water meter replacement project

Water Meter Replacement Project

Thank youWhat is it?

What does it mean for me?

By the end of 2011, each of the

approximately 22,500 water meters

in Dubuque will be replaced with

new meters which will greatly

increase metering accuracy and

feature automated meter reading

(AMR) abilities, eliminating the need

to manually read each meter every

month -- saving the City more than

$144,000 per year.

The new system, an example of the

City’s ongoing sustainability

initiative, will allow water customers

to identify waste and consider

corrective measures which will

translate into “smarter” water use

and increased energy savings. More

efficient water use will also reduce the

use of both energy and chemicals in

treating and delivering water.

A community-led initiative that engages Dubuque businesses, schools, neighborhoods, and non-profits to increase long-lasting sustainability efforts, opportunities and create community wide behavioral changes.

www.dubuque2.org | 563.588.2700700 Locust St., Suite 195 | Dubuque, IA 52001

Dubuque 2.0 is a sustainability initiative led

by the community, facilitated by:

Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full; by doing so, you can save up to 1,000 gallons per month.

Use the garbage disposal sparingly; compost food waste instead and save gallons of water every time.

Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons of water per month.

Use a hose with a nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car; you’ll save up to 100 gallons every time.

Reuse your bath towels at home or when staying in hotels.

Saving Water, Saving Dollars

Dubuque’s WaterDid you know?

The distribution system is composed of 316 miles of water

mains ranging in diameter from 4” up to 30”; 5,641 control

valves; and 2,812 fire hydrants throughout the city.

Only one percent of the earth’s water is suitable for drinking.

It takes two gallons of water to brush your teeth, and two

to seven gallons to flush a toilet. The average shower uses

25 - 50 gallons!

About 50 percent of the water used in an average home is

used in the bathroom, mostly for flushing toilets and for show-

ers and baths.

Do you know how much water a family of four uses every day

in the United States? Not 50 gallons, not 100 gallons, but 400

gallons!

For additional background information on the Water Meter Replacement Project, visit the City website at www.cityofdubuque.org/watermeters. For additional utility billing information, call 589-4144, email [email protected], or visit www.cityofdubuque.org/utilitybilling.

For more suggestions on water conservation and other sustainability tips visit www.dubuque2.org.

for your cooperation and patience during the installation of your new

water meter. This technology upgrade is an important step in the

future of our community. This informational handout will provide you with answers to questions you

may have, as well as additional information on the project.

printed on 30% recycled paper

Customer Name: Utility Account Number:

Service Address:

Home Phone: Cell Phone:

Date notified of leak:

Description of leak:

Date leak was repaired:

How leak was repaired:

Who completed the repairs:

Amount of reimbursement requested: (50% of repairs/max. of $100)

If a reimbursement is issued, please indicate reimbursement preference:

Apply to utility account Check Reimbursement

Mailing address, if different than service address:

Completetion of this request does not guarantee a reimbursement will be made.

One leak reimbursement will be allowed per service address per 12 months.

Please Submit to: Utility Billing OfficeCity Hall, 50 West 13th StreetDubuque, IA 52001

Customer Signature Date

====================================================================================================FOR CITY USE ONLYCustomer notified on (date) __________________________ by___________________________

Route: _____ Received by: ______________ Date received: _____________ Work order initiated: _________ (Yes or No)

Date read: _________________ Reading #1: _______________

Reviewed/Calculated by: _______________ Date: ________________ Grant given: _____________ (Yes or No)

Reimbursement will be issued after documentation is received and processed and the leak is no longer detected. Credit will be issued to whomever pays for the repairs

UTILITY BILLING OFFICECity Hall, 50 West 13th Street

Dubuque, Iowa 52001563-589-4144

WATER LEAK REPAIR GRANT REQUEST

In order to qualify for a reimbursement, this completed form, along with copies of any invoices or receipts for costs of the leak repair, must be returned to the Utility Billing office within 60 days of notification of the leak.

* In order to receive check reimbursement, account must be in good standing.If account is delinquent, reimbursement will automatically be applied to account.

April 2010

FrequentlyAsked Questions

meters. Your previous water meter was connected to a component located on the exterior of your property. That component was replaced with a radio frequency meter interface unit (MIU), which collects meter usage data and remotely transmits the information to data collectors. The MIU and water meter work as a unit to detect intermittent leaks, continuous leaks, reverse flow situations, and zero usage situations.

Where is this equipment manufactured?The UFRs are manufactured locally at A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing and the meters and MIUs are manufactured by Neptune Technology Group in Alabama.

What if there is a leak at the meter or any other problem after the meter is replaced?The installer should have explained procedures for problems prior to leaving your residence. An emergency number was provided by the installer.

Can I cover up my meter after the install?No. Access needs to be available at all times. Dubuque City Code requires that “all meters shall be installed horizontally between one foot (1’) and four feet (4’) above the basement floor. A suitable place shall be provided for the meter so as to keep it dry and clean and readily accessible at all times to the meter reader and inspectors of the City.”

Is there any special care or maintenance that I need to do to my new meter?No, your meter does not require any maintenance by the homeowner. As before, the City will take care of all maintenance; however, you should be careful not to damage the meter or allow it to freeze.

Will I pay more for water as a result of the change?Your water rate will not change at the time the new meter is installed. Any future water or sewer increases/decreases will be the result of budgeting decisions.

Will my water bill increase?The first water bill after your new meter is installed may be higher because it may reflect a longer reading period (six weeks instead of four, for example). This is a one-time occurrence necessary to provide near real-time billing and to implement the automated meter reading technology. Future bills will reflect the standard four-week reading period.

Additionally, your water bill may increase after the new meter is installed if your previous meter was underreporting your actual usage. Because of the inaccuracy of some of the previous meters, a few residents may only be paying for a portion of the water they actually use. The new metering system insures fairness and equality for all customers by measuring and billing residents and businesses for their actual water use.

Also, please note that City utility rate increases went into effect in July 2010 for fiscal year 2011 and are reflected in your City utility bill.

How much will the system cost me?There is no charge for installation, and this system does not increase the cost of water service to you. Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) is designed to help control costs by increasing meter reading accuracy and efficiency.

How can I read my meter?The new meters have a digital display and can be read manually. Simply shine a light on the meter to activate the LCD display. It will show a meter reading and then, after six seconds, it will show the rate of flow. A flashing faucet icon on the display represents an intermittent leak. A constant faucet icon represents a constant leak. See figure below for icon definitions.

How often will you read my meter?The radio frequency can provide as many as 24 reads per day, which is hourly. However, you will still be billed on a monthly basis.

Does Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) have any other benefits for me?Yes! Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) will allow us to detect possible leaks in your plumbing faster and notify you of problems before they become serious...and costly. We’ll eliminate the need for manually reading meters monthly. Accuracy will improve. In addition to speed and reliability, we won’t have to enter your home, except for periodical maintenance or replacement of system components, when needed. Monthly reads at your residence will not be required.

How is this project being funded?Funding for this $8.7 million project is provided by a $7.7 million State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan and a $1 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) forgivable loan.

Why is my water meter being replaced?Water meters and their registers often lose accuracy as they age; therefore, they must be replaced every 15 to 20 years. In addition, the new system will include Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology that will eliminate the need to manually read the meter which will save the City $144,000 per year, prevent recording errors, minimize wear and tear on vehicles, and allow quicker detection of water line leaks. The AMR technology will also streamline the process of transferring responsibility for an account when a customer moves in or out.

How does Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) work?A small box, called a Meter Interface Unit (MIU), is installed on the exterior of your property. It is connected to your new water meter and transmits a radio signal to a data collector which relays the information to the City’s Utility Billing Office. The system will provide hourly readings, but you will still be billed monthly.

What exactly has been installed at my property?Two existing components were replaced with new equipment. Your previous water meter was replaced with a new water meter including an unmeasured flow reducer (UFR) to more accurately record water use and assist in identifying leaks. The UFR allows measurement of flows below ¼ gallon per minute - such as leaks and drips - that have been previously immeasurable, even by new

FAQscontinued

Grant Programfor Leak Repair AssistanceSubject to available funds, the City has created a grant program for financial assistance to residents who repair plumbing leaks

in their homes as part of the water meter replacement program. The City will pay 50 percent of the cost, not to exceed $100, for

repairs made to leaking plumbing devices inside the home. To request reimbursement, please use the form on the back of this

page or contact the City of Dubuque Utility Billing Department at 589-4144, by email at [email protected], or visit

www.cityofdubuque.org/utilitybilling. The form and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Utility Billing office

for processing.

To request a form to sign up for auto payment, please contact the Utility Billing Office.

utility billing departmentcity of dubuqueYour City of Dubuque utility bill consists of fees for: • water • stormwater • sewer • miscellaneous • refuse

There is always a utility bill associated with a property, unless the property has no impervious area and no service line. Properties with water turned off are still subject to a monthly stormwater fee and a $5 monthly mini-mum water bill.

Utility bill payments can be made as follows: • By mail • At the utility billing counter inside City Hall • At drop boxes located inside City Hall and outside City Hall at the 13th Street entrance • At area banks • Debit/credit card payments may be made over the phone, at City Hall, or via our website (www.cityofdubuque.org). A four percent convenience fee applies. • E-check payments may be made on our website without fees. • Automatic clearing house payment (ACH) option, where payments are automatically deducted from the customer’s bank account on the due date.

The City of Dubuque Utility Billing Department is located at City Hall, 50 W. 13th Street. The phone number is (563) 589-4144, fax number is (563) 690-6688, and e-mail address is [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.

Meter Interface Unit (MIU)

Meter with Unmeasured Flow Reducer (UFR)

Flow Indicator - Shows the direction of flow through the meterON Water in useOFF Water not in useFLASHING Water is running slowly(-) Reverse flow(+) Forward flow

Leak Indicator - Displays a possible leakOFF No leak indicatedFLASHING Indicates intermittent leakON CONTINUOUSLY Indicates constant leak

• The water leak repair grant is provided to individually metered residential units (including rentals). One grant provided per building if not individually metered. (i.e. building that has six apartments and one water meter will only receive one grant for the entire building per 12 months)

• The water leak repair grant is available one time per 12 months per service address. A new customer can apply for a water leak repair grant even if the previous customer has received a grant within the last 12 months.

• The water leak repair work has to affect water consumption and/or the leak detection icon on the water meter to receive the grant.

• The party who pays for the repair will receive the water leak repair grant. (i.e. if landlord repairs the leak landlord would receive the grant; if tenant pays for necessary repairs then tenant would receive the grant) Documentation will need to be provided along with the water leak repair grant request form to determine who receives reimbursement.

• To qualify for reimbursement, the water leak repair grant request form and documentation must be returned to the Utility Billing office within 60 days of notification of the leak.

• The amount of reimbursement is 50 percent of the repair work up to $100 maximum.

• A customer can receive the water leak repair grant and also receive leak allowance. The customer must complete the proper forms (water leak repair grant request and leak adjustment form) and provide the appropriate documentation.

• The water leak repair grant program will be reviewed two years after all new water meters are installed as part of City wide meter replacement program.

• Questions relative to policy can be directed to Utility Billing at (563) 589-4144 or [email protected].

Flushing Water Lines After the InstallationAfter the water meter is installed, it is recommended that you flush your

plumbing by turning on the cold water in a bathtub or outside water spigot

for approximately one minute to remove any air or debris introduced dur-

ing the installation process. If low water pressure is noticed in any faucets or

showerheads, you should remove the faucet aerator and clean out any debris

contained within. If the problem persists, contact the City of Dubuque Water

Department at 589-4291.

The Water Meter Replacement Project helps meet

Dubuque’s sustainability principles of Clean Water, Smart

Energy Use, Regional Economy, and Community Knowledge.

For additional information on

Smarter Sustainable Dubuque,

please visit www.sustainabledubuque.org

FAQscontinued

for processing.

FAQscontinued

for processing.

$144,000 per year.

25 - 50 gallons!

ers and baths.

gallons!

Service Address:

Dubuque, Iowa 52001563-589-4144

April 2010

$144,000 per year.

25 - 50 gallons!

ers and baths.

gallons!

Service Address:

Dubuque, Iowa 52001563-589-4144

April 2010

water meter replacement project

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