22 FORMS OF METER RATES NOW IN USE 



additions to the works that are needed, or that will be soon 

 needed. 



Whenever a rate is revised either to produce more or less 

 revenue, the opportunity is presented to also change the dis- 

 tribution of rates among the different classes of consumers, so 

 as to make them more equitable. 



That is to say, if there is to be an increase of rates, there 

 should be an inquiry as to what takers are paying the least rela- 

 tively at the present time, and the increase should be made so as 

 to apply particularly to such takers, and, on the other hand, when 

 a decrease is to be made, the inquiry should be made as to what 

 takers are paying most relatively under present rates, with a 

 view to giving greatest reduction to them. 



Reconsideration of rates at fixed intervals of five or ten 

 years, with changes when necessary, is a policy that merits 

 serious consideration. 



As to the Average of Meter Rates Now in Use.* The data 

 collected by the Committee on Meter Rates upon this point are 

 interesting although not much direct use will be made of them 

 in that which follows. A large number of rates were examined 

 and the results represent roughly at least the present ordinary 

 American practice. 



From these rates a calculation was made of the annual charge for a 

 quantity of 10,000 gallons drawn at a uniform rate throughout the year, 

 and for 30,000, 100,000, etc., up to 10,000,000 gallons per annum. In 

 computing these amounts when a discount was allowed for prompt pay- 

 ment, it was assumed that this discount would be claimed by 0.9 of the 

 takers, and 0.9 of such discount was, therefore, deducted from the com- 

 puted amounts. In connection with these rates a statement was obtained 

 from each plant showing whether the service and meter were paid for by 

 the department or by the taker, or whether its cost was divided between 

 them, and in all cases showing the approximate average amount paid by the 

 plant on account of each new service and f-inch meter. . . . 



The divergence between the practice of different works in respect to 

 bearing the cost of service pipes and meters must be taken into account in 

 some way in order to compare properly the meter rates used in connection 

 with them. The simplest way of doing this is to deduct 10 per cent of the 

 average cost to the works of each service from the amount computed by 

 *Jour. N.E.W.W. Assn., Vol. XXVIII, 1914, p. 209. 



