[Amended 3-23-1983; 7-10-1985; 9-23-1987; 2-13-1991; 4-24-1991; 11-30-1994; 7-2-2008 by L.L. No. 5-2008[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also provided that it “shall take effect immediately in accordance with law upon filing with the Secretary of State, with the exception of the changes outlined in § 348-49B, which shall become effective with the first billing under the new automated meter reading system, but not later than December 31, 2008.
A. 
Pursuant to the authority contained in §§ C-66 and C-67 of the Ithaca City Charter, the Board of Public Works shall from time to time, by resolution, set water and sewer rates to meet budgeted revenue projections.
B. 
Minimum water and sewer bills shall be determined by applying the established water and sewer rates to the corresponding cubic feet allowed based on meter size, as defined below:
Meter Size
(inches)
Cubic Feet Allowed
Small
1,200
1
3,200
1 1/2
5,500
2
11,200
3
16,000
4
24,100
6
42,100
C. 
Water supplied outside the City of Ithaca shall be billed at 125% of the established rate for water within the City.
D. 
The Board of Public Works shall from time to time, by resolution, set rates for other water- and sewer-related services, such as but not limited to unmetered sprinkler service, unmetered water provided via suitable connections to hydrants, bulk metered water for filling spray rigs, tank trucks etc., readings and/or bills requested on other than regular reading or billing dates, curb stop shutoff or meter removal, and duplicate bills.
A. 
Meters will be read at least quarterly.
B. 
Bills shall be issued and penalties assessed in accordance with § C-54 of the Ithaca City Charter.
C. 
Failure to receive the bill shall be no reason for an extension of the period.
D. 
A fee as established by Board of Public Works resolution will be assessed for removing and resetting meters and turning the water off and on.
E. 
Meters up to and including one inch will be tested upon application of the consumer and the making of a deposit as established by Board of Public Works resolution. If the meter shall test no more than 3% fast on full or half flow, the deposit is to be forfeited to the City. If the meter tests more than 3% fast, a proportionate allowance will be made on all bills no more than six months old and the deposit returned to the consumer.
F. 
Whenever the Meter Department shall determine that, in its opinion, a meter is not registering properly, it shall be removed and calibrated or replaced by a new meter. This shall apply to all meters through which City water is furnished, whether owned by the City or the consumer. Meters must be installed in places easily accessible at all reasonable times for reading and inspection.
G. 
Whenever bills for water are more than 60 days past due, the meter may be removed and the water turned off.
H. 
After a meter is attached, any damage which the meter may sustain from freezing or from hot water being forced back through the meter or from any external cause will be repaired by the Meter Department and the cost of the same charged to the owner or agent.
I. 
If meters need attention, the Meter Department must be notified at once. Plumbers are not allowed to remove meters for repairs or any other purpose. All persons are forbidden to break meter seals, disconnect or in any way tamper with meters after they have been installed on the premises.
J. 
Water bills are due as follows:
(1) 
Zone 1: February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.
(2) 
Zone 2: March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1.
(3) 
Zone 3: January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.
K. 
The cost for the installation of water service lines and or sewer laterals shall be billed to the owner of the property, and bills shall be issued and penalties assessed in accordance with § C-54 of the Ithaca City Charter, except that the penalty for bills not paid within 30 days shall be the greater of 12% per annum or $3 per month. If the service lines or laterals are installed at the request of someone other than the property owner, or if the property is not within the City of Ithaca, a deposit sufficient to cover the estimated cost of the installation shall be collected prior to commencement of the work.
[Amended 12-2-2020 by L.L. No. 2021-04]
L. 
A fee as established by Board of Public Works resolution shall be assessed for a request to read a meter and/or produce a bill at a time other than the regularly scheduled reading and/or billing.