Metered Service - Water Measurement - Water Code - CA

Section § 525

This California law requires that starting from January 1, 1992, anyone providing water services must install a water meter for new services. The person receiving the water must pay for the meter installation. This rule applies only to drinkable, or 'potable,' water. The requirement doesn't apply to small community water systems with fewer than 15 connections or 25 residents year-round, or to single-family homes using a private well.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, every water purveyor who sells, leases, rents, furnishes, or delivers water service to any person shall require, as a condition of new water service on and after January 1, 1992, that a suitable water meter to measure the water service shall be installed on the water service facilities in accordance with this chapter. The cost of installation of the meter shall be paid by the user of the water, and any water purveyor may impose and collect charges for those costs.

(b) Subdivision (a) applies only to potable water.

(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a community water system which serves fewer than 15 service connections used by yearlong residents or regularly serves fewer than 25 yearlong residents, or a single well that services the water supply of a single-family residential home.

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Section § 526

This law requires urban water suppliers that get water from the federal Central Valley Project to install water meters on all service connections to homes and non-agricultural businesses built before 1992, by January 1, 2013. After that date, or as specified in their water contract, they must charge customers based on water use measured by the meters. The costs for installing and maintaining these meters can be recouped through rates and fees.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an urban water supplier that, on or after January 1, 2004, receives water from the federal Central Valley Project under a water service contract or subcontract executed pursuant to Section 485h(c) of Title 43 of the United States Code with the Bureau of Reclamation of the United States Department of the Interior shall do both of the following:

(1) On or before January 1, 2013, install water meters on all service connections to residential and nonagricultural commercial buildings constructed prior to January 1, 1992, located within its service area.

(2) On and after March 1, 2013, or according to the terms of the Central Valley Project water contract in operation, charge customers for water based on the actual volume of deliveries, as measured by a water meter.

(b) An urban water supplier that receives water from the federal Central Valley Project under a water service contract or subcontract described in subdivision (a) may recover the cost of providing services related to the purchase, installation, and operation and maintenance of water meters from rates, fees, or charges.

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Section § 527

This law requires urban water suppliers to install water meters on all municipal and industrial connections by January 1, 2025. After installation, customers must be charged based on actual water use as measured by these meters, starting from January 1, 2010.

However, suppliers can delay using volume-based charges for one seasonal cycle to help customers adjust. Additionally, water suppliers are allowed to cover costs related to water meters through fees or charges.

(a) An urban water supplier that is not subject to Section 526 shall do both of the following:

(1) Install water meters on all municipal and industrial service connections located within its service area on or before January 1, 2025.

(2)

(A) Charge each customer that has a service connection for which a water meter has been installed based on the actual volume of deliveries as measured by the water meter, beginning on or before January 1, 2010.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), in order to provide customers with experience in volume-based water service charges, an urban water supplier that is subject to this subdivision may delay, for one annual seasonal cycle of water use, the use of meter-based charges for service connections that are being converted from nonvolume-based billing to volume-based billing.

(b) A water purveyor, including an urban water supplier, may recover the cost of providing services related to the purchase, installation, and operation of a water meter from rates, fees, or charges.

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Section § 528

This law requires that any water provider that becomes an 'urban water supplier' after January 1, 2005, must follow two key requirements. First, they must install water meters on all service connections within 10 years of becoming an urban water supplier. Second, they must charge customers based on actual water use, as measured by these meters, within five years, except that they can provide a one-season delay in using actual meter readings to help customers adjust. An 'urban water supplier' is defined in a different section, referred to here as Section 10617.

Notwithstanding Sections 526 and 527, any water purveyor that becomes an urban water supplier on or after January 1, 2005, shall do both the following:

(a)Install water meters on all municipal and industrial service connections located within its service area within 10 years of meeting the definition of urban water supplier.

(b)(1) Charge each customer for which a water meter has been installed, based on the actual volume of water delivered, as measured by the water meter, within five years of meeting the definition of urban water supplier.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in order to provide customers with experience in volume-based water service charges, an urban water supplier that is subject to this subdivision may delay, for one annual seasonal cycle of water use, the use of meter-based charges for service connections that are being converted from nonvolume-based billing to volume-based billing.

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Section § 529

This law focuses on an issue important to the whole state. It says that if there's a conflict between this law and any local city or county rules, this state law takes priority. However, if local rules impose stricter guidelines than what's outlined in this state law, those local rules can still apply.

(a) This article addresses a subject matter of statewide concern.

(b) Subject to subdivision (c), this article supersedes and preempts all enactments, including charter provisions and amendments thereto, and other local action of cities and counties, including charter cities and charter counties, and other local public agencies that conflict with this article.

(c) This article does not supersede or preempt any enactment or other local action that imposes additional or more stringent requirements regarding matters set forth in this article.

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Section § 529.5

Starting January 1, 2010, any urban water supplier in California seeking state financial assistance for wastewater, water efficiency, or drinking water projects, or a permit for a new or expanded water supply, must show they meet certain requirements outlined in the law.

On and after January 1, 2010, any urban water supplier that applies for financial assistance from the state for a wastewater treatment project, a water use efficiency project, or a drinking water treatment project, or for a permit for a new or expanded water supply, shall demonstrate that the applicant meets the requirements of this article.

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Section § 529.7

This section allows water providers to set additional rates, fees, or charges beyond just the cost for the amount of water used. It specifically supports conservation efforts by letting providers use pricing strategies based on water volume to encourage people to use water more wisely.

This article does not limit the authority of a water purveyor that promotes conservation through volumetric water pricing, including, but not limited to, an urban water supplier that promotes conservation through volumetric water pricing, to determine and impose a rate, fee, or charge in addition to the charge for the actual volume of metered water delivered.

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