Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-21.6

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 8, October 30, 2024

Rule 199-21.6 - Meter testing for water service

(1)Periodic and routine tests. Each utility shall adopt schedules approved by the commission for periodic and routine tests and repair of its meters.

(2)Meter test facilities and equipment. Each utility furnishing metered service shall provide the necessary standard facilities, instruments, and other equipment for testing its meters, or contract for test of its meters by another utility or agency equipped to test meters subject to approval by the commission.

(3)Accuracy requirements. All meters shall be in good mechanical condition. All meters shall be accurate to the following standards:

a.Test flow limits. For determination of minimum test flow and normal test flow limits, the utility shall use as a guide the appropriate standard specifications of the American Water Works Association for the various types of meters.

b.Accuracy limits. A meter shall not be placed in service if it registers less than 95 percent of the volume passed through it at the minimum test flow, or overregisters or underregisters more than 1.5 percent at the intermediate or maximum limit.

(4)Initial test and storage of meters. Every meter shall be tested prior to its installation either by the manufacturer, the utility, or an organization equipped for meter testing.

If a meter is not stored as recommended by the manufacturer, the meter shall be tested immediately before installation.

(5)As found tests. To determine the average meter error in accordance with these rules for periodic or complaint tests, meters shall be tested in the condition as found in the customer's service. Tests shall be made at intermediate and maximum rates of flow, and the meter error shall be the algebraic average of the errors of the two tests.

(6)Request tests. A utility shall test any meter upon written request of a customer. The utility will not be required to perform request tests more than once each 18 months. The customer shall be given the opportunity to be present at the request tests.

(7)Commission-ordered tests. The commission shall order tests of meters as follows:

a.Application. Upon written application to the commission by a customer or a utility, a test shall be made of the customer's meter as soon as practicable.

b.Guarantee. The application shall be sent by certified or registered mail and accompanied by a certified check or money order made payable to the utility in the amount indicated below:

(1) Capacity of 80 gallons per minute or less ............................................ $24

(2) Capacity over 80 gallons, up to 120 gallons per minute ................................. $26

(3) Capacity of over 120 gallons per minute............................................. $30

c.Conduct of test. On receipt of a request from a customer, the commission shall forward the deposit to the utility and notify the utility of the requirement for the test. The utility shall not knowingly remove or adjust the meter until tested. The utility shall furnish all instruments, load devices, and other facilities necessary for the test and shall perform the test and shall furnish verification of the accuracy of test instruments used.

d.Test results. If the tested meter is found to overregister to an extent requiring a refund under the provisions of 21.4(6)"a," the amount paid to the utility shall be returned to the customer by the utility.

e.Notification. The utility shall notify the customer in advance of the date and time of the commission-ordered test.

f.Utility report. The utility shall make a written report of the results of the test. The report shall be sent to the customer and to the commission.

(8)Sealing of meters. Upon completion of adjustment and test of any water meter the utility shall place a suitable register seal on the meter in a manner that adjustment or registration of the meter cannot be changed without breaking the seal.

(9)Record of meter tests. Meter test records shall include:

a. The date and reason for the test.

b. The meter reading prior to any test.

c. The accuracy as found at each of the flow rates required by 21.6(3)"a."

d. The accuracy as left at each of the flow rates required by 21.6(3)"a."

e. Statement of any repairs.

f. If the meter test is made using a standard meter, the utility shall retain all data taken at the time of the test sufficient to permit the convenient checking of the test method, calculations, and traceability to the National Bureau of Standards' volumetric standardization.

The test records of each meter shall be retained for two consecutive periodic tests or at least for two years. A record of the test made at the time of the meter's retirement, if any, shall be retained for a minimum of three years.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-21.6

Amended by IAB January 15, 2020/Volume XLII, Number 15, effective 2/19/2020

Editorial change: IAC Supplement 7/24/2024