(a) Placement – General.
(1) An approved water meter shall be installed wherever City water is supplied and for all wells or other water sources that discharge into the City sewer system, in new construction, upon replacement or repair of a service line in an unmetered property, or on a retrofit basis the rules of the New York City Water Board (15 RCNY 42, Appendix A (Part VII, § 1)). The Department may require installation of additional meters as a condition for certain New York City Water Board rate or billing programs.
(2) (i) Each building must have one (1) meter on each service connection supplying the building set at the point of entry. However, the Department may issue a variance or approval allowing two (2) or more separate meters to serve residential and non-residential (or rate-eligible and ineligible) occupancies in the same building or lot to comply with a rate or billing program established by the New York City Water Board.
(ii) Properties with internal water mains must have a meter and backflow prevention devices in a vault or above-ground enclosure located at the property line at each connection to the city water system.
(iii) Unmetered properties with a lead or galvanized metal service pipe shall not be permitted to install a water meter except when accompanied with complete replacement of the lead or galvanized service line.
(3) Placement during building construction
(i) All water used in the construction of buildings 75 feet or six (6) or more stories in height shall be metered.
(ii) Prior to the commencement of actual building construction, a meter of proper size shall be installed on each tap or service pipe supplying the premises.
(iii) The meter shall be placed in an accessible location at a point to be designated by the Department.
(iv) The meter shall be close to the point of entry of the service pipe, and shall be enclosed in a vault or box of ample size and substantial construction which will provide adequate protection against damage or injury from frost or any other cause.
(v) Each meter shall remain in service throughout the entire period of building construction. If a different meter is to be used during operation of the completed building, a separate meter permit is required for that replacement.
(vi) Where the meter is inoperable, has not accurately measured the water supplied to the premises, or has not been maintained in good working order during the entire period of building operations, the charge for water consumed during building construction shall be established as provided by the New York City Water Board in accordance with the Water and Wastewater Rate Schedule.
(4) All water used in the construction of buildings less than six (6) stories in height shall either be metered or be supplied by a hydrant permitted in accordance with 15 RCNY § 20-08. If water used during construction is metered, the meter shall be placed as described in 15 RCNY § 20-05(a)(3). Permit applications for temporary water service during construction shall include the name and contact information for the Licensed Master Plumber or construction management company.
(5) Metering of fire service pipes and combined service pipes.
(i) Fire service connections: Fire service connections in premises supplied with City water must have an approved backflow prevention assembly. It can be either a double check detector or reduced pressure detector assemblies. Fire service connections of two-and-one-half (2 1/2) inches in diameter must be provided with valves, and fittings required for a three (3) inch service connection. Fire service connections supplying private hydrants must have fire service valves and fittings.
(ii) Service connections supplying both domestic and fire protection uses: DOB-approved combined services three inches (3") or larger in diameter must have either a single fire rate meter at the head of the service or, if separation between domestic and fire service piping branches occurs within sight of the head of the service, a meter approved for domestic service on the domestic service piping branch to domestic end uses and an approved backflow prevention assembly on the fire service piping branch serving fire protection system. Domestic services three inches (3") or larger in diameter with fire sprinkler heads take off must use a fire rate meter. Domestic services smaller than three inches (3") in diameter with fire sprinkler heads take off must have a meter approved by the Department. Pumped services to house tanks where the fire protection design is met by the volume of water in the house tank must use a turbine type or electronic type meter.
(iii) The use of water through meters or detector assemblies approved for fire sprinkler systems only is prohibited, except for fire suppression or the testing of the fire sprinkler system.
(iv) Inlet and outlet valves are not required for fire service meters or detector assemblies on combined service pipes, except for the building shut-off valve. A test tee must be provided for meter testing purposes on fire service meters. A test port shall not be placed on the bypass meter on a Detector Check Valve Assembly.
(b) Meter permits.
(1) No person shall set, reset, repair or disconnect a water meter used for Department billing purposes without having obtained a meter permit, except for sets, resets, repairs or disconnects done by the Department, its authorized agents or contractors. Applications for permits shall be made by a Licensed Master Plumber duly authorized by the customer; provided, however, that applications for permits to reset, repair or disconnect a water meter may be made by a meter repair company authorized by the Department.
(2) Within ten (10) business days following the completion of any work for which a meter permit has been issued, the permit, carrying: (i) a certification of the date of completion of the work, (ii) the final reading from the old meter (for replacements or repairs) and (iii) the meter manufacturer's accuracy test document for the new meter shall be returned to the Department. The Department may, in its discretion, grant an extension of the 10-day timeframe in which the permit must be returned, upon a submission by the permittee showing that there is a practical difficulty in complying with the 10-day timeframe and providing a timetable for return of the permit. A permit shall expire after 365 days for new construction work and after 30 days for meter replacements or first-time meter installations in existing buildings. If the work is to be performed after that time, the Licensed Master Plumber must apply for a permit extension before the original permit expires. [
(3) After acceptance by the Department of the meter work, indicated by installation of a seal, or after one year from the return of a completed permit with access to the property available for the Department to inspect the work, whichever comes first, such meters will be owned, maintained, repaired and read by the Department. If access to the property is not made available to the Department, a denial of access notice shall be issued to the property owner.
(4) Design approval for water meter installations shall be obtained from the Department's Bureau of Customer Services as required by Sections 603.3 and 603.5 of the New York City Plumbing Code. Approval of a backflow prevention design as required by 15 RCNY § 20-04 shall not constitute approval of the meter installation.
(c) Work on small meters.
(1) No person other than authorized Department personnel, its contractors or permit holders shall set, reset, repair or disconnect a water meter on service pipes of less than one and one-half (1 1/2) inch diameter.
(2) Meter testing or repair companies. A meter testing or repair company authorized by the Department may obtain permits to perform testing or repairs of water meters by demonstrating that it has detailed written testing or repair procedures that have been approved by the Department and a detailed written training program.
(i) A permit applicant's written procedures and written training programs must include, at a minimum:
(a) Meter accuracy testing and reporting of results, as specified in the most recent version of American Water Works Association (AWWA) Manual M6;
(b) Written procedures that reflect a detailed understanding of the application of different meter technologies to different buildings and plumbing systems; and
(c) Detailed written instructions for performing meter repairs, meter accuracy tests, and other inspection procedures.
(ii) A permittee shall annually submit to the Department documentary proof that any portable or bench test equipment has been tested and calibrated by a National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST)-certified lab or company, to confirm accurate operation of the testing equipment.
(iii) The Department reserves the right to withdraw its authorization if it finds that the meter testing or repair company is not abiding by the standards set forth in the work procedures approved by the Department.
(d) Approved water meters. Meters shall meet the following requirements:
(1) All water meters used for billing purposes must comply with applicable specifications of the most recent AWWA Standards for Water Meters, and/or be specifically tested and approved by the Department as to their accuracy, performance and construction. The Department shall maintain and regularly update a list of approved water meters, detector assemblies, pit meter equipment, meter attachments and meter-associated equipment.
(2) The following information shall be on all meters used for billing purposes:
(i) Size and model of meter;
(ii) Trade or brand name of meter; and,
(iii) Direction of flow.
(3) The serial number of the meter shall be imprinted on the case, meter body, or flange in a permanent manner and all meter serial numbers shall be unique for the manufacturer.
(4) All meters used for billing purposes shall read in cubic feet. Meters sized five-eighths (5/8), three-fourths (3/4), or one (1) inch shall have a remote read resolution of no more than one (1) cubic foot. Meters sized one-and-a-half (1 1/2) or two (2) inches shall have a remote read resolution of no more than ten (10) cubic feet. Meters three (3) inches and larger shall have a remote read resolution of no more than one hundred (100) cubic feet. Meter registers shall have an error rate, including any missed reads, of no more than 0.000150% on an annualized basis.
(5) All meters used for billing purposes shall be compatible with the Department's automatic meter reading system. Such compatibility shall be certified by the Department.
(6) Positive displacement meters 5/8" through 1 1/2" must conform to the most recent version of AWWA Standard C700. 2" positive displacement meters are not approved for use after January 1, 2021.
(7) All meters must have a main case composed of an alloy which does not have a lead content that exceeds current NSF/ANSI Standard 61/372 limits. Upon request by DEP the meter manufacturer must submit all documentation associated with its product's compliance with NSF 61/372.
(8) Meter manufacturers shall notify the Department at least thirty (30) days after any changes in design, serial numbering, or other matter that might affect the use of the water meter or billing processes.
(9) Any main meter case made of plastic or other non-metallic material shall be commercially recyclable or shall be recycled by the manufacturer or its agent. Any main meter case made of plastic shall have metallic threaded connections unless specifically approved by the Department for composite or plastic threads.
(10) Any meter that requires a battery other than for temporary backup power for proper operation shall be provided with a manufacturer's warranty at least equal to the claimed life of the battery, or ten years for meters one-and-a-half (1 1/2) inch and larger or 15 years for meters smaller than one-and-a-half (1 1/2) inch, whichever is longer.
(11) The manufacturer must provide each meter supplied to a distributor after January 1, 2020 with a removable barcode tag and sticker meeting the Department's Enhanced Barcode Specifications available on the DEP website.
(12) All meters installed in any pit or vault, or installed in the basement of a building lying in a designated floodplain, shall have factory, waterproof wiring connections and shall be rated by the manufacturer for submersion in water.
(e) Compound, turbine, electromagnetic, and single-jet meters.
(1) Meter Applications.
(i) Effective May 1, 2014, compound or dual-register meters may no longer be approved for use in new or replacement installations.
(ii) Horizontal turbine meters shall be used wherever water is supplied to roof tanks by pumps or to buildings by other pumped, constant flow application, and may be used in buildings with booster pumps or pressurized supply systems as long as such systems' minimum non-zero flow rate is greater than the low-flow end of the 98.5% AWWA operating range for the specific meter model.
(iii) Electromagnetic meters may be used in place of turbine meters where the flow rating of the pump does not exceed the high end of the published normal operating flow rate range for the electromagnetic meter.
(iv) Single-jet, electromagnetic, or other meters designed for variable flow rates must be used on services one-and-a-half (1 1/2) inch and larger in diameter and operating on street pressure, and may be used in buildings with booster pumps or pressurized system applications.
(v) Single-jet meters must be installed on a level horizontal plane +/- 10 degrees. Turbine, electromagnetic, and other meter types may be installed on an incline or vertical plane if a horizontal installation is not possible and the configuration is supported by the meter manufacturer's specifications. The meter register must always face outward for reading. Electromagnetic meters must be grounded according to the manufacturer's requirements and must not be located in the same room as a significant source of an electromagnetic field such as a motor generator.
(2) An approved flat plate or "Z" meter strainer shall be installed on all new or replacement turbine meter installations, unless the turbine meter is manufactured with an internal strainer. Such a strainer is not required for electromagnetic or single-jet meters, but its use is permitted.
(3) [Repealed.]
(4) [Repealed.]
(f) Used or repaired meters. No used or repaired meter shall be installed to cover a service pipe at the same or a different location unless it has been repaired, tested for accuracy, found to conform to AWWA new meter accuracy standards and has been approved by the Department.
(g) Sizing.
(1) A meter shall be restricted to a size and type that will insure accurate registration on the basis of the water requirements of the premises, or portion of the premises, to be metered. For residential premises, the permit applicant shall perform a fixture count and develop a peak flow estimate using Appendix Tables #1 and #2. The meter shall be sized according to Appendix Table #8. For non-residential premises, the flow rate shall be based on the analysis of a Licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect. The meter shall be sized according to that flow rate and Appendix Table #8.
(2) A meter shall not be larger than the service pipe supplying the meter, the piping in the meter setting, or the water distribution piping in the building, unless specifically approved in writing by the Department or as noted in 15 RCNY § 20-05(a)(5) for two-and-one-half (2 1/2) inch fire services or combined services. If two meters both cover the calculated peak flow rate, the smaller of the two meters shall be used unless approved in writing by the Department. Unless a fixture count and flow analysis, as described in 15 RCNY § 20-05(g)(1), has been approved by the Department, a one- or two-family home with gravity-flush water closets shall not have a meter on a domestic service without fire sprinklers larger than three-quarters (3/4)) inch and three-, four-, five- and six-family homes shall not have a meter on a domestic service larger than one (1) inch. Exceptions to these requirements, and the use of Appendix Table #8 for meter sizing, will be considered by the Department only when a building's plumbing system uses only street water pressure and documented incoming water pressure is less than 35 psi for buildings four (4) through six (6) stories high, or less than 30 psi for buildings less than four (4) stories in height.
(3) The minimum size meter for new installations and replacements shall be five-eighths (5/8) inch.
(4) The appropriate low-flow range for compound meters varies with the manufacturer. The ranges of sizes in Appendix Table #8 refer to the high-flow side. The Department may require that a permit applicant provide a basis for using a compound meter instead of another type of meter. That justification must outweigh the higher maintenance and other operating costs to the Department of the compound meter.
(h) Tests. The permit applicant shall submit the manufacturer's meter accuracy test results to the Department at the time of permit application. The Department retains the right, in specific instances, to require that a new, used or repaired meter be sent to a designated Department facility for testing at the owner's expense.
(i) Settings. Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary, all meters shall be set or reset according to the following requirements:
(1) Meters shall be set as near as possible to the point of entry of the service pipe through the building or vault wall and shall be placed so that they may be easily inspected, maintained and replaced. Evaporative cooling tower meters or other meters used to calculate a wastewater allowance when located downstream of a billing meter shall be placed as close to the end use as practical. A property owner shall not erect or maintain any physical barrier that prevents access to, or repair or replacement of, the water meter.
(i) Displacement meters shall not be set beyond three (3) feet of the entry point without written approval from the Department.
(ii) Turbine and compound meters shall be set with straight sections of pipe as provided in Appendix Figures #7, #7A, #9, #9A, #10 and #10A. If pipe lengths cannot conform to those indicated in Appendix Figures #7, #7A, #9, #9A, #10 and #10A, a meter technology shall be used which does not require minimum straight pipe lengths. The Department shall identify such meter technologies in its list of approved meters. An approved meter strainer is required unless one is included in the meter design or in the case of single-jet or electromagnetic meters, is not required by the meter manufacturer.
(2) No fittings capable of a branch connection are permitted in the section of connection upstream of the meter or meter setter with the exception of an approved strainer. The strainer must be located immediately before the inlet side of the meter. The service connection between the point of entry and the meter setting must be kept visible. No fittings, devices, or equipment are permitted in the section of connection upstream or downstream of the meter that interferes with the required laminar flow through the meter, except as otherwise approved by the Department, Bureau of Customer Services.
(3) If conditions exist that prevent the setting of a meter in accordance with the above requirements, the meter may be set outside the building in a meter pit, vault or above-ground meter box (See 15 RCNY § 20-05(k)).
(4) Meter settings must have an inlet valve immediately upstream of the meter and any strainer, and an outlet valve downstream of the meter. For meters two (2) inches in size or smaller, the valves must be full-port ball valves. For meters larger than two (2) inches in size, the valves must be rising stem, resilient seated, and epoxy-coated gate valves. If a backflow prevention device is located after the meter setting and both the backflow prevention device and meter setting are located on the same floor of a building, then an outlet valve serving the meter setting may be placed immediately after the device. If a backflow prevention assembly is located after the meter setting, then an outlet valve shall be placed immediately after the assembly and the meter test tee.
(i) Except for meters two (2) inches or smaller where space constraints prevent any approved meter technology from being installed with an inlet valve, or as noted in 15 RCNY § 20-05(a)(5), a house control valve must not be used in lieu of a meter inlet valve.
(ii) On a dedicated fire service line, an approved backflow prevention assembly (DCDA or RPDA with by-pass meter) in conjunction with the building control valve are required. Additional valves are optional.
(iii) A plain tip test tee must be provided for meters 3/4" or 1" in diameter before the meter outlet valve or incorporated into the design of the meter outlet valve. For meters 1-1/2 inches in diameter, the test tee must be the same size as the meter. For meters 2 inches or larger than two (2) inches in diameter, the test tee must be two (2) inches. An exception shall be provided for installations using an outlet valve that incorporates an one-and-a-half (1 1/2) inch rather than two (2) inch test tee into the design of its two (2) inch outlet valve. Factory-fabricated setters five-eights (5/8) inch through two (2) inches must have test ports as described in paragraph 6 of this subdivision. Test port plugs on meter bodies must be drilled for seal wire. Test tees shall not be used as water supply connections. Where a meter is placed in a pit alongside a sewer trap, the meter test tee must be located outside of the pit in an accessible location.
(5) Connections must be made by coupling, union, flange union or approved compression fittings and bored for sealing with holes not less than three thirty-seconds (3/32) of an inch in diameter. Compression fittings are permitted for three quarter (3/4) inch through two (2) inch meters only. Unions, couplings or compression fittings that permit removal of the meter and/or setter without breaking the seal wire are prohibited. Grooved end mechanical pipe joining systems are not permitted between the meter inlet valve and the outlet side of the meter. If used on the service side of the house valve, such systems must be drilled for seal wire. In all other circumstances, pipe joining specifications must conform to the New York City Plumbing Code. All water meter settings of two (2) inches and smaller sizes must utilize valves and fittings constructed of bronze with a lead content that must not exceed current NSF/ANSI Standard 61 limits. Bolts, studs, nuts, screws and other external fastening devices used from the house valve through the meter outlet valve must be made of a bronze alloy or stainless steel conforming to AWWA standards, and must be designed for easy removal following lengthy service. Above-ground, indoor service connection, including the meter setting and any backflow prevention device, must comply with standards for water distribution pipe contained in the New York City Plumbing Code Section 604.
(6) Meter setters & resetters. Meter setters and resetters five-eighths inch (5/8) through two inch (2) shall conform to the following:
(i) Seamless copper tubing having a type K wall thickness in accordance with ASTM B 88 specifications shall be used for all prefabricated water meter setters. All bronze parts shall be an alloy with a lead content that shall not exceed 0.250%.
(ii) The internal waterway shall be equal to the meter size to be installed, i.e. one (1) inch meter = one (1) inch internal diameter.
(iii) The end of the copper tubing at the meter coupling for three quarter (3/4) inch and one (1) inch meters shall be spun and/or formed to produce a strong positive bearing surface on the full face of the gasket and meter spud.
(iv) Copper tubing arms shall be affixed to the setter body using leadless solder at the cup joint.
(v) All setters, valves and compression adapters shall be designed to ensure positive electrical bonding continuity with, or without, the meter being set, via an approved external method which can be confirmed visually.
(vi) All setters shall be designed to avoid any significant head loss.
(vii) An approved test port located between the meter and the outlet control valve shall be included in the design of all setters. The test port shall be capable of delivering flows from at least one quarter (1/4) to two (2) gpm, but no more than four (4) gpm.
(7) Above-ground, indoor service pipe, including the meter setting and any backflow prevention device shall be Type K or Type L copper, if copper is acceptable for that size service pipe.
(8) Valves. All new displacement type water meter settings must utilize full port ball valves for the inlet and outlet control of the meter. All valves must be furnished with handles for the manual operation of the valves without the need of a wrench. Other meter types must be installed with full port ball valves (through two (2) inch only) or gate type OS&Y valves for meters larger than two (2) inches.
(9) Meters shall be set as shown in Figures #7, #7A, #9, #9A, #10 and #10A.
(10) All meter settings shall contain a test tee or test valve downstream of the meter and before the outlet valve. The test tee/valve can be incorporated as part of the outlet valve design.
(11) Any connection to a test tee assembly or to any point ahead of a meter used for billing purposes is strictly forbidden.
(12) Electrical continuity. All settings shall be designed to ensure positive electrical continuity with, or without, the meter being set, via bronze grounding clamps with stainless steel screws and electrical bonding cables (#6 THHN-THWN) which can be confirmed visually, unless a pre-fabricated setter designed for electrical continuity is used or the water service is known not to be used as an electrical ground.
(13) Meters settings shall be provided with holes for running seal wire to be installed by the Department. The meter installation shall include either one-eighth (1/8) inch holes drilled in a bolt on each end flange, or an one-eighth (1/8) inch hole drilled in one or both flanges.
(j) By-pass.
(1) Unmetered by-passes around meters are prohibited. Properties that wish to avoid lengthy interruptions of water supply may install a metered by-pass or a set of two parallel meters, under permit and at their expense.
(2) If a by-pass is permitted by the Department, the installation shall conform to Appendix Figure #10 or #10A. The by-pass shall be configured so that the top case and interior meter can be removed for repairs or replacement.
(3) Properties that wish to avoid lengthy shutdowns related to replacement of large meters may install paired meters that can supply the building through one or the other meter on a service connection.
(k) Meter pit/meter box requirements. Meter pits shall be constructed in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) All meter electrical connections shall be factory sealed to be water proof.
(2) The Department shall maintain detailed specifications for three quarter (3/4) inch and one (1) inch pit meter installations and equipment including setters, enclosures and covers.
(3) Meter pits for meters less than 3".
(i) For meters less than three (3) inches, the enclosure shall be frost-proof and shall follow one of these alternate requirements:
(a) Thermoplastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) conforming to ANSI/ASTM D 1785, Type I, Grade 1, seamless, extruded pipe with white interior. The enclosure shall be as uniform as commercially practicable in color, opacity, density and other physical properties. Thickness shall be at least one-half (1/2) inch.
(b) Polyethylene (PE) enclosures shall be constructed in accordance with the ANSI/ASTM D 2104 latest revision. The PE shall be of medium density. Polyethylene shall conform to all applicable sections of the latest edition of ASTM D 1598, and ASTM D 1599. Thickness shall be at least one-half (1/2) of an inch.
(c) A composite of polyester resin, fiberglass and calcium carbonate. The composite material shall consist of non-aggregate base materials using the bulk molded compound process or the thick molded compound process. The thickness shall be at least one-half (1/2) inch.
(ii) Covers and lids shall be constructed in accordance with the following requirements:
(a) Covers shall be of polymer concrete, heavy duty plastic, or other composite materials that allow transmission of an AMR signal and meet load requirements set by the department. The department shall publish a list of approved products and materials in its list of approved meters and equipment.
(b) Lids shall have a lifter worm lock with a standard waterworks pentagon nut constructed of bronze.
(c) Extra heavy lids and covers shall be used for driveway and sidewalk applications.
(d) For three quarter (3/4) inch and one (1) inch meter sets, covers shall fit on twenty (20) inch nominal I.D. meter vaults. Covers shall have thirteen and one-half (13 1/2) inch to fifteen (15) inch openings and lid sizes.
(e) For one and one-half (1 1/2) inch and two (2) inch meter sets, covers shall fit on thirty-six (36) inch nominal I.D. meter vaults. Covers shall have eighteen (18) inch to fifteen (15) inch openings and lid sizes.
(4) Meter vaults for meters 3" and larger. For meters three (3) inches in size and larger, a meter vault shall be constructed as follows (See Appendix Figures #11 through #17 for typical meter pit and vault installation details):
(a) Waterproof and frost proof and of sufficient size to permit easy access to all portions of the meter and connections with at least one (1) foot clearance on each side of meter.
(b) In conformance with any requirements of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
(c) Pits less than four (4) feet in depth shall not be less than two feet, six inches (2'6") wide and three feet, six inches (3'6") long. Pits less than four (4) feet in depth shall be provided with a hinged cover not to exceed forty (40) pounds in weight, with suitable handle and so constructed as to permit the uncovering of entire pit, or a circular cover as described above in (ii) provided that there is sufficient clearance to remove and replace the meter.
(d) Pits four (4) feet or more in depth shall be provided with an access opening of at least two feet, six inches (2'6") square or at least thirty (30) inches in diameter, but of sufficient size to remove and replace the meter. If the access opening is square, the cover of such opening shall be hinged and shall be provided with a suitable handle. Doors exceeding forty (40) pounds in weight shall be counter balanced. Approved composite lids or covers for vaults are available from the Department.
(e) Pits three (3) feet or more in depth shall be provided with permanent steps or a metal ladder.
(f) Pits containing sewer traps shall be provided with an air vent.
(5) Meter boxes (above-ground enclosure).
(i) The enclosure must be capable of housing the water meter with all required valves, strainer and above-ground accessories. It must have easy access for testing and maintenance including at least one (1) foot, clearance around the meter, piping and valves. The boxes must have lockable access doors or lids to prevent theft or vandalism. The enclosure must be anchored to a concrete base of eight (8) inches minimum for meters one and one-half (1 1/2) inches or larger, and four (4) inches for meters less than one and one-half (1 1/2) inches. The enclosure must have an approved remote meter reading receptacle mounted on the exterior.
(ii) The enclosure shall be a minimum of:
(a) Eighteen (18) gauge reinforced aluminum, or;
(b) Extra heavy duty fiberglass reinforced polyester with high-gloss gelcoat finish, or;
(c) Twelve (12) gauge steel finished with three coats of baked enamel.
(iii) The enclosure shall be insulated with a material in addition to the enclosure itself which has a thermal resistance ("R-value") of at least 8.0.
(iv) The enclosure shall have a thermostatically-controlled heat source mounted to the interior wall for freeze protection down to -10°F.
(l) Metering condominium and homeowners' association developments.
(1) An individual water meter to be read by the Department shall be installed for each separately-owned dwelling unit in all new condominium and homeowners' associations structures of three (3) stories or less when each such unit is supplied with hot water and space heat by its own separate domestic hot water heater and space heating system, and not by a common water heater or space heater. If fire protection sprinklers are present they shall be supplied by a separate dedicated service pipe. Any hose bib or irrigation supply shall be connected to one of the unit's metered branches. Such individual water meters shall be located in a common location immediately after the point of entry in each structure, with each meter clearly labeled as to the unit it supplies. MTUs shall be mounted on the exterior walls of the building. New and existing condominiums and homeowners' associations structures of six (6) stories or fewer with in-unit hot water heaters and space heating systems may apply to install individual water meters at their cost and in the same manner and governed by the same conditions as meters for new condominiums and homeowners' associations structures of three (3) stories or fewer, unless the work is physically impractical or the owners do not agree to individual water meters or required MTU placement. Such existing structures requesting individual water meters shall not be in arrears with their water or sewer accounts or payment agreements at the time of application to the Department. The Department shall set specific written requirements for such applications. For all cases, if there are building common end uses, such as but not limited to irrigation and heating boilers, then individual water meters in the name of the condominium or homeowners' association shall be installed for those uses. Properties served by internal water mains shall be metered as specified in 15 RCNY § 20-05(a)(ii).
(2) Condominiums and homeowners' associations that cannot be individually metered as described in 15 RCNY § 20-05(l)(1) shall have a meter at the point of entry of the water service for the building or buildings, except that those properties served by internal water mains shall be metered as specified in 15 RCNY § 20-05(a)(ii).
(3) Each individual unit/meter shall have its own account under the "75XX" joint condominium lot.
(m) Removal.
(3) If a meter is moved, a permit shall be obtained to report the new location. Relocation of a meter from an outdoor pit to an indoor location shall include filling the pit with clean sand and restoring the surface in kind.
(n) Seals. A seal placed by the Department for the protection of any meter, valve, fitting or other water connection shall not be tampered with or defaced. The seal shall not be broken except after securing a permit from the Department. Breaking the seal without such a permit shall be a violation, except for emergency repairs as described in 15 RCNY § 20-01(f). The Department may also remove the meter for testing and resetting or replacement. The customer shall be responsible for safeguarding and protecting the seal and the meter. Application of a seal on a new or replacement meter shall denote approval by the Department.
(o) Meter shut-off. Where water is obtained through more than one (1) meter, and where tests indicate accurate registration is not being obtained by reason of the divided delivery of water, the Department may, at its discretion, shut off and seal the meter(s) to ensure accuracy of registration.
(p) Protection of meters and settings.
(1) The property owner shall protect the meter, setting, AMR transmitter, wiring and remote against physical damage, freezing conditions and abuse. The property owner shall be responsible for any break or disconnection of wire within the building. The property owner is responsible for preventing physical deterioration or other conditions of the service pipe which may damage a meter or prevent its maintenance or replacement. In such cases the owner shall be responsible for repairing or replacing equipment, service piping or any other physical barriers, including asbestos insulation, needed to allow maintenance, proper operation or replacement of the meter.
(2) The property owner is prohibited from relocating the remote receptacle or AMR transmitter except upon securing a permit from the Department.
(3) The property owner's installation of branch meters or submeters for the owner's use shall not interfere with the City's meter setting.
(q) Encoding registers. When used, all encoder-type remote registration systems must comply with all applicable requirements of AWWA Standard C707 and the following requirements:
(1) The register must encode at least the six (6) most significant digits which will be read from the remote receptacle.
(2) The unit must employ a leak detection indicator, gpm display or a test sweep hand on the face of the meter register.
(3) Registers must read in cubic feet.
(4) The assembly must have a tamper resistant locking device as well as a provision for seal wire, or other method approved by the Department.
(5) The data stream must be, or be convertible to, ASCII format, and is to be capable of interfacing directly to a Department-approved automatic meter reading device.
(6) All encoder registration systems must be capable of transmitting the data for a minimum distance of three hundred (300) feet utilizing solid twenty-two (22) gauge minimum non-shielded copper cable between the register and the remote receptacle or interface device.
(7) All encoding registers must be subject to the approval of the Department.
(8) The register must be capable of being read through a remote receptacle, and /or an automatic meter reading system.
(9) All registers must be installed with wire to a AMR transmitter with all three wires properly connected at the register head.
(r) Remote receptacles and AMR transmitters ("MTU").
(1) Temporary use of remote receptacles or pads. The licensed plumber performing the meter installation or replacement shall run wire from the meter register to an exterior wall. If the licensed plumber installs a meter manufacturer's remote receptacle or pad for temporary use, installation shall be in a location consistent with the specifications in paragraph 2 for placement of an MTU until the Department replaces the remote receptacle or pad with an MTU. Any splices of wire running from the meter register to the remote receptacle or pad must be sealed with gel caps. All three of the wire connections at the meter register must be connected to wires running to the remote receptacle or pad, even if only two wires are connected at the remote receptacle or pad. The third wire shall be tucked behind the remote pad.
(2) Placement of MTU or temporary remote receptacle. Placement of the MTU shall comply with the following guidelines:
(i) Location. The MTU shall be located on the front or side exterior of the building, unless such building and an immediately adjacent building have aluminum siding or other signal reflective material in which case the MTU shall be located on the front exterior only. The MTU must be located above ground level, and must not be placed behind permanently-sited large metal objects. All wire splices shall be sealed with gel caps. For apartment or office buildings with glass, marble or other similar facades, a smaller optional remote antenna MTU is available from the Department, or the MTU may be located inside a building if transmissions can be received by the AMR system. The location of the MTU must be indicated in the meter permit as returned to the Department.
For all underground meter installations, the remote pad shall be mounted in the meter pit lid or some support or structure immediately adjacent to the pit, to allow meter readings without opening the lid.
(ii) Height. The receptacle shall be set at forty-two (42) inches above ground, but may be set between twelve (12) and sixty (60) inches if circumstances preclude a better height. Receptacles may be installed beyond these limits only when approved in writing by the Department.
(3) AMR transmitter. AMR radio transmitters (MTUs) for domestic meters shall be mounted on the exterior surface of an exterior building wall above ground level, unless otherwise specified by the Department. AMR radio transmitters for evaporative cooling tower makeup water meters or other meters located on the upper floors of a building shall be mounted on the exterior of the building wall, at a roof parapet or other location to permit effective transmission of the radio signal. Meters placed in outdoor pits or vaults shall have MTUs mounted on the underside of approved composite plastic pit lids or covers available from the Department.
(s) Meter attachments.
(1) No customer shall attach any device to the water meter unless such device has been submitted to, and approved by, the Department.
(2) No device submitted for approval shall interfere with or affect the operation, inspection or reading of the meter in any way.
(3) Any device approved is solely the responsibility of the property owner unless it is installed by the Department. The Department is not liable for any maintenance or replacement of any approved attachments to the meter, and shall not perform any additional steps to salvage the devices should the meter require replacement. Meter attachments are not recognized as a source of data for billing purposes. A technical representative of a meter attachment manufacturer may be a permit holder for Meter Attachment permits only.
(4) The Department shall publish a list of approved meter attachments as part of its list of Approved Meters.
(t) Ownership of water meters. All water meters used for billing purposes are the property of the Department. At the time of replacement or removal, one or more photographs of the meter must be provided to the Department that must include the serial number of the meter and the final meter read. The Department may, upon written request prior to the removal or replacement of a meter, require the return of a meter to the Department for testing or other purposes. Failure to 1) provide photographs of a meter; and 2) return a meter to the Department when requested by the Department, at the time of replacement or removal is a violation of this rule.
(Amended City Record 7/26/2021, eff. 8/25/2021; amended City Record 1/18/2023, eff. 2/17/2023) [