Columbia Testing and nonregistration of water meter ordinance (§ 27-55)

(a) Each water meter shall, by comparison with accurate standards, be tested and calibrated by the department. If a meter shall be found inaccurate, it shall be restored to accurate condition or a new meter shall be substituted.

(b) The customer has the right to request a special meter test at any time. If any test made at the customer's request discloses that the meter is registering correctly, or within two (2) percent of normal, the customer shall bear a portion of the expense related to performing the test, in an amount not to exceed the following: sixty-five dollars ($65.00) for meters one (1) inch or less and one hundred twenty dollars ($120.00) for meters larger than one (1) inch. The expense of all other tests shall be borne by the department.

(c) Results of calibrations and tests, when requested by the customer, shall be furnished to the customer. If any meter is found to register more than two (2) percent above or below normal, then the readings of that meter, previously taken for billing purposes, shall be corrected according to the percentage of inaccuracy found. Correction for residential customers shall extend back six (6) months previous to the date of meter removal and the customer's bill shall be adjusted, upward or downward as the case may be, for the corrected period.

(d) Should the meter become defective or fail to register correctly, the quantity of water used shall be determined by the amount used during the same period of the preceding year, or the average amount for the three-month period immediately preceding the defective registration.