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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions



What am I responsible for in reference to water and sewer connections?
Sewer-Lateral-illustration

downloadClick here to see how to address leaks in your home (EPA Webpage).


Why has my water bill gone up?
Several factors can impact your water bill, which is based on consumption or usage. Try to determine if the uptick in usage is due to using more water in the home or to maintaining your lawn. In the home, one common cause is toilets that continue to run or leak after flushing, causing excess water consumption. 

Higher bills also can be caused by water softeners that need maintenance, irrigation systems that leak, excessive watering of lawns and landscapes, and leaking water lines. Tip: a leaking water line can cause saturated areas to appear in the lawn due to a water line break.

How is my water metered?
Most residences served by the City’s water system have what is called a radio read meter on their water service line that is able to automatically transmit information for a more accurate and efficient read. Residents are only billed for the water that goes through the meter.

Why is my water discolored?
There are several possible causes. Very often, it is due to a problem with your water softener. If you suspect this, contact the company that services your water softener. Another possible cause is sediment in your lines caused by disturbances in the water system from annual fire hydrant testing done by the fire department, including maintenance-related flushing. If either of these have occurred, the sediment in your lines is best removed by turning on the faucet in your bathtub and letting it run for about five minutes or so. If the problem still exists, feel free to contact the Water Department.

What is the difference between a boil advisory and a boil order?
boil advisory is a precautionary measure issued by the water utility to alert customers when there is a potential for compromised water quality. When an advisory is issued, it is recommended that customers boil all water used in food and beverage preparation for two minutes.  

boil order is a confirmation that contamination is present in the water system, and it is essential that customers boil all water used in food and beverage preparation for two minutes.

Whenever a boil order or advisory is issued, we collect multiple samples and run tests to ensure that no contamination is present and follow any protocol required through DNR.  Any updates on City water main breaks can be found on this website and will be issued through the Code Red System. If you are not part of the Code Red System, contact City Hall to be placed on this system.

Where are my water and sewer lines?
Household water lines that extend from the meter pit (or curb stop) to the home, and sewer lines that run from the main to the home, are not documented by the City. These are considered private lines and belong to the homeowner. A plumber can determine your water and sewer line locations. If you are digging and need to know where the main line utilities are located, please call 1-800 DIG-RITE (It’s the Law!) to locate lines in your area.

Why am I losing water pressure in my home?
If you are not impacted by a water main break in your area, it is very likely that you are experiencing lower water pressure due to a pressure relief valve (PRV) going out in your home. A pressure relief valve that needs replacement will cause intermittent low pressure, continuous low pressure, or possibly a complete water outage. In addition, you may hear loud noises in the line or a rattling of the water lines. A pressure relief valve is usually located where the main water line enters the home. These are best replaced by a licensed plumber. Click here for additional tips to improve your water pressure.

How is sewage usage determined?
The amount that you are billed for sewer usage is based on your average water consumption for October, November, & December. This allows for sewer charges to more accurately represent an average of what goes through our sewer system during the time of year that outdoor water usage, such as lawn watering, car washing and pool filling, are not as prevalent.

Why is my sewer bill higher than my water bill?
Sewer charges are based on October, November, & December water consumption, so if you notice that your sewer consumption is higher than your water, it could be that you are being more conservative during the summer months. Also, it is more expensive to treat sewage than it is to treat drinking water, so the base rates for this service are somewhat higher to reflect that difference.












CITY OF ST CLAIR 
#1 PAUL PARKS DRIVE
ST. CLAIR, MO 63077
Ph: 636-629-0333
Fax: 636-629-6467
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