endstream endobj 4 0 obj<>stream /CMapType 2 def 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. The result is an estimate of total This only works for meter reading and does not solve the issue of access for repairs and emergencies. <9C> <9C> <0153> <002D> <00AE> 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. <90> <90> <2022> In either case, the utility must ensure that fees are assessed fairly. Q: How important is the NSF 60 certification on meters or does it even matter? Q: One of our members has offered to read meters each month for free. There is nothing that prevents a customer from having a separate meter just for their irrigation system. Some systems opt to offer discounts to customers that have multiple connections or to waive impact or other front-end capital improvement fees. However, there are some situations where a brand-new meter is installed, and it doesnt register correctly. 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. What can we do if the owner of the membership denies that someone is living at the second residence? {Y 9w,r, 6Q@4Og)nF9c"|A""?__ovt^o_dM`L2,s54#Pj0 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. These references clearly state that the meter belongs to the corporation and is to be maintained by the corporation. 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. <88> <88> <02C6> 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. 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. 0000001445 00000 n (x[u!WMt[~}}PNwAzJg"hK#6yot|L ` hp _Gy;:D'#DU!EN4~\6]W=WM0A >4#]a4aS'\!i SM0_h~6$DQ!k5MidcY8*#SB7(3 w!Nb%#{;%mO0ooWdy_Mo{@G6p~_Cum}mPk#]zK >0'|'{vWcH)uOO^ 6$*5?_~Ujq[~V.V^-W{vj^oKV]OW -(i0r#* +IB> A new membership fee should be required for each new meter. 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. Check to be sure these references are included in your tariff and if so, the member would be prohibited from extending service from one side of the road/alley or across a property line to provide service to a neighbors property not designated to receive service according to your tariff. <20> <7E> <0020> I have visited several systems who have purchased AMR meters that are compatible with the AMI meters. endcodespacerange While the board of directors is keeping the old monthly charges and rates, we only have a base rate for 1 -inch meters. <9C> <9C> <0153> We would like to have the chain restaurant apply for and install a meter since the convenience store has a meter and active account. 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. Q: I am going to change out our master meter at the well and replace it with a new one. Big problems can occur when either of the properties changes hands. <8E> <8E> <017D> <91> <92> <2018> Total non -residential 6. Save. Single family Non-Residential Flow (gpd) # Users 2. /CIDSystemInfo for the single-family residential customer group. Then a straight run of pipe at least three times the diameter of the pipe after the meter. Language establishing the utilitys ownership of customer service meters runs throughout TRWAs model tariffs and service policies. This eliminates the need for a system to conduct manual drive-bys and allows all meters to be read from the whole system in a matter of minutes from the office. <90> <90> <2022> <9A> <9A> <0161> endcmap 362 13 \8h;""-[a]_aM7#0dpq6;tDdX)A!BuU ]H#Fjf )aAC;D 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>$kK/. This can be as little as one foot or several feet of water added to the tank. The original members account should be closed out at the old address. 69 0 obj<> endobj 9CT <00A0> 10. Q: What is the purpose of the restriction on multiple connections to a single tap rule? Duplexes and triplexes are sufficiently similar to single family homes so that a duplex equals twice the ERU . -C BiOUuI jL33Vl4N2ZMA z&;~^*9KDzBW~Q(p7rp>dIi=7}%I~y[$+q_3i-#yzqwTxj/,Rz@S| (~x@dn 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. My question is, how do we verify the boundaries of properties for this purpose? We want to be fair, but we also want be responsible. endbfrange 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. Payment of these fees are reimbursable if and when the District sells Bonds for that purpose and the TCEQ . (This cut-off valve may be installed as a part of the original meter installation by the Corporation.). Commercial 5. These items became assets and therefore had to be maintained and upgraded at the expense of the water system. A4INih9'uC0\!a;OKx[TJ2 7Kie It is up to each customer to determine whether they must register as a business with the state or not. 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. 69 12 A: You have a couple different issues to address. connection (living unit equivalent) that for the purposes of this Amended Agreement shall be Six Hundred Fifty 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. 389 0 obj <>stream ]BA Y,bps`>x/@HnqXNZ1yek5Fq8:^bV_W =.*'&0Y5E4oUpcbT6P,SkV/ lliF7LEM]AgDtC,a]oaF![Oi0 qy}>XPN&:VYCp>F0 " 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. <9B> <9B> <203A> The ERUs would be equivalent to what would be used by typical single-family residences, if they were using the water. <98> <98> <02DC> endstream endobj 340 0 obj <. The Commercial facilities are calculated by an Equivalent . 0000001312 00000 n Not sure they have a higher level." Yes, his is true but interestingly only since 4 September. The NSF 60 standard is for chemicals used in a water system. << A. 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. Based on my experience, a great number of systems opt to have a single meter properly sized to meet the service needs requested by the owner instead of having multiple smaller master meters or even individual meters for each apartment. 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. <91> <92> <2018> /Supplement 0 ~0r; 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? 8P_zz[__z-os%DtGDrJb"" )A If not, then the system could be charged with trespassing. 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. <20> <7E> <0020> 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 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. |pz~0u]MbHw{B|%r4ln'Ur]af2Ia0 fkF0S;@G bYH(?I Box 13087, The ERUs would be equivalent to what would be used by typical single-family residences, if they were using the water. What should we do with these boxes? 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. For water requirements, this includes consumptive uses, such as lawn 71 0 obj<>stream The two businesses had been in a partnership in the past under one roof. end <00> <00> <0000> 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. <88> <88> <02C6> Do we have to provide water to the new meter on this line? Public wells supply drinking water to municipalities. <00> 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. <7F> <7F> <2022> trailer end He has offered to buy a ladder, but does not want it left all the time, only when the meter is read. There are many different types and uses of wells. Given more information about your utility we may have suggestions regarding ideas on sharing the cost of any upgrade. Our employees drive around the community daily and can tell that there are clearly people living at these second residences. 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? Getting customers to understand is sometimes challenging. 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. ]*U}%GikLf!=ZpcC[RqHL 0000000766 00000 n -tjOXWIR-9L#|qAH)=ya[AXO>_u 9U]](M:?`^V a/X`jsV60;aC}18Y_{/c%nmVlf.0FVL There is also a concern about whether your easement allows system personnel to traverse 500 feet of the owners property. <8D> <8D> <2022> First, the customer must supply the system a final plat showing the intended use and ultimate development of the property to be served. 1 begincodespacerange 4Ct?3,RPapG}=>V"vIzJ*m'_ /CMapType 2 def 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. <00A0> 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. <99> <99> <2122> 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. developed and used to calculate the Impact Fee per Equivalent Single Family Connection (ESFC). The member knows that resale of the water for a profit is not allowed. 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. Where is the middle ground here? A: TRWA hasnt tracked the number of systems that have installed electronic read meters, whether they be the AMR (drive-by) or AMI (instrumental gathered information) meters. Master District that constitutes an Equivalent Single Family Connection, which amount may be changed from time to time. 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. 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. There are many points that need to be addressed before agreeing to this offer. <8C> <8C> <0152> 1 begincodespacerange <81> <81> <2022> <002D> fA=~0xO}wASICHzKnp[o 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. <89> <89> <2030> Amstelveen is a leafy, prosperous, family-oriented suburb close to Amsterdam, which has a growing population of international residents. Q. <83> <83> <0192> /CIDInit /ProcSet findresource begin <81> <81> <2022> <> Prior to initial connection of any Customer other than a single-family residential Customer, the District's Engineer shall calculate . Do you have a source for best practices when planning to deal with this issue? 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. ~A%b u;_K[O]u?__KVX?p5~5Ka%K}>k47Z=j{u__t 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. Systems generally dont want to extend their liability onto or across private property to read meters or make repairs after dark within a private property on the off chance that frequent trips onto that property raises the chance of some type of accident or damage to the owners property or tenants. D/^&H The board can amend the current charge to whatever they determine to be fair to the ratepayers. It is unclear whether the units are part of any government-assisted or subsidized housing programs for low-income residents. The actual cost of the meter and installation should be assessed as well. 6^u9Z{s DraDsio1,m?Ph/&KZlho_ryP The quadplexes were built in 2006 and are not located within the boundaries of a city. 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. Even a temporary hose hook-up is prohibited since that is a violation of the conditions found in your customer service application and agreement. startxref There should be a calibration or certification of accuracy with the new meter. 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.