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Water Utility

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1. Who is responsible for the replacement of a valve that breaks while the Utility changes the meter?

The valves that isolate the water meter are considered part of the customer's plumbing. Per the Wauwatosa Code Chapter 13.04.370, all piping within the building must be supplied by the owner. If while operating these valves to replace or repair a water meter the valve is damaged (or more typically a small leak develops), it is the customer's responsibility to have the valve repaired or replaced.
A valve that has not been exercised over a long period of time may develop a dripping type leak. In this situation, the customer should seek the help of a licensed plumber to make the repairs.
If you have any questions related to the water piping and valve ownership or areas of responsibility, please contact the City of Wauwatosa's Water Superintendent at 414-479-8965, or you may visit the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin's website at http://psc.wi.gov.

2. Is my water safe to drink?

Yes. The Wauwatosa Water Utility is a wholesale customer of the Milwaukee Water Works. Milwaukee treats Lake Michigan water by passing it through multiple treatment process barriers that remove illness causing microorganisms and contaminants. The water is initially disinfected with ozone gas, a highly reactive gas that destroys microorganisms, controls taste and odor, and reduces byproducts from chlorine disinfection. Coagulation, settling, and filtration remove additional particles. A final disinfection ensures safe, high quality drinking water throughout the distribution system and at your faucets. In 2012 the Wauwatosa Water Utility submitted 673 water samples to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene for bacterial analysis.

3. How do I properly dispose of unwanted prescription medication?

The best and most cost effective way to ensure safe water at the tap is to keep our source waters clean. You can help by refraining from flushing unused medications down the toilet or sink. Take advantage of household hazardous waste collection programs that accept pharmaceuticals. Contact the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District at (414) 225-2066 for information regarding their Medication Collection Dates.

For more information on medication disposal, review the Wauwatosa Health Department's Medical & Needle Disposal Information Page.

4. How does the Water Utility know how much water I use in my home?

A water meter measures the amount of water used. In Wauwatosa, the Meter Reader from the Water Utility reads the meter on a quarterly schedule. The previous reading is subtracted from the current reading to determine the amount of water actually used. Consumption is measured in hundreds of cubic feet. For example, if a customer is billed a consumption of 25, this means the customer used 25 hundred cubic feet. To convert cubic feet to gallons, multiply the consumption by 748. In the above example, 25 hundred cubic feet equals 18,700 gallons.

5. How does the Water Utility know that my water meter is correct?

We have a program to routinely test water meters on a rotating basis to make sure the meters are accurate. Of course, if your recorded water use changes suddenly for no obvious reason (more people in the home, away for a long trip, or heavy lawn watering), report this to your water supplier so it can be investigated. In most instances, when a water meter is wrong, it reads low.

6. How should the utility bill when there is a discrepancy between the base meter and the remote register (ROM)?

Wisconsin Administrative Code PSC 185.34 provides the procedures for determining backbills, or refunds, for customers when there is a discrepancy between the base meter and ROM.

(1) STOPPED ROM. A stopped ROM is defined as one that has recorded zero consumption during the last meter reading period. The consumption that was measured by the base meter and not recorded by the remote register shall be backbilled as current consumption. The usage backbilled as current consumption shall not exceed the customer's average usage per billing period based on the latest 12 months usage. Any amount greater than this usage shall be backbilled pursuant to sub paragraph (2).

(2) STOPPED AND UNDER REGISTERING ROM. Unrecorded ROM consumption (base meter reading less ROM reading) resulting from sub paragraph (1) or an under registering ROM shall be prorated from the date of the last base meter reading. Pursuant to s. 196.635, Stats., the utility may backbill for prorated amounts associated with the last 24 months.

(3) OVER REGISTERING ROM. A ROM over registration (ROM reading less base meter reading) shall be prorated from the date of the last base meter reading. The utility shall refund prorated amounts associated with the period since the meter was installed or last tested, not to exceed the last six years.

7. Can a utility forgive or forgo a late payment charge?

A utility cannot waive a properly applied late payment charge that has been authorized by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission under Wis. Adm. Code s. PSC 185.33 (9) or (10).

8. What is the Public Fire Protection (PFP) charge, and how is this charge recovered by the municipality?

The PFP charge (also known as the hydrant rental charge) recovers the costs related to the capacity of the system available to fight fires within the municipality's water service area. These costs include a portion of the pumps, storage facilities, water mains, hydrants, and an estimated quantity of water used for this purpose.

Prior to 1988, municipalities recovered the PFP charge through the tax levy. In 1988, legislation was enacted which gave the governing body of any city, village, or town the option of collecting the PFP charge through the tax levy, as a direct charge on general service water customers' bills, or as a combination of the two.

There are approximately 584 water systems in Wisconsin. About 60% of these utilities recover the PFP charge through the tax levy while the remaining water utilities recover at least some or all of this cost through direct charges placed on water utility bills.

9. How does lead get into my drinking water?

Not all drinking water contains lead. Where lead is present in pipes and in soldered connections, the lead may dissolve into the water while the water is not moving, generally overnight or at other thimes when the water supply is not used for several hours. The first water that comes from the faucet after long periods of nonuse may have lead in it.

10. How do I get lead out of my drinking water?

Whenever water has not been used for a long period of time, overnight or during the day if no one is home, let the cold water run from the faucet for two minutes before using any water for drinking or cooking (see NOTE below). Letting the water run for two minutes will not flush out all the lead that got into the water while it was sitting is your plumbing, but it will improve the situation greatly.

NOTE: It is difficult to know how long it takes the fresh water from the street pipes to arrive at the faucet. The time needed varies depending on your specific location, water pressure, whether you live in a single-family home or an apartment, and so forth.

11. My drinking water is reddish or brown. What causes this?

The reddish brown color is nontoxic, but it may stain clothing in the wash. The possible cause could be your home water pipes.

Drinking water pipes, in the street, leading to your home, or in your home, may be rusting. Water causing this type of problem is called corrosive. If you are having trouble and your neighbors are not, then your own pipes or water heater probably are rusting. Letting the cold water faucet in your basement run a while will often clear the water. Save the water for plants. If your clothing is stained local grocery or hardware stores have a product called Iron Out which will help in removing the stain.

12. How should I water my lawn to avoid wasting water?

Water you lawn for long periods a couple of times each week, rather than every day. This allows deep penetration of the water. An inch a week is a good rule of thumb.

Water early in the morning to avoid excessive evaporation; it is usually less windy then and the water pressure is usually higher. Night watering may promote lawn disease. Use a sprinkler that makes large drops, because small drops evaporate faster. Watering your lawn with a hand-held hose is a waste of both your time and your water, although it might be okay for a small garden.

13. How does a water utility detect a leak in the water distribution piping system?

Leaks can be detected by:

Reports by citizens to our emergency phone number.

A loss in pressure that can be detected by our customers or the Water Utility.

Visual detection (water on the ground) by Water Utility employees who work in the field.

The Water Utility's Leak Survey Program.

Once a leak is suspected, its precise location is determined by Water Utility personnel who use sensitive acoustic listening devices to detect the sound of the water leaking underground. Repairing leaking pipes are important to a water supplier because of the potential of damages to other underground utilities and the potential of property damage. Leaking infrastructure wastes water and money.

14. My drinking water looks cloudy when first taken from a faucet and then it clears up. Why is that?

The cloudy water could be caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to the gas bubbles in beer and carbonated soft drinks. After a while, the bubbles rise to the top and are gone. This type of cloudiness occurs more often in the winter, when the drinking water is cold.

15. What should I do to avoid cold weather problems with my pipes?

Here are a few tips on how you can help yourself prepare your plumbing for the upcoming winter season. Take a little time to prepare your home before the cold weather sets in.

Turn off your outside hose bib from inside the property and disconnect the hose.

Make sure the area around the water meter is heated to prevent freezing.

Make sure the water shut off valves on both sides of the water meter work properly so you can turn off your water in case of an emergency.

Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warmer air around the water pipes.

During extreme cold weather, leave a small stream of cold water flowing through a faucet.

16. What are the different methods of payment for my water bill?

Payments for water bills must be received in the office of the City Treasurer on or before the due date of the bill. Utility customers may mail their payment using the return envelope included with the bill or pay in person with cash or check at the Treasurer’s office located in City Hall. Their hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The City of Wauwatosa has a night depository that can be used for all payments when the Treasurer’s office is closed. It is located at the south-west end of City Hall by the employee entrance. If payments are taken out of your account directly by your bank, please allow enough time for processing the payment by your bank to avoid any late payment charges.
The City of Wauwatosa Water Utility is pleased to be able to offer you the convenience of making secured online payments. The Water Utility Online Payment Center is administered by FIS PayDirect.
To use this service, a convenience fee will be assessed by FIS PayDirect at the time of payment based on the method of payment utilized. For E-checks, the convenience fee is a flat charge of $1.95. For pinless debit or credit card payments, the convenience fee is 2.60% of the amount paid or a minimum of $3.95.