Outdoor Water Use Meter
Lake Crystal Municipal Utilities (LCMU) has adopted a policy for second water meters - “outdoor use water meters” - to provide water usage for irrigation and other outdoor purposes. The customer will not be charged a sanitary sewer fee for water flowing through these meters.
Procedure:
The procedure for installing an outdoor use water meter is outlined below.
- An application for a second, outdoor use water meter installation must be completed by the property owner.
- A fee shall be paid at the time of application. The fee is $300.00.
- This fee covers:
- Water meter (standard, ¾ inch, 25 gal./minute meter)
- Remote reader and remote reader installation.
- Inspection of installation by LCMU staff.
- Installation of the water meter must be performed by a licensed plumber. Outdoor use meters must be connected to the water supply before the main water meter. Installation expense is the responsibility of the property owner.
- Only outside water uses may be connected to the outdoor use meter. Faucets, irrigation systems and other equipment must be installed so they do not allow drainage to any sewer collection device.
- Outdoor use meters connected to underground sprinkler systems, and other equipment as determined by utility staff, must include a backflow prevention device in compliance with state plumbing code.
- Outdoor use meters connected to outside faucets do not require a separate backflow prevention device, however outside faucets attached must be of the anti-siphon type.
- Inspection and approval by LCMU of completed installation must occur before utilization of the outdoor use meter. LCMU will have the right to make subsequent inspections of the installation to ensure compliance with this policy.
- Water usage will be billed at the regular rate for all water used. Current monthly base fee will be charged all year regardless of the amount of water used.
- If LCMU determines that inappropriate installation or water usage has occurred, the outdoor use water meter must be removed. Sewer usage fees will be applied retroactively.