02-11-15 Regular Meeting of the La Porte Area Water Authority

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3. RETROFIT PROGRAMS The La Porte Area Water Authority makes information available through its education program for plumbers and customers to use when purchasing and installing plumbing fixtures, lawn watering equipment, or water using appliances. Information regarding retrofitting devices such as low -flow shower heads or toilet dams that reduce water use by replacing or modifying existing fixtures or appliances will also be provided. 4. UNIVERSAL METERING The La Porte Area Water Authority currently meters all water sales from its system. In addition, in response to requirements by the Harris -Galveston Coastal Subsidence District, all wells are currently metered at the well head. Well production meters are tested for accuracy based on Subsidence District criteria. Meters for purchased surface water are tested on an annual basis. The source water meters are maintained within an accuracy of plus or minus 3%. The program of universal metering will continue and is made a part of the Water Conservation Plan. 5. WATER RATE STRUCTURES The cities of La Porte, Shoreacres and Morgan's Point Authority have adopted Increasing Block Rate structures. Examples of the current water rate structures are attached in Appendix B and are made part of the Water Conservation Plan. 6. METER REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT The City of La Porte currently owns and operates equipment for small meter testing. The testing of large meters is conducted by contract forces. The meter repair and testing program is structured per AWWA recommendations as follows: 1. Major Production meters - test once per year 2. Minor Production meters -- test every 3 years 3. Meters larger than four inch -- random testing every 5 years 4. Meters larger than one inch - random testing every 7 years 5. Meters smaller than one inch - random testing every 10 years In addition, the Authority, through its individual customers, will verify that each meter in the system is properly sized for the average volume of water being used in accordance with the manufacturers' specification for the meter. Based on testing and field evaluation, meters in all cities are repaired or replaced as needed. 7. LEAK DETECTION AND REPAIR The cities currently have individual leak detection programs which will be maintained. These programs include: Monthly water use accounting by the operations staff which identifies high water usage after the service meters which may indicate [eaks. 10