But the continued headaches and future problems will not be worth the bad public relations this can cause if anything happens to the service line or meter that is on someone elses property. /CIDInit /ProcSet findresource begin There is an automatic gate that only works by remote and we do not have access to it. It is up to each customer to determine whether they must register as a business with the state or not. You should review this situation with your engineers. 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. <20> <7E> <0020> 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. 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. 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. /Registry (Times-RomanOPBaseFont0) As a general rule, the only difference should be in base rates based on size of meter as indicated in the TRWA Sample Tariff. pc#P3C"!GB448]o_ AtCCk*AC)ADc90cLrU 67.016(d) provides that a corporation may make water or sewer service conditional on ownership of the real estate designated to receive service and from which the membership or other right of participation arises. Subsection (e) authorizes a corporation to cancel a persons membership if he fails to meet a condition of service prescribed by the corporation. )-__@u{{z"|RDQG|G2`4Y M6 oaomo[^W[zWJ+wCV You should start by notifying these customers that you have observed people living at these residences and cite them to the relevant TCEQ rules and provisions of your service agreement relating to having only one residence per connection. Id like to offer an observation though, based on the information from the TRWA Sample Tariff. 0000003802 00000 n 69 0 obj<> endobj 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. After you establish a system's ERU quantity, you can use it to determine the number of ERUs for other types of service connections. 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. Due to an expansion, the two split and are now serviced by the same meter. <00> <00> <0000> There is nothing that prevents a customer from having a separate meter just for their irrigation system. Q: Our system has been asked to serve two quadplexes that were until recently supplied by wells that no longer produce water. This certificate should meet the TCEQ master meter test requirements for initial installation of the meter. 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. Also do you have any recommendations for a particular meter read system? Ask Larry Archives: Metering and One Meter per Residence Rules. /CMapType 2 def 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. endobj <0D> <0D> <000D> <89> <89> <2030> 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 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. 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.. %%EOF 0 6^u9Z{s DraDsio1,m?Ph/&KZlho_ryP 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. 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. 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. 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. U0!_bU2S'vB9{h7UM;y>F]6]>_]I;j]R_}I/l <9E> <9E> <017E> A: This is definitely not a new question - many systems have faced this situation over the years. You could also require the applicant to provide this information as part of the application process. 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. <9D> <9D> <2022> Big problems can occur when either of the properties changes hands. 362 0 obj Total non -residential 6. 374 0 obj <8A> <8A> <0160> <96> <97> <2013> Is this legal or what problems could this create? 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. 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. 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. Q: Can a WSC allow a homeowner to have an additional meter for the sole purpose of running the sprinkler system for their lawn and landscape? trailer Further, in the past we have seen many TCEQ investigators count dead taps into the systems overall capacity requirements using the assumption that at any time in the future the system would still be responsible for supplying not only the active connections but previously existing connections also. <9E> <9E> <017E> The defined area is depicted in Appendix 1. 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. <8B> <8B> <2039> If the main water line(s) are near the public roads, then the system may offer to move the meter down to the road. Would this person also have access to the system office or have keys to the water plants? <80> <80> <20AC> 12 dict begin * 04dOvZ% y;a p^u N&?FqCe6MoA <8C> <8C> <0152> Master metering is only applicable when it is a single piece of property, not two different tracts. 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. described above, SWWC currently supplies water to at least 5,465 active LUEs (i.e., single-2 Living Unit Equivalents (LUEs). R02 - Single Family House (larger than 5/8 " meter). If a system has a trailer park, RV park, apartments, and so on being served by one meter, the TCEQ doesnt count it as one connection but either counts the number of spaces being served or calculates the capacity needed by size of meter. The board can amend the current charge to whatever they determine to be fair to the ratepayers. @0A2@p0@T!EQL& L Aa0w"[!-Si7qH>D 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. Not sure they have a higher level." Yes, his is true but interestingly only since 4 September. Extension of pipe(s) to transfer utility service from one property to another, to share, resell, or submeter water to any other persons, dwellings, businesses, or property, etc., is prohibited. 0000000586 00000 n <91> <92> <2018> Q: I am aware of the rule that requires meters to be located on the property being served. <8E> <8E> <017D> xb```a``Jc`f`ed@ Ar,8-O00/2\B;wOg`Xl_SKl}w>5">%QPH2F50e00,c 5RJf5v zn ' +\AF> 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. ]BA Y,bps`>x/@HnqXNZ1yek5Fq8:^bV_W =.*'&0Y5E4oUpcbT6P,SkV/ lliF7LEM]AgDtC,a]oaF![Oi0 qy}>XPN&:VYCp>F0 " 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. <9C> <9C> <0153> There may be limitations that prevent using the meter when there is an outside water ban or other drought measures are in place. Duplexes and triplexes are sufficiently similar to single family homes so that a duplex equals twice the ERU . How common are they compared to the traditional positive displacement manual read meters? CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop end |pz~0u]MbHw{B|%r4ln'Ur]af2Ia0 fkF0S;@G bYH(?I 362 13 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. What options do we have to address this issue? How should this be handled? both the commission's central office, located at 12100 Park 35 Circle, Building C, 1st Floor, Austin, Texas 78753, (512) 239-2545 and at the applicable regional office listed as follows. Q: What is the purpose of the restriction on multiple connections to a single tap rule? 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. A: Your question is very common for all rural and some urban systems. <7F> <7F> <2022> Hopefully this will help address the customers concerns. <85> <85> <2026> <83> <83> <0192> <09> <0A> <0009> xref 4Ct?3,RPapG}=>V"vIzJ*m'_ /CMapName /Helvetica-ObliqueOPBaseFont5 def 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. Some systems try to solve this issue by installing remote read meters (AMR) that allow the employee to drive by all the meter locations and the meters transmit the readings to a base unit in the vehicle. This only works for meter reading and does not solve the issue of access for repairs and emergencies. 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. <00AE> 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. 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. G{|(> 7 363 0 obj 0000002157 00000 n <00> <00> <0000> 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. lmr19a9s;rw;A$PsI@mr+9pB? I am not aware of any legal or state regulations that would prohibit this, but I caution your board to look at every conceivable contingency and try to address them before agreeing to this free meter reading offer. Q: We have several members who have second living residences at their home, but only one meter. 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. There is nothing in TCEQs Chapter 290 regulations which addresses the above scenario dealing with pre-existing taps that have been removed. Where is the middle ground here? <82> <82> <201A> 0000000016 00000 n These existing capacity components were and are being paid for through monthly water rates. One ESFC is defined as equaling a typical detached single-family house. Back in 2004, TRWA staff met with TCEQ to discuss several issues relating to their capacity regulations and interpretations. Wouldnt it make sense for the owner to have to pay the cost of extending the line(s) out to those structures? startxref These items became assets and therefore had to be maintained and upgraded at the expense of the water system. <84> <84> <201E> 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. <09> <0A> <0009> \"L&h6AKm5 ZydZ P*dGLr)9 3 <90> <90> <2022> The Commercial facilities are calculated by an Equivalent . 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. /Ordering (UCS) %%EOF 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. <91> <92> <2018> 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. HWn8}7vR}\d.P`! Sometimes multiple lines from multiple meters can become a maintenance nightmare because all the lines, meters and valves look the same. 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. Statewide Photo Campaign Promoting Drought Awareness Launches August 5! (2) Active connection, as used in this section, means a lot or . 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. Afo/.# G(omQb#\9 begincmap 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. The original member will pay all costs associated with a new meter installation as if they were a new customer, since they are a new customer at this new location. Industrial 3. %PDF-1.5 % Know how, know you | We are IQ-EQ, a leading investor services group employing 4300+ people across 24 jurisdictions worldwide. /CMapType 2 def <0D> <0D> <000D> Amstelveen is a leafy, prosperous, family-oriented suburb close to Amsterdam, which has a growing population of international residents. 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. developed and used to calculate the Impact Fee per Equivalent Single Family Connection (ESFC). With regard to your 1.5 inch line, please note that the TCEQ Chapter 290 Rules state that a 2 inch main line size is the minimum to be installed on any public water system. (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. H|T0WQNd(>3IQb= We want to be fair, but we also want be responsible. 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. <9D> <9D> <2022> 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. Over the past year Ive talked to at least a dozen systems with existing AMR meters who are upgrading or replacing them due to older meter batteries not holding up. The ERUs would be equivalent to what would be used by typical single-family residences, if they were using the water. <93> <94> <201C> 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. (7#~mz*B TwIewVq_kgcQyQ4Jd/ K3E\_%9=G$#. For example, in Section E, Members Responsibility: d. Therefore, all water usage registering upon and/or damages occurring to the metering equipment owned and maintained by the Corporation shall be subject to charges as determined by the Corporations Tariff as amended from time to time by the Board of Directors. If not, then the system could be charged with trespassing. endstream endobj 79 0 obj[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] endobj 80 0 obj<>/Width 2550/Height 3300/BitsPerComponent 1/ColorSpace/DeviceGray/Type/XObject/Name/background_1/Subtype/Image>>stream Q. Finally, if the property owner intends to keep the well for irrigation purposes, it cannot be tied back into any line connected to the systems new master meter. e. The Corporation shall require each Member to have a cutoff valve within 2 feet of the meter on the Members side of the meter for purposes of isolating the Members service pipeline and plumbing facilities from the Corporations water pressure. -C BiOUuI jL33Vl4N2ZMA z&;~^*9KDzBW~Q(p7rp>dIi=7}%I~y[$+q_3i-#yzqwTxj/,Rz@S| (~x@dn Commercial 5. <81> <81> <2022> TCEQ staff at the time said it would be ok for a system to remove dormant or vacant taps even down to the water main, but the system could not assess any future applicant a new front-end contribution or equity buy-in fee, equipment costs to replace the assets being removed and possibly another membership fee if the system used non-refundable membership fees at those locations where these taps had been removed. for the single-family residential customer group. 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. <]/Info 87 0 R/Prev 844706 >> You should always keep the safety of your employees in mind and act within the law. C+vdt\?K(Pwu,Gu-=s-^|8o!$cntc}Egg=/ckY0 \ 0 {e9Q $b@;l0$" <83> <83> <0192> IQ-EQ | 110,749 followers on LinkedIn. 0000005203 00000 n endstream endobj 1 0 obj<> endobj 2 0 obj<>/XObject<>/ProcSet 79 0 R>> endobj 3 0 obj<>stream Q: A current member of our WSC has asked for a second meter on their property. endcodespacerange \\~;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& 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. Re: US travelers connecting in AMS what are the rules now? <8E> <8E> <017D> Well get someone to demonstrate the rate template weve designed and provided to systems across the state. The valve shall meet AWWA standards (a ball valve is preferred). The capacity is being used either way, and these new meters and customers are utilizing their share of the systems resources. 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. lF3n~m/O]w@_}!.u5Iul,CeA"Wyac. -tjOXWIR-9L#|qAH)=ya[AXO>_u 9U]](M:?`^V a/X`jsV60;aC}18Y_{/c%nmVlf.0FVL <95> <95> <2022> 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. endbfrange <8C> <8C> <0152> %%EOF Q: One of our members sold their property and land but did not transfer the membership. 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. 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. One note here about equipment costs to replace the assets being removed TCEQ explained this to include the price of a meter, tapping saddle, curb stops, meter box, service tubing and any parts which were purchased by the original applicant when the service was first installed. n``N}@:\_EF-_*p"X;9$W'}',vl#A7.9J uph%(+u n'8i b9XAH03047:|clf`. How do we determine base rates for 2- or 3-inch meters? Setting the meter on the property owned by the applicant is always the best policy. Published in May/June 2020 (Issue 3 of Quench). Other systems are installing AMR Meters for the first time, installing AMR Meters in high density or high-traffic areas or upgrading to AMI meters. endstream endobj 5 0 obj<>/Width 2550/Height 3300/BitsPerComponent 1/ColorSpace/DeviceGray/Type/XObject/Name/background_2/Subtype/Image>>stream Texas Water Code Sec. The best way to verify whether a customer has a prohibited second connection is by performing a new customer service inspection (CSI). fA=~0xO}wASICHzKnp[o 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. <81> <81> <2022> 0000000903 00000 n The member knows that resale of the water for a profit is not allowed. 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. Private or domestic wells can be used for a variety purposes, such as irrigation, drinking water and industrial uses. The customer says there is a gate at the back of his property (more than 500 feet away). Q: Some of our customers have built duplexes in our system. Austin, TX 78701 0000002966 00000 n 0000001107 00000 n 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. <86> <87> <2020> 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. %PDF-1.7 In the event that the placement ends up being wrong, the PUC would likely side with the owner in a dispute about relocation costs because they would see it as the utility shirking its responsibility to exercise due diligence when it set the meter in the wrong location in the first place. My question is, how do we verify the boundaries of properties for this purpose? /CIDSystemInfo Some folks opt for wells of around 300 gallons per minute or less to use a fire truck or tanker instead of climbing an elevated tank to do the measuring twice. Finally, it is also important to be clear with the applicant regarding how the drought contingency and water rationing requirements apply to the irrigation meter. Q: What can you tell me about the new "electronic read" meters on the market today? Q: How does a person with multiple mobile homes become a master-metered account? :RA%_Xo($N4jKA$iH~5]_]_W_4_'MAzcbhS Gj,+ NPt%TJMvM'B!41F"#4_M}:C?o_o_Z__^_,bD-CF`s;7Qfdcq12FnfhPM4w*`Rthj7v>N2nAqNtF?ON~kEWTB}WLO'?~_Kjjv?ijpU5l%.^=8I>5jtLd%-A^XABL4"?DDDD~~/a?i{`TG{`_+IW21 ffy./HZU"L3FRCa;5.Z qa?C$;VY!v +rxO%}^F'dvwtkV~JW_k#Nq|o|!mm+DcWS62q}9jQi|:{MT'^K{Ul%kr#x~jBXDvK{!ZoI";NaZa4?AWuAR#kM4Nh0Ai#'A"""!D~" }~},Tv;R*2@YDxw4& f0OeqXYDtc/DCXt(P 4(A|;Z While the board of directors is keeping the old monthly charges and rates, we only have a base rate for 1 -inch meters. 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. endcmap 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. 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. Usually, the original person that is allowing the other persons meter to be installed on their property (the front property owner) is agreeable and welcomes the chance to help their neighbor (the back property owner) save some money. end 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?
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