Chapter 7 - Water and Sewer
Division 6 - Meters
SEC. 7.6-1 METERS REQUIRED. All services in the Town of Normal shall be metered. Meters shall be provided by, set and sealed by the Normal Water Department. The cost of the meter and installation shall be borne by the customer as a cost of providing water service and does not convey ownership of said meter to the customer but remains the property of the Town of Normal.
All new or replacement meters shall be provided with a remote read out device located on the outside of the premises or as approved by the Director. The physical location shall be such that the height shall not exceed five (5) feet or be less than three and one-half (3 1/2) feet from permanent grade. This location shall be such that the remote reader is readily available and accessible to meter reading personnel. It shall not be screened or otherwise obstructed by trees, shrubs, bushes, or any fences or other structures that impede access to the remote device from Town employees for the purpose of reading or servicing.
SEC. 7.6-2 LOCATION. Water meters shall be located inside the premises whenever possible and shall not exceed two (2) feet in distance from where the service enters the building. No connections are allowed to exist on any piping between the service and the meter unless specifically approved, in writing, by the Water Department and are used solely for the purpose of fire protection.
There shall be a suitable place provided for the water meter so as to keep it dry, clean, and accessible at all reasonable times to meter readers or servicemen of the Town of Normal.
SEC. 7.6-3 SIZING OF METERS. For buildings other than single-family dwellings, the sizing of the meters shall be approved by the Water Department at the time of application for a water service. The size of meters so specified shall be subject to change as the demand for water or other conditions may develop. The Water Department reserves the right to require an increase in the size of a meter whenever piping changes or water uses indicate present sizing to be inadequate.
Meters larger than two (2) inches, nominal pipe size, are required to have a bypass with a minimum of three (3) valves arranged to permit repair or replacement of the meter without interruption of service. The bypass valve shall be sealed by the Water Department.
All services regardless of size shall have valves installed immediately upstream and downstream of the meter.
SEC. 7.6-4 PROTECTION OF METERS. Owners or occupants of premises served by the Normal Water Department shall provide adequate protection for water meters against freezing, hot water damage, or any other physical abuse resulting in damage to the meter. Where meters are damaged or caused to mal-function as a result of negligence, gross negligence, or willful abuse, all costs of repair or replacement of said meter shall be incurred by the owner of the premises and shall be payable when bills are rendered. In all cases where meters require repair or replacement because of negligence or gross negligence, such service shall not be resumed until corrective action has been taken by the customer to prevent recurrent damage to the meter.
SEC. 7.6-5 DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE. Whenever an owner or occupant of a premises requests or is required to discontinue service, either temporarily or permanently, notification shall be given the Water Department for the removal of the meter. The owner of the premises shall be held responsible for the meter until removed and if the meter is damaged or lost, he shall be required to pay the replacement cost of the meter.
SEC. 7.6-6 LIABILITY. The Town of Normal shall not be liable for personal injury or property damage resulting from leaking meters, valves, or other appurtenances required for the provision of water service.
- The Town or any customer may request a test of its meter
to determine its accuracy. Prior to a test requested by a customer,
the customer shall deposit $15.00 cash and shall be given notice
as to the time and place of the test by the Water Department,
and the customer and/or his representative may be present at
the test which will be conducted during regular business hours.
- If the meter tests out to be accurate or over registers
by 2% or less, then the $15.00 shall be forfeited by the customer.
- If the meter over registers by more than 2%, then the $15.00
shall be refunded and the amount of over-register shall also
be refunded to the customer for the period over-register occurred
but not exceeding six (6) months.
- If the meter is found to be registering less than 75% of
actual usage, the $15.00 shall be forfeited and the customer
shall be billed for the undercharge for the period under-register
occurred, but not exceeding six (6) months.
- If a meter does not register, the customer shall be billed
at the minimum monthly rate or upon an estimate of consumption
based on past usage.
- Subsection (A) notwithstanding, if a customer has not had his meter tested for five (5) years or more, then that meter may be tested without the requirement of a $15.00 deposit. If the meter is found to be malfunctioning, water bill adjustments shall be made in accordance with this Section.
SEC. 7.6-8 NOTICE: Prior notice of a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours must be received at the Water Department before installation of a meter will proceed. Meters two (2) inches and larger must be preceded by notice of at least ninety (90) days to allow for ordering and shipping of the meter. All costs of installation must be paid in advance before a meter will be set.
(ENTIRE DIVISION 6 AMENDED 9/21/81)