Adjustments in usage charges due to reading errors, leaks, etc.
Oklahoma City Municipal Code § 55-70
in effect§ 55-70. - Adjustments in usage charges due to reading errors, leaks, etc.
(a) In any case where there appears to be a gross discrepancy in the amount of apparent water consumption, an inspector from the Utility Customer Services Division may, upon request of the customer within 30 days from the date the bill is rendered, verify and inspect the reading of the meter. In the event that the meter was misread or a billing error was made, the error will be corrected. In cases of an increase in a consumer's water bill resulting from a hidden or underground water leak, exclusive of faucet or toilet leaks, of which the consumer was unaware, and which could not have been reasonably detected by him, or in the case of burst pipes, an adjustment of such account may be allowed by the utilities superintendent if the leak has been repaired and either a statement submitted to the utilities superintendent reflecting said repair or an affidavit signed by the consumer attesting to this fact is presented to the utilities superintendent.
(b) Upon presentation of the above documentation, an adjustment may be allowed to the extent that the consumer shall pay for his average water consumption at the regular rate. As used in this section the term "average water consumption" shall mean the average consumption of the two previous readings, or if this data is unavailable or does not represent a reasonable average for the consumer, the average consumption of the two subsequent readings or the average consumption from a comparable time period prior to the leak as determined by the utilities superintendent.
(c) If, by determination of the City Manager or his designated representative, and after all reasonable avenues for explanations have been exhausted (i.e., verification of the meter reading, inspection for leaks, meter condition, meter test), the apparent water consumption for a period not to exceed two months shall be excessive in that said consumption shall exceed by 150 percent the average water consumption as defined above and no reasonable explanation appears to exist to justify the exceptional billing, an adjustment to the customer's account may be made if:
(1) the customer shall submit to the City Manager or designated representative an affidavit attesting that he did not consume an excessive amount of water during the billing period in question; and
(2) the customer shall submit to the City Manager or designated representative a statement stating that upon examination of the premises in question no leaks or other causes for the apparent excessive water consumption were found.
Upon presentation of the above documentation, an adjustment may be allowed to the extent that the consumer shall pay for his average water consumption at the customer's regular rate.
(d) In the event a consumer is granted an adjustment to his water bill under this section, and if his sanitary sewer rates are based on his water consumption, an adjustment for sanitary sewer service may be allowed; said adjustment shall be based on the consumer's revised water consumption billing.
(e) An adjustment as described in Subsections (c) and (d) shall only be allowed once during any 15-month period for any given premises or location.
(Code 1970, § 35-42; Code 1980, § 55-68; Ord. No. 18559, § 1, 8-12-86; Ord. No. 19792, § 1, 7-21-92)
Source: City of Oklahoma City, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ok/oklahoma_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=OKMUCO2020_CH55UT_ARTIICIWASE_DIV4RACHBIGECOPR_S55-70ADUSCHDUREERLEETFetched: 10/28/2026