The mayor and city council of a city of the first class shall have power (1) to require every individual or private corporation operating such works or plants, subject to reasonable rules and regulations, to furnish any person applying therefor, along the line of its pipes, mains, wires, or other conduits, with gas, water, power, light, or heat, and to supply such city with water for fire protection, and with gas, water, power, light, or heat, for other necessary public or private purposes, (2) to regulate and fix the rents or rates of water, power, gas, electric light, or heat, and (3) to regulate and fix the charges for water meters, power meters, gas meters, electric light, or heat meters, or other device or means necessary for determining the consumption of water, power, gas, electric light, or heat. These powers shall not be abridged by ordinance, resolution, or contract.