Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are the business hours for the Sanitary Engineer's Office?

  • Our business hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday excluding Holidays.
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Why do I have to pay the late penalty when I mailed the payment by the due date?

  • All payments are posted on the date received. For payments postmarked on the due date, the Sanitary Engineer's will typically not apply the penalty.
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If I fill my swimming pool or water my lawn, will I be billed for sewer?

  • Yes, both water and sewer will be billed based on the amount of water that passes through the water meter.
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Do I have to pay for water wasted because I had a leak?

  • Yes, all water that passes through the meter must be paid by the owner.
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Why am I billed for minimum charge for water and sewer if there is no usage?

  • A minimum charge is billed because the water service is available to the property (even if it is not used).
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How long am I going to have to pay for the debt portion of the bill?

  • The debt portion is from the construction of the lines. Low interest loans were typically taken out by the Sanitary Engineer's office with a twenty to 30 year term.
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What is added to my water?

  • The Sanitary Engineer's Office adds two chemicals to the water. We use "Sodium Hypochlorite" which kills bacteria and "WSU 120" which neutralizes the iron deposits.
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What is the $5 charge (Water Capital Improvement) for?

  • The charge is to fund improvements and major repairs for the water plant and distribution system. It's helped purchase a generator, new tanks, and chemical feed equipment.
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Why is the entire 10% late penalty charged if I don't pay my bill in it's entirety?

  • The late penalty is applied in full because that is how the computer billing system program performs the late penalty.
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Is the landlord responsible for a renter?

  • Yes, the landlord is ultimately responsible if the tenant becomes delinquent in their utility bill. It is the landlord's responsibility to ensure their tenant is paying their bill.  Landlords can request for duplicate bills from the Sanitary Engineer's Office to ensure their tenants are paying.
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Why do I sometimes smell sewer gas in the house?

  • Sewer gas smell can occur from plumbing problems in the house. Either a trap is dry and needs water in it or a plumber may be needed due to improper plumbing and venting. Typically, floor drains that are not used frequently need to have water added.
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What is the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)?

  • The CCR is an annual report required by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. It informs the consumer of information pertaining to their water.
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What should I do about my water service and bill when I sell my property or purchase new property?

  • Notify the Sanitary Engineer's office. We will need the transfer date, the new owner's name, and your new address for the final bill. If you are being billed water, an employee will need to get into your home to perform the final meter read. Your final bill will be sent on the first of the following month.
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Does the water have Fluoride?

  • Yes, there is 1.5 milligrams per liter of naturally occurring fluoride in the water.
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How do I read my meter?

  • Read the numbers across from left to right, just as you would read an odometer on a vehicle. The meter reads to one-hundredths gallon.  There is no longer an outside remote .
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Why is line flushing done in Shorewood Subdivision?

  • Line flushing is performed to help with rust buildup in the water lines. The line flushing is typically done in September or October and takes about four (4) hours. Depending on the property's location, some residents may experience temporary loss of pressure.
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Is it possible that the meter can malfunction and not register correctly?

  • Yes and no, the meter provides for an accurate reading. However, if the meter is to error, it will not function and your reading will actually be less than what you actually used.
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Why is it necessary to get inside the house to read the meter?

  • The inside meter gives the Sanitary Engineer's the only reading. The Sanitary Engineer's no longer utilize remotes on the outside for their water customers.  This eliminates malfunctions and erroneous readings that do not reflect the actual usage.  The meter is cellular read eliminating discrepancies between the meter and remote.

 

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