Water Meters

Policies & Fees
Deposits
Water Hydrant / Water Tanker Metering
AWWU Water Tariff - Section 7.0 - Metering

Except for fire protection services, single family residences, duplexes, and triplexes, all water services must be metered. This includes water taken from hydrants for construction, filling water trucks, and irrigation. Below are the specification sheets for various meter installation types. For more information contact AWWU's Field Service Division at 564-2762.

Policies and Fees:

Water meters are sized and issued upon request to the customer. The customer installs the meter at his/her expense. The Utility will inspect the installation and place a remote reading device on the meter. AWWU will visit the site, at the customer's request, to pre-approve installation plans at no charge.

Meter Rates - Usage charges

Water: $3.73 per 1,000 gallons

Sewer: $2.73 per 1,000 gallons
(residential rate)

Commercial - low strength $2.61
Commercial - medium strength $2.97
Commercial - high strength $3.64

Meter Charge: per month

5/8"- 3/4" $4.80
1" $8.15
1 ½" $15.80
2" $25.35
3" $47.70
4" $79.75
6" $159.05
8" $254.55
Return To Top Of Page

Deposits:

A Meter deposit is required on all seasonal, hydrant and tanker meters to cover loss and damage. The deposit is refunded when the meter is returned in good working order.

1 inch = $129.00 2 inch = $516.00 3 inch = $975.00

*** Deposit fees may change, please verify with AWWU***

Return To Top Of Page

Water Hydrant / Water Tanker Metering

Hydrants are for fire protection, but permission can be obtained to take water from select hydrants (Red Top Hydrants) for the purpose of filling water tankers. Customers who wish to take water from hydrants must purchase a permit and install an appropriate water meter and, if required, additional equipment as directed by the AWWU.

Customers must obtain permission from AWWU to take water from any hydrant that is not a Red Top Hydrant. These requests are considered on the case by case basis.

Return To Top Of Page


Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility Water Tariff
Section 7.0 - Meter Index

Required Meter Service For New Buildings Metered Service For Existing Buildings Metered Service For Less Than Four Units Meter Standards
& Testing
Exemption From Metering
Meter Bypass Meter Maintenance Failure To Install A Meter Meter Installation Undeveloped Lots & Special Considerations

7.1 Metered Service Required For New Buildings
The Utility will provide residential service to new multi-family buildings or mobile home parks, and commercial service to new buildings, only if the service is metered in accordance with this Rule.
Meter Index

7.2 Metered Service For Existing Buildings
The Utility may require, by written notice to the customer, that the customer install a meter and receive service at a metered rate for (i) residential service to an existing multi-family building or mobile home park; (ii) commercial service to an existing building; or (iii) service to any dwelling in which a home occupation or business is being conducted, if AWU determines that the home occupation or business will increase the demand for consumption of water. AWU may inspect the premise to set a rate. The notice shall state the deadline for installing the meter. Meter Index

7.3 Metered Service For Dwellings With Fewer Than Four Dwelling Units
At the request of the customer, the Utility will provide metered service to a dwelling containing two (2) (duplex) or three (3) (triplex) dwelling units. The Utility will not provide metered service to a dwelling containing only one (1) dwelling unit. Installation of a test meter does not constitute metered service.
Meter Index

7.4 Meter Installation
The Utility shall supply any meter required or authorized by this Rule upon the request of the customer. The Utility will supply only one (1) meter for each service connection unless AWU has authorized a branched service extension. The Utility will determine the size of the meter. A customer must submit a request to the Utility for a compound meter, fire flow meter or a meter of three (3"), four (4"), six (6") inch or larger size not less than one-hundred-eighty (180) days before the scheduled installation date. The Utility may supply the customer with one or more irrigation and/or negative meters. The customer shall install all meters at its own expense in accordance with the Utility's specifications. The Utility at its own expense may install a remote reading device on the property.
Meter Index

7.5 Meter Standards and Testing
Water meters provided by the Utility will conform to the specifications and tolerances established for meters by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Upon forty-eight (48) hours notice from a customer requesting the test, the Utility will test a water meter. The Utility will perform the test in the presence of the customer or the customer’s representative, if requested by the customer. The Utility will conduct the test during normal business hours either at the Utility’s Customer Service office, or if the meter is larger than two inches (2"), at the customer’s premises. If the meter was found to be outside the AWWA’s tolerances, AWU will submit adjusted billings for the period the meter was outside the specifications, not to exceed six (6) months and will repair or replace the meter and pay the cost. If the cause of the meter error can be attributed to an act or event for which the date can be fixed, adjusted billings will be prepared back to that date or to the date which the current customer of record began receiving service through the meter, whichever is later. If the meter does not vary from the standard tolerance, the customer will pay the meter test cost of removing, testing and reinstalling the meter, including costs of labor and equipment, as provided in Rule 15.1, Rate Schedule No. 1, Fees and Special Charges-Nonrecurring. AWU may not charge the customer for any underbilling unless there is evidence of meter tampering by the customer.
Meter Index

7.6 Meter Bypass
The customer shall install a meter bypass with a three inch (3") or larger meter, and may install a meter bypass with a smaller meter only if the Utility determines the bypass is required for public health and safety. A meter bypass shall be sealed and tagged in the closed position at the time the meter is installed and the installation shall be inspected and approved by the Utility. The bypass may be used only during periods when the meter has been removed for repair and only when specifically authorized by the Utility. If a seal is removed and a bypass valve is opened without the permission of the Utility, the customer shall be billed for the period when the valve was opened at three (3) times the average monthly charge to the account during the preceding year. If a full year's billing history for the account is not available, the Utility will estimate a monthly charge based on the average annual consumption of similar customers.
Meter Index

7.7 Maintenance Of Meter
The Utility will maintain and repair meters and reading devices at its expense, but will not maintain or repair any part of the plumbing apparatus connected to a meter. The customer shall maintain access to the meter for maintenance. The customer shall provide a location for a meter where it is protected from freezing. The Utility will repair or replace a meter damaged by freezing at the customer's expense.
Meter Index

7.8 Failure To Install A Meter
If a customer fails or refuses to install a meter required by these Rules and Regulations, AWU may, after 30 days written notice discontinue service to the customer until the meter is installed as required by these Rules and Regulations. AWU will not make billing adjustments for a customer who fails to install a meter pursuant to the schedule established in these Rules and Regulations.
Meter Index

7.9 Exemption From Mandatory Water Metering
A customer need not install a water meter in any case in which the estimated installation cost exceeds three-hundred percent (300%) of the average estimated installation cost of meters of the same size. A customer who believes that they qualify for such an exemption must, within thirty (30) days of notification by the Utility that installation of a water meter is required, present satisfactory evidence of that fact to the Utility. The applicable unmetered commercial rate as provided in Rule 15.2, Rate Schedule No. 2, Recurring Service Charges, shall apply.
Meter Index

7.10 Service To Undeveloped Lots / Special Conditions
Water service provided to any undeveloped lot or tract for irrigation, animal care, building with a swimming pool, and similar purposes outside of a building shall be considered as commercial or industrial service shall be metered and shall be billed at the metered rate provided in Rule 15.2, Recurring Service Charges, Schedule B. Other charges may apply in accordance with Rule 5.2 of this tariff.
Meter Index

Return To Top Of Page