Title
Amending Chapter 88 of the Legislative Code pertaining to Water Meters.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL DOES ORDAIN:
SECTION 1
Section 88 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
SECTION 2
Section 88.015. of the Legislative Code is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 88.015. Standard and alternate metering systems.
The standard water metering system shall be a meter integrated with a radio transmitter.an exterior-mounted radio metering system. Upon written notice to and approval by the water utility, the owner may choose one (1) of the following alternate metering systems:an exterior-mounted non-radio metering system, subject to an additional charge for each reading. Such charge will be added to the water bill in the amount listed in the fee schedule established pursuant to Sec. 85.08.
(a) Exterior-mounted radio metering system, subject to no additional charge.
(b) Exterior-mounted non-radio metering system, subject to an additional charge for each reading.
SECTION 3
Section 88.07 of the Legislative Code is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 88.07. Cost of meter setting.
(a) Initial setting. The charge to set the first meter following the installation of the street service connection shall be the actual cost of the meter and metering system for the amount listed in the fee schedule established pursuant to Sec. 85.08.
(b) Resetting.
(1) Meter Setting Charges to reset a meter when requested by the owner will be applied to the water bill shall be as follows for the amount listed in the fee schedule established pursuant to Sec. 85.08.:
1 inch and smaller Current Turn On Service Charge
1 ½ inch and larger Actual cost of setting
Charges shall not apply where the owner requests a change from an alternate metering system to the standard metering system.
(2) Meter Setting Charges to set a meter when change in meter size is requested by the owner and approved by the water utility shall be as follows: will be applied to the water bill for the amount listed in the fee schedule established pursuant to Sec. 85.08.
1 inch and smaller Current Turn On Service Charge
1 ½ inch and larger Actual cost of setting plus actual cost of the metering system
Sec. 88.075. Reserved. Charge for reading remote meter reading receptacles.
A charge of $12.00 for every actual or estimated reading of remote meter reading receptacles performed by the water utility shall be added to the water bill to recover the extra costs associated with non-radio metering systems.
SECTION 4
Section 88.10 of the Legislative Code is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 88.10. Damaged meters and metering systems.
(a) If any part of the metering system is damaged, either through neglect or carelessness of the consumer, the actual cost of repairs, or replacement if beyond repair, must be paid for by the property owner as defined by the fee schedule established pursuant to Sec. 85.08.
(b) Lost or stolen meters or metering system components shall be replaced by the water utility at the expense of the property owner.
(c) It is unlawful to tamper with, disconnect or remove the meter, register, radio transmitter, cable or remote meter reading device.
(d) Except for the cable, the cost of ordinary maintenance and repairs will be the responsibility of the water utility.
(e) In case of breakage, stoppage or other irregularity in the meter, meter setting or metering system, the property owner shall notify the water utility immediately.
(f) Meters damaged due to freezing shall be repaired or replaced at the expense of the property owner.
SECTION 5
Section 88.11 of the Legislative Code is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 88.11. Meter testing.
(a) At the request of an owner or consumer, the utility will test the meter supplying the owner's or consumer's premises. A deposit determined from the following schedule shall be required before a meter is tested:
|
Meters 1-inch and smaller |
$ 35.00 |
|
Meters 1½-inch and 2-inch |
75.00 |
|
Meters 3-inch and 4-inch |
125.00 |
|
Meters 6-inch and larger |
Actual cost |
|
Meters in meter pits |
Actual cost |
(b) If the meter is found to be registering in excess of one hundred two percent (102%) of actual flow, there will be no charge the deposit will be returned to the consumer. If not, a Meter Testing Charge, in the amount listed in the fee schedule established pursuant to Sec. 85.08 will be applied to the water bill.If not, the deposit will be retained by the utility to offset the cost of the meter test.
(c) The meter shall be tested at three (3) rates of flow: maximum, intermediate, and minimum, as defined by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Standard for Testing Cold Water Meters, C 705-60 or latest revision thereof.
(d) The owner may, if desired, be present at the time the meter is tested. The result of the test shall be reported to the owner in every case.
SECTION 6
Section 88.15 of the Legislative Code is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 88.15. Meters, settings, cable installation.
(a) The meter setting shall include the water meter, the meter valves and check valve when required, installed in accordance with meter setting standards of the water utility. The normal setting from the centerline of the meter spuds to the wall shall not be less than eight (8) inches for one-inch and smaller meters, or closer than ten (10) inches for two-inch and one-and-one-half-inch meters. The height above the floor in all instances shall not be less than twelve (12) inches or more than forty-eight (48) inches except by special permission.
(b) Piping and materials within the meter setting between the meter valves and at least one foot of the vertical riser shall be type K copper or lead- free brass. Copper materials used before the meter shall be brazed or flared type K. The meter setting and metallic portion of the vertical riser shall be strong and securely attached to an adjacent wall to prevent sagging, swaying or undue vibration. On new services or renewals, the meter shall in all cases be set above the floor.
(c) Large meters may be set directly on the floor when their weight cannot otherwise be properly supported. Where the owner requests a remote meter reading device, the owner or owner's representative shall install cable from the meter to the proposed remote meter reading device location. Cable installation and remote meter reading device location shall conform to water utility standards. Cable shall be furnished in sufficient length to facilitate connection by the water utility at the meter and the remote meter reading device.
SECTION 7
Section 88.16 of the Legislative Code is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 88.16. Curb or yard meter settings.
(a) The use of meter vaults for meter installations will be allowed only by special permission, or at the direction of the water utility. Where permitted or required the meter vault shall be constructed at a site approved by the water utility utilizing materials and design which meet water utility standards. The meter vault must be waterproof and the finished grade sloped to divert drainage away from the vault. Two (2) sets of drawings shall be furnished to the water utility showing a site plan and the details of construction of the vault. A remote meter reading device shall be required in vaults.
(b) It shall be the owner's responsibility to maintain the meter vault and accessibility to the vault so that the water meter can be read on a regular basis. This includes the removal of snow and ice which prevent access to the meter vault and the removal of water from the underground portions of the meter vault when necessary. The water utility, after proper notice, may terminate service if the owner fails to properly maintain the meter vault or accessibility to the meter vault.
SECTION 8
Section 88.17 of the Legislative Code is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 88.17. Removal of meters.
(a) Meters shall be removed only by an employee of the water utility except in case of an emergency or when a plumber changes the meter location or drains the system. When a meter is removed for such reason it shall be reset or a spacer pipe shall be inserted, and the water utility shall be notified of such action immediately. It is unlawful to break the seal on any meter except for the purpose above indicated.
(b) Where disconnection of remote reading cable is required when removing a meter, the water utility shall be notified immediately.
SECTION 9
Section 88.18 of the Legislative Code is hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 88.18. Meters, shutoff valves.
(a) Each service shall be provided with two (2) valves, one (1) on either side of the meter. Both valves shall be the same size as the service pipe or larger. All meter shutoff valves shall comply with water utility standards.
(b) On combined fire and domestic water systems, the first shut-off valve on the domestic service shall be an approved full-way valve with lockable handle.
SECTION 10
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days following its passage, approval and publication.