X1'H`7g3a*|f{h00eiF` BVb`+c0 z^ 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. <9E> <9E> <017E> However, due to some political maneuvering several years ago, some exceptions were included in the Texas Administrative Code that allow the commissions executive director to permit master metering when applicable. 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. 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. Prior to initial connection of any Customer other than a single-family residential Customer, the District's Engineer shall calculate . <8A> <8A> <0160> <84> <84> <201E> The NSF 61 is the standard for all pipes, repair clamps, and any other fitting or material used in a public water system. A: Your question is very common for all rural and some urban systems. 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. for the single-family residential customer group. Setting the meter on the property owned by the applicant is always the best policy. % Equivalent Residential Connection Definition | Law Insider Others were due to leaks grounding out meters. That availability to use that capacity should be paid for, but not by tacking the costs onto existing customers. Most importantly, you should enforce these policies and refuse to set a meter until you are satisfied that the applicant does, in fact, own the property on which the meter will be placed. >> def If the customer still feels that the meter belongs to her then it may be helpful to give her the phone number to the PUC so she can discuss her concerns. <8B> <8B> <2039> We had the owner submit a feasibility study and it shows that we can support them. Do I need to calibrate the meter? 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. HT There is also a concern about whether your easement allows system personnel to traverse 500 feet of the owners property. xref There are many points that need to be addressed before agreeing to this offer. Now subtract the first master meter reading from the current meter reading and compare that to the gallons added to the tank. 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. We have been mostly going by the word of individual landowners, which has recently resulted in us finding out that some of our meters were not correctly located. A licensed operator of a water system can calibrate their own master meters regardless of size or type by using the volumetric calibration method. In that case, the system may need to check the hot water heater to see if it has water in it or, as stated above, have the customer demonstrate that water in the second dwelling is from another source and not a water hose from the first house. The ERUs would be equivalent to what would be used by typical single-family residences, if they were using the water. <91> <92> <2018> There is nothing that prevents a customer from having a separate meter just for their irrigation system. This is the back property customers responsibility. 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. <09> <0A> <0009> [tF]JJfSHYs8n?G?#ZS^n#E|WHxt2o1BBb.el+Dijwv-7ajcn7mY 6ii>a!0Y7"9ET3 <99> <99> <2122> * 04dOvZ% y;a p^u N&?FqCe6MoA Q: I am aware of the rule that requires meters to be located on the property being served. TCEQs Chapter 290 requires a meter to accurately determine the usage of each customer unless a master metering arrangement has been made. connection (living unit equivalent) that for the purposes of this Amended Agreement shall be Six Hundred Fifty Duplexes and triplexes are sufficiently similar to single family homes so that a duplex equals twice the ERU . 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? <82> <82> <201A> If the main water line(s) are near the public roads, then the system may offer to move the meter down to the road. CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop Most manufacturers suggest straight runs of pipe ahead of and following a master meter. IN ADDITION - sos.texas.gov endstream endobj 4 0 obj<>stream 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.. Some engineers and systems took this to mean that if we remove the meters at these dormant locations, the system would not have to charge future new customers the price for upgrading their old water mains until the freed-up capacity was allocated to new active connections. <8B> <8B> <2039> 362 0 obj <88> <88> <02C6> You should review this situation with your engineers. 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. ~0r; 363 0 obj A: You have a couple different issues to address. <99> <99> <2122> The larger the meter, the greater the amount of system capacity that must be kept in place for that meter. A: This is a common problem for older systems as they try to come into compliance with newer rules. A: It is required that water systems verify that all materials and chemicals used in a public water system meet the TCEQ rules. Id like to offer an observation though, based on the information from the TRWA Sample Tariff. Q: How does a person with multiple mobile homes become a master-metered account? 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. endstream endobj 70 0 obj<> endobj 72 0 obj<> endobj 73 0 obj<>/XObject<>/ProcSet 79 0 R>> endobj 74 0 obj<>stream endstream endobj 382 0 obj <>stream 12 dict begin 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. for the single-family residential customer group. This has been a troublesome situation for many systems in the past and is a re-occurring problem for systems today. 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. About the District - Cinco MUDs 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. Texas Water Code Sec. One ESFC is defined as equaling a typical detached single-family house. Hopefully this will help address the customers concerns. 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 This standard specifies that all chemicals used properly will not cause any health effects for the consumers. Published in May/June 2020 (Issue 3 of Quench). 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. /CIDSystemInfo 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. <9E> <9E> <017E> <00> {Y 9w,r, 6Q@4Og)nF9c"|A""?__ovt^o_dM`L2,s54#Pj0 TCEQ staff at the time said it would be ok for a system to remove dormant or vacant taps even down to the water main, but the system could not assess any future applicant a new front-end contribution or equity buy-in fee, equipment costs to replace the assets being removed and possibly another membership fee if the system used non-refundable membership fees at those locations where these taps had been removed. A: This is a common question. <00> <00> <0000> Define Equivalent Single-Family Connection. Public wells supply drinking water to municipalities. 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. Even a temporary hose hook-up is prohibited since that is a violation of the conditions found in your customer service application and agreement. <9B> <9B> <203A> A water well is a hole drilled into an aquifer with a pipe, screen, and pump to pull water out of the ground. <00A0> 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 << Development Agreement Between the City of Missouri City, Texas, and Written comments about an AO should be sent to the enforcement coordinator designated for each AO at the commission's central office at P.O. 1 begincodespacerange 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. <9D> <9D> <2022> IQ-EQ | LinkedIn 0000002157 00000 n 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 \"L&h6AKm5 ZydZ P*dGLr)9 3 <91> <92> <2018> <98> <98> <02DC> 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. 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. $`pi%X. <82> <82> <201A> <89> <89> <2030> <95> <95> <2022> <8B> <8B> <2039> Further, in the past we have seen many TCEQ investigators count dead taps into the systems overall capacity requirements using the assumption that at any time in the future the system would still be responsible for supplying not only the active connections but previously existing connections also. Big problems can occur when either of the properties changes hands. Throughout my time at TRWA, I have seen too many systems that have allowed customers to dictate where they wanted their meters to be set. endcmap Many times, a customer has a shut off valve installed to the second residence that can be turned off for plumbing repairs or when inspections like these are to be conducted. Assuming the meter is the standard size, residential 3/4 x 5/8 meter, you will use the same rate structure for the irrigation meters since the water is the same treated water that is being distributed by your system. 12 dict begin The rules go on to state that once a system begins to use some of that extra capacity, they need to begin designing specific improvements which will replace this used capacity. lmr19a9s;rw;A$PsI@mr+9pB? (This cut-off valve may be installed as a part of the original meter installation by the Corporation.). In addition to the cost of the meter installation as well as any upfront impact or buy in fees. <85> <85> <2026> H_w"'i.wF%P)O <0D> <0D> <000D> 362 13 Furthermore, Section 290.44(d)(4) states that, each community public water system shall provide accurate metering devices at each residential, commercial, or industrial service connection for the accumulation of water usage data. Section 290.38 defines a connection as a single-family residential unit or each commercial or industrial establishment to which drinking water is supplied from the system. Including this language in a notification letter to all utility customers will help explain why the system is requiring a change for existing multiple connections. <> Yu%]OV^jhzUKI51*&;?m'{{~aTV%jkC PM 5#: 5$Gn ma0Mg]q}ZjBT8!t0#HD4"?@taAhDDDDDDDDDD~""""""?YY#ldd#3334k$WT M&=R endstream endobj 1 0 obj<> endobj 2 0 obj<>/XObject<>/ProcSet 79 0 R>> endobj 3 0 obj<>stream (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. begincmap 0000002966 00000 n Re: US travelers connecting in AMS what are the rules now? /CMapName /CourierOPBaseFont1 def 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. My question is what is considered access? 0000000015 00000 n Your tariff should include the requirements for evaluating an application for a master meter. Section 290.45 - Minimum Water System Capacity Requirements, 30 Tex 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. 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. <002D> 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. endcodespacerange <7F> <7F> <2022> 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. 71 0 obj<>stream Published in July/August 2020 (Issue 4 of Quench). 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. <84> <84> <201E> There is nothing in TCEQs Chapter 290 regulations which addresses the above scenario dealing with pre-existing taps that have been removed. <80> <80> <20AC> The Members use of the Corporations curb stop or other similar valve for such purposes is prohibited. The CSI inspector should make a note on the CSI form stating that the well has been completely disconnected from all the potable water lines serving the dwelling units. Customers that do not report multiple connections, causing utility employees to have to investigate the matter, are usually denied these waivers. The sample tariff allows the system to estimate a bill and notify the member of the estimate if meter access is hindered or denied. Examples of Equivalent Residential Connection in a sentence. %OEG+HqH\9-:Y2=Ht),h1#d W% `9B-eR+0 /Registry (Times-RomanOPBaseFont0) 0 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. Texas Administrative Code Next write down the master meter reading on the meter to be tested. (16) Connection--A single family residential unit or each commercial or industrial establishment to which drinking water is supplied from the system. Should not effect transit. <8C> <8C> <0152> A: The answer is yes, its not only ethical, its also both fair and necessary. 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. 0000001086 00000 n The average daily flow for domestic use shall be calculated at the minimum rate of 100 gallons per day per capita (gpdpc) and an Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC) of 2.5 persons per single-family residence and 2.2 persons per multi-family and mobile home units.. Master District that constitutes an Equivalent Single Family Connection, which amount may be changed from time to time. 0000000016 00000 n The District is subject to the continuing supervision of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (the "TCEQ"). Our engineers say the only way we can meet TCEQ standards for water distribution if we add the meter is with a six-inch line extension. \8h;""-[a]_aM7#0dpq6;tDdX)A!BuU ]H#Fjf )aAC;D 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. <20> <7E> <0020> Would a hose running across the potential users property, across the alleyway, and across about 10 feet of the members property be allowed? /CIDSystemInfo This certificate should meet the TCEQ master meter test requirements for initial installation of the meter. %%EOF HWn8}7vR}\d.P`! A new membership fee should be required for each new meter. 1. Q: A current member of our WSC has asked for a second meter on their property. 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.