Title
Amending Chapter 88 of the Legislative Code pertaining to water meters, to define new metering system technology and installation requirements, and to permit customers to select alternative metering systems, and imposing additional charges for manual reads of alternative metering systems.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL DOES ORDAIN:
Section 1.
That chapter 88 of Saint Paul Legislative Code is hereby amended as follows:
Chapter 88. - Water Code - Meters
Sec. 88.01. - Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:
(1) Metering system shall consist of a water meter, a remote meter reading receptacle and connecting cable.
(2) Cable means the multiwire conductor between the water meter and the remote meter reading receptacle.
(3) Remote meter reading receptacle means the device mounted on the outside of the building from which meter readings can be obtained.
Meter. A water measuring device fitted with a register that records water volume.
Metering system. Either a radio or a non-radio system, which shall include all devices and appurtenances from and including the meter through the radio transmitter or remote meter reading receptacle.
Radio metering system. Either a meter with an integrated radio transmitter or a meter with a connecting cable and a remote radio transmitter. The radio transmitter includes an integral power source (battery).
Exterior-mounted radio metering system. A meter with a connecting cable and a remote radio transmitter.
Exterior-mounted non-radio metering system. A meter with a connecting cable and a remote meter reading receptacle. An exterior mounted non-radio meter reading system has no power source (battery).
Cable. A multiwire conductor between the meter and the remote meter reading device.
Remote meter reading device. Either a remote meter reading receptacle or a remote radio transmitter.
Remote meter reading receptacle. An exterior-mounted non-radio device from which meter readings are obtained by physical connection.
Remote radio transmitter. An exterior-mounted radio device from which meter readings are transmitted.
Structure. A building, pit or above-ground housing in which a meter is installed.
Sec. 88.015. - Standard and alternate metering systems.
The standard water metering system shall be a meter integrated with a radio transmitter. Upon written notice to and approval by the water utility, the owner may choose one of the following alternate metering systems:
(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.
Sec. 88.02. - Meters/metering systems required.
(a) New installations. A metering system as designated by the board must be installed on all new water service connections.
(b) Flat rate services. The board may order a meter or metering system installed on any flat rate account when it deems it advisable. The meter setting shall conform to all appropriate sections of this code. All costs to provide a meter setting, including plumbing costs, shall be the responsibility of the owner.
(c) Replacement of existing meters. The board may adopt a plan for the replacement of existing water meters with a complete metering system. ,including remote meter reading receptacles, and The boardmay order the installation of the metering system in existing residential, commercial and industrial property in accord with the plan as adopted, or as it may be amended, when the board deems it advisable to do so. The plan shall provide that advance notice shall be given to all customers prior to replacementing of existing meters.
Sec. 88.03. - Property of board.
All meters, radio transmittersand remote meter reading devices receptacles installed on other than fire services shall be furnished by and be the property of the board of water commissioners.
Sec. 88.04. - Owners may request meters.
At the request of a consumer, a meter will be installed on any service already established on a flat rate basis, providing application for same is made in the prescribed manner and the cost of setting such meter is paid at the time the application is made and proper plumbing provisions are made by the owner.
Sec. 88.07. - Cost of meter setting.
The charge for the first meter setting following the installation of the street service connection for domestic and commercial accounts shall be the actual cost of the water meter. For all other metering systems set, and for all meters changed and reset at the request of the consumer or owner, a charge equal to the current turn-on service charge shall be paid for each meter not exceeding one (1) inch in size. For each meter one and one-half (1 ½) inches in size or larger, the actual cost of installation shall be charged.
(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.
(b) Resetting.
(1) Charges to reset a meter when requested by the owner shall be as follows:
1-inch and smaller - Current turn-on service charge.
1½- 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) 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:
1-inch and smaller - Current turn-on service charge.
1½- inch and larger - Actual cost of setting plus actual cost of the metering system.
Sec. 88.075 - 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.
Sec. 88.08. - Accessibility.
Meters and remote meter readingdevicesreceptacles must at all times be easily accessible so that they may be examined and meter readings obtained by employees of the water utility. Meters must not be exposed to danger from frost or contamination. It is unlawful to cover or obstruct any water meter or remote meter readingdevicereceptacle either permanently or temporarily.
Sec. 88.09. - By whom setand maintained.
The installation, replacement, repair and disconnection of all meters and metering systemsis to be performed by employees or authorized representatives of the water utility only. However, where the owner requests an alternate metering system, on new service connections or new service accounts, cable shall be furnished provided by the water utility at its McCarrons facility, and installed and maintained by the owner or owner's representative in accordance with water utility standards. Failure to maintain the cable in accordance with water utility standards is a violation of this code and will be subject to shut off of water supply. Valves, fittings and piping in the vicinity of the meter shall be maintained in a state of good repair by the owner to permit such installation, replacement, repair and disconnection.
Sec. 88.10. - Damaged meters and metering systems.
(a) If meters, remote meter reading receptacles or connecting cable any part of the metering system is are damaged,either through neglect or carelessness of the consumer, the cost of repairs, or replacement if beyond repair, must be paid for by the consumer or owner.
(b) Lost or stolen meters or metering system components shall be replaced by the water utility at the expense of the consumer or owner.
(c) It is unlawful to tamper with, disconnect or remove the meter, register, radio transmitter, cable or remote meter reading device disconnect the cable connecting the meter to the remote meter reading receptacle.
(d) Except for the cable, tThe cost of ordinary maintenance and repairs will be the responsibility ofborne by the water utility.
(e) In case of breakage, stoppage or other irregularity in the meter, meter setting or metering system, the owner or consumer shall notify the water utility immediately.
(f) Meters damaged due to freezing shall be repaired or replaced at the expense of the consumer or owner.
(g) Meters which have been damaged due to hot water and which were installed with the required protective features will be repaired by the water utility after the first damage from hot water. Subsequent damage due to hot water must be paid for by the consumer or owner unless further protective measures are installed as required.
Sec. 88.13. - Location of remote meter reading devices receptacle.
Remote meter reading devices receptacles shall be located on the exterior outside of the structure building in conformance with water utility standards.
Sec. 88.14. - Illegal use of unmetered water.
It is illegal to use unmetered water, except where the water utility has approved a flat rate account or has established special temporary service. Where evidence of illegal unmetered water use is found, charges will be applied to the account at regular water rates based on an estimated amount of unmetered water. In addition, the property owner shall be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000), which shall be applied to the regular water bill. Unmetered water use at a property includes, and can arise from, activity such as illegally tapping the water line ahead of the metering system, installing a spacer in the meter setting without notifying the water utility, tampering with the water metering system or other willful violations of this code.
Section 2.
The other sections of Chapter 88 shall remain unchanged.
Section 3.
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days following its passage, approval and publication.