The City of Tampa makes portable meters available for temporary water service from a fire hydrant, for construction or a similar temporary use.
All requests for installations, moves, and removals of portable hydrant meters must be submitted online via Tampa Connect. These requests are scheduled within two business days.
Once your portable hydrant meter application has been approved, your water customer account will be activated. Then, you must pay all required deposit and installation fees to begin temporary water service. Payments can be submitted online using your 7-digit utility account number, or by mailing a check or money order made to the City of Tampa Water Department at the following address:
City of Tampa Water Department
Development Services
2555 E Hanna Avenue
Tampa, FL 33610
When removal or relocation of a portable hydrant meter is requested, the customer will receive confirmation that the service request was submitted. Charges for water consumption and meter rental remain in effect until the meter is removed.
Only Tampa Water Department personnel are authorized to install, move, or remove portable meters from city fire hydrants. No private meters may be installed on city hydrants. It is against the law for anyone other than authorized Water Department personnel to use unmetered water from a city fire hydrant.
Tampering of city assets, including portable hydrant meters, is prohibited.
| Potable Meter Service Fees (Per Meter) |
|---|
| Deposit: $700 |
| Installation: $60 |
| Relocation: $60 |
| Meter Rental, Per Day: $1.84/day (plus sales tax) |
| Consumption Charges (Plus a 10% Utility Tax) |
|---|
| Per One Hundred Cubic Feet (CCF): $1.09 |
| Minimum Monthly Charge (less than 10 CCF): $10 |
Submit a written request to remove the portable hydrant meter.
Once your written removal request has been processed, Tampa Water Department personnel will do a final read of the meter, and then remove it.
After the meter is read and removed, the deposit is then applied against the final billed charges on the utility account. Any amount left over from this final payment will be refunded in the form of a check via mail. Please make sure you have a current mailing address on file.
Note: If the meter is missing or damaged, you will not receive your deposit back.
All requests for installations, moves, and removals of portable meters must be submitted online via Tampa Connect. These requests are scheduled within two business days after the application has been approved and the deposit and fees have been paid.
When removal or relocation of a portable hydrant meter is requested, the customer will receive confirmation that the service request was submitted. Charges for water consumption and meter rental remain in effect until the meter is removed.
Water service from a fire hydrant is provided to meet needs of a temporary nature only, such as construction or other similar need, as approved by the Director or his/her designee.
The initial term of service is six months, with extensions of three months. Temporary water service will not be extended for more than one year from installation date. Extensions must be requested in writing to PortableHydrantMeter@tampa.gov before the expiration of the current term.
Only Tampa Water Department personnel are authorized to install, move, or remove portable meters from city fire hydrants. No private meters may be installed on city hydrants. It is against the law for anyone other than authorized Water Department personnel to use unmetered water from a city fire hydrant.
Portable water meters may only be used to obtain water service from city hydrants.
A portable meter may be removed without notice when:
Additional examples of portable water meter violations include:
The customer of record is liable for any damages to or theft of Water Department property and equipment, and, as such, agrees to pay all charges in connection with repairing or replacing Water Department property or equipment.
The City is not responsible for accident or injury caused by unauthorized placement of a portable meter or other appurtenances.
Tampa Water Department portable hydrant water meters come already connected to a backflow prevention device.
However, if a portable meter will be used to fill tanks, wet wells, or any high hazard area, as determined by the Water Department, the following is required:
Yes, the Tampa Water Department is able to install City portable hydrant meter on a private fire hydrant. Additional review and approval from the Water Department will be required.
However, this request should be submitted either by emailing PortableHydrantMeter@tampa.govor online via Tampa Connect.
Please know that only Water Department personnel is authorized to install, move, or remove a portable hydrant meter. Tampering of city assets, including portable hydrant meters, is prohibited.
Payments can be made online using your 7-digit utility account number, or you may choose one of our other payment options available to you.
All questions regarding the bill (including charges, account maintenance, rates, deposit on file, fees, etc.) should be directed to PortableHydrantMeter@tampa.gov or submitted online at Tampa Connect.
