26 Del. Admin. Code § 2001-4.0 - Inspections And Tests

4.1 Right Of Access

The authorized agents or employees of the utility shall have the right of reasonable access to the premises supplied by their service, at reasonable hours, for the purpose of reading meters, examining fixtures and pipes, observing the manner of water usage, and for any other purpose which is proper and necessary in the conduct of the utility's business.

4.1.1 Employee Identification. Every employee, whose duties require him to enter the customer's premises, should wear a distinguished uniform, or other insignia identifying him as an employee of the utility. The minimum requirement shall be a badge or identification card, carried on his person, certifying him as an employee of the utility authorized to enter the premises to perform necessary inspections or work.

4.1.2 Unreasonable Refusal to Right of Access. Access shall not be unreasonably refused by the customer, and continued unreasonable refusal shall be grounds for termination of service.

4.1.3 Permission for Right of Access. Except in emergency situations, company agents or representatives should not enter the customer's premises without having been freely granted such access, on each occurrence, by the customer or his agent, to include a responsible member of the customer's family.

4.2 Meter Shop

Each meter shop maintained or designated by a utility where meters may be inspected, tested, or repaired, shall be open for inspection by authorized representatives of the Commission at reasonable times.

4.2.1 Accuracy of Test Standards.The accuracy of the testing equipment and each standard shall be such that the overall error will not exceed 0.3%.

4.2.2 Care in Handling. Extreme care should be exercised in the use and handling of standards to assure that their accuracy is not disturbed.

4.2.2.1 Each standard shall be accompanied by a certificate or calibration duly signed and dated, on which are recorded the corrections required to compensate for errors found at the customary test points at the time of the last previous test.

4.2.3 Calibrated Tank. At least one calibrated tank for volumetric measurement or a tank mounted upon scales for weight measurement of sufficient capacity to insure an acceptable determination of the utility's meter accuracy should be used. The testing of the tank and scales, used as a working standard for measuring meter accuracy, should be performed at a minimum as follows:

4.2.3.1 Volumetric tank.........Once every 5 years

4.2.3.2 Scales..................Once in every 12 mos.

4.2.4 Each utility shall have in place, and implement, a program for the testing of its meters to ensure their accuracy. Such program shall consist of either:

4.2.4.1 The periodic testing of meters at intervals no longer than provided in the following schedule:

4.2.4.1.1 5/8 inch and 3/4 inch:

Once every 15 years

4.2.4.1.2 1 inch and 1-1/2 inch:

Once every 10 years

4.2.4.1.3 2 inch, 3 inch, and 4 inch:

Once every 3 years

4.2.4.1.4 6 inches and larger:

Once every year

or

4.2.4.2 The periodic testing of a random sampling of particularly-grouped meters under a meter testing plan submitted by the utility and specifically approved by the Commission. Such a plan may apply to the testing of all sizes of meters or meters of a particular size. The sampling procedures in any such plan shall be sufficient to ensure confidence in the accuracy of the meters included in the group represented by the sample. With such plan, the utility shall submit sufficient information and data to establish the ability of the sampling procedure to establish the accuracy of the utility's meters. The results of testing under any such approved plans shall be available to the Commission.

4.2.5 Testing in General.The test of any unit of metering equipment shall consist of a comparison of its accuracy with the accuracy of a standard. All meters and/or associated devices tested shall be adjusted as closely as practicable to the condition of zero error.

All prescribed tolerances are to be interpreted as maximum permissible variations from the condition of zero error and no advantage of them shall be taken when making adjustments.

4.2.6 Tests to Determine Registration Error. For determination of minimum test flow and other normal test flows including the maximum, the utilities should adopt as their guide the appropriate standard specifications of the American Water Works Association for the various types and sizes of meters.

4.2.6.1 Meters shall be tested at the following three flow rates:

4.2.6.1.1 Minimum test flow;

4.2.6.1.2 Approximately 10% of the maximum normal flow;

4.2.6.1.3 Approximately 50% of the maximum normal flow, or at the maximum flow available at normal system pressure.

4.2.6.2 The formula used to determine the percentage error in registration is:

(Vol. by meter) - (Vol. by standard)

% error = 100 x (Vol. by standard)

where a positive percentage indicates a fast meter, while a negative indicates a slow meter.

4.2.7 Registration Error vs. Billing Adjustments. The error registration of a meter for billing adjustments shall be the arithmetic average of the error in registration at the following two rates of flow:

4.2.7.1 Approximately 10% of the maximum normal flow;

4.2.7.2 Approximately 50% of the maximum normal flow, or at maximum flow available at normal system pressure.

4.2.7.2.1 The derived meter error shall be used to calculate the correct consumption of water by applying the derived meter error to the volume of water consumption indicated by the meter. If the meter is fast or slow, then the volume of water indicated by the meter registration shall be reduced or increased by applying the calculated error in registration. Errors in registration shall be corrected as promptly as conveniently practicable.

4.2.8 Request for Meter Test.Upon the request by the customer, the utility shall make a test of the accuracy of the registration of the meter serving his premises.

4.2.8.1 If the meter is found to be within two percent (2%) of zero error, the customer may be billed for the testing, the actual costs not to exceed $25.00. If the meter is found to be greater than two percent (2%) of zero error, the customer shall not be charged for testing, unless the utility is authorized to charge different amounts by virtue of an approved tariff revision directed to meter testing rates.

4.2.8.2 The customer, or his representative, may be present when the meter is tested. In either case, a written report of the results of the test shall be made to the customer within a reasonable time after the completion of the test. A record of the report, along with the complete record of the test, shall be kept on file at the utility's office for at least three (3) years.

Notes

26 Del. Admin. Code § 2001-4.0