AWWA to Unveil New Meter Standard
The American Water Works Association Meter Committee is preparing to release the new standard for "Single-Jet" water meters. This will be the first new water meter standard issued by AWWA in more than 20 years.
The American Water Works Association Meter Committee is preparing to release the new standard for "Single-Jet" water meters. This will be the first new water meter standard issued by AWWA in more than 20 years.
Originally, the AWWA standards council suggested that single jet technology could be included in the current standard for "Multi-Jet" technology. The meter subcommittee members also considered the idea of adopting the longstanding ISO (International Standards Organization) standard for "Single-Jets".
The ISO standard differs from the AWWA standard in that the ISO standard is mainly performance based as opposed to design based. After deliberation among the meter subcommittee members, it was determined due to its low flow capabilities and wider overall ranges, single jet meters should in fact be given their own set of standard guidelines.
The Standard is in response to the widespread use of single jet meters by private water companies and public utilities nationwide. Boulder, Colo.-based Metron-Farnier has exclusively produced single jet meters in the United States since 1990.
Many utilities are finding it lucrative to embark upon a comprehensive large meter replacement program. With privatization now a growing trend and decreasing assistance from State and Federal entities, revenue maximizing for utilities justifies the fast growing trend.
"This type of (across the board) meter replacement program will help us avoid revenue losses due to malfunctioning meters and cut maintenance costs at the same time," said Wayne Schooley, Customer Service Coordinator for the City of West Palm Beach, Fla. "Its very apparent to implement any new technology that has money-making benefits when it comes our way in this industry."
"It is estimated that 37 percent of our entire revenue comes from services of 3 inch and larger," he said. "Our turnkey single jet replacement program is saving our utility over $100,000 per year in maintenance costs."
According to the AWWA, large, commercial meters represent approximately 2 percent-8 percent of a utilities overall system, yet represent approximately 50 percent to 60 percent of all water registered or lost.
European Technology
Single jet technology originated in Europe in the mid-1970s and has seen widespread use for large services. It has replaced virtually every compound meter in the country of France.
European Technology
Metron-Farniers single jet water meters consist of a single rotor turning on a pivot. Incoming water rotates a suspended impeller that is directly linked to the register. A low friction pivot bearing supports the impeller at low flow rates while a thrust bearing provides the support at high flow rates. This patented "dual bearing" design allows the meters to maintain accuracy over a services entire flow range, unlike conventional meters that lose accuracy as flow rates drop below a certain level.
European Technology
Large-meter revenues have increased by 12 percent to 32 percent in most every change out and pilot program in the United States, according to Metron-Farnier. Bob Wright of Elmira, N.Y., goes on to say, "this technology is not new - it has an established track record. The Elmira Water Boards decision was easy to make when we saw longevity results".
European Technology
Water utilities throughout the country are going through terrific discord and scrutiny by the public when suggesting the unpopular option of water rate increases. In many cases these proposed increases are justified. The fact still remains while the accuracy of residential metering hovers above 90 percent, commercial meter accuracy is only at approximately 70 percent-85 percent. With this kind of inequity, residential customers are actually subsidizing the commercial entity due exclusively to the inaccuracies of commercial metering.
European Technology
The AWWA Meter Committee is scheduled to discuss the new standard for Single Jet water meters during the associations annual conference and exhibition. Metron-Farnier will also exhibit its meters at the event.
