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. The result is an estimate of total Does the owner have the choice of either getting a meter for each unit or getting one master 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. [tF]JJfSHYs8n?G?#ZS^n#E|WHxt2o1BBb.el+Dijwv-7ajcn7mY 6ii>a!0Y7"9ET3 Unless a local governmental authority requires otherwise, or unless otherwise established, an ESFC is defined as 360 gallons per day for average water usage and 300 gpd for average wastewater return flow. /Ordering (UCS) 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. A licensed operator of a water system can calibrate their own master meters regardless of size or type by using the volumetric calibration method. Billable flow (B 1 + B 5) 7. Any damage to the Corporations equipment shall be subject to service charges. 0000036396 00000 n <9F> <9F> <0178> 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. The valve shall meet AWWA standards (a ball valve is preferred). A: This is a common question. U0!_bU2S'vB9{h7UM;y>F]6]>_]I;j]R_}I/l Irrigation with separate irrigation meter is a separate Type of Use. Use some water out of the storage tank (ground or elevated). 0000006249 00000 n <8B> <8B> <2039> By doing this, when they get a few more meters, they can begin replacing the meter tops with these newer AMI tops. CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop Turn off all valves connected to the distribution system so that no water leaves the tank during test period. 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. <86> <87> <2020> Now subtract the first master meter reading from the current meter reading and compare that to the gallons added to the tank. Would the individual use the company vehicle or his own? A: New meters are supposed to be calibrated and ready to use when shipped to systems. This is the back property customers responsibility. 0000001146 00000 n We really need to understand the regulations and what action we need to take prior to approaching either business. /Registry (CourierOPBaseFont1) There is nothing that prevents a customer from having a separate meter just for their irrigation system. 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. HT 1 year ago. Setting the meter on the property owned by the applicant is always the best policy. 12 dict begin hbbd``b`+A| "[@@ebX H0X "$k $BG HI (,HW *##6F0 w -C BiOUuI jL33Vl4N2ZMA z&;~^*9KDzBW~Q(p7rp>dIi=7}%I~y[$+q_3i-#yzqwTxj/,Rz@S| (~x@dn 0000001388 00000 n TRWA has always recommended in our sample tariff that All meters be installed on the property designated to receive service. Using this policy keeps the system dealing directly with the property owner and member of the WSC or the customer of the district instead of having to deal with a property owner or future property owner that doesnt want someone elses meter and service line on their property. <84> <84> <201E> Systems are not required to do expensive title searches, but they should require applicants for service to provide a legal deed or ownership proof showing that the person applying for water or sewer service owns that tract of land. You should always keep the safety of your employees in mind and act within the law. Also do you have any recommendations for a particular meter read system? endstream endobj startxref Q: We have a convenience store and a chain restaurant using the same meter. A: If your board has adopted the basic TRWA Sample Tariff language, then the meter costs and impact fee should stay with the property on which the meter was initially installed. 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. The Commercial facilities are calculated by an Equivalent . endcodespacerange There is no requirement where a WSC can request the landowner to be registered as a business. 1. One of these meters is on a 1"water main line and the other meter on a 1 1/2 water main line. Q: Our system is replacing all of our meters. These waivers usually apply only when the customer voluntarily contacts the system to either install the appropriate number of meters or allow for inspection by system staff to verify that the other connections are not being used. It is unclear whether the units are part of any government-assisted or subsidized housing programs for low-income residents. 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. We had the owner submit a feasibility study and it shows that we can support them. <82> <82> <201A> <00> Using the formula 3.14 X Radius X Radius X Height X 7.48 (gallons per cubic feet) you can calculate the number of gallons of water added to the storage tank. <9E> <9E> <017E> Think of it this way: what if that property owner was requesting not one meter, but four new ones? <96> <97> <2013> Back in 2004, TRWA staff met with TCEQ to discuss several issues relating to their capacity regulations and interpretations. 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. 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. <8F> <8F> <2022> 0000000903 00000 n Now the member wants the water meter moved to a different property about 100 yards from its original location. 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. This certificate should meet the TCEQ master meter test requirements for initial installation of the meter. /CIDSystemInfo Not sure they have a higher level." Yes, his is true but interestingly only since 4 September. 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. <85> <85> <2026> )-__@u{{z"|RDQG|G2`4Y M6 oaomo[^W[zWJ+wCV Well get someone to demonstrate the rate template weve designed and provided to systems across the state. 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. If the customer still feels that the meter belongs to her then it may be helpful to give her the phone number to the PUC so she can discuss her concerns. 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. w;A`@3YceL 0a0DD8T#_ _~qd"D|%U0 a`q]HEWls!G29h4 0000000016 00000 n 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.. ~0r; Q: How important is the NSF 60 certification on meters or does it even matter? Those base rates dont have to be the actual meter size equivalent listed in the TRWA Sample Tariff, but one of the reasons/ justifications for a higher base rate for these larger meters is the TCEQs capacity requirements that each system must maintain. /Ordering (UCS) 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. #9: "We're already listed as very high risk. There may be limitations that prevent using the meter when there is an outside water ban or other drought measures are in place. 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. Would a hose running across the potential users property, across the alleyway, and across about 10 feet of the members property be allowed? It is best to work with your customers so that a reasonable solution can be found. <95> <95> <2022> :SYA"e2=pmn':"^Ptvop?L`EekP)H:^OK)XNI IQ-EQ | 110,749 followers on LinkedIn. <83> <83> <0192> 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? 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. <0D> <0D> <000D> Leakage 8. I have also seen frustration when the front property owner requests a second meter from the system and the line is at capacity. He does not want us to move the meter outside the fence for safety reasons. <89> <89> <2030> 0000006201 00000 n <86> <87> <2020> Austin, TX 78701 However, there are some situations where a brand-new meter is installed, and it doesnt register correctly. The rules provide some ways for the applicant to opt out of individual meters and having multiple water service lines crisscrossing their tract of land. The average daily flow for domestic use shall be calculated at the minimum rate of 100 gallons per day per capita (gpdpc) and an Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC) of 2.5 persons per single-family residence and 2.2 persons per multi-family and mobile home units.. <91> <92> <2018> Hopefully the two figures are the same or within a reasonable margin of error. Ive also not heard of a system providing a water commercial permit. Use of the word commercial by a water system is typically a reference indicating that it is non-standard service and not a regular residential service location. The sample tariff also allows service to be disconnected, after notice, if access is denied for three consecutive months. Total non -residential 6. The ERUs would be equivalent to what would be used by typical single-family residences, if they were using the water. For Tract 2, the engineer assumed 24 equivalent single family connections, and a meter connection count will be four. "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. 71 0 obj<>stream C+vdt\?K(Pwu,Gu-=s-^|8o!$cntc}Egg=/ckY0 \ Commercial 5. 12 dict begin Others were due to leaks grounding out meters. The defined area is depicted in Appendix 1. All usage rates per thousand gallons should be the same across all classes of ratepayers, although conservation rates, designed to encourage efficient and non-wasteful water use practices by customers, can assess higher usage rates per thousand gallons for customers using more than a specified amount each month. Industrial 3. The system is not responsible for securing or requiring an easement for any service line from the meter to the ultimate customers home. 69 0 obj<> endobj For example, the provisions of TRWAs Sample Tariff regarding non-standard service include the requirement that the corporation approve the design requirements of the applicants required facilities prior to initiation of a non-standard service contract. The best way to verify whether a customer has a prohibited second connection is by performing a new customer service inspection (CSI). 363 0 obj <91> <92> <2018> <83> <83> <0192> <0D> <0D> <000D> The customer says there is a gate at the back of his property (more than 500 feet away). /Ordering (UCS) Do we have to provide water to the new meter on this line? << <8F> <8F> <2022> The two businesses had been in a partnership in the past under one roof. E8EVW:?m^_io~Kk^cQ"_fT"KMB!_ou ]oI_1QdpuOK_-21qWa;_?oN>?/]kD_I'XA_:4}]BhSl'~CA+u_;( m!QVa 8B*t6)(" L-6+$k "gbDF}/?# DWH&J_F#'2,dLj aPh0M0chw&H&; B,"m&_l/@^t\[O;H$w'p!;&C. <9E> <9E> <017E> What options do we have to address this issue? endstream endobj 382 0 obj <>stream 0000003802 00000 n <95> <95> <2022> This includes design, review and approval of all plans and all on-site and off-site service facilities by the corporations engineer and compliance with any applicable municipal or other governmental codes and specifications. 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. Published in July/August 2020 (Issue 4 of Quench). 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. My question is what is considered access? 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). Q: Some of our customers have built duplexes in our system. 6^u9Z{s DraDsio1,m?Ph/&KZlho_ryP 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. /Registry (Times-RomanOPBaseFont0) 36 beginbfrange %%EOF Prior to initial connection of any Customer other than a single-family residential Customer, the District's Engineer shall calculate . Q: One of our members sold their property and land but did not transfer the membership. <09> <0A> <0009> <7F> <7F> <2022> <93> <94> <201C> 69 12 CONTACT 1002 Washington Ave., 3rd floor Houston, TX 77002 832.394.8888 wcrtechs@houstontx.gov 8 am to 3 pm Wastewater Capacity Reservation Letter - Wastewater You, the property owner or authorized agent, must apply for a Wastewater Capacity Reservation letter if you are: Wastewater Capacity Reservation Letter - Water 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. The member wants to know if a neighbor can hook up to the meter and if so, under what circumstances. After you establish a system's ERU quantity, you can use it to determine the number of ERUs for other types of service connections. V)bXAmXki65[I47l0B]jU6)ILRn64-7ZvJ"I7LTaTm,XMU0 aBa h5]A"BxV`fNX6:aRVi"Db03iT+P0MDDCDDDD/tL~~1"g43B6GA_628PL&hi$(pD=-RqGqSA$A%py>$kK/. TCEQ assesses the adequacy of a systems capacity on the number of connections on that system and takes into account the number and sizes of larger meters on that system. endbfrange Q: Our system has been asked to serve two quadplexes that were until recently supplied by wells that no longer produce water. 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. Public wells supply drinking water to municipalities. %%EOF Even if the customer would only need standard service, TRWAs Sample Tariff includes the requirement that the property of the applicant/ member shall be inspected to ensure compliance with state required Minimum Acceptable Operating Practices for Public Drinking Water Systems as promulgated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) or successor agency. 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.
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