Water & Sewer

Adopt-A-Hydrant
Volunteers help ensure that firefighters have fast access to fire hydrants in residential neighborhoods.

Requirements:

• Shovel snow away from one hydrant after each snowfall for one winter.

• Call (952) 924-2595
• e-mail csmith@stlouispark.org.

Bottled Water vs. Tap Water
Is bottled water really cleaner? One of the City of St. Louis Park's goals is to provide an uninterrupted supply of safe, high quality water to our community.

Click here for a fact sheet that discusses the relative safety of bottled versus tap water.

Click here to take the "Take Back the Tap" pledge.

Drinking Water Report
The City of St. Louis Park Water Utility's mission is to provide an uninterrupted supply of safe, high quality water to our customers. To read the 2008 Drinking Water Report, click here . This report is updated annually in January and published in June. For more information, call the Utilities Division at 952-924-2558 or email pworks@stlouispark.org.

Fertilizing
Keep Fertilizer from Reaching Ponds and Lakes
If you're fertilizing your lawn, please make sure to keep fertilizer off sidewalks, driveways and all other hard surfaces. Minnesota law prohibits the release of fertilizer on impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways or the street. To learn more about what you can do, click here.

Don't Fertilize Unnecessarily
Have your soil tested once every five years to determine whether you need to fertilize. The University of Minnesota sells soil sample test kits for $15.00. For more information, call (612) 374-8400 or click here. The Minnesota Extension Service recommends fertilizing lawns no more than three times a year: mid-May, early September and mid-October.

Choose a Lawn Fertilizer without Phosphorous
To protect water quality, Minnesota State law prohibits the use of phosphorus fertilizers on lawns and turf in the seven county Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Most soil in St. Louis Park has ample amounts of phosphorus and does not need additional amounts. However, there are exceptions to the law. Phosphorus-containing fertilizer can be applied to residential lawns if

• A soil test indicates insufficient phosphorus or
• This is the first growing season for new seed or sod.

When phosphorous from fertilizers when it makes its way into ponds and lakes, it causes excessive algae growth and scum. Make sure the middle number on the fertilizer package (which indicates the amount of phosphorus) is zero. Commercial lawn care services will also provide fertilizers without phosphorus upon request.

Pollution Prevention Stormwater Annual Report for 2008

St. Louis Park conscientiously manages compliance within the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). Click here to view the annual report for 2008.

Rain Barrels
Do you realize the roof of your home is a large impervious surface?  Like your driveway or the street, rain water runs right off and into the storm sewer for the City of St. Louis Park. Instead of going down the drain, this water could be recycled and used for your landscaping.

Rain barrels control storm water runoff and hold 8% of the runoff from your roof and 3 percent of the runoff from your entire residential property.  For more information about the types and uses of rain barrels in the metro area, go to Metrowide rain barrel info packet 

Available at the following locations:

• Reuse Centers     
• Dakota County      
• Recycle MN

Water/Sewer problems
If you have a problem with your water or sewer service, call the city before calling a plumber or private drain cleaning company. City utility workers will help you determine if the problem is in the city's lines or yours. If the problem is in the city's lines, the city will fix it. If the problem is in the property owner's line, the property owner is responsible for cleaning or repair. (If the homeowner wishes, major repair or replacement costs of water/sewer lines can be paid via special assessment. Call (952) 924-2558 for more information.

There is no charge for a city utility worker to come out and evaluate the problem. Call the city if:

• Water backs up in your basement
• You smell sewer gas inside your home
• Water is discolored
• Water pressure is low
• Water is running into the street.

To reach the city utility department on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., call - (952) 924-2558.

After 3:30 p.m. or on weekends, call the police dispatcher - (952) 924-2618.

If you have a large tree on your lot, you may wish to hire someone to clean your sewer service line every year or two to prevent tree roots from blocking your line and causing a basement water back-up.

Each spring for one week, city crews flush water mains to break loose normal mineral build-up inside the mains. This housekeeping procedure breaks loose iron particles from the water mains which can temporarily discolor water. Iron occurs naturally in groundwater and isn't harmful to your health; however, it can stain clothing if you happen to be washing clothes at the same time the mains are being cleaned. If this happens, keep the laundered items wet and call (952) 924-2558. A city worker will bring you a chemical to remove the stains.

Test Backflow Devices
The Minnesota Department of Health requires that Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) backflow preventers be tested for proper operation each year and rebuilt every five years.

Backflow preventers stop hazardous liquids from siphoning into our drinking water. RPZ backflow preventers are usually installed in potable water lines connected to tanks, equipment or processing equipment that contains hazardous chemicals. They may also be installed in a lawn irrigation system water line.

Testing must be done by a person certified by the State of Minnesota; rebuilding must be handled by a State licensed plumber. To protect our water supply, the City of St. Louis Park tracks testing and replacement dates and sends notices to RPZ owners. After the devices have been tested or rebuilt, the completed form should be returned to the City of St. Louis Park.

For more information, call the Plumbing Inspector Dave Skallet at:

• (952) 924-2586
• dskallet@stlouispark.org.

Water/Sewer bills
Water bills are based on how much water your household used in the last three months. Sewer bills are based on the household's winter quarter water use, the season when water consumption is lowest.

Homeowners are billed quarterly by the city for water/sewer service; the fee for garbage collection is also included in your utility bill. Questions about your utility bill can be answered by calling - (952) 924-2111.

City of St. Louis Park Utility Billing
The City of St. Louis Park bills approximately 13,500 customers for water/sewer and refuse collection services. 

The utility billing department can answer questions about your account, change the billing name or address, help you establish a new account, change the level of garbage service, or schedule water meter readings for residents who are moving.  For further information or assistance, please call 952-924-2111, option 5.  Office hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.

Below are some frequently asked questions and answers about utility billing services provided by the City of St. Louis Park.

How do I set up new utility service?
If you are going to be a new owner or renter, please call the utility billing department at 952-924-2111, option 5, to have someone check to be sure the previous resident has called to cancel service and that there are no past due amounts on the account.   The utility billing department can let you know what level of garbage service is currently in place as well as what day your garbage/recycling will be picked up.   

How do I cancel utility service?
If you need to cancel your utility service, please call 952-924-2111, option 5 with the following information:  the date you are changing possession, the forwarding address for your final bill, and if known, the name of the new owner or renter.

Does the City offer a payment plan?
The City does offer a service which automatically withdraws the quarterly bill from your checking or savings account and is available for both residential and commercial accounts.  You will continue to receive a bill showing the amount due and the due date, however, the bill will state “Do not pay – automatic withdrawal on the due date.” 

How do I set up automatic withdrawal to pay my utility bill?
You must complete an automatic withdrawal form.  Download the automatic utility payment form (PDF) here, or call 952-924-2111, option 5 to have a form mailed to you.

Can I pay by credit card?
The City accepts only MasterCard or Visa and has a secure telephone line for credit card payments.  Please call 952-924-2509 with your payment information.

Are all residents billed for utility service at the same time?
The City of St. Louis Park bills each residential property quarterly (four times per year); however, not all properties are billed in the same quarter.  The City is divided into seven billing cycles, determined by place of residence within the City.  Therefore, one property may receive its utility bill in January, April, July, and October, while another property might receive its utility bill in February, May, August, and November.

How is water and sewer use calculated?
Water is billed at a conservation tiered rate and there is no minimum use charge on water – you pay only for what you use.  Water consumption is measured in units and one unit equals 750 gallons.

• Tier 1   0 – 40 units:                  $1.29 per unit               0 – 30,000 gallons

• Tier 2   41 – 80 units:                $1.62 per unit               30,001 – 60,000 gallons

• Tier 3   81 units and higher:       $2.43 per unit               60,001 gallons and up  

The quarterly sewer charge for residential accounts is based on winter quarter usage and is billed at $2.21 per unit (one unit equals 750 gallons).

My utility bill seems really high.  Why is that?
If your bill covers a period that may have included summer watering, that could explain a rise in your water bill.  Otherwise, investigate your home for dripping or leaking faucets; a toilet that is “running” (won’t shut off after flushing); or a malfunctioning water softener.  All of these things can drastically increase your water consumption.

Utility Permit Fees
The cost of a permit is based on the type and amount of work to be done.

$71.50 to repair or replace a single sewer service or a single water service for a single family dwelling
OR
$42.50 plus 1.75 percent of the jobs value

• State surcharge is .0005 times the job valuation. Call the Inspections Department at (952) 924-2588 for state surcharges on all permits valued $1 million or more.
• When applicable, a plan review charge equal to 35 percent of the electrical permit fee will be added.

Note: Additional fees may be necessary if working in the City right-of-way. In this case, a separate Public Works Permit must be submitted with the Utility Permit application. Call the Inspections Department at (952) 924-2588 for fees.

Water & Education Links
Water Information Links

• American Water Works Association
• Center for Disease Control Water Quality
• Drinking water awareness (CDC) 
• MN Department of Health 
• Metropolitan Council Water Conservation Toolbox

Education Links

• Water Kids
• Water Science for Schools
• Drinking Water Protection Facts & Brochures
• Minnesota American Water Works Association Teacher & Youth Education Program
• Lawn Sprinkling (U of M extension services) 

Water Conservation
Here's how to conserve water and lower your water bills
Sprinkle lawns early in the morning or in the evening. Don't sprinkle lawns from noon to 6 p.m. when as much as 75 percent of the water evaporates. Remember that the sprinkling ordinance does not allow sprinkling between noon and 6:00 p.m. on every day of the week.  Before noon and after 6:00 p.m., the city follows and odd even system (sprinkle on even days if your address is even-numbered).  Water trees and gardens with a hose or soaker hose rather than a sprinkler. Use mulch around trees, shrubs and flowers to retain soil moisture. Sweep driveways and sidewalks with a broom rather than hosing them down. Repair leaky taps and toilets. A dripping faucet can waste 15 to 20 gallons of water a day. 

Please help us avoid a water shortage.  During a typical hot summer day, St. Louis Park rises to 12 million to 14 million gallons each day, as compared to 5 million to 6 million gallons each day in winter. 

Water meters
Meter readers carry identification and come once each quarter to read your meter. Most water meters are located on the outside of homes.

For the few homes which still have indoor meters, there is an additional $2 charge for reading an indoor meter. To avoid the $2 charge, you can have an outdoor water meter register installed. This enables meter readers to get a quick, accurate meter reading without entering your home. For most homes, installation costs $25. You can include the installation fee on your quarterly utility bill. Call (952) 924-2558 for more information.

If the City finds that your indoor meter is not working, you will be contacted so a City worker can repair or replace the meter. Meter replacement is a free service. If you receive a notice about a faulty meter, please take a few minutes to schedule an appointment for replacement. Failure to grant access for meter repair or replacement is subject to a fine. Replacing a faulty meter will ensure you are billed only for the amount of water you actually use.