FAQs
Why has my bill been the same for the past four months? I can’t be using the same amount of water.
Water usage is billed in increments of 1,000 gallons, and EWSU bills its customers by rounding down to the nearest 1,000 gallons.
What is the least amount I can pay to keep my water on?
While your total bill amount is owed on your account, in order to avoid shut off you must pay at least half of the past-due amount before the shutoff date and the other half within seven days of the shutoff date.
Why is my bill higher than my neighbor’s?
You are billed for the water you use. If you use more water than your neighbor, your bill would be higher.
Do you adjust for filling a swimming pool/outdoor watering?
We do not adjust for filling a swimming pool or outdoor watering.
Why do I have to pay a deposit? I paid a deposit at my other address.
Deposits are collected on every account. The deposit will be used to cover any charges incurred on the final bill for the other address.
How are water rates determined?
Water rates are requested by the Utility and approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
What are some ways I can conserve water?
The Environmental Protection Agency provides numerous ways you can conserve water. Visit their website for more information.
What can I do to prevent damage to pipes during freezing temperatures?
If you live in a home with an unheated basement, or in a slab home with a crawl space underneath, extremely cold weather may cause your water lines to freeze or your internal plumbing lines to burst. You can take several steps to minimize the risk:
How do I stop service?
You can stop your service by visiting customer service.
How do I start service?
You can start a service by contacting customer service.
If I need to make repairs, who should I call to have the water service shut off?
If you have a leak or need to make repairs, first attempt to shut off the water at the main shutoff inside the home.
I was out of town and didn’t use any water. Why did I still receive a bill?
There are minimum charges incurred for having an active account with EWSU. A full list of rates and fees can be found here:
My water is cloudy/discolored. Who should I call?
If you are experiencing cloudy or discolored water, call (812) 421-2130.
Who do I call to report a water main break?
Call (812) 421-2124 to report a main break 24 hours a day.
What is a Precautionary Boil Advisory?
A Precautionary Boil Advisory is a public statement advising people to boil their tap water before using it, typically in response to an event that could allow contaminants to enter the water distribution system.
What should I do during a Precautionary Boil Advisory?
You should boil tap water vigorously for at least five minutes prior to using it for drinking or cooking.
Is the water safe for washing dishes, laundry, and bathing?
The water is safe for washing dishes, but you should use hot, soapy water (you may add one tablespoon of bleach per gallon as a precaution) and rinse dishes in boiled water.
How long must a Precautionary Boil Advisory be in effect?
An advisory will remain in effect until test samples show the water is safe to drink.
What are total coliform bacteria?
Total coliform bacteria are a collection of microorganisms that live in large numbers in the intestines of humans and animals, as well as in most soils and surface water.
How will I be notified if my home/business is affected by an advisory?
The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility engages in certain public notification efforts, which include dissemination to media outlets or door-to-door notification.
Under what circumstances will The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility issue a Precautionary Boil Advisory?
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management regulates water utilities throughout the state and specifies instances when an advisory must be issued.
How will I know when the advisory has been lifted?
The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility will issue a Precautionary Boil Advisory Lifted notice when the samples have confirmed that no contamination is present.
Since an advisory is a precautionary measure, will I get sick if I drink the water? What if I drank some water before I found out about the advisory?
Until test results show the water is safe to drink, you should not drink the water without boiling it first.
What’s a water main break?
A water main is an underground pipe that delivers water to the customer's service pipe.
What happens when a water main break occurs?
Main breaks can cause a loss of water pressure or even temporary loss of service as the main is shut down to isolate the emergency.
What’s a boil advisory and how will I be notified?
While the potential for contamination of the drinking water is unlikely, the Evansville Water & Sewer Utility may advise customers in the affected area to bring all cooking and drinking water to a complete boil for five (5) minutes before using.
What should you do after a water main break?
Repairs to water service can allow sediment and debris into pipes. Here are some tips for clearing debris from your water pipes after street repairs have been made:
How many miles of water mains are there in Evansville?
There are 1,000 miles of water mains buried beneath Evansville’s streets – more than enough pipe to connect Evansville to Denver. Imagine driving from here to Denver every year, checking the buried mains for leaks or problems that could lead to breaks
Why do water mains break?
Most of the water mains in Evansville are made of cast iron.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my cart?
Contact Republic Services of Evansville if you have specific questions about your cart: (812) 424-3345.
How do I find my day of trash pickup, week for recycling, and my date of Heavy Trash pickup?
Please contact Republic Services, either by phone at 812-424-3345 or use their website to find your scheduled service dates.
What is considered recyclable?
Plastic; aluminum and steel cans, lids and caps; glass; cardboard; and paper products may be placed in your green-lid container cart. The Recycling page has more specific information.
Do I need to separate my recyclables?
No. You may co-mingle your recyclables in the 96-gallon green-lidded cart.
Is recycling pick-up still every other week?
Yes. You will be informed of your every other week schedule.
What if I don’t want to recycle?
Recycling is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged.
Where do I place my carts for pick-up?
Please place the carts at the end of your driveway if you have curbside pick-up.
When should I place my carts out for pick-up?
Trash and Recycling carts should not be placed out for collection more than one day before the scheduled day of collection.
What is Clear Path?
Clear Path is the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility’s public campaign to educate residents about sewer inspections and cleanings, and the importance of ensuring that utility easements are clear so crews can access the sewer system.
What is Clear Path's goal?
The goal of Clear Path is to educate residents and encourage them to take action and remove all obstacles to accessing the utility easement.
What is an easement?
Easements are water and sewer system access points and land on which EWSU crews can legally access its system.
Why is the Utility requesting access to easements?
Clear easements provide utility crews with safe, immediate access to our system for inspection, maintenance and quick response to emergencies, such as sewer backups, which may be a pubic health hazard.
How does this relate to Renew Evansville?
Renew Evansville is Evansville’s program to meet the requirements of a federal mandate to comply with the Clean Water Act of 1972.
Is the federal mandate to inspect and clean sewer lines unique to Evansville?
What is required by November 2015?
EWSU must complete inspections on 70 percent of the system by Nov. 1, 2015. We are confident we’ll reach that goal.
How many properties do you plan to inspect?
In 2015, we plan to inspect more than 100 miles of sewer lines, which could impact thousands of properties on or near an easement.
Why must easements be clear?
Clear easements provide Utility crews with safe, immediate access to our system for routine inspections and maintenance.
What type of obstacles have you encountered?
The most common obstructions are fences and storage barns, but barriers can also include paving, other buildings, pools and landscaping.
Is it possible for residents to have an easement on their property and not know about it?
While manholes are easy to identify, sewer lines are underground and not visible.
How can residents find out if they’re on an easement?
Property owners who are unaware of easements on or near their property can visit the Recorder.
How long do residents have before they have to remove obstructions?
The City understands that clearing an easement often requires property owners to invest both time and money.