tceq equivalent single family connection

We really need to understand the regulations and what action we need to take prior to approaching either business. Big problems can occur when either of the properties changes hands. First, the customer must supply the system a final plat showing the intended use and ultimate development of the property to be served. The original member will pay all costs associated with a new meter installation as if they were a new customer, since they are a new customer at this new location. 0000000015 00000 n <8E> <8E> <017D> This has an added benefit that the customers will be required to maintain their own service lines from the meter to their houses. The correspondence should also include a date on which service will be disconnected if the customer fails to make arrangements for the CSI. <>/OutputIntents[358 0 R]/Metadata 360 0 R>> 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. For Tract 2, the engineer assumed 24 equivalent single family connections, and a meter connection count will be four. 0000002157 00000 n (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> There is also a concern about whether your easement allows system personnel to traverse 500 feet of the owners property. However, most of the time there isnt an easement filed between the two neighbors for the meter and service line from the front property to the back property being served. <8A> <8A> <0160> 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 6 inch line, according to the TCEQ Chapter 290 Rules, can serve up to 250 connections. 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.. /Supplement 0 Different growth 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. Published February/March 2021 (Issue 1 of Quench). <85> <85> <2026> <8D> <8D> <2022> 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 <9C> <9C> <0153> Published in July/August 2020 (Issue 4 of Quench). First, the one meter per residence language should be part of your tariff or service policy. <9E> <9E> <017E> 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. 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. If the main water line(s) are near the public roads, then the system may offer to move the meter down to the road. PDF Developer's Bond Application Report Format - Texas Commission on 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. A new membership fee should be required for each new meter. for the single-family residential customer group. <86> <87> <2020> startxref PDF Bolivar Peninsula Special Utility District My question is, how do we verify the boundaries of properties for this purpose? 1. 0000001247 00000 n Well meters required by 290.41(c)(3)(N) of this title (relating to Water Sources) shall be calibrated at least once every three years.. I1Aq sa:VAza:o ~6_9d23\@GfqQ H4o?a Z}*B"E}I"}}-}oKk$D%+M?AGPf!Sn$_ WzIj&?K/GrwkIL ( kZPiu-Jbg\N2A;$_J|MS[t7P]"nSx}tcGl>^ZKeKH^ZURCZjVAiU&6mvTAl/wDXIvS-U*Kv[GAWBk'3TnM(u"wP4n": $ ZJ[$+n4b=J}}0_LWjcF;0kc.#1I-u}'[{W}$LSKUnUKI.DW~mR^Np voZNL*aAnh^Xo;kji,5]4>Q/ZhB4cq: TuMBv;M8OPhFGDDDDE_k#[vD4 Dr(~[uk_w~'oa_}2;WdASMS aA aV* 8IxFDDDDD_B""#__O &FF#0B>"(4#c3h*E/#!!80 "Df"qdp%_d$vHf -Uyxn/dqHGci|GE800f:(F/GG0xG#xx DDD-p0 startxref 0000001086 00000 n Q: We have a customer who has his meter inside a fence. PDF Water System Service Capacity in Equivalent Residential Units (ERUs) Setting the meter on the property owned by the applicant is always the best policy. 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? /CMapName /CourierOPBaseFont1 def /CIDSystemInfo <80> <80> <20AC> Then when these other services are discontinued those meters are removed by the utility that owns the meters, not the customer. What should we do? 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.. <9B> <9B> <203A> 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. 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. 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. 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. Q: We have been made aware of a customer who has installed an inline booster pump on their side of the meter. <8F> <8F> <2022> developed and used to calculate the Impact Fee per Equivalent Single Family Connection (ESFC). 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. A: Your question is very common for all rural and some urban systems. Q: Some of our customers have built duplexes in our system. A: Yes, I've heard of the practice of allowing multiple meters on single properties at multiple systems. 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. <9C> <9C> <0153> n``N}@:\_EF-_*p"X;9$W'}',vl#A7.9J uph%(+u n'8i b9XAH03047:|clf`. 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. 71 0 obj<>stream 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 <8B> <8B> <2039> Some systems do require individual meters to each different apartment, condo or other type business that is all owned by one individual or company. 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. Q: We have a convenience store and a chain restaurant using the same meter. Your tariff should include the requirements for evaluating an application for a master meter. <98> <98> <02DC> 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 cut-off valve may be installed as a part of the original meter installation by the Corporation.). 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. 0000006201 00000 n <8C> <8C> <0152> {Y 9w,r, 6Q@4Og)nF9c"|A""?__ovt^o_dM`L2,s54#Pj0 <9F> <9F> <0178> <00A0> The Uniform Plumbing Code does not allow for booster pumps under this condition and TCEQ rule Section 290.44(d)(3) states that service connections that require booster pumps taking suction from the public water system lines must be equipped with automatic pressure cut-off devices so that the pumping units become inoperative at a suction pressure of less than 20 psi (thereby preventing a back siphonage condition). <<9e8032b06c2c514a87349e8822134d26>]>> Amstelveen is a leafy, prosperous, family-oriented suburb close to Amsterdam, which has a growing population of international residents. A licensed operator of a water system can calibrate their own master meters regardless of size or type by using the volumetric calibration method. 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. CMapName currentdict /CMap defineresource pop It is unclear whether the units are part of any government-assisted or subsidized housing programs for low-income residents. 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. end Language establishing the utilitys ownership of customer service meters runs throughout TRWAs model tariffs and service 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. 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. xb```a``Jc`f`ed@ Ar,8-O00/2\B;wOg`Xl_SKl}w>5">%QPH2F50e00,c 5RJf5v zn ' +\AF> /CMapName /Times-RomanOPBaseFont0 def 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. endstream endobj startxref a@0VZ F8A8!@!af^""""#o^?l2AD 4i5M=n^/#{B^m^m}5ok8M4M0P aj""# Re: US travelers connecting in AMS what are the rules now? endcmap /Supplement 0 It is never a good idea to set a meter at one residence with a yard or service line running across the property to the next active connection. <8A> <8A> <0160> 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. 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. The quadplexes were built in 2006 and are not located within the boundaries of a city. <9C> <9C> <0153> Public wells supply drinking water to municipalities. These references clearly state that the meter belongs to the corporation and is to be maintained by the corporation. 1 year ago. <002D> 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. U0!_bU2S'vB9{h7UM;y>F]6]>_]I;j]R_}I/l My question is what is considered access? The result is an estimate of total The ERUs would be equivalent to what would be used by typical single-family residences, if they were using the water. <8E> <8E> <017D> Can you help me out with this? This letter should outline the PUC requirements for an accurate metering of water per connection. endstream endobj 79 0 obj[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] endobj 80 0 obj<>/Width 2550/Height 3300/BitsPerComponent 1/ColorSpace/DeviceGray/Type/XObject/Name/background_1/Subtype/Image>>stream IQ-EQ | LinkedIn s)Q0tWN <8B> <8B> <2039> /Linearized 1.0/O 364/H [ 766 341 ]/L 852074/E 53543/N 18/T 844716>> 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. described above, SWWC currently supplies water to at least 5,465 active LUEs (i.e., single-2 Living Unit Equivalents (LUEs). <96> <97> <2013> <09> <0A> <0009> 12 dict begin 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. TRWA does not recommend any product, supplier or person and leaves that decision up to each system. |pz~0u]MbHw{B|%r4ln'Ur]af2Ia0 fkF0S;@G bYH(?I Next, the system may want to offer a compliance schedule so that service will not be interrupted during the construction and installation of a second meter on the property designated to receive service.. 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. 10. Prior to initial connection of any Customer other than a single-family residential Customer, the District's Engineer shall calculate . H|T0WQNd(>3IQb= <9D> <9D> <2022> pc#P3C"!GB448]o_ AtCCk*AC)ADc90cLrU 0 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. 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. 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. H_w"'i.wF%P)O This is the back property customers responsibility. There may be limitations that prevent using the meter when there is an outside water ban or other drought measures are in place. PDF Determining Connections and Populations Served for Public Water Systems R02 - Single Family House (larger than 5/8 " meter). <90> <90> <2022> We think this might turn into a public relations problem. ~0r; We had the owner submit a feasibility study and it shows that we can support them. <91> <92> <2018> But the continued headaches and future problems will not be worth the bad public relations this can cause if anything happens to the service line or meter that is on someone elses property. 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. Q: How does a person with multiple mobile homes become a master-metered account? 0000000825 00000 n Commercial 5. /CMapType 2 def <00> 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. 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. each new commercial connection and $1,000 for each new residential connection. connection (living unit equivalent) that for the purposes of this Amended Agreement shall be Six Hundred Fifty I am not aware of any legal or state regulations that would prohibit this, but I caution your board to look at every conceivable contingency and try to address them before agreeing to this free meter reading offer. The customer must, at his or her expense, properly install, inspect, test, maintain and provide all required documentation of any approved backflow prevention device required by the corporation (30 TAC 290.46(j); Section I Service Application and Agreement). lmr19a9s;rw;A$PsI@mr+9pB? How do we determine base rates for 2- or 3-inch meters? \\~;XBM?!GIjM_% ]$N6+ A;#-^V_J_K_Z!m?oW16d pzpDu@N_D}v54}aM,7=?9?rIh:O7U`BVM[np`&6+mC-Ot6)Rz 6+VM?mHAMA5i }l& By having only one meter to maintain near the road system, the owner would not be responsible for installing and thereafter maintaining individual lines and meters to each of the dwellings, or for disconnecting and reconnecting each individual units separate water meter. 0000002966 00000 n lF3n~m/O]w@_}!.u5Iul,CeA"Wyac. Texas Water Code Sec. Throughout my time at TRWA, I have seen too many systems that have allowed customers to dictate where they wanted their meters to be set. <20> <7E> <0020> E8EVW:?m^_io~Kk^cQ"_fT"KMB!_ou ]oI_1QdpuOK_-21qWa;_?oN>?/]kD_I'XA_:4}]BhSl'~CA+u_;( m!QVa 8B*t6)(" L-6+$k "gbDF}/?# DWH&J_F#'2,dLj aPh0M0chw&H&; B,"m&_l/@^t\[O;H$w'p!;&C. A particular manufacturer is selling a pretty good meter, but it is not certified and before I invest a lot of money into their radio read system I need someone to answer this question. %PDF-1.3 % Turn off all valves connected to the distribution system so that no water leaves the tank during test period. These items became assets and therefore had to be maintained and upgraded at the expense of the water system. The valve shall meet AWWA standards (a ball valve is preferred). <9E> <9E> <017E> <96> <97> <2013> end <83> <83> <0192> 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 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. <98> <98> <02DC> 69 12 <88> <88> <02C6> 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? However, if your homeowner needs a 1" or larger meter, then the requirements for non-standard service as outlined in Section F. of the TRWA Sample Tariff would apply, including an engineering study for each oversized meter. 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. <81> <81> <2022> Q: Our system has been asked to serve two quadplexes that were until recently supplied by wells that no longer produce water. 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. Leakage 8. In the last couple of months, Ive heard from some systems that they were moving to totally enclosed and sealed registers. 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. stream Q. Some systems opt to offer discounts to customers that have multiple connections or to waive impact or other front-end capital improvement fees. <86> <87> <2020> Also, since the lead ban was in effect when the units were constructed in 2006, the CSI inspector should use swabs to test the plumbing for led. <83> <83> <0192> <85> <85> <2026> Impact Fee Administration | Houston Permitting Center TRWA recommends that systems stop floating memberships and meters from one property to another because of the confusion it creates. HWn8}7vR}\d.P`! By doing this, when they get a few more meters, they can begin replacing the meter tops with these newer AMI tops. A: It is required that water systems verify that all materials and chemicals used in a public water system meet the TCEQ rules. Does the one meter per residence apply in this situation? For example, the Service Rules and Regulations of the TRWA Sample Tariff, Section E, states: An apartment building, condominium, manufactured housing (modular, mobile or RV) community, business center or other similar type enterprise may be considered by the Corporation to be a single commercial facility if the owner applies for a meter as a 'master metered account' and complies with the requirements set forth in PUC rules, this Tariff and applicable law. TRWAs Sample Tariff, Section B provides additional detail, requiring compliance with PUC, Chapter 24, Subchapter H rules pertaining to submetering. One requirement under PUC rules is that the owner who intends to bill tenants for sub-metered or allocated utility service or who changes the method used to bill tenants for utility service must register with the PUC in a form prescribed by the commission. 0000001032 00000 n Q: Our local WSC is planning to implement a policy in order to comply with the one meter per residence rule. He does not want us to move the meter outside the fence for safety reasons. endbfrange [tF]JJfSHYs8n?G?#ZS^n#E|WHxt2o1BBb.el+Dijwv-7ajcn7mY 6ii>a!0Y7"9ET3 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. Until Saturday there was a higher level called "very high-risk area where there is a variant of concern" but that category . Some meter manufacturers also require strainers or other devices to be installed to protect the meter and straighten or condition the water so that their meters will be as accurate as possible. A: This is definitely not a new question - many systems have faced this situation over the years. =4$y]/%(%DL 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. 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? 4Ct?3,RPapG}=>V"vIzJ*m'_ endstream endobj 382 0 obj <>stream The most immediate issue to address is the potential health hazard caused by the loss of pressure when the booster pump kicks on. Then, once the system reaches 100 percent capacity, that system should begin constructing these new facilities to replace or build that extra 15 percent or more back into their system for future growth. 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. << 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? Q: I am going to change out our master meter at the well and replace it with a new one. 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. Does the owner have the choice of either getting a meter for each unit or getting one master meter? <99> <99> <2122> /Ordering (UCS) 389 0 obj <>stream 0000001312 00000 n We don't know what size the line is behind the meters or how they have them hooked up. end <9A> <9A> <0161> endbfrange 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. <9B> <9B> <203A> 0000002770 00000 n 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. The normal straight run of pipe prior to the meter is five times the diameter of the pipe. Is this legal or what problems could this create? <81> <81> <2022> <00AE> We want to be fair, but we also want be responsible. We would like to have the chain restaurant apply for and install a meter since the convenience store has a meter and active account. For customers who have their homes 500 feet or more off the road, meters may be relocated to the edge of the customers property instead of at the house. We bring together that rare . Even a temporary hose hook-up is prohibited since that is a violation of the conditions found in your customer service application and agreement. Any damage to the Corporations equipment shall be subject to service charges. Hopefully this will help address the customers concerns. This can lead to lawsuits and fights between neighbors and family members, and often the utility ends up bearing the brunt of these clashes. <89> <89> <2030> What should we do with these boxes? Climb the tank and use a steel measuring tape to measure the height of water in the tank to the manway. <91> <92> <2018> <7F> <7F> <2022> 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. Would this person also have access to the system office or have keys to the water plants? There are many points that need to be addressed before agreeing to this offer. Do you have a source for best practices when planning to deal with this issue?

tceq equivalent single family connection 2023