Update to Unmeasured Flow Reducer Requirements and Related OrdinancesCity of Dubuque
City Council
ACTION ITEMS # 3.
Copyrighted
September 8, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Update to Unmeasured Flow Reducer Requirements and
Related Ordinances
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval of the
update to Ordinance 13-1 B-3, 13-13-8, and 13-1 B-9 to remove
the language regarding Unmeasured Flow Reducers (UFRs)
and clean up other language.
ORDINANCE Amending City Of Dubuque Code Of
Ordinances Title 13 Public Utilities, Chapter 1 Article B.
Water Meters
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Motion B; Motion A
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo Update to Unmeasured Flow Reducer Requirements and Related
Ordinances
2. Staff Memo UFR Ordinance Amendment Memo 8.31.2026
3. Chapter 13-1 B - Ordinance Changes
THE CITY OF
Dubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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2017202019
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Update to Unmeasured Flow Reducer Requirements and Related
Ordinances
DATE: September 1, 2026
Water Department Director Christopher Lester is recommending City Council approval
of the update to Ordinance 13-1 B-3, 13-B-8, and 13-1 B-9 to remove the language
regarding Unmeasured Flow Reducers (UFRs) and clean up other language.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Y
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
Carl Plumley, Water Distribution Supervisor
Danny Petersen, Lead Distribution Maintenance Worker
THE CITY OF
DUITB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Lester
DATE: August 31, 2026
Dubuque
MI.121m a C14
2007*2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Update to Unmeasured Flow Reducer Requirements and Related Ordinances
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to request approval of the attached ordinance updating
Ordinance 13-1 B-3, 13-13-8, and 13-1 B-9 to remove the language regarding Unmeasured
Flow Reducers (UFRs).
BACKGROUND
The City of Dubuque established requirements for the installation of Unmeasured Flow
Reducers (UFRs) on specific meter sizes on November 7, 2011, through the adoption of
Ordinance No. 49-11.
Through communication with the City's current UFR supplier/manufacturer, staff were
informed that the UFR previously used by the City is no longer being manufactured. Moving
forward, a standard coupling currently utilized on the inlet side of the meter will be used in
place of the UFR on the outlet side. This coupling remains available from the City's current
supplier.
Staff identified that Sections 13-1 B-3, Unmeasured Flow Reducer Installed; 13-1 B-8,
Protecting Meter and Accessories from Damage; and 13-1 B-9, Right to Repair Without
Notice; Tampering Prohibited, contain language specifically referencing UFRs and will need
to be updated to reflect this change.
DISCUSSION
Following coordination with Legal, the proposed updates to the Ordinances would be as
follows moving forward:
13-1 B-3: RESERVED
13-1 B-8: PROTECTING METER AND ACCESSORIES FROM DAMAGE:
The owner of the premises where a meter is installed is responsible for the care and
protection of the meter, remote meter, and related wires where applicable, from freezing or
hot water and from other injury or interference. In all cases where meters, remote meters,
water metering equipment, or related wires are broken or damaged except for ordinary wear
and tear, the necessary repairs will be made by the city and the cost charged to the owner
of the premises. In the event payment thereof is neglected or refused, the water supply may
be turned off until full payment has been made, together with a charge as established by the
city manager or the city manager's designee.
13-1 B-9: RIGHT TO REPAIR WITHOUT NOTICE; TAMPERING PROHIBITED:
Damaged or stopped meters, remote readers, and related water metering equipment wires
may be removed and repaired by the city without first giving notice thereof to the owner or
user. No one shall in any way interfere with the proper registration of a water meter, remote
reader, or related wires and no one except an authorized city employee can break a seal,
tamper with, or damage any meter, remote reader, or related wires; provided, however, that
the city manager or city manager's designee may grant permission to a licensed plumber in
case of emergency to break such seal for draining pipes or stopping water leaks.
ACTION REQUESTED
I respectfully request approval of the attached ordinance updating Ordinance 13-1 B-3, 13-
B-8, and 13-1 B-9 to remove the language regarding Unmeasured Flow Reducers (UFRs).
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Carl Plumley, Water Distribution Supervisor
Danny Petersen, Lead Distribution Maintenance Worker
2
Prepared by: Crenna M. Brumwell, Esq. 300 Main Street Suite 330 Dubuque IA 52001 563 589-4381
ORDINANCE NO. 34 - 26
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 13 PUBLIC
UTILITIES, CHAPTER 1 ARTICLE B. WATER METERS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Title 13, Chapter 1 B of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is
hereby amended to read as follows:
13-1 B-3: RESERVED
13-1 B-8: PROTECTING METER AND ACCESSORIES FROM DAMAGE:
The owner of the premises where a meter is installed is responsible for the care and
protection of the meter, remote meter, and related wires where applicable, from freezing
or hot water and from other injury or interference. In all cases where meters, remote
meters, water metering equipment, or related wires are broken or damaged except for
ordinary wear and tear, the necessary repairs will be made by the city and the cost
charged to the owner of the premises. In the event payment thereof is neglected or
refused, the water supply may be turned off until full payment has been made, together
with a charge as established by the city manager or the city manager's designee.
13-1 B-9: RIGHT TO REPAIR WITHOUT NOTICE; TAMPERING PROHIBITED:
Damaged or stopped meters, remote readers, and related water metering equipment
wires may be removed and repaired by the city without first giving notice thereof to the
owner or user. No one shall in any way interfere with the proper registration of a water
meter, remote reader, or related wires and no one except an authorized city employee
can break a seal, tamper with, or damage any meter, remote reader, or related wires;
provided, however, that the city manager or city manager's designee may grant
permission to a licensed plumber in case of emergency to break such seal for draining
pipes or stopping water leaks.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon publication.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 8t" day of September, 2026.
Attest:
�� � �//" el &,- � !
Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk
EFFECT OF AMENDMENT
14_1R_3- UNMEASURED CI rl\A/ REDUCER INSTAI 1 ED-
A!! unmeasured flow redUGer (UFR) deviGes must be installed where a five eighths
(ra/g") er three-fe urths inch (-3/4'\ motor is installed and a pressure red fining valve er RR7
installed,-h-PrOkfiev.4 deviGe is not
GOMPrOrn 0 Se the water pressure to be less than thir-ty five (35) psi. The UFR deViGe will
be furnished by th8 Gity as part of the water meteF assembly. (Ord. 49 11, 11 7 2011)
13-1 B-8: PROTECTING METER AND ACCESSORIES FROM DAMAGE:
The owner of the premises where a meter is installed is responsible for the care and
protection of the meter, remote meter, and related wires, and I FR deViGe where
applicable, from freezing or hot water and from other injury or interference. In all cases
where meters, remote meters, water metering equipment, or related wires,- or UF-R
devices -are broken or damaged except for ordinary wear and tear, the necessary
repairs will be made by the city and the cost charged to the owner of the premises. In
cue -the event payment thereof is neglected or refused, the water supply may be
turned off until full payment has been made, together with a charge as established by
the city manager or the city manager's designee.
13-1 B-9: RIGHT TO REPAIR WITHOUT NOTICE; TAMPERING PROHIBITED:
Damaged or stopped meters, remote readers, and related water metering equipment
wires; -and I FR deVinoc may be removed and repaired by the city without first giving
notice thereof to the owner or user. No one shall in any way interfere with the proper
registration of a water meter, remote reader, or related wires, er I FR revue and no one
except an authorized city employee can break a seal, tamper with, or damage any
meter, remote reader, or related wires, or l FR devi^o; provided, however, that the city
manager or city manager's designee may grant permission to a licensed plumber in
case of emergency to break such seal for draining pipes or stopping water leaks.
STATE OF IOWA SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATE OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathy Goetzinger, a Billing Clerk for Woodward
Communications, Inc., an Iowa corporation, publisher
of the Telegraph Herald, a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Dubuque, County
of Dubuque and State of Iowa; hereby certify that the
attached notice was published in said newspaper on the
following dates:
09/11/2026
and for which the charge is 18.20
Subscribed to bl'fore me, a Notary Public in and for
Dubuque County, Iowa,
this 1lth day of September, 2026
Notary Publ b? and for Dubuque County, Iowa.
REAL JANET K. PAPE
y Commission Number 199659
My Commission Expires
12/11/2028
!owP
Ad text :
CITY OF DUBUQUE
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 34-26
SUMMARY
THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION OF THE ORDINANCE IS A SUMMARY. THE
ORDINANCE IN ITS ENTIRETY IS ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY
CLERK, 50 W. 13TH STREET, DUBUQUE AND MAY BE VIEWED DURING
NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS OF 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY.
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 13 PUBLIC
UTILITIES, CHAPTER 1 ARTICLE B. WATER METERS
The ordinance removes language related to Unmeasured Flow
Reducers (UFRs) and updates verbiage to provide further
clarification on Sections 13-1B-8 Protecting Meter and
Accessories from Damage and 13-1B-9: Right to Repair Without
Notice; Tampering Prohibited.
This ordinance shall take effect upon publication.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 8th day of September,
2026.
/s/Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest: /s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Published officially in the Telegraph Herald newspaper on
the l lth day of September, 2026.
/s/Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
It 9/11