Bakersfield Flat to Meter Frequently Asked Questions

All water providers are required by law to install meters by 2025; the City of Bakersfield has requested that we accelerate our meter installation program because of the critical importance of conserving water.

Your bill could go up or down, depending on how much water you use. You can use the information in our conservation section to help minimize your water usage.

In virtually all cases, it will be placed where your existing Cal Water valve is located. If you have a parkway in front of your house, this valve is probably located there. If your sidewalk adjoins the curb, this valve is most likely in the landscaped area on the back edge of the sidewalk. In most cases, the valve (and meter) should be located in front of your house between the property lines.

An estimated schedule is available online. The schedule is a living document that will change from time to time.

We will send you a letter by mail a few weeks beforehand, and one or two days before we reach your property, we’ll hang a notice on your front door.

No, the costs of the meter and installation are included in water rates.

Monthly bills for metered service include a fixed monthly service charge based upon meter size. This service charge covers fixed costs. Many costs of operating a water system do not change based upon water use. Costs to finance and maintain a water system of wells, pipes, pumps, and tanks are constant regardless of how much water is used. Also, payroll and benefits for your local staff do not change with water use. These facilities and services ensure that the water system is ready to provide you with water service whenever you need it.

It is included in water rates.

You do not need to be home when your meter is installed. In most cases, we will turn the water back on in your absence. If our inspector determines that water is flowing through the meter after the system stabilizes, we will leave the water off to avoid water loss. A note will be left on your door with a 24-hour phone number you can call. We will dispatch an employee to turn your water back on and help you determine if you have a leak.

An overall project map is available, showing those projects that have been scheduled. More detailed maps can be found through the estimated schedule page.

Any concrete we are required to remove to install the meter will be replaced at no cost to you.

We will make every effort to impact surrounding landscaping as little as possible. Our goal is to leave the area like we found it, to the extent possible.

Water mains located in back yards present a challenge for us. Each property will be assessed, and based on this assessment,

• Install a meter in your back yard that we will eventually read on a monthly basis.
• Install a meter in your back yard that can be read electronically without us entering your back yard.
• Replace the old back yard water main with a water main in front of your house. We replace old water mains as part of our ongoing water system maintenance program, and it could take several years before we reach your area. If that is the case, your meter will be placed in the back yard until the main line is replaced by a new one in front of your house.

Average summer usage for metered customers is 37 Ccf, and average winter usage for metered customers is 14 Ccf.

There will be a period of time between the date the meter is installed and your first metered bill arrives. If we begin billing you for metered service in the middle of the billing cycle, the bill will be prorated to the effective date to ensure that you’re not paying twice for the same period.

In most cases, it will be read by a person who will enter the information into a hand-held computer; however, as indicated earlier, for certain properties, we may install remote-read meters.

The flat rate covers both the fixed and variable costs of water service, while the metered bill is broken into two components: the service charge, which covers a portion of the fixed water system operations costs, and the quantity rate, which is the charge based upon the amount of water used.

It takes significant resources, and we are completing the conversions as quickly as possible while controlling the impact on rates.

You can request a meter and we will install it as soon as possible; however, we will adhere to our installation plan as much as possible to avoid significantly impacting rates.

Your meter size will be based on your lot size.

The meter size will be based upon the lot size to ensure adequate flow. The meter should have very little effect on water flow.

As a homeowner, you own the water and sewer/septic lines on your property. You are responsible for the maintenance and repair of these lines. Tree roots, soil conditions and the age of your water line or sewer/septic line can all cause your lines to fail, leaving you with a repair bill that can be very costly. The insurance protection that is offered by Home Emergency Insurance Solutions, a Cal Water preferred provider, are optional, third-party, non-tariffed services. Cal Water customers are not required to sign up for these services in order to receive regulated water utility services from Cal Water. Decide for yourself if this coverage is right for you. If you have any further questions about the programs offered please call Home Emergency Insurance Solutions toll-free 1-877-444-2465 or go online to www.cwplans.com.

We will repair any leaks caused by our meter installation.