[Amended 7-24-2008]
All water up to the moment it passes through the City's water
meter into each residence or building shall be and remain the personal
property of the City of Lapeer. All water meters used or installed
in the City of Lapeer's water system are and shall remain the personal
property of the City of Lapeer.
[Amended 2-26-1986; 7-24-2008]
All water meters shall be sealed at the time of installation
with a form of seal approved by the Superintendent of Water and Sewer.
The water meters shall be sealed at the register box and the couplings.
The seals shall not be broken except by the authority of the Superintendent
of Water and Sewer. The residents and the owners of property upon
which a water meter is installed are responsible for the intactness
of these seals and a fee for tampering with the seal wire will be
added to the water bill at the property where any of these seals are
found broken as listed in the City of Lapeer Fee Schedule.
Meters will be read by employees or parties designated by the
City Commission or City Manager. The water meter shall be installed
in an area that is accessible for reading and repair work. Water meters
may not be placed in a crawl space or similar confined space areas.
[Amended 6-12-1985]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CONSUMER
The owner of the house,
or other building, or premises, lot or parcel of land to which water
is supplied by the City of Lapeer. For the purpose of this chapter,
the furnishing of water service shall be deemed the sale of a commodity
and the relationship between the City of Lapeer and the consumer,
that of vendor and purchaser.
OWNER
Title holder of record or any one of the title holders of
record with an equal interest in the property, a land contract vendee
in possession, a receiver, personal representative, trustee, lessee,
or any other person, firm, or corporation having the right of possession
or control of the property.
[Amended 7-10-2002; 7-24-2008]
A. The consumer may have his, her, or its meter tested for a fee. The
size of the water meter determines the fee as listed in the City of
Lapeer Fee Schedule. All water meters are tested by a private testing
company to meet the American Water Works Specifications.
B. Should the water meter fail to meet American Water Works Association's
test specifications, the City shall refund the testing fee to the
consumer and make an appropriate adjustment in the water bill. However,
should the meter be found to register within the American Water Works
Association's test specifications, the City shall retain the meter-testing
fee to defray the expense of the test.
Should a water meter become inoperative, the consumer shall
pay for water service based on the average of three preceding metered
months.
[Amended 3-14-1990; 7-24-2008]
Outside irrigation for any purposes, including lawns, gardens,
and flower beds, from the City's public water supply may be prohibited
or restricted upon published notice when the City Manager, through
his Superintendent of Water and Sewer, determines that a public water
shortage is likely to occur. During such times, the City Manager may
also direct that other measures be taken or restrictions observed
by users of the public water supply system. Notice of any such measures
or restrictions shall be given by publication in a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of Lapeer.