Chapter IV
General Service Policies

4.2 Meters - For Gas, Electric and Water Utilities.

a. Meter Ownership/ Installation
The utility shall install, own, and maintain a meter of a type appropriate to the nature of the service, for each applicable utility service. Meters shall not be required, however, where consumption can be readily computed without metering or where the service is of a temporary nature and the cost of meter installation would be unreasonable. A meter seal shall be placed on all meters such that the seal must be broken to gain entry. Private meters up to the point of demarcation (Utility meter or RSU) are prohibited for any City utility service. Should a private meter exist, the City shall replace it with a utility meter at no charge to the account holder.
b. Individual Metering
Individual metering shall be required on multi-occupancy premises in which unites are separated leased or owned, except that the utility may provide single meters for the following:
    1. Service for central heating, cooling, water heating or ventilation systems;
    2. Where individual metering is impractical, unreasonable or uneconomical as determined by the City of Hawarden;
    3. Where sub-metering or resale was permitted prior to July 12, 1966; or
    4. Where resale as an undefined part of a fixed rental or lease payment was permitted prior to January 1, 1979.

    Separately metered utilities shall not be interconnected (i.e. two separate gas services being connected is prohibited).

c. Special Metering Installation
The utility reserves the right, at its option and expense, to place special meters or instruments on the premises of a customer for the purpose of special tests of all, or part, of the customer’s load or equipment or for remote or automated meter reading.
d. Meter Register
Where it is necessary to apply a multiplier to the meter readings, the multiplier shall be marked on the face of the meter register or stenciled in weather resistant paint upon the front cover of the meter. Customers shall have continuous visual access to meter registers at the meter except where the utility has experienced vandalism to windows in the protective enclosures, where access would create a safety hazard, or where access to tenant metering installations is restricted by a building owner.
e. Meter Testing
All meters and associated devices shall be inspected, tested, adjusted and certified to be within an allowable tolerance of error, prior to being placed in service. Subsequent periodic testing shall be in accordance with the schedules and tolerances required by the manufacturer, as can be accomplished by Utility personnel. Customers requested tests shall be provided in accordance with section 3.6 "Customer Services" of these service rules.
f. Meter Location
All meters shall be located in a proper, handy and accessible place approved by the City of Hawarden. For new homes and businesses, gas and electric meters shall be outside the structure, except that electric meters may be placed inside a structure if the account holder pays for a remote. Water meters shall generally be inside the home, in basement if possible. However the meter may be located outside a building, provided the account holder shall furnish and install at his/her expense a meter box, approved by the Water Supervisor, with proper extension dial near the surface of the ground.