WAC 246-290-496   Metering requirements.  (1) Production:

     (a) The volume of water produced or purchased must be measured using a source meter or other meter installed upstream of the distribution system.

     (b) The requirements of this section do not alter any source metering regulations adopted by either the department of health or the department of ecology.

     (c) The requirements of this section do not apply to volumes of water delivered to a public water system through an emergency intertie.

     (2) Consumption:

     (a) The requirements of this section apply to public water systems that supply water for municipal water supply purposes.

     (b) Except as provided in (g) of this subsection, the volume of water delivered to consumers must be measured by meters installed on all direct service connections.

     (c) Meters must be installed on all existing direct service connections and clustered entities as provided in (g) of this subsection within ten years of the effective date of this rule.

     (d) Meters must be installed on all new direct service connections when the service connection is activated.

     (e) Meters must be installed on all interties used as permanent or seasonal sources within ten years of the effective date of this rule.

     (f) If a system is not fully metered, the municipal water supplier shall complete the following:

     (i) Develop a meter installation schedule consistent with this section.

     (A) For systems serving one thousand or more total connections, submit the schedule to the department by July 1, 2008.

     (B) For systems serving less than one thousand total connections, submit the schedule to the department by July 1, 2009.

     (C) The schedule must include milestones demonstrating steady and continuous progress toward compliance with the requirements of this section.

     (ii) Implement activities to ensure distribution system leakage is minimized (e.g., periodic leak detection and repair) until the system is fully metered.

     (iii) Report the status of meter installation and all actions taken to minimize leakage in annual performance reports developed under WAC 246-290-840 and water use efficiency programs developed under WAC 246-290-810.

     (g) The volume of water may be measured through a single meter for the following clustered entities:

     (i) A campground;

     (ii) A recreational vehicle park;

     (iii) A designated mobile home park;

     (iv) A building with multiple units; and

     (v) A complex with multiple buildings served as a single connection.

     (3) Meters must be selected, installed, operated, calibrated, and maintained following generally accepted industry standards and information from the manufacturer.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.119A.180. 07-02-025B, § 246-290-496, filed 12/22/06, effective 1/22/07.]