Escalon Municipal Code Art. V Water Meters

A. Except as hereinafter provided, the quantity of water furnished by the city to all water users shall be determined and ascertained by a meter. All new services shall be provided with a water meter.

B. All water meters shall be sized for the anticipated flow in accordance with city standards.

C. Any property which has a flat rate water service shall be converted to a metered service before July 2000. To facilitate this policy, the water service fee for all flat rate customers as of July 1995 shall include a meter installation component. The city, at its discretion, may install meters on flat rate services any time during the conversion period. The flat rate fee shall remain in effect on those flat rate services as of July 1995 until July 2000, or until meter is paid in full, at which time billing shall revert to metered charges. The flat rate service charges shall be as adopted by the city council from time to time.

D. In addition, any property which is currently served with a flat rate service shall install a meter and be converted to metered charges immediately under any of the following circumstances:

1. If the service is over one inch in size;

2. If the ownership of the property changes hands, upon the sale or conveyance, including conveyance by foreclosure, court order, or by operation of law, of the premises so served, or the property is split, or subdivided;

3. If a permit for the construction of a swimming pool is taken out;

4. If a permit for the construction of an addition, or remodeling (excluding reroofing or installation of siding) with a construction value in excess of $10,000 is taken out;

5. If the property is used for multifamily occupancy;

6. If the property is occupied for any nonresidential use;

7. If an application for service is made by any property on which the water service has previously been disconnected according to the provisions of the municipal code.

The costs of said meter installation, less any previously paid meter installation charges, shall be paid to the city either by the old owner or the new owner as they may agree, but no later than 60 days after the installation has been made. In the event payment to the city is not made within said time, city may disconnect the water service in the manner provided by EMC § 13.04.180. Any unpaid costs shall, in addition, become a lien on the property pursuant to EMC § 13.04.110.

(Ord. 231 § 7(A), 1984; Ord. 353 § 1, 1991; Ord. 414 § 1, 1995)

All water meters shall be installed adjacent to and on the property owner's side of the curbline if installed along a street, and on the property line if installed in an alley. Meters shall be installed in accordance with city standards.

(Ord. 231 § 7(B), 1984)

In the event any meter fails to operate properly or to correctly register the water used, the charge for the period during which said meter fails to operate properly or fails to register water shall be based upon the average daily consumption for the same period of the prior year by the same user. If such a reading is not available, the city shall estimate the amount of such consumption from all information available and the consumer shall be charged on the basis of such estimate for water consumed.

(Ord. 231 § 7(D), 1984)

Any person desiring to change the location or size of a service that has already been installed shall make an application to the city, and upon payment in advance of the cost as determined by the city, the city may cause said change to be made. No such change will be made unless such change is determined to be feasible and can be done at a reasonable cost.

(Ord. 231 § 7(G), 1984)

A. When any water consumer makes a complaint that the bill for any particular period is excessive, the city will, upon request, have such meter reread, and the service inspected for leaks. Should such consumer then desire that the meter be tested, he will be required to make a deposit to cover the cost of making such test.

B. The meter will then be changed or tested. Should the meter be found to register over three percent more water than actually passes through it, another meter will be substituted therefor, and the deposit shall be refunded to the person making the request. If the meter is found to register not over three percent, the deposit shall be forfeited to the city and the water bill paid as rendered.

(Ord. 231 § 7(E), 1984)

A. Meter Obstruction. Water meters and meter boxes are the property of the city and it shall be unlawful to damage or interfere with them or to place dirt, trash, or other obstructions on or over the meter boxes.

B. Damage to Meter. If a meter or appurtenances are damaged by the carelessness or negligence of the owner or occupant of the premises, the city will repair the meter and cost of such repairs shall be charged against the owner of the property, and if not paid within 30 days, shall become a lien against said property.

(Ord. 231 § 7(C), (F), 1984)

No person shall turn on or reconnect a water meter or water connection that has been turned off or disconnected by the city.

(Ord. 231 § 7(H), 1984)