Water Policies:

A person moving in must contact the Water Department office.

A $100.00 deposit plus $20.00 service charge ($50.00 after normal working hours) to have the service put in is required of all renters and trailer park residents before service will be put in their name. If deposit isn't paid in full, water service must be put in property owners name with their consent. Homeowners will have the $20.00 service charge ($50.00 after normal working hours) added to their first regular bill. Renters and trailer park residents will fill out a service agreement. The service agreement must also be signed by the property owner. If a meter needs to be installed, the house will need to be open. The valve near the meter may be left off if nobody is home. (This is if water faucets have been left on in the house.) If a meter is already in the house it will be read. Present accounts must be paid in full before transferring to another address.

A person moving out must contact the Water Department office.

The water will remain in the outgoing persons name until the meter is removed or the person going in has contacted our office. There will be a $20.00 disconnection fee ($50.00 after normal working hours) if the water meter needs to be removed.

Billing.

Charges included are for water, sewer, garbage, and pest control/forestry charge. All charges are billed from the installation date of the water meter and are not dismissed until the water meter is removed or put in a new persons name. Charges for water and sewer are based on water used. Garbage is billed as a drive-by fee (and is billed whether or not garbage is put out). There is a reduced rate for senior citizens ahe 65 and over. Pest control/Forestry charge is for any spraying needed/boulevard trees and is billed as a flat fee. Other charges may be added by resolution of the City Council. Bills are sent out around the 15th of each month and are due by the 5th of the following month. Penalty applies after the due date. If the 5th falls on a weekend, the due date will be stated on the bill. Payments can be mailed, paid in person at City Hall, dropped in the drop box in the back of City Hall, paid at Crookston Hugo's. Credit for payment is on the day payment is received in our office. Any late payments will be charged a penalty. Bank payments of water bills can be set up on request. A $6.00 charge is added if check has to be re-deposited. A $15.00 service charge will be added by the Water Department for any NSF checks returned to us.

Collections.

Accounts receiving a bill with a previous balance must pay the previous balance amount plus the current bill in full by the billing due date. Failure to pay these amounts may result in disconnection. If full payment is not received, a serviceman will be sent for notification of this bill and a $20.00 charge will be added. Full payment including notification fee will be due. If payment is not received, the service will be shut off. Water service will not resume until a full payment on the account is received plus a $20.00 reconnection charge. There will be a $50.00 reconnection charge after normal working hours.

Deposits.

Deposits will be applied to the final water bill. Deposits are not transferred from one account to another. A new deposit is required for each rental. Interest will be credited to the account on an annual basis based as set by the commissioner of Minnesota Dept. of Commerce on Dec. 15 of each year.

Water main breaks/flushing. 

If possible, KROX Radio will be notified of water main breaks and flushing. Smaller areas may be notified door to door if time permits. If a large area is going to be shut off, or there is an emergency, the Polk County Sheriff's Office is notified and an announcement is put on TV. When hydrants are going to be flushed, KROX is notified one day in advance of the area to be effected.

Right of entry.

According to City Ordinance Section 3.05, the City has the right to enter in and upon private property, including buildings and dwelling houses, in or upon which is installed a municipal utility, or connection therewith, at all times reasonable under the circumstances, for the purpose of reading the utility meters, for the purpose of inspection and repair of meters or a utility system, or any part thereof, and for the purpose of connection and disconnection of service.

Liens against properties.

If purchasing a home, you should check with the Water Department to see if there are any outstanding utility bills on the property. According to Minnesota State 444.075 Subdivision .3 the City may assess any unpaid bills against property taxes after having a public hearing.

Senior citizen garbage discounts.

Persons 65 and older may stop at the Water Department office and pick up an application for a discount on garbage rates. There can only be two occupants in the residence at most (i.e. husband and wife). Applications are subject to approval by Public Works Director.

Regulations for installing meters at trailer parks.

Meters will be required to be located under the trailer. All meters to be installed have to be off the ground. We recommend the meter be at least 6 inches off the ground, supported by a concrete block or 2" X 6" block of wood. In order to avoid freezing, heat tape should be wrapped around the meter and covered by insulation. Installations have to be within 12 inches of outside skirting. All meters have to have an access panel on the skirting to be able to reach the meter. This panel should be approximately 24 inches wide and 18 inches down from the top of the skirting. The access panel should not touch the ground to prevent it from freezing down in the winter. On all installations the shut off valve has to be within 6" of the water meter on the live side of the water line. Installations will be inspected by the Water Department. Utility customer is responsible for the repair of damaged or frozen meters.

Meter damage and replacement.

Utility customer is responsible for the repair of damaged or frozen meters. They will be billed for costs to repair meter or replacement costs if meter can't be repaired.