Tehama Municipal Code Art. III Water Meters

The provisions of California Water Code Sections 521 and following, impose various requirements for the installation and use of water meters. The ordinance codified in this article is enacted to comply with and implement these state law requirements.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)

A. In accordance with the provisions of California Water Code Section 525, no new water service connections may be attached to the city water distribution system, unless such connection is equipped with a water meter. As used in this section, "new water service connection" includes any existing water service connection that is used to provide water to buildings or residential units. Fire service connections are exempt from the provisions of this chapter. The director may adopt standards and requirements to implement the provisions of this section.

B. Prior to the installation of a water meter in accordance with the terms of this section, the customer shall pay any applicable fee established from time to time by resolution of the city council to recover costs incurred by the city to provide, install or supervise the installation of the water meter.

C. Water meters for water service connections shall be installed by the city or under the city's supervision in accordance with all applicable city water and building codes, regulations, and standards.

D. No occupancy permit for any structure served by a water service connection shall be issued until meter installation is complete.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)

The customer receiving city water service shall keep water meters unobstructed and accessible for reading, maintenance and repair, and shall provide the department's employees and/or its contractors access to the premises where the customer receives water service as may be required by the city for such purposes. Compliance with this section shall be a condition of receiving or continuing to receive city water service.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)

A. Any metered customer may request in writing that the meter through which water is being furnished be examined and tested by the 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 billing adjustment will be made. Meter testing will be performed at a customer's request, at no charge to the customer, not more than once every twelve (12) months.

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

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)

No person other than authorized employees of the department or other persons duly authorized by the director shall install, maintain, repair, move, replace, adjust, tamper with, manipulate, damage, disconnect or remove any water meter Any person or entity performing any of the foregoing actions, whether or not authorized by the department, shall pay the city's costs of investigating and repairing any resulting damage and/or replacing any removed item(s), and shall indemnify and hold harmless city, its officers and employees from any claims, actions, costs (including attorney fees), damages or other liability resulting or arising from such damage or removal.

(Ord. No. 174, 10-13-09)