Legal Documents of Rocky Top
Code of Rocky Top
Title 18 Water and Sewers
Chapter 1 Water And Sewers
18-104 : Tampering with or damaging facilities.
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meter Tampering Charge | Account Suspended 30 Days | Account Suspended 60 Days | Account Suspended Indefinitely | |
| Tampering Fee 1 | Removing Lock - Breaking Shut Off Valve - Meter Jumper | $500.00 | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 |
| Tampering Fee 2 | Unauthorized Connection or Tap | $1,000.00 | $2,000.00 | $2,000.00 |
| Damaged Lock | $50.00 | $75.00 | $100.00 | |
| Damaged Shut-Off Valve | $150.00 | $175.00 | $200.00 | |
| Damaged Meter | $350.00 | $375.00 | $400.00 | |
| Unauthorized Tampering with Fire Hydrant | Unauthorized use charge assessed to any person or permit holder found hooked up to a fire hydrant without a valid hydrant meter permit or metering device or (unmetered) | $500.00 + water usage at $0.50/gal zero to 5,000 gallons $1.75 per 100 gallons in excess of 5,000 gallons |
$1,000.00 + water usage at $0.50/gal zero to 5,000 gallons $1.75 per 100 gallons in excess of 5,000 gallons |
$1,500.00 + water usage at $0.50/gal zero to 5,000 gallons $1.75 per 100 gallons in excess of 5,000 gallons |
Master Meter Rental
| Rental | $1,100.00/Refundable |
| Metered water usage | $0.10/gal |
Penalty per occurrence for failure to report monthly readings: Seventy five dollars ($75.00).
Meter deposit - A deposit is required at the time of permit issuance and pick-up. Checks, cash, or money orders are accepted. Deposit refunds shall be processed within thirty (30) days of return of the meter(s). A deposit will need to be paid for each hydrant meter application/permit that is taken out.
Permit Tag Fee
All fees must be paid in advance and are non-refundable: Seventy five dollars ($75.00) - Hydrant use permit tag (up to thirty (30) days).
Water Insurance
Limit of protection - Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) (per occurrence, up to two (2) occurrences)
Residential monthly rate - $2.35
Residents will automatically be enrolled unless residents calls city hall to decline.
According to Tennessee law, specifically Title 65, Public Utilities and Carriers § 65-35-102 of the Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA), it is unlawful to tamper with or obstruct a water meter. This includes actions that would limit access to the meter or interfere with its functionality.
Blocking access to a water meter, for example, by parking a vehicle over it, placing fences or walls around it, or paving over it, is considered a form of obstruction and is prohibited under these regulations.
Violations of these regulations can lead to both criminal and civil penalties. Criminal penalties may include fines and potential imprisonment, while civil penalties can include fines, payment for the utility's estimated loss of revenue (potentially three (3) times the amount lost), reasonable attorneys' fees, and other costs associated with the violation. Utilities may also seek civil remedies regardless of criminal charges. (Ord. #587, June 2024, as amended by Ord. #590, Aug. 2024, modified)