for the single-family residential customer group. Do you have a source for best practices when planning to deal with this issue? Single family Non-Residential Flow (gpd) # Users 2. <8A> <8A> <0160> 0000002796 00000 n 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. That availability to use that capacity should be paid for, but not by tacking the costs onto existing customers. endstream endobj 340 0 obj <. <8E> <8E> <017D> The base rates for larger meters should be set to pay for these larger required capacities instead of making the customers with standard size meters subsidize the customers with bigger meters that place more demand costs on the system. These previously existing meter locations had already paid for or been granted capacity from the water main, and therefore they should not be required to pay for system upgrades. <00A0> <90> <90> <2022> While this may have been more of an undertaking many years ago, most counties have modernized and this research can now generally be done from the systems office. The result is an estimate of total % <84> <84> <201E> The original members account should be closed out at the old address. trailer If your 1.5 inch line is already overloaded, then the WSC is responsible for paying for the difference in costs from a two inch line to serve the single applicant to the 6 inch line your engineers say is required to install. 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. 69 12 <> >> def 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. 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.. <95> <95> <2022> Q: What can you tell me about the new "electronic read" meters on the market today? Back in 2004, TRWA staff met with TCEQ to discuss several issues relating to their capacity regulations and interpretations. ~A%b u;_K[O]u?__KVX?p5~5Ka%K}>k47Z=j{u__t Problems also come about if a leak occurs by some accident or digging operation by the front property owner and the back property owner wants them to pay for damages, or have the system discount their water bill because they didnt know they had a leak. <89> <89> <2030> 0000001388 00000 n This can be as little as one foot or several feet of water added to the tank. /Supplement 0 A: This is an issue weve been talking to TCEQ about as far back as 2004. These references clearly state that the meter belongs to the corporation and is to be maintained by the corporation. (2) Active connection, as used in this section, means a lot or . We really need to understand the regulations and what action we need to take prior to approaching either business. 0000002966 00000 n If the WSC has an easement properly filed at the courthouse for every line and meter, the new property owner cant make the system move the meter. Throughout my time at TRWA, I have seen too many systems that have allowed customers to dictate where they wanted their meters to be set. A. According to subchapter D, rule 290.46(s)(1), flow measuring devices and rate-of-flow controllers that are required by 290.42(d) of this title (relating to Water Treatment) shall be calibrated at least once every 12 months. Setting the meter on the property owned by the applicant is always the best policy. <85> <85> <2026> Next, the utility should contact the systems engineer to obtain a study showing how the number and location of the different dwellings are situated on the tract of land. 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. 0 {e9Q $b@;l0$" Q: How important is the NSF 60 certification on meters or does it even matter? %%EOF <8B> <8B> <2039> The assumed population equivalent per connection should be indicated. <89> <89> <2030> All connections shall be calculated based upon its equivalency to a customary Equivalent Single Family Connection using the City of Houston's equivalency table. R02 includes a pool and lawn and landscape irrigation of the lot as long as there is no separate irrigation meter. ]BA Y,bps`>x/@HnqXNZ1yek5Fq8:^bV_W =.*'&0Y5E4oUpcbT6P,SkV/ lliF7LEM]AgDtC,a]oaF![Oi0 qy}>XPN&:VYCp>F0 " <8D> <8D> <2022> And what if one or all of those new meters were located on the same property, but a half mile away from the end of your current line? Either way, the system has to maintain these higher capacities of well production, storage tanks, pumps, lines and so on, or be fined for non-compliance for violations of 30 TAC Section 290.45 of the TCEQs rules. <002D> In either case, the utility must ensure that fees are assessed fairly. HWn8}7vR}\d.P`! Additionally, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules require that all public water systems be designed with a minimum of 15 percent extra capacity. Payment of these fees are reimbursable if and when the District sells Bonds for that purpose and the TCEQ . If a member purchases land other than where the original meter was installed, according to the TRWA Sample Tariff language, they have to transfer the membership to the new property owner and leave the meter in place. I told her that was incorrect and that I would mail her the documentation to prove it. Q: Our 1.5-inch water line is at capacity and someone who is building a home in the area asked to add a meter to our line. :SYA"e2=pmn':"^Ptvop?L`EekP)H:^OK)XNI <8C> <8C> <0152> Prior to initial connection of any Customer other than a single-family residential Customer, the District's Engineer shall calculate . If not, then the system could be charged with trespassing. Hopefully this will help address the customers concerns. endbfrange <84> <84> <201E> Q: What is the purpose of the restriction on multiple connections to a single tap rule? My question is what is considered access? In the last couple of months, Ive heard from some systems that they were moving to totally enclosed and sealed registers. 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.. Our service agreement states that we only allow one dwelling per connection. <9F> <9F> <0178> endstream endobj 70 0 obj<> endobj 72 0 obj<> endobj 73 0 obj<>/XObject<>/ProcSet 79 0 R>> endobj 74 0 obj<>stream Would the individual use the company vehicle or his own? Due to an expansion, the two split and are now serviced by the same meter. 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. D/^&H (x[u!WMt[~}}PNwAzJg"hK#6yot|L ` hp _Gy;:D'#DU!EN4~\6]W=WM0A >4#]a4aS'\!i SM0_h~6$DQ!k5MidcY8*#SB7(3 w!Nb%#{;%mO0ooWdy_Mo{@G6p~_Cum}mPk#]zK >0'|'{vWcH)uOO^ 6$*5?_~Ujq[~V.V^-W{vj^oKV]OW -(i0r#* +IB> All the meters or at least the material data sheets should state that the materials used to manufacture the meters meet NSF 61. Would this person also have access to the system office or have keys to the water plants? We don't know what size the line is behind the meters or how they have them hooked up. 12 dict begin For example, the provisions of TRWAs Sample Tariff regarding non-standard service include the requirement that the corporation approve the design requirements of the applicants required facilities prior to initiation of a non-standard service contract. X1'H`7g3a*|f{h00eiF` BVb`+c0 z^ /Registry (Helvetica-ObliqueOPBaseFont5) By doing this, when they get a few more meters, they can begin replacing the meter tops with these newer AMI tops. Others were due to leaks grounding out meters. <09> <0A> <0009> Section E allows for disconnection without notice when a known dangerous or hazardous condition exists for which service may remain disconnected for as long as the condition exists, including but not limited to a public health nuisance as defined in Texas Health and Safety Code Sections 341.011 or 343.011. The regulations of the Public Utility Commission also make clear in Section 24.163(a)(2)(A) & (B)that the system is responsible to furnish and install, for the purpose of connecting its distribution system to the service applicants property, the service pipe from its main to the meter on the service applicants property. Ownership of meters by the retail public utility, whether a district, WSC, city or privately owned system, is essential to the ability of the utility to effectively comply with its regulatory obligations. HT A: New meters are supposed to be calibrated and ready to use when shipped to systems. To your knowledge, are there any parts of the tariff that would prohibit the member from entering into such an agreement or any part of the regulations that would prohibit such an agreement or jeopardize the systems compliance? Many times, a customer has a shut off valve installed to the second residence that can be turned off for plumbing repairs or when inspections like these are to be conducted. There are many points that need to be addressed before agreeing to this offer. <9D> <9D> <2022> The rules go on to state that once a system begins to use some of that extra capacity, they need to begin designing specific improvements which will replace this used capacity. w;A`@3YceL 0a0DD8T#_ _~qd"D|%U0 a`q]HEWls!G29h4 Is it ethical for us to charge a second equity buy-in fee for this meter if we already charged such a fee for their first meter? If your new meter is a 2-inch or smaller positive displacement meter, the straight pipe runs are not required for the meter to be accurate. <83> <83> <0192> 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. However, there are some situations where a brand-new meter is installed, and it doesnt register correctly. The CSI inspector should make a note on the CSI form stating that the well has been completely disconnected from all the potable water lines serving the dwelling units. Google Map, Tel: 512.472.8591 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. Do we have to provide water to the new meter on this line? Most of these systems have had positive comments about the dependability of these newer types of meters, and some reported only a 5 percent re-read when the meters were originally installed (this percentage typically went down as they got the bugs worked out). Therefore, removing the meter box completely could allow the utility to reduce its total number of connections for purposes of determining the systems necessary capacity. This allows the water to straighten out and have less turbulence, thereby allowing the meter to register as accurately as possible. n``N}@:\_EF-_*p"X;9$W'}',vl#A7.9J uph%(+u n'8i b9XAH03047:|clf`. The two businesses had been in a partnership in the past under one roof. endcodespacerange The defined area is depicted in Appendix 1. stream 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. 3 The Blue ater Contract defines a "LUE" as the capacity necessary to serve a single-family residential . )-__@u{{z"|RDQG|G2`4Y M6 oaomo[^W[zWJ+wCV 0000000766 00000 n Now climb the tank again after the well pump is stopped and measure the height of water again at the manway. This just means that when the new or existing master meter needs to be tested, the operator can either use an existing, on-site storage tank or any large tanker (fire truck if the capacity is large enough) with a known capacity to verify the meter accuracy. A: Yes, I've heard of the practice of allowing multiple meters on single properties at multiple systems. While it may be difficult for them to claim the second dwelling is vacant if evidence of habitation is obvious, some people might try to claim that the habitation is only intermittent, that no water is being used at the second location, or that water there is being supplied from a separate source. 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. We had the owner submit a feasibility study and it shows that we can support them. This has an added benefit that the customers will be required to maintain their own service lines from the meter to their houses. 0000000536 00000 n The systems and engineers said that if these old dormant tap locations wanted to be re-serviced and if upgrades were required, the present landowners where service had previously existed would have to pay for those upgrades. <93> <94> <201C> R02 - Single Family House (larger than 5/8 " meter). Also, since the lead ban was in effect when the units were constructed in 2006, the CSI inspector should use swabs to test the plumbing for led. 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. <9F> <9F> <0178> <81> <81> <2022> <00AE> A: The property owner may have a single master meter as long as the property is not divided or does not consist of separate tracts of land. Q. xref o0?LgGt{Cifk_Kat2'~ez{*R,r08e0@Bf1+oxG t%&L!XD(gTn6"LXa9t> startxref 1 year ago. Then, once the system reaches 100 percent capacity, that system should begin constructing these new facilities to replace or build that extra 15 percent or more back into their system for future growth. Turn off all valves connected to the distribution system so that no water leaves the tank during test period. The most immediate issue to address is the potential health hazard caused by the loss of pressure when the booster pump kicks on. 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. The sample tariff allows the system to estimate a bill and notify the member of the estimate if meter access is hindered or denied. PUC rules also support the tariff stating that customers/members of a WSC are only qualified to receive service when theyve complied with the written provisions included in the WSCs tariff. Institutional 4. Under 30 TAC 290.38(16), "connection" means "A single-family residential unit or each commercial or industrial establishment to which drinking water is supplied" from the PWS. Re: US travelers connecting in AMS what are the rules now? Your WSC cannot demand that a person pay the entire cost to extend a 6 inch line unless the engineer determines that is the size line it takes to serve that particular applicant. 4Ct?3,RPapG}=>V"vIzJ*m'_ <96> <97> <2013> <8C> <8C> <0152> Save. /Supplement 0 The corporation will disconnect without notice if the member refuses to allow access for the purpose of confirming the existence of such condition and/or removing the dangerous or hazardous condition (30 TAC 290.46(i) and 290.46(j)). Austin, TX 78701 Example: A 20-space trailer park with a 2-inch meter has been evaluated by some TCEQ inspectors to be the actual number of trailer spaces available. Wouldnt it make sense for the owner to have to pay the cost of extending the line(s) out to those structures? #9: "We're already listed as very high risk. Customers that do not report multiple connections, causing utility employees to have to investigate the matter, are usually denied these waivers. <]/Info 87 0 R/Prev 844706 >> CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop Most of the re-reads were because the brand of meters the system had installed used exterior-mounted antennas, which were susceptible to a variety of hazards, such as gophers, dogs or lawn mowers. Q: I am aware of the rule that requires meters to be located on the property being served. How do we determine base rates for 2- or 3-inch meters? 69 0 obj<> endobj In order to correct the issue, the system must first have supporting language in its tariff. The customer does not own the meter just like the customer doesnt own the electric meter or gas meter, even though they have to pay all costs for these other metering devices to be installed. TRWA recommends that systems stop floating memberships and meters from one property to another because of the confusion it creates. <86> <87> <2020> 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. 1 begincodespacerange If so, that is another major concern for liability should he interpret this agreement to read the meters as having free reign to the systems facilities. What a system considers to be reasonable access may vary. begincmap Different growth endstream endobj 77 0 obj<>/BaseFont/Courier/FirstChar 0/LastChar 255/Subtype/Type1/ToUnicode 78 0 R/Widths[0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600 600]>> endobj 78 0 obj<>stream <95> <95> <2022> While the board of directors is keeping the old monthly charges and rates, we only have a base rate for 1 -inch meters. The NSF 60 standard is for chemicals used in a water system. G{|(> 7 \\~;XBM?!GIjM_% ]$N6+ A;#-^V_J_K_Z!m?oW16d pzpDu@N_D}v54}aM,7=?9?rIh:O7U`BVM[np`&6+mC-Ot6)Rz 6+VM?mHAMA5i }l& <98> <98> <02DC> All new customers or applicants for water service use some of the systems existing facilities and capacity that was already in place things like pipe lines, tanks, wells, pumps and so on. <09> <0A> <0009> The customer says there is a gate at the back of his property (more than 500 feet away). Systems generally dont want to extend their liability onto or across private property to read meters or make repairs after dark within a private property on the off chance that frequent trips onto that property raises the chance of some type of accident or damage to the owners property or tenants. It is best to set the meters close to the structure to be served and to always obtain an easement for service lines and meters before new service is established. Q: A current member of our WSC has asked for a second meter on their property. As a general rule, the only difference should be in base rates based on size of meter as indicated in the TRWA Sample Tariff. When a system sees that there is inequity in their current rate structure causing some customers to subsidize the water usage and capacity requirements for other customers, the board ought to rectify the situation by amending rates. The best way to verify whether a customer has a prohibited second connection is by performing a new customer service inspection (CSI). 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. 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. A licensed operator of a water system can calibrate their own master meters regardless of size or type by using the volumetric calibration method. <9D> <9D> <2022> 0000053091 00000 n Most manufacturers suggest straight runs of pipe ahead of and following a master meter. 363 0 obj (In fact, conservation rates can escalate, in proportion to the total gallons, for customers using the greatest amounts of water on a monthly basis.) 0000001445 00000 n It is never a good idea to set a meter at one residence with a yard or service line running across the property to the next active connection. <9E> <9E> <017E> A: The TRWA Sample Tariff states that a meter is to be set on the property designed to receive service and the owner of the property has to be the member of the corporation. /CIDSystemInfo to TCEQ rules regarding elevated storage, the number of connections that are allocated to the tract will be four, because that allocation is determined on the number of meter connections. From this, they can develop a plan that best provides service to the entire development considering the wishes of the developer and the system. <9D> <9D> <2022> 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. 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. <86> <87> <2020> <8D> <8D> <2022> Published February/March 2021 (Issue 1 of Quench). Q: We have a convenience store and a chain restaurant using the same meter. 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. <7F> <7F> <2022> This standard specifies that all chemicals used properly will not cause any health effects for the consumers. /Ordering (UCS) <8B> <8B> <2039> <00A0> Is this legal or what problems could this create? developed and used to calculate the Impact Fee per Equivalent Single Family Connection (ESFC). Installing multiple meters on a single undivided property with a line running across the property could lead to easement issues in the future. 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. (16) Connection--A single family residential unit or each commercial or industrial establishment to which drinking water is supplied from the system. <9A> <9A> <0161> 0000001086 00000 n 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. 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. PUC rules also specify the requirements for language that must be included in the rental agreement regarding submetering, how the charges are to be calculated and how billing is to be conducted. /CMapName /Times-RomanOPBaseFont0 def What options do we have to address this issue? You could also require the applicant to provide this information as part of the application process. /CMapType 2 def Published in January/February 2020 (Issue 1 of Quench). As it relates to the propertys location within or outside of a city, or its participation in any government-assisted or subsidized housing programs, it will be the owners responsibility to notify any necessary authorities of the new source of water, if required, since the system is merely supplying potable water to the property from a master meter. The one meter per residence just means that a customer can't have two or more residences or businesses on a single meter. 1 begincodespacerange for the single-family residential customer group. <93> <94> <201C> 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.. <9E> <9E> <017E> 0 CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop Additionally, many systems didnt want to maintain extended meters and lines within the private property, because in several cases working on these lines proved too intrusive on peoples private property and roads. A: This is definitely not a new question - many systems have faced this situation over the years. 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. A: In the TRWA Sample Tariff, as well as in the USDA-RD Service Application and Agreement Form, it states that a meter shall be installed on a property to serve that single property and water cannot be diverted to another property. Climb the tank and use a steel measuring tape to measure the height of water in the tank to the manway. <<9e8032b06c2c514a87349e8822134d26>]>> However, TCEQs 2019 guidance on determining the number of connections served by public water systems defines active connection to include any connection that has the capacity to receive water, even if there is no customer currently receiving water service there. 5' Our system is more than 40 years old and there are about 20 properties that have more than one residence on a single meter. Sometimes multiple lines from multiple meters can become a maintenance nightmare because all the lines, meters and valves look the same. 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 the case of choosing a meter read system, we suggest that the meter supplier provide you with a list of systems that uses their meters so your system can check out the pros and cons with other systems that are using the meters. C+vdt\?K(Pwu,Gu-=s-^|8o!$cntc}Egg=/ckY0 \ 362 0 obj The Members use of the Corporations curb stop or other similar valve for such purposes is prohibited. <98> <98> <02DC> 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. Duplexes and triplexes are sufficiently similar to single family homes so that a duplex equals twice the ERU . Q: We have several members who have second living residences at their home, but only one meter. They summarized that because there had been a meter at that location, the new applicant should not be responsible to pay for upgrades to the water mains because of new customers being added at other locations along that same water main.