Jackson Municipal Code Div. VI Water Meters

Where replacements or adjustments for any water meters are necessary by the act, neglect or carelessness of the owner or occupancy of any premises or anyone in their employ, any expense thereby caused to the water system shall be placed on the water bill and collected from the customer.

Customers shall have the right to request a test to be made of the meter serving their premises upon paying an amount making all service charges current, in the manner provided by administrative regulations. If the results of the meter test determine that the meter is:

A. Registering not more than three percent faster or slower than the actual quantity of water passing through it, the meter shall be retained by the water system.

B. Registering more than three percent over registration, an accurate meter shall be installed and the water bills for the preceding three months adjusted to correct the error discovered.

C. Registering more than two percent under registration, an accurate meter shall be installed, the deposit refunded and the customer billed for the amount of the undercharge for the preceding three months.

D. In any event, the adjustment for overcharge or undercharge shall not exceed a period of three months from the date the customer requests a test or that during which it was measuring service to the customer, whichever is the lesser.

(Ord. 578 §2, 1995)

A. Whenever a meter cannot be read, or is temporarily obstructed or temporarily out of commission the customer shall be charged for an estimated amount of water used, based upon the customer's consumption during the same season of the prior year if conditions were unchanged, or, upon a reasonable comparison with use of other customers during the same period receiving the same class of service under similar circumstances.

B. Obstructing Water Meters. It is unlawful for anyone to enclose a water meter with a fence, wall, hedge, or otherwise obstruct access to water service meters. Upon the failure or refusal of the owner or customer to remove any such unlawful obstruction within a reasonable length of time, thirty days, unless prevented by extenuating circumstances, after written notification to do so, the superintendent may discontinue water service to the premises until the obstruction is removed or otherwise impose fines and penalties as provided in this code.