Exempt Water Meter Program

Exempt Water is water used in commercial, manufacturing, or industrial processes that, due to its application, is incapable of entering the sewage system, either directly or indirectly.  If a customer uses Exempt Water in the customer’s commercial, manufacturing, or industrial process, the person having charge of the property may request permission from the utility to install, at the user’s expense, a meter or meters to determine the quantity of water that cannot enter the sewage system or an approved sewage measuring device or devices to determine the volume of sewage that actually enters the sewage system.  If the request is approved, the volume of Exempt Water (as measured by the approved device(s)) will not be included as part of the total consumption for the purpose of calculating the customer’s monthly sewage bill.  In accordance with Section 51.067, however, the customer remains responsible for all applicable meter and reading device fees associated with the additional meter(s).

Application Requirements

  1. All customers wishing to install an exempt water meter(s) must apply for approval from City Utilities.
  2. All applications must include a plumbing plan, showing how and where the meter(s) will be installed.
  3. The plan must be approved by a City Utilities Representative.

The customer is responsible for all meter and reading device costs, including fixed monthly fees outlined in Section 51.067 of the Fort Wayne City Code.

Instructions for Application Submission

  1. Before filling out the application, be sure to have your plumbing plan available electronically for submission.
  2. Complete the application.

Please contact City Utilities Customer Support at (260) 427-1234 if you have any questions or concerns.

Installation Process

  1. City Utilities Customer Support will schedule an On-Site Visit to review the application and installation site. At this appointment, the customer will be advised if they qualify for the program and the City Utilities Operations representative will determine the type and size of equipment to be installed.
  2. The customer shall purchase the meter(s) and reading device(s) directly from City Utilities as outlined in Section 51.067. The cost includes delivery and installation of the meter(s) and reading device(s) which will be billed on the customer’s next bill.
  3. The meter shall be installed by City Utilities Operations in accordance with City Utilities installation specifications and plans for installation. The customer or its agent may be allowed to perform the installation in accordance with the City Utilities installation specifications and plans for installation as long as a City Utilities Operations representative is present.
  4. City Utilities Customer Support will schedule a meter delivery installation appointment. A City Utilities Operations representative will deliver and install the meter per the agreed appointment date and time. If the On-Site Personnel misses the appointment, without providing notice to City Utilities Customer Support, the applicant/customer will be charged an Additional Trip Charge fee for the cost incurred by City Utilities to dispatch a crew. Upon delivery and installation of the meter(s) and reading device(s), the customer will see the equipment charges and monthly fees per meter/radio as outlined in Section 51.067 on their next City Utilities bill.
  5. Once the equipment has been installed, City Utilities will assume responsibility for general maintenance and upgrades of the equipment. Provided, however, if a meter or reading device(s) is damaged and City Utilities determines the damage was caused by the customer, the customer shall be responsible for the cost of the replacement equipment.