Metering Implementation Program
Based on the information provided in the 2005 District Budget, approximately 20 percent of the District’s revenues from water sales are used to install meters per the MIP. Stated another way, $104 dollars of the current $520 annual flat rate water bill is used to install meters.
While metering is new to some areas of Sacramento and the Central Valley, it is a common and long-standing practice in almost every other city and region of California.
Metering Program – Frequently Asked Questions:
Why Meters?
Because it is a federal requirement. In 1992, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act was passed by Congress, which required the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to demand that all of its water contractors implement water metering. Since the FOWD is a subcontractor to the USBR, we have made a good faith commitment to meter all customer service connections by 2006. This commitment was necessary to ensure our future water supply.
What Should You Expect … Now and Beyond?
For our non-residential customers, our Metering Installation Program is complete, and metered rates took effect for you in January 2002.
Mandatory metered rates will not go into effect for our residential customers until after all meters are installed, which is anticipated to occur sometime after 2006. We expect to have voluntary metered rates available in the next few years. To convert our residential customers to metered billing, here is a snapshot of what we have planned:
- Refine information requirements of meter installations and customer records;
- Install approximately 1,000 residential meters per year;
- Refine meter reading processes and data analysis processes;
- In conjunction with our water wholesaler, San Juan Water District, pursue water conservation grants and project funding;
- Continue to provide public education and outreach to our customers.
How is FOWD Keeping Customers Involved?
As the metering program evolves, we will take steps necessary to ensure our customers are informed about and involved in the process. Whether it’s through our Web site, newsletters, public meetings or conversations with customer service staff, you’ll have access to information any time about the status of metering in Fair Oaks.
Will my landscape be affected?
Depending on your landscape, there may be a need to relocate sensitive plants or vegetation away from existing water valves. If this is necessary, we will solicit your input about other replanting locations.
We are fully aware of the importance of landscape restoration, and will do our best to minimize the impact on your existing landscape. We will take before and after photos for difficult installation situations to ensure consistency.
Do I need to be home when the work is being done?
No. All of our work is done outside. Preliminary flow and pressure tests will be conducted at the front of your house, at the nearest hose-bib where water enters your home. We will notify you by letter in advance of the excavation work and any plans to shut off your water.
How is the location of the meter determined?
Your meter will be installed in the same vicinity of your existing service valve (located just behind the County right-of-way). However, there may be circumstances such as retaining walls or large trees that could prevent your meter from being installed in this location. We will make every effort to keep it as close to the original service valve location as possible.
Will I begin to be billed based on a metered rate?
No. You will still be billed based on a flat rate until all residential meters are installed which is anticipated to be sometime after 2010. Your flat rate bill will change only if you request to be converted to a metered billing rate voluntarily.
Will my billing cycle change?
No. Depending on the customer’s request, we’ll continue to offer three payment options: once a year billing in November, twice a year billing in November and May, or every-other month billing. However, if you request to be converted to a metered billing rate voluntarily, you will be billed on an every-other month cycle.
How much do I have to pay?
The FOWD does not bill separately for the meter and related work. The cost of the meter setter, meter, pipes, installation work and labor, are incorporated into the overall District budget and customer bills. Future rate increases may be necessary to pay for the metering program, as well as other capital improvement and operating costs. However, this will be reviewed annually by the Board with public input.
What are the benefits of a water meter?
Water meters provide you with a tool for measuring water usage, give the District historical data for long-term planning purposes, and also serve as excellent tools for detecting leaks.
Will my water pressure be affected once the meter is installed?
Your water pressure will not be noticeably affected. We use well designed, high-quality meters that have minimal amounts of pressure loss.
Will flow or volume be affected once a meter is installed?
No. Your home will still retain the same volume of water with the meter in place as it did through the existing service valve.
Will I have to change or modify my sprinkler system?
No. Your sprinkler system will work the same as it has in the past.
Can I read the meter myself to monitor water use?
Yes. Water meters are read just like electrical meters are read – from left-to-right. The meter face reads in an industry standard of one CCF equating to 100 cubic feet or 750 gallons, with two decimal place accuracy. For example, if your meter reads 2.50, this means you have used 1,875 gallons of water (to reach this number, you would multiply 2.50 times 750). If you need help reading your meter, please contact us. We will be happy to assist you.
How often will the meter be read?
In the future, a Fair Oaks Water District representative will read your water meter every-other month. We use modern technology to read the meters, so you do not need to be present.
Reading Your Water Meter
How can I read the meter myself to monitor water use?
Fair Oaks Water District meters are read every two months. You can monitor your water use more closely by reading your own water meter at any time. The process is as simple as locating your water meter, and writing down a reading off of the meter register. Water meters in general read from left-to-right. Each meter is read to the nearest 100 cubic feet or (CCF). Every one hundred cubic feet (CCF) registered on the water meter is equivalent to 748 gallons of water. For example, if your meter reads 0002, this means you have used 1496 gallons of water (to reach this number, you would multiply 2 times 748).
If you need help reading your meter, please contact us. We will be happy to assist you.
Why Should I Read My Meter?
You can monitor your own water use, as well as check for leaks. We recommend you read your water meter regularly, and record readings on a monthly basis. Over time, you will be able to predict your average monthly water use.
Locating Your Meter
Most water meters are located in the front of the house, usually near the curb or sidewalk. The meter is located inside of a rectangular box that lies flush with the ground, often near other utilities. It is important to keep landscaping and other obstructions clear of the meter box.
Reading Your Meter
- To read your meter visually, use a large screwdriver to carefully lift up the meter box’s lid, being careful to not disconnect a wire that connects the meter to the outside touch pad used by FOWD staff to read your meter.
- Water meters register in units of cubic feet (CF). The digit to the far right is equal to one cubic foot (CF) of water passing through the meter each time it turns a digit.
- Fair Oaks Water District records the reading on the meter dial to the nearest one hundred cubic feet (CCF). The two digits with black background are not read. On some meters these two digits are fixed at zero and do not turn.
- Read the meter from left-to-right, ignoring the two digits on the far right with black background.
- Record the number. In 30 days, read the meter and record the number again. Subtract the first reading from the second to determine your water consumption. This number represents how much water has passed through the meter over the 30-day period to the nearest one hundred cubic feet (CCF).
Translating Your Reading Into Gallons
- Multiply the water consumption (CCF’s) by 748.
Did you know? The average home in Fair Oaks uses approximately 28,000 gallons of water per month. |
Schedule of Metering Installations
We are presently working within the block of homes surrounded by Kenneth Avenue on the West, Phoenix Avenue on the North, Sunset Avenue on the South, and Illinois Avenue on the East.
Also, we are working in the block of homes within the area of Madison Avenue on the North, Sunrise Blvd. on the East, Sunset Avenue on the South, and San Juan Avenue on the West.
These installations will take most of the Summer and into the Fall 2006 to complete.
An overview of the year end status of the 2005 meter installations shows that District crews installed 816 meters in 2005; and overall that the District was 58 percent metered. There are approximately 5,705 services left to be metered. The District goal is to install 1,141 meters each year through 2010, at an estimated total remaining cost of $7,350,000. By year end 2005, the District had spent $4,098,826 installing meters.
Metering Letter
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Underground Service Alert (USA)
Underground Service Alert (USA) is a free service to homeowners and contractors that do any type of trenching or excavations. All major utilities subscribe to this service in an effort to have advance notice of these types of work, so that the utilities can mark their infrastructure prior to the work being done.
It is a law that USA be called, and that the utilities have 48 hour notice to do their marking, or the Excavator can be held criminally liable for damage to the utilities lines. Any excavation within three feet of a utilities line has to be hand-excavated without the use of machines. It is the utilities’ responsibility to correctly mark their lines; otherwise the utility is responsible for repairs if the line is damaged.
To properly use USA, the Excavator first has to mark the area of excavation with white paint or flagging. He/she must then call-in a dig location, with street addresses and information such as approximate footages from surrounding property lines and /or edges of pavement, intersections etc., as well as list the proposed start date and time, any permits needed to do the work, contact person(s), and description of work itself (trench, bore, pothole, grade, etc.). Following this process, the utilities within the area are notified, and have 48 hours to respond.
The Excavator is given a USA number that corresponds to that specific location, which is valid for 28 calendar days. If the work is not complete at the end of that time frame, the Excavator is required to extend the time frame through the USA process for another 28 days. There is no limit to extensions. If for some reason the ticket is left to expire then the process needs to be started again from the beginning with a new number.
For further information, please call: USA – 1-800-227-2600. Call before you dig!
