e. The Corporation shall require each Member to have a cutoff valve within 2 feet of the meter on the Members side of the meter for purposes of isolating the Members service pipeline and plumbing facilities from the Corporations water pressure. A: Your question is very common for all rural and some urban systems. <00AE> The system needs to be aware of the potential liability issues with such an arrangement and should contact the systems insurance provider to find out what, if anything, would be covered if the person is injured while reading meters or causes an accident or damages some customers property. end While the board of directors is keeping the old monthly charges and rates, we only have a base rate for 1 -inch meters. For customers who have their homes 500 feet or more off the road, meters may be relocated to the edge of the customers property instead of at the house. NSF 61 states that all components and materials used to cast or create the water works material/parts not contain any banned substances and that the meter, pipe, and/or parts have been properly constructed with the appropriate base materials. <00> Q: We have a convenience store and a chain restaurant using the same meter. This allows the water to straighten out and have less turbulence, thereby allowing the meter to register as accurately as possible. The impact fee and other front-end capital improvement fees also remain with the existing tap and location and should never be transferred to another property for the same reasons above. I was told the meter was installed when a relative lived in a trailer on the far end of the property, but the meter has not been used for many years. Is this legal or what problems could this create? If the customer still feels that the meter belongs to her then it may be helpful to give her the phone number to the PUC so she can discuss her concerns. <93> <94> <201C> <93> <94> <201C> 12 dict begin <0D> <0D> <000D> 12 dict begin (This cut-off valve may be installed as a part of the original meter installation by the Corporation.). Each system has to check references, call neighboring systems that use the same product or professional, and verify to the best of their ability the facts before purchasing materials or entering into a contract. 12 dict begin A: The property owner may have a single master meter as long as the property is not divided or does not consist of separate tracts of land. Given more information about your utility we may have suggestions regarding ideas on sharing the cost of any upgrade. Further, in the past we have seen many TCEQ investigators count dead taps into the systems overall capacity requirements using the assumption that at any time in the future the system would still be responsible for supplying not only the active connections but previously existing connections also. Also, since the lead ban was in effect when the units were constructed in 2006, the CSI inspector should use swabs to test the plumbing for led. <9F> <9F> <0178> The original members account should be closed out at the old address. connection (living unit equivalent) that for the purposes of this Amended Agreement shall be Six Hundred Fifty This includes design, review and approval of all plans and all on-site and off-site service facilities by the corporations engineer and compliance with any applicable municipal or other governmental codes and specifications. <99> <99> <2122> Not sure they have a higher level." Yes, his is true but interestingly only since 4 September. Commercial 5. Some systems opt to offer discounts to customers that have multiple connections or to waive impact or other front-end capital improvement fees. % %PDF-1.5 % A: This is commendable for a system member to agree to read all the meters for your system at no cost. <9F> <9F> <0178> The regulations of the Public Utility Commission also make clear in Section 24.163(a)(2)(A) & (B)that the system is responsible to furnish and install, for the purpose of connecting its distribution system to the service applicants property, the service pipe from its main to the meter on the service applicants property. Ownership of meters by the retail public utility, whether a district, WSC, city or privately owned system, is essential to the ability of the utility to effectively comply with its regulatory obligations. The sample tariff also allows service to be disconnected, after notice, if access is denied for three consecutive months. For water requirements, this includes consumptive uses, such as lawn Our engineers say the only way we can meet TCEQ standards for water distribution if we add the meter is with a six-inch line extension. Do they have to register as a business with the state or get a water commercial permit? The short answer is yes, the WSC/district board can change their tariff/service policy to allow for meters to be set on someone elses property. A: This is a common problem for older systems as they try to come into compliance with newer rules. <82> <82> <201A> The capacity requirement is driven, in part, by the maximum potential amount of water that could be pushed through that meter on a peak day. However, if your homeowner needs a 1" or larger meter, then the requirements for non-standard service as outlined in Section F. of the TRWA Sample Tariff would apply, including an engineering study for each oversized meter. (7#~mz*B TwIewVq_kgcQyQ4Jd/ K3E\_%9=G$#. A: Yes, under Chapter 13 of the Texas Water Code you must provide service to the applicant if the location of the request for service lies within your certificated service area and your utility is privately owned or a nonprofit water supply corporation. For example, the Service Rules and Regulations of the TRWA Sample Tariff, Section E, states: An apartment building, condominium, manufactured housing (modular, mobile or RV) community, business center or other similar type enterprise may be considered by the Corporation to be a single commercial facility if the owner applies for a meter as a 'master metered account' and complies with the requirements set forth in PUC rules, this Tariff and applicable law. TRWAs Sample Tariff, Section B provides additional detail, requiring compliance with PUC, Chapter 24, Subchapter H rules pertaining to submetering. One requirement under PUC rules is that the owner who intends to bill tenants for sub-metered or allocated utility service or who changes the method used to bill tenants for utility service must register with the PUC in a form prescribed by the commission. Until Saturday there was a higher level called "very high-risk area where there is a variant of concern" but that category . <9A> <9A> <0161> Next, the system may want to offer a compliance schedule so that service will not be interrupted during the construction and installation of a second meter on the property designated to receive service.. Next, the utility should contact the systems engineer to obtain a study showing how the number and location of the different dwellings are situated on the tract of land. <9C> <9C> <0153> <7F> <7F> <2022> Also do you have any recommendations for a particular meter read system? After you establish a system's ERU quantity, you can use it to determine the number of ERUs for other types of service connections. TCEQ assesses the adequacy of a systems capacity on the number of connections on that system and takes into account the number and sizes of larger meters on that system. If your board would like for one of TRWAs staff to attend a meeting to do some rate training, please contact our office. We want to be fair, but we also want be responsible. As a general rule, the only difference should be in base rates based on size of meter as indicated in the TRWA Sample Tariff. for the single-family residential customer group. There also is a section in the Service Application and Agreement form RUS-TX Bulletin 1780-9 (05/17) that states: All water shall be metered by meters to be furnished and installed by the Corporation. The WSC board can amend the water rates at any board meeting where rate adjustments are posted as an agenda item for action. 362 13 <8D> <8D> <2022> :SYA"e2=pmn':"^Ptvop?L`EekP)H:^OK)XNI <90> <90> <2022> <85> <85> <2026> << 0000006201 00000 n The best way to verify whether a customer has a prohibited second connection is by performing a new customer service inspection (CSI). A water well is a hole drilled into an aquifer with a pipe, screen, and pump to pull water out of the ground. A licensed operator of a water system can calibrate their own master meters regardless of size or type by using the volumetric calibration method. 0 This letter should outline the PUC requirements for an accurate metering of water per connection. The result is an estimate of total /CIDInit /ProcSet findresource begin A: If your board has adopted the basic TRWA Sample Tariff language, then the meter costs and impact fee should stay with the property on which the meter was initially installed. There is no requirement where a WSC can request the landowner to be registered as a business. Where is the middle ground here? The average daily flow for domestic use shall be calculated at the minimum rate of 100 gallons per day per capita (gpdpc) and an Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC) of 2.5 persons per single-family residence and 2.2 persons per multi-family and mobile home units.. <7F> <7F> <2022> <20> <7E> <0020> By doing this, when they get a few more meters, they can begin replacing the meter tops with these newer AMI tops. Well meters required by 290.41(c)(3)(N) of this title (relating to Water Sources) shall be calibrated at least once every three years.. All public water systems that hold CCNs (or are required to hold CCNs) must plan upgrades to the system when a facility, including distribution lines, reaches 85 percent of total capacity so that the improvement or upgrade is imminent or already in place once the facility item under consideration reaches 100 percent capacity. Q: Our system is replacing all of our meters. %%EOF Some of this cost will be paid by these new customers once they start paying their monthly water bill, but the previous customers not only have been paying for what it costs for them to receive water delivered to their homes, they have also been paying a bit extra toward the complete debt-service for all existing capacity. <9C> <9C> <0153> All connections shall be calculated based upon its equivalency to a customary Equivalent Single Family Connection using the City of Houston's equivalency table. /Supplement 0 36 beginbfrange 0000001032 00000 n <> Turn off all valves connected to the distribution system so that no water leaves the tank during test period. pSaU0t}% tAkmBxJ _`TzJjzm*cUxh$IRJ\&O N'>Mg2:I&L=w.- ?A~}TmCi6?IV PnzN' k~"KcJMi?kvEw-a]z}k#AUGH}+ImKefXv~i^v0~Lz_ANxO}toc3X] u:^on}{_ZT_[=u?Z-?ZI{_oVVt}U&/z^mZowam}Mc*)Xk}v>51KuR[M45qQQE{N?ToTvM;,t_KvN=< SM4'e`]'vx\R"""""#[l&`Me!0|Ez/hDDDDDDipPL,qD_{nb~@ 7dnUEh(}|Df1emQ|DGX%A7q3+;* 2r'dDg&J":' tQT[NO1;Z" 0a;AS#ii <9D> <9D> <2022> Ive also not heard of a system providing a water commercial permit. Use of the word commercial by a water system is typically a reference indicating that it is non-standard service and not a regular residential service location. (In fact, conservation rates can escalate, in proportion to the total gallons, for customers using the greatest amounts of water on a monthly basis.) Q: One of our members sold their property and land but did not transfer the membership. Q: Can we install a meter on land that is not owned by the system member if he gets an easement from the land owner? Based on the level and manner of service being requested by the owner, a 2-inch water meter may or may not be sufficient to provide the water capacity being requested. <96> <97> <2013> This just means that when the new or existing master meter needs to be tested, the operator can either use an existing, on-site storage tank or any large tanker (fire truck if the capacity is large enough) with a known capacity to verify the meter accuracy. Your WSC cannot demand that a person pay the entire cost to extend a 6 inch line unless the engineer determines that is the size line it takes to serve that particular applicant. /Supplement 0 One of the main reasons for a turbine or propeller master meter to register incorrectly is improper piping configurations from the well to and past the meter location. A: We get this question from time to time, and the answer as to whether you should have one master meter for each apartment building or one meter per individual apartment is it depends. In general, the Public Utility Commissions (PUC) rules first want separate meters for each unit so each individual users water usage can be measured accurately. Some engineers and systems took this to mean that if we remove the meters at these dormant locations, the system would not have to charge future new customers the price for upgrading their old water mains until the freed-up capacity was allocated to new active connections. 6^u9Z{s DraDsio1,m?Ph/&KZlho_ryP The corporation will disconnect without notice if the member refuses to allow access for the purpose of confirming the existence of such condition and/or removing the dangerous or hazardous condition (30 TAC 290.46(i) and 290.46(j)). <002D> 0000000766 00000 n U0!_bU2S'vB9{h7UM;y>F]6]>_]I;j]R_}I/l <8A> <8A> <0160> My question is what is considered access? This is referred to in Section C under the definition of member and proof of ownership, and again in Section E under Rules and Regulations. Those base rates dont have to be the actual meter size equivalent listed in the TRWA Sample Tariff, but one of the reasons/ justifications for a higher base rate for these larger meters is the TCEQs capacity requirements that each system must maintain. The District is subject to the continuing supervision of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (the "TCEQ"). 365 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<826B791C035DF141B5FC102546D7A1A5>]/Index[339 51]/Info 338 0 R/Length 113/Prev 168287/Root 340 0 R/Size 390/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream Total non -residential 6. 69 0 obj<> endobj <8E> <8E> <017D> 0000002966 00000 n That availability to use that capacity should be paid for, but not by tacking the costs onto existing customers. :RA%_Xo($N4jKA$iH~5]_]_W_4_'MAzcbhS Gj,+ NPt%TJMvM'B!41F"#4_M}:C?o_o_Z__^_,bD-CF`s;7Qfdcq12FnfhPM4w*`Rthj7v>N2nAqNtF?ON~kEWTB}WLO'?~_Kjjv?ijpU5l%.^=8I>5jtLd%-A^XABL4"?DDDD~~/a?i{`TG{`_+IW21 ffy./HZU"L3FRCa;5.Z qa?C$;VY!v +rxO%}^F'dvwtkV~JW_k#Nq|o|!mm+DcWS62q}9jQi|:{MT'^K{Ul%kr#x~jBXDvK{!ZoI";NaZa4?AWuAR#kM4Nh0Ai#'A"""!D~" }~},Tv;R*2@YDxw4& f0OeqXYDtc/DCXt(P 4(A|;Z <82> <82> <201A> After you establish a system's ERU quantity, you can use it to determine the number of ERUs for other types of service connections. /Registry (CourierOPBaseFont1) TRWA does not recommend any product, supplier or person and leaves that decision up to each system. I have also seen frustration when the front property owner requests a second meter from the system and the line is at capacity. Email: info@trwa.org, Water University/Utility Management Certification, TCEQ Requirement All Occupational Licensing, Wastewater Technical Assistance & Training Program, Click Here to Return to the Ask Larry Archives Homepage, Metering & One Meter per Residence Rules (Ask Larry). Q: A current member of our WSC has asked for a second meter on their property. o0?LgGt{Cifk_Kat2'~ez{*R,r08e0@Bf1+oxG t%&L!XD(gTn6"LXa9t> 1 year ago. For years, many rural and municipal systems have opted to install master meters for rental properties such as multiple apartment buildings on the same tract of land, multiple mobile homes or manufactured homes on the same tract of land, as well as multiple RVs or strip/multi-use business centers with a common owner. Each systems board will make the final decision on base rates, as well as usage rates and fees. stream Extension of pipe(s) to transfer utility service from one property to another, to share, resell, or submeter water to any other persons, dwellings, businesses, or property, etc., is prohibited. /CIDSystemInfo "Equivalent residential units" or "ERU" is a unit of measurement based upon a standard single-family residential home used to establish rates, fees and charges and volume capacity limits. Customers that do not report multiple connections, causing utility employees to have to investigate the matter, are usually denied these waivers. If not then the meter accuracy is over or under by that difference since the tank is a definite volume (provided the above calculation and tank dimensions were accurate). D/^&H The TCEQ interprets an "active connection" as a connection that is completed or existing and able to supply drinking water from the PWS to a single-family C+vdt\?K(Pwu,Gu-=s-^|8o!$cntc}Egg=/ckY0 \ >> def The Members use of the Corporations curb stop or other similar valve for such purposes is prohibited. Re: US travelers connecting in AMS what are the rules now? Some folks opt for wells of around 300 gallons per minute or less to use a fire truck or tanker instead of climbing an elevated tank to do the measuring twice. <84> <84> <201E> The TCEQ rules dont necessarily state that the calibration must take place upon installation but the clock has to start somewhere and the safe option is to calibrate the meter yourself or secure a certificate of accuracy from the meter company. #9: "We're already listed as very high risk. During these discussions, we talked about vacant and dormant taps to see how the agency would rule on a cost of service appeal if the system were to remove these dead taps to free up system capacity for other applicants along that water main. endcmap a@0VZ F8A8!@!af^""""#o^?l2AD 4i5M=n^/#{B^m^m}5ok8M4M0P aj""# Now the member wants the water meter moved to a different property about 100 yards from its original location. <9F> <9F> <0178> Most of the re-reads were because the brand of meters the system had installed used exterior-mounted antennas, which were susceptible to a variety of hazards, such as gophers, dogs or lawn mowers. <95> <95> <2022> One of these meters is on a 1"water main line and the other meter on a 1 1/2 water main line. Austin, TX 78701 It is up to each customer to determine whether they must register as a business with the state or not. Written comments about an AO should be sent to the enforcement coordinator designated for each AO at the commission's central office at P.O. startxref Wouldnt it make sense for the owner to have to pay the cost of extending the line(s) out to those structures? << lmr19a9s;rw;A$PsI@mr+9pB? The board can amend the current charge to whatever they determine to be fair to the ratepayers. described above, SWWC currently supplies water to at least 5,465 active LUEs (i.e., single-2 Living Unit Equivalents (LUEs). <00> 10. These references clearly state that the meter belongs to the corporation and is to be maintained by the corporation. However, TCEQs 2019 guidance on determining the number of connections served by public water systems defines active connection to include any connection that has the capacity to receive water, even if there is no customer currently receiving water service there. << Going back to my earlier example, if a current customer wanted a new meter placed at the end of a road a 1/2 mile past the end of the existing water line, that new customer should pay their costs for extending that line and not have that cost be paid for by the rest of the members. lF3n~m/O]w@_}!.u5Iul,CeA"Wyac. <0D> <0D> <000D> Finally, if the property owner intends to keep the well for irrigation purposes, it cannot be tied back into any line connected to the systems new master meter. If your system already has this language, then TRWA suggests that systems that have several multiple connection issues send out a letter informing all customers of pending changes or stepped up enforcement of existing policies. If the main water line(s) are near the public roads, then the system may offer to move the meter down to the road. startxref end To Top. I told her that was incorrect and that I would mail her the documentation to prove it. The capacity is being used either way, and these new meters and customers are utilizing their share of the systems resources. <8C> <8C> <0152> Would this person also have access to the system office or have keys to the water plants? Published in May/June 2020 (Issue 3 of Quench). How common are they compared to the traditional positive displacement manual read meters? Billable flow (B 1 + B 5) 7. <8B> <8B> <2039> 8P_zz[__z-os%DtGDrJb"" )A 0000001247 00000 n Present Ave. Daily Flow (B 6 + B 7 ) Single family - include all single family homes, mobile homes and seasonal dwellings in this category. endstream endobj 340 0 obj <. (x[u!WMt[~}}PNwAzJg"hK#6yot|L ` hp _Gy;:D'#DU!EN4~\6]W=WM0A >4#]a4aS'\!i SM0_h~6$DQ!k5MidcY8*#SB7(3 w!Nb%#{;%mO0ooWdy_Mo{@G6p~_Cum}mPk#]zK >0'|'{vWcH)uOO^ 6$*5?_~Ujq[~V.V^-W{vj^oKV]OW -(i0r#* +IB> 0000000903 00000 n Yu%]OV^jhzUKI51*&;?m'{{~aTV%jkC PM 5#: 5$Gn ma0Mg]q}ZjBT8!t0#HD4"?@taAhDDDDDDDDDD~""""""?YY#ldd#3334k$WT M&=R In the last couple of months, Ive heard from some systems that they were moving to totally enclosed and sealed registers. How should this be handled? V)bXAmXki65[I47l0B]jU6)ILRn64-7ZvJ"I7LTaTm,XMU0 aBa h5]A"BxV`fNX6:aRVi"Db03iT+P0MDDCDDDD/tL~~1"g43B6GA_628PL&hi$(pD=-RqGqSA$A%py>$kK/. /CMapType 2 def %%EOF endstream endobj 79 0 obj[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] endobj 80 0 obj<>/Width 2550/Height 3300/BitsPerComponent 1/ColorSpace/DeviceGray/Type/XObject/Name/background_1/Subtype/Image>>stream 67.016(d) provides that a corporation may make water or sewer service conditional on ownership of the real estate designated to receive service and from which the membership or other right of participation arises. Subsection (e) authorizes a corporation to cancel a persons membership if he fails to meet a condition of service prescribed by the corporation. $`pi%X. Problems also come about if a leak occurs by some accident or digging operation by the front property owner and the back property owner wants them to pay for damages, or have the system discount their water bill because they didnt know they had a leak. For example, the provisions of TRWAs Sample Tariff regarding non-standard service include the requirement that the corporation approve the design requirements of the applicants required facilities prior to initiation of a non-standard service contract. These previously existing meter locations had already paid for or been granted capacity from the water main, and therefore they should not be required to pay for system upgrades. 0000005203 00000 n Q: Can a WSC allow a homeowner to have an additional meter for the sole purpose of running the sprinkler system for their lawn and landscape? A: The TRWA Sample Tariff states that a meter is to be set on the property designed to receive service and the owner of the property has to be the member of the corporation. Private or domestic wells can be used for a variety purposes, such as irrigation, drinking water and industrial uses. I have visited several systems who have purchased AMR meters that are compatible with the AMI meters. First, the customer must supply the system a final plat showing the intended use and ultimate development of the property to be served. <8E> <8E> <017D> We have generally required individual meters for each unit, but one owner wants to know if they can put in a 2-inch master meter for all 10 units in five nearby duplexes. The Uniform Plumbing Code does not allow for booster pumps under this condition and TCEQ rule Section 290.44(d)(3) states that service connections that require booster pumps taking suction from the public water system lines must be equipped with automatic pressure cut-off devices so that the pumping units become inoperative at a suction pressure of less than 20 psi (thereby preventing a back siphonage condition). begincmap endstream endobj 4 0 obj<>stream When a system sees that there is inequity in their current rate structure causing some customers to subsidize the water usage and capacity requirements for other customers, the board ought to rectify the situation by amending rates. With this person not being an employee or contractor, exactly what leverage does the system use to require the meter readings to be delivered on time and accurately? endstream endobj startxref Q: Our 1.5-inch water line is at capacity and someone who is building a home in the area asked to add a meter to our line. <85> <85> <2026> The systems and engineers said that if these old dormant tap locations wanted to be re-serviced and if upgrades were required, the present landowners where service had previously existed would have to pay for those upgrades. You also should consult your system attorney so an agreement can be developed to set out the scope of volunteer work, as well as the timeliness of these meter readings if you decide to enter into this free meter reading arrangement. endcodespacerange R02 - Single Family House (larger than 5/8 " meter). This is the back property customers responsibility. Now climb the tank again after the well pump is stopped and measure the height of water again at the manway. At the time of this Agreement, an ESFC of wastewater means 315 gallons per day of water and an ESFC of water means 400 gallons per day of water. In many cases, system staff were simply too timid to enforce their own policies relating to meter locations if a customer raised their voice, said they would sue the system, or used an intimidating attitude. both the commission's central office, located at 12100 Park 35 Circle, Building C, 1st Floor, Austin, Texas 78753, (512) 239-2545 and at the applicable regional office listed as follows. <8B> <8B> <2039> endstream endobj 5 0 obj<>/Width 2550/Height 3300/BitsPerComponent 1/ColorSpace/DeviceGray/Type/XObject/Name/background_2/Subtype/Image>>stream <98> <98> <02DC> All usage rates per thousand gallons should be the same across all classes of ratepayers, although conservation rates, designed to encourage efficient and non-wasteful water use practices by customers, can assess higher usage rates per thousand gallons for customers using more than a specified amount each month. Q: Some of our customers have built duplexes in our system. In the case of choosing a meter read system, we suggest that the meter supplier provide you with a list of systems that uses their meters so your system can check out the pros and cons with other systems that are using the meters. %PDF-1.7 The result is an estimate of total Therefore, removing the meter box completely could allow the utility to reduce its total number of connections for purposes of determining the systems necessary capacity. The valve shall meet AWWA standards (a ball valve is preferred). If it is a single tract of land and the plumbing to each of these eight units is all combined into one common line, then a master meter would probably be the better option for this applicant. Throughout my time at TRWA, I have seen too many systems that have allowed customers to dictate where they wanted their meters to be set. A: It is required that water systems verify that all materials and chemicals used in a public water system meet the TCEQ rules. Again, this is an insurance issue to address with your insurance carrier. To your knowledge, are there any parts of the tariff that would prohibit the member from entering into such an agreement or any part of the regulations that would prohibit such an agreement or jeopardize the systems compliance? The base rates for larger meters should be set to pay for these larger required capacities instead of making the customers with standard size meters subsidize the customers with bigger meters that place more demand costs on the system. The one meter per residence just means that a customer can't have two or more residences or businesses on a single meter. <20> <7E> <0020> Would the individual use the company vehicle or his own? Therefore, existing customers have been paying for extra capacity for many years and these new customers are being asked to provide a portion of the cost associated with the capacity they will be using. My question is, how do we verify the boundaries of properties for this purpose? G{|(> 7 The actual cost of the meter and installation should be assessed as well. Whatever the reason for requesting a second or third meter, they get irritated when they are denied the other meter (or told they will have to pay the cost of paralleling the line) while the person behind their property is enjoying a meter on their property. The normal straight run of pipe prior to the meter is five times the diameter of the pipe. Is it ethical for us to charge a second equity buy-in fee for this meter if we already charged such a fee for their first meter? E8EVW:?m^_io~Kk^cQ"_fT"KMB!_ou ]oI_1QdpuOK_-21qWa;_?oN>?/]kD_I'XA_:4}]BhSl'~CA+u_;( m!QVa 8B*t6)(" L-6+$k "gbDF}/?# DWH&J_F#'2,dLj aPh0M0chw&H&; B,"m&_l/@^t\[O;H$w'p!;&C. <95> <95> <2022> Institutional 4. A: This is one of those situations where a little extra effort by the system up front can save them substantial headaches and costs down the road. <98> <98> <02DC> A standard single-family home is considered a standard ERU with other uses measured against this baseline. Many times, a customer has a shut off valve installed to the second residence that can be turned off for plumbing repairs or when inspections like these are to be conducted. TCEQs Chapter 290 requires a meter to accurately determine the usage of each customer unless a master metering arrangement has been made. The customer must, at his or her expense, properly install, inspect, test, maintain and provide all required documentation of any approved backflow prevention device required by the corporation (30 TAC 290.46(j); Section I Service Application and Agreement).