Members of the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety passed a resolution Monday evening that amends the city’s Water Meter Policy.
The city’s utility superintendent, Donnie Davidson suggested amending the policy in light of a recent issue with a water meter at a customer’s home. He wanted to include a policy on water meter accuracy requests. When a customer challenges the accuracy of the meter and the city has to remove the meter and it undergoes independent testing there is a cost involved. Davidson is proposing putting that cost on the customer. Determining the cost, he proposed $265 which includes labor to remove and install a water meter, labor to transport the meter to the independent test and the cost of testing the meter.
The fee would be placed as a deposit by the customer but if it was determined that the meter was faulty the water department would pay the cost.
Councilman Wayne Smith questions the $265 fee saying that is seemed a bit high and many may not be able to afford the cost and have to live with a possible meter issue.
Councilman Shawn Grobe asked if the water department was experiencing issues.
Davidson said it was very rare but he wanted to treat all future customers equally.
Councilman Duane Culp too was concerned if a customer was unable to pay the deposit. Davidson asked if it was fair for other water customer to pay especially if the meter was within the acceptable range.
The Board of Public Works and Safety reaffirmed that water billing shall be based on the actual meter reading. Therefore no credit shall be issued to the customer for a water leak with has occurred on the property owner’s service lines or internal plumbing which has been metered.
To be considered for a waste water credit, residential customers must first contact the City office and request the issue be investigated. To be considered for investigation, water usage must exceed a 100% increase over the highest month’s usage within the previous 12 month period. If it is determined that the leak was not discharged into the sanitary sewer there could be an eligibility for a waste water credit.
The amendment was unanimously approved.
