(Pursuant to La Crosse Municipal Code: Sec. 46-3)

1. Location
   1. Each service pipe, by means of which water is delivered by the Water Utility to a consumer (except such service pipes used solely for fire protection) shall be connected with an adequately sized meter to accurately measure the amount of water delivered through such pipe.
   2. It shall be the duty of the owner of any premises to provide a location for the water meter and to maintain such location and passageway thereto clean and sanitary and free from any obstructions or any condition of a hazardous nature. Water meters shall not be located below any stairway, landing, or platform unless there is provided a space not less than four feet above the center line of the water meter supply line. No connection for water meters shall be installed in any location not easily accessible; or which is, or may be, unclean, unsanitary or in any manner hazardous to Water Utility employees in the discharge of their duties. No meter shall be placed in any pit or manhole without special permission from the Board of Public Works or its duly authorized representative.
2. Installation
   1. All meters shall be installed in a horizontal setting, where the service pipe enters the building wall or rises through the floor and shall be provided with two gate or other full way valves, one on the supply side and one on the building side of the meter setting.
   2. For all meters of 1½ inches or less in size, the piping for the meter shall allow for a slight horizontal adjustment between the tail pieces of the meter and shall be so installed so that the bottom of the meter will be not less than 12 inches and not more than 30 inches above the adjacent floor level.
   3. All meters two inches or larger in size shall be supported by a steel or concrete stand to be furnished by the owner. The meter shall be set a minimum clear distance away from any wall or immovable object as follows: Two-inch meter: 12 inches; three-inch meter and larger: 14 inches. The bottom of the meter shall be set not less than 18 inches and not more than 36 inches above the adjacent floor level.
   4. All meters 1½ inches or larger in size shall have a by-pass, with a sealed valve, installed around the meter setting and sized as required by the State Plumbing Code.
   5. Whenever a water service pipe is extended to the property beyond the curb stop and properly flushed and tested, a water meter shall be installed immediately. The plumbing shall be so arranged that no water can be taken or supplied to the building and fixtures for which the meter was intended unless it will pass through and be registered by such meter. Licensed plumbers or their employees shall not leave turned on after the completion of work, any water supply not protected by a meter; nor shall any licensed plumber or employee, turn on, except for testing, any supply previously turned off by the Water Utility.
   6. The plumbers who make the service extension shall give the Water Utility at least 24 hours' notice of the time when the piping will be ready for the meter.
   7. No meter will be left at or installed in any premises unless the proper "Water Request" forms are signed or can be signed at the site by the legal owner of said property or his authorized agent. All meters shall be sealed by the Water Utility and the seals may be broken only by the Water Utility or when authorized by the Water Utility.
   8. In no case shall a pipe coupling be inserted in the line in place of a meter unless authorized by the Water Utility. Any person violating this provision will be required to pay an amount equal to the amount of damage sustained by the Water Utility, as determined by the Board of Public Works, by reason of loss or damage to the meter, and loss of revenue due to smaller registration of the meter. If the violator is a consumer, the water will be shut off and will remain so until the proper amount is paid. If the violator is a plumber, no further applications will be considered until the proper amount is paid.

What size of meter should a plumber install?

For larger multi-family, commercial or industrial metering applications, contact the La Crosse Utilities Office to speak with Water Utility personnel to ensure the meter size requested is appropriate. We want to be sure the smallest metering arrangement, that is most cost effective for the customer, is used while still meeting the needs of the water use. The Utility staff have found times that the size of meter requested by a plumber, without consulting utility personnel, was larger than needed; which can cost the customer hundreds of dollars more per year in the fixed service charges for water and sewer that are based on the meter size.

The La Crosse Utility primarily uses Sensus iperl meters as of 2014. During a plumbing upgrade or new construction, plumbers can use the following details for installing the meter setting.

Water Metering Links

• Sensus Lay Length/Max Gallons Info
• Sensus Meter Reading Cheat Sheet

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