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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.