HomeMy WebLinkAboutWastewater Only Customer Metering Policy #CBflM14e___1(�44e__W_r6W
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Wastewater Only Customer Metering Policy
POLICY
Outlining the Procedure for Wastewater Only Customers to Obtain, Install, Inspect, and
Read a Potable Water Meter on a Private Water Source for the Application of Approved
Wastewater Charges
BE IT RESOLVED AS A POLICY of the Council of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality as
follows:
STATEMENT:
The purpose of this policy is to provide clarity to the billing options for those CBRM
municipal wastewater customers who are not connected to the municipal potable water
system and therefore do not have a meter to measure volume of water supplied to their
dwelling. Wastewater By-Law W-100 indicates that wastewater only customers will be
billed based on the average volume of customers of a similar meter class (in most cases 5/8
residential meter). If these customers do not want to be billed based on the average, they
may choose to install a water meter on their private water source entering their dwelling,
at their cost. This policy describes the process for obtaining, installing inspecting, and
reading a water meter on a private water source.
1. DEFINITIONS:
1.0 "Average Volume" means the average of all metered volume for a particular
customer class over the previous year.
1.1 "Owner" means:
i. The person assessed for the property;
ii. A person who holds title, including a part owner, joint owner, tenant in
common, or joint tenant of the property;
1.2 "Private Water Source" means a water source other than the municipal water
system, typically a dug or drilled well.
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1.3 "Wastewater Only Customer" means a user of CBRM wastewater services who
discharges to the municipal sewer system from their dwelling but does not receive
potable water service from the municipality.
2. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF FEES TO WASTEWATER ONLY
CUSTOMERS:
2.1 All Wastewater Only Customers will be charged a minimum bill of the base charge
plus a volume charge based on average consumption as per W-100 Wastewater
Discharge Bylaw.
2.2 Wastewater Only Customers have the option to install a water meter on their private
water source. The bill for these customers will consist of the base charge plus a
volume charge based on actual measured volume.
2.3 Only those Wastewater Only Customers with a meter on a private water source will
be able to apply for temporary disconnection of service. Although no physical
disconnection of service occurs, the customer account will be inactive. Only the
base charge will be charged on inactive accounts, unless a measured volume flows
through the meter, then a volume charge in the corresponding amount will be
applied.
2.4 All other wastewater only customers will be charged a minimum bill as per section
2.1. No application for temporary disconnection will be available for Wastewater
Only Customers without a meter unless the property is registered as vacant.
2.5 Wastewater Only Customers without a meter and whose property is registered as
vacant will only be charged the base charge as a minimum bill. No volume charge
will be applied.
3. CRITERIA:
Wastewater Only Customers may request to be billed via a water meter installed on a
private water source provided the following criteria is made:
3.1 The applicant must be an owner of the property with legal title to the property.
3.2 The applicant agrees to pay for the CBRM issued meter and all costs associated with
the installation of the water meter on their property.
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3.3 The applicant agrees to be billed based on actual consumption as read on the water
meter. Returning to the estimated volume after installation of the meter will not be
permitted.
3.4 The applicant agrees to provide CBRM with access to inspect, read, and repair the
meter as necessary.
3.5 The applicant agrees to conform with the same rules and regulations set fourth for
CBRM water customers with respect to meter reading and estimated usage in the
event of an issue with the meter.
Prior to applying for "Wastewater Only Customer Meter", CBRM strongly recommends
that the applicant obtain a pricing estimate for installation of the meter to determine if there
is a cost benefit for metered volume compared to average volume. The price of installation
can vary greatly depending on the location of inlet piping and the types of finishes in a
dwelling.
4. APPLICATION:
4.1 An application form must be completed and submitted to the Citizen Service Centre
(City Hall - 320 Esplanade, Sydney, NS) requesting a "Wastewater Only Customer
Meter". Property owners must meet the eligibility criteria and agree to all terms and
conditions.
4.2 A non-refundable payment equal to the cost of the meter will be required. The
current fee schedule for residential meters in included Schedule A.
4.3 Upon receipt of the payment, a meter will be issued to the property owner or
designate (plumber/contractor) by the CSC. Alternatively, arrangements can be
made with the CBRM Meter Department to have the meter picked up or delivered
at a later date.
4.3 Once the meter is installed, the property owner must contact the CBRM Meter
Department at (902) 563-5282 to arrange for final inspection.
4.4 Upon successful inspection of the meter, the CBRM Water Utility will advise the
date at which the volume charges based on metered consumption will begin.
CBRM Meter Department will read meters quarterly, and bills issued as such.
Wastewater Only Customer Metering Policy Page - 4
4.5 Notwithstanding any other provision of this policy, no exemption is conferred from
obligations to comply with the W-100 Wastewater Bylaw with respect to effluent
quality or quantity.
Approved by Council: June 25, 2024
Wastewater Only Customer Metering Policy Page - 5
SCHEDULE A
CBRM Water Meter Costs by Size 2024/25
5/8"x3/4" (E-Coder) R900i, m3 $340.00+hst=$391.00
3/4" (E-Coder) R900i, m3 $362.00+hst=$531.30