Legislation on water meters.

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Published: March 23, 2019

Reading time: 5 min

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Each Russian citizen consumes different amounts of water, gas and electricity, and this may be much less than provided by the standard. Metering devices will help control resource consumption and save utility costs.

Replacing electricity meters In what cases will it be necessary to replace electricity meters?
The procedure for replacing electricity meters according to the state program

Natural gas metering devices

Is it necessary to install a gas meter?

At whose expense is it installed?

Do I need to install water meters?

Verification of water meters

Water meters: replacement, installation according to law

5 From 2020, Russians may be exempt from checking water and gas meters
6 Free sealing of water meters according to law
7 Russians will not have to install meters for gas, water and electricity at their own expense
8 Terms of verification and operation of hot and cold water meters
9 Is it necessary to install a water meter in 2020
10 Is it necessary to install water meters in 2017-2018 and how to do it correctly
11 Rules for free installation of water meters
12 Verification of water meters is free by law in 2017
13 Water meters law 2018
14 The tap is under control: Russians may be exempt from checking water meters in 2020
15 Do we need water meters?

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Free installation of water meters

Every year, utility bills grow in algebraic progression, forcing citizens to involuntarily think about saving money and refusing some services. Research by the City Center for Accounting and Saving Resources confirms that Russians consider the rules for installing water meters to be unfair. According to some, if the state approves a mandatory procedure for installing water meters, then they are not required to pay for the meters out of their own pockets. On the other hand, free installation is not possible, because our apartments are personal property, and the owner of the premises himself must take care of the purchase and installation of measuring instruments. Federal Law No. 261, which came into force back in 2009, can clarify the question of whether free installation of meters is possible.

We recommend reading: Is it possible to register and register at the same time?

Water meters law 2018

Info

Terms of verification and operation of hot and cold water meters In addition to the mandatory verification of water meters, you need to know that each type of meter has its own specific service life, after which it must be replaced. On average, the duration of their operation ranges from 8 to 15 years (as a rule, domestic devices are of less importance than imported ones). Is it necessary to install a water meter in 2020? The installation of water meters is subject to a number of rules and regulations.

They are almost the same for both residents of apartment buildings and private residential buildings.

Federal law on the installation of water meters 2020

Info

This is necessary for the device to last longer. The water coming from the water supply may contain dense particles, leading to rapid wear of the water meter, or more precisely its mechanical parts. The presence of a filter reduces the likelihood of various problems and increases the accuracy of the device.

The meter must be sealed, otherwise its readings will not be considered valid.

They are sealed in an apartment by a representative of the management company, and in a private house - by a water supply organization. The cost of the service is free by law.

A certain distance must be maintained, which is no more than 20 cm from the entrance to the pipeline to the meter.

Terms of verification and operation of hot and cold water meters

Attention

The owner of the residential premises is responsible for the implementation of such procedures, so citizens must have information about the mechanism and timing of their implementation.

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Payment for housing and communal services is a significant expense item for many citizens of our country. To carry out clear control over payment for the consumed amount of resources, one of which is water, residents of the Russian Federation began to install meters everywhere (if possible). The timing of verification of hot and cold water meters is clearly regulated by current legislation in the field of application of control and measuring instruments. The owner of the residential premises is responsible for the implementation of such procedures, so citizens must have information about the mechanism and timing of their implementation. Free installation of water meters in 2018 is regulated by a new bill. For domestic devices it is 8-10 years, while imported devices can last up to 15 years.

Legislation on water meters

They are:

for cold water – 6 years,
for hot water – 4 years.

Special chemical components are added to hot water, which, when exposed to high temperatures, can wear out the device mechanism faster. Therefore, the service life for hot water is slightly shorter. If the check shows that the measuring tool is in good working order, you can continue to use it until the next check, otherwise it should be replaced.

Important

Please note that the average service life of water meters is 12 years. The homeowner himself is obliged to monitor the end of the inter-inspection period and promptly contact specialized organizations involved in inspection and issuance of the relevant act. You can find out the expiration date of such a period from the meter installation report or the previous verification report.

Russians will not have to install gas, water and electricity meters at their own expense.

Sometimes management companies provide the installation service, and even the meter itself, in installments over several months. In order to install a water meter, you need to come to the management company and write a corresponding application. If the management company does not have the appropriate permits for the installation of water metering equipment, then they must provide contacts of companies that can perform this service. It is worth noting that all residents of municipal housing can count on the installation of water meters for free; for owners of privatized apartments, installation can cost 4-7 thousand rubles. After the installation procedure is completed, a representative of the current management company is required to be invited, whose responsibilities include drawing up a report and sealing the meter. The sealing procedure is completely free.

Where to go for installation?

The deadline for installing water meters is not regulated by law. You can contact the service company at any time and install a meter when you get tired of paying “for yourself and for your neighbor.” The average standard for cold water consumption per person is 6 cubic meters per month. Usually a family of 3-4 people spends this much, but not just one person living in an apartment. In short, if you want to pay only for the water you actually consume, install a meter.

You need to find an accredited company and choose a suitable meter. Again, the law on the mandatory installation of water meters is not tied to specific manufacturers of measuring devices. But most often they choose mechanical devices - they are the cheapest and least problematic to operate.

At the same time, it should be remembered that the law on the mandatory installation of water meters does not provide for any penalties. That is, if you categorically do not want to install an individual meter, no one will force you to do so. But you will still pay more. Therefore, it is in your best interests to pay for the installation so that in the future you receive bills only for the water consumed without any increasing factors.

How to install water meters yourself

Free installation of water meters is regulated by Russian law in 2018

Basis for verification of measuring instruments in the housing and communal services sector The legislative framework, which is the basis regulating the need to carry out verification of cold water and hot water meters, as well as determining their operating time, is formed by the following regulations:

Government Decree No. 354 “On the provision of utility services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings”, which defines the basis for ensuring the uniformity of measurement systems in the Russian Federation;
Federal Law No. 261 “On Energy Saving and Increasing Energy Efficiency”;
Federal Law No. 102 “On ensuring the uniformity of measurements.”

Such a procedure is mandatory due to the fact that changes may occur during the operation of the devices and the impact of third-party factors on it.

Basis for verification of measuring instruments

Employees of the housing and communal services management company have the right to check the integrity and safety of measuring instruments, as well as take meter readings.

This right is regulated in several regulatory legal acts:

Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated May 6, 2011 N 354 (as amended on March 27, 2018) “On the provision of utility services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings” (together with the “Rules for the provision of utility services to owners and users of premises in apartment buildings and residential buildings houses");
Federal Law “On energy saving and increasing energy efficiency and on introducing amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation” dated November 23, 2009 N 261-FZ;
Federal Law “On Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements” dated June 26, 2008 N 102-FZ.

Quarterly and annual inspection of water meters is a mandatory procedure.

It is appointed for the following purposes:

identifying device malfunctions;
identification of violations of the use of devices;
unaccounted consumption of water resources.

However, the owner may not even notice the failure of the device. Under the influence of third-party factors, the device begins to show incorrect values. A malfunction can only be identified using special means that are available to housing and communal services employees and the management company.

Remember! Third-party factors influencing changes in the digital indicator include the following primary reasons:

the use of water that contains solid microparticles that pass through the device and disable it;
water supply of inadequate quality, for example, through a clogged filter;
the end of the meter's service life;
intentional breakdown of a device by a resource user in order to reduce the cost of utility bills;
constant shutdown of water, due to which the mechanisms of the device dry out.

It doesn’t matter for what reason the device failed, the owner is obliged to replace it himself. If, after checking by an employee and receiving a certificate of unsuitability for use, the subscriber does not make a replacement, he will face penalties.

Free installation of water meters in 2020 is regulated by a new bill

However, those who are still in no hurry to acquire a water meter should take into account that the government has introduced penalties for non-compliance with legislative norms. This will be carried out in the form of a constant significant increase in tariffs, which, according to legislators, will force the population to switch to water metering. When is it necessary to install water meters in 2018 by law? As stated earlier, installing water meters is our responsibility by law. Therefore, despite talk about the possible abolition of this norm, it is hardly worth expecting. No one can directly punish residents who do not want to install a meter or do not have the funds to do so. But rising tariffs can hit your pocket hard.

drying out of the mechanism due to turning off the water for a long time.

Verification deadlines The following is established by law for verification work:

for cold water meters – 6 years;
for hot, the verification interval is somewhat shorter, since exposure to high temperatures wears out parts faster - it is 4 years.

Which organizations can check water meters? To carry out such procedures, you can contact the following organizations:

Vodokanal, however, to carry out verification, the meter will be dismantled and you may have to wait for some time, in addition, fill out and submit certain documents, which will take some time;
A special organization that is certified (of which there is documentary evidence) to perform verification work on water meters.

Therefore, we list what rules must be followed when installing water meters: We recommend reading: Certificate for the traffic police, validity period Is it necessary to install water meters in 2017-2018 and how to do it correctly After this time, it is necessary to carry out verification, which can sometimes take several weeks, besides, it is paid and there is no guarantee that the device will be recognized as fit for use. Therefore, many simply replace old meters with new ones. Rules for the free installation of water meters In addition, in each region the local administration can hold a kind of promotion when, during a certain period of the year, water meters are provided free of charge to all citizens. A similar event was already held in St. Petersburg last year.

Frequency and timing of verification of water meters in 2020 according to law and regulations

All citizens living in private houses or apartments with access to the water supply system are faced with the need to periodically check water meters. We will describe further how exactly the verification will be carried out, as well as what requirements exist for technical accounting devices.

Service life of a water meter according to GOST

Speaking about the service life of water meters, it should be noted that specific indicators depend on many parameters, including the conditions of use of the device and its type.

Regarding vane meters GOST R 50601-93, which are very popular and are found in almost every apartment, their service life is 12 years according to the standard. However, the indicated time period is average, since much will depend on the specific model of the technical metering device.

If we talk about the warranty period for such meters, it is 1.5 years from the date of use of the device. However, we note that the indicated time period will be relevant only if a meter with a diameter of PU 8-50 and a maximum volume of 8100-202500 cubic meters is used. m.

Important!

In addition, in many respects, the maximum service life of a water meter will depend on the quality of the water.

Our country has a water quality standard system in accordance with GOST 2874. If the water quality meets this standard, then the operation of the installation will be carried out in the correct manner, and all the listed time frames will be valid.

Why is verification needed?

In Russia, verification of meters is a mandatory procedure for the population . It will be carried out by all apartment owners in accordance with current legislative norms and requirements.

The procedure is necessary due to the current operating rules and compliance with the technical safety of water supply communications and heating systems. As practice shows, even the highest quality and most modern device can become unusable at any time.

Among the main reasons for water meter breakdowns are:

low quality water, which contains increased levels of various impurities;
wear and tear of the meter, completion of the operational period of the accounting equipment;
faulty condition of water supply communications, increased level of wear and tear of the system.

Water meters are technically complex devices characterized by sensitivity, so they need to be checked at certain intervals. Their main task is to accurately reproduce the readings, and in order to check how accurate the information provided will be, the devices must be periodically checked.

The result of this procedure will be to determine whether the data is displayed correctly or inaccurately. In the latter case, you will have to replace the meter with a newer and more advanced one. This is done in order to minimize possible conflicts between the water utility and the consumer.

The obligation to undergo verification of water meters is approved in clause 1 of Article 13 of Federal Law-102. It indicates under what circumstances it is necessary to verify the data of control and measuring devices ahead of schedule, as well as what operating parameters of the device to pay special attention to.

It should be pointed out that the responsibility for monitoring the performance of the water meter is assigned by housing legislation to consumers. However, representatives of water supply companies, as well as management companies, several months before the end of the device’s service life, begin to remind consumers of the need to perform verification.

Do I need to check the new meter?

Many users do not know whether it is necessary to calibrate a new meter. The law states that new devices do not need to be tested. The fact is that when releasing a meter, the manufacturing company carefully checks the quality of its device and carries out verification.

All data is entered into the technical passport of the device, in particular indicating the date of release of the meter and the date of the next verification. Without a verification mark, the water meter will not go on sale.

Verification dates for hot and cold water meters, standards

The frequency of such a procedure as checking meters is regulated by a number of legislative standards:

Federal Law-102, which was approved to ensure uniformity of measurements and improve the quality of water supply services to the population.
Government Decree of 2004. This regulatory document considers an improved water consumption accounting system.
Government Decree No. 354 of 05/06/2011, which regulates the provision of water supply services to all citizens who are owners of residential premises.

According to the designated regulatory documents, the verification periods for hot and cold water metering devices differ markedly from each other.

As a rule, the verification period for hot water meters is much shorter than for similar cold water devices.

The fact is that hot water contains a high percentage of impurities, which, under the influence of elevated temperatures, can negatively affect the performance of the metering device, causing it to fail.

Currently, there is a rule according to which DHW meters must be calibrated at least once every 4 years. As for cold water supply metering devices, the optimal verification period is 6 years.

In general, the calibration interval is estimated at 4-6 years, and depends on the meter model and its operating conditions.

Replacement period for hot and cold water meters

When the time for verification of a water meter approaches, users are faced with the need to replace them. This operation is paid, and all costs are borne directly by the consumers of the service.

As practice shows, independent replacement of meters is practically not common, and most often users turn to specialized companies and organizations that provide such services.

Please note that during the period of replacement of the meter, the consumer will pay for the water supply service based on the average water use in the previous few months. As a rule, replacement is carried out quite quickly, and the maximum waiting period does not exceed 30 days.

Please note that in some situations consumers are faced with the need to replace devices ahead of schedule. This becomes a reality due to a number of compelling reasons:

The device is malfunctioning, causing the readings to be incorrect. Users often encounter a problem when the discs rotate even when the water is turned off (increased rotation speed), thereby increasing the amount of water used.
The optimal operational life of the device (expiration date) has expired, after which there is a possibility that the meter will not work properly, or that there will be failures and inaccuracies in its readings. In such a situation, you need to check the device in a timely manner and install a new one if necessary.
The device initially shows incorrect values, as it contains a manufacturing defect.
The user lost the technical passport for the metering device, and this fact was discovered by a water utility employee.

The meter verification period has expired - what to do?

If your meter verification period has expired (the last days are approaching), you need to contact representatives of companies that have a license and are able to carry out all verification steps, and arrange a visit to your home.

In this situation, consumers will have to act according to a certain scheme. The procedure will be as follows:

The consumer contacts the company that verifies the meters. Note that these can be either private commercial structures, or housing and communal services, management companies and homeowners' associations. They have the necessary skills and know what a metrological system is. The main requirement for calibrating a measuring device is that the procedure is carried out by licensed specialists with the necessary knowledge and skills.
After receiving the application, the consumer’s apartment is visited by a representative of the company, which will verify the device. The device is carefully removed, but first the specialist draws up a report in which he indicates the readings of the device at the time of removal, and also notes the date.
For a certain period of time, the metering device is kept by specialists who carry out the necessary verification activities. For this period of time, payment for water supply services is carried out by the consumer according to average indicators.
At the appointed time, the consumer comes to the verification company and picks up the meter. Along with it, a certificate will be issued indicating whether the device is suitable for use or not. In the latter case, the user will be advised to replace the equipment. In addition, specialists will determine the next verification date.
Installation of the meter takes place with the participation of a specialist from the water utility or management company (HOA), who draws up the corresponding document.

What if the meter does not pass verification?!

Verification is a mandatory procedure for all owners of apartment premises under current legislation. If the procedure is not followed and the meter does not pass the test, no penalties are provided for consumers. However, it may face some problems.

Thus, an unchecked meter may show incorrect readings, which is why water supply payments for the consumer may be charged on a general basis. In any case, the consumer must perform verification, and the sooner the user does this, the greater problems he will avoid in the foreseeable future.

Please note that if individual meters are not verified for a long time, the water utility may require a recalculation of water consumption, which will only increase the cost of paying for the service. The consumer can learn about other troubles directly from the supplier company or management company.

Meter verification price

The cost of meter verification can vary dramatically depending on the specific region or the policy of the company providing this service. Thus, checking devices in commercial structures will cost much more, weeks at the housing office, management company or homeowners association. Currently, the average verification price is:

300-1000 rubles – with removal of the meter;
750-2000 rubles – without withdrawal.

If there is a mass verification (for example, the verification is carried out by the whole house at once, or the entrance), in this case significant discounts are provided, and the cost of verification will be reduced by at least 20%. A similar bonus is valid in Moscow and many other large cities.