Second Water Meter Procedure

Plumber presents a hard copy of the second water meter procedure to the property owner before beginning an installation.

(DOWNLOAD 2nd Meter Applicaton Packet)

It is the Property Owner’s responsibility to call the Water Division (781-979-4175) for final inspection when establishing a second water account.

The following procedure is to be followed when installing a deduct second water meter for irrigation use.  You do not need to pass in your application prior to installation.  Fill out the top portion and sign the bottom.  The Water Division will take it back at final inspection.  

  1. Obtain a plumbing permit for the meter installation and any associated re-piping. Plumbing Permits may only be taken out by a plumber currently licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Second meters will only be permitted when existing primary meter is properly plumbed, connected to a remote reader, and the existing water account is paid up to date and current.
  2. Obtain and complete the second water meter AUTHORIZATION FORM. A copy of this form is included in the downloadable packet. Additional copies may be obtained from the Water Division Billing Office at 562 Main St. (ground level) or on the City's webpage www.cityofmelrose.org under Forms & Documents. 
  3. Second meter installations must be made by the permitted licensed plumber and in accordance with Melrose Public Works Department – Water Division Standards. A sketch showing how meters are to be plumbed is attached. Copies of the sketch may also be obtained from the Water Billing Division. The Plumbing Inspector & Water Division must approve any alternative configuration prior to the installation.
  4. Property Owner must purchase water meter at their expense. The meter must be a Neptune T-10 Integrated E-coder R900i (radio read) recorded in cubic feet. The property owner is fully responsible for all costs associated with owning and operating the second water meter. Meters may be purchased at Ti-Sales located in Sudbury Massachusetts (800-225-4616).
  5. Obtain TWO INSPECTIONS when the meter installation is complete. The Licensed plumber must call the Plumbing Inspector (781-979-4136) for a plumbing inspection. After the Plumbing Inspector has signed off that the work is acceptable, the property owner must then call the Water Division (781-979-4175) to schedule a second meter inspection and account changeover.
  6. The “water bill” you receive is comprised of a charge for water and a charge for sewer. By properly installing a second water meter you will still receive a charge for both sewer and water on your bill. However, the sewer charge will not apply (is discounted) to that portion of the water measured through the second meter. One hundred percent (100%) of the water not measured by the second meter will be subject to full sewer charge. A 2nd meter base fee of $17.65 will be added to your bill each quarter; $5.89 if billed monthly.
  7. In order to receive a discounted sewer charge the meter reader MUST be able to read the second meter. No estimated reads will be granted on second meters. A $25 meter read fee will be applied to any homeowner requesting to have their second meter re-read or inspected due to high usage.

NO SEWER BILL ADJUSTMENT WILL BE MADE WITHOUT SIGN-OFF BY BOTH THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR & WATER DIVISION