IQ-EQ | 110,749 followers on LinkedIn. <81> <81> <2022> After you establish a system's ERU quantity, you can use it to determine the number of ERUs for other types of service connections. This saves the systems from having to maintain multiple meters and make multiple service trips to disconnect and reconnect individual rental property meters, allows for a single water bill to be mailed, and saves the property owner money by not requiring them to maintain multiple lines across their property. There is nothing that prevents a customer from having a separate meter just for their irrigation system. /CMapType 2 def In the last couple of months, Ive heard from some systems that they were moving to totally enclosed and sealed registers. <8A> <8A> <0160> The assumed population equivalent per connection should be indicated. How do we determine base rates for 2- or 3-inch meters? g MLu]VxcN[4wosYpe$C4-`#`:euD=G)\IGiuu}o\2kr%Scw#LBSkEkG=] i"a8S7EB=w=N Is this a fool-proof verification? Can you help me out with this? <002D> endbfrange <8D> <8D> <2022> Until they can do that, they dont get a meter. n``N}@:\_EF-_*p"X;9$W'}',vl#A7.9J uph%(+u n'8i b9XAH03047:|clf`. The extra 15 percent capacity is supposed to be maintained by the system (not paid for by the new customer), but the system may require applicants requesting service to pay for some of the system upgrades that will be used by that applicant. 0000000903 00000 n <91> <92> <2018> <99> <99> <2122> e. The Corporation shall require each Member to have a cutoff valve within 2 feet of the meter on the Members side of the meter for purposes of isolating the Members service pipeline and plumbing facilities from the Corporations water pressure. If it is a single tract of land and the plumbing to each of these eight units is all combined into one common line, then a master meter would probably be the better option for this applicant. At the time of this Agreement, an ESFC of wastewater means 315 gallons per day of water and an ESFC of water means 400 gallons per day of water. For customers who have their homes 500 feet or more off the road, meters may be relocated to the edge of the customers property instead of at the house. <90> <90> <2022> stream trailer There are many different types and uses of wells. 1 begincodespacerange However, there are some situations where a brand-new meter is installed, and it doesnt register correctly. begincmap w;A`@3YceL 0a0DD8T#_ _~qd"D|%U0 a`q]HEWls!G29h4 Due to an expansion, the two split and are now serviced by the same meter. However, the only leverage we have is to disconnect service to the convenience store in order to compel the chain restaurant to get a separate meter. Prior to initial connection of any Customer other than a single-family residential Customer, the District's Engineer shall calculate . <> 8P_zz[__z-os%DtGDrJb"" )A <91> <92> <2018> Some systems opt to offer discounts to customers that have multiple connections or to waive impact or other front-end capital improvement fees. Your tariff should include the requirements for evaluating an application for a master meter. /Registry (Helvetica-ObliqueOPBaseFont5) <00> <00> <0000> The original member will pay all costs associated with a new meter installation as if they were a new customer, since they are a new customer at this new location. Whatever the reason for requesting a second or third meter, they get irritated when they are denied the other meter (or told they will have to pay the cost of paralleling the line) while the person behind their property is enjoying a meter on their property. 0000002157 00000 n >> def Q: One of our members sold their property and land but did not transfer the membership. In addition to the cost of the meter installation as well as any upfront impact or buy in fees. <09> <0A> <0009> A particular manufacturer is selling a pretty good meter, but it is not certified and before I invest a lot of money into their radio read system I need someone to answer this question. These cost-of-service issues have subsequently been transferred to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), which has been very pro-consumer when addressing complaints. 1 begincodespacerange 1.1 Land Use Assumptions and Projected Population The BPSUD water system operates as 4 independent pressure planes, which requires that each pressure plane be analyzed as a stand-alone system. 362 0 obj <85> <85> <2026> 36 beginbfrange 6^u9Z{s DraDsio1,m?Ph/&KZlho_ryP Industrial 3. There is an automatic gate that only works by remote and we do not have access to it. Other systems are installing AMR Meters for the first time, installing AMR Meters in high density or high-traffic areas or upgrading to AMI meters. 362 13 Payment of these fees are reimbursable if and when the District sells Bonds for that purpose and the TCEQ . It appears they have done this to supply water to more than 60 small rental homes on two 5/8 x 3/4 meters. described above, SWWC currently supplies water to at least 5,465 active LUEs (i.e., single-2 Living Unit Equivalents (LUEs). 36 beginbfrange 12 dict begin xref Based on the level and manner of service being requested by the owner, a 2-inch water meter may or may not be sufficient to provide the water capacity being requested. Amstelveen is a leafy, prosperous, family-oriented suburb close to Amsterdam, which has a growing population of international residents. Additionally, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules require that all public water systems be designed with a minimum of 15 percent extra capacity. %PDF-1.5 % Q: Our local WSC is planning to implement a policy in order to comply with the one meter per residence rule. /CMapName /Times-RomanOPBaseFont0 def <88> <88> <02C6> A: This is a common problem for older systems as they try to come into compliance with newer rules. If there is reason to believe a dangerous or hazardous condition exists, the corporation may conduct a customer service inspection (CSI) to verify the hazardous condition and may notify the local county health office. If your systems tariff contains the same language as TRWAs sample tariff, failure to remedy this hazardous condition is subject to disconnection without notice, and ultimately cancellation of membership due to policy non-compliance in accordance with Section E if the issue is not remedied. Usually, the original person that is allowing the other persons meter to be installed on their property (the front property owner) is agreeable and welcomes the chance to help their neighbor (the back property owner) save some money. The normal benefit to the applicant and the system is that the applicant/landowner can design their own water system within their property and not have to worry about multiple meters and which service lines goes to which office or trailer space. connection (living unit equivalent) that for the purposes of this Amended Agreement shall be Six Hundred Fifty This letter should outline the PUC requirements for an accurate metering of water per connection. A: This is commendable for a system member to agree to read all the meters for your system at no cost. "!#w~[^Mt__^7ea?VU> {9Vh*A!_Q~" [w|V}.f%z[o~di_Yzbb{[Xu]\*lq& This only works for meter reading and does not solve the issue of access for repairs and emergencies. Afo/.# G(omQb#\9 This allows the water to straighten out and have less turbulence, thereby allowing the meter to register as accurately as possible. [tF]JJfSHYs8n?G?#ZS^n#E|WHxt2o1BBb.el+Dijwv-7ajcn7mY 6ii>a!0Y7"9ET3 A water well is a hole drilled into an aquifer with a pipe, screen, and pump to pull water out of the ground. <9C> <9C> <0153> Wouldnt it make sense for the owner to have to pay the cost of extending the line(s) out to those structures? Some of this cost will be paid by these new customers once they start paying their monthly water bill, but the previous customers not only have been paying for what it costs for them to receive water delivered to their homes, they have also been paying a bit extra toward the complete debt-service for all existing capacity. There may be limitations that prevent using the meter when there is an outside water ban or other drought measures are in place. I was told the meter was installed when a relative lived in a trailer on the far end of the property, but the meter has not been used for many years. In fact, there are laws about meter tampering, damage and diversion if a person is caught or found guilty of messing with a utilitys meters. The short answer is yes, the WSC/district board can change their tariff/service policy to allow for meters to be set on someone elses property. 0000002770 00000 n 0 The capacity is being used either way, and these new meters and customers are utilizing their share of the systems resources. <9B> <9B> <203A> The most immediate issue to address is the potential health hazard caused by the loss of pressure when the booster pump kicks on. Installing multiple meters on a single undivided property with a line running across the property could lead to easement issues in the future. Setting the meter on the property owned by the applicant is always the best policy. <7F> <7F> <2022> #9: "We're already listed as very high risk. Published February/March 2021 (Issue 1 of Quench). % Email: info@trwa.org, Water University/Utility Management Certification, TCEQ Requirement All Occupational Licensing, Wastewater Technical Assistance & Training Program, Click Here to Return to the Ask Larry Archives Homepage, Metering & One Meter per Residence Rules (Ask Larry). The Members use of the Corporations curb stop or other similar valve for such purposes is prohibited. Do they have to register as a business with the state or get a water commercial permit? Based on my experience, a great number of systems opt to have a single meter properly sized to meet the service needs requested by the owner instead of having multiple smaller master meters or even individual meters for each apartment. The closest thing we have to a bottom line here is that a system can remove the meter, but they still need to maintain capacity at that same location in case a future applicant wants to re-install another water meter there. <00> Connections may be described in terms of single family equivalent connections, living unit of equivalents, or any other generally accepted unit of consumption typically attributable to a single family household. <8B> <8B> <2039> Accordingly, at Section 24.169(a)(2) of the PUCs rules, the Commission unequivocally states that unless otherwise ordered by the commission, each utility shall provide, install, own and maintain all meters necessary for the measurement of water provided to its customers.. Leakage 8. <90> <90> <2022> begincmap I am not aware of any cost of service appeals dealing with this issue specifically, but systems should be aware that the PUCT might side with the customer if someone complains about being charged new fees to obtain service at a location where service previously existed. u5e` T Again, this is an insurance issue to address with your insurance carrier. First, the one meter per residence language should be part of your tariff or service policy. The District currently encompasses 767 acres and is located wholly within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Houston, Texas (the "City") and is located within Katy Independent School District. |pz~0u]MbHw{B|%r4ln'Ur]af2Ia0 fkF0S;@G bYH(?I Some systems try to solve this issue by installing remote read meters (AMR) that allow the employee to drive by all the meter locations and the meters transmit the readings to a base unit in the vehicle. begincmap Single family Non-Residential Flow (gpd) # Users 2. D/^&H The system needs to be aware of the potential liability issues with such an arrangement and should contact the systems insurance provider to find out what, if anything, would be covered if the person is injured while reading meters or causes an accident or damages some customers property. 12 dict begin When setting these new meters, it is important to remember that if the property is subdivided in the future, each meter should be on the property with the residence or structure to be served. CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop :RA%_Xo($N4jKA$iH~5]_]_W_4_'MAzcbhS Gj,+ NPt%TJMvM'B!41F"#4_M}:C?o_o_Z__^_,bD-CF`s;7Qfdcq12FnfhPM4w*`Rthj7v>N2nAqNtF?ON~kEWTB}WLO'?~_Kjjv?ijpU5l%.^=8I>5jtLd%-A^XABL4"?DDDD~~/a?i{`TG{`_+IW21 ffy./HZU"L3FRCa;5.Z qa?C$;VY!v +rxO%}^F'dvwtkV~JW_k#Nq|o|!mm+DcWS62q}9jQi|:{MT'^K{Ul%kr#x~jBXDvK{!ZoI";NaZa4?AWuAR#kM4Nh0Ai#'A"""!D~" }~},Tv;R*2@YDxw4& f0OeqXYDtc/DCXt(P 4(A|;Z Instead, growth should pay for growth, even if a current member is responsible for the new growth through the addition of a second meter on their property. 0000000536 00000 n Even a temporary hose hook-up is prohibited since that is a violation of the conditions found in your customer service application and agreement. Next, the system needs to send a copy of that policy to the entities that appear to be in violation of that policy along with a copy of the TCEQ rule requiring accurate measuring of each customers usage. TRWA suggests that systems tell their customers to add the cost of their meter and impact fee to the cost of their property before they sell in order to fund installing another meter at their new location. By doing this, when they get a few more meters, they can begin replacing the meter tops with these newer AMI tops. Q: Can we install a meter on land that is not owned by the system member if he gets an easement from the land owner? <9B> <9B> <203A> 67.016(d) provides that a corporation may make water or sewer service conditional on ownership of the real estate designated to receive service and from which the membership or other right of participation arises. Subsection (e) authorizes a corporation to cancel a persons membership if he fails to meet a condition of service prescribed by the corporation. <8F> <8F> <2022> Texas Water Code Sec. Next, the system may want to offer a compliance schedule so that service will not be interrupted during the construction and installation of a second meter on the property designated to receive service.. Q: We have a customer who has his meter inside a fence. Any damage to the Corporations equipment shall be subject to service charges. Know how, know you | We are IQ-EQ, a leading investor services group employing 4300+ people across 24 jurisdictions worldwide. u6hhOk\GhExG-GMYsjYQC\+8*w}ap|B"[C>B\`y[%s*H X[S.3Sj_S\Z'e5TsAd D>~/mOJ>hnm={^hcb(T-C2bm4M"#Zg7;qqFY(kG1jCA XZ0SRpnNN7aQR7.LX*VAT\pPx(aPs Furthermore, Section 290.44(d)(4) states that, each community public water system shall provide accurate metering devices at each residential, commercial, or industrial service connection for the accumulation of water usage data. Section 290.38 defines a connection as a single-family residential unit or each commercial or industrial establishment to which drinking water is supplied from the system. Including this language in a notification letter to all utility customers will help explain why the system is requiring a change for existing multiple connections. We encourage you to consider options for providing service and, most immediately, to ensure compliance with the 85 percent requirement. With regard to your 1.5 inch line, please note that the TCEQ Chapter 290 Rules state that a 2 inch main line size is the minimum to be installed on any public water system. 1. We bring together that rare . I1Aq sa:VAza:o ~6_9d23\@GfqQ H4o?a Z}*B"E}I"}}-}oKk$D%+M?AGPf!Sn$_ WzIj&?K/GrwkIL ( kZPiu-Jbg\N2A;$_J|MS[t7P]"nSx}tcGl>^ZKeKH^ZURCZjVAiU&6mvTAl/wDXIvS-U*Kv[GAWBk'3TnM(u"wP4n": $ ZJ[$+n4b=J}}0_LWjcF;0kc.#1I-u}'[{W}$LSKUnUKI.DW~mR^Np voZNL*aAnh^Xo;kji,5]4>Q/ZhB4cq: TuMBv;M8OPhFGDDDDE_k#[vD4 Dr(~[uk_w~'oa_}2;WdASMS aA aV* 8IxFDDDDD_B""#__O &FF#0B>"(4#c3h*E/#!!80 "Df"qdp%_d$vHf -Uyxn/dqHGci|GE800f:(F/GG0xG#xx DDD-p0 <86> <87> <2020> <8B> <8B> <2039> Section 24.89(a)(1) of the PUC's rules states that, all charges for water service shall be based on meter measurements, except where otherwise authorized by the utilitys approved tariff.. You also should consult your system attorney so an agreement can be developed to set out the scope of volunteer work, as well as the timeliness of these meter readings if you decide to enter into this free meter reading arrangement. 0000002796 00000 n The side benefit of the AMI technology is that when someone reports a leak in the system, this type of meter allows the system to read meters in that section to determine if the leak is from their system lines or from overwatering or leaks on the customers side. Turn the well control on and fill the tank or until there has been sufficient production from the well into the tank to raise the level of water or for the pump to cut off automatically. Therefore, existing customers have been paying for extra capacity for many years and these new customers are being asked to provide a portion of the cost associated with the capacity they will be using. With this person not being an employee or contractor, exactly what leverage does the system use to require the meter readings to be delivered on time and accurately? end We have several customers who have gates at the back of their homes and their homes are built at least 500 feet off the road. 0000001312 00000 n As an example, the number of service connections in an apartment complex would be equal to the number of individual apartment units. There is also a concern about whether your easement allows system personnel to traverse 500 feet of the owners property. The purpose of an equity buy-in fee is to establish parity between the new customer or applicant and those who have already been receiving service. Most importantly, you should enforce these policies and refuse to set a meter until you are satisfied that the applicant does, in fact, own the property on which the meter will be placed. Published in July/August 2020 (Issue 4 of Quench). The result is an estimate of total TRWA does not recommend any product, supplier or person and leaves that decision up to each system. H_w"'i.wF%P)O 0000002966 00000 n Language establishing the utilitys ownership of customer service meters runs throughout TRWAs model tariffs and service policies. The capacity requirement is driven, in part, by the maximum potential amount of water that could be pushed through that meter on a peak day. The impact fee and other front-end capital improvement fees also remain with the existing tap and location and should never be transferred to another property for the same reasons above. Re: US travelers connecting in AMS what are the rules now? <9A> <9A> <0161> Most manufacturers suggest straight runs of pipe ahead of and following a master meter. Since the two businesses have separated and are no longer on the same property, then the convenience store is diverting water to another property, which constitutes an illegal connection or transfer of water from one property to another. <8C> <8C> <0152> This standard specifies that all chemicals used properly will not cause any health effects for the consumers. <00> <00> <0000> One note here about equipment costs to replace the assets being removed TCEQ explained this to include the price of a meter, tapping saddle, curb stops, meter box, service tubing and any parts which were purchased by the original applicant when the service was first installed. Austin, TX 78701 <00> Our engineers say the only way we can meet TCEQ standards for water distribution if we add the meter is with a six-inch line extension. In many cases, system staff were simply too timid to enforce their own policies relating to meter locations if a customer raised their voice, said they would sue the system, or used an intimidating attitude. <82> <82> <201A> We don't know what size the line is behind the meters or how they have them hooked up. The TCEQ interprets an "active connection" as a connection that is completed or existing and able to supply drinking water from the PWS to a single-family <80> <80> <20AC> There also is a section in the Service Application and Agreement form RUS-TX Bulletin 1780-9 (05/17) that states: All water shall be metered by meters to be furnished and installed by the Corporation. <0D> <0D> <000D> Going back to my earlier example, if a current customer wanted a new meter placed at the end of a road a 1/2 mile past the end of the existing water line, that new customer should pay their costs for extending that line and not have that cost be paid for by the rest of the members. /CMapName /Helvetica-ObliqueOPBaseFont5 def Check to be sure these references are included in your tariff and if so, the member would be prohibited from extending service from one side of the road/alley or across a property line to provide service to a neighbors property not designated to receive service according to your tariff. A new membership fee should be required for each new meter. Present Ave. Daily Flow (B 6 + B 7 ) Single family - include all single family homes, mobile homes and seasonal dwellings in this category. <8A> <8A> <0160> "Equivalent residential units" or "ERU" is a unit of measurement based upon a standard single-family residential home used to establish rates, fees and charges and volume capacity limits. <0D> <0D> <000D> <00AE> endcmap H|T0WQNd(>3IQb= Check to see if this reference is included anywhere and if not, call the supplier or the manufacturer for a copy to keep in your files in case the question comes up in the future. Not all the time, but it is usually pretty accurate unless another deed or court decree has been issued since the countys records were last updated. Q. Until Saturday there was a higher level called "very high-risk area where there is a variant of concern" but that category . /CIDSystemInfo <]/Info 87 0 R/Prev 844706 >> If your system already has this language, then TRWA suggests that systems that have several multiple connection issues send out a letter informing all customers of pending changes or stepped up enforcement of existing policies. fA=~0xO}wASICHzKnp[o %%EOF Ask Larry Archives: Metering and One Meter per Residence Rules. 3 The Blue ater Contract defines a "LUE" as the capacity necessary to serve a single-family residential . <00> endcodespacerange <85> <85> <2026> There are many points that need to be addressed before agreeing to this offer. <8F> <8F> <2022> This can be as little as one foot or several feet of water added to the tank. 0000000016 00000 n Other possible solutions the system may suggest to the customer are: move the fence back so the meter is outside the fence; install a separate gate at the location of the meter; or provide a key or code so the meter reader or repair crew can access the water line and meter 24/7. 365 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<826B791C035DF141B5FC102546D7A1A5>]/Index[339 51]/Info 338 0 R/Length 113/Prev 168287/Root 340 0 R/Size 390/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream However, the applicant or landowner can request a single master meter if they dont want to re-plumb their entire property to accommodate individual meters. There should be a calibration or certification of accuracy with the new meter. <9F> <9F> <0178> <91> <92> <2018> <9A> <9A> <0161> The TCEQ rules dont necessarily state that the calibration must take place upon installation but the clock has to start somewhere and the safe option is to calibrate the meter yourself or secure a certificate of accuracy from the meter company. Billable flow (B 1 + B 5) 7. A. A: We get this question from time to time, and the answer as to whether you should have one master meter for each apartment building or one meter per individual apartment is it depends. In general, the Public Utility Commissions (PUC) rules first want separate meters for each unit so each individual users water usage can be measured accurately. Requiring employees to climb ladders to get over fences or traverse 500 feet of property may not be reasonable access for your system and could be considered denial of access. Well get someone to demonstrate the rate template weve designed and provided to systems across the state. $`pi%X. Do we have to provide water to the new meter on this line? That availability to use that capacity should be paid for, but not by tacking the costs onto existing customers. <83> <83> <0192> Now subtract the first master meter reading from the current meter reading and compare that to the gallons added to the tank. HT /CMapName /CourierOPBaseFont1 def The problem comes when that good person moves out and someone else purchases the front property and doesnt care for or even know the folks behind their property, and wants the customers service line and meter removed from their property. Only the labor to reinstall the meter, a new customer service inspection fee, the BPAT test if there was a backflow assembly there before, and the refundable membership fees could be charged to the new applicant at that previously served location. Q: We have a convenience store and a chain restaurant using the same meter. If the main water line(s) are near the public roads, then the system may offer to move the meter down to the road. This certificate should meet the TCEQ master meter test requirements for initial installation of the meter. The quadplexes were built in 2006 and are not located within the boundaries of a city. trailer <96> <97> <2013> Not sure they have a higher level." Yes, his is true but interestingly only since 4 September. Well meters required by 290.41(c)(3)(N) of this title (relating to Water Sources) shall be calibrated at least once every three years.. A reason for rate training is so the board can justify the base and gallonage charges to all ratepayer classifications and also to TCEQ in case the rate is appealed. Id like to offer an observation though, based on the information from the TRWA Sample Tariff. A 6 inch line, according to the TCEQ Chapter 290 Rules, can serve up to 250 connections. 69 0 obj<> endobj The inspector would also check for chlorine residuals at any location which the customer says is being supplied water from a private well or other source. :SYA"e2=pmn':"^Ptvop?L`EekP)H:^OK)XNI A: This is definitely not a new question - many systems have faced this situation over the years. The inspector may also require the customer to demonstrate or show how water pipes at the secondary home are independent of the piping serving the customers primary residence. To Top. Q: Some of our customers have built duplexes in our system. startxref The board can amend the current charge to whatever they determine to be fair to the ratepayers. This can make it difficult for maintenance personnel to identify which line is leaking and increase maintenance expenses compared to a situation with a single meter and a single yard line.