In special cases the City may allow the use of a private meter to award credit to a sewer use bill for metered water that is not discharged to the sanitary sewers. The following rules are to be applied when approving and administering the application of private meters on the City wastewater collection system.
(a) Application for a Sewer Deduct Meter Permit. No account holder shall install or have installed a deduct meter without first obtaining a permit from the City. Account holders wishing to apply for a sewer deduct meter permit must submit the following items to the City prior to installation of the deduct meter:
(1) A completed application form (available from the Utilities Department Billing Office);
(2) A building floor plan showing both the water meter and the proposed private meter locations; and
(3) A plumbing schematic showing the private meter and all fixtures and equipment downstream.
(b) Private Meter System Design. The account holder will be responsible for the design of the private meter system. The design shall be such that no water that flows through the private meter will be discharged to the sanitary sewer. The private meter must be located within a reasonable distance from the water meter, in a safe location that is easily accessible for reading. The private meter system must be designed such that no corrosive solutions or hot water from the customer's process are allowed to pass through the private meter causing meter damage resulting in inaccurate readings. The private meter shall also be protected from back-siphonage.
(c) Meters. All private meters will be calibrated to read in cubic foot units and be equipped with a register compatible with the City's electronic reading system. All meters shall be fitted with shut-off valves on both the inlet and outlet sides. Meters shall be purchased from the City at cost plus the administrative fee as stipulated in the current fee ordinance. Private (sanitary deduct) meters shall be restricted to EPU account holders who receive water service from the City of Elyria. This provision is not applicable to the existing private (sanitary deduct) meters of those EPU account holders receiving water service from other providers, obtained on or before the effective date of this section. Maintenance, repair, and/or replacement of said meter is the sole responsibility of the EPU account holder.
(d) Inspection. The installation of the private meter system shall be inspected by the City and shall be in accordance with City plumbing standards. The installation may also be subject to re-inspection at any time thereafter. Failure to meet the inspection requirement shall result in the termination of the private meter permit, and the sewer use fee being charged upon all water consumed.
(e) Inaccurate Meter Registration. If it is determined by the City that the water meter or private meter is registering incorrectly, the reading on the private meter will not be deducted from the sewer use bill until such time that the account holder has made the appropriate repairs.
(f) Changes to an Account Holder's Private Meter System. Any time that the account holder changes, modifies or extends the private meter system, he/she shall have the system inspected and recertified as described previously. Failure to meet the requirements of this section will result in possible termination of sewer and/or water services, fines for tampering with the water and/or sanitary sewer system, and termination of the private meter permit.
(g) Change of Tenant or Property Owner. Sewer deduct meter permits are not transferable. At any time when the use of a premise changes, as from the change of tenant or owner, the sanitary sewer deduct permit will be terminated. The new tenant or owner shall be required to reapply by updating any applications for such service already on file for a new private meter.
(h) Permit and Inspection Fees. Private meter permit fees and inspection fees shall be as established by the City in the fee ordinance.
(i) Compliance with Other Meter Regulations. Private meters are subject to all other rules and regulations for meters stated herein.
(Ord. 2017-10. Passed 2-6-17; Ord. 2018-174. Passed 11-5-18.)