Scranton Gas & Water Co. v. Sturgess

Citations

• 47 Pa. Super. 203
• 1911 Pa. Super. LEXIS 135

Syllabus

<p>Water companies — Water rates — Water meters — Proof of quantity supplied — Evidence.</p> <p>In an action by a water company against a customer to recover for water supplied, the record of the water meter is not conclusive upon the defendant, although the company offers proof that the meter was of standard design, properly made and duly tested after the dispute with the defendant had arisen. In such a case the defendant may show that although his premises were extensive as alleged by the water company, yet that during a large part of the period charged for, defendant and his family had been absent, his mansion house closed, his barn unoccupied, and that but little sprinkling had been done because of the wet and showery condition of the weather. The defendant may also show that the water company during the next succeeding period had installed another meter on defendant’s premises, and that the readings of this meter were corroborative of defendant’s claim that some error must have existed either in the former meter, or in its reading by the plaintiff’s employee.</p>