1.
Q.
How
long will the installation take?
A.
Typical
installation time is approximately 4 hours.
2. Q.
Do
I need to be home during the installation?
A.
Customers
do not need to be home during the install.
You will be notified
24 hours in advance of the meter installation.
3.
Q.
How
is the location of the meter determined?
A.
Installation
of the meter will be in the same vicinity of the existing
service valve. Conditions
may arise that prevent the meter from being installed in the
same spot as the service valve such as trees and retaining
walls. Efforts
will be made to keep the meter as close as possible to the
original valve.
4.
Q.
Will
the water pressure go down after the meter is installed?
A.
Typically
the water pressure is not noticeably affected.
Due to the configuration of the meter a minimal amount
of pressure is lost.
5.
Q.
Will
flow or volume be affected?
A.
You
will still retain the same approximate volume of water through
the meter as you did through the existing valve.
6.
Q.
Will
my landscape be affected?
A.
District
crews will make every effort to keep the impact on landscaping
to a minimum. Some
installation may require the relocation of plants or vegetation.
District crews are fully aware of the importance of
landscape restoration.
7.
Q.
When
will the District start reading the meter?
A.
We
will begin bimonthly meter reading immediately after the installation
in order to supply you with consumption data.
The information collected will also give the District
historical data for use in long-term planning as well as aid
in leak detection for both the District and Homeowner.
8.
Q.
How
do I read the meter?
A.
Much
like gas and electric meters, water meters read left to right.
The water meters used by the District are calibrated
to measure volume in cubic feet (12 in. X 12 in. X 12 in.).
The dials of the meter read in an industry standard
of one ccf equating to 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons (one
cubic foot is equal to 7.5 gallons).
Customer service representatives are available to help
customers learn to read their meter.
If you need any assistance please call our office at
(916) 483-2452.
9. Q.
Will my service rate on my bill change once the meter
is installed?
A.
No,
customers will remain on a "Flat Rate" until July
1 of the metered rate transition year and then will be billed
on a bimonthly service charge and commodity (usage) rate.
The District will supply you with usage information
on your normal bill for at least one year prior to the change.
10.
Q.
Is
there any way to lower the service charge?
| A.
Some
customers may find that downsizing their meter is a viable
alternative based on usage needs.
Meter downsizing will lower the service charge;
however it will not affect the commodity rate. Selecting
to downsize will change your rate to metered billing upon
completion of the downsizing.
More information regarding downsizing and downsizing
forms are available through the District office or online
at
www.carmichaelwd.org.
|
11. Q.
I have heard that having a meter may affect my water heater, is this true?
A. Per Carmichael Water District construction improvement standards meters are installed with a dual check valve. The purpose of the check valve is to prevent water from a customer’s plumbing system from back-flowing into the potable water supply. The installation of a dual check valve may result in a potential closed plumbing system within the premises preventing hot water from back-flowing into the public supply. As such, provisions may have to be made by the consumer to provide for thermal expansion within their system, i.e.: the installation of thermal expansion devices and/or pressure relief valves. Check with the manufacture of your water heater for details. |
