On 24th of October 2023 it’s been three years since the enforcement of order ICT/155/2020, of February 7th, which regulates in Spain the State's metrological control of certain measuring instruments, therefore both, among others, of the park of water meters.

This regulation not only simplifies various existent norms, always in compliance with European directives, but also aims for a more efficient management of water, a scarce resource. Responsible water consumption involves, among other actions, accurate measurement.

Let's understand what it entails and the deadlines for the replacement of water meters.

Key updates from order ICT/155/2020

The most notable change is the obligation to replace clean water meters and other uses water meters, with approved ones in the following cases:

  1. when they become defective, 
  2. when the supplying company detects any anomalies in them,
  3. or when they reach the end of their lifespan.

Understanding the following:

  • their lifespan is now 12 years, although it can be extended based on verification,
  • they are not subject to periodic inspections,
  • their repair or modification is prohibited.

Deadlines for the renewal of water meters

The deadline for the law implementation, so the meters’ replacement, is set at 5 years from its enforcement date (24/10/2020).

Deadlines are as follows:

 Lifespan (years) Deadline for verification/renewal request

Deadline for renewal
WATER METERS  12 (*) 24/09/2025 24/10/2025

(*) The period may be extended for successive periods of five years when the competent managing body (authorized metrological verification entity) demonstrates that, by applying the established criteria for sampling verification, the water meters meet the requirements.

Who should replace the meter? And who pays for it?

The ultimate responsibility lies with the meter owner, which is usually the consumer. However, as we will see, water supplying or commercializing companies are the ones taking care of the verification and replacement. 

To be more precise, there are two types of meter condition assessments, and in each case the obligation falls on different individuals:

a) In the case of unit verification, the instrument owner, as the ultimate responsible party, will request verification from a competent company. In many cases, the maintenance cost is already covered by the water distribution company or another subcontracted entity. Although the owner is responsible, they shift the obligation to the aforementioned company as they pay for the maintenance.

b) In the case of the verification of homogeneous meter batches through statistical sampling, the manager (meter park owner) will request verification from an authorized metrological verification entity.

Regardless of the responsible party, only an authorized company/installer can perform the installation.

Conformity assessment

The conformity assessment applicable to the commercialization and commissioning of clean water meters was already specified in Annex VIII of Real Decreto 244/2016, dated 3rd of June. This assessment must be carried out in compliance with the requirements that measuring instruments must meet, including:

  • adapting to the particular installation conditions,
  • meeting the flow demand and the temperature and pressure requirements as stipulated in the aforementioned Real Decreto,
  • proper sealing by the person/entity conducting the verification, as regulated by the administration body responsible for verification according to Real Decreto 889/2006, dated 21st of July,
  • demonstrating appropriate metrological quality.

Challenges when implementing the meter batches substitution

At the time of the regulation’s publication the water meter fleet in Spain was estimated to consist of over 6 million units older than 12 years. In a few years that figure could triple. It is undoubtedly a massive undertaking.

However, if updating water meter park is a significant task due to the huge quantity of units, installers can come face to face with an additional difficulty: adapting the new meters to an incompatible supply water installation, very old in some cases, especially when there’s no standardized meter batteries. For solving this issue may be needed adapted fittings to facilitate the connection of the new meters.

At rmmcia, we've developed bespoke pieces to solve specific challenging scenarios, which are common in certain geographical areas yet quite different in others. Over these recent years, we've received diverse requests such as extended fittings for a ¾” Llobregat threaded water meter to ½”, threaded rings to complement the connection, and various lengths of the meter's cone, with the shortest being 30 mm, or cones with a flat seat. In other cases, the need was to complete the missing length. For instance, when replacing a longer meter  of190 mm with a shorter one of 115 mm, or a custom extension to fill the 60 mm gap when replacing a 190 mm meter with a 130 mm one, or a special 35 mm fitting to switch from a 115 mm meter to an 80 mm one. We've also manufactured an adapter that enables transitioning from a 100 mm meter to an 80 mm one.

Below, a few models of special manufacturing fittings and also our meter coupling sets, rubber joints, threaded reducers and nuts with locking hole.

M-F EXTENSIONS AT DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS

ACCESSORIES FOR WATER METERS

Contact us if you cannot find your accessory or need a special fitting.