What determines the Fire Service Charge?

The determination of the Fire Service Charge is primarily based on the size of the meter. In utility systems, the size of the meter is a critical factor because it reflects the capacity of the water supply that can be delivered to the fire service. Larger meters can provide a greater volume of water in a shorter amount of time, which is essential for effective firefighting efforts. Fire departments require an adequate supply of water to manage emergencies, and the meter size corresponds to the volume necessary for such demands.

While the size of the service area, type of service provided, and customer demand levels can influence overall service planning and utility rates in general, they do not directly dictate the Fire Service Charge as much as the meter size does. The charge is structured specifically to account for the capabilities of the infrastructure to provide sufficient firefighting resources, thus making meter size the relevant factor in this context.