Frequently
Asked Questions
Q1
How is the water system operation and maintenance funded?
A1 Water systems are intended
to be operated as self-sustaining enterprise. This essentially means the costs for all aspects of
production and distribution of water are covered by the revenue generated through sales of the water,
just like any other business. With exception of grants and loans for major infrastructure improvements,
funds from other sources do not subsidize operation of the water system. Similarly, revenue generated
from water sales is not diverted from the water system. Rates and charges should be sufficient to
generate adequate revenue to cover all the budgeted costs and a little profit or safety factor.
Q2
Why are meters important for a water system?
A2 In order to most effectively
and fairly recover the costs of operating the water system, the water department must be able to
account for how and where the water is used. The more accurate this accounting, the more fairly
and proportionally the costs can be assessed and recovered from the system customers.
Q3
What are the benefits to ADLC for having a metered water system?
A3
The ADLC water system currently cannot account for approximately 70% of
the water that is pumped out of the ground. A reasonable target for a water system is to lose less
than 15% depending on the age and original construction of the water system. Much of this is lost
to leakage but it is suspected that much of this water is also wasted. However, without any form
of accounting system to measure the actual water use, Anaconda cannot currently separate the water
beneficially used from the water lost from the system from leakage. Individual water meters will
allow ADLC to separate water “use” from water that leaks from the system or otherwise never reaches
a customer.
Q4
How do meters affect water use?
A4
Meters are known to reduce overall consumption and waste, effectively
boosting the water available for other responsible use. Anaconda is currently subject to summer
watering restrictions because the water supply cannot keep pace with demand during summer months.
Also, compared to similar communities with metered systems, the actual annual water use per
connection in Anaconda is much greater. It is reasonable to assume that meters will reduce
overall water consumption while potentially eliminating the watering restrictions.
Further, without individual meters it is impossible for ADLC to utilize an equitable and
fair rate structure based on “pay for what you use”. For instance, currently a user that
runs irrigation water down the gutter for 6 hours a day pays essentially the same amount
as a user that irrigates responsibly. Water meters tend to quickly stop these wasteful practices.
Q5
Are there many water systems of similar size without water meters?
A5
Anaconda is among a very limited number of water systems without meters.
The majority of systems, both locally and nationally, have transitioned to meters to allow for more
equitable assessment of rates and charges, as well as account for where the water goes in their
respective systems.
Q6
How many water users on the ADLC water system currently have water meters?
A6
Approximately 375 water system connections are currently metered out of a
total of approximately 3,040 connections.
Q7
Why were meters installed for those connections in
Anaconda that currently have meters?
A7
The current ADLC policy regarding meters is for ADLC to
provide a meter free of charge, and the owner only incurs a small installation charge.
Typically the charge to the customer is approximately $100. This charge is approximately
25% or less of the actual cost to ADLC for purchase of the equipment and installation of the meter.
Q8 What are the benefits to the customer of
having a water meter?
A8
There are several benefits to the customer.
First, similar to gas or electric utility meters, the customer pays for only
the water that they use. However, any user rate will include a base rate that
covers the fixed costs of operation and maintenance of the water system.
The base rate typically includes a fixed amount of water. Beyond this set
amount, users would pay for what they use. In many cases, users would not
exceed this base amount. Other larger water users would then pay proportionally
to the amount that their usage exceeded the base amount.
Second, some customers may actually save money when charged according
to water usage as compared to a flat rate billing method that results
in low water users subsidizing high water users.
Third, the customer has more control over how much water they use and
ultimately pay for on a monthly basis. Lower usage and less waste will
result in a lower water bill. Under a flat rate, the customer has no
ability to reduce the water bill by using water more responsibly.
Q9
What things can people do to save money when on a meter?
A9 There are simple things that you can do to save water and
money--from turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, to operating dishwashers and washing
machines with full loads and placing the garden hose so that it is not watering the sidewalk.
By spending a few dollars, you can replace an old showerhead with a new low-flow model, repair
a dripping tap with a new washer, or replace an old toilet with a 6-litre or 13-litre one.
When it comes time to buying new appliances, compare how much water each uses and choose the
model that uses the least water.
Q10
If I switch to a meter will I have to restrict my water use?
A10 Customers become more conscientious of their water use
when they have a meter, but they do not need to drastically alter their lifestyles.
Customers exhibiting average water-use patterns may save money on a water meter under
the existing rate structure.
Q11
Does a meter make your water bills higher?
A11
Having a meter means that you pay for the water that you use.
If you use water wisely, repair leaking fixtures, and so on, then you may only pay a base
rate for the fixed costs of operating the system and not have any additional charges for
higher use. With a water meter, you have the ability to manage your water bill.
Q12
Customers on a flat rate can budget because it's a
predictable amount. How can they do that on a water meter?
A12
Once customers have had a water meter for a year, they will have
an idea as to how much water they use annually. They will see how their water use changes
from season to season and can budget appropriately.
Q13
Don't mistakes get made when you are on a meter?
How would I know I am not paying too much?
A13
When customers receive their utility bill, the bill reflects how
much water was used over the billing period. Properly operating and calibrated meters are
very accurate. Improper operation of a meter can frequently be detected through monitoring
of the water use and respective charges. Malfunctions of the meter itself are generally
rare and usually detectable through abnormally low or high readings. If there appears to
be a problem with the meter, the Water Department can evaluate and/or replace the meter and
adjust your account accordingly, if necessary.
Q14
Where will the water meter be located on my property?
A14 Most meters are installed inside the business or residence.
They are installed on the water service line entering the house and before the internal
plumbing splits to various fixtures inside the house. Generally, the meters are in a
utility room such as near the hot water heater or sometimes a crawl space is the only
available location. In other instances, the meter is installed in a buried meter pit
between the building and the water main in the street. Typically, if they have to be
used, the buried meter pits are installed near the property line. Only the 18” diameter
lid of the meter pit would be visible.
Q15
Will landscaping be impacted by water meter installation?
A15 It is possible that landscaping will be affected during
installation of a meter pit, if required. Otherwise, most meters would be installed inside
the home or building. However all landscaping will be returned to its original or better
condition upon completion of the installation.
Q16
How are meters read? Will someone have to come in my home?
A16 The new meter will have an ERT device
(Encoder, Receiver, Transmitter) connected to it that operates under a low-power
radio frequency. Once the system is operational, Water Utilities staff need only
drive down the street to collect meter reads with a handheld computer. Each ERT
has its own identification number so there is no confusion as to which service
address belongs to which meter, and nobody has to enter the home or business to
collect this information.
