national multiple family submetering and allocation billing program ...

complaints in all 50 states and approximately 40 state jurisdictions have adopted Handbook 44
Section 3.36 (water meters) as regulation for utility meter applications. NIST Handbook 44 is
only used for submetering evaluation in California and New York.
In California, and in many other states, private service agencies can test, seal, and place
submeters and other commercial equipment into commerce, pending re-inspection by a sealer.
Some are manufactures or distributors for meter products. They must have traceable standards,
seal, identify, and report their work. Private testing and calibration agencies are always
monitored by weights and measures jurisdictions. When a local sealer finds service work to be
incorrect, actions can be filed against the service agent or agency and the incorrect equipment is
removed from service until repaired or replaced. “Plumbers”, manufacturers, or others who test
or calibrate meters may need to register and comply with such requirements in many of the
states. Monitoring private certification programs are estimated to cost as much as regulatory
certification.
DISCUSSION
The current ANSI (AWWA and ASME) standards are product standards and do not
address POU application (installation) conditions that impact meter accuracy, such as meter
orientation, piping configurations, water temperature, and a low battery voltage. In addition,
meter labeling is not specified for such application conditions, which might define approved
orientation positions and temperature ranges. Other issues with POU meters include meter
maintenance, meter reading, and installation standards. The current lack of tolerances for
application conditions for POU meters is an equity issue for the consumer (owner and resident)
and may be an issue for water utilities. For example, utilities may be increasingly drawn into
owner-resident issues over meter accuracy and billing practices.
Accuracy Standards
The AWWA meter accuracy standard for positive displacement utility water meters with
flows between 1 gpm and 160 gpm at their normal rated flow is +/- 1.5%. For these same meters,
the accuracy range for their minimum normal flow is + 1% and –5%. The smallest AWWA
meter is a ½” meter where the accuracy test for low flow is at .25 gpm for an accuracy range of
+1% and –5%. The AWWA accuracy (C708) for multi-jet meters at .25 gpm is +/-3% because
of differences in the flow performance curves with this design.
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