Hallsville Metering Units ordinance (§ 705.200)

A. Establishment Of Metering Units.

1. Each of the following types of facilities shall comprise a metering unit and be metered individually; provided, however, that the owners of a multiple-family facility shall have the option of installing a single water meter for each facility, but the rate charged for water service on such single meter shall be set forth under Subsection (C) herein:

a. Apartment.

b. Boarding or lodging house.

c. Club; accommodating or assembly type cooperative house.

d. Dormitory.

e. Dwelling, single-family.

f. Dwelling unit in multifamily building.

g. Farmstead.

h. Hotel.

i. Industrial or manufacturing plant.

j. Manufactured home park.

k. Motel or tourist court.

2. The general rule for establishing metering units for any other types of facilities not mentioned above shall be meter for each family unit used for residential purposes and one (1) meter for each business or industry.

3. Exceptions.

a. Exception A: Commercial business property may be considered a single metering unit when, in the opinion of the Director, it is not practical to separately meter each business.

b. Exception B: Owners of manufactured home parks shall have the option of installing a water meter on each individual mobile home, provided they install a water main system within the park, which is certified by the Director or his/her designee as meeting City design standards and which is in accordance with the City's water main extension policy and that such water mains along with necessary easements are dedicated to the City.

B. When requesting water service, the customer may be required to furnish information as to his/her expected water demand. The department shall then determine the proper type and size of the meter to be installed. The department reserves the right to change the meter size at any time in order to improve registry of flow. All meters having openings four (4) inches in diameter or larger shall be accompanied with a properly valved meter bypass as a part of the meter box installation.

C. Whenever a manufactured home park, apartment house or other multiple-family facility is served with water through a single meter, the rate for such service shall be determined as follows:

1. The minimum charge for service for each single meter serving multiple-family units shall be the appropriate minimum charge as set forth under Sections 705.320 and 705.330 for an individual unit multiplied by the number of residential units or lots in the case of manufactured home parks that are available for rent or purchase.

2. The total usage of water, beyond the total minimum usage, shall be determined by subtracting the number of minimum of gallons allowed from the total amount used. The amount will be charged at the rate per thousand gallons as stated in Section 705.320.

3. Total billing will then be the total of Subsection (C)(1) and (2) above.

D. Statement for service furnished to multifamily units through a single meter shall be sent only to the person or party who requested such service and established an account with the department for such service. In no case will the department send individual statements to tenants of such facilities for their proportionate share of the service furnished.