In the event a meter is out of order and fails to register, the consumer shall be charged at the average daily consumption as shown by the meter when in order. Meters in sizes from one-half-inch to two-inch, inclusive, may be removed and tested free of charge to the consumer once every five years, and may be tested more often than once during a five-year period upon the written request of the customer, and may be tested in the customer’s presence in the shops of the utilities division and a report thereon duly made. Both the parties to the test must accept the finding so made. If the test discloses an error against the customer of more than three percent in the meter’s register, the excess charge during the three previous readings shall be credited to the consumer’s account, and the utilities division shall bear the entire expense of the test and the deposit required as hereinafter prescribed shall be returned. When no such error is found, the person who has requested the test shall forfeit the deposit as a charge for conducting the test. Before making a test of any meter more frequently than the five-year period, the person requesting the test shall, at the time of filing the request with the division, place a deposit with the city treasurer of the amount charged for such test, subject to the conditions herein stated: