(A) Failure to Operate. If a water meter fails to operate and a reading cannot be taken, a bill may be issued by the City in an amount based on the average consumption rates for that customer or based upon average consumption rates for that location. An average will be established based on the customer’s usage during the prior three years for the corresponding time period or, if unavailable, based on the City class average for the corresponding time period.

(B) Failure to Register. If a water meter fails to register correctly, or if the City is unable to take readings for a cycle due to inclement weather or other conditions not attributable to the customer, a bill will be issued by the City as stated in subsection (A) of this section. To the extent the actual charges differ from the estimate, the next bill will reflect the increase due or the credit amount.

(C) Inaccessible Reading. If a water meter is otherwise made inaccessible for a manual reading by the customer or property owner, a bill will be issued by the City for an amount that is twice the average consumption rates for that customer or that location.

(D) Any authorized person seeking verification of water meter reading may request and have the City perform a special reading of a water meter upon the payment of a fee in an amount to be set by resolution of the Council. If the special reading indicates that the regular water meter reading was incorrect, then the fee shall be returned to the customer. (Ord. 06-1012, passed 6-26-2006; Am. Ord. 14-1299, passed 8-18-2014. Formerly 14-6-3)