legal and claims committee item 8-3 april 10, 2018
TRANSCRIPT
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 1 April 10, 2018
Legal and Claims Committee Item 8-3 April 10, 2018
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 2 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
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 3 April 10, 2018
Valve Turnout Structure Meter Structure
Metropolitan Distribution Pipeline
Metropolitan Owned Agency
Meter Diameter D
5 x D 10 x D
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 4 April 10, 2018
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
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 5 April 10, 2018
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
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 6 April 10, 2018
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
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 7 April 10, 2018
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
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 8 April 10, 2018
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)
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 9 April 10, 2018
40 CFS
4 CFS
10:1 Turndown
Evaluate
request for 2 cfs
min flow
40 CFS
4 CFS
20:1 Turndown
2 CFS
Existing Range Revised Range
FLOW Meter Structure
10:1 Turndown
Modeling and
Testing Validation
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 10 April 10, 2018
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)
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 11 April 10, 2018
40 CFS
4 CFS
10:1 Turndown
Evaluate
request for 2 cfs
min flow
40 CFS
4 CFS
20:1 Turndown
2 CFS
Existing Range Revised Range
10:1 Turndown
Modeling and
Testing Validation
FLOW Revised Meter Structure
FLOW Existing Meter Structure
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 12 April 10, 2018
Years
Meter Lifespan
Ultrasonic
Venturi
Magnetic
10 20 30 40 50 60
6 Lifecycles*
4 Lifecycles
1 Lifecycle
* Based on Utah State Report
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 13 April 10, 2018
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
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 14 April 10, 2018
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
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 15 April 10, 2018
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
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 16 April 10, 2018
Agency shall be responsible for each subsequent meter replacement up to sixty (60) years from the time the original classical venturi meter was replaced
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 17 April 10, 2018
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
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 18 April 10, 2018
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
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 19 April 10, 2018
Option #1
Legal & Claims Committee Item 8-3 Slide 20 April 10, 2018
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