IV. Measurement of Service
1. Method of Measuring Service
Consistent with the requirements of Public Utilities Code Section 781, which generally requires the Commission to hold a hearing and make certain findings before customers who were unmetered on January 1, 1979 can be required to have a meter, all water provided by a utility shall be metered, except that the utility may, after authorization has been obtained from the Commission, provide flat rate or estimated service.
All meters used for metered sales excluding sales from irrigation systems or other irrigation sales must have registration devices indicating the volume of water in either cubic feet or United States gallons or multiples thereof. Where a constant or multiplier is necessary to convert the meter reading to cubic feet or gallons, the constant must be indicated on the meter or on the meter-reading sheet.
Irrigation service may be provided with meters that measure in acre-feet or miner's inch days. This service may also be rendered on a volume basis by the use of a calibrated orifice such as the miner's inch box, by the use of weirs or otherwise measured as provided in applicable tariff schedules.
D. Report on Meter Readings to the Commission
All utilities that have metered service connections shall read each customer's meter according to the utility's tariff schedules. All utilities shall make a summary of quantities used, by classification of service, in the appropriate service territory or rate-making district, and include the summary in the annual report submitted to the Commission.
2. Meter Test Facilities and Equipment
Each utility furnishing metered water or wastewater service shall:
(1) Have the necessary standard facilities, instruments and other equipment for testing its meters in compliance with these rules, or
(2) Arrange to have its meters tested by another entity equipped to test meters in compliance with these rules.
The meter test shop shall be provided with the necessary equipment to test up through 2-inch meters including a quick acting valve for controlling the starting and stopping of the test and a device for regulating the flow of water through the meter under test. The accuracy of the test equipment and test procedures shall be sufficient to enable shop test of the meter type used by the utility with an error not to exceed the applicable AWWA standard (M6 or its successor).
Measuring devices for test of meters shall consist of calibrated tanks for volumetric measurement, tanks mounted upon scales for gravimetric measurement or standard meters.
(a) When a volumetric tank is used, it shall be accompanied by a certificate of accuracy acceptable to the Commission from a County Department of Weights and Measures or other acceptable entity.
(b) When a gravimetric standard is used, the scales shall be tested and calibrated at least once every year by such approved laboratory, or County Office of Weights and Measures and a record maintained of the results of the test.
(c) Standard meters may be used for field tests of meter accuracy provided they are tested and calibrated to permit the test of meters within the limits of accuracy required by these rules, either by the utility with its volumetric or gravimetric standard equipment or by an approved laboratory at least once every 180 days while the standard meter is in use and a record of such tests shall be kept by the utility for a period of not less than five years.
(2) Basic Standards for Meter Testing
(a) The minimum requirement for testing meters from 5/8 x ¾-inch through 2-inch shall include a 10 and a 1 cubic-foot tank for meters registering in cubic feet or a 100- and a 10-gallon tank for meters registering in gallons.
3. Accuracy Requirements of Water Meters
All meters used for measuring quantities of water delivered to customers shall be in good mechanical condition, shall be adequate in size and designed for the type of service measured and shall be accurate to within generally accepted standards. The standards of accuracy for meters are set forth in paragraphs B and C, following.
For determination of minimum test flow and normal test flow limits, the Commission adopts as a guide the appropriate standard specifications of the applicable AWWA standard (M6 or its successor.)
When bench testing, the small meters (5/8 x ¾-inch through 2-inch) a multi-jet meter and a positive displacement meter should not be tested in-line.
(1) Meters shall be tested at three or more test flows per the applicable AWWA standard (M6 or its successor):
(2) A meter shall not be placed in service unless the meter test meets or exceeds the applicable AWWA standard (M6 or its successor)
Upon completion of adjustment and test of any water meter under the provisions of these rules, the utility shall affix a suitable seal in such a manner that adjustment or registration of the meter cannot be altered without breaking the seal, where applicable.
(1) A complete record of all meter tests, including data sufficient to allow verification of test calculations, shall be recorded by the meter tester.
(2) Such record shall include: the identifying number of the meter; the type and size of the meter; the constant of the meter; the date and kind of test made; the reading of the meter before making any test and after the test; the test volume; and the error as found at each test.
(3) The complete record of test of each meter shall be retained for at least five years.
4. Initial Tests of Meters
Every water meter shall be tested as required by these rules prior to its installation either by the manufacturer, the utility or a reliable organization equipped for meter testing.
5. Repaired or Tested Meters
All water meters removed from service for repair or test in accordance with these rules shall be restored to the prescribed limits of accuracy as required by these rules before being placed back in service.
6. Periodic Tests of Water Meters
Size of Meter |
Maximum Period |
Smaller than 1 - inch |
20 years |
1 - inch |
15 years |
Larger than 1 - inch |
10 years |
(2) Requests to extend the maximum period may be made by advice letter based on relevant economic factors and meter accuracy.
B. Frequency of Periodic Tests
Nothing in these rules shall be construed to mean that such periodic tests may not be made more frequently than the maximum period specified.
C. Report of Periodic Tests of Meters
Each utility shall make a summary of all periodic tests of meters made each calendar year as required by these rules and shall submit such summary concurrently with, or as part of, the utility's Annual Report to the Commission for that year.
7. Meter Records
A. Contents and Retention of Meter Records
(1) Each utility shall keep records for each meter owned and used by it for any purpose including the identification number, name of manufacturer, serial number, type, size and the dates of installation and removal. These records shall also give condensed information, including dates, concerning all tests.
(2) When changing out a meter, the utility shall retain the written record of the date of the change, meter readings on the day of the change-out and the serial numbers of the old and the new meter. This information will be available to the customer upon request.
(3) Meter records shall be maintained for the useful life of the meter.
