To Top. 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? 71 0 obj<>stream ~A%b u;_K[O]u?__KVX?p5~5Ka%K}>k47Z=j{u__t A water well is a hole drilled into an aquifer with a pipe, screen, and pump to pull water out of the ground. <09> <0A> <0009> For example, the Service Rules and Regulations of the TRWA Sample Tariff, Section E, states: An apartment building, condominium, manufactured housing (modular, mobile or RV) community, business center or other similar type enterprise may be considered by the Corporation to be a single commercial facility if the owner applies for a meter as a 'master metered account' and complies with the requirements set forth in PUC rules, this Tariff and applicable law. TRWAs Sample Tariff, Section B provides additional detail, requiring compliance with PUC, Chapter 24, Subchapter H rules pertaining to submetering. One requirement under PUC rules is that the owner who intends to bill tenants for sub-metered or allocated utility service or who changes the method used to bill tenants for utility service must register with the PUC in a form prescribed by the commission. 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. 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. How should this be handled? 0000000016 00000 n <9B> <9B> <203A> The one meter per residence just means that a customer can't have two or more residences or businesses on a single meter. 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. 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. 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. During these discussions, we talked about vacant and dormant taps to see how the agency would rule on a cost of service appeal if the system were to remove these dead taps to free up system capacity for other applicants along that water main. <93> <94> <201C> 0000001312 00000 n 3 The Blue ater Contract defines a "LUE" as the capacity necessary to serve a single-family residential . 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. Some systems opt to offer discounts to customers that have multiple connections or to waive impact or other front-end capital improvement fees. <8E> <8E> <017D> <98> <98> <02DC> Would the individual use the company vehicle or his own? 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. 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. An eight-inch (8") water main will generally be required to distribute water and provide fire protection within the multi-family district provided that the water main does not exceed 600 feet in length or serve more than two Q: We have a convenience store and a chain restaurant using the same meter. Billable flow (B 1 + B 5) 7. D/^&H 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. (16) Connection--A single family residential unit or each commercial or industrial establishment to which drinking water is supplied from the system. 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. Sometimes multiple lines from multiple meters can become a maintenance nightmare because all the lines, meters and valves look the same. The valve shall meet AWWA standards (a ball valve is preferred). endcodespacerange TCEQs Chapter 290 requires a meter to accurately determine the usage of each customer unless a master metering arrangement has been made. 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.. The most immediate issue to address is the potential health hazard caused by the loss of pressure when the booster pump kicks on. A licensed operator of a water system can calibrate their own master meters regardless of size or type by using the volumetric calibration method. <9B> <9B> <203A> Until they can do that, they dont get a meter. While the board of directors is keeping the old monthly charges and rates, we only have a base rate for 1 -inch meters. A: It is required that water systems verify that all materials and chemicals used in a public water system meet the TCEQ rules. end Q: We are revising our tariff. endobj A: Yes, under Chapter 13 of the Texas Water Code you must provide service to the applicant if the location of the request for service lies within your certificated service area and your utility is privately owned or a nonprofit water supply corporation. << <8E> <8E> <017D> 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. We really need to understand the regulations and what action we need to take prior to approaching either business. 0000002796 00000 n Also do you have any recommendations for a particular meter read system? #9: "We're already listed as very high risk. /CIDSystemInfo 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. 362 0 obj endobj 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. fA=~0xO}wASICHzKnp[o << A: Your question is very common for all rural and some urban systems. 0000001107 00000 n 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. 36 beginbfrange 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. <0D> <0D> <000D> Each system has to check references, call neighboring systems that use the same product or professional, and verify to the best of their ability the facts before purchasing materials or entering into a contract. <95> <95> <2022> Q: I am going to change out our master meter at the well and replace it with a new one. <82> <82> <201A> Re: US travelers connecting in AMS what are the rules now? \"L&h6AKm5 ZydZ P*dGLr)9 3 <99> <99> <2122> end Both of these sections clearly state that an owner of the property to be served is the only person qualified to be a WSC member and that the meter has to be installed on the property designated to be served. <9C> <9C> <0153> ~0r; endstream endobj 70 0 obj<> endobj 72 0 obj<> endobj 73 0 obj<>/XObject<>/ProcSet 79 0 R>> endobj 74 0 obj<>stream Irrigation with separate irrigation meter is a separate Type of Use. Written comments about an AO should be sent to the enforcement coordinator designated for each AO at the commission's central office at P.O. Others were due to leaks grounding out meters. xb```a``Jc`f`ed@ Ar,8-O00/2\B;wOg`Xl_SKl}w>5">%QPH2F50e00,c 5RJf5v zn ' +\AF> 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. Payment of these fees are reimbursable if and when the District sells Bonds for that purpose and the TCEQ . 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.. 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. The TRWA Sample Tariff addresses this issue and follows the Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chapter 24 rules about the systems ability to access a meter for repairs and normal service. These existing capacity components were and are being paid for through monthly water rates. startxref <91> <92> <2018> First, the customer must supply the system a final plat showing the intended use and ultimate development of the property to be served. Institutional 4. 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. How do we determine base rates for 2- or 3-inch meters? /Supplement 0 CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop endstream endobj 79 0 obj[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] endobj 80 0 obj<>/Width 2550/Height 3300/BitsPerComponent 1/ColorSpace/DeviceGray/Type/XObject/Name/background_1/Subtype/Image>>stream However, due to some political maneuvering several years ago, some exceptions were included in the Texas Administrative Code that allow the commissions executive director to permit master metering when applicable. 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. >> def end The system is not responsible for securing or requiring an easement for any service line from the meter to the ultimate customers home. <86> <87> <2020> 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. 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. (7#~mz*B TwIewVq_kgcQyQ4Jd/ K3E\_%9=G$#. You should always keep the safety of your employees in mind and act within the law. "General Plan" means the General Plan prepared by Developer as submitted to While this may have been more of an undertaking many years ago, most counties have modernized and this research can now generally be done from the systems office. << <82> <82> <201A> end A4INih9'uC0\!a;OKx[TJ2 7Kie The result is an estimate of total <83> <83> <0192> endcodespacerange The larger the meter, the greater the amount of system capacity that must be kept in place for that meter. Even a temporary hose hook-up is prohibited since that is a violation of the conditions found in your customer service application and agreement. /CIDInit /ProcSet findresource begin This can be as little as one foot or several feet of water added to the tank. C+vdt\?K(Pwu,Gu-=s-^|8o!$cntc}Egg=/ckY0 \ %PDF-1.3 % H_w"'i.wF%P)O How common are they compared to the traditional positive displacement manual read meters? lmr19a9s;rw;A$PsI@mr+9pB? <8D> <8D> <2022> The result is an estimate of total u5e` T Using the formula 3.14 X Radius X Radius X Height X 7.48 (gallons per cubic feet) you can calculate the number of gallons of water added to the storage tank. E8EVW:?m^_io~Kk^cQ"_fT"KMB!_ou ]oI_1QdpuOK_-21qWa;_?oN>?/]kD_I'XA_:4}]BhSl'~CA+u_;( m!QVa 8B*t6)(" L-6+$k "gbDF}/?# DWH&J_F#'2,dLj aPh0M0chw&H&; B,"m&_l/@^t\[O;H$w'p!;&C. <90> <90> <2022> 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. He does not want us to move the meter outside the fence for safety reasons. The NSF 60 standard is for chemicals used in a water system. Big problems can occur when either of the properties changes hands. Now subtract the first master meter reading from the current meter reading and compare that to the gallons added to the tank. 69 12 Different growth <96> <97> <2013> <93> <94> <201C> Industrial 3. Define Equivalent Single-Family Connection. 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. o0?LgGt{Cifk_Kat2'~ez{*R,r08e0@Bf1+oxG t%&L!XD(gTn6"LXa9t> 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. Can you help me out with this? Save. <93> <94> <201C> 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. Q: One of our members sold their property and land but did not transfer the membership. R02 includes a pool and lawn and landscape irrigation of the lot as long as there is no separate irrigation meter. <89> <89> <2030> 0000001146 00000 n <00> TRWA has provided numerous training sessions at conferences and at water system offices to demonstrate the impact of larger meters from a revenue impact as well as regulatory requirements. 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. All the meters or at least the material data sheets should state that the materials used to manufacture the meters meet NSF 61. <83> <83> <0192> <8E> <8E> <017D> That availability to use that capacity should be paid for, but not by tacking the costs onto existing customers. 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. 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.