Water Meters and Related Accessories_Ordinance AmendmentMasterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
AFAmerricaattity
2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Ordinance Amendment - Water Meters and Related Accessories
DATE: October 31, 2011
Finance Director Ken TeKippe recommends City Council approval of an Ordinance
Amendment to Sections 13-1B-1 to 13-1B-11 to incorporate Unmeasured Flow Reducer
(UFR) devices and clarify the property owner's responsibility for the care of the water
meter assembly.
Section 13 -1 B -3 has been added to clarify the requirements for installing a UFR device.
Sections 13-1B-5, 13-1B-8 and 13-1B-9 describe the owner's responsibility in caring for
the meter and associated devices and prohibits tampering with the same.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Ken TeKippe, Finance Director
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
To:
From: Ken TeKippe, Finance Director 1,2":
Subject: Ordinance Amendment — Water Meters and Related Accessories
Date: October 27, 2011
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
held
AI- AmedcaCity
III!
E�
2007
After a review of water meter ordinances with Water Department Manager Bob Green,
Assistant City Attorney Crenna Brumwell and Utility Billing Supervisor Rose Hoerner we
are requesting amendment changes to incorporate Unmeasured Flow Reducer (UFR)
devices and clarify the property owner's responsibility for the care of the water meter
assembly.
Section 13 -1 B -3 has been added to clarify the requirements for installing a UFR device.
Sections 13-1B-5, 13-1B-8 and 13-1B-9 describe the owner's responsibility in caring for
the meter and associated devices and prohibits tampering with the same.
The proposed ordinance amendments have been reviewed with the Assistant City
Attorney and are being submitted for your approval and subsequent submission to the
City Council.
If you have any questions on this request please feel free to contact me at your
convenience.
Cc: Bob Green, Water Department Manager
Crenna Brumwell, Assistant City Attorney
Rose Hoerner, Utility Billing Supervisor
OFFICIAL
PUBLICATION
ORDINANCE NO. 49-11
AMENDING CITY OF
DUBUQUE CODE OF
ORDINANCES TITLE
13 PUBLIC UTILITIES,
CHAPTER 1 WATER
USE AND SERVICE,
ARTICLE B WATER
METERS, SECTIONS
13 -1B-1 - 13 -1B -11 BY
INCORPORATING THE
REGULATION OF
UNMEASURED FLOW
REDUCER DEVICES
AND CLARIFYING THE
PROPERTY DWNER'S
RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE CARE OF THE
WATER METER
ASSEMBLY
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY
THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Sections 13-
1B-1 - 13 -1B -11 of the
City of Dubuque Code
of Ordinances are
amended to read as
follows:
13 -1B -1: METERS
REQUIRED:
All permanent
services • must be
metered, except fire
protection services,
which may or may not
be metered, at the
discretion of the city
•manager or the city
manager's designee.
13 -1B -2: METERS
FURNISHED BY CITY OR
OWNER:
All water meters in
sizes from five - eighths
inch (5/8 ") to one inch
(1"), inclusive, are
furnished by the city
without expense and
repaired and kept in
first class condition by
the city. Only one (1)
meter will be furnished
for each service line.
Meters in excess of
one (1) desired for a
single service line must
be purchased by the
owner of the building
in which the service is
located. Meters above
one inch (1 ") in size
must be purchased
from the city and
installed and main-
tained by the owner of
the property.
13 -1B -3: UNMEA-
SURED FLOW REDUCER
INSTALLED:
All unmeasured flow
reducer (UFR) devices
must be installed
where a five - eighths
inch (5/8") or three-
quarters inch (3/4 ")
meter is installed and a
pressure reducing
valve or RPZ backflow
device is not installed,
and where by installing
this device does not
compromise the water
pressure to be less
than 35 PSI. The UFR
device will be
furnished by the city as
part of the water meter
assembly.
13 -1B -4: LOCATION,
METHOD OF INSTAL-
LATION:
A. Meters must be
installed just inside of
the basement wall at
the end of the service
pipe described in this
chapter. Except as
otherwise authorized
by the city manager or
city manager's
designee, the regular
couplings, which are
sold as part of the
meter, must remain
intact when the meter
has been installed.
B. All meters must be
installed horizontally
between one foot (1')
and four feet (4') above
the basement floor. A
suitable place must be
provided for the meter
so as to keep it dry and
clean and readily
accessible at all times
to the meter reader
and inspectors of the
city.
C. Wherever it is
impossible to install a
meter in the basement,
the plumber or other
authorized person
must - obtain special
instructions as to its
installation from the
city manager or the
city manager's designee.
D. A valve must be
placed at the inlet side
and a valve on the
outlet side of all
meters. The types of
permissible valves
must be approved by
the city manager or the
city manager's designee.
E. Should the city
manager determine
that any meter has
been improperly
installed, notice must
be given to the owner
requiring correction of
the defect. If . such
defect is nat corrected
within five (5) days of
such notice, the city
manager may direct
that the water supply
be shut off and not be
turned on again until
the defect has been
repaired and a charge
as established by the
city manager has been
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, related wires,
or UFR -device and no
one- except an
authorized city
employee can break a
seal, tamper with, or
damage any meter,
remote reader, related
wires, or UFR device;
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.
13- 1B -10: CHECK
VALVES ON WATER
HEATERS:
Every hot water
system should have a
check valve installed
between such system
and the water meter.
Wherever a check
valve is installed, there
must also be installed
on the hot water
distributing system a
suitable relief valve to
protect the system
from excessive pres-
sure from hot water or
steam.
13- 1B -11: ACCURACY,
TESTING:
A. Where the
accuracy of a meter is
questioned, it will be
removed -by the city, at
the request of the
consumer and - will be
tested in his or her
presence
means by the city the provided for
that purpose. Both
parties to the test must
accept the findings
thus made.
B. If the meter is
found to register
satisfactorily the water
actually flowing
through it, a charge as
established by the city
manager or city
manager's designee
will be made to pay the
cost of conducting the
test. If the meter is
found to register
unsatisfactorily the
water flowing through
it, no charge will be
made for the test, and
a proportional reduc-
tion will be made from
the previous bill.
C. A water meter is
considered to register
satisfactorily when it
registers within two
STATE OF IOWA {SS:
DUBUQUE COUNTY
CERTIFICATION OF PUBLICATION
I, Suzanne Pike, 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: November 11, 2011, and for which the charge is $83.42.
Subscribed to before me,
this / day of
712"
otary Public in and for Duque County, Iowa.
tary Public in . nd for Dubuque County, Iowa.
, 20 // .
MARY K WESTERMEYER
= � CormmIsslon Number 154;',--i:5
All unmeasuredyflow
reducer (UFR) devices
Must be installed
where a five - eighths
inch (5/8") or three-
ia. •
be shut off and not be
turned on again until
the defect has been
repaired and a charge
as established by the
city manager has been
paid.
13 -1B -5: REMOTE
READERS:
A. Unless otherwise
required by the city
manager,or the city
manager's designee,
all water meters must
have remote readers.
The remote reader
must be installed at a
location acceptable to
the city manager or the
city manager's desig-
nee. • Wiring for.
connecting the water
meter to the remote
reader must be of the
type designated by the
city manager or the
city manager's desig-
nee. The remote reader
must be of the type
designated by the city
manager.:' or the city
manager's designee.
The remote reader
must be installed as
required by the city
manager or the city
• a etat
established 6y the °ci
manager or the city
manager's designee.
payment for the
remote ;reader • or
raapiers must be made
° L' the . ' time, of
I' applicatroniforsenrice.
B. Remote readers
and related wires are
the property of the city
and must not be
removed, painted, or
altered in any .• way
from the place where
installed except • as
authorized by the city
Tampering ' wit °e a
remote reader: or
related • wires will
result in ' a fee
t e er
beingctree o to
the
owner of the property.
13 -1B -6: SERVICES
LARGER THAN TWO
INCHES;
For services lakger
than two inches (2 ") in
diameter, the city
reserves the right ,to ,
have installed two (2)
or more meters iof
smaller size. Where
meters are so j.laced,
each rne'etirr&u have
a vakte orlishfdtoff on
both inlet, and outlet
pipe, in'addition'td the
basement shutoff.
13 -1B -7: INSTALLING.
MULTIPLE METERS 'IN;
1SAME BUILDING:
In the case that two
(2) or moremeters -re
desired for measuring
water to 'different
tenants', jri �t� �e` same
building '•. from one
service connection,
they must beJplaced so.
that no .orie of them
measure. "wate. •at
has . ipissed,�; rthroug .'
another meter.
13 -1B -8: PROTECTING
METER " ' AND ' AC
CESSORIES FROM
DAMAGE:
The owner of the
premises where'', "a
meter is installed •sr
responsible for the
care and protection of
the meter, remote
meter, related : wires,
and UFR device "where
applicable, from free-
zing or hot water and
from other injury or
interference. In all
cases where meters,
remote meters, related
wires, or UFR devices
are broken or damaged
except for ordinary
wear, the necessary
repairswilI be.,made by
the city and.'lhe cost
charged to the owner
of the premise. In case
payment thereof is
neglected or refused,
the water supply, must
be. tuect off Op full
payment 11,1i 'Eden
made, together with a
charge as established
by the city manager or
the city manager's
designee. •
• 13 -1B -9: RIGHT TO
REPAIR , WITHOUT
'NO'TICE; TAMPERING
PROHIBITED:
Damaged or stopped -
meters, remote
readers, related wires,
and UFR devices may
be removed and
repaired by the city
ton Will be made from
the previous bill.
C. k water meter is
considered to register
satisfactorily when it
registers within two
percent (2 %) of
accuracy.
13- 1B -1Z: READING
METERS:
Meters on all services
must be read monthly.
Section 2. This
Ordinance takes effect
upon publication.
Passed, approved and
adopted the 7th day of
November, 2011.
/s /Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest: /s /Kevin S.
Firnstahl, City Clerk
Published officially in
the Telegraph Herald
Newspaper the 11th
day of November, 2011.
/s /Kevin S. Firnstahl
It 11/11
Prepared by: Ken TeKippe, 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque IA 52001 563 589 -4133
ORDINANCE NO. 49 11
AMENDING CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES TITLE 13 PUBLIC
UTILITIES, CHAPTER 1 WATER USE AND SERVICE, ARTICLE B WATER METERS,
SECTIONS 13-1B-1 — 13-1B-11 BY INCORPORATING THE REGULATION OF
UNMEASURED FLOW REDUCER DEVICES AND CLARIFYING THE PROPERTY
OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CARE OF THE WATER METER ASSEMBLY
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Sections 13-1B-1 — 13-1B-11 of the City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances are amended to read as follows:
13-1B-1: METERS REQUIRED:
All permanent services must be metered, except fire protection services, which may or
may not be metered, at the discretion of the city manager or the city manager's
designee.
13-1B-2: METERS FURNISHED BY CITY OR OWNER:
All water meters in sizes from five - eighths inch (5/8 ") to one inch (1 "), inclusive, are
furnished by the city without expense and repaired and kept in first class condition by
the city. Only one (1) meter will be furnished for each service line. Meters in excess of
one (1) desired for a single service line must be purchased by the owner of the building
in which the service is located. Meters above one inch (1") in size must be purchased
from the city and installed and maintained by the owner of the property.
13 -1 B -3: UNMEASURED FLOW REDUCER INSTALLED:
All -- unmeasured- flow: reducer-- (UF-R)- devices_ must --be_ installed ..where_a_five -eighths__inch
(5/8 ") or three - quarters inch (3/4 ") meter is installed and a pressure reducing valve or
RPZ backflow device is not installed, and where by installing this device does not
compromise the water pressure to be less than 35 PSI. The UFR device will be
furnished by the city as part of the water meter assembly.
13-1B-4: LOCATION, METHOD OF INSTALLATION:
A. Meters must be installed just inside of the basement wall at the end of the service
pipe described in this chapter. Except as otherwise authorized by the city manager or
city manager's designee, the regular couplings, which are sold as part of the meter,
must remain intact when the meter has been installed.
B. All meters must be installed horizontally between one foot (1') and four feet (4')
above the basement floor. A suitable place must be provided for the meter so as to
keep it dry and clean and readily accessible at all times to the meter reader and
inspectors of the city.
C. Wherever it is impossible to install a meter in the basement, the plumber or other
authorized person must obtain special instructions as to its installation from the city
manager or the city manager's designee.
D. A valve must be placed at the inlet side and a valve on the outlet side of all
meters. The types of permissible valves must be approved by the city manager or the
city manager's designee.
E. Should the city manager determine that any meter has been improperly installed,
notice must be given to the owner requiring correction of the defect. If such defect is not
corrected within five (5) days of such notice, the city manager may direct that the water
supply be shut off and not be turned on again until the defect has been repaired and a
charge as established by the city manager has been paid.
13-1B-5: REMOTE READERS:
A. Unless otherwise required by the city manager or the city manager's designee,
all water meters must have remote readers. The remote reader must be installed at a
location acceptable to the city manager or the city manager's designee. Wiring for
connecting the water meter to the remote reader must be of the type designated by the
city manager or the city manager's designee. The remote reader must be of the type
designated by the city manager or the city manager's designee. The remote reader
must be installed as required by the city manager or the city manager's designee at a
charge to the owner or owners as established by the city manager or the city manager's
designee. Payment for the remote reader or readers must be made at the time of
application for service.
B. Remote readers and related wires are the property of the city and must not be
removed, painted, or altered in any way from the place where installed except as
authorized by the city manager or the city manager's designee. Tampering with a
remote reader or related wires will result in a fee established by the city manager, with
the fee being charged to the owner of the property.
13-1B-6: SERVICES LARGER THAN TWO INCHES:
For services larger than two inches (2 ") in diameter, the city reserves the right to have
installed two (2) or more meters of smaller size. Where meters are so placed, each
meter must have a valve or shutoff on both inlet and outlet pipe, in addition to the
basement shutoff.
13-1B-7: INSTALLING MULTIPLE METERS IN SAME BUILDING:
In the case that two (2) or more meters are desired for measuring water to different
tenants in the same building from one service connection, they must be placed so that
not one of them measures water that has passed through another meter.
13-1B-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, related wires, and UFR device where applicable,
from freezing or hot water and from other injury or interference. In all cases where
meters, remote meters, related wires, or UFR devices are broken or damaged except
for ordinary wear, the necessary repairs will be made by the city and the cost charged to
the owner of the premise. In case payment thereof is neglected or refused, the water
supply must 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.
13-1B-9: RIGHT TO REPAIR WITHOUT NOTICE; TAMPERING PROHIBITED:
Damaged or stopped meters, remote readers, related wires, and UFR devices 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, related wires, or UFR device and no one except an authorized city employee
can break a seal, tamper with, or damage any meter, remote reader, related wires, or
UFR device; 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.
13-1B-10: CHECK VALVES ON WATER HEATERS:
Every hot water system should have a check valve installed between such system and
the water meter. Wherever a check valve is installed, there must also be installed on the
hot water distributing system a suitable relief valve to protect the system from excessive
pressure from hot water or steam.
13-1B-11: ACCURACY, TESTING:
A. Where the accuracy of a meter is questioned, it will be removed by the city at the
request of the consumer and will be tested in his or her presence by the city by means
of the apparatus provided for that purpose. Both parties to the test must accept the
findings thus made.
B. If the meter is found to register satisfactorily the water actually flowing through it,
a charge as established by the city manager or city manager's designee will be made to
pay the cost of conducting the test. If the meter is found to register unsatisfactorily the
water flowing through it, no charge will be made for the test, and a proportional
reduction will be made from the previous bill.
C. A water meter is considered to register satisfactorily when it registers within two
percent (2 %) of accuracy.
13-1B-12: READING METERS:
Meters on all services must be read monthly.
Section 2. This Ordinance takes effect upon publication.
Attest:
Passed, approved and adopted the 7th day
stahl, City Clerk
Roy D. B
f November , 2011.
fi
, Mayor
EFFECT OF AMENDMENT
13-1B-1: METERS REQUIRED:
All permanent services must shall be metered, except fire protection services, which
may or may not be metered, at the discretion of the city manager or the city manager's
designee.
13-1B-2: METERS FURNISHED BY CITY OR OWNER:
All water meters in sizes from five - eighths inch_(5 /8- (g /g ") to one inch (1 "), inclusive, are
shall be furnished by the city without expense and shall be repaired and kept in first
class condition by the city. Only one (1) meter will be furnished for each service line.
Meters in excess of one (1) desired for a single service line must shall be purchased by
the owner of the building in which the service is located. Meters above one inch (1 ") in
size must shall be purchased from the city and shall be installed and maintained by the
owner of the property.
13-1B-3: UNMEASURED FLOW REDUCER INSTALLED:
All unmeasured flow reducer (UFR) devices must be installed where a five - eighths inch
(5/8 ") or three - quarters inch (3/4 ") meter is installed and a pressure reducing valve or
RPZ backflow device is not installed, and where by installing this device does not
compromise the water pressure to be less than 35 PSI. The UFR device will be
furnished by the city as part of the water meter assembly.
13-1B-34: LOCATION, METHOD OF INSTALLATION:
A. Meters must shall be installed just inside of the basement wall at the end of the
service pipe described in this chapter. Except as otherwise authorized by the city
manager or city manager's designee, the regular couplings, which are sold as part of
the meter, must remain intact when the meter has been installed.
B. All meters must shall be installed horizontally between one foot (1') and four feet
(4') above the basement floor. A suitable place must shall be provided for the meter so
as to keep it dry and clean and readily accessible at all times to the meter reader and
inspectors of the city.
C. Wherever it is impossible to install a meter in the basement, the plumber or other
authorized person must obtain special instructions as to its installation from the city
manager or the city manager's designee.
D. A valve must shall be placed at the inlet side and a valve on the outlet side of all
meters. The types of permissible valves must shall be approved by the city manager or
the city manager's designee.
E. Should the city manager determine that any meter has been improperly installed,
notice must shall be given to the owner requiring correction of the defect. If such defect
is not corrected within five (5) days of such notice, the city manager may direct that the
water supply be shut off and not be turned on again until the defect has been repaired
and a charge as established by the city manager has been paid.
I 13-1B-45: REMOTE READERS:
A. Unless otherwise required by the city manager or the city manager's designee,
all water meters must • _ - _ - - _ _ - - _ . - - _ _ _ _ - _ have remote
readers. The remote reader mustshafl be installed at a location acceptable to the city
manager or the city manager's designee. Wiring for connecting the water meter to the
remote reader must shall be of the type designated by the city manager or the city
manager's designee. The remote reader must shall be of the type designated by the city
manager or the city manager's designee. The remote reader musts-hall be installed as
required by the city manager or the city manager's designee at a charge to the owner or
owners as established by the city manager or the city manager's designee. Payment for
the remote reader or readers musts-ha-4 be made at the time of application for service.
B.
C.
Remote readers shall be installed by the city on such other water meters as the
A user or owner who refuses to allow installation of a remote reader, after a thirty
e . .
remote reader is installed as outlined under the provisions of subsection B of this
section.
DB. Remote readers and related wires are the property of the city and must shall not
be removed, painted, or altered in any way from the place where installed except as
authorized by the city manager or the city manager's designee. Tampering with a
remote reader or related wires will result in a fee established by the city manager, with
the fee being charged to the owner of the property.
I 13-1B-66: SERVICES LARGER THAN TWO INCHES:
For services larger than two inches (2 ") in diameter, the city reserves the right to have
installed two (2) or more meters of smaller size. Where meters are so placed, each
meter mustshafl have a valve or shutoff on both inlet and outlet pipe, in addition to the
basement shutoff.
I 13- 18-67: INSTALLING MULTIPLE METERS IN SAME BUILDING:
In the case that two (2) or more meters are desired for measuring water to different
tenants in the same building from one service connection, they mustshall be placed so
that not one of them shall measures water that has passed through another meter.
13-1B48: PROTECTING METER AND ACCESSORIES FROM DAMAGE:
The owner of the premises where a meter is installed is shall be held responsible for
thei-ts care and protection of the meter, remote meter, related wires, and UFR device
where applicable, from freezing or hot water and from other injury or interference -from
any person. In all cases where meters, remote meters, related wires, or UFR devices
are broken or damaged - - e -xcept for ordinary wear,
the necessary repairs will be made by the city and the cost charged to the owner of the
premiseor user. In case payment thereof is neglected or refused, the water supply must
shall 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.
13-1B49: RIGHT TO REPAIR WITHOUT NOTICE; TAMPERING PROHIBITED:
Damaged or stopped meters, ofr- remote readers, related wires, and UFR devices 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, related wires, or UFR device-or-remote--reader and no one except an
authorized city employee can shall break a seal, tamper with, or damage on any meter,
of—remote reader, related wires, or UFR device; 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.
13 -1B -910: CHECK VALVES ON WATER HEATERS:
Every hot water system should have a check valve installed between such system and
the water meter. Wherever a check valve is installed, there must shall be installed
on the hot water distributing system a suitable relief valve to protect the system from
excessive pressure from hot water or steam.
13-1B-1-011: ACCURACY, TESTING:
A. Where the accuracy of a meter is questioned, it will shall be removed by the city
at the request of the consumer and will shall be tested in his or her presence by the city
by means of the apparatus provided for that purpose. Both parties to the test must
accept the findings thus made.
B. If the meter is found to register satisfactorily the water actually flowing through it,
a charge as established by the city manager or city manager's designee will be made to
pay the cost of conducting the test. If the meter is found to register unsatisfactorily the
water flowing through it, no charge will be made for the test, and a proportional
reduction will be made from the previous bill.
I C. A water meter is hall be- considered to register satisfactorily when it registers
within two percent (2 %) of accuracy.
I 13-1B-1412: READING METERS:
I Meters on all services mustshatl be read monthly.