Section 170IAC6-1-5. Location of meters

   (a) The location of meters may be determined by the utility pursuant to the utility's rules and specifications.

  (b) The meter may be located:

(1) in an outdoor pit;

(2) inside the building or premises of the customer being served; or

(3) in a standardized location pursuant to:

(A) utility rules; or

(B) local ordinance.

  (c) When the meter is to be installed in an underground pit, the pit shall be located in a convenient and readily accessible location. Upon request by the customer before the installation is made, the pit will be located at the point requested, if feasible under proper utility standards. The pit must be constructed to protect the meter from freezing and damage by vehicular traffic. The pit location and design should prevent, as far as possible, the inflow of surface water.

  (d) Meters installed in underground pits, to the extent practical, shall not be installed where they are likely to sustain damage due to being struck or crushed, as in driveways, parking lots, etc. When this is not possible, heavy duty tile, ring, and lid assemblies shall be used to protect the installation and adjoining service or main, or both.

  (e) When, following the installation of an underground pit by the utility, a customer causes damage due to changes in property usage to:

(1) the underground pit;

(2) adjoining service;

(3) the water main; or

(4) any combination of the facilities listed in subdivisions (1) through (3);

the customer shall be responsible for the payment of necessary repairs to the damaged facilities.

  (f) If the customer wishes to change the location of a properly located underground pit subsequent to its installation by the utility, the customer shall bear the cost of removal and reinstallation, including new service line and retapping of the main, if necessary.

  (g) When the meter is to be installed indoors, it shall be located:

(1) as near as practical to where the service pipe enters the building;

(2) in a clean, dry, safe place that is:

(A) protected from freezing and hot water; and

(B) not subject to wide temperature variations; and

(3) so as to be at all times accessible for:

(A) reading;

(B) inspection; and

(C) removal for testing.

  (h) If:

(1) a customer requests and the utility approves; or

(2) the utility determines that it is desirable in order to facilitate meter reading;

a remote reading register device may be installed outside the building at an accessible location. (Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission; No. 34805: Standards of Service For Water Utilities Rule 5; filed Nov 28, 1977, 3:00 p.m.: Rules and Regs. 1978, p. 679; readopted filed Jul 11, 2001, 4:30 p.m.: 24 IR 4233; readopted filed Apr 24, 2007, 8:21 a.m.: 20070509-IR-170070147RFA; filed Dec 15, 2008, 11:46 a.m.: 20090114-IR-170080315FRA; readopted filed Aug 2, 2013, 2:16 p.m.: 20130828-IR-170130227RFA)