Water Research FoundationWater Research Foundation · PDF fileWater Research FoundationWater Research Foundation Webcast September 14 2010September 14, 2010 Accuracy of InAccuracy

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September 14 2010September 14 2010September 14, 2010September 14, 2010

Accuracy of InAccuracy of In Service WaterService WaterAccuracy of InAccuracy of In--Service Water Service Water Meters at Low and High Flow Rates Meters at Low and High Flow Rates

1 © 2010 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this presentation may be copied, reproduced or otherwise utilized without permission.

Water Research FoundationWater Research FoundationWater Research FoundationWater Research FoundationNew Name, Same MissionNew Name, Same Mission

Advancing the science of water to Advancing the science of water to improve the quality of lifeimprove the quality of lifeimprove the quality of lifeimprove the quality of life

© 2010 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this presentation may be copied, reproduced or otherwise

utilized without permission.

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Foundation’s Contribution to the Foundation’s Contribution to the Water CommunityWater CommunityWater CommunityWater Community

Practical applications Practical applications t h l tiliti ti it h l tiliti ti ito help utilities optimize to help utilities optimize operations and ensure operations and ensure customer satisfactioncustomer satisfaction

Early alert and Early alert and proactive solutions on proactive solutions on fffuture issuesfuture issues

Direct, immediate Direct, immediate benefits to utilitybenefits to utilitybenefits to utility benefits to utility subscriberssubscribers

© 2010 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this presentation may be copied, reproduced or otherwise

utilized without permission.

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WaterRF Teleconference September 2010

Michael C. JohnsonSteven L BarfussSteven L. Barfuss

Utah Water Research LaboratoryUtah State University

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Accuracy of In-Service Water Meters at Low and High flow Rates – Project No. 4028

Sponsored by The Water Research FoundationFormerly known as the AWWA Research Foundation

Four Year Project Started: October 2006Completion Date: October 2010

RESEARCH COMPONENTSRESEARCH COMPONENTS

• New meter accuracy and endurance testing• Effect of particulates on accuracy• Pulled meter accuracies

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PROJECT ENCOMPASSES……..

•Meters from 15 US manufacturers (purchased from local distributors)

•5/8 x 3/4-inch through 2-inch sizes

•Wide range of flow rates

•Involvement of twelve utilities

•Quality control on measurement equipment and procedures

• Data management

METER TYPESMETER TYPES

ND: Nutating Disc (Positive Displacement)DP: Displacement Piston (Positive Displacement)MJ: Multi-JetSJ: Single-Jet gFO: Fluidic Oscillator TU: TurbinePR: Propeller

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This presentation summarizes the accuracyThis presentation summarizes the accuracy results for:

• 150 new 5/8 x 3/4-inch meters.Six identical meters were used as the sample size (ss) for any given meter resulting in twenty five different meter designs (md) being tested.• 102 new 3/4-inch meters. (ss = 6, md = 17)

• 90 new 1-inch meters. (ss = 6, md = 15)

• 14 new 1 1/2-inch meters. (ss = 1, md = 14)

• 19 new 2-inch meters. (ss = 1, md = 19)

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PROJECT SIGNIFICANCEPROJECT SIGNIFICANCE

Water meters need to be accurate at normal operating flow rates, as even small errors in the accuracy of residential, commercial, and industrial water meters can create shortfalls in water utility revenues or result in over-billing of customers.

AWWA Flow Accuracy StandardsAWWA Flow Accuracy Standards5/8 x 3/4 –inch Maximum Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 15 101.5 98.5ND 15 101.5 98.5FO 15 101 5 98 5FO 15 101.5 98.5SJ 15 101.5 98.5MJ 15 101.5 98.5

5/8 x 3/4 inch meters

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AWWA Flow Accuracy StandardsAWWA Flow Accuracy Standards5/8 x 3/4 –inch Intermediate Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 2 101.5 98.5ND 2 101.5 98.5FO 2 101 5 98 5FO 2 101.5 98.5SJ 1 101.5 98.5MJ 1 101.5 98.5


AWWA Flow Accuracy StandardsAWWA Flow Accuracy Standards5/8 x 3/4 ‐inch Minimum Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 1/4 101 95ND 1/4 101 95FO 1/4 101 95FO 1/4 101 95SJ 1/4 101.5 95MJ 1/4 103 97


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•1/64 gpm•1/32 gpm•1/16 gpm•1/8 gpm•1/4 gpm AWWA low flow for all meters•1/2 gpmgp•1 gpm AWWA inter. flow for SJ and MJ•2 gpm AWWA inter. flow for DP, ND, FO•15 gpm AWWA high flow for all meters•20 gpm


Meter Test FacilitiesWeight Tanks:550 gallons (large)550 gallons (large)70 gallons (small)

Test Bench:Flows up to 210 gpm

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Number/percent passing AWWA standardNumber/percent passing AWWA standardMeter type Low Intermediate Maximum

DP (48) 37 77% 43 90% 48 100%MJ (42) 32 76% 37 88% 38 90%ND (30) 30 100% 27 90% 30 100%SJ (24) 18 75% 18 75% 18 75%FO (6) 6 100% 6 100% 6 100%

O ll (150) 123 82% 131 87% 140 93%


Overall (150) 123 82% 131 87% 140 93%

A study performed in 1999 indicated that homes on average have a leak of 21.9 gpd, while 5.5 % of the homes included in the study leaked more than 100 gpd (AWWARF, 1999)

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All Homes 152 drips/min

5.5% of all homes Continuous Toilet Leakhomes

AWWA Flow Accuracy Standardso ccu acy S a da ds3/4 –inch Maximum Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 25 101.5 98.5ND 25 101.5 98.5FO 20 (25) 101 5 98 5FO 20 (25) 101.5 98.5SJ 25 101.5 98.5MJ 25 101.5 98.5TU 30 (28) 102 98

3/4 inch meters

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AWWA Flow Accuracy StandardsAWWA Flow Accuracy Standards3/4 –inch Intermediate Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 3 101.5 98.5ND 3 101.5 98.5FO 3 101 5 98 5FO 3 101.5 98.5SJ 2 101.5 98.5MJ 2 101.5 98.5TU ‐ ‐ ‐

3/4 inch meters

AWWA Flow Accuracy Standards o ccu acy S a da ds3/4 ‐inch Minimum Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 1/2 101 95ND 1/2 101 95FO 1/2 101 95FO 1/2 101 95SJ 1/2 101.5 95MJ 1/2 103 97TU 1 102 98

3/4 inch meters

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•1/32 gpm•1/16 gpm•1/8 gpm•1/4 gpm•1/2 gpm AWWA low flow for all meters but TU•1 gpm AWWA low flow for TUgp•2 gpm AWWA inter. flow for SJ and MJ•3 gpm AWWA inter. flow for DP, ND, FO•25 gpm AWWA high flow for all meters•28 gpm

3/4 inch meters

3/4 inch meters

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3/4 inch meters

3/4 inch meters

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3/4 inch meters

3/4 inch meters

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3/4 inch meters

3/4 inch meters

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3/4 inch meters

3/4 inch meters

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3/4 inch meters

3/4 inch meters

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3/4 inch meters

3/4 inch meters

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3/4 inch meters

One manufacturer

3/4 inch meters

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Number/percent passing AWWA standardMeter type Low Intermediate Maximum

DP (30) 27 90% 19 63% 21 70%MJ (30) 29 97% 25 83% 24 80%ND (18) 12 67% 18 100% 18 100%SJ (12) 11 92% 8 67% 11 92%FO (6) 0 0% 6 100% 6 100%TU(6) 1 17% - - - -

3/4 inch meters

( )Overall (102) 79 77% 76 79% 80 83%

AWWA Flow Accuracy Standardso ccu acy S a da ds1 inch Maximum Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 40 101.5 98.5ND 40 101.5 98.5SJ 35 (40) 101 5 98 5SJ 35 (40) 101.5 98.5MJ 35 (40) 101.5 98.5TU 50 102 98

1 inch meters

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AWWA Flow Accuracy StandardsAWWA Flow Accuracy Standards1 inch Intermediate Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 4 101.5 98.5ND 4 101.5 98.5SJ 3 101 5 98 5SJ 3 101.5 98.5MJ 3 101.5 98.5TU ‐ ‐ ‐

1 inch meters

AWWA Flow Accuracy Standards o ccu acy S a da ds1 inch Minimum Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 3/4 101 95ND 3/4 101 95SJ 3/4 101 5 95SJ 3/4 101.5 95MJ 3/4 103 97TU 1 1/2 102 98

1 inch meters

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•3/64 gpm•3/16 gpm•3/8 gpm•3/4 gpm AWWA min flow for all but TU•3 gpm AWWA intermediate flow for SJ, MJ•4 gpm AWWA intermediate flow for ND, DPgp ,•40 gpm AWWA high flow for ND and DP•50 gpm AWWA high flow for TU

1 inch meters

1 inch meters

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1 inch meters

1 inch meters

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1 inch meters

1 inch meters

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1 inch meters

1 inch meters

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1 inch meters

1 inch meters

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1 inch meters

1 inch meters

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1 inch meters

1 inch meters

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DP (30) 27 90% 28 93% 26 87%MJ (30) 26 87% 24 80% 28 93%ND (18) 16 89% 16 89% 18 100%

SJ (6) 6 100% 6 100% 6 100%TU (6) - - - - 5 83%

O ll (90) 75 89% 74 88% 78 87%

1 inch meters

Overall (90) 75 89% 74 88% 78 87%

AWWA Flow Accuracy Standardso ccu acy S a da ds1 1/2 inch Maximum Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 50 101.5 98.5ND 50 101.5 98.5SJ 50 101 5 98 5SJ 50 101.5 98.5MJ 70 (50) 101.5 98.5TU1 100 (110) 102 98TU2 120 (110) 101.5 98.5

1 1/2 inch meters

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AWWA Flow Accuracy Standardso ccu acy S a da ds1 1/2 inch Intermediate Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 8 101.5 98.5ND 8 101.5 98.5SJ 5 101 5 98 5SJ 5 101.5 98.5MJ 5 101.5 98.5TU1 ‐ ‐ ‐TU2 ‐ ‐ ‐

1 1/2 inch meters

AWWA Flow Accuracy Standards o ccu acy S a da ds1 1/2 inch Minimum Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 1 1/2 101 95ND 1 1/2 101 95SJ 1 1/2 101 5 95SJ 1 1/2 101.5 95MJ 1 1/2 103 97TU1 12 (8) 102 98 TU2 4 (5) 101.5 98.5

1 1/2 inch meters

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•3/32 gpm•3/16 gpm•3/8 gpm•3/4 gpm•1 1/2 gpm AWWA low flow for all meters but TU•5 gpm AWWA inter. flow for MJ and SJgp•8 gpm AWWA inter. flow for DP and ND•50 gpm AWWA high flow for all meters•110 gpm

1 1/2 inch meters

1 1/2 inch meters

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1 1/2 inch meters

1 1/2 inch meters

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1 1/2 inch meters

1 1/2 inch meters

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1 1/2 inch meters

1 1/2 inch meters

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1 1/2 inch meters

1 1/2 inch meters

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1 1/2 inch meters

1 1/2 inch meters

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1 1/2 inch meters

1 1/2 inch meters

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DP (3) 3 100% 2 67% 3 100%MJ (4) 3 75% 3 75% 2 50%ND (3) 2 67% 2 67% 3 100%SJ (1) 1 100% 1 100% 1 100%TU(3) - - 1 33% 2 67%

O ll (14) 9 82% 8 73% 9 82%

1 1/2 inch meters

Overall (14) 9 82% 8 73% 9 82%

AWWA Flow Accuracy Standards2 inch Ma im m Flo Rate2 inch Maximum Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 100 101.5 98.5ND 100 101.5 98.5SJ 80 (100) 101.5 98.5MJ 100 101.5 98.5TU1 160 (150) 102 98TU2 160 (150) 101.5 98.5PR 100 102 98

2 inch meters

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AWWA Flow Accuracy Standards2 inch Intermediate Flow Rate2 inch Intermediate Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 15 101.5 98.5ND 15 101.5 98.5SJ 15 101.5 98.5MJ 8 101 5 98 5MJ 8 101.5 98.5TU1 ‐ ‐ ‐TU2 ‐ ‐ ‐PR ‐ ‐ ‐

2 inch meters

AWWA Flow Accuracy Standards 2 inch Minimum Flow Rate2 inch Minimum Flow Rate

Type Flow (gpm) Upper (%) Lower (%)DP 2 101 95ND 2 101 95SJ 2 101.5 95MJ 2 103 97TU1 16 (15) 102 98 TU2 4 101.5 98.5PR 35 (15) 102 98

2 inch meters

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•1/8 gpm•1/4 gpm•1/2 gpm•1 gpm•2 gpm AWWA low flow for all but TU and PR•4 gpm AWWA low flow for TU2•8 gpm AWWA inter. flow for MJ8 gp te o o J•15 gpm AWWA low flow for PR and TU1 and

inter. flow for DP, ND and SJ•100 gpm AWWA high flow for all but TU1 and TU2•150 gpm AWWA high flow for TU1 and TU2

2 inch meters

2 inch meters

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2 inch meters

2 inch meters

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2 inch meters

2 inch meters

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2 inch meters

2 inch meters

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2 inch meters

2 inch meters

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2 inch meters

2 inch meters

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2 inch meters

2 inch meters

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2 inch meters

2 inch meters

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DP (3) 3 100% 3 100% 3 100%MJ (4) 3 75% 2 50% 1 25%ND (3) 2 67% 2 67% 3 100%SJ (2) 1 50% 2 100% 2 100%TU(6) 3 50% 3 50% 5 83%PR(1) 0 0% 0 0%

2 inch meters

PR(1) - - 0 0% 0 0%Overall (19) 9 50% 9 47% 9 47%

How a meter performs off the shelf is only one component that must be considered – what about durability?

The next section discusses meter durability as established by testing at various levels of throughput. Full-life throughput was estimated for each meter size.

For the endurance testing, flow was not steady and was changed from 0 gpm for one minute to 1/3 of the AWWA Maximum for 1 hour to 2/3 of the AWWA maximum for 2 hours and continuously repeated.

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Meter No. of Test Meters passing AWWA standard at throughputtype meters flow 0 MG 0.5 MG 1 MG 1.5 MG 2 MG

5/8x3/4 ND 30 0.25 30 28 30 25 285/8x3/4 ND 30 2 27 29 30 25 255/8x3/4 ND 30 2 27 29 30 25 255/8x3/4 ND 30 15 30 20 18 19 195/8x3/4 DP 48 0.25 37 32 31 33 275/8x3/4 DP 48 2 43 41 44 42 425/8x3/4 DP 48 15 48 44 46 44 435/8x3/4 MJ 42 0.25 22 11 15 9 85/8x3/4 MJ 42 1 37 38 33 35 355/8x3/4 MJ 42 15 38 33 32 27 245/8x3/4 SJ 24 0.25 18 21 22 20 175/8x3/4 SJ 24 1 18 17 14 11 145/8x3/4 SJ 24 15 18 16 14 14 145/8 3/4 FO 6 0 25 6 6 6 6 6


5/8x3/4 FO 6 0.25 6 6 6 6 65/8x3/4 FO 6 2 6 6 6 6 65/8x3/4 FO 6 15 6 6 6 6 5


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110%

5/8 x 3/4-inch 0-Life Meter Summary

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%R

egis

try


0%10%

0.01 0.10 1.00 10.00 100.00Flow (gpm)

DP SJ ND MJ FO

1/64 1/32 1/16 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2 15 20

100%110%

5/8 x 3/4-inch Full-Life Meter Summary

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Reg

istr

y


0%10%

0.01 0.10 1.00 10.00 100.00

Flow (gpm)

DP SJ ND MJ FO

1/64 1/32 1/16 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2 15 20

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Meter No. of Test Meters passing AWWA standard at throughputtype meters flow 0 MG 0.75 MG 1.5 MG 2.25 MG 3 MG

3/4 ND 18 0.5 12 15 12 17 163/4 ND 18 3 18 17 15 12 183/4 ND 18 3 18 17 15 12 183/4 ND 18 25 18 18 18 18 183/4 DP 30 0.5 27 26 28 27 253/4 DP 30 3 19 20 20 19 193/4 DP 30 25 20 20 20 20 203/4 MJ 30 0.5 26 23 24 21 213/4 MJ 30 2 23 21 22 22 233/4 MJ 30 25 23 21 22 22 233/4 SJ 12 0.5 11 12 9 9 63/4 SJ 12 2 8 11 8 6 73/4 SJ 12 25 11 10 9 7 63/4 FO 6 0 5 0 0 0 0 0

3/4 inch meters

3/4 FO 6 0.5 0 0 0 0 03/4 FO 6 3 6 5 5 2 33/4 FOA 6 25 6 6 5 6 63/4 TU 6 1 0 2 2 2 23/4 TUB 6 28 6 6 6 6 6

A Fluidic Oscillator max AWWA flow is 20 gpm which was not tested.B Turbine max AWWA flow is 30 gpm which was not tested.

3/4 inch meters

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3/4 inch meters

3/4 inch meters

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100%110%

3/4-inch 0-Life Meter Summary

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%R

egis

try

3/4 inch meters

0%0.02 0.20 2.00 20.00

Flow (gpm)

DP SJ ND MJ FO TU

1/32 1/16 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2 3 25 28

100%110%

3/4-inch Full-Life Meter Summary

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Reg

istr

y

3/4 inch meters

0%0.02 0.20 2.00 20.00

Flow (gpm)

DP SJ ND MJ FO TU

1/32 1/16 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 2 3 25 28

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Meter No. of Test Meters passing AWWA standard at throughputtype meters flow 0 MG 1.25 MG 2.5 MG 3.75 MG 5 MG1 ND 18 0.75 16 18 16 16 171 ND 18 4 16 18 17 16 151 ND 18 4 16 18 17 16 151 ND 18 40 18 18 17 17 161 DP 30 0.75 27 25 24 23 241 DP 30 4 28 25 22 20 191 DP 30 40 26 24 20 21 211 MJ 30 0.75 23 16 14 14 141 MJ 30 3 21 19 17 16 151 MJ 30 40 25 25 25 24 241 SJ 6 0.75 6 3 4 4 51 SJ 6 3 6 6 6 6 51 SJ 6 40 6 6 6 6 5

1 TUA 6 0 75 0 0 0 0 01 TUA 6 0.75 0 0 0 0 01 TU 6 3 4 4 4 4 61 TU 6 50 5 5 5 5 5A Class1 turbine low AWWA flow is 1.5 gpm which was not tested.

1 inch meters

1 inch meters

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1 inch meters

1 inch meters

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100%110%

1-inch 0-Life Meter Summary

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%R

egis

try

1 inch meters

0%0.03 0.30 3.00 30.00

Flow (gpm)

DP SJ ND MJ TU

3/64 3/16 3/8 3/4 3 4 40 50

100%110%

1-inch Full-Life Meter Summary

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Reg

istr

y

1 inch meters

0%0.03 0.30 3.00 30.00

Flow (gpm)

DP SJ ND MJ TU

3/64 3/16 3/8 3/4 3 4 40 50

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Particulate Tests

2.5 g of quartzite sand with flow at 10 gpm

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105%

Pre-Particulate 0-Life Meter Summary

85%

90%

95%

100%

Reg

istr

y

80%0.13 1.25 12.50

Flow (gpm)

DP SJ ND MJ FO

1/4 1 2 15

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105%

Particulate 0-Life Meter Summary

85%

90%

95%

100%

Reg

istr

y

80%0.13 1.25 12.50

Flow (gpm)

DP SJ ND MJ FO

1/4 1 2 15

105%

Particulate Full-Life Meter Summary

85%

90%

95%

100%

Reg

istr

y

80%0.13 1.25 12.50

Flow (gpm)

DP SJ ND MJ FO

1/4 1 2 15

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110%

Particulate 5/8 x 3/4-inch Nutating Disc Registry Summary

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Reg

istr

y

Meter Healing?

0%

10%

20%

30%

0.01 0.10 1.00 10.00 100.00Flow (gpm)Before 0 MG 0.5 MG 1.0 MG 1.5 MG 2.0 MG

1/4 1 2 15

110%

Particulate 5/8 x 3/4-inch Piston Registry Summary

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Reg

istr

y

0%

10%

20%

30%


1/4 1 2 15

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110%

Particulate 5/8 x 3/4-inch Single-jet Registry Summary

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Reg

istr

y

0%

10%

20%

30%


1/4 1 2 15

110%

Particulate 5/8 x 3/4-inch Multi-jet Registry Summary

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Reg

istr

y

0%

10%

20%

30%


1/4 1 2 15

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110%

Particulate 5/8 x 3/4-inch Fluidic Oscillator Registry Summary

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Reg

istr

y

0%

10%

20%

30%


1/4 1 2 15

Pulled Meter Tests

Meters provided as part of replacement program.

Instructions on how to pack and ship.

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Utilities and Suppliers often doing a Balancing Act:

Replace meters - leads to costDon’t replace meters – potential loss of revenuep p

Utility may be on the losing end of either option.

• Service time limitation• Throughput limitation• Evidence of wear or degradation

D• Damage

Utilities Providing Meters:

Meters Est. 7/1/2008 Estimated ConnectionsUtility Provided Population Connections per SampleMendon, UT 6 1,190 298 50Orlando, FL 261 230,519 57,630 221Logan, UT 49 48,657 12,164 248Orem, UT 29 93,250 23,313 804Greesnboro, NC 75 250,642 62,661 835Salt Lake City, UT 50 181,698 45,425 908Ogden, UT 18 82,865 20,716 1,151New Haven CT 19 123 669 30 917 1 627New Haven, CT 19 123,669 30,917 1,627Rochester, NY 31 206,886 51,722 1,668Anchorage, AK 22 279,243 69,811 3,173Draper, UT 1 42,317 10,579 10,579Phoenix, AZ 34 1,567,924 391,981 11,529

595 Total Meters ProvidedUtilities were given specific shipping and handling instructions

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What was Tested:

Meters Number ofUtility Provided MetersUtility Provided Meters5/8x3/4‐inch Oscillating Piston 2715/8x3/4‐inch Nutating Disc 895/8x3/4‐inch Multi‐jet 223/4‐inch Oscillating Piston 363/4‐inch Nutating Disc 353/4‐inch Multi‐jet 11‐inch Oscillating Piston 311‐inch Nutating Disc 71

573 Total Meters Tested – 22 of 595 not tested (broken) ~ 4%

1 1/2‐inch Oscillating Piston 41 1/2‐inch Nutating Disc 62‐inch Oscillating Piston 12‐inch Nutating Disc 6

Manufacturers Represented:

Manufacturer TypesABB OP

Badger NDHays MJ

Hersey NDInvensys OP

Master Meter MJNeptune NDPrecision MJRockwell OPSensus OPTrident ND

Worthington-Gamon ND

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Pulled Meters – Upon Arrival:

• Assigned project identification number

• Documented service life (if provided)

• Throughput (if readable)

• Photographed

• Noted serious problems:cracks, broken register, if meter would function

• Installed meter in test bench for testing

Pulled Meter Tests:• AWWA Flows for Displacement Meters• If meter met the AWWA Registry Standard, additional rates tested

Size (in) Lowest Q

(gpm)Lower Q

(gpm)Low Q (gpm)

AWWA Low

(gpm)

AWWA Med

(gpm)

AWWA High

(gpm)20 fps (gpm)

5/8x3/4 1/32 1/16 1/8 1/4 2 15 20

3/4 1/16 1/8 1/4 1/2 3 25 28

1 3/32 3/16 3/8 3/4 4 40 50

1 1/2 3/16 3/8 3/4 1 1/2 8 50 1101 1/2 3/16 3/8 3/4 1 1/2 8 50 110

2 1/8 1/4 1/2 2 15 100 150

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No Correlation between registry and service time.g y

No correlation between registry and throughput.

What does a utility do determine when to replace meters?

2%, 0%, 6.1 %

0%, 0%, 0 % - ,- ,-

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0%, 94.9%, 93.4% 95%, 99.1%, 98.2%

0%, 92.4%, 93.3%

98.9%, 100.2%, 99.9% 98.6%, 100.2%, 99.5%

94.9%, 100.5%, 99.0% 96.2%,102.0%,102.1%

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1.0%, 89.5%, 95.9% 71.6%, 100.4%, 99.6%

96.9%, 100.8%, 99.5% 75.4%,100.5%,98.8%

94.3%, 101.6%, 101.0% 102.1%, 100.1%, 98.4%

1.0%, 62.9%, 13.0% 89.4%,102.4%,98.5%

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94.3%, 99.3%, 99.1% 79.6%, 96.9%, 99.1%

60.7%, 94.2%, 93.9%

A few significant project findings:

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New Meter Tests:

• A larger-than-expected percentage of new meters failed one or more of the three AWWA flow accuracy standards.

• These same meters are reported and advertised to meet the AWWA accuracy standards.

• One manufacturer was able to meet the AWWA standard at all three flow rates (for new meters in allstandard at all three flow rates (for new meters in all sizes and types offered) more than 95% of the time.

• None of the other 14 manufacturers were able to exceed a success percentage greater than 85%.

• In contrast, a second manufacturer’s new meters only met the AWWA standard at all three flow rates 17% of the time.

• Seven manufacturers only passed all three AWWA standard flow rates 50% of the time or less.

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• The 5/8 x 3/4-inch and 3/4-inch Nutating Disc meters consistently indicated higher accuracies at the lowest flow rates as compared to the other meter types

Endurance Tests:

• The 5/8 x 3/4-inch and 1-inch Multi-Jet meters, the 3/4-inch Single-Jet meters and the 1-inch Piston meters consistently indicated the highest amount of accuracy degradation after a full life cycle of throughput.

The 5/8 3/4 inch and 3/4 inch N tating Disc meters•The 5/8 x 3/4-inch and 3/4-inch Nutating Disc meters consistently produced the highest registries at the lowest flows both in the new condition and after a full life cycle of throughput.

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Particulate Tests:

• Sand particulates had the greatest affect on the Piston meter type (initially and after throughput).

• The Nutating Disc and Piston type meters showed accuracy degradation effects at the minimum AWWA flow rate over a full life cycle of throughput.

•The Piston and Single-Jet type meters showed accuracy degradation affects at the maximum AWWA flow rate over a full life cycle of throughput.

• Multi-jet and Fluidic Oscillator type meters were the least affected by sand particulates.

Pulled Meter Tests:Pulled Meter Tests:

• There was no significant correlation between meter performance and throughput or meter performance and age.

• There was however, a significant number of utility-There was however, a significant number of utilityprovided pulled meters that did not function (~7%)

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The M6 manual states:

“All new meters should be tested for accuracy of registration at flow rates and test-flow quantities in accordance with Table 5-3 before they are placed in service.”

This requirement is an essential component to ensuring that meters placed in the marketplace are operating accurately.

Only 65% of the 450 new meters that were purchased came with certificates like this one.

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End users should ensure that each meter they purchase includes a calibration……

• with a certification that the meter was tested as a complete unit

• that it was calibrated at each of the required flow rates and

• that the meter registered flows that met the AWWA requirements.

Water Research FoundationWater Research Foundation · PDF fileWater Research FoundationWater Research Foundation Webcast September 14 2010September 14, 2010 Accuracy of InAccuracy

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