for the single-family residential customer group. The elimination of external parts should reduce the need for re-reads due to malfunctions. -C BiOUuI jL33Vl4N2ZMA z&;~^*9KDzBW~Q(p7rp>dIi=7}%I~y[$+q_3i-#yzqwTxj/,Rz@S| (~x@dn Wouldnt it make sense for the owner to have to pay the cost of extending the line(s) out to those structures? end Finally, if the property owner intends to keep the well for irrigation purposes, it cannot be tied back into any line connected to the systems new master meter. 0000001388 00000 n 0 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. Q: How important is the NSF 60 certification on meters or does it even matter? <82> <82> <201A> 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. We bring together that rare . A: Your question is very common for all rural and some urban systems. <95> <95> <2022> <9B> <9B> <203A> <84> <84> <201E> 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. Our employees drive around the community daily and can tell that there are clearly people living at these second residences. A water well is a hole drilled into an aquifer with a pipe, screen, and pump to pull water out of the ground. %%EOF If your engineer has not approved the use of the booster pump or sized the lines and meters to accommodate the 60 rental homes, the customer is not in compliance with the terms of the agreement and your tariff. Different growth <9B> <9B> <203A> A licensed operator of a water system can calibrate their own master meters regardless of size or type by using the volumetric calibration method. 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. 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. 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? 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. Q: We have been made aware of a customer who has installed an inline booster pump on their side of the meter. <90> <90> <2022> This has been a troublesome situation for many systems in the past and is a re-occurring problem for systems today. 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.. There is no requirement where a WSC can request the landowner to be registered as a business. Again, this is an insurance issue to address with your insurance carrier. 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). TRWA does not recommend any product, supplier or person and leaves that decision up to each system. 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. First, youll want to look at what your tariff and non-standard service agreement state as far as requirements for service and what you have agreed to provide. That availability to use that capacity should be paid for, but not by tacking the costs onto existing customers. Id like to offer an observation though, based on the information from the TRWA Sample Tariff. The larger the meter, the greater the amount of system capacity that must be kept in place for that meter. 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. 0 Is this legal or what problems could this create? A: New meters are supposed to be calibrated and ready to use when shipped to systems. <8B> <8B> <2039> 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). 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. If not, then the system could be charged with trespassing. Q: Some of our customers have built duplexes in our system. 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. How common are they compared to the traditional positive displacement manual read meters? The result is an estimate of total 1 begincodespacerange ESFCequivalent single-family connection. Big problems can occur when either of the properties changes hands. Payment of these fees are reimbursable if and when the District sells Bonds for that purpose and the TCEQ . end What should we do with these boxes? 69 0 obj<> endobj CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop Amstelveen is a leafy, prosperous, family-oriented suburb close to Amsterdam, which has a growing population of international residents. <9F> <9F> <0178> <00> pSaU0t}% tAkmBxJ _`TzJjzm*cUxh$IRJ\&O N'>Mg2:I&L=w.- ?A~}TmCi6?IV PnzN' k~"KcJMi?kvEw-a]z}k#AUGH}+ImKefXv~i^v0~Lz_ANxO}toc3X] u:^on}{_ZT_[=u?Z-?ZI{_oVVt}U&/z^mZowam}Mc*)Xk}v>51KuR[M45qQQE{N?ToTvM;,t_KvN=< SM4'e`]'vx\R"""""#[l&`Me!0|Ez/hDDDDDDipPL,qD_{nb~@ 7dnUEh(}|Df1emQ|DGX%A7q3+;* 2r'dDg&J":' tQT[NO1;Z" 0a;AS#ii % @0A2@p0@T!EQL& L Aa0w"[!-Si7qH>D <80> <80> <20AC> <84> <84> <201E> << For example, in Section E, Members Responsibility: d. Therefore, all water usage registering upon and/or damages occurring to the metering equipment owned and maintained by the Corporation shall be subject to charges as determined by the Corporations Tariff as amended from time to time by the Board of Directors. Turn off all valves connected to the distribution system so that no water leaves the tank during test period. Well get someone to demonstrate the rate template weve designed and provided to systems across the state. ]BA Y,bps`>x/@HnqXNZ1yek5Fq8:^bV_W =.*'&0Y5E4oUpcbT6P,SkV/ lliF7LEM]AgDtC,a]oaF![Oi0 qy}>XPN&:VYCp>F0 " endstream endobj 4 0 obj<>stream 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? 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. <81> <81> <2022> <96> <97> <2013> Austin, TX 78701 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. <09> <0A> <0009> Most manufacturers suggest straight runs of pipe ahead of and following a master meter. 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. A: This is certainly a tricky situation but its one that many TRWA systems have faced when trying to enforce their tariff or district service policies. As for the TCEQ 290 rules, master meters are to be calibrated for groundwater systems once every 3 years and surface water meters every year. 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. A standard single-family home is considered a standard ERU with other uses measured against this baseline. 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 <00AE> 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. The WSC board can amend the water rates at any board meeting where rate adjustments are posted as an agenda item for action. Some meter manufacturers also require strainers or other devices to be installed to protect the meter and straighten or condition the water so that their meters will be as accurate as possible. 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. After you establish a system's ERU quantity, you can use it to determine the number of ERUs for other types of service connections. endcodespacerange We had the owner submit a feasibility study and it shows that we can support them. The normal straight run of pipe prior to the meter is five times the diameter of the pipe. We don't know what size the line is behind the meters or how they have them hooked up. The capacity is being used either way, and these new meters and customers are utilizing their share of the systems resources. <002D> <0D> <0D> <000D> 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. 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. Where is the middle ground here? 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 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 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.. For years, many rural and municipal systems have opted to install master meters for rental properties such as multiple apartment buildings on the same tract of land, multiple mobile homes or manufactured homes on the same tract of land, as well as multiple RVs or strip/multi-use business centers with a common owner. From this, they can develop a plan that best provides service to the entire development considering the wishes of the developer and the system. 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> <00> <0000> <80> <80> <20AC> 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. 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. 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. 0000000016 00000 n /Ordering (UCS) trailer /Supplement 0 6^u9Z{s DraDsio1,m?Ph/&KZlho_ryP %%EOF A: This is definitely not a new question - many systems have faced this situation over the years. The correspondence should also include a date on which service will be disconnected if the customer fails to make arrangements for the CSI. This can be as little as one foot or several feet of water added to the tank. 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. each new commercial connection and $1,000 for each new residential connection. * 04dOvZ% y;a p^u N&?FqCe6MoA endbfrange /CMapType 2 def <00> <00> <0000> 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. 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. 3 The Blue ater Contract defines a "LUE" as the capacity necessary to serve a single-family residential . 1 begincodespacerange described above, SWWC currently supplies water to at least 5,465 active LUEs (i.e., single-2 Living Unit Equivalents (LUEs). 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. <9F> <9F> <0178> Assuming the meter is the standard size, residential 3/4 x 5/8 meter, you will use the same rate structure for the irrigation meters since the water is the same treated water that is being distributed by your system. Then a straight run of pipe at least three times the diameter of the pipe after the meter. 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. Use some water out of the storage tank (ground or elevated). In addition to the cost of the meter installation as well as any upfront impact or buy in fees.