§ 154-97. Charges for use.

(a)

Deposit. A person desiring to use water from a fire hydrant shall be required to deposit $2,900.00 for the use of a temporary meter and any accessories and, upon approval by the commissioner of the department of watershed management or the commissioner's designee, shall be allowed to use water from fire hydrants. Upon return of the temporary meter and accessories and provided that satisfactory evidence is presented that all bills and charges are paid, the commissioner of the department of watershed management or the commissioner's designee is authorized to refund the deposit made without interest, charging such voucher to the refund of meter deposit account. A monthly reading of the meter associated with the fire hydrant for which the temporary meter was obtained shall be used for the calculation of the actual consumption charges to be assessed in connection with the use of water from the fire hydrant.

(b)

Schedule of charges. After a permit is issued, charges for the use of water from hydrants shall be based on a flat daily rate or a retail rate for water used as measured through a temporary meter installed by the permit holder for this purpose. The method of determining charges shall be decided by the commissioner of the department of watershed management or the commissioner's designee based on the following:

(1)

The flat daily rate will be as established by the city including the use of the key.

(2)

If a temporary meter is installed, the charges will be either the retail charge for water used or the minimum bill based on meter size.

(c)

Monthly meter readings. The person to whom a meter is issued is required to make monthly readings of the water used and to submit such readings to the commissioner of the department of watershed management or the commissioner's designee. Upon request by the commissioner of the department of watershed management or the commissioner's designee, the meter must be brought in for verification or testing. A bill based on the monthly meter reading shall be issued to the permit holder.

(d)

Minimum charge. The minimum rate for the use of a fire hydrant shall be as established by the city.

(e)

Failure to pay bill. If the water bill is not paid within 90 days from the date of the bill, the key will be confiscated and the deposit will be forfeited.

(Code 1977, § 9-4062; Ord. No. 1998-87, § 34, 12-10-98; Ord. No. 2005-01, § 6, 1-10-05; Ord. No. 2006-53, § 33, 8-29-06)