<8A> <8A> <0160> The Members use of the Corporations curb stop or other similar valve for such purposes is prohibited. <00> <00> <0000> %OEG+HqH\9-:Y2=Ht),h1#d W% `9B-eR+0 endcodespacerange /Registry (Helvetica-ObliqueOPBaseFont5) 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. 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. /CIDSystemInfo :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$;VY!v +rxO%}^F'dvwtkV~JW_k#Nq|o|!mm+DcWS62q}9jQi|:{MT'^K{Ul%kr#x~jBXDvK{!ZoI";NaZa4?AWuAR#kM4Nh0Ai#'A"""!D~" }~},Tv;R*2@YDxw4& f0OeqXYDtc/DCXt(P 4(A|;Z There are many points that need to be addressed before agreeing to this offer. D/^&H G{|(> 7 What a system considers to be reasonable access may vary. lmr19a9s;rw;A$PsI@mr+9pB? The normal benefit to the applicant and the system is that the applicant/landowner can design their own water system within their property and not have to worry about multiple meters and which service lines goes to which office or trailer space. 0000000586 00000 n 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 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. /Linearized 1.0/O 364/H [ 766 341 ]/L 852074/E 53543/N 18/T 844716>> <89> <89> <2030> 0000006249 00000 n 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. This letter should outline the PUC requirements for an accurate metering of water per connection. The most immediate issue to address is the potential health hazard caused by the loss of pressure when the booster pump kicks on. 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. 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. <8A> <8A> <0160> 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. After you establish a system's ERU quantity, you can use it to determine the number of ERUs for other types of service connections. Q: Our local WSC is planning to implement a policy in order to comply with the one meter per residence rule. Your board should look at all the different access related issues at customer locations and define in your tariff what the system considers to be reasonable access to the meters. 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. /Registry (CourierOPBaseFont1) Most of these systems have had positive comments about the dependability of these newer types of meters, and some reported only a 5 percent re-read when the meters were originally installed (this percentage typically went down as they got the bugs worked out). Austin, TX 78701 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. TCEQs Chapter 290 requires a meter to accurately determine the usage of each customer unless a master metering arrangement has been made. 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. 0000002157 00000 n Also do you have any recommendations for a particular meter read system? 0000001388 00000 n endstream endobj 70 0 obj<> endobj 72 0 obj<> endobj 73 0 obj<>/XObject<>/ProcSet 79 0 R>> endobj 74 0 obj<>stream 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. ]*U}%GikLf!=ZpcC[RqHL 0000001445 00000 n 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. 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. trailer (16) Connection--A single family residential unit or each commercial or industrial establishment to which drinking water is supplied from the system. #9: "We're already listed as very high risk. 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.. 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. <8E> <8E> <017D> This standard specifies that all chemicals used properly will not cause any health effects for the consumers. 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. This allows the water to straighten out and have less turbulence, thereby allowing the meter to register as accurately as possible. endstream endobj 382 0 obj <>stream 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. (2) Active connection, as used in this section, means a lot or . n``N}@:\_EF-_*p"X;9$W'}',vl#A7.9J uph%(+u n'8i b9XAH03047:|clf`. 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. Would a hose running across the potential users property, across the alleyway, and across about 10 feet of the members property be allowed? The correspondence should also include a date on which service will be disconnected if the customer fails to make arrangements for the CSI. /Registry (Times-RomanOPBaseFont0) Now subtract the first master meter reading from the current meter reading and compare that to the gallons added to the tank. Any damage to the Corporations equipment shall be subject to service charges. 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. A: It is required that water systems verify that all materials and chemicals used in a public water system meet the TCEQ rules. All connections shall be calculated based upon its equivalency to a customary Equivalent Single Family Connection using the City of Houston's equivalency table. <8A> <8A> <0160> endstream endobj 1 0 obj<> endobj 2 0 obj<>/XObject<>/ProcSet 79 0 R>> endobj 3 0 obj<>stream 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 the meters or at least the material data sheets should state that the materials used to manufacture the meters meet NSF 61. /CMapName /Times-RomanOPBaseFont0 def This has been a troublesome situation for many systems in the past and is a re-occurring problem for systems today. Installing multiple meters on a single undivided property with a line running across the property could lead to easement issues in the future. <80> <80> <20AC> \"L&h6AKm5 ZydZ P*dGLr)9 3 It appears they have done this to supply water to more than 60 small rental homes on two 5/8 x 3/4 meters. 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. 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. <86> <87> <2020> These cost-of-service issues have subsequently been transferred to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), which has been very pro-consumer when addressing complaints. 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. That availability to use that capacity should be paid for, but not by tacking the costs onto existing customers. Q: We have been made aware of a customer who has installed an inline booster pump on their side of the meter. <0D> <0D> <000D> <95> <95> <2022> This only works for meter reading and does not solve the issue of access for repairs and emergencies. Q: Our system has been asked to serve two quadplexes that were until recently supplied by wells that no longer produce water. <9E> <9E> <017E> Wouldnt it make sense for the owner to have to pay the cost of extending the line(s) out to those structures? 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. <96> <97> <2013> 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. <00> <00> <0000> 362 13 <84> <84> <201E> Id like to offer an observation though, based on the information from the TRWA Sample Tariff. As an example, the number of service connections in an apartment complex would be equal to the number of individual apartment units. It is not cost effective for us to run a six inch line extension just to supply water to one new house. One of our customers is demanding that she keep her meter since she paid for it and she feels it should be hers to keep. The extra 15 percent capacity is supposed to be maintained by the system (not paid for by the new customer), but the system may require applicants requesting service to pay for some of the system upgrades that will be used by that applicant. ESFCequivalent single-family connection. A: Your question is very common for all rural and some urban systems. Statewide Photo Campaign Promoting Drought Awareness Launches August 5! To your knowledge, are there any parts of the tariff that would prohibit the member from entering into such an agreement or any part of the regulations that would prohibit such an agreement or jeopardize the systems compliance? The NSF 60 standard is for chemicals used in a water system. This is the back property customers responsibility. \\~;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& We had the owner submit a feasibility study and it shows that we can support them. As a general rule, the only difference should be in base rates based on size of meter as indicated in the TRWA Sample Tariff. <8F> <8F> <2022> 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. Does the one meter per residence apply in this situation? %PDF-1.5 % Given more information about your utility we may have suggestions regarding ideas on sharing the cost of any upgrade. Then a straight run of pipe at least three times the diameter of the pipe after the meter. 363 0 obj The nagging question I have is what is the motive for this charity act and how long will it take for the fun to wear off? <88> <88> <02C6> This can be as little as one foot or several feet of water added to the tank. /CMapType 2 def IQ-EQ | 110,749 followers on LinkedIn. fA=~0xO}wASICHzKnp[o Do they have to register as a business with the state or get a water commercial permit? Your tariff should include the requirements for evaluating an application for a master meter. 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. <85> <85> <2026> Additionally, many systems didnt want to maintain extended meters and lines within the private property, because in several cases working on these lines proved too intrusive on peoples private property and roads. <9B> <9B> <203A> 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 <9B> <9B> <203A> A: TRWA does not make recommendations for rates, but we do provide rate calculation training so that a system can set proper rates that are equitable to all customers. /Ordering (UCS) Q: We are revising our tariff. 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. endbfrange This includes design, review and approval of all plans and all on-site and off-site service facilities by the corporations engineer and compliance with any applicable municipal or other governmental codes and specifications. each new commercial connection and $1,000 for each new residential connection. 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. 389 0 obj <>stream << I told her that was incorrect and that I would mail her the documentation to prove it. @0A2@p0@T!EQL& L Aa0w"[!-Si7qH>D <90> <90> <2022> A: This is definitely not a new question - many systems have faced this situation over the years. 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. Would the individual use the company vehicle or his own? An LUE is assumed to represent 3.5 people living in a residence. <00A0> <9F> <9F> <0178> 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. What options do we have to address this issue? for the single-family residential customer group. After getting this proof of ownership, the system should at least check the countys tax rolls and property tax maps to see whose name is listed for that property. Getting customers to understand is sometimes challenging. When a system sees that there is inequity in their current rate structure causing some customers to subsidize the water usage and capacity requirements for other customers, the board ought to rectify the situation by amending rates. The customer does not own the meter just like the customer doesnt own the electric meter or gas meter, even though they have to pay all costs for these other metering devices to be installed. endstream endobj 5 0 obj<>/Width 2550/Height 3300/BitsPerComponent 1/ColorSpace/DeviceGray/Type/XObject/Name/background_2/Subtype/Image>>stream Until Saturday there was a higher level called "very high-risk area where there is a variant of concern" but that category . <00AE> <8B> <8B> <2039> The normal straight run of pipe prior to the meter is five times the diameter of the pipe. 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. A new membership fee should be required for each new meter. <83> <83> <0192> Some of this cost will be paid by these new customers once they start paying their monthly water bill, but the previous customers not only have been paying for what it costs for them to receive water delivered to their homes, they have also been paying a bit extra toward the complete debt-service for all existing capacity. :SYA"e2=pmn':"^Ptvop?L`EekP)H:^OK)XNI 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. 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. 374 0 obj "!#w~[^Mt__^7ea?VU> {9Vh*A!_Q~" [w|V}.f%z[o~di_Yzbb{[Xu]\*lq& xref A: Yes, under Chapter 13 of the Texas Water Code you must provide service to the applicant if the location of the request for service lies within your certificated service area and your utility is privately owned or a nonprofit water supply corporation. The ERUs would be equivalent to what would be used by typical single-family residences, if they were using the water. <82> <82> <201A> "General Plan" means the General Plan prepared by Developer as submitted to To Top. ]BA Y,bps`>x/@HnqXNZ1yek5Fq8:^bV_W =.*'&0Y5E4oUpcbT6P,SkV/ lliF7LEM]AgDtC,a]oaF![Oi0 qy}>XPN&:VYCp>F0 " <20> <7E> <0020> Q: We have a customer who has his meter inside a fence. |pz~0u]MbHw{B|%r4ln'Ur]af2Ia0 fkF0S;@G bYH(?I 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. 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. 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$w'p!;&C. The system is not responsible for securing or requiring an easement for any service line from the meter to the ultimate customers home. xb```a``Jc`f`ed@ Ar,8-O00/2\B;wOg`Xl_SKl}w>5">%QPH2F50e00,c 5RJf5v zn ' +\AF> /Supplement 0 Think of it this way: what if that property owner was requesting not one meter, but four new ones? Texas Water Code Sec. The capacity is being used either way, and these new meters and customers are utilizing their share of the systems resources. Based on the level and manner of service being requested by the owner, a 2-inch water meter may or may not be sufficient to provide the water capacity being requested. One ESFC is defined as equaling a typical detached single-family house. 1 begincodespacerange A. <90> <90> <2022> Save. There are many different types and uses of wells. <85> <85> <2026> The TCEQ interprets an "active connection" as a connection that is completed or existing and able to supply drinking water from the PWS to a single-family The TRWA Sample Tariff addresses this issue and follows the Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chapter 24 rules about the systems ability to access a meter for repairs and normal service. We have several customers who have gates at the back of their homes and their homes are built at least 500 feet off the road. The short answer is yes, the WSC/district board can change their tariff/service policy to allow for meters to be set on someone elses property. g MLu]VxcN[4wosYpe$C4-`#`:euD=G)\IGiuu}o\2kr%Scw#LBSkEkG=] i"a8S7EB=w=N 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. <0D> <0D> <000D> If so, that is another major concern for liability should he interpret this agreement to read the meters as having free reign to the systems facilities. Is this legal or what problems could this create? Customers that do not report multiple connections, causing utility employees to have to investigate the matter, are usually denied these waivers. Different growth We want to be fair, but we also want be responsible. 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? 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. <00> It is unclear whether the units are part of any government-assisted or subsidized housing programs for low-income residents. There is no requirement where a WSC can request the landowner to be registered as a business.