FAQs

Search Tips and Tricks

Do the search results include the contents of PDFs and other documents?

Yes.  The website indexes web pages as well as PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, and text documents.

If I search for a phrase (e.g. alarm permit), will the results only show exact matches?

No.  By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase.  In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.

In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations.  The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.

Can I exclude a word from a search (e.g. all pages that have the word "alarm" but not the word "permit"?

Yes.   You can exclude words by using the minus sign (-).   In order to find the results of all pages that have alarm in the result but not permit, you would search for alarm -permit.

WSUD Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make payment arrangements?

Generally, WSUD will not make payment arrangements, although under certain circumstances the District will work with our customers to assure that their balances get paid.

How do I check for leaks?

Faucets – check all faucets and piping for leaks by monitoring for drips of water under sinks and from exposed pipes. Perform an inspection with the water on and off, as some leaks only occur when the water is on.

Toilets – add a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the food coloring appears in the toilet bowl, this means you have a leak. Some toilet leaks are intermittent, so you may not always see or hear the water running.

Basements – check plumbing in the basements by monitoring for drips of water coming from exposed pipes.

How many gallons did I use?

Our meters are read in cubic feet.  1 cubic foot of water is 7.48 gallons.

To convert to gallons, multiply the total cubic feet used by 7.48 which will give you a total in gallons.

Example: 600 cubic feet x 7.48 = 4,488 gallons of water.

 

How much notice is needed to set up new service?

In the majority of instances, new service accounts can be set up over the phone with name, number and billing address. If the account is in good standing, the water is already on.

How often do you bill?

Residential services are billed on a bi-monthly basis and Commercial services are billed monthly.

What is the adjustment that appears on my bill?

Fees and penalties are billed under the adjustment category.

What is water main flushing?

Water main flushing moves water systematically through sections of a drinking water distribution system, creating a scouring action to clean the line. The increased flow rate scours the water pipe's inner walls and helps to remove build-up of naturally occurring debris and sediment. The water is discharged through select fire hydrants onto local roads or other surface areas.

  • The process is critical to the overall maintenance of distribution system and is one of the most important practices carried out by public drinking water systems to maintain high water quality, improve the carrying capacity of pipes, and ensure proper operation of distribution system components, such as hydrants and valves.

 

What should I do to close an existing service?

If you are a tenant: Tenants must contact WSUD Customer Service to close out their account. Once the account balance is paid, the tenant’s name will be removed from the account.

If you are a property owner: Your title company will request a closing estimate of the final billing. If no title company will be used, the utility service will continue to be billed in the seller’s name until required information is received and any unpaid account balance is paid.

What should I do to establish a new service?

If you are a tenant: Either the tenant or the property owner/manager can call to start utility service. Property owners are provided with copies of tenant billings.

If you have just purchased property: Please call WSUD Customer Service (360 876-2545) with your name, telephone number and billing address. We will start a new account in the buyers name according to the date provided by the title company on the closing estimate payment. Generally title companies request a closing estimate on property being sold. The estimate is paid by the title company out of closing costs. Please note that, if possible, we will not transfer ownership of property until all unpaid balances are paid. If transfer of ownership was to take place with an unpaid account balance, the balance then becomes the responsibility of the new property owner.

Why is my bill so high?

Bills charge according to water usage, which fluctuates from month to month. Many customers increase their water consumption in the summer months by watering gardens and lawns, washing cars, filling swimming pools, etc. Otherwise, a drastic increase in consumption could be an indication that a problem at a property exists and homeowners should inspect for leaks by checking all plumbing, fixtures and water appliances.

Why is my water discolored?

If discolored water is observed, flush the internal cold water plumbing lines until all faucets run clear, start at the lowest level of your home or business and work your way to the highest level floor. Flush sinks, tubs, showers, all appliances that utilize water and outdoor hose bibs.

  • Flush the water lines that feed the washing machine and dishwasher before use by running each through one cycle.
  • If discolored water is utilized to wash laundry, it may become stained, in this case the laundry may have to be rewashed (do not dry stained laundry) using an iron stain remover product.
  • Empty and clean automatic ice makers.
  • Drain and refill hot water heaters with temperatures set below 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Follow manufacturer recommendations for any necessary flushing of water softeners/cartridge filters. If the water pressure or flow is lower than normal at specific faucet, remove and clean the aerator screen.

 

Why is my water off?

Occasional service interruptions are necessary for various reasons, such as flushing, main maintenance, main breaks and hydrant repair/replacement. Customers are provided, at minimum, with a 24-hour notice of scheduled service interruptions. Weather cold enough to freeze meters can also cause interruption of service. Non-payment of bills will result in interruption of service until the past due balance is paid in full.