Meters, etc., to measure water or detect waste

Subject to this Act, with respect to the breaking open of streets, a licensee may for the purpose of measuring the quantity of water supplied or for preventing or detecting waste, affix and maintain meters and other apparatus on its mains and service pipes and may insert in any street, but as near as is reasonably practicable to the boundary thereof, the necessary covers or boxes for giving access and protection thereto and may for that purpose temporarily obstruct, break open and interfere with streets, sewers, pipes, wires and apparatus.