Visalia Municipal Code Ch. 13.12 Water Meters

It is the purpose and intent of this chapter to improve water conservation in the city by assuring that as much water consumption is metered as is cost effective. (Prior code § 9620)

This chapter shall be known as the "Water Meter Ordinance of the City of Visalia." (Prior code § 9621)

The city manager, or his designee, upon the recommendation of the director of the general services department, is authorized and directed to implement the applicable provisions of this chapter. (Prior code § 9622)

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all persons, customers, and property within the limits of the city. (Prior code § 9623)

Water meters shall be required for all new construction, including single-family residences. For the purpose of this section, "new" shall be defined as all construction which has not closed escrow on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Prior code § 9624)

Water meters shall be required on all existing service connections with meter spacers and meter boxes, except those used exclusively for fire protection service. (Prior code § 9625)

Water meter installation on unmetered connections defined in Section 13.12.060 shall occur in phases, and shall be complete by July 1, 1994. (Prior code § 9626)

All water purveyors within the limits of the city shall prepare phased installation plans to meet the deadline in Section 13.12.070, and shall submit these plans to the director of the general services department by August 1, 1991. A report of the progress made toward implementing the plan shall be made to the director of the general services department by July 1st each year, until implementation is complete. (Prior code § 9627)

A. A determination by the city council that a water purveyor has failed to comply with Sections 13.12.060 and 13.12.070 will result in the filing of a formal complaint with the California Public Utilities Commission, requesting enforcement action.

B. Failure to install water meters on existing service connections as specified in Sections 13.12.060 and 13.12.070 may result in the waste of water, and is hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance which may be abated in an action brought on behalf of the people of the state of California by the city attorney, in any court of competent jurisdiction. (Prior code § 9628)

All water purveyors who install meters shall offer such consumers who qualify a lifeline rate, as and when approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. (Prior code § 9630)

All water purveyors within the city shall, within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, make appropriate application to the California Public Utilities Commission for authorization to install meters pursuant to this chapter, and to charge all customers with meters rates based upon usage as measured by such meters. Upon approval of the P.U.C., each water purveyor shall charge such customers rates based upon usage as measured by the meters. (Prior code § 9631)

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter. (Prior code § 9629)