Dept. of Water FAQ's: Water Engineering

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Department of Water FAQ's

F.A.Q: Water Engineering

Frequently asked questions relating to Water Engineering

1. My water pressure is low, what can I do?

2. Sometimes my water is cloudy for a moment when I open the faucet what is wrong?

3. If my water is rusty colored can I drink it? What causes that? Can I wash my clothes?

4. I need to repair some plumbing and I want the water off at the curb. How do I get it shut off?

5. My curb box is about three inches above ground level. Who repairs it?

6. Why does it take so long to get through to Water Revenue Customer Service?

7. What is the wellfield charge and why is it back on my bill?

8. Why was the storm water billing added to my water bill?

9. Why does my storm water bill vary on each water bill?

1. My water pressure is low, what can I do? - Top

You can contact Water Distribution at 333-4905 and they will come out and check your meter and your curb stop. The meter may be clogged or the curb stop may not be on all the way. Also older galvanized plumbing may be the problem. Over time, a build up in the piping causes water flow to be restricted. - Updated: October 17, 2000

2. Sometimes my water is cloudy for a moment when I open the faucet what is wrong? - Top

This is caused by air in the water mains. It most likely is a result from water main break where the line may be opened to make repairs. The air becomes trapped at high and low points in the water system. We try to solve the problem by flushing the water main after a repair has been completed but it is difficult to get all of the air out. The water is safe to drink, bath, and wash with. If the cloudiness does not clear up in a short time contact Water Distribution at 333-4905 to help resolve the problem. - Updated: October 17, 2000

3. If my water is rusty colored can I drink it? What causes that? Can I wash my clothes? - Top

Rusty water is caused by a large unusual flow in the water main. This is generally a result of a fire in your area or a main break. You can drink the water without the worry of a health hazard. It will how ever stain your laundry. If you have washed any clothes in rusty colored water you can contact Water Supply & Treatment at 333-6030 and they will supply you with a chemical and instructions to help the problem. - Updated: October 17, 2000

4. I need to repair some plumbing and I want the water off at the curb. How do I get it shut off? - Top

Contact Water Distribution at 333-4905 and they will come out and turn the water off. A $10.00 charge will be assessed to your bill for a non-emergency trip. - Updated: October 17, 2000

5. My curb box is about three inches above ground level. Who repairs it? - Top

Contact Water Distribution at 333-4905 and they will come out and lower the curb box at no charge. - Updated: October 17, 2000

6. Why does it take so long to get through to Water Revenue Customer Service? - Top

When the city changed telephone service providers in 1999 some changes occurred in the way calls were received. Each Customer Representative can have as many as ten calls waiting to be served. If staff availability is low on a particular day it may take a little longer to get through. Water Revenue has worked very hard to cut down on the amount of time a customer is on hold. - Updated: October 17, 2000

7. What is the wellfield charge and why is it back on my bill? - Top

The wellfield protection charge is a fund set aside to protect the city water supply. The fund was established with a high and low dollar limit. A few years ago the high limit was reached and the charge was deferred from customers bills until the fund was lowered near the low limit. The fund is used for any clean up costs that may occur and public education. - Updated: October 17, 2000

8. Why was the storm water billing added to my water bill? - Top

To help customers with the convenience of paying along with water and sewer billing. - Updated: October 17, 2000

9. Why does my storm water bill vary on each water bill? - Top

The storm water utility is based on two different items. First is the impervious area in square feet to be billed. Second is the number of days in the billing cycle. Residential properties are billed a flat rate over 365 days. Business customers are billed $.0134 cents per square foot of area over a 365 day span. So if the billing period is 89 one quarter, and 93 the next the amounts will vary. - Updated: October 17, 2000

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Frequently asked questions relating to Water Engineering: 1. My water pressure is low, what can I do?; 2. Sometimes my water is cloudy for a moment when I open the faucet what is wrong?; 3. If my water is rusty colored can I drink it? What causes that? Can I wash my clothes?; 4. I need to repair some plumbing and I want the water off at the curb. How do I get it shut off?; 5. My curb box is about three inches above ground level. Who repairs it?; 6. Why does it take so long to get through to Water Revenue Customer Service?; 7. What is the wellfield charge and why is it back on my bill?; 8. Why was the storm water billing added to my water bill?; 9. Why does my storm water bill vary on each water bill?

1. My water pressure is low, what can I do? - Top: You can contact Water Distribution at 333-4905 and they will come out and check your meter and your curb stop. The meter may be clogged or the curb stop may not be on all the way. Also older galvanized plumbing may be the problem. Over time, a build up in the piping causes water flow to be restricted. - Updated: October 17, 2000

2. Sometimes my water is cloudy for a moment when I open the faucet what is wrong? - Top: This is caused by air in the water mains. It most likely is a result from water main break where the line may be opened to make repairs. The air becomes trapped at high and low points in the water system. We try to solve the problem by flushing the water main after a repair has been completed but it is difficult to get all of the air out. The water is safe to drink, bath, and wash with. If the cloudiness does not clear up in a short time contact Water Distribution at 333-4905 to help resolve the problem. - Updated: October 17, 2000

3. If my water is rusty colored can I drink it? What causes that? Can I wash my clothes? - Top: Rusty water is caused by a large unusual flow in the water main. This is generally a result of a fire in your area or a main break. You can drink the water without the worry of a health hazard. It will how ever stain your laundry. If you have washed any clothes in rusty colored water you can contact Water Supply & Treatment at 333-6030 and they will supply you with a chemical and instructions to help the problem. - Updated: October 17, 2000

4. I need to repair some plumbing and I want the water off at the curb. How do I get it shut off? - Top: Contact Water Distribution at 333-4905 and they will come out and turn the water off. A $10.00 charge will be assessed to your bill for a non-emergency trip. - Updated: October 17, 2000

5. My curb box is about three inches above ground level. Who repairs it? - Top: Contact Water Distribution at 333-4905 and they will come out and lower the curb box at no charge. - Updated: October 17, 2000

6. Why does it take so long to get through to Water Revenue Customer Service? - Top: When the city changed telephone service providers in 1999 some changes occurred in the way calls were received. Each Customer Representative can have as many as ten calls waiting to be served. If staff availability is low on a particular day it may take a little longer to get through. Water Revenue has worked very hard to cut down on the amount of time a customer is on hold. - Updated: October 17, 2000

7. What is the wellfield charge and why is it back on my bill? - Top: The wellfield protection charge is a fund set aside to protect the city water supply. The fund was established with a high and low dollar limit. A few years ago the high limit was reached and the charge was deferred from customers bills until the fund was lowered near the low limit. The fund is used for any clean up costs that may occur and public education. - Updated: October 17, 2000

8. Why was the storm water billing added to my water bill? - Top: To help customers with the convenience of paying along with water and sewer billing. - Updated: October 17, 2000

9. Why does my storm water bill vary on each water bill? - Top: The storm water utility is based on two different items. First is the impervious area in square feet to be billed. Second is the number of days in the billing cycle. Residential properties are billed a flat rate over 365 days. Business customers are billed $.0134 cents per square foot of area over a 365 day span. So if the billing period is 89 one quarter, and 93 the next the amounts will vary. - Updated: October 17, 2000

For water service or bill questions call: 937-333-3550

320 W Monument Ave Dayton, OH 45402 (937) 333-3725

Send questions/comments to: waterweb@cityofdayton.org

Director: Tammi Clements

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