METERS THAT ARE TOO LARGE 91 



would be applied to the larger quantity of water drawn through 

 it. On the other hand, if a meter considerably larger than 

 needed, or than is usual for the quantity drawn, were used, the 

 service charge would amount to more per 1000 gallons than the 

 normal amount, and the taker would be paying something extra 

 for the extra capacity required and furnished to him by the works. 



The use of such service charges would tend to discourage 

 the use of unnecessarily large service connections and meters, 

 and this is a desirable condition. On the other hand, with a 

 i -cent reduction in the manufacturing rates, there is no increase 

 in bills in case of a normally busy meter. 



The Committee suggests further that the service charge 

 always be reckoned on the size of meter and not on the size of 

 service pipe, thus giving an opportunity to one who has put in a 

 meter that is too large to substitute a smaller one and get the 

 benefit of the smaller service charge without having to change 

 his service pipe. This arrangement also permits the use of a 

 larger service pipe than is needed to anticipate reduction of 

 carrying capacity by corrosion through a long term of years, 

 without requiring the use of an unnecessarily large meter, with 

 payment therefor. 



The figures above mentioned in no case include 10 per cent 

 of the cost of the service and meter as far as paid for by the works 

 and included by the Committee as part of the service charge on 

 f -inch meters, and this allowance should be added wherever the 

 customer does not pay the first cost of the service and meter.* 



Meter Rent. In some works a charge is made for the rent 

 of meters furnished and owned by the department. Where such 

 a charge is made it is in reality a service charge and it must be 

 so classified. The service charge as now used ordinarily covers 

 meter rent and much more, so that the meter rent represents only 

 a fraction of the amount of what may be considered the normal 

 service charge. 



Cases may be found where meter rents are used in con- 

 nection with a minimum rate, but with this minor exception 



* Jour. N.E.W.W. Assoc., Vol. XXX, 1916, p. 467- 



