Town of Holden - Sewer Meter Policy

1) This policy replaces that dated June 21, 2004 and is in effect immediately. A copy of this policy and installation schematic shall be given or mailed to all persons inquiring about Sewer Meter Installation. The applicant shall complete the attached application (and Agreement if applicable) and return it along with full payment to the DPW Office at Town Hall, 1196 Main Street.

3) No credit on customers sewer bill shall be made until the subject Sewer Meter has been inspected, programmed and sealed by Holden Water-Sewer Division Personnel, nor until the required reduced pressure principal backflow prevention device has been installed, tested, and test results reported to Holden DPW.

4) Meters shall be inspected within five (5) business days of notification of installation. Water billing shall be notified of successful inspection of meter and backflow device by work card, and shall update billing system information within twenty-four (24) hours of work card submittal.

5) A fee for inspection, programming and sealing of the “sewer” meter shall be charged to the property owner in accordance with the fees as established by the Water Division of the Department of Public Works (see fee section of this policy).

c) The Town reserves the right of future inspection, and any water found being returned to the sewerage system after passing through the Sewer Meter will result in immediate and permanent discontinuance of all sewer bill credits.

d) The Town will perform the initial inspection and test of the backflow prevention device for a fee as established by the Water Division of the Department of Public Works. (see fee section of this policy). The property owner is required by State Regulations to have this device tested semi-annually by a State Certified Bacflow Device Tester and report the results to the DPW Water Division.

f) Repair and maintenance of the “sewer” meter is the responsibility of the property owner. It is not the responsibility of the Town of placeCityHolden Water / Sewer Division to maintain, repair or replace sewer meters.

h) It is strongly suggested that the property owner periodically check the meter to see if it in fact is registering. This can be done by simply checking the reading on the meter before and after a use. This is suggested in order to avoid receiving no credit on a water / sewer bill for this meter.

9) Effective August 1, 2001 and permanently thereafter, all customers installing second meters in connection with irrigation systems shall have those system equipped with a rain sensor. Water personnel will inspect for the presence of a rain sensor prior to sealing and certifying the second meter, and prior to conducting the required backflow prevention device testing.

10) Rain sensors must continuously seek for the presence of rainfall and remain unobstructed in that process. Irrigation system controllers must be capable of receiving a signal from the rain sensor, processing that signal, and preventing irrigation systems from operating during rainfall and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter.

11) It is further recommended, but not required at this time, that irrigation system controllers be capable of programming so as to allow for watering only on odd numbered or even numbered days. Older style controllers are capable of setting for specific days of the week, but are not capable of continuous odd-even programming. This recommendation may become a requirement in the future, and may be applied retroactively to any irrigation system found operating contrary to water use restriction then in effect.

12) Persons desiring sewer meters for use only on existing house sillcocks do not need to install a reduced pressure backflow preventer if they agree to and sign the enclosed Agreement. They cannot use this agreement if they have - or if they intend to have - a pool or irrigation system.

13) For cases where the above noted agreement has been signed, Water Sewer Division personnel will check each sillcock for installation of a non-removable hose bibb vacuum breaker at the time of meter inspection and sealing. All outdoor water lines not protected by an RPZ shall have non-removable hose bibb vacuum breakers installed.

5/8” Bronze Base Meter (M25) or 1” Bronze Base Meter (M70) manufactured by Badger Meter Corporation. Meter must be equipped with an RTR register and Itron ERT so as to be compatible with the Town’s radio read meter system.

The undersigned hereby acknowledges that a sewer meter is being installed at the premise located at _____________________________. In consideration for approval of the installation without the requirement for a backflow prevention valve, the undersigned agrees that the outdoor water use will be restricted to existing sillcocks (faucets) at the premises. In no case will the plumbing be extended, nor will water be used, for underground irrigation systems or swimming pools.

The undersigned further agrees that every sillcock at the premises shall be equipped with a non-removable hose bib vacuum breaker. Provision of all vacuum breakers shall be confirmed at the time of inspection of the sewer meter, and no credit on sewer charges shall be given until all such devices have been installed and inspected.

In the event that future use for underground irrigation system or swimming pool purposes is desired, the undersigned agrees to have installed a reduced pressure principal backflow prevention device, in accordance with all provisions of 310 CMR 22.22, at the owner(s) expense. If water is used at any time for irrigation or swimming pool purposes without the installation of a reduced pressure principal backflow prevention device, the undersigned further agrees that the sewer meter shall be permanently removed and no further credit of sewer charges for outdoor water use shall be given, and that such use constitutes a violation of the Drinking Water Regulations of Massachusetts given at 310 CMR 22.22.