Three Rivers Water Department
Water Meter Rental Fee
The meter rental fee is based on the cost of a residential water meter plus installation. A new water meter costs $117.20. This price includes wiring and an outside reader device. The installation charge per unit is based on public bidding by installation contractors. The award is given to the lowest competent bidder. This cost was $35.00 per unit for a total installed price of about $150.00 per unit. Larger non-residential meters rental charges are based on a similar formula.
A residential customer pays $1.50 per quarter or $6.00 per year for the rental of the meter. The life of a meter is about 25 years, so that a total payment of $150.00 is made over a 25 - year period. This meter is owned by the Department and any maintenance or repairs are performed by the Department at no charge to the customer.
A number of customers are requesting that the water meter rental fee be considered part of the water service and should be eliminated from the water bill. Since this Department is a public utility, no profits are realized and the expense of water meters would then have to come from water rates. An average increase of about $0.10 per thousand gallons would cover this cost. Low water users would pay very little toward meter costs while larger users would unfairly pay a disportionately higher amount for their meter costs.
Purchase of a meter would be a very large cash outlay for a customer and would be cost prohibitive to many homeowners. The customer would also be responsible for its upkeep under this option.
Therefore, your Board of Water Commissioners feel the rental fee method is the most equitable way of funding water meter costs to the consumer. If you have any questions or comments concerning any part of the operation of your Water Department, please feel free to contact John Sasur, Superintendent at 283-9284.
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