28 July, 1955.) THE LEEWARD. ISLANDS GAZETTE, 128 WATER METERS AND RATES. The attention of householders is invited to the contents of this Notice which aims at supplying information and guidance on the reading and testing of water meters as well as enumerating the rates payable for consumption and use of water. The meters which are being installed are capable of registering consumption up to 10,000,000 gallons. Jivery meter consists of five small dials, registering as follows:— (i) hundreds (ii) thousands (iii) ten thousands (iv) hundred thousands (v) millions, all of which are set within a larger dial which registers every gallon of water used. All these dials work clockwise put not necessarily in the same direction. The large, thousand and hundred thousand dials move from right to left while the hundred, ten thousand and one million dials move from left to right. These dials register in the same manner as the electric meters. Any one can read the meter by simply noting the numbers on each dial. If the pointer on a dial is between two numbers the lower number is taken. Thus if a pointer is between the figures “8” and “9” the reading of that dial is “8”. As the standard unit is 1000 gallons charges will be made to the nearest 1000. If at the end of the first quarter your meter reading is as follows:-— , (i) thousand dial “5” (ii) hundred dial “3” (iii) large dial “92” 8' ‘Ths consumption will be 5,892 gallons and the units charged will be 6,000 gallons. Each building will be supplied with a Meter Record Card on which the reading of the meter and the units used will be recorded at the end of each quarter. The Regulations provide that whenever any questiun shall arise as to the accuracy of any meter, the house- holder may, on depositing into the Treasury the sum of $3.60, require that the meter be tested. If the error found in the meter does not exceed three per cent. the meter shall be deemed to be correct but if it is found to be incorrect the amount of the deposit will be refunded, To obviate any unnecessary request for the testing of a meter and the attendant deposit the householder is advised to satisfy himself of the accuracy of the meter by making the following rough check. (i) make sure that all taps and fittings in the premises are closed, then read the meter. (ii) open one tap and fill a container of not less than 4 gallons capacity (i.e. a kerosene tin). Close the tap and again read the meter. he difference between the two meter readings should be equal to the quantity in the container. : (iii) Only after having made this check should a householder make a request for a meter test. The testing of meters will entail, particularly in cases where the house is situated at a fair distance from the Public Works Department, the sending of a meter testing tank of 200 gallons capacity on a vehicle with a plumber to the spot and this costs money as well as time. The deposit which householders have to make must not be considered asa penalty or device to obtain money from the public but rather as a deterrent to check unnecessary complaints. The Water rates are as Follows: DOMESTIC. Minimum charge of $1.20 per quarter for the first 3,000 gallons or part thereof consumed and an additional charge of 50 cents for each further 1,000 gallons consumed. NON-DOMESTIC. Minimum charge of $3.00 per quarter for the first 3,000 gallons or part thereof consumed and an additional charge of 80 cents for each further 1,000 gallons consumed. The rental payable for meters are as follows:— 4 inch Meter ee 30 cents per month 90 cents per quarter 3 inch Meter - aus —_ $1.00 per quarter Exceeding 3 inch but not exceeding 14 inches Sa 60 cents per month $1.80 ,, f Once again the co-operation of the Public is requested during the installation of meters. - Administrator’s Office, Antigua. : 23rd July, 1955. Ref. No. A, 65/7—IV. ANTIGUA. Printed at the Government Printing Office, Leeward Islands, by E, M. BLACKMAN, Government Printer.—By Authority 1955. [Price 12 cents]