Be Beer er Co Co. Cobourg Council Meeting Monday, August 12 th , - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Be Beer er Co Co. Cobourg Council Meeting Monday, August 12 th , - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Wi William liam St Street reet Be Beer er Co Co. Cobourg Council Meeting Monday, August 12 th , 2019 Who We Are William Street Beer Co. (WSBC) Micro Brewery Located in Cobourg Opened in 2014 Partner in Cobourgs

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SLIDE 1

Wi William liam St Street reet Be Beer er Co Co.

Cobourg Council Meeting Monday, August 12th, 2019

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SLIDE 2

Who We Are

  • William Street Beer Co. (WSBC)
  • Micro Brewery
  • Located in Cobourg
  • Opened in 2014
  • Partner in Cobourg’s Vibrant Small Business Community
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SLIDE 3

The Is Issue

  • Overcharged for water and sewer for a total of $8,050
  • Despite demonstrating and providing evidence the water

was not consumed, LUSI refuses claim for reimbursement

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SLIDE 4

Background

  • Moved to Victoria Place, 975 Elgin St. W. in September, 2016
  • December 18th, 2017, a new digital water meter installed and the
  • ver-billing problems started
  • Over approx. the next five months, WSBC was billed for undelivered

water and the related sewer fees

  • Over-billing refund requested is $10,101

Water and Sewer $8,050 + Interest $2,051

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SLIDE 5

Impact on WSBC

  • Reduced cash needed to run the business
  • Planned products could not be produced
  • Plans were disrupted
  • Revenue decreased
  • Opportunities were lost
  • Management and employees were stressed
  • Business suffered
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SLIDE 6

Two Questions to Consider

  • Could the amount of water have possibly been consumed?
  • If not, is there a plausible explanation for the excessive

meter readings?

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SLIDE 7

Water Volume

1 Litre x 1,000 = 1 Cubic Meter (M3)

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SLIDE 8

LUSI Claims

  • In 133 days (December 18, 2017 to April 30th, 2018)
  • WSBC was charged for 2,416.58 M3
  • An average of 18.17 M3 per day
  • That’s 18 vats per day!
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SLIDE 9

Resolution Efforts

  • WSBC had numerous meetings

− LUSI Staff − LUSI Management − Town CAO & Public Works − Mayor (former) Brocanier − Mayor (former) Coombs

  • Requested to present to LUSI’s Board a number of times – Denied.
  • No resolution was achieved
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SLIDE 10

LUSI Investigation

  • LUSI did not test the meter on site
  • LUSI observed no leaks
  • Plumber’s inspection found no leaks
  • No evidence of a leak
  • No wet floor
  • No running water sound
  • LUSI can’t explain where the water went
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SLIDE 11

LUSI’s Position

  • Must have changed the production process or there must be

a leak

  • Claim the meter is correct
  • Pay the bill or be disconnected
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SLIDE 12

Alternative Explanations Ignored

  • Electronic interference from a nearby water-cooled

condenser motor

  • LUSI staff surprised that the water meter was located

so close to this electrical equipment and motor

  • Public Works Staff also suggested proximity

interference during meeting with the CAO

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SLIDE 13

Meter, Condenser and Drain Line

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SLIDE 14

Reasons Water Cooled Condenser Was Not Consumption Source

  • Excessive water usage didn’t reduce back to normal levels until 2+

days later

  • Valves fail slowly over time as opposed to working periodically

(fluctuations in water consumption)

  • Supply line to the condenser is only ¼” and could not flow that much

water unless under great pressure (Town’s water supply isn’t pressurized)

  • Drain line is exposed and flows to a floor drain. Water would have

been spraying all over the place

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SLIDE 15

0.000 5.000 10.000 15.000 20.000 25.000

Meter Data Log

Meter Data Log

Data Log 1 Data Log 2

Condenser Replaced

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SLIDE 16

In Industry ry Caution

  • Reasonable distance between a smart meter (an electrical device) and

industrial electrical equipment is:

− Best practice − Common sense

  • Colorado River Agency: Electrical Services

−Metering installation requirements 301.9-1 “Unacceptable equipment in meter rooms” −Equipment not permitted within the electric meter room includes, but is not limited to following:

  • 1. 3. Mechanical equipment – including motor/generator sets
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SLIDE 17

WSBC’s Defense

  • WSBC keeps detailed production records:

−Including water usage −Quality & cost control −CRA calibration required for excise tax −Two CRA audits at this location; both passed with no issues

  • WSBC records match the meter readings when LUSI meter works

correctly

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SLIDE 18

William Street Beer Co. Water Consumption - Litres Brew Date Batch BBT Volume Packaging Date Water Consumed Cooling Process Brewing Total Cleaning Fixture Ave. TOTAL Cubic Meters Per Day

  • Dec. 3, 2017

Winter Warmer 720

  • Dec. 19, 2017

972 432 1404 220 12,000 13,624 13.62 0.45

  • Jan. 5, 2018

Cliff Top Pale Ale 1590

  • Jan. 25, 2018

2146.5 954 3100.5

  • Jan. 9, 2018

Farmstand Lager 800

  • Mar. 9, 2018

1080 480 1560

  • Jan. 24, 2018

Monkey Mountain 810

  • Mar. 14, 2018

1093.5 486 1579.5 660 8,000 14,900 14.90 0.50

  • Feb. 15&16, 2018

North Shore Ale 1560

  • Mar. 14, 2018

2106 936 3042

  • Feb. 22, 2018

Farmstand Lager 780

  • Mar. 22, 2018

1053 468 1521 440 8,000 13,003 13.00 0.43

  • Mar. 2018

NONE N/A 9,000 9,000 9.00 0.30

  • Apr. 4, 2018

Farmstand Lager 790

  • Apr. 23, 2018

1066.5 474 1540.5

  • Apr. 11, 2018

Red Sky Amber 1750

  • Apr. 26, 2018

2362.5 1050 3412.5

  • Apr. 26, 2018

Cliff Top Pale Ale 1820

  • May. 20, 2018

2457 1092 3549 660 10,000 19,162 19.16 0.64

  • May. 2, 2018

Farmstand Lager 820

  • May. 23, 2018

1107 492 1599

  • May. 18, 2018

Orange Cream Cycle 890

  • Jun. 6, 2018

1201.5 534 1735.5

  • May. 22&23, 2018

North Shore Ale 1720

  • Jun. 13, 2018

2322 1032 3354

  • May. 24, 2018

Farmstand Lager 835

  • Jun. 21, 2018

1127.25 501 1628.25 880 9,000 18,197 18.20 0.61

  • Jun. 14, 2018

White Sail Hefeweizen 810

  • Jul. 3, 2018

1093.5 486 1579.5

  • Jun. 15, 2018

Farmstand Lager 860

  • Jul. 11, 2018

1161 516 1677

  • Jun. 22&23, 2018

Red Sky Amber 1850

  • Jul. 11, 2018

2497.5 1110 3607.5 660 10,000 17,524 17.52 0.58 July 9, 2014 Farmstand Lager 860 August 8, 2014 1161 516 1677 July 17&18, 2018 Cliff Top Pale 1650 August 10, 2014 2227.5 990 3217.5 July 19, 2018 Orange Cream Cycle 910 August 14, 2014 1228.5 546 1774.5 660 15,000 22,329 22.33 0.74 Aug 10, 2018 Farmstand Lager 860 Sep 10, 2014 1161 516 1677 Aug 15&16, 2018 North Shore Ale 1710 Sep 17, 2014 2308.5 1026 3334.5 Aug 20, 2018 Harvest Ale 850 Sep 17, 2014 1147.5 510 1657.5 660 17,000 24,329 24.33 0.81 Sept 14, 2018 Farmstand Lager 790 Oct 10, 2014 1066.5 474 1540.5 Sept 18&19, 2018 Red Sky Amber 1790 Oct 8, 2014 2416.5 1074 3490.5 440 14,000 19,471 19.47 0.65 Monthly Average 3,427.3 4,626.8 2,056.4 6,683.2 670.0 10,318.2 17,671.4 17.67 0.59

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SLIDE 19

Water Consumption Costs Month Consumption W Srvc. Chrg. Fire Protect W Usage B1 W Usage B2 S Srvc. Chrg. S Usage B1 S Usage B2 Total Charged Delta 1.5% /mo. Total

  • Dec. 2017

13.62 $12.23 $25.79 $14.30 $0.00 $13.35 $18.52 $0.00 $84.19 $715.36 $631.17

  • vercharge

$0.00 $631.17

  • Jan. 2018

14.90 $12.66 $25.79 $17.14 $0.00 $13.83 $21.16 $0.00 $90.57 $1,989.38 $1,898.81

  • vercharge

$9.47 $640.63

  • Feb. 2018

13.00 $12.71 $25.79 $14.95 $0.00 $13.88 $18.46 $0.00 $85.79 $1,832.45 $1,746.66

  • vercharge

$38.09 $2,577.53

  • Mar. 2018

9.00 $12.71 $25.79 $10.35 $0.00 $13.88 $12.78 $0.00 $75.51 $1,839.30 $1,763.79

  • vercharge

$64.86 $4,389.05

  • Apr. 2018

19.16 $12.71 $25.79 $22.03 $0.00 $13.88 $27.21 $0.00 $101.62 $1,442.46 $1,340.84

  • vercharge

$92.29 $6,245.14

  • May. 2018

18.20 $12.71 $25.79 $20.93 $0.00 $13.88 $25.84 $0.00 $99.15 $239.07 $139.92

  • vercharge

$113.79 $7,699.77

  • Jun. 2018

17.24 $12.71 $25.79 $19.83 $0.00 $13.88 $24.48 $0.00 $96.69 $195.91 $99.22 interest $117.60 $7,957.28

  • Jul. 2018

22.10 $12.71 $25.79 $25.42 $0.00 $13.88 $31.38 $0.00 $109.18 $185.27 $76.09 interest $120.85 $8,177.35

  • Aug. 2018

24.84 $12.71 $25.79 $26.14 $3.02 $13.88 $32.28 $3.71 $117.53 $183.73 $66.20 interest $123.80 $8,377.24

  • Sept. 2018

19.14 $12.71 $25.79 $22.01 $0.00 $13.88 $27.18 $0.00 $101.57 $157.45 $55.88 interest $126.65 $8,570.10

  • Oct. 2018

25.47 $12.71 $25.79 $26.14 $3.92 $13.88 $32.28 $4.82 $119.54 $167.59 $48.05 interest $129.39 $8,755.37

  • Nov. 2018

14.72 $12.71 $25.79 $16.93 $0.00 $13.88 $20.90 $0.00 $90.21 $128.89 $38.68 interest $132.05 $8,935.47

  • Dec. 2018

21.15 $12.71 $25.79 $24.32 $0.00 $13.88 $30.03 $0.00 $106.74 $147.69 $40.95 interest $134.61 $9,108.76

  • Jan. 2019

17.68 $12.71 $25.79 $20.33 $0.00 $13.88 $25.11 $0.00 $97.82 $128.12 $30.30 interest $137.25 $9,286.96

  • Feb. 2019

24.85 $12.71 $25.79 $26.14 $3.03 $13.88 $32.28 $3.73 $117.56 $140.55 $22.99 interest $139.76 $9,457.03

  • Mar. 2019

18.70 $13.22 $25.79 $23.56 $0.00 $14.44 $27.68 $0.00 $104.69 $120.61 $15.92 interest $142.20 $9,622.22

  • Apr. 2019

21.03 $13.22 $25.79 $26.50 $0.00 $14.44 $31.12 $0.00 $111.07 $122.92 $11.85 interest $144.57 $9,782.71

  • May. 2019

14.16 $13.22 $25.79 $17.84 $0.00 $14.44 $20.96 $0.00 $92.25 $102.94 $10.69 interest $146.92 $9,941.48

  • Jun. 2019

18.06 $13.22 $25.79 $22.76 $0.00 $14.44 $26.73 $0.00 $102.93 $114.70 $11.77 interest $149.28 $10,101.45 TOTAL 347.02 $1,904.61 $9,954.39 $8,049.78 Refund AVERAGE 18.26 $100.24

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SLIDE 20

WSBC Tracking LUSI Meter

  • Sep. 2017

19.22 0.00

  • Oct. 2017

16.76 0.00

  • Nov. 2017

17.37 0.00

  • Dec. 2017

13.62 224.44

  • Jan. 2018

14.90 611.05

  • Feb. 2018

13.00 548.30

  • Mar. 2018

9.00 556.05

  • Apr. 2018

19.16 413.80

  • May. 2018

18.20 62.94

  • Jun. 2018

17.52 17.24

  • Jul. 2018

22.33 22.10

  • Aug. 2018

24.33 24.84

  • Sep. 2018

19.47 19.14

0.00 100.00 200.00 300.00 400.00 500.00 600.00 700.00

  • Sep. 2017
  • Oct. 2017
  • Nov. 2017
  • Dec. 2017
  • Jan. 2018
  • Feb. 2018
  • Mar. 2018
  • Apr. 2018
  • May. 2018
  • Jun. 2018
  • Jul. 2018
  • Aug. 2018
  • Sep. 2018

Cubic Meters per month

WSBC vs LUSI Water Usage

WSBC M3 LUSI M3

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SLIDE 21

Conclusion

  • There is no rational or logical way WSBC could have used the

excessive water they were billed for

  • Demonstrated the reasons and associated proof of the digital

meter being impacted by nearby equipment

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SLIDE 22

Not An Is Isolated Is Issue

  • Media articles report digital water meter overbilling in numerous cities

− St. Catharines − Aurora − Calgary − Edmonton − A number of U.S. cities including, Cleveland, Charlotte, Tampa, Atlanta

  • Class action law suits filed
  • Governments are taking action to protect water utility customers

− Toronto − Alberta

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SLIDE 23

Toronto and Alberta Protection

  • Ombudsman report included a key recommendation:

“The City (Toronto) amend the municipal code…… to adjust the account of a customer who has experienced a sudden large increase in water consumption not explained by a meter test or a leak check”

  • New Alberta legislation would expand mandate of the Alberta Utilities

Consumer Advocate(UCA) to include water, sewage and drainage customers

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SLIDE 24

WSBC Request

WSBC asks that Cobourg Council direct Town staff and LUSI to;

  • Correct WSBC’s water and sewer accounts
  • $10,101 be paid to WSBC, being the over-billing amount plus interest
  • Payment be made within fifteen (15) business days