Legal and Claims Committee Item 8-3 April 10, 2018

Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 1 April 10, 2018

Legal and Claims Committee Item 8-3 April 10, 2018


Agencies have requested changes in the operating flow range of service connection meters to address low flows

The Administrative Code places additional charges on flows above and below an established range

Service connection modifications can be expensive

Since meter technology has improved, the Administrative Code and design standards may be updated to provide greater flexibility for meeting member agency operational needs


Valve Turnout Structure Meter Structure

Metropolitan Distribution Pipeline

Metropolitan Owned Agency

Meter Diameter D

5 x D 10 x D


4500 Water Service Regulations Section 4504 (b) – Rates of Flow

Turndown of meters – 10% of maximum meter design capacity

Section 4506 – Metering of Water

Testing of meters

Accuracy requirement – 2%

4700 Service Connections Section 4700 (f) – maintenance, alteration, and reconstruction of service connections


Participants included Metropolitan, member agencies, and consultant

Seven meetings were held between March 2017 and November 2017

A final report was prepared which evaluated meter technologies, industry trends, and current meter design criteria


Option #1: Shift Operational Flow Range

Use 10:1 turndown ratio, but shift span to lower flow range

Advantage: minimal cost possible

Disadvantage: lowers the upper end of the rated flow range


40 CFS

4 CFS

10:1 Turndown

Evaluate

request for 3 cfs

min flow

40 CFS

4 CFS

10:1 Turndown

3 CFS

30 CFS

Existing Range Revised Range

FLOW Meter Structure


Option #2: Increase operational flow range based on modeling/testing validation

Expand flow range to capture lower flows

Advantage: maintains upper end of the rated flow range

Disadvantage: higher cost and project risk (may not be able to achieve required meter accuracy)


40 CFS

4 CFS

10:1 Turndown

Evaluate

request for 2 cfs

min flow

40 CFS

4 CFS

20:1 Turndown

2 CFS


FLOW Meter Structure

10:1 Turndown

Modeling and

Testing Validation


Option #3: Increase operational flow range based on modeling/testing validation

Expand flow range to capture lower flows

Advantage: maintains upper end of the rated flow range

Disadvantage: higher cost and project risk (may not be able to achieve required accuracy)


40 CFS

4 CFS

10:1 Turndown

Evaluate

request for 2 cfs

min flow

40 CFS

4 CFS

20:1 Turndown

2 CFS


10:1 Turndown

Modeling and

Testing Validation

FLOW Revised Meter Structure

FLOW Existing Meter Structure


Years

Meter Lifespan

Ultrasonic

Venturi

Magnetic

10 20 30 40 50 60

6 Lifecycles*

4 Lifecycles

1 Lifecycle

* Based on Utah State Report


Amend Section 4504(b) (Rates of Flow) to allow the General Manager to waive the ten (10) percent of the maximum design capacity requirement when all of the following conditions are met:

Analysis and testing validates the accurate operation of the service connection meter at the new requested flow range, as determined by the General Manager

The revised operational range of the service connection complies with all other Administrative Code requirements

The service connection is using a meter type that is not a classical venturi


The member agency is responsible for all costs in evaluating, testing, and adjusting the meter

When the flow through the service connection is reduced below the revised operational range of the meter, the member agency will be charged as though a flow equaling the revised minimum flow is being delivered, as memorialized in an amended service connection agreement


Amend Section 4700(f) (General Authorization) to revise responsibility for future meter replacement costs for meters that have an actual life expectancy of less than sixty (60) years

Member agencies would be responsible for future meter replacement costs, including all temporary or interim costs incurred during the replacement process, under the following conditions:

Agency is requesting to replace an existing classical venturi type meter with a different type

The actual lifespan of the new meter is less than sixty (60) years from the date of commissioning


Agency shall be responsible for each subsequent meter replacement up to sixty (60) years from the time the original classical venturi meter was replaced


Some member agencies have experienced low flow issues at service connections

The proposed Administrative Code changes may allow member agencies to expand the operating flow range of service connection meters

All meter flow range modifications must be tested and validated by a qualified third party at the member agencies’ expense


Option #1 Adopt CEQA determination that the proposed action is not defined as a project and is not subject to CEQA

Approve amendments to the Administrative Code to allow an expanded operating range for service connection metering and revise responsibilities for future meter replacement costs, while maintaining meter accuracy requirements

Option #2 Do not approve amendments to the Administrative Code to allow an expanded operating range for service connection metering and revise responsibilities for future meter replacement costs, while maintaining meter accuracy requirements


Option #1


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Legal and Claims Committee Item 8-3 April 10, 2018