▼

Utilities - Main FAQs

Show All Answers

1. * I am new to the community. What is included on my utility bill and what will the bill look like?

Your utility bill includes water, sewer, stormwater, and trash pickup. You will not pay for stormwater and trash pickup if you live outside the city limits, and you will not pay for sewer if you have a septic system.

View an example of a city utility bill.

2. * Where can I find information on how to deal with basement seepage?

The City of Valparaiso Engineering Department has developed a pamphlet on dealing with basement seepage in response to the heavy rain the Valparaiso area experienced in September of 2008. This pamphlet was intended as an informational, self-help tool for the residents of the city to mitigate the seepage problems. View the pamphlet.

3. * What is the hardness of the water? And what about iron, fluoride, and chlorine?

There are 17 to 22 grains per gallon of water.

Iron levels discharged from the treatment plants are from 0.03 to 0.06 milligrams per liter or parts per million. Iron levels can be higher due to the iron pipes in the distribution system. On rare occasions, problems in the filtration process can cause higher levels of iron to be discharged from the treatment plants.

Fluoride is added to our water. The levels of fluoride are kept around 1.0 to 1.3 milligrams per liter or parts per million.

Chlorine is added to disinfect the water. Chlorine levels vary depending on the distribution system. The chlorine levels in the water discharged from the treatment plants ranges from 1.2 to 1.5 milligrams per liter or parts per million.

4. * I see a water leak. How do I get someone to come check it out? How long will the water be off?

All main breaks are considered an emergency situation.

If the water leak or main break is sited during office hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm CT), please call the main office at 219.462.6174 ext. 0. A repair crew will be dispatched as soon as possible.

5. * What part of the service line is my responsibility, and what part is the Water Department?

The owner's responsibility is anything beyond the curb box, which is usually located in the right of way or at the property line. Anything from the street to the curb box is the Water Department's responsibility. The Water Department is also responsible for the meter itself and its connection.