to premises occupied by two or more different and independent owners or consumers of water, which premises are held under independent ownership, the owners of such premises shall be required to provide for independent service and meter to the curb line for each such independent consumer.

('86 Code, § 15.12.030) (Ord. 2028, passed - - )

No service connection shall be made for the purpose of supplying through a common meter two or more independent consumers occupying premises held under the same ownership, unless such houses are on the same lot, or the property is what is known as a court apartment house or block covering more than one lot, and then only if the owners of such premises shall agree in writing to pay all charges for water served thereto.

('86 Code, § 15.12.040) (Ord. 2028, passed - - )

No water shall be served to two or more parcels of property separately owned through a common meter unless there is no main contiguous to such premises from which service may be had, and further, unless the consumer first in order of service from the main shall in writing guarantee the payment of water rates for all parcels of property so served. The Superintendent of the Water Department shall give 30 days' notice in writing to all consumers served through such meter before enforcing this section by cutting off the water.

('86 Code, § 15.12.050) (Ord. 2028, passed - - )

(A) The city may attach a meter to any service or service pipe at any time it shall be deemed expedient to do so and render a corrected bill from the date of installation of such meter according to the meter rates established by this title.

(B) After the meter is so attached, any damage to the meter resulting from malice, carelessness or neglect of the consumer or any member of his family or any person employed by him, and any damage which may result from hot water or steam from a boiler or otherwise, shall be paid for by such consumer to the city on presentation of a bill therefor. In case such bill is not paid, the water shall be shut off from the premises without further notice and shall not be turned on again until all charges are paid. It shall be unlawful to interfere with or remove a water meter from any service where it has been attached without first notifying and receiving permission from the Superintendent of the Water Department of the city. Such permission shall be granted only for purposes of tests replacements, repairs to meter or service pipe, readjustments of service or similar emergency.

('86 Code, § 15.12.060) (Ord. 2028, passed - - ) Penalty, see § 1.12.010

Any consumer or ratepayer, upon application therefor, may place a meter of a make satisfactory to the Superintendent of the Water Department, at his own expense and under the supervision of the city, upon his premises for the purpose of measuring the water consumed thereon and thereafter such consumer or ratepayer shall pay the meter rates.

('86 Code, § 15.12.070) (Ord. 2028, passed - - )

All services and water meters installed by the Water Department of the city shall remain at all times the property of the city and shall be maintained and repaired and renewed by the city when rendered unserviceable through fair wear and tear; provided, that where replacements, repairs or adjustments of any meter are rendered necessary by the act, negligence or carelessness of the consumer, or any member of his family or person in his employ, and expense caused to the city thereby shall be charged against and collected from the consumer.

('86 Code, § 15.12.080) (Ord. 2028, passed - - )

If the placing of an approved backflow protection device on the property side of the water meter of any consumer is necessary for the safety and protection of the water system or appliances thereof, such backflow protection device shall be immediately installed by and at the expense of the consumer.

('86 Code, § 15.12.090) (Ord. 2028, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 3628, passed - - )