 THE TOWN OF HARWICH WATER DEPARTMENT RULES & REGULATIONS SECTION 4 - Meters
4.1 Meter Installation
A shut-off valve at the meter inlet shall be the first fitting inside of a serviced building and shall be approved by the Department. The consumer at their expense shall install stop valves on both sides of the meter. The meter shall be located in a clean, dry, warm and accessible location. Upon completion of the installation of a water meter, the Department shall be notified to inspect the installation and install a remote reader before the service is activated. A certified Plumber must complete any connection pass the meter. Any service line over 100’ must have a meter pit closest to the curb stop or property line before their meter installation is approved.
Appropriate meter size shall be determined by the Department and shall be of a size, type and located as approved by the Superintendent based on the AWWA Manual Section M22 and M6 or as amended. All meters will be remote read as required by the Department. Any meter larger than 2” must be compound. Meter and installation is at the expense of the owner. Routine maintenance shall be provided by Department.
4.2 Consumers to Pay for Meter Repairs
All repairs or injuries to meters from freezing, hot water, or external cause shall be charged to the consumer. No sale or transfer of title of property in the Town shall prevent the Department in the collection of any balance due for meter repairs.
4.3 Meters Purchased from Department
All water meters must be purchased from the Harwich Water Department. Only these meters may be used on its water system.
4.4 Meter Not to be Removed
Water meters shall not be removed from the water system without 3 days written notice, except in case of emergency and then only by authorized personnel. Once meter has been removed it is the responsibility of the owner to maintain custody of the water meter at the property.
4.5 Meter Pits and Remote Reader Boxes & Radio Read Devices
Installation of meter pits shall be at the consumer’s expense. When it is necessary or expedient to locate the meter in an underground box or vault approved by the Department, the consumer shall bear the expense of same and shall bear the responsibility of reasonable care and maintenance of said box or vault such as keeping it clean and dry. All remote reader boxes located on the premises shall be the responsibility of the owner. In the event that they must be moved or removed the owner shall notify the Department who will do so for them. In the event that the Department is not notified and must replace a missing or damaged remote reader, the consumer will be billed for all costs. The consumer shall not be permitted to cover the pit or in any way hinder access to the water meter. Covers must remain exposed at all times. Pits shall be furnished with inlet and outlet connections that accept a variety of Mueller underground service connection fittings that meet requirements of the latest revised AWWA Standard C800-89. For the purpose of standardization, the meter pit shall be Mueller with specifications determined by the Superintendent or his/her acting agent.
4.6 Meter Tampering
A penalty or charge will be levied for each incident of tampering, installation alteration, and removal of a water meter by anyone not authorized by the Department. In addition the Department reserves the right to pursue further prosecution in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 165 Section 11.
4.7 Town’s Right to Change Meters
If, in the opinion of the Superintendent, a meter does not fit the conditions of the service installation, the Department has the right to change such meter. Such a change shall be made in accordance with current regulations and paid by the consumer.
4.8 When Meter is Out of Order
If a meter fails to register, the consumer shall be charged based on the best available information concerning water use.
4.9 Repairing Meters
The Department shall have the right to remove, repair or replace any meter at anytime it so determines. All meter installations on services, which cannot be shut off for meter repairs, shall be equipped with meter by-pass at the expense of the consumer.
4.10 Access to the Meter
It shall be the duty of all consumers to ensure that meters on service connections be readily accessible at all times to Department personnel. Failure to provide access or remove any obstruction which prevents access to the meter within three days after being notified by the department shall cause the water to be shut off to the premises and it shall not be turned on until all obstructions are removed, all regulations complied with, and all expenses for shutting off and turning on the water are paid.
4.11 Residential Meter Testing vs. Testing Meters by Request
If during any dispute where a water meter reading is being contested, a customer may request to have the meter sent to a certified testing facility at the owner’s expense. Should the Department request to have the meter tested, it will be at the Department’s expense. If as a result of the test the meter is found to register over two (2) percent more water than actually passes through it, the meter shall be replaced. At that time they may receive abatement. Their bill will also be adjusted in accordance with the result of this test.
However, if it appears that the consumer was charged or has paid for less water than they should have been charged or should have paid, they shall, forthwith, be charged with the proper additional amount and shall pay the same together with the expense of the examination and test to the Town. If the Department chooses to change a meter at anytime, it is not an admission that there is nothing wrong with the present meter.
4.12 Commercial/Industrial Meter Testing
The Superintendent can require that a large commercial or industrial meter be tested if there is reason to believe that said meter is not registering water accurately. Based on AWWA Standard C700, all meters shall be tested by agents or representatives of the Harwich Water Department. Commercial/Industrial Meter Testing will be done at the expense of Harwich Water Department. If Superintendent requires such testing, the owner will be notified via certified mail. The owner will have 10 business days from receipt of letter to notify the Water Department of what action has been taken for the repair or replacement of the meter and 20 business days to have the actual repair or replacement completed. Failure to respond to the first notice will result in a second notice informing the owner that if in 10 business days they have not responded, the water service to the building will be shut off. The billing will be based on the highest quarterly usage out of the last four billing cycles.
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