WATER DIVISION

The Water Division provides adequate water flows and pressures throughout the service area for domestic consumption and fire fighting purposes, and maintains a quality and cost efficient product by the operation and management of a distribution system. This division also repairs all water lines, towers, tanks and appurtenances.

Contact Information Connie Wilson - Utility Manager Water Utility Main Office 6551 S. Pine Street Burlington, WI 53105 Email: bwwtp@bizwi.rr.com Water/Sewer Direct Payment Plan Phone: 262-342-1173 for: Water outage or main break Water/sewer bills Phone: 262-539-3646 for: Utility Manager Drinking water testing program Office Hours Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

General Water Information

The Burlington "Water Works" was formed in 1890. Today the Burlington Water Utility provides over 2.5 million gallons per day to customers.

The source of water for the Burlington system consists of four drilled groundwater municipal wells, each finished in the deep sandstone aquifer. Water from these wells is chlorinated, then pumped into an elevated tank or ground storage reservoir, where it is held for distribution.

We ask that all of our customers help us protect our water sources by conserving water and by participating in City efforts to increase awareness of groundwater protection. The Burlington Water Utility intends to continually maintain your confidence. Thank you for your support and for allowing us to provide high quality drinking water, a most precious resource.

If you have a question, problem or dispute with your utility service or your bill, please contact the Utility Manager at 262-539-3647.

Consumer Confidence Report

The City routinely monitors many compounds in drinking water and follows sampling and testing requirements set forth by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The 2002 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report showed that Burlington water exceeded State and federal requirements.

Copies of the Consumer Confidence Report are available online at the DNR web site section for Drinking Water.  (Click on "Public Systems" and enter the information for Burlington in the search form).  Copies of the report are also available at the Burlington Public Library and the Burlington Water Utility office.

Reporting a Water Outage or Main Break

Please call the Water Utility at 262-342-1173 (during office hours) or the Police Department at 262-763-2406 (24-hour).

 

Bill Payments:
Water and Sewer Direct Payment Plan
In Person:	City Hall 300 N. Pine Street Burlington, WI 53105 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.	You can now have your water/sewer payment made automatically from your checking or savings account.
By Mail:	City of Burlington Water Utility P. O. Box 477 Burlington, WI 53105-0477	Water and Sewer Direct Payment Authorization Form (PDF File, 152 Kb)

Connection and Reconnection Fees

Water Reconnection Fee:

There is no fee to connect to water service. However, there is a $40.00 fee to reconnect if you have been disconnected, including disconnection for nonpayment of your water bill.

Sewer Connection Fee:

There is a $1500.00 fee to connect to the sanitary sewer. This is handled through the Building Inspection Department, 262-763-7950.

Customer's Bill of Rights

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has published the following information to let you know your rights as a water customer.

What is On Your Bill

All water utility bills may include:

• Account number.

• Billing Address.
• Service address (if not the same as billing address).
• Current Meter reading and date.
• Prior meter reading and date.
• Number of units consumed.
• Minimum and estimated bills shall be distinctly marked as such.
• The date on which the utility bill is due.
• The rate schedule under which the bill was calculated.
• Late payment charges.

If the rate schedule is not included with the bill, the utility must provide a copy of the rate schedule to all customers whenever a rate change becomes effective and at least once each year.

Late Payment Charges

A utility can add a late payment charge if your bill has not been received by the utility by the due date printed on your bill.

A late payment charge can be:

• A one-time charge of 3 per cent of current unpaid charges (minimum of 50 cents), or

• A monthly charge of up to 1_ per cent of the total unpaid balance (including unpaid late payment charges).

A Deposit May Be Required

If you are a new residential customer, you may be asked to post a deposit if you did not pay an undisputed bill for gas, electric or water service anywhere in Wisconsin during the last six years, and your income is above the federal poverty guidelines.

If you are a current residential customer, you may be asked to post a deposit if:

• Your service has been shut off during the last 12 months.

• You falsified a service application.

Installment Plans for Overdue Bills

You may enter into an installment plan to pay what you owe your utility. This helps you pay your current bills and any overdue bills. You will be asked to make a "reasonable down payment" and "reasonable installments."

A reasonable amount is based on:

• Your ability to pay.

• The size of your overdue bill.
• How long your bill has been overdue.
• Reasons the bill is overdue.
• Other important factors.

Your utility will ask you to sign an installment agreement. Do not sign it unless you agree to the terms. You have a right to negotiate an installment agreement.

If you do not pay installments as agreed, the utility may shut off your service. If you do not pay, the utility does not have to negotiate an agreement before it shuts off your service. It is up to you to let the utility know about important reasons to negotiate a new plan.

If you and the utility cannot agree on an installment plan, you can file a dispute with the Public Service Commission (PSC). While the PSC investigates and attempts to resolve your dispute, your service should not be shut off. However, you must pay all bills not in dispute.

Service Shut-offs

A utility must either send or personally serve you with a notice before your service is shut off.

This notice must include:

• Date of notice.

• Reason for shut-off.
• Date when service can be shut off.
• If feasible, the occupants may apply to the utility to accept responsibility for future bills and avoid disconnection of service.
• How to contact the utility about the shut-off.

The notice must be sent to your home or mailing address at least eight (8) days before the shut-off. If the billing address is different from the service address, notice shall be posted at the service address not less than five (5) days before disconnection. The utility is required to make a reasonable effort to contact you by telephone or in person before service is shut off.

If service is not shut off within 15 days after the notice is mailed, the utility must leave a new notice at the site not less than 24 hours nor more than 48 hours prior to disconnection.

A utility may disconnect utility service without notice where a dangerous condition exists for as long as it exists.

Service may be disconnected with a written 24-hour notice for nonpayment of a bill covering theft of water.

Your service cannot be shut off if:

• You fail to pay for merchandise or non-utility service.

• You fail to pay for a different type of utility service.
• There is a declared heat advisory or warning for your area.

Your service can be shut off if:

• You fail to pay your bills, including delinquent bills from a previous address.

• You fail to pay installments as agreed.
• You fail to post required deposits.
•  You tamper with your meter.
• There is a safety hazard.
• You refuse or fail to allow for a meter reading once every six months.

Medical Problems

For extra time to make payment arrangements, the utility will delay service shut-off for up to 21 days if there is a medical problem or other emergency. The utility may ask for a letter regarding the illness form your doctor, a public health official, a social service official, the police, or the sheriff. The letter must specify the medical illness, the need for water, and the expected duration of the emergency. It is also possible to extend the 21-day delay.

Delinquent Bills Levied as a Tax

Delinquent municipal utility bills may be levied as a tax as provided in s. 66.069, Wisconsin Statutes.