Q: We have several members who have second living residences at their home, but only one meter. The most immediate issue to address is the potential health hazard caused by the loss of pressure when the booster pump kicks on. 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. %%EOF /CMapType 2 def endstream endobj 75 0 obj<>/BaseFont/Times-Roman/FirstChar 0/LastChar 255/Subtype/Type1/ToUnicode 76 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 0 250 340 410 500 500 840 785 185 340 340 500 560 250 340 250 290 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 290 290 565 565 565 440 925 720 670 670 725 610 555 720 720 335 390 725 615 880 720 720 560 720 665 555 605 715 715 945 725 725 610 335 275 335 475 500 330 450 500 450 500 450 340 500 500 275 275 500 275 775 500 500 500 500 340 390 285 500 500 720 500 500 450 490 200 490 550 350 500 350 340 500 450 1000 500 500 340 1000 565 340 890 350 610 350 350 340 340 445 445 350 500 1000 340 990 390 340 730 350 450 730 250 340 500 500 500 500 210 500 340 770 280 500 570 340 770 340 410 570 300 300 340 510 460 250 340 300 310 500 750 750 750 445 720 720 720 720 720 720 885 675 615 615 615 615 340 340 340 340 720 720 720 720 720 720 720 565 720 720 720 720 720 720 560 500 450 450 450 450 450 450 670 450 450 450 450 450 280 280 280 280 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 565 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500]>> endobj 76 0 obj<>stream A: Master metered accounts are typically used when a landowner wants a single meter to provide water service to multiple buildings, apartments, offices, trailer spaces or other types of business activities. D/^&H <9D> <9D> <2022> Q: We are revising our tariff. (2) Active connection, as used in this section, means a lot or . 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. <81> <81> <2022> The ERUs would be equivalent to what would be used by typical single-family residences, if they were using the water. 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. begincmap 12 dict begin <00A0> <002D> 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. A: This is an issue weve been talking to TCEQ about as far back as 2004. %OEG+HqH\9-:Y2=Ht),h1#d W% `9B-eR+0 each new commercial connection and $1,000 for each new residential connection. Use some water out of the storage tank (ground or elevated). The quadplexes were built in 2006 and are not located within the boundaries of a city. <83> <83> <0192> /Registry (Helvetica-ObliqueOPBaseFont5) How do you protect the integrity of the system when you do not know the background or intent of the person performing the volunteer work? 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. 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)). 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. 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. Q: One of our members has offered to read meters each month for free. By having only one meter to maintain near the road system, the owner would not be responsible for installing and thereafter maintaining individual lines and meters to each of the dwellings, or for disconnecting and reconnecting each individual units separate water meter. /CIDInit /ProcSet findresource begin 362 13 Big problems can occur when either of the properties changes hands. The customer says there is a gate at the back of his property (more than 500 feet away). <85> <85> <2026> 0000002157 00000 n 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. xref 0000001312 00000 n startxref 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. Define Equivalent Single-Family Connection. 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. 0000001146 00000 n /CMapName /Times-RomanOPBaseFont0 def 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. There is nothing that prevents a customer from having a separate meter just for their irrigation system. 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. <82> <82> <201A> If your utility is a political subdivision and you do not have a certificate of convenience and necessity, your obligation and requirements are dictated by other state statutes. The WSC board can amend the water rates at any board meeting where rate adjustments are posted as an agenda item for action. 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? ]BA Y,bps`>x/@HnqXNZ1yek5Fq8:^bV_W =.*'&0Y5E4oUpcbT6P,SkV/ lliF7LEM]AgDtC,a]oaF![Oi0 qy}>XPN&:VYCp>F0 " Published in July/August 2020 (Issue 4 of Quench). One ESFC is defined as equaling a typical detached single-family house. In the last couple of months, Ive heard from some systems that they were moving to totally enclosed and sealed registers. The wait times at the transit Schengen passport control might be a bit longer but probably not since the border police seems to be managing staff levels. <00> <9B> <9B> <203A> <80> <80> <20AC> Commercial 5. Master District that constitutes an Equivalent Single Family Connection, which amount may be changed from time to time. The larger the meter, the greater the amount of system capacity that must be kept in place for that meter. <00> You should always keep the safety of your employees in mind and act within the law. 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. end <9F> <9F> <0178> In either case, the utility must ensure that fees are assessed fairly. It appears they have done this to supply water to more than 60 small rental homes on two 5/8 x 3/4 meters. 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. 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. Q: Our system is replacing all of our meters. A: This is a common problem for older systems as they try to come into compliance with newer rules. A: TRWA does not make recommendations for rates, but we do provide rate calculation training so that a system can set proper rates that are equitable to all customers. Service will be restored when a CSI confirms no health hazard exists, the health hazard has been removed or repaired, or the health hazard has been isolated from the corporations water system. 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. 12 dict begin One of these meters is on a 1"water main line and the other meter on a 1 1/2 water main line. 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. If they want service at a new location, they must purchase another membership and meter tap, and comply with all the new service application procedures. TRWA recommends that systems stop floating memberships and meters from one property to another because of the confusion it creates. Different growth Think of it this way: what if that property owner was requesting not one meter, but four new ones? 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. <9E> <9E> <017E> 6^u9Z{s DraDsio1,m?Ph/&KZlho_ryP G{|(> 7 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. 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. 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. <9D> <9D> <2022> It is unclear whether the units are part of any government-assisted or subsidized housing programs for low-income residents. <09> <0A> <0009> hbbd``b`+A| "[@@ebX H0X "$k $BG HI (,HW *##6F0 w Hopefully the two figures are the same or within a reasonable margin of error. <8E> <8E> <017D> /CMapName /Helvetica-ObliqueOPBaseFont5 def <8B> <8B> <2039> 0 365 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 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.. 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. Some engineers and systems took this to mean that if we remove the meters at these dormant locations, the system would not have to charge future new customers the price for upgrading their old water mains until the freed-up capacity was allocated to new active connections. A: This is commendable for a system member to agree to read all the meters for your system at no cost. Total non -residential 6. 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. end Language establishing the utilitys ownership of customer service meters runs throughout TRWAs model tariffs and service policies. <8A> <8A> <0160> (1) The requirements contained in this section are to be used in evaluating both the total capacities for public water systems and the capacities at individual pump stations and pressure planes which serve portions of the system that are hydraulically separated from, or incapable of being served by, other pump stations or pressure planes. You could also require the applicant to provide this information as part of the application process. Should not effect transit. <7F> <7F> <2022> 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. However, most of the time there isnt an easement filed between the two neighbors for the meter and service line from the front property to the back property being served. 1. <9A> <9A> <0161> % 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. R02 includes a pool and lawn and landscape irrigation of the lot as long as there is no separate irrigation meter. <82> <82> <201A> For water requirements, this includes consumptive uses, such as lawn startxref 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. There is nothing in TCEQs Chapter 290 regulations which addresses the above scenario dealing with pre-existing taps that have been removed. 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. 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. <88> <88> <02C6> <> << 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. Box 13087, )-__@u{{z"|RDQG|G2`4Y M6 oaomo[^W[zWJ+wCV The best way to verify whether a customer has a prohibited second connection is by performing a new customer service inspection (CSI). The board can amend the current charge to whatever they determine to be fair to the ratepayers. <8A> <8A> <0160> This can be as little as one foot or several feet of water added to the tank. Do you have a source for best practices when planning to deal with this issue? LIVING UNIT EQUIVALENT (LUE) GUIDANCE DOCUMENT Definition: A living unit equivalent (LUE) is defined as the typical flow that would be produced by a single family residence located in a typical subdivision. << The valve shall meet AWWA standards (a ball valve is preferred). The NSF 61 is the standard for all pipes, repair clamps, and any other fitting or material used in a public water system. 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. <90> <90> <2022> NSF 61 states that all components and materials used to cast or create the water works material/parts not contain any banned substances and that the meter, pipe, and/or parts have been properly constructed with the appropriate base materials. <8D> <8D> <2022> 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. Again, this is an insurance issue to address with your insurance carrier. 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. It is best to work with your customers so that a reasonable solution can be found. <8D> <8D> <2022> 0000000016 00000 n endstream endobj 382 0 obj <>stream 36 beginbfrange I told her that was incorrect and that I would mail her the documentation to prove it. Do they have to register as a business with the state or get a water commercial permit? <9A> <9A> <0161> 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. for the single-family residential customer group. |pz~0u]MbHw{B|%r4ln'Ur]af2Ia0 fkF0S;@G bYH(?I A new membership fee should be required for each new meter. 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. 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.. <95> <95> <2022> %%EOF It doesnt matter whether the extra capacity is used to supply brand new customers who have never had service or to existing customers seeking an additional meter. (7#~mz*B TwIewVq_kgcQyQ4Jd/ K3E\_%9=G$#. developed and used to calculate the Impact Fee per Equivalent Single Family Connection (ESFC). <99> <99> <2122> <8E> <8E> <017D> It is up to each customer to determine whether they must register as a business with the state or not. endcodespacerange endstream endobj 5 0 obj<>/Width 2550/Height 3300/BitsPerComponent 1/ColorSpace/DeviceGray/Type/XObject/Name/background_2/Subtype/Image>>stream The defined area is depicted in Appendix 1. <8F> <8F> <2022> Next write down the master meter reading on the meter to be tested. We would like to have the chain restaurant apply for and install a meter since the convenience store has a meter and active account. 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. A: TCEQ rule 290.44(a)(4) explains the purpose of the rule stating: 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. This ensures that the water system can document that customers are being billed properly. <8B> <8B> <2039> This can lead to lawsuits and fights between neighbors and family members, and often the utility ends up bearing the brunt of these clashes. /CIDSystemInfo /Supplement 0 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. We think this might turn into a public relations problem. Customers that do not report multiple connections, causing utility employees to have to investigate the matter, are usually denied these waivers. All connections shall be calculated based upon its equivalency to a customary Equivalent Single Family Connection using the City of Houston's equivalency table. Amstelveen is a leafy, prosperous, family-oriented suburb close to Amsterdam, which has a growing population of international residents. <8A> <8A> <0160> <8C> <8C> <0152> 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. 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. <9B> <9B> <203A> X1'H`7g3a*|f{h00eiF` BVb`+c0 z^ The ERUs would be equivalent to what would be used by typical single-family residences, if they were using the water. Is this a fool-proof verification? <9C> <9C> <0153> 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. 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. HWn8}7vR}\d.P`! Would this person also have access to the system office or have keys to the water plants? CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop In that case, the system may need to check the hot water heater to see if it has water in it or, as stated above, have the customer demonstrate that water in the second dwelling is from another source and not a water hose from the first house. Single family Non-Residential Flow (gpd) # Users 2. There are many different types and uses of wells. 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? %PDF-1.3 % stream 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. Google Map, Tel: 512.472.8591 <91> <92> <2018> For Tract 2, the engineer assumed 24 equivalent single family connections, and a meter connection count will be four. <002D> :SYA"e2=pmn':"^Ptvop?L`EekP)H:^OK)XNI 36 beginbfrange The two businesses had been in a partnership in the past under one roof. 0 <99> <99> <2122> begincmap <9F> <9F> <0178> Payment of these fees are reimbursable if and when the District sells Bonds for that purpose and the TCEQ . (In fact, conservation rates can escalate, in proportion to the total gallons, for customers using the greatest amounts of water on a monthly basis.) /CIDInit /ProcSet findresource begin This letter should outline the PUC requirements for an accurate metering of water per connection. %PDF-1.5 % The normal straight run of pipe prior to the meter is five times the diameter of the pipe. Getting customers to understand is sometimes challenging. The one meter per residence just means that a customer can't have two or more residences or businesses on a single meter. <88> <88> <02C6> 1 year ago. The customer must, at his or her expense, properly install, inspect, test, maintain and provide all required documentation of any approved backflow prevention device required by the corporation (30 TAC 290.46(j); Section I Service Application and Agreement). 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. The District is subject to the continuing supervision of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (the "TCEQ"). <96> <97> <2013> 363 0 obj 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. In this case, applicants pay for what is necessary to provide them with their individual service, including his or her part of line upgrades, wells, tanks or treatment capacities before receiving service or entering into a service contract; the system pays for any facility capacity in excess of what the individual needs. The actual cost of the meter and installation should be assessed as well. Turn off all valves connected to the distribution system so that no water leaves the tank during test period. \"L&h6AKm5 ZydZ P*dGLr)9 3 0000000536 00000 n There is an automatic gate that only works by remote and we do not have access to it. 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. 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. << Id like to offer an observation though, based on the information from the TRWA Sample Tariff. However, there are some situations where a brand-new meter is installed, and it doesnt register correctly. Now subtract the first master meter reading from the current meter reading and compare that to the gallons added to the tank. lF3n~m/O]w@_}!.u5Iul,CeA"Wyac. H|T0WQNd(>3IQb= That availability to use that capacity should be paid for, but not by tacking the costs onto existing customers.
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