Metro Water Services

Trades Advisory Council

Basic Residential Meter Guidelines and Requirements

(Not Intended To be All-Inclusive)
  • Metro Water Services (MWS) furnishes 5/8 inch residential meters only.
  • All meters will be equipped with encoded register connected to an MXU (Meter Transceiver Unit).
  • A licensed plumber must obtain a permit and will be responsible for installation according to all MWS specifications. They are also required to service the meter and meter box during the one year warranty period. The warranty period begins at the date of the final inspection approval issued by MWS.
  • The MWS account will be placed in either the contractor or plumber’s name within three working days of the issuance of the permit. The account will remain in this name until a final inspection has been successfully completed. After final inspection, consumer may have the service placed in their name.
  • Residential irrigation meters and any required backflow devices must be furnished by consumer.
  • Concrete meter box extensions with total height not to exceed 28 inches may be used.
  • Meter and meter boxes are not allowed to be installed in driveways unless a variance is granted.
  • Curb cock must be installed on street and house sides of meter 5/8" or larger if permitted after March 31, 2006.
  • It is preferred that fittings in boxes are flared; however, compression fittings with brass ferrells are allowed on service lines.
  • Concrete pad or approved material is required with a three- to four-inch clearance between service line and pad. A masonry brick may be used to support meter.
  • All pipes in meter boxes must be of brass or copper material. No plastic, galvanized or cast iron pipe is allowed.
  • Cast iron frame and cover must be cemented to pre-fab concrete box. If other approved material is used, cementing may not be applicable.
  • Pre-fabricated meter boxes should be equipped with predrilled holes for mounting electronic device.
  • The first three feet of service line out of meter box on house side must be copper or brass. No plastic pipe allowed.
  • MWS will allow one “Y” or “T” off of street side service line for irrigation. MWS is not responsible for pressure loss or fluctuation realized as a result of this type of connection.
  • Three to twelve meters may be banked on one MXU with splitters if proper tagging is used and meters are placed in a vault.
  • When meters are being banked, MWS will provide a brass tag at time meter is issued. This tag should be tied to the service line by house side curb cock.
  • One MXU with two ports may be used for irrigation/split service and duplex. If in separate boxes one and one-half inch conduit must be between individual boxes.
  • Meter inspections are automatically scheduled based on the date of permit issuance. A change in schedule may be requested through the Permits Office.
  • The initial meter inspection will be automatically scheduled for fourteen working days from date of permit issuance unless a change is requested by plumber or contractor, The initial inspection will include construction of the meter box, meter ID number, meter size, meter type, box depth, service line material, box location, installation of MXU, and flared couplings. Customer will be billed for cost incurred for a failed inspection.
  • The final meter inspection will be automatically scheduled for ninety days after the passing date of the initial inspection unless a change is requested by the plumber or contractor. Inspection will include integrity of box, meter, MXU and yard grading immediately around the box. Customer will be billed for cost incurred for a failed inspection.
  • The field inspector will make every effort to notify the plumber/account holder of failing inspections.

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