MeterAssistance.htm

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METER ASSISTANCE 

Service Tags

The district uses these tags to show a visit and communicate the basic reason and result of the visit. There are six sections to the tag:

  1. HEADING – Identifies the district and informs you of our contact information.

  2. FOUR DIGIT TAG NUMBER – Unique to each tag, this number helps us to identify the inspection you have contacted us about.

  3. LOCATION - Information here includes the water right number, the well    location and flowmeter serial number.

  4. INSPECTION – If there is no apparent problem then there may be nothing written in the top half but should indicate “None” in “Action Required”. If the well was running we may write what the needle was reading and at what rate the totalizer was timed at. This gives you an idea of how the two compare and what your meter was doing at that time. If there was a problem then a basic description will be written and the best course of action will be communicated in “Action Required”. If the “Contact GMD3 within 5 days” box is checked then please contact us as the problem is one that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. While it may not be written or checked on the tag, contacting us with questions or discussion is always welcome.

  5. FLOW TESTED – If the meter was flow tested the results will be communicated here.

  6. MEASURED WATER LEVEL – If the depth to water was measured this will be communicated here.

Because most meters are found to be or appear to be in good working order the tag is just an indication of the visit and the operator need not do anything further. If there is an issue with the flowmeter then that is communicated on the tag and the operator can proceed to address it.

Because of the limited space on the tags the message may not be as complete as we, or you, would like. Also, despite our attempts to find an ink that will last, some tags fade and are hard to read. These are easily addressed by contacting GMD3 to discuss the specific issues and remedies.

Common Flowmeter Issues

Meter not working:

If this is written on the tag then the well was pumping and the flowmeter was not working at the time the district checked it. This means the totalizer was not turning and therefore not registering water use. A flowmeter that is not working should be checked and usually sent in for repair as soon as possible. An exception to this may be if the operator discovers debris interfering with the propeller and after cleaning and reinstalling the flowmeter the register begins to totalize at the expected rate. All water use while the flowmeter wasn’t working, and while it is off for repair, must be accounted for. Hours of operation and rate of flow (nozzle package) are a good start.

Cracked glass and/or moisture in flowmeter:

If a flowmeter has a cracked glass or moisture it may be currently working but will begin to fail and must be monitored closely until it is sent for repair. If the cracking or moisture is currently preventing proper operation or making the flowmeter difficult to read then it should be sent for repair immediately.

No seal:

As a requirement of state regulations flowmeters come with a tamper seal that is removed prior to accessing the part of the meter that houses the register. For several reasons this seal may be missing and if so the flowmeter is considered non-compliant by state regs. This can be addressed one of two ways.

  1. GMD3 staff can come to the site and conduct a flow test and determine accuracy of the installed flowmeter. If the test results in accuracy within +/- 6% then we are authorized to place a seal on the meter and follow up with a report to the owner and state or;

  2. If the meter has another problem (moisture, cracked glass, totalizer numbers out of alignment, etc.) besides a missing seal then it should be sent to an authorized service person for repair and a seal will be placed on the flowmeter at that time.

Meter missing or not found:

In this case a flowmeter was not found. Usually this is a result of the meter being off for repair. Another reason may be the flowmeter is located somewhere besides the well such as a sprinkler pivot. If either of these is the case then a quick call to report such and provide the necessary information should remedy the situation.

Meter installation issues:

If a flowmeter is not installed according to the regulations in place at the time of the installation then you may receive a letter from the State requiring one of two actions on your part:

  1. The installation be brought up to current standards or;
  2. Arrange a flow verification to show the current installation and flowmeter meet the +/- 6% accuracy requirement.
Following up on a meter repair or replacement:

A report to the State is required after a meter is repaired or replaced. You can complete the state form or the GMD3 form. GMD3 will send the state a copy for you.

Resources

Southwest Groundwater Management District 3

Site last updated 10/24/11