Deduct Water Meters

City Ordinance:

Deduct water meters. Any water taker may purchase from the city a deduct water meter to eliminate sewer charges for water used for recreational or irrigation purposes that does not enter the city’s sanitary sewer system. Such deduct meter shall be fitted with an appropriate backflow prevention device as required by the commonwealth department of environmental protection. All costs associated with the installation and maintenance of a deduct meter, as well as the fees for the required annual inspection of the meter and backflow prevention device by authorized city personnel, shall be the responsibility of the water taker.

(Code 1973, §§ 32-17, 32-18.1)

Procedure:

1. A licensed plumber should apply for a plumbing permit at the Building Department located at 98 Washington Street, 2nd Floor (Tel. # 978-619-5639).
2. Once the plumber receives the plumbing permit, he/she can purchase the water meter from Ti-Sales by calling 800.225.4616.
3. Once the deduct meter has been installed, the plumber must notify the City’s Plumbing Inspector at 978-619-5639 for inspection.
4. The homeowner must contact City of Salem at 978-619-5674 to have meter wired to the sending unit.

As the property owner, you are responsible for monitoring your water bills to ensure the meter is operational and for any costs associated with the maintenance and annual inspection of the meter and backflow prevention device (City Ordinance Ch. 46 Art. II Div. I).

If maintenance of the deduct meter or associated backflow prevention device is needed, you can contact a plumber to make repairs or replacements.  You may also contact the Water Billing Department at 978.619.5674 to schedule an inspection and necessary maintenance or replacement of the deduct water meter.  The city does not maintain or replace backflow prevention devices. Please note that the cost for time, materials, repair or replacement of the deduct meter by the City of Salem will be added to your water bill as a one-time charge based on the fee schedule below, which may change periodically based on market fluctuations:

If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Water Registrar Brian Pszenny at 978-619-5674.