A bill that would require installation of water submeters on all new multifamily units no longer would ban ratio-utility billing systems — also known as RUBS.

SB 750 by Senator Lois Wolk, D-Davis, advanced from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and heads to the Senate floor without the troubling provision.

Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis
Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis

RUBS are used by property owners to divide the water bill among tenants, based on the number of renters in the building or square footage.

Three primary areas of concerns remain for CAA:

  • The early date for the installation of submeters, now Jan. 1, 2014.
  • The limited availability of submeters.
  • The need for appropriate administrative fees for owners required to read and bill tenants for their water use.

Wolk graciously agreed in committee Tuesday to work with CAA on these remaining concerns.