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Metering and Backflow Protection
The Meter and Backflow staff is
responsible for all customer metering and service activities. These
activities include: monthly meter reads, meter turn on and turn off,
meter maintenance, which includes meter installations in all new homes,
meter repairs. They are also responsible for backflow prevention device
testing for all City of La Porte commercial customers.
About Your Water Meter
Your water
meter, owned and maintained by the City of La Porte, is a highly
accurate and dependable water measuring device. Located in a small box
in the ground near the street or the edge of the property, it registers
all the water used in your home or building. The meter is read each
month by a City of La Porte meter reader. To assist the reader, please
keep the meter display unit free of obstructions. Please do not install
fences or plant trees or shrubs which restrict access to your meter. Our
field personnel appreciate your cooperation!
To read your Meter:
Like reading the odometer on your car, you read your water meter by
recording all numbers from left to right, including any zeros to the
right of the movable numbers. The sweep hand on the meter makes one
complete revolution for every ten gallons of water used. (Note the
tens digit advance with each sweep.) If you have any questions about
reading your meter, please give us a call at 326-9540. |
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meter picture here. I will provide.
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"Creeping" Meter
If you or maintenance person observes that your meter is "creeping"--a
small dial on your water meter moving very slowly--this is an indication
of a leak or drip somewhere in your system. If the leak seems serious,
you may wish to turn off your master valve, until the problem is located
and repaired. It is to your advantage to repair all leaks and drips as
soon as detected.
Meter Maintenance
The City of La Porte has a schedule to check your meter periodically to
be sure it is working correctly and to repair it if necessary. The meter
won't cheat you--meters in need of repair will under-register, rather
than over-register, your water usage. However, if you feel strongly that
your meter is not working properly, you may request that your meter be
tested. The charge for a meter test is $?, but if test results show that
the meter is over-registering water usage, you will not be charged for
the test.
Meter Change-Out Program
The City of La Porte regularly replaces meters which are ten or more
years old. When your meter is changed, meter shop crew will knock on the
door and notify you that your water will be turned off briefly while
your meter is changed. There is no direct charge for a new meter
Cross Connection Control Program
The City of La Porte
has developed a Cross Connection Control program as mandated by Federal
Law. The purpose of this program is to protect the public water system,
as well as your private water system, from possible contamination and
help provide for the delivery of the best possible water quality.
Cross Control Requirements, and City
Ordinance, mandate that the City of La Porte develop a program of
inspecting all user's premises where there is a reasonable cause to
believe that an existing or potential cross connection is located,
require approved assemblies be installed where cross connections are
found and insure that all backflow assemblies be tested by a State of
Indiana Certified tester upon installation and on an annual basis
thereafter.
Backflow
assemblies separate potable water from non-potable water sources such as
irrigation systems, hot tubs/spas, medical equipment, private pump
systems to name a few of the most common.
Backflow assemblies
are not required in every operation. However, certain operations require
an assembly. To determine if a device is required at your operation, it
is necessary for the City to inspect your premises. Please call 326-9540
to make an appointment for an inspection if you believe a cross
connection is present in your service.
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