EUGENE WATER  &  ELECTRIC  BOARD

A temporary water meter service is a meter typically installed on a publicly-owned fire hydrant. They are generally used to provide water for construction projects. They are not designed to provide potable water service in place of installing a permanent water service.

Any applicant without past due monies owed to EWEB may request a temporary meter service.

• A meter can be requested at any time and as far in advance of a project as desired. A meter will not be set if the purpose is to utilize the service in place of a needed permanent installation of a water service and meter.
• EWEB will have two business days to verify the requested hydrant location. If the fire hydrant cannot be utilized, the field technician will contact you to explain why, and attempt to find a suitable alternative.
• Once payment of all associated fees and a completed Temporary Water Meter Service Application and Agreement have been received, EWEB will have two business days to complete the installation of the meter and reduced pressure principle backflow preventer.
• A typical process, start to finish, can be completed in four business days.

• Equipment security fee: Charged at 105% of the replacement cost of the equipment, which is currently $2,000. This fee is to cover the cost of the replacement of the meter, backflow and associated parts should they not be returned.
• Installation/relocation: Charged at three labor hours for a Lead Water Meter Mechanic, which is currently $100 per incident. EWEB staff will install and/or relocate temporary meter service, as well as test the backflow preventer for the meter.
• Basic monthly charge: EWEB Schedule 2 water rates for three-inch meter for inside the city of Eugene.
• Volume charge: EWEB Schedule 2 water rates for inside the city of Eugene.
• Damages: Charged at 100% of replacement cost for parts and labor.
• Monthly charges: A basic monthly charge, volume charge and any damages to equipment will be charged monthly.
• For applicants with credit related concerns, an additional deposit may be required.

• Identify a city of Eugene fire hydrant that that would be appropriate for your temporary water meter.
• Contact EWEB Water Operations at (541) 685-7595 to request the use of a temporary water meter service (fire hydrant meter). Provide a specific location of the fire hydrant and applicant contact information.
• EWEB Water Operations will field check the requested fire hydrant location to verify that the hydrant is publicly-owned, assess the operating condition of the hydrant and estimate the impact of its temporary use on the water system. If the fire hydrant cannot be utilized, the field technician will contact you to explain why, and attempt to find a suitable alternative.
• Requests for use of a fire hydrant location for a temporary water meter service will have a response within two business days.
• Once a fire hydrant location has been approved by EWEB, you will be given instructions for the next steps in the process.
• EWEB Water Operations will fax or email an approval for use of the fire hydrant location for the temporary water meter service.
• You will be asked to deliver the following to EWEB's headquarters at 500 E. Fourth Ave in Eugene:
  • A completed Temporary Water Meter Service Application and Agreement
  • The faxed or emailed copy of the EWEB Water Operations approval notification
  • Equipment security fee of $2,000 and installation fee of $100 (cash, credit card or money order accepted)
• Once full payment is received, EWEB will install the meter and backflow preventer at the location within two business days. EWEB Water Operations will contact you to set a time to meet in the field for the installation. Meeting in the field will allow you to verify the installation, meter reading, condition of equipment and review operation procedures with the technician. You will be asked to sign a verification form at that time.
• The meter and backflow preventer will be ready for use.

Yes, you need to be present. This ensures that the technician can review the final installation and operating instructions with you. You will be asked to sign a verification form indicating the condition of the equipment, meter reading, etc.

Yes. The backflow preventer protects the EWEB drinking water system from potential contamination. If found using a temporary water meter service without the supplied backflow preventer, EWEB may pull the meter and terminate the contract agreement immediately.

Yes, the temporary water meter may be relocated and the reduced pressure principle backflow preventer re-tested by EWEB staff only. Please note:

• Additional connections made to the temporary meter service or reduced pressure principle backflow preventer must be taken off prior to relocation by EWEB. Failure to do so may result in these parts being discarded by EWEB.
• Contact EWEB Water Operations at (541) 685-7595 and indicate original applicant's name and current location, as well as the desired new location. EWEB will verify if the location is acceptable for use. If so, EWEB will relocate the temporary meter service along with the reduced pressure principle backflow preventer within two business days.
• EWEB will coordinate with the applicant or designee a time to meet at the installation site to verify the installation, condition, meter reading and operation of the assembly. The applicant or designee will initial the installation sheet kept on file with EWEB.
• A relocation fee will be added to the next billing statement.

• It is your responsibility to notify EWEB Water Operations at (541) 685-7595 when the temporary meter service is to be removed. As long as the temporary meter service is installed, the account will continue to be billed and the customer remains responsible for the assembly and water usage.
• Additional connections made to the temporary meter service or reduced pressure principle backflow preventer must be taken off prior to removal by EWEB. Failure to do so may result in these parts being discarded by EWEB.
• EWEB staff will remove the temporary meter service and reduced pressure principle backflow preventer within two business days of notification.
• Upon removal and inspection of the temporary meter service and reduced pressure principle backflow preventer for damage, the applicant's equipment security fee will be applied to all outstanding charges and a refund, if applicable, will be issued.

• A hydrant wrench is the only tool acceptable for turning the hydrant on or off. Any regulating of water should be done with the gate valve attached to the meter.
• Fire hydrants are only designed to operate in the fully open and closed position. Throttling the fire hydrant will cause leaking underground and muddy conditions around the fire hydrant.
• It is important to open and close the fire hydrant slowly. Rapidly opening or closing the hydrant will cause a water hammer, resulting in damage to other portions of the water distribution system. You will be held financially responsible for such damages.
• During freezing conditions it is your responsibility to shut the fire hydrant off and drain the residual water from the meter and backflow preventer to avoid damage and charges.
• It is your choice and responsibility to secure the meter and backflow preventer. Once installed, the equipment cannot be removed. However, it may be secured by the applicant via various means as long as the meter register is accessible for meter reading. EWEB is not responsible for loss or theft of any portion of the temporary water meter equipment once installed. The equipment security fee may be forfeited if equipment is not returned due to loss.

Contact EWEB Water Operations at (541) 685-7595 with any other questions.