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1. Before you schedule your appointment, you must do the following:

• Locate the water meter in your home or business. Most water meters are located in the lower level or utility room.
  1. This is a picture of a water meter with gate valves on either side. There are variations on this set up within the city.
                                                                                                                     
  2. Your home may have either a ball valve or a gate valve as shown below. Gate valves may need to be replaced.

                          

• Ensure the area around the water meter is clear, to allow working space for the installers. The meter must be accessible and not located behind water heaters, water softeners, washer/dryer, boxes or other obstacles. If the meter is not readily available, you will need to hire a plumber to make the meter accessible. 

• Ensure the water shut off valves located before and after your water meter are free of leaks and in working condition.  
  1. This video provides tips for locating your water main, pipes and valves 
  2. This video provides tips for checking your shut off valves 

• Verify when the valves are shut off, that the water is completely off. If the valves do not operate properly, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to have them replaced or repaired before the meter replacement is scheduled to occur. You may call a plumber to do the work or if you a comfortable with it, you may make the repairs yourself. 
• NOTE: Gate valves are no longer industry standard. These valves should be exercised regularly by homeowners as part of a normal maintenance. There is a high likelihood that your gate valve will need to be replaced.

• To replace the valve before the meter, the water will need to be shut off at the curb-stop by St. Joseph Utilities. Please schedule an appointment at least 48 hours in advance of the repair with Mike at 320-557-7399. This advance notification will allow Utility Staff time to locate and verify the operation of the curb-stop prior to an appointment you may have with your plumber. 

• Leaking or faulty valves may mean the installer will be unable to complete the meter replacement as scheduled. The repair of any leaks or valves are the responsibility of the property owner. Valves repairs should be made prior to scheduling the meter replacement.

• The City of St. Joseph and Midwest Testing are not liable for repairs of defective valves or plumbing. 

• There is no charge for the meter installation or for water shutdowns at the curb-stop.

2. Common Meter Valve Installations

 

There are some different variations on what the meter installation at your home may look like.

 

Below are three examples to assist you in locating the meter and the valves in your home.

 

 

Example 1  

Example 2 

Example 3  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Who will be replacing my water meter?

• The City of St. Joseph has contracted Midwest Testing to do the installation of your new water meter. 

• The installer will arrive at your house or business in a vehicle with Midwest Testing branding. They will have photo IDs’ and uniforms to identify themselves, and will identify themselves prior to the meter replacement. 
• All installers have completed training and background checks. 
• Installers will need to gain access to the interior of your home or business for the meter installation. 

4. Midwest Testing will also be checking for cross connections and sump pumps. What does that mean?

Part of the process of installing your new water meter will be checking water cross-connections and sump pump discharge connections.

A cross-connection is any temporary or permanent connection between the potable (i.e., drinking) water system and another source containing non-potable water or other substances that could contaminate your drinking water if a backflow condition occurs.

Sump pumps are not allowed to drain into the City's sanitary sewer system. While this might seem like an easier option than running a discharge tube from the sump pump to the exterior, it is illegal when the home is connected to the city sewer. During larger storm events, the sewage treatment facilities can be overloaded causing either sewage backups into peoples' homes, or the sewage water only gets partially treated before being dumped into local streams and rivers.

 Brochure Regarding Cross-Connection Hazards

5. How long will the appointment take?

• Each appointment takes less than one hour to complete and the water will need to be shut off for a brief time during the appointment. 
• An adult (at least 18 years old) will need to be present during the appointment. 
• The work is typically completed in 25-45 minutes.

6. How do I schedule the appointment?

You will receive a letter approximately two weeks prior to your required replacement date. That letter will include instructions on how to schedule the appointment to replace your water meter. Appointments will be available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Failure to comply, will result in a $60.00 fee per billing cycle until the replacement is completed. 

7. How can I monitor my household’s water usage after the new meter is installed?

• The customer portal is called EyeOnWater. 
• Below is a link to a user guide to the EyeOnWater portal and an instructional video. 
• Please Note: When you sign up for EyeOnWater, you will be asked for your account number from your utility bill. 

EyeOnWater User Guide