BLAND — Bland water customers can now be charged for damage they cause to electronic equipment attached to city water meters following action taken by the Board of Aldermen Sept. 14 during their regularly scheduled meeting.

The board approved an amendment to Section 705.070 of the city’s water-meter ordinance addressing radio transmitters and electronic reading devices.

“The water user shall take reasonable care to prevent damage to the radio transmitter or electronic reading device,” Alderman Shari Morgan read from the new ordinance.

Under the amendment, customers are responsible for damage caused by negligence, misuse or the actions of someone under their control. Customers are prohibited from removing, tampering with, altering or otherwise interfering with the equipment without city authorization.

The city will determine the repair or replacement cost when customer-caused damage occurs, with the cost charged to the water user through the city’s established billing procedures.

The ordinance also establishes circumstances in which customers are not responsible.

“The water user shall not be responsible for damage resulting from normal wear and tear, ordinary deterioration, or damage caused by the city, its employees, contractors, or authorized agents in the performance of their duties,” Morgan said.

Officials said during the meeting that the amendment was prompted by incidents in which meter transmitters had been damaged.

Following two readings, the board approved the amendment with a 4-0 vote.