Lodi Municipal Code Art. I Generally

The schedule of water rates will be those established and adopted by the city council from time to time by resolution.

(Ord. No. 1917, § 2, 11-18-2015)

The city will not normally serve water outside the city limits. In those cases where it is authorized by the city council, the rate shall be one hundred fifty percent of the rate for service inside the city limits.

(Ord. No. 1917, § 2, 11-18-2015)

In cases not provided for by this chapter, the rate may be fixed by special contract, as agreed upon by the director of finance and the public works director on behalf of the city, and the water user involved. If such rates cannot be agreed upon, the city council shall fix and determine proper rates, and such determination shall be final.

(Ord. No. 1917, § 2, 11-18-2015)

Water charges shall in all cases commence to accrue when water is turned on, at rates proportioned for the period from that date until the following last day of the billing period, as may be established by the city.

(Ord. No. 1917, § 2, 11-18-2015)

A. Meters will be required on all new residential, commercial, and industrial water services covered by the following conditions:

1. All new property annexations to the city requesting city water service;

2. All existing parcels which have had no previous city water service and city water service is requested;

3. When a parcel is split, water services to all parcels will be metered;

4. All parcels at which a single family dwelling(s) is being replaced by multiple family units or a nonresidential use;

5. At all parcels where off-site improvements are required;

6. When any water customer requests water service upsizing or relocating.

7. Meters and appurtenant facilities are the property of the city.

8. The city shall have the right of access to the customer's premises at all reasonable hours for any purpose related to the furnishing of water service including, but not limited to, meter reading, testing, inspection construction, maintenance and repair of meter. Service may be refused or disconnected if permanent safe accessibility is not provided by the customer or property owner. Upon termination of service the city shall have the right of access to the service premises to shut off or remove the water meter and service.

9. Water meters shall only be installed on water services connected to the city owned water main, unless otherwise approved by the city council.

B. Metered water service shall be installed on all existing residential, commercial, and industrial users when the public works director determines the installation of metered water service to be in the best interest of the city. The property owner is required to pay the meter purchase charge based upon size as determined from time to time by city council resolution. City facilities are exempt from meter purchase charges.

C. Meters on existing commercial and industrial water services not covered under subsection A of this section shall be installed by the city at the city's expense. Meters and installation costs on all new water services and those covered in subsection A of this section shall be installed by the city, but shall be paid for by the property owner as determined by city council resolution.

(Ord. No. 1917, § 2, 11-18-2015)

A. Any metered customer may request in writing that the meter through which water is being furnished be examined and tested by the public works department to determine whether the meter is registering accurately the amount of water that is being delivered through it. Upon receipt of such request, the department shall examine and test the meter. If the meter is found to register over three percent more water than actually passes through it, the customer's water bill will be adjusted accordingly. If the meter is found to register a variance of three percent or less, no bill adjustment will be made. Meter testing will be performed at customer's request, at no charge to the customer, not more than once every twelve months, if the variance is over three percent. If the variance is less than three percent, the customer will be charged a meter test fee, in an amount determined by city council resolution, on the customer's utility bill.

B. If a customer requests more frequent meter testing, the customer's request shall be accompanied by a deposit of an amount equal to the meter testing fee. Upon receipt of such request, the department shall examine and test the meter. If the meter is found to register over three percent more water than actually passes through it, the customer's water bill will be adjusted accordingly and the meter test fee shall be returned, without interest. If the meter is found to register a variance of three percent or less, no billing adjustment will be made and the meter test fee will be retained by the city.

(Ord. No. 1917, § 2, 11-18-2015)

A. For single family residential services that require automatic fire protection systems pursuant to state law, Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 15.04 or 15.40, the increased connection and meter size will not be assessed an additional fee associated with the fire protection system requirement. Connection fees and monthly service fees shall be based on the required service size as determined by the Uniform Plumbing Code without consideration for any fire protection system requirement.

B. For non-residential and multi-family water services that include or require automatic fire protection systems pursuant to Lodi Municipal Code Section 15.20.160 or Chapter 15.40, the increased connection and meter size will not be assessed an additional fee associated with the fire protection system requirement. Connection fees and monthly service fees shall be based on the required service size as determined by the Uniform Plumbing Code without consideration for any fire protection system requirement.

(Ord. No. 1917, § 2, 11-18-2015)

A. It is unlawful for any person not authorized by the city to do so to tamper with any gates, valves, service cocks, fire hydrants, meters or any of the city's property accessory or appurtenant to the water distribution system, to break the seal on any water meter, or to cause water to bypass any water meter.

B. If city confirms an illegal tampering, bypass or diversion of water at or from city facilities has occurred, the customer will be charged a tampering/bypass inspection fee in an amount to be determined from time to time by city council resolution. In addition to the tampering/bypass fee, violation of this section is punishable as a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 1917, § 2, 11-18-2015)

In the case of fire or other emergency, when directed by the city all faucets, taps or other means of letting water run shall be turned off immediately by every owner or occupant and not opened until the fire is extinguished or the emergency resolved.

(Ord. No. 1917, § 2, 11-18-2015)

When it is found that any charges for water service, meters, connections, installations, abandonments, tampering/bypass etc., have been incorrectly billed or that no billing has occurred, the city has the right to make adjustments as determined by the public works director. Billings for undercharges or credits for overcharges shall be subject to the three-year limitation period found in the California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 338.

(Ord. No. 1917, § 2, 11-18-2015)