ACTUAL READ
A reading is labeled an Actual Read when the City of Dayton Meter Reader reads the meter. An actual read is required every 12 month period.
Guidelines for Actual Read:
1. An Actual Read is required and only scheduled when there are three or more estimates on an account.
2. During the winter season we were not able to obtain an Actual Read for a Touch Read or Ford Box covered with ice and/or snow. When an Actual Read is requested, the customer must uncover the Touch Read or Ford Box for a reading to take place.
3. Actual Read Work Orders may be scheduled for any meter size.
4. You must call before 2 PM to schedule a read for the next day.
5. The City will not call ahead prior to your appointment.
6. READING TIME FRAMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
5:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
7. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – EVENING HOUR TIME FRAMES:
· Four (4) readings (Actual, Final and Re-Read) may be scheduled per day from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
· Fourteen (14) readings (Actual, Final and Re-Read) may be scheduled per day from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
DEAD METER
A meter is labeled “Dead” when there is no change in the meter reading after two (2) or more Actual Readings and the Meter Reader performs a simple test of running the water in the property and the meter does not register.
In the event an account has been estimated and no Actual Reading is obtained - if the meter is labeled “Dead” by the Meter Reader, the Estimated Bill/Bills will remain on the account. The account will not receive an adjustment and a $10.00 dead meter fee will be assessed.
FINAL READ
A Final Read is required when a property changes occupancy and/or ownership, (i.e., tenant/tenant, tenant/owner, owner/owner, etc.)
Guidelines for Final Read:
1. If an Actual Read is taken within a two week period from when the customer request a Final Reading, there is no need to schedule a Final Reading Work Order. We may use the Actual Read as a Final Read. Print the Service History and write “Use Actual Read as Final Read” and forward to the Billing Department. Enter the Final Billing Address on the Account Master screen.
2. You must call before 2 PM to schedule a read for the next day.
3. The City will not call ahead prior to your appointment.
4. READING TIME FRAMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
5:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
5. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – EVENING HOUR TIME FRAMES:
· Four (4) readings (Actual, Final and Re-Read) may be scheduled per day from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
· Fourteen (14) readings (Actual, Final and Re-Read) may be scheduled per day from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
a. We do not Shut-Off the water except for delinquency and No Read Shut Off.
b. If you want all billing to stop, and/or if the property may be vacant for a long period of time schedule a Meter Take to avoid on-going Meter Charges. You will be charged for the meter even in no water is used.
FROZEN METER
Customers shall protect meters from theft, damage and freezing. Customers are cautioned that in very cold weather, the meters and plumbing may freeze although the meter has been installed in accordance with accepted practice. Additional protection from freezing may be necessary. The customer will be held liable for all charges incurred for a damaged water meter. Currently, the Frozen Meter Charge is $10.00.
LARGE METERS
For all work on a Large Meter EXCEPT A READ REQUEST, call Water Engineering @ (937) 333-3725.
METER CHANGE
A Meter Change may be requested for: routine change, the meter is leaking, the meter is unserviceable, the meter has frozen, the pipe size of the plumbing in the property was changed, encoder installation, the customer has requested for the meter to be tested or the meter has been abandoned.
Guidelines for Meter Change:
1. If the water has been Shut Off and there is a delinquent balance, the balance must be paid in full before a Meter Change is scheduled.
2. There is a 3-day waiting period for Meter Change Work Orders requested before 12:00 p.m. and a 4-day waiting period if requested after 12:00 p.m.
Example: If a customer requests a Meter Change on Monday prior to 12:00 p.m., the Meter Change cannot be scheduled until Thursday. If the request is made after 12:00 p.m., the Meter Change cannot be scheduled until Friday.
1. Large Meter Sets (1 ½ or larger) must be scheduled by Water Engineering. The customer must call Water Engineering at 333-3725.
2. Meter Changes are scheduled Monday – Friday.
3. The time frames are 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
4. The City will not call ahead.
5. If the customer is not available until after 2:00 p.m., the customer must contact Water Distribution to request an evening appointment (937) 333-4900.
8. The customer does not need to be present for a Meter Change, but must allow access to the meter. However, if the water is off and the customer request for the water to be restored when the meter is changed, an adult must be present.
9. In the event Water Distribution has been requested to change a meter and upon attempted retrieval the meter is missing (considered lost/stolen) or is frozen, a meter fee ($32.43) is added to the account. If the meter is considered Dead, no fee is charged.
METER TAKE
A Meter Take is initiated by the Billing Section and may be requested for several reasons, such as: Delinquent Water and Sewer Charges.
Guidelines for Meter Change:
1. The customer does not have to be present, but must allow access to the meter.
2. An owner may request a Meter Take. However, the property must be vacant.
3. An account will continue billing each quarter and remain active until the meter is removed from the property.
4. The time frames are 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. If a customer is not available until after 2:00 p.m., the customer must contact Water Distribution to request an evening appointment (Water Distribution 333-4900).
5. Water Distribution will NOT call ahead.
6. There is a three (3) day waiting period for Meter Takes requested prior to 12:00 p.m. and a four (4) day waiting period if requested after 12:00 p.m.
Example: If a customer requests a Meter Take on Monday prior to 12:00 p.m., the Meter Take cannot be scheduled until Thursday. If the request is made after 12:00 p.m. the Meter Take cannot be scheduled until Friday.
7. Large Meter Takes (1 1/2” or larger) must be scheduled by Water Engineering by calling (937) 333-3725.
8. In the event Water Distribution has been requested to take a meter and upon attempted retrieval the meter is missing (considered lost/stolen) or Frozen, a meter fee ($32.43) is added to the account. If the meter is considered Dead, no fee is charged.
9. After the meter has been removed, the account will continue to bill for Storm Charges.
METER TEST
A Meter Test may be suggested when an Actual Read has been verified as correct, the meter has been Re-read and the Service Investigation has been completed.
Guidelines for Meter Test:
1. The customer must come in to request a Meter Test.
2. The Meter Test form must be signed at the time of the request.
3. A fee will be charged to the account if the meter tests in proper working order. The charge is dependent upon the size of the meter.
a. 5/8 – 1” meter - $10.00
b. 1-1/2 to 2” meter - $25.00
c. 3” and over meter - $50.00
3. There is a 3-day waiting period for Meter Test Work Orders requested before 12:00 p.m. and a 4-day waiting period if requested after 12:00 p.m.
Example: If a customer requests a Meter Test on Monday prior to 12:00 p.m., the Meter Test cannot be scheduled until Thursday. If the request is made after 12:00 p.m., the Meter Test cannot be scheduled until Friday.
4. Large Meter Tests (1 ½ or larger) must be scheduled by calling Water Engineering at 333-3725.
5. Meter Tests are scheduled Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
6. The City does NOT call ahead.
7. If the customer is not available until after 2:00 p.m., the customer must contact Water Distribution at (937) 333-4900 to request an evening appointment.
8. The customer does not need to be present for a Meter Test, but must allow access to the meter.
OWNER READ
An Owner Read is a read called in by the customer either directly to the Technicians or to the automated system (333-3550 option 3). An Owner Read is considered estimated reads because the City of Dayton Water Meter Reader did not read the meter.
REQUEST TO HOLD METER
A Request to Hold Meter may be made when a meter has been removed, either through a Meter Change/Take, and a large add-on consumption results.
Guidelines for Request to Hold Meter:
- The meter should be held at least six months in order to give the customer time to dispute the billing.
- Request to Hold Meter Work Orders are only scheduled for 5/8” – 1” meters. For meters 1 1/2” and larger, the customer must contact Water Engineering at 333-3725.
RE-READ
A Re-Read may be requested any time after an Actual or Final Reading has been obtained and the customer believe the consumption is not consistent with prior usage.
Guidelines for Re-Read:
1. You must call before 2 PM to schedule a read for the next day.
2. The City will not call ahead prior to your appointment.
3. READING TIME FRAMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
5:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
4. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – EVENING HOUR TIME FRAMES:
· Four (4) readings (Actual, Final and Re-Read) may be scheduled per day from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
· Fourteen (14) readings (Actual, Final and Re-Read) may be scheduled per day from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
5. Re-Read Work Orders may be scheduled for any size meter.
SERVICE INVESTIGATION
During a Service Investigation a Water Representative inspects the property for any visible/detectable water leaks. A Service Investigation is suggested when there is an unexplained increase in water usage.
Guidelines for Service Investigation:
1. The Service Investigation should be suggested to the customer after the meter has been Re-Read and the reading is correct.
2. Four (4) Service Investigations may be scheduled per day, two (2) for each time frame.
The time frames for the Service Investigations are
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. and
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
3. There is a two (2) day waiting period for Service Investigations. The cut off time for Work Orders is 2:00; with the exception of Meter Set, Meter Take and Meter Change Work Orders. If the customer calls in after 2:00 p.m., there is a three (3) day waiting period.
4. An adult must be present during the Service Investigation. An adult must sign the Service Investigation form once the Service Investigation has been completed.
5. Service Investigations are only scheduled for meter sizes 5/8”, 3/4”, and 1” meters. Service Investigations for Large Meters (over 1”), call Water Engineering at (937) 333-3725.
6. Service Investigations are only scheduled for apartment buildings with no more than four (4) units. If the apartment building has more than four (4) apartments, call Water Engineering at (937) 333-3725.
7. A customer may request an Underground Leak Service Investigation when water loss occurs, registers on the meter and does not enter the sewer system. The customer must contact Water Engineering at (937) 333-3725 to schedule an Underground Leak Service Investigation.
DISCLAIMER: The City of Dayton provides investigations in response to concerns about water consumption. The investigation is provided as a customer service and is not necessarily a complete comprehensive investigation. During the course of a normal three (3) month reading cycle, several environmental conditions may change, including: change in the number of people residing at the service location, accidental water loss due to temporary conditions (outside hose bib being left on), water line leaks, toilet adjustments, and other plumbing repairs or adjustments. The intent of the investigation is not to prove that the water was consumed or how it was consumed. It is possible that we many not be able to determine a specific location of a leak or source of water loss. The meter is our sole determining measurement of consumption. If the meter is determined to be working properly, our position is that the water was delivered to the consumer. Our investigation is designed to help the customer find the source of the consumption, not prove that the consumption occurred.