FAQs
BILLING
Water bills are sent out quarterly (every 3 months.) Some commercial accounts are billed monthly.
The minimum charge covers getting final reads, maintenance of the distribution system, like water mains and hydrants which give you fire protection. These are services everyone gets, no matter how much or how little water they use.
Contact the office at 607-562-8443, ext 227 or ext 228 prior to your closing date. We will ask for the following information:
- the closing date
- the name of the new owner
- a billing address for the seller
- the name of the attorney(s) handling the closing
Your meter is a radio read meter, normally we do not need to come into your house for the final read.
The Water Department makes every effort to remind customers to stay current with their bills. Prior unpaid balances are on your water bill. Also, you can sign up to view your account online so you can check it anytime. There is a link on the webpage to sign up, free of charge.
Town of Big Flats rules and regulations state that overdue water rents will be placed on the County tax bill November 1, along with a $300 charge.
SYSTEM OPERATION
The Water Department is responsible from the watermain to the curb box. From the curb box to the inside connection is the homeowners responsibility with the exception of the meter itself.
You will see our trucks and personnel in your neighborhood if we are reading or replacing meters, doing stakeouts, flushing and servicing hydrants, or repairing or installing water mains, valves or services. All Water Department service vehicles are identified with our logo and our service personnel carry identification as Town employees. Don’t hesitate to ask any employee to identify him- or herself and find out what they are doing in your area. You can also call the office, 607-562-8443, ext 227 or 228.
These show the location of utilities in that area. All utility companies are required by law to mark their facilities any time a contractor will be excavating near them. This is commonly called a stakeout. When these markers appear, it means excavation work has been scheduled (or has just been completed). White paint markings may designate the area where excavation is expected.
Standard colors are used to indicate the location of different utilities.
Call Dig Safely | New York at 8-1-1 or 1-800-962-7962 before you dig. They will notify all utilities to stake out their lines at the address you note. Check out their website www.digsafelynewyork.com for more information.
These are on a case-by-case basis, please call the office.
WATER QUALITY
The Town’s water supply comes from groundwater wells we maintain. More information for each service area is available on the web page Water Quality Reports.
Our water has a hardness of about 17 grains per gallon or 290mg/L (ppm). This is generally considered very hard.
No, we do not fluoridate now nor do we plan to in the future. We only chlorinate our water as prescribed and dictated by NYSDOH rules and regulations.
Cloudy water is caused when dissolved gases in the water are released under atmospheric pressure and increased temperature, or when a faucet aerator mixes air into the water. The gases present are mostly oxygen and carbon dioxide and do not pose a threat to public health. If the water is left in a glass for a minute or so, the air will dissipate, although drinking the water without letting the air escape is not harmful.
Sometimes you may find your water tastes or smells like chlorine. The water is safe to drink. We are required by the Department of Health to maintain a chlorine residual in the distribution system to prevent the growth of bacteria. To eliminate or reduce the taste of chlorine in your water, simply store tap water in a container overnight in your refrigerator. An inexpensive carbon filter will also remove the taste and odor of chlorine.