Installation of Internal Water Meters in Residential Buildings
In accordance with the provisions of the General Terms and Conditions for the Supply of Water Services, the installation of internal water meters in existing (older) buildings is not carried out by Vodoopskrba i odvodnja d.o.o., but is entrusted to private authorised contractors selected by the co-owners of the building on the open market.
Readings of internal water meters are generally performed remotely. If the building does not have a main water meter that supports this method of reading, Vodoopskrba i odvodnja d.o.o. may – at the request of the co-owners – replace the existing main water meter with a suitable device adapted for remote reading.
The service provider is obliged to replace the main water meter in residential buildings every five years. However, if the building wishes to have it replaced earlier in order to introduce pulse water meters in the apartments, the representative of the co-owners must submit an official request to Vodoopskrba i odvodnja d.o.o. for the installation of a main water meter compatible with remote reading.
If that meter is not due for regular replacement, the cost of replacement is borne by the co-owners of the building.
Obligations of Co-owners and Required Documentation
In order for water consumption to be allocated according to the actual consumption in each apartment or commercial unit, the co-owners must conclude a co-ownership agreement, which must be approved by co-owners holding at least 51% of the ownership shares.
This agreement defines:
- the method of allocating consumed water based on readings of the internal water meters,
- the selection of the contractor who will carry out the installation and maintenance of the meters and the reading equipment,
- the appointment of an authorised party who will perform the allocation of water (this may be the company that carried out the installation, the building manager, or the representative of the co-owners),
- the method of allocating water for units in which meters have not been installed.
After installation, users conclude:
- a contract with the contractor for the installation and maintenance of the meters and reading equipment,
- a contract with the authorised party for the allocation of water based on readings of the main and internal water meters.
It is sufficient for an internal meter to be installed in at least one unit (apartment or commercial space) for the allocation system to start being applied.
Allocation of Consumption and Data Delivery
The authorised party for water allocation regularly reads the main and internal meters, prepares the allocation of consumption, and electronically submits the data to Vodoopskrba i odvodnja d.o.o. for the purpose of issuing invoices to all users.
It is important to note that a building may have only one authorised party, and the service provider will not take into account individual notifications from consumers.
The representative of the co-owners or the authorised party must submit:
- a copy of the co-ownership agreement with a list of co-owners who have approved it (at least 51%),
- copies of the contracts on installation, maintenance and allocation of water,
- a table of ownership shares of all users.
Submitting a Request for Replacement of the Main Water Meter
The request for the installation of a main water meter with remote reading capability is submitted:
- by post: Vodoopskrba i odvodnja d.o.o., p.p. 487, 10001 Zagreb
- in person: F. Folnegovića 1, Zagreb
- by e-mail: vio.info@zgh.hr
Source: Vodoopskrba i odvodnja d.o.o., www.vio.hr/zona-za-korisnike/ugradnja-internih-vodomjera/1477
