CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop As an example, the number of service connections in an apartment complex would be equal to the number of individual apartment units. What should we do? 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. Q: Our local WSC is planning to implement a policy in order to comply with the one meter per residence rule. 0000006249 00000 n 36 beginbfrange 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. A: The answer is yes, its not only ethical, its also both fair and necessary. 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. 0000001388 00000 n 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. <83> <83> <0192> Present Ave. Daily Flow (B 6 + B 7 ) Single family - include all single family homes, mobile homes and seasonal dwellings in this category. <09> <0A> <0009> 1 begincodespacerange 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. <96> <97> <2013> 0000003802 00000 n Customers that do not report multiple connections, causing utility employees to have to investigate the matter, are usually denied these waivers. How should this be handled? If not, then the system could be charged with trespassing. 12 dict begin 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. Setting the meter on the property owned by the applicant is always the best policy. How do we determine base rates for 2- or 3-inch meters? 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 Additionally, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules require that all public water systems be designed with a minimum of 15 percent extra capacity. 0000002796 00000 n 0000005203 00000 n A: This is definitely not a new question - many systems have faced this situation over the years. n``N}@:\_EF-_*p"X;9$W'}',vl#A7.9J uph%(+u n'8i b9XAH03047:|clf`. There also is a section in the Service Application and Agreement form RUS-TX Bulletin 1780-9 (05/17) that states: All water shall be metered by meters to be furnished and installed by the Corporation. HWn8}7vR}\d.P`! The correspondence should also include a date on which service will be disconnected if the customer fails to make arrangements for the CSI. /Ordering (UCS) end These items became assets and therefore had to be maintained and upgraded at the expense of the water system. The Members use of the Corporations curb stop or other similar valve for such purposes is prohibited. One of the main reasons for a turbine or propeller master meter to register incorrectly is improper piping configurations from the well to and past the meter location. 362 0 obj A: You have a couple different issues to address. Our system is more than 40 years old and there are about 20 properties that have more than one residence on a single meter. Q. <002D> 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? endcodespacerange 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. Wouldnt it make sense for the owner to have to pay the cost of extending the line(s) out to those structures? >> def 0000002157 00000 n If the main water line(s) are near the public roads, then the system may offer to move the meter down to the road. 0 <91> <92> <2018> A new membership fee should be required for each new meter. These existing capacity components were and are being paid for through monthly water rates. All connections shall be calculated based upon its equivalency to a customary Equivalent Single Family Connection using the City of Houston's equivalency table. If not then the meter accuracy is over or under by that difference since the tank is a definite volume (provided the above calculation and tank dimensions were accurate). 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. TRWA has provided numerous training sessions at conferences and at water system offices to demonstrate the impact of larger meters from a revenue impact as well as regulatory requirements. That availability to use that capacity should be paid for, but not by tacking the costs onto existing customers. Each systems board will make the final decision on base rates, as well as usage rates and fees. The NSF 60 standard is for chemicals used in a water system. There is nothing that prevents a customer from having a separate meter just for their irrigation system. <8E> <8E> <017D> We bring together that rare . What can we do if the owner of the membership denies that someone is living at the second residence? 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. The most immediate issue to address is the potential health hazard caused by the loss of pressure when the booster pump kicks on. Does the one meter per residence apply in this situation? Master District that constitutes an Equivalent Single Family Connection, which amount may be changed from time to time. <9B> <9B> <203A> 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/. 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. The ERUs would be equivalent to what would be used by typical single-family residences, if they were using the water. 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. (7#~mz*B TwIewVq_kgcQyQ4Jd/ K3E\_%9=G$#. 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. Define Equivalent Single-Family Connection. A: This is commendable for a system member to agree to read all the meters for your system at no cost. startxref 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 valve shall meet AWWA standards (a ball valve is preferred). 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. [tF]JJfSHYs8n?G?#ZS^n#E|WHxt2o1BBb.el+Dijwv-7ajcn7mY 6ii>a!0Y7"9ET3 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. One ESFC is defined as equaling a typical detached single-family house. 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. Irrigation with separate irrigation meter is a separate Type of Use. <95> <95> <2022> endcodespacerange startxref Published in May/June 2020 (Issue 3 of Quench). <84> <84> <201E> There should be a calibration or certification of accuracy with the new meter. 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. 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. However, TCEQs 2019 guidance on determining the number of connections served by public water systems defines active connection to include any connection that has the capacity to receive water, even if there is no customer currently receiving water service there. <93> <94> <201C> 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. A standard single-family home is considered a standard ERU with other uses measured against this baseline. There is no requirement where a WSC can request the landowner to be registered as a business. 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. The assumed population equivalent per connection should be indicated. Billable flow (B 1 + B 5) 7. <83> <83> <0192> G{|(> 7 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. Save. <09> <0A> <0009> 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. 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. 389 0 obj <>stream <9C> <9C> <0153> <99> <99> <2122> <8D> <8D> <2022> 0000053091 00000 n There is an automatic gate that only works by remote and we do not have access to it. He has offered to buy a ladder, but does not want it left all the time, only when the meter is read. <88> <88> <02C6> /CMapType 2 def 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. 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. My question is what is considered access? 12 dict begin You should review this situation with your engineers. <8B> <8B> <2039> Most manufacturers suggest straight runs of pipe ahead of and following a master meter. The quadplexes were built in 2006 and are not located within the boundaries of a city. <00AE> 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. B. Multi-Family Residential A twelve-inch (12") water main shall be required to loop through a multi-family district. 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. /Ordering (UCS) 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. 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. 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. We think this might turn into a public relations problem. I have visited several systems who have purchased AMR meters that are compatible with the AMI meters. 0000001445 00000 n 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. This has an added benefit that the customers will be required to maintain their own service lines from the meter to their houses. A: The TRWA Sample Tariff states that a meter is to be set on the property designed to receive service and the owner of the property has to be the member of the corporation. ~A%b u;_K[O]u?__KVX?p5~5Ka%K}>k47Z=j{u__t The customer says there is a gate at the back of his property (more than 500 feet away). By doing this, when they get a few more meters, they can begin replacing the meter tops with these newer AMI tops. 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. 0000002966 00000 n ~0r; 0000001312 00000 n Would this person also have access to the system office or have keys to the water plants? All public water systems that hold CCNs (or are required to hold CCNs) must plan upgrades to the system when a facility, including distribution lines, reaches 85 percent of total capacity so that the improvement or upgrade is imminent or already in place once the facility item under consideration reaches 100 percent capacity. Texas Water Code Sec. Do you have a source for best practices when planning to deal with this issue? 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. (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$*5?_~Ujq[~V.V^-W{vj^oKV]OW -(i0r#* +IB> As it relates to the propertys location within or outside of a city, or its participation in any government-assisted or subsidized housing programs, it will be the owners responsibility to notify any necessary authorities of the new source of water, if required, since the system is merely supplying potable water to the property from a master meter. Others were due to leaks grounding out meters. Check to be sure these references are included in your tariff and if so, the member would be prohibited from extending service from one side of the road/alley or across a property line to provide service to a neighbors property not designated to receive service according to your tariff. The TCEQ interprets an "active connection" as a connection that is completed or existing and able to supply drinking water from the PWS to a single-family C+vdt\?K(Pwu,Gu-=s-^|8o!$cntc}Egg=/ckY0 \ ESFCequivalent single-family connection. Fax: 512.472.5186 It appears they have done this to supply water to more than 60 small rental homes on two 5/8 x 3/4 meters. X1'H`7g3a*|f{h00eiF` BVb`+c0 z^ If your system refunds memberships then the original member should get their membership back and the new property owner should pay for a new membership. <83> <83> <0192> 9CT 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. <00> <00> <0000> Yu%]OV^jhzUKI51*&;?m'{{~aTV%jkC PM 5#: 5$Gn ma0Mg]q}ZjBT8!t0#HD4"?@taAhDDDDDDDDDD~""""""?YY#ldd#3334k$WT M&=R The problem comes when that good person moves out and someone else purchases the front property and doesnt care for or even know the folks behind their property, and wants the customers service line and meter removed from their property. <86> <87> <2020> 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. <98> <98> <02DC> Other TCEQ inspectors have assessed the capacity requirements on the 2-inch meter size which industry standards deem to be eight times the normal capacity of the 5/8 x 3/4-inch meter, regardless of the number of trailers on the other side of the meter. Different growth We would like to have the chain restaurant apply for and install a meter since the convenience store has a meter and active account. After you establish a system's ERU quantity, you can use it to determine the number of ERUs for other types of service connections. Private or domestic wells can be used for a variety purposes, such as irrigation, drinking water and industrial uses. It is best to work with your customers so that a reasonable solution can be found. o0?LgGt{Cifk_Kat2'~ez{*R,r08e0@Bf1+oxG t%&L!XD(gTn6"LXa9t> This certificate should meet the TCEQ master meter test requirements for initial installation of the meter. 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? Under 30 TAC 290.38(16), "connection" means "A single-family residential unit or each commercial or industrial establishment to which drinking water is supplied" from the PWS. endstream endobj 4 0 obj<>stream 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. 10. <8B> <8B> <2039> "!#w~[^Mt__^7ea?VU> {9Vh*A!_Q~" [w|V}.f%z[o~di_Yzbb{[Xu]\*lq& PUC rules also support the tariff stating that customers/members of a WSC are only qualified to receive service when theyve complied with the written provisions included in the WSCs tariff. 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. /Registry (Helvetica-ObliqueOPBaseFont5) )-__@u{{z"|RDQG|G2`4Y M6 oaomo[^W[zWJ+wCV 362 13 The sample tariff also allows service to be disconnected, after notice, if access is denied for three consecutive months. Do we have to provide water to the new meter on this line? <90> <90> <2022> (This cut-off valve may be installed as a part of the original meter installation by the Corporation.). <82> <82> <201A> begincmap <9C> <9C> <0153> 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. Google Map, Tel: 512.472.8591 12 dict begin Q: What can you tell me about the new "electronic read" meters on the market today? A water well is a hole drilled into an aquifer with a pipe, screen, and pump to pull water out of the ground. /Supplement 0 Q: How does a person with multiple mobile homes become a master-metered account? First, the one meter per residence language should be part of your tariff or service policy. <00A0> 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. Q: Our system has been asked to serve two quadplexes that were until recently supplied by wells that no longer produce water. 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. Use some water out of the storage tank (ground or elevated). <90> <90> <2022> << ]*U}%GikLf!=ZpcC[RqHL %%EOF {Y 9w,r, 6Q@4Og)nF9c"|A""?__ovt^o_dM`L2,s54#Pj0 An LUE is assumed to represent 3.5 people living in a residence. 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. 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. Institutional 4. 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. <<9e8032b06c2c514a87349e8822134d26>]>> We don't know what size the line is behind the meters or how they have them hooked up. 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.
Rockingham County, Nh Active Warrants, Articles T