Background:
The study of this initiative is based on the letter of His Excellency the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs(Commissioned) number 4100117173 dated 04/04/1441 H, by adding the requirement to install a separate water meter as well as water conservation tools for each residential or commercial unit in the building permit.
Foreword:
The external installation of water system is the installation of a main meter for the property (MM), as well as secondary meters (SMs) on the indoor water system, which usually consists of a separate feed line for each unit, with all units take share in the ground tank. Secondary meters are installed through a pressure pump to feed apartments and shops. A meter is installed for each apartment or shop at the entrance to the building and a shared services meter (SHM) if the conditions apply and rules are in effect.
Definitions:
The following words and expressions will mean the meanings shown in front of each of them, unless the context requires otherwise:
Main meter “MM": the main meter feeding the property
Secondary meter “SM": the secondary meter feeding the residential unit
Shared Services Meter “SHM": the secondary meter for the services shared within the property
Internal network: the domestic water system that feeds all the residential units.
Separate network: The separate network is the water system that feeds each separate residential unit.
Residential unit: The residential unit is deemed independent if it has the following:
- A room, a kitchen and a toilet;
- An apartment with an independent entrance of other units;
- It is referred to as an independent unit in the building permit.
Consumption tariff: The approved monetary consideration against monthly consumption (calculated per cubic meter).
Consumption category: It classifying consumers into residential, commercial, commercial or government.
Objective:
(Installation of a main meter as well as a secondary meter for each unit): The separation of the internal network is summarized when the external network of the water system cannot be separated. In this case, a main meter of the property (MM) is installed, as well as secondary meters (SM) on the internal water system, which is usually composed from an independent feedline for each unit, with all units sharing the above-ground tanks, and installing secondary meters at different locations depending on the building's capacity. A shared service meter (SHM) could be added if the conditions apply and controls are met.
Implementation requirements:
Firstly: Customer obligations:
- Above- ground tank that conforms to standards and metrology.
- A separate feed line for each unit.
- Installation of a pressure pump to feed apartments and shops.
- Secure a suitable location for the meters in accordance with the standards and metrology specified by the company.
- Allow the company to maintain the meters any time it sees proper.
- Payment of the monetary consideration against consumption of all main and secondary meters.
Second: Company obligations:
- Installation of a main meter for the property.
- Installation of secondary meters on separate network lines at the entrance to the building inside a fiberglass protection box.
Meters installation location:
Meters are installed for the requester in one easily accessible location, free of hindrances, so that they can be read, inspected and tested by the company's employees at all times seamlessly, together with available safety supplies. The installation of meters externally, or in private rooms, depends on their number as follows:
1.
Connection requests for 6 meters or less:
Meters are installed on the front wall of the building from outside, and may not be installed on any location belonging to another consumer.
2.
Connection requests from 7 meters up to 24 meters:
The meters are installed with the company's approval in an appropriate location on the side wall of the building (side setback), provided that there is no front wall for the building. If the service requester is unable to provide a wall on the side setback, the meter room is provided according to the engineering and technical specifications set by the company.
3.
Connection requests for more than 24 meters
The service requester must equip a room for meters according to the engineering and technical specifications set by the company.
Locating the meter at the request of a service requester:
The company will liaises with the service requester to determine the one suitable location for the meter on the outer wall of the building. If the building is located on more than one street, the service requester is entitled to request the installation of the meter on the side of his wish, taking into account the technical matters and payment of the additional costs from the network connection point to the wall.
Changing meter location after installation:
If the service requester wishes to change the meter location after installation, he/she has to pay the actual costs necessary for moving to the new location.
Meter addition requests for existing buildings:
The company installs the new meters added to the existing ones in the same location in the following cases:
- The total number of meters to be added to the list does not exceed 6 meters. The added meters are mounted on the front wall from the outside next to the existing meters.
- Total meters to be added to the list from 7 meters to 24 meters.
The requester is required to provide a location on the wall of the side fence of the building (side setback) according to the company's specifications, so that the meters are transferred from the outer wall to the new location by the company provided that the implementation costs are paid by the service requester, in which case removal of the outer wall is required. If the service requester does not desire to remove the outer wall, he/she must prepare a room for the meters according to the specifications of the company. - The total number of meters to be added to the list is more than 24.
The service requester is asked to provide a room for meters according to the company's specifications and safety supplies. The existing meters are to be transferred from their old location into the room by the company, provided that implementation costs will be paid by the service requester.
- If old meters (in an inappropriate or unsafe place, in a narrow place, etc.) no new meters are added to them. The service requester has to provide a suitable location for old and new meters so that his request can be processed. The existing meters are to be transferred from their old location into the room by the company, provided that implementation costs will be paid by the service requester.
Billing:
A separate invoice is issued for the residential unit, plus the difference between the consumption of the main meter and the total unit meters.
Engineering and technical aspects of meter installation mechanisms:
Meters are installed in accordance with engineering and technical aspects, without limitation, including:
1.
connection requests for 6 meters or less:
2. Connection requests from 7 meters to 24 meters:
3.
Connection requests for more than 24 meters:
