Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Who do I call after-hours for an emergency?
A. Please call our office at 393-1050 and the call will be forwarded to our answering service. Please explain the emergency to the answering service and the information will be passed to the serviceman on call.
- Q: How can I pay my bill?
A. Payments may be made in the office, in the drop box, by mail or by automatic bank withdrawal. Payments are accepted on our website or on the automated phone line 1-855-570-0992. There is no additional charge for using either the on-line or automated phone line options. You may use Visa, Mastercard, or Discover to pay. Some customers also choose to use the internet bill pay services offered through their own financial institutions.
- Q: What are the rates?
A. The minimum charge for residential water is $20.85 plus $4.64 per 1,000 gallons for the first 20,099 and $5.10 per 1000 after 20,100. The minimum charge for residential flat rate sewer is $24.99 plus $5.88 per 1,000 gallons. The monthly rate for residential sewer is NOT based on the water consumption for the month. Please read the FAQ "What is Sewer Averaging?" for a description of how the sewer charge is determined. **These rates do not apply to commercial accounts.
- Q: If my due date falls on a holiday or a weekend, am I given extra time on my bill?
A. Your payment must be in the office by 10am on the first business day following the holiday or weekend. A drop box (attached to the building by the front door) is provided for your convenience. Post marks are honored.
- Q: What is sewer averaging?
A. Averaging is how your monthly sewer rate is established. Your sewer rate is calculated by determining the average of your water consumption during the months of December, January and February (approximately). The new sewer average is applied to your account on the April billing and will stay in effect through the following March. An account must be active during those three months to establish its own rate. If not active for that entire time, the sewer rate will be based on the over-all average for the system. Sewer averaging applies to residential accounts only.
- Q: What are the water restriction guidelines?
A. Water restrictions normally begin June 1st and run through August 31st. Even numbered addresses may water on even numbered days and odd numbered addresses may water on odd numbered days. No outside watering is allowed between the hours of 9am – 6pm. No watering is allowed on the 31stday of the month. Waivers are given for NEW seed or sod. You must come into our office to obtain the waiver.
- Q: Where does our water come from?
A. Approximately 100% of our water comes from Rapid Creek and is treated at the District's treatment facility. The District can also purchase water from the City of Rapid City during high demand times.
- Q: What chemicals are added to the water?
A. Fluoride and Chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) are added to the water.
- Q: Is the water tested?
A. The water is tested monthly for bacteria and fluoride residual. Other tests are taken throughout the year as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Consumer Confidence Report for water quality is available upon request.
- Q: What is the hardness of the water?
A. The water normally runs between 15 - 20 grains of hardness.
- Q: Who is responsible if there is a water line leak?
A. The District is responsible for all breaks in the water mains; the District is also responsible for leaks on individual service lines between the water main and the curb stop. The property owner is responsible for leaks between the curb stop and the home. However, the District will repair/replace that section of pipe at no cost to the homeowner if the break meets the criteria set forth in the District's Water Ordinance.
- Q: When does the Board of Trustees meet?
A. Their meetings are usually scheduled for the 2nd Monday of the month at 6pm at the District office.
