Water & Sewer
Rates
Water and Sewer Rates (pdf)Annual Water Restrictions
To conserve water resources and allow the city's water system flexibility in meeting peak demands, certain limitations must be placed on the city's water supply. An odd-even sprinkling restriction based on street addresses is in effect from May 1 to September 30 each year.Watering Schedule
Monday:- "No Watering" day. City water cannot be used for the purposes of irrigating or watering lawns, sod, or seeded areas between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday:
- Even-Numbered Residences
- Commercial Customers
Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday:
- Odd-Numbered Residences
- Homeowners Associations
- Apartment Complexes that provide a common irrigation system
Penalties
First Offense: WarningSecond Offense: $25.00 Fine
Third Offense: $50.00 Fine
Fourth Offense: $100.00 Fine
Fifth Offense: Restrictive devise placed on sprinkler system and outside water tap
The water use restrictions do not apply in the following situations:
- Limited hand watering of plants using a hose
- Watering of new landscaping, sod, or seed within thirty (30) days of installation (a "new lawn" registration is required for this exemption)
- Watering from a source other than the city's water supply if the water user has registered the alternative source with Rice County and the alternative source is properly permitted by the State of Minnesota. Under this exemption, the city may inspect the property to ensure compliance.
New Lawn Registration
Contact the Public Works Department to register your new lawn. There is no fee for this service. The following information is needed to register your new lawn:- Name
- Phone Number
- Address
- Date grass was planted or sod was laid
Water Treatment and Distribution
This division provides for daily operation and maintenance of the City’s potable water system, including five production wells, two pumping stations, chemical addition facilities, four storage tanks, water mains, valves, hydrants and reading customer meters. Division staff devotes significant time to responding to customer concerns, coordinating with contractors, and locating services lines. As with all divisions within the Public Works Department, the water/utilities division participates in snow and ice removal in conjunction with the street maintenance division. They also participate in seal coating operations.The water subdivision employs a staff of three fulltime employees who work under the supervision of a Public Works Superintendent. The Superintendent may utilize staff from the utilities subdivision as well when needed for operations and maintenance. This subdivision also supplements its staff with 2 temporary employees each summer. One summer employee is used for locates and one is used for grounds maintenance for the water treatment facility and water storage facility.
Wastewater Collection and Treatment
Two separate divisions within the Public Works Department carry out the operation and maintenance of the city wastewater collection and treatment system. The collection system functions fall under the utilities maintenance subdivision of the Water/Utilities Division. Water reclamation operations are a separate division within the department. The Water Reclamation Facility Superintendent heads the Water Reclamation Division.Collection system functions consist of cleaning, inspecting, and repairing sewer lines and lift stations to ensure the consistent, trouble free conveyance of wastewater to the reclamation facility for treatment. These tasks are carried out by a staff of three fulltime employees, under the direction of the Water/Utilities Division Superintendent. The division hired three fulltime summer employees to help manage the distribution and collection system maintenance and utility locates.
