Water meter
Water meter is a measuring instrument for a continuous measurement, recording and display of the volume of water flowing through it on standardized working conditions.
Pursuant to the Public Water Supply and Sewerage Act (§ 15), the water sold to the customer from the public water supply system must be measured by means of water meter. The installation of a water meter is an obligation of the water undertaking.
AS Tallinna Vesi shall install the main water meter in a properly built water metering unit of a customer and shall perform further maintenance and verification of the water meter at company’s expense, except if the water meter is damaged or stolen on customer’s fault. Upon termination of the service contract (incl. temporary suspension), we will dismantle the water meter free of charge.
Additional water meters (incl. water meters and hot water meters installed in apartments) usually belong to the customer and we do not perform or offer any control, verification or repair on these meters.
The size of a water meter and the nominal flow will be selected based on the average consumption of water per hour. In the detached buildings, DN 15 and DN 20 water meters are installed, with a nominal flow of 1.5 m3/h and 2.5 m3/h, respectively. Choosing a water meter, based on the average consumption of water per hour:
| Nominal water consumption, m3/h | 1.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 10.0 |
| Water meter gauge, inches (mm) | 1/2 (15) | 3/4 (20) | 1 (25) | 11/2 (40) |
The water meters in use are equipped with a sieve. In case of a pressure drop or a blockage, we will clean the sieve or replace the water meter.
Control and verification of water meters
AS Tallinna Vesi must, in accordance with the Regulation No 65 of 01.01.2019 by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure, verify all the main water meters in every 5 years, by removing the old water meter and installing a new, recently calibrated water meter on a site. The new water meter may have been previously in use. All water meters shall be controlled, repaired, if necessary, and verified before any new installation. The process of controlling and verifying the water meters is performed on a special test bed, without any human intervention. Verification is carried out by AS Metrosert.
In case of any doubt of a failure of the water meter, it is possible to order a measurement accuracy expertise from AS Tallinna Vesi or to take the water meter for an expertise to another verification laboratory. If the customer wants to take the water meter elsewhere, we need to be informed beforehand, so we can replace the water meter with a new verified meter. Application for water meter verification (EST) is available at our website at: https://klient.tallinnavesi.ee/Application/List. The applicant for the accuracy expertise may be present during the procedure to make sure that it is correct. If it appears that the meter‘s measurement accuracy remains within the limits of the error, the customer shall bear the costs.
The expertise of water meters shall be conducted on a special test bed for water meters, allowing to determine the measuring error of a water meter in accordance with the standards within 3 flow points:
- Qmin (Q1) – the smallest flow value, below which the water meter error is not limited. Permissible range of measuring error for cold water meters is ≤ +/- 10%;
- Qt (Q2) transition flow – this is a flow value, below which the water meter error is +/-5%. Permissible range of measuring error for cold water meters is ≤ +/- 4%;
- Qn (Q3) nominal flow – this is the highest flow of a given meter at which the water meter may work continuously. Permissible range of measuring error for cold water meters is ≤ +/- 4%;
Note: Different symbols for flow values described above are due to the different standards, according to which the water meter is manufactured.
The customer does not have to pay for the expertise, if the water meter was incorrect (i.e. the measuring error exceeded the permissible limits). If the water meter was correct (i.e. the measuring error remained within the permissible limits), the customer shall have to pay for the expertise.
If the expertise reveals that:
- the measuring error of the water meter exceeds the permissible limit in at least one of the points (i.e. to the detriment of the customer), then the customer does not need to pay for the expertise and we shall make a settlement for the water consumption of the last 6 calendar months based on the percentage of measuring error, incl. the calendar month when the measuring accuracy was controlled, until the new meter is installed;
- the measuring error of the water meter is proved to be negative (i.e. for the benefit of the customer), then the customer does not have to pay for the expertise, neither will he be asked to pay any extra charge.
Smart water meter
AS Tallinna Vesi will begin installing remotely readable smart meters this summer and is planning to replace the water meters for all customers in its service area with smart ones by 2026 at the latest, so that customers would no longer need to report water meter readings. Smart water meters will be installed for all private persons and companies who have entered into a direct contract with Tallinna Vesi following company’s regular water meter verification program. In 2022, new meters will be installed for customers who had their water meters last verified 5 years ago. Smart water meters will be installed to customers, whose water metering unit is technically in order and meets the requirements of Tallinna Vesi.
Potential service providers
It is the responsibility of the customer as the owner to ensure that the water metering unit meets the requirements and to arrange for the construction/reconstruction of the water metering unit, following the technical specifications (EST) set out by AS Tallinna Vesi. Since Tallinna Vesi does not provide the said service, the customer will have to contact the service provider offering construction/reconstruction of the water metering unit, who performs plumbing works that comply with the requirements. We suggest that you ask for quotes from at least three different service providers to find the contractor best suited for the works. Below is a list of potential service providers who have the technical specifications for water metering units set out by Tallinna Vesi*:
E.M Water OÜ – ph 56 61 85 53, e-mail: info@emwater.ee
Evald Rosenkron OÜ – ph 50 24 165, e-mail: evaldrosenkron@gmail.com
Mardisoo OÜ – ph 55 51 28 58, e-mail: info@mardisoo.ee
Pitskruvi OÜ – ph 50 50 278, e-mail: toomasasku@gmail.com
RempFast OÜ – ph 56 93 43 70, e-mail: rempfast@gmail.com
TS Pipe OÜ – tel 58 19 08 80, e-post: info@tspipe.ee
* This is a non-exhaustive list and therefore the customer has a free choice and the right to use also service providers not listed here to carry out the works.
For service providers who want to have their information to be included in the list, please contact tvesi@tvesi.ee.