815 R.I. Code R. 815-RICR-40-00-1.5

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 815-RICR-40-00-1.5 - METER INSTALLATION, ACCURACY AND TESTING

A. Inspection of Meters Removed from Service. All meters removed from service that are to be reinstalled shall be inspected for correctness of register.

B. Meter Installations

1. All meters shall be in good mechanical condition and of adequate size and design for the type of service that they measure.

2. Each water utility shall adopt a standard method of meter installation. This standard method of meter installation shall be described in writing as simply and clearly as possible, using drawings where necessary to illustrate the description, to ensure that each customer can understand the requirements for a standard meter installation. Copies of the descriptions of standard meter installations shall be made available to prospective customers and contractors or others engaged in the business of installing water pipes and water meters.

C. Testing and Calibration of Meters

1. Generally. All meters shall be tested and calibrated in accordance with the requirements set forth herein. No meter shall be placed in service or permitted to remain in service if the error of registration, determined in accordance with § 1.5(C)(3) of this Part, below, exceeds 2%. At the option of the water utility the larger size meters may be tested in place after installation.

2. Test Flows. All meters shall be tested at the three rates of flow specified in Table I, below. No meter shall be installed which registers less than 98% of the minimum test flow.

3. Determination of Error. If the meter error of registration at any of the rates of flow specified in Table I, below, is less than 98% or greater than 102% of the actual flow, the meter fails and may not be installed or used unless recalibrated.

Meter Size (Inches)	Minimum Gal./Min.	Median Gal./Min.	Maximum Gal./Min.
5/8	¼	2	10
3/4	½	3	15
1	¾	5	25
1 1/2	1 ½	10	50
2	2	16	80
3	4	30	120
4	7	50	250
6	12	100	500

4. Sealing of Meter. Upon completion of adjustment and test of any meter under the provisions of these rules, the water utility shall affix thereto a suitable seal in such a manner that the adjustment of registration of the meter cannot be tampered with without breaking the seal.

D. Test Schedules for Meters

1. Periodic Tests of Meters in Service. All meters in service will be tested or replaced in accordance with the schedule set out in Table II, below:

Table II
Periodic Meter Testing Schedule
Size of Meter (Inches)	Maximum Interval Between Tests or Replacement
5/8" - 2"	20 years
3" and Larger	2 years

2. Requested Tests.

a. Tests Performed by Water Utility at Customer's Request. When requested by a customer, each water utility shall:

(1) test the accuracy of the customer's meter within thirty (30) days from the time the request is made, and

(2) extend to the customer an offer to allow the customer or the customer's designated representative to be present for the testing.

3. At the customer's request, the Division or the Division's designated representative may observe the test. When requested to test a meter by a customer as herein provided, the water utility shall not knowingly remove, interfere with, or adjust the meter to be tested outside the presence of the customer without the written consent of the customer, and approval by the Division. A report giving the name of the customer requesting the test, the date of the request, the location, the type, make, size, the serial number of the meter, the date tested, and the result of the test shall be supplied to such customer within fifteen (15) days after completion of the test.

a. Meters that are not due for a periodic test. If the meter the customer requests to have tested is not overdue for its periodic test, the water utility may require a fee for such a test if allowed by its tariff. If upon testing the meter is found to be over-registering by more than 2%, the testing fee shall be promptly refunded. If the meter is not found to be over registering by as much as 2%, the utility shall retain the testing fee.

b. Meters that are due for a periodic test. If the meter the customer requests to have tested has exceeded the due date for its periodic test, the water utility may not require a fee for such a test.

4. Tests Requested by Division. Upon application to the Division by a customer, a test will be made of the customer's meter by the Division's authorized representative as soon as practicable. When notified of an application submitted to the Division by a customer for a meter test as herein provided, the water utility shall not knowingly remove, interfere with, or adjust the meter to be tested without the written consent of the customer, and approval by the Division. The customer shall pay a deposit for this test, and the deposit shall be retained or returned, just as for a water utility test as described in § 1.5 (D)(2)(a) ((1)) of this Part.

5. Record of Tests. The meter technician or other person testing the meter shall make a complete record of all tests, adjustments, and other data sufficient to allow all of the test results and calculations for that meter test to be verified. Such record shall include: the identifying number of the meter, the type of the meter, the date and kind of tests made, the reading of the meter before making any test, the error as found at each test, and, if repaired, the accuracy of the meter after the final test.

6. Retention. Records of periodic tests of meters will be retained by the water utility for inspection by the Division for a minimum of ten (10) years. All meters that are changed out, or removed from service for any reason, shall be retained for inspection by the Division for a minimum of six (6) months.

E. Customer's Bill Adjustments

1. Calculation of Error. In meter tests directed by the Division, or performed by the water utility at the request of a customer, the correctness of registration of the meter and its performance in service for billing purposes shall be determined by averaging the meter flow rates across all the intermediate and high flow rates. The percentage of registration shall be taken as the algebraic sum of the errors at the median and maximum rates of test flow, as set forth in § 1.5(C)(3) of this Part (Table I), divided by two. Any adjustment of charges made in accordance with this rule shall be based on the average error thus derived.

2. Adjustments

a. Fast Meters. Whenever as the result of a test made by the water utility or the Division at the request of the customer, a meter is found to register in excess of 102% of the correct amount, the water utility shall refund to the customer an amount equal to the charge for the excess billed for the previous twelve (12) months or for a period equal to one-half of the time elapsed since the last test or replacement, whichever is the shorter period. However, if the time when the error first developed or occurred can be definitely fixed, the amount to be refunded is to be based thereon.

b. Slow Meters. Whenever as the result of a test made by the water utility or the Division at the request of the customer, a meter is found to register less than 98% of the correct amount, the water utility may make a charge to the customer for the unbilled amount supplied for the previous twelve (12) months, or for a period equal to one-half of the time elapsed since the last test or replacement, whichever is the shorter period. However, if the time when the error first developed or occurred can be definitely fixed, the amount to be refunded is to be based thereon, subject to the three (3) year limitation set out in § 1.3(E)(3) of this Part.

c. Non-Registering Meters.

(1) Non AMR Meters. If a meter without an AMR is found which does not register, the water utility may make a charge to the customer for the unbilled amount that is based upon information recorded prior or subsequent to the period of nonregistration, and any other pertinent information supplied by the customer or known to the water utility, subject to the three (3) year limitation set out in § 1.3(E)(3) of this Part.

(2) AMR Meters. If a meter is equipped with an AMR is found not registering, the water utility may make a charge to the customer for the unbilled amount for only the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date on which the corrected bill is sent.

F. Test Facilities and Equipment

1. Test Facilities. Each water utility furnishing metered water service shall either provide the necessary standard facilities, instruments and other equipment for testing meters in compliance with these rules, or shall enter into satisfactory arrangements for tests of its meters by another water utility or agency equipped to test meters in compliance with these rules, subject to approval by the Division.

2. Shop Equipment. The meter test shop, insofar as practicable, shall simulate the actual service conditions. It shall be provided with the necessary fittings, including a quick-acting valve for controlling the starting and stopping of the test, and a device for regulating the flow of water through the meter under test. The accuracy of the test equipment and test procedures shall be sufficient to enable shop tests of meters with an error not to exceed 0.5 of 1%.

3. Test Measurement Standards. Measuring devices for tests of meters shall consist of calibrated tanks for volumetric measurements, tanks mounted upon scales for weight measurement, or standard meters.

a. Volumetric Tanks. When a volumetric tank is used, the volumetric tank shall be certified by the State or Local Sealer of Weights and Measures.

b. Weight Standards. When a weight standard is used the scales shall be tested and certified at least once every year by the State or Local Sealer of Weights and Measures, and a record maintained of the results of such test.

c. Size of Basic Standards. Basic standards for meter tests shall be of sufficient capacity to insure accuracy of the test.

815 R.I. Code R. 815-RICR-40-00-1.5

Amended effective 10/25/2024