PSC 185.76(1)(1) Customer meters (“in-use” meters) shall be tested as frequently as is necessary to maintain their accuracies within requirements set forth in s. PSC 185.65. Unless otherwise authorized by the commission, each utility shall observe a test schedule such that the intervals between tests do not exceed the following:

PSC 185.76(2)(2) Where local water conditions are such that meters shall not retain the required accuracy for the periods indicated, appropriate shorter test intervals shall be observed and may be specifically required by the commission.

PSC 185.76(3)(3) Where local water conditions permit and with specific commission approval, the test interval for 5/8-, 3/4-, and 1-inch meters may be extended. This contemplates that the utility shall demonstrate that the accuracy of its meters shall be retained for such period.

PSC 185.76(4)(4) For 3- and 4-inch meters, the above test interval may be extended to 4 years where the utility shall demonstrate that the accuracy of its meters shall be retained for this period.

PSC 185.76(5)(5) In lieu of testing every meter as required under sub. (1), a utility may satisfy the requirements of this section by testing meters according to s. PSC 185.761.

PSC 185.76(6)(6) When system losses are less than the prescribed percentages under s. PSC 185.85 (4), a utility in lieu of testing every meter as required under sub. (1), may satisfy the requirements of this section for 5/8, 3/4, and 1-inch meters by adopting a new meter replacement program that results in each meter being replaced within 20 years of the original date of installation.

PSC 185.761PSC 185.761 Alternative sample-testing plan for in-use meters.

PSC 185.761(1)(1) As an alternative to testing 100% of meters that require testing under s. PSC 185.76, a utility may test a population sample equal to 25% of the total to be tested of each meter size. This test sample shall be a random selection of the total to be tested and each meter size test shall be conducted independently. If 10% or more of the test sample does not meet the accuracy requirements of s. PSC 185.35, the utility shall test all meters of that size in accordance with s. PSC 185.76.

PSC 185.761(2)(2) Meters testing inaccurately under sub. (1) shall be repaired prior to being returned to service. The test sample selected shall be rescheduled for testing under the intervals set forth in s. PSC 185.76 (1). The meters not selected shall be rescheduled for testing at an interval not exceeding one-half the test intervals set forth in s. PSC 185.76 (1).

PSC 185.77PSC 185.77 Request and referee tests.

PSC 185.77(1)(1) Request tests. Each utility shall promptly make an accuracy test without charge of any metering installation upon request of the customer if 24 months or more have elapsed since the last customer requested test of the meter in the same location. If less than 24 months have elapsed, an amount equal to one-half the estimated cost of the meter test shall be advanced to the utility by the customer. The amount shall be refunded if the test shows the meter to be over- or under-registering by more than 2%. A report giving the results of the test shall be made to the customer and a complete original test record shall be kept on file in the office of the utility. Upon request, the test shall be made in the presence of the customer during normal business hours.

PSC 185.77(3)(a)(a) Definitions. For purposes of this subsection, “as found” means retained, filled with water and capped without any other adjustments being made since the last test was performed.

PSC 185.77(3)(b)(b) After a customer requested test. When a utility performs a customer requested test on a customer’s meter under sub. (1) or when the commission requests that a meter be tested, the utility shall keep the tested meter, in “as found” condition, at a designated location on the utility’s premises for at least one full billing period plus four weeks after the test result report is issued so that the meter is available should another meter test be requested. If the meter tests as accurate, the utility may choose to keep the tested meter installed at the customer’s premises for the designated time period rather than storing it at the utility’s premises.

PSC 185.77(3)(c)(c) After a referee test. When a utility or third party retests a customer’s meter under sub. (2), the utility shall keep the tested meter, in “as found” condition, at a designated location on the utility’s premises for at least 10 business days after the test result report is issued so that the meter is available should further testing or review be needed. If the meter tests as accurate, the utility may choose to keep the tested meter installed at the customer’s premises for the designated time period rather than storing it at the utility’s premises.

PSC 185.77(3)(d)(d) When a complaint or dispute occurs. When a utility receives a complaint under s. PSC 185.42 or is notified about a dispute under s. PSC 185.39 involving a meter-related issue, the utility shall keep the meter, in “as tested” condition, at a designated location on the utility’s premises for at least one full billing period plus four weeks after the complaint or dispute and any appeal of that dispute is resolved so that the meter is available should testing be requested. If the meter was tested during the complaint or dispute process, and it tested as accurate, the utility may choose to keep the tested meter installed at the customer’s premises for the designated time period rather than storing it at the utility’s premises.

PSC 185.77 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, January, 1997, No. 493, eff. 2-1-97; CR 13-033: am. (title), renum. 185.77 to (1) and am., cr. (1) (title), renum. 185.78 to (2), cr. (3) Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; correct numbering of (3) (c), (d) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register July 2015 No. 715.

PSC 185.79PSC 185.79 Remote outside meter (ROM) and automatic meter reading (AMR) system tests.

PSC 185.79(1)(1) The ROM and AMR systems shall be tested each time the associated meter is tested. If the total recorded consumption of the ROM agrees with that of the base meter or the AMR system read and the base meter read are the same, no further testing of the ROM or AMR systems is needed.

PSC 185.79(2)(2) The test of metering installations with remotes shall be sufficient to demonstrate that the accuracy of the meter-remote combination meets the requirements of s. PSC 185.65.

PSC 185.79(3)(3) As an alternative to subs. (1) and (2), a utility may receive approval and place on file with the commission a remote testing schedule which is specifically designed to meet the needs of the remote metering system used by the utility.

PSC 185.795PSC 185.795 Electrical safety. Jumpering meter settings. Under certain abnormal conditions, a dangerous voltage may appear across the meter setting when the water line is electrically opened as by removal of the meter. Before a water meter is removed (or the interior piping leading to the service otherwise opened), an appropriate electrical jumper shall be connected across the meter setting or proposed opening in the piping to maintain electrical continuity. If the water supply piping is used as a ground for the building’s electrical service, the electrical jumper shall not be removed until a meter is again set or the piping closed. The utility shall inform the customer that the electrical jumper shall not be removed until a meter is again set or the piping closed.