tceq equivalent single family connection tceq equivalent single family connection

<98> <98> <02DC> <9A> <9A> <0161> 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. This letter should outline the PUC requirements for an accurate metering of water per connection. 0 The correspondence should also include a date on which service will be disconnected if the customer fails to make arrangements for the CSI. 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. Language establishing the utilitys ownership of customer service meters runs throughout TRWAs model tariffs and service policies. "Equivalent residential units" or "ERU" is a unit of measurement based upon a standard single-family residential home used to establish rates, fees and charges and volume capacity limits. CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop 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. <93> <94> <201C> 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. Others were due to leaks grounding out meters. ]BA Y,bps`>x/@HnqXNZ1yek5Fq8:^bV_W =.*'&0Y5E4oUpcbT6P,SkV/ lliF7LEM]AgDtC,a]oaF![Oi0 qy}>XPN&:VYCp>F0 " <00A0> This standard specifies that all chemicals used properly will not cause any health effects for the consumers. However, the only leverage we have is to disconnect service to the convenience store in order to compel the chain restaurant to get a separate meter. 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. 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. Again, this is an insurance issue to address with your insurance carrier. <85> <85> <2026> Now climb the tank again after the well pump is stopped and measure the height of water again at the manway. /CIDInit /ProcSet findresource begin The one meter per residence just means that a customer can't have two or more residences or businesses on a single meter. 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. Do I need to calibrate the meter? Published in January/February 2020 (Issue 1 of Quench). <00A0> Even a temporary hose hook-up is prohibited since that is a violation of the conditions found in your customer service application and agreement. 0000002157 00000 n /Linearized 1.0/O 364/H [ 766 341 ]/L 852074/E 53543/N 18/T 844716>> Wouldnt it make sense for the owner to have to pay the cost of extending the line(s) out to those structures? >> def There is nothing in TCEQs Chapter 290 regulations which addresses the above scenario dealing with pre-existing taps that have been removed. 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. /CIDInit /ProcSet findresource begin /Registry (CourierOPBaseFont1) It is up to each customer to determine whether they must register as a business with the state or not. 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. 339 0 obj <> endobj As a general rule, the only difference should be in base rates based on size of meter as indicated in the TRWA Sample Tariff. 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. 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. 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/. 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. (16) Connection--A single family residential unit or each commercial or industrial establishment to which drinking water is supplied from the system. 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. 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. 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. Billable flow (B 1 + B 5) 7. 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. 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. Requiring employees to climb ladders to get over fences or traverse 500 feet of property may not be reasonable access for your system and could be considered denial of access. A: The property owner may have a single master meter as long as the property is not divided or does not consist of separate tracts of land. 0000000536 00000 n <9D> <9D> <2022> <84> <84> <201E> %%EOF 1 begincodespacerange It is unclear whether the units are part of any government-assisted or subsidized housing programs for low-income residents. 0 <8C> <8C> <0152> 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. What should we do? 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. Our system is more than 40 years old and there are about 20 properties that have more than one residence on a single meter. The rules provide some ways for the applicant to opt out of individual meters and having multiple water service lines crisscrossing their tract of land. %%EOF All usage rates per thousand gallons should be the same across all classes of ratepayers, although conservation rates, designed to encourage efficient and non-wasteful water use practices by customers, can assess higher usage rates per thousand gallons for customers using more than a specified amount each month. 69 0 obj<> endobj Big problems can occur when either of the properties changes hands. My question is, how do we verify the boundaries of properties for this purpose? 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. A: This is a common problem for older systems as they try to come into compliance with newer rules. <0D> <0D> <000D> It is best to work with your customers so that a reasonable solution can be found. The result is an estimate of total <96> <97> <2013> This saves the systems from having to maintain multiple meters and make multiple service trips to disconnect and reconnect individual rental property meters, allows for a single water bill to be mailed, and saves the property owner money by not requiring them to maintain multiple lines across their property. 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. The sample tariff allows the system to estimate a bill and notify the member of the estimate if meter access is hindered or denied. <95> <95> <2022> The assumed population equivalent per connection should be indicated. (2) Active connection, as used in this section, means a lot or . There may be limitations that prevent using the meter when there is an outside water ban or other drought measures are in place. 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 340 0 obj <. <98> <98> <02DC> <>/OutputIntents[358 0 R]/Metadata 360 0 R>> C+vdt\?K(Pwu,Gu-=s-^|8o!$cntc}Egg=/ckY0 \ 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. 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. Our employees drive around the community daily and can tell that there are clearly people living at these second residences. A: This is definitely not a new question - many systems have faced this situation over the years. for the single-family residential customer group. (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. <09> <0A> <0009> Is it ethical for us to charge a second equity buy-in fee for this meter if we already charged such a fee for their first meter? Hopefully the two figures are the same or within a reasonable margin of error. Therefore, existing customers have been paying for extra capacity for many years and these new customers are being asked to provide a portion of the cost associated with the capacity they will be using. Next write down the master meter reading on the meter to be tested. <84> <84> <201E> Use some water out of the storage tank (ground or elevated). <00> <86> <87> <2020> 12 dict begin :SYA"e2=pmn':"^Ptvop?L`EekP)H:^OK)XNI ]*U}%GikLf!=ZpcC[RqHL That availability to use that capacity should be paid for, but not by tacking the costs onto existing customers. /Supplement 0 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. g MLu]VxcN[4wosYpe$C4-`#`:euD=G)\IGiuu}o\2kr%Scw#LBSkEkG=] i"a8S7EB=w=N 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. The Commercial facilities are calculated by an Equivalent . 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.. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. $`pi%X. Climb the tank and use a steel measuring tape to measure the height of water in the tank to the manway. <9D> <9D> <2022> We don't know what size the line is behind the meters or how they have them hooked up. Other TCEQ inspectors have assessed the capacity requirements on the 2-inch meter size which industry standards deem to be eight times the normal capacity of the 5/8 x 3/4-inch meter, regardless of the number of trailers on the other side of the meter. (7#~mz*B TwIewVq_kgcQyQ4Jd/ K3E\_%9=G$#. endcodespacerange CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop /CMapName /Helvetica-ObliqueOPBaseFont5 def Public wells supply drinking water to municipalities. In either case, the utility must ensure that fees are assessed fairly. Q: Some of our customers have built duplexes in our system. Your tariff should include the requirements for evaluating an application for a master 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 NSF 60 standard is for chemicals used in a water system. This has an added benefit that the customers will be required to maintain their own service lines from the meter to their houses. Should not effect transit. 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. <8D> <8D> <2022> <09> <0A> <0009> <91> <92> <2018> Section E allows for disconnection without notice when a known dangerous or hazardous condition exists for which service may remain disconnected for as long as the condition exists, including but not limited to a public health nuisance as defined in Texas Health and Safety Code Sections 341.011 or 343.011. 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 Commercial 5. << 0000001146 00000 n 8P_zz[__z-os%DtGDrJb"" )A <00> 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? \"L&h6AKm5 ZydZ P*dGLr)9 3 One of these meters is on a 1"water main line and the other meter on a 1 1/2 water main line. 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. Define Equivalent Single-Family Connection. HT 0000036396 00000 n Until they can do that, they dont get a meter. While this may have been more of an undertaking many years ago, most counties have modernized and this research can now generally be done from the systems office. This allows the water to straighten out and have less turbulence, thereby allowing the meter to register as accurately as possible. There is nothing that prevents a customer from having a separate meter just for their irrigation system. An eight-inch (8") water main will generally be required to distribute water and provide fire protection within the multi-family district provided that the water main does not exceed 600 feet in length or serve more than two Example: A 20-space trailer park with a 2-inch meter has been evaluated by some TCEQ inspectors to be the actual number of trailer spaces available. <002D> )-__@u{{z"|RDQG|G2`4Y M6 oaomo[^W[zWJ+wCV <91> <92> <2018> What a system considers to be reasonable access may vary. 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. In many cases, system staff were simply too timid to enforce their own policies relating to meter locations if a customer raised their voice, said they would sue the system, or used an intimidating attitude. Q: We have a customer who has his meter inside a fence. /CMapName /Times-RomanOPBaseFont0 def 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. 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. One ESFC is defined as equaling a typical detached single-family house. In addition to the cost of the meter installation as well as any upfront impact or buy in fees. 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. 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. stream <81> <81> <2022> First, the customer must supply the system a final plat showing the intended use and ultimate development of the property to be served. 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. First, the one meter per residence language should be part of your tariff or service policy. <89> <89> <2030> 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. lF3n~m/O]w@_}!.u5Iul,CeA"Wyac. 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. Does the one meter per residence apply in this situation? 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 We encourage you to consider options for providing service and, most immediately, to ensure compliance with the 85 percent requirement. These items became assets and therefore had to be maintained and upgraded at the expense of the water system. R02 - Single Family House (larger than 5/8 " meter). end <96> <97> <2013> <00> <00> <0000> Master metering is only applicable when it is a single piece of property, not two different tracts. The customer says there is a gate at the back of his property (more than 500 feet away). 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). <88> <88> <02C6> Present Ave. Daily Flow (B 6 + B 7 ) Single family - include all single family homes, mobile homes and seasonal dwellings in this category. <83> <83> <0192> <8F> <8F> <2022> Q: We have a convenience store and a chain restaurant using the same meter. A: The answer is yes, its not only ethical, its also both fair and necessary. << 0000001388 00000 n You could also require the applicant to provide this information as part of the application process. Id like to offer an observation though, based on the information from the TRWA Sample Tariff. 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. <86> <87> <2020> Given more information about your utility we may have suggestions regarding ideas on sharing the cost of any upgrade. Well get someone to demonstrate the rate template weve designed and provided to systems across the state. 71 0 obj<>stream <0D> <0D> <000D> 5' 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. However, the applicant or landowner can request a single master meter if they dont want to re-plumb their entire property to accommodate individual meters. startxref <99> <99> <2122> 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. The larger the meter, the greater the amount of system capacity that must be kept in place for that meter. You should always keep the safety of your employees in mind and act within the law. Would the individual use the company vehicle or his own? It appears they have done this to supply water to more than 60 small rental homes on two 5/8 x 3/4 meters. Does the owner have the choice of either getting a meter for each unit or getting one master meter? By doing this, when they get a few more meters, they can begin replacing the meter tops with these newer AMI tops. endcodespacerange =4$y]/%(%DL ~A%b u;_K[O]u?__KVX?p5~5Ka%K}>k47Z=j{u__t %OEG+HqH\9-:Y2=Ht),h1#d W% `9B-eR+0 I have visited several systems who have purchased AMR meters that are compatible with the AMI meters. Due to an expansion, the two split and are now serviced by the same meter. 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. X1'H`7g3a*|f{h00eiF` BVb`+c0 z^ 12 dict begin endcmap Most manufacturers suggest straight runs of pipe ahead of and following a master meter. /CIDSystemInfo 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. Fax: 512.472.5186 <<9e8032b06c2c514a87349e8822134d26>]>> 0000002796 00000 n <> A: Yes, I've heard of the practice of allowing multiple meters on single properties at multiple systems. 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. For Tract 2, the engineer assumed 24 equivalent single family connections, and a meter connection count will be four. 1616 Rio Grande 1 begincodespacerange endstream endobj 5 0 obj<>/Width 2550/Height 3300/BitsPerComponent 1/ColorSpace/DeviceGray/Type/XObject/Name/background_2/Subtype/Image>>stream The valve shall meet AWWA standards (a ball valve is preferred). <80> <80> <20AC> Duplexes and triplexes are sufficiently similar to single family homes so that a duplex equals twice the ERU . 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. pSaU0t}% tAkmBxJ _`TzJjzm*cUxh$IRJ\&O N'>Mg2:I&L=w.- ?A~}TmCi6?IV PnzN' k~"KcJMi?kvEw-a]z}k#AUGH}+ImKefXv~i^v0~Lz_ANxO}toc3X] u:^on}{_ZT_[=u?Z-?ZI{_oVVt}U&/z^mZowam}Mc*)Xk}v>51KuR[M45qQQE{N?ToTvM;,t_KvN=< SM4'e`]'vx\R"""""#[l&`Me!0|Ez/hDDDDDDipPL,qD_{nb~@ 7dnUEh(}|Df1emQ|DGX%A7q3+;* 2r'dDg&J":' tQT[NO1;Z" 0a;AS#ii <20> <7E> <0020> /Supplement 0 The base rates for larger meters should be set to pay for these larger required capacities instead of making the customers with standard size meters subsidize the customers with bigger meters that place more demand costs on the system. end Amstelveen is a leafy, prosperous, family-oriented suburb close to Amsterdam, which has a growing population of international residents. 6^u9Z{s DraDsio1,m?Ph/&KZlho_ryP 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. described above, SWWC currently supplies water to at least 5,465 active LUEs (i.e., single-2 Living Unit Equivalents (LUEs). endcodespacerange endstream endobj 75 0 obj<>/BaseFont/Times-Roman/FirstChar 0/LastChar 255/Subtype/Type1/ToUnicode 76 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 0 250 340 410 500 500 840 785 185 340 340 500 560 250 340 250 290 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 290 290 565 565 565 440 925 720 670 670 725 610 555 720 720 335 390 725 615 880 720 720 560 720 665 555 605 715 715 945 725 725 610 335 275 335 475 500 330 450 500 450 500 450 340 500 500 275 275 500 275 775 500 500 500 500 340 390 285 500 500 720 500 500 450 490 200 490 550 350 500 350 340 500 450 1000 500 500 340 1000 565 340 890 350 610 350 350 340 340 445 445 350 500 1000 340 990 390 340 730 350 450 730 250 340 500 500 500 500 210 500 340 770 280 500 570 340 770 340 410 570 300 300 340 510 460 250 340 300 310 500 750 750 750 445 720 720 720 720 720 720 885 675 615 615 615 615 340 340 340 340 720 720 720 720 720 720 720 565 720 720 720 720 720 720 560 500 450 450 450 450 450 450 670 450 450 450 450 450 280 280 280 280 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 565 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500]>> endobj 76 0 obj<>stream Can you help me out with this? <00AE> <88> <88> <02C6> <9B> <9B> <203A> 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. 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. Your WSC cannot demand that a person pay the entire cost to extend a 6 inch line unless the engineer determines that is the size line it takes to serve that particular applicant. This certificate should meet the TCEQ master meter test requirements for initial installation of the meter. While the board of directors is keeping the old monthly charges and rates, we only have a base rate for 1 -inch meters. Know how, know you | We are IQ-EQ, a leading investor services group employing 4300+ people across 24 jurisdictions worldwide. 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. <9F> <9F> <0178> 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. 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. We think this might turn into a public relations problem. <83> <83> <0192> <9C> <9C> <0153> 0000000016 00000 n 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. 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. 0000001312 00000 n xref \8h;""-[a]_aM7#0dpq6;tDdX)A!BuU ]H#Fjf )aAC;D