/CIDSystemInfo <95> <95> <2022> It is best to work with your customers so that a reasonable solution can be found. 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. <00> <00> <0000> <90> <90> <2022> a@0VZ F8A8!@!af^""""#o^?l2AD 4i5M=n^/#{B^m^m}5ok8M4M0P aj""# 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. Any correspondence you send to this regard should include a deadline for the customers to contact the system to set up a CSI so the utility can verify whether any prohibited interconnection between the two dwellings exists. << <0D> <0D> <000D> Texas Administrative Code - Secretary of State of Texas endcodespacerange 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. PDF Developer's Bond Application Report Format - Texas Commission on The District is subject to the continuing supervision of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (the "TCEQ"). A: This is a common question. {Y 9w,r, 6Q@4Og)nF9c"|A""?__ovt^o_dM`L2,s54#Pj0 %OEG+HqH\9-:Y2=Ht),h1#d W% `9B-eR+0 It is not cost effective for us to run a six inch line extension just to supply water to one new house. The Uniform Plumbing Code does not allow for booster pumps under this condition and TCEQ rule Section 290.44(d)(3) states that service connections that require booster pumps taking suction from the public water system lines must be equipped with automatic pressure cut-off devices so that the pumping units become inoperative at a suction pressure of less than 20 psi (thereby preventing a back siphonage condition). This standard specifies that all chemicals used properly will not cause any health effects for the consumers. 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. You should review this situation with your engineers. 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. Those base rates dont have to be the actual meter size equivalent listed in the TRWA Sample Tariff, but one of the reasons/ justifications for a higher base rate for these larger meters is the TCEQs capacity requirements that each system must maintain. /Registry (CourierOPBaseFont1) Google Map, Tel: 512.472.8591 Know how, know you | We are IQ-EQ, a leading investor services group employing 4300+ people across 24 jurisdictions worldwide. The NSF 61 is the standard for all pipes, repair clamps, and any other fitting or material used in a public water system. <8E> <8E> <017D> The ERUs would be equivalent to what would be used by typical single-family residences, if they were using the water. 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.. A standard single-family home is considered a standard ERU with other uses measured against this baseline. 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. <9E> <9E> <017E> As a general rule, the only difference should be in base rates based on size of meter as indicated in the TRWA Sample Tariff. B. Multi-Family Residential A twelve-inch (12") water main shall be required to loop through a multi-family district. 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. There is an automatic gate that only works by remote and we do not have access to it. 36 beginbfrange begincmap /Ordering (UCS) << 0000000536 00000 n u6hhOk\GhExG-GMYsjYQC\+8*w}ap|B"[C>B\`y[%s*H X[S.3Sj_S\Z'e5TsAd D>~/mOJ>hnm={^hcb(T-C2bm4M"#Zg7;qqFY(kG1jCA XZ0SRpnNN7aQR7.LX*VAT\pPx(aPs << /CMapName /CourierOPBaseFont1 def What options do we have to address this issue? 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. 0000001388 00000 n The main billing consideration is normally that meters for irrigation purposes only are typically not charged a sewer bill and if your system provides sewer service this could reduce the overall revenue if enough of these meters are installed. <84> <84> <201E> By doing this, when they get a few more meters, they can begin replacing the meter tops with these newer AMI tops. 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. Define Equivalent Single-Family Connection. PDF Determining Connections and Populations Served for Public Water Systems 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. <002D> <0D> <0D> <000D> >> def 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. 0000001247 00000 n <9A> <9A> <0161> The Members use of the Corporations curb stop or other similar valve for such purposes is prohibited. Published February/March 2021 (Issue 1 of Quench). A: This is one of those situations where a little extra effort by the system up front can save them substantial headaches and costs down the road. <7F> <7F> <2022> <89> <89> <2030> 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. 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. Your tariff should include the requirements for evaluating an application for a master meter. Check to see if this reference is included anywhere and if not, call the supplier or the manufacturer for a copy to keep in your files in case the question comes up in the future. <002D> An LUE is assumed to represent 3.5 people living in a residence. 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. Billable flow (B 1 + B 5) 7. Private or domestic wells can be used for a variety purposes, such as irrigation, drinking water and industrial uses. 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. 0000003802 00000 n 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. 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. This allows the water to straighten out and have less turbulence, thereby allowing the meter to register as accurately as possible. Our employees drive around the community daily and can tell that there are clearly people living at these second residences. Given more information about your utility we may have suggestions regarding ideas on sharing the cost of any upgrade. The result is an estimate of total endstream endobj 4 0 obj<>stream Think of it this way: what if that property owner was requesting not one meter, but four new ones? <00> <00> endcmap endcodespacerange Climb the tank and use a steel measuring tape to measure the height of water in the tank to the manway. TRWA does not recommend any product, supplier or person and leaves that decision up to each system. hb```m ea>O)~N7vy)20:sLr Not sure they have a higher level." Yes, his is true but interestingly only since 4 September. Based on the level and manner of service being requested by the owner, a 2-inch water meter may or may not be sufficient to provide the water capacity being requested. 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$w'p!;&C. %PDF-1.5 % <00A0> Instead, growth should pay for growth, even if a current member is responsible for the new growth through the addition of a second meter on their property. Further, in the past we have seen many TCEQ investigators count dead taps into the systems overall capacity requirements using the assumption that at any time in the future the system would still be responsible for supplying not only the active connections but previously existing connections also. <99> <99> <2122> /CIDInit /ProcSet findresource begin to TCEQ rules regarding elevated storage, the number of connections that are allocated to the tract will be four, because that allocation is determined on the number of meter connections. If your new meter is a 2-inch or smaller positive displacement meter, the straight pipe runs are not required for the meter to be accurate. If it is a single tract of land and the plumbing to each of these eight units is all combined into one common line, then a master meter would probably be the better option for this applicant. A: In the TRWA Sample Tariff, as well as in the USDA-RD Service Application and Agreement Form, it states that a meter shall be installed on a property to serve that single property and water cannot be diverted to another property. Do I need to calibrate the meter? Since the two businesses have separated and are no longer on the same property, then the convenience store is diverting water to another property, which constitutes an illegal connection or transfer of water from one property to another. We have generally required individual meters for each unit, but one owner wants to know if they can put in a 2-inch master meter for all 10 units in five nearby duplexes. <8D> <8D> <2022> % endstream endobj 340 0 obj <. <89> <89> <2030> <00AE> V)bXAmXki65[I47l0B]jU6)ILRn64-7ZvJ"I7LTaTm,XMU0 aBa h5]A"BxV`fNX6:aRVi"Db03iT+P0MDDCDDDD/tL~~1"g43B6GA_628PL&hi$(pD=-RqGqSA$A%py>$kK/. Master metering is only applicable when it is a single piece of property, not two different tracts. 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. 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. Wouldnt it make sense for the owner to have to pay the cost of extending the line(s) out to those structures? A: It is required that water systems verify that all materials and chemicals used in a public water system meet the TCEQ rules. fA=~0xO}wASICHzKnp[o Well get someone to demonstrate the rate template weve designed and provided to systems across the state. After you establish a system's ERU quantity, you can use it to determine the number of ERUs for other types of service connections. 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). or ESFC- shall mean the amount of capacity allocated to a commercial customer expressed in terms of the amount of capacity used by a single-family residence, as determined by the volume and type of wastewater discharge. Payment of these fees are reimbursable if and when the District sells Bonds for that purpose and the TCEQ . <90> <90> <2022> This letter should outline the PUC requirements for an accurate metering of water per connection. begincmap 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. :SYA"e2=pmn':"^Ptvop?L`EekP)H:^OK)XNI Q: We have been made aware of a customer who has installed an inline booster pump on their side of the meter. Save. Q: What is the purpose of the restriction on multiple connections to a single tap rule? 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. 0000001312 00000 n 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. Institutional 4. This can lead to lawsuits and fights between neighbors and family members, and often the utility ends up bearing the brunt of these clashes. 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)). /CMapName /Helvetica-ObliqueOPBaseFont5 def Section 290.45 - Minimum Water System Capacity Requirements, 30 Tex Q: How does a person with multiple mobile homes become a master-metered account? 1 begincodespacerange 0000000903 00000 n A: The answer is yes, its not only ethical, its also both fair and necessary. <00AE> Customers that do not report multiple connections, causing utility employees to have to investigate the matter, are usually denied these waivers. 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. 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. Published in January/February 2020 (Issue 1 of Quench). A licensed operator of a water system can calibrate their own master meters regardless of size or type by using the volumetric calibration method. lmr19a9s;rw;A$PsI@mr+9pB? 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. endstream endobj 5 0 obj<>/Width 2550/Height 3300/BitsPerComponent 1/ColorSpace/DeviceGray/Type/XObject/Name/background_2/Subtype/Image>>stream 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. <84> <84> <201E> \8h;""-[a]_aM7#0dpq6;tDdX)A!BuU ]H#Fjf )aAC;D <0D> <0D> <000D> /CMapType 2 def <00A0> TRWA recommends that systems stop floating memberships and meters from one property to another because of the confusion it creates. Texas Administrative Code 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. X1'H`7g3a*|f{h00eiF` BVb`+c0 z^ Would this person also have access to the system office or have keys to the water plants? 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. 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. 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. 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 TCEQ assesses the adequacy of a systems capacity on the number of connections on that system and takes into account the number and sizes of larger meters on that system. 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. In either case, the utility must ensure that fees are assessed fairly. First, the customer must supply the system a final plat showing the intended use and ultimate development of the property to be served. Austin, TX 78701 <80> <80> <20AC> endcmap Q: I am aware of the rule that requires meters to be located on the property being served. 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 Different growth 374 0 obj He has offered to buy a ladder, but does not want it left all the time, only when the meter is read. Others were due to leaks grounding out meters. TRWA has always recommended in our sample tariff that All meters be installed on the property designated to receive service. Using this policy keeps the system dealing directly with the property owner and member of the WSC or the customer of the district instead of having to deal with a property owner or future property owner that doesnt want someone elses meter and service line on their property. /CIDSystemInfo 8P_zz[__z-os%DtGDrJb"" )A end 36 beginbfrange 5' each new commercial connection and $1,000 for each new residential connection. <88> <88> <02C6> <8A> <8A> <0160> The board can amend the current charge to whatever they determine to be fair to the ratepayers. Ive also not heard of a system providing a water commercial permit. Use of the word commercial by a water system is typically a reference indicating that it is non-standard service and not a regular residential service location. for the single-family residential customer group. <9E> <9E> <017E> After you establish a system's ERU quantity, you can use it to determine the number of ERUs for other types of service connections. endcmap 0000000766 00000 n If the WSC has an easement properly filed at the courthouse for every line and meter, the new property owner cant make the system move the meter. The system needs to be aware of the potential liability issues with such an arrangement and should contact the systems insurance provider to find out what, if anything, would be covered if the person is injured while reading meters or causes an accident or damages some customers property. The customer says there is a gate at the back of his property (more than 500 feet away). 9CT How do you protect the integrity of the system when you do not know the background or intent of the person performing the volunteer work? Is this a fool-proof verification? Fax: 512.472.5186 Do they have to register as a business with the state or get a water commercial permit? 1616 Rio Grande CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop Where to Live in the Netherlands | Expatica Netherlands 69 12 /Ordering (UCS) n``N}@:\_EF-_*p"X;9$W'}',vl#A7.9J uph%(+u n'8i b9XAH03047:|clf`. 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. Prior to initial connection of any Customer other than a single-family residential Customer, the District's Engineer shall calculate . <00> <00> <0000> 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. Due to an expansion, the two split and are now serviced by the same meter. xref 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. H|T0WQNd(>3IQb= lF3n~m/O]w@_}!.u5Iul,CeA"Wyac. <81> <81> <2022> Some systems do require individual meters to each different apartment, condo or other type business that is all owned by one individual or company. R02 - Single Family House (larger than 5/8 " meter). 3 The Blue ater Contract defines a "LUE" as the capacity necessary to serve a single-family residential . Q: I am going to change out our master meter at the well and replace it with a new one.
Robert Sturgess Swift River,
Kenmore Stackable Washer Dryer 3 Beeps,
Articles T