City of Tybee Island - Infrastructure Committee

Water, Sewer and Sanitation Questions

How are the fees and charges established?

City Council establishes fees and charges based on anticipated expenditures to provide the corresponding services.

What possible reasons are there for unusually high bi-monthly water and sewer charges?

    High usage
    New or more serious leaks in faucets or toilets
    Broken water lines
    Incorrect meter reading or clerical error
    Failed water meter
    Theft of water, or vandalism by others

How may water leaks or broken water lines be detected?

A simple process may be followed to detect if leaks and/or broken water lines exist:

    Inspect all faucets and toilets for running water

    Discontinue all water usage during the next steps

    Write down the “reading” from the water meter

    Wait 5 or 10 minutes, with no water running, and write down the “reading” from the water meter again.

    Compare the two readings. If the second reading shows a larger number, water is flowing somewhere. If water usage was discontinued during the 5 to 10 minute test period, there is either a leak or a broken pipe. A plumber may be needed. The test can be repeated.

How may a utility customer test for a failed water meter?

A simple water meter test can be made by filling buckets of known sizes with water, reading the meter before and after, and seeing if the total volume of water matches the usage indicated on the water meter, for instance, a five gallon bucket could be filled and refilled a total of five time, and the water meter “before” and “after readings should indicate about 25 gallons of water used. Other water usage at the address should, of course, be discontinued during this brief test period.

What services are available from the city to help residents?

The city will check for reading input errors or meter calibration if requested by the customer. If the meter reading was incorrect, of if the meter has failed, there is no charge for this service. Otherwise, there is a $25 Service charge assessed to the customer. Adjustments to the water and sewer bill can be made as appropriate, and if the meter is faulty, it will be replaced by the city at no charge to the customer.

Where is the information regarding payment due dates, late fees, and turn-off requirements?

The utility bill summarizes payment information. City ordinances are available at City Hall for review of the more complete requirements.

Must everyone pay water, sewer, and sanitation charges all year?

Yes. The fees and charges include an availability of service component plus a usage component. The fees and charges are structured to bring in the needed revenues to provide the needed services.

May exceptions be made to the established due date requirements?

Yes. Exceptions may be made, but only in cases of exceptional circumstances or unusual occurrences, such as a result of personal or family illness or death, minor arithmetic errors, unusual postal delays, or unexpected documented hardship.

When are bills sent, and when are unpaid bills delinquent?

Bills are rendered bimonthly on or about the first day of even numbered months, and a delinquency fee of $28 is assessed on all accounts for which payment is not received on the first day of the next month. The delinquency fee may be waived when a sworn affidavit is provided by the utility customer that no bill was received due to circumstances beyond their control.

When is water service discontinued, and how may water service be resumed?

Water service is subject to discontinuation whenever the total charges are not paid in full and received by the city by the first day of the odd month. Restoration of water service can occur only after the delinquent bill is paid in full, including the delinquency fees. The cut-off cut-on service charge is $55 when water department personnel are dispatched to a customer’s address for reconnection of water. This will also apply for disconnection of water after hours.

When can water/sewer/sanitation billings be adjusted?

The city shall have the right to adjust water and sewer bills in the case of water leakage and other special circumstances such as breaks in a water line, situations where water accidentally floods the premises, etc. Further adjustments may be appropriate when water does not enter the City’s sewer system such as for refilling of swimming pools. A plumbing repair bill or other evidence of repair must accompany a request for adjustment. The amount of adjustment to a water or sewer will be determined by averaging the past twelve months of usage, as appropriate, and shall be approved by the City Manager.

Will the city investigate questionable utility billings?

Utility customers may order a meter re-read which shall include a meter accuracy check for a $25 service charge. If the meter reading was wrong or the meter is found to be defective the fee will be waived.

Can renters or tenants be made responsible for utility bills?

Water, sewer and sanitation bills are the responsibility of property owners. If the owners allow the bills to be sent to their tenants and the bill is not paid prior to them leaving it is the responsibility of the owner to pay the bill. The property owner and the tenant must sign a waiver to put the bill in the renter’s name this waiver clearly states that the owner is responsible for the payment of the bill.

What are the requirements regarding garbage and trash?

City curbside garbage pickup service is accomplished twice weekly using uniform roll-our carts. Recycling containers should be placed out for weekly pickup. Yard trash is to be placed adjacent to the city right-of-way and it is picked up weekly. Large items such as household goods, appliances, and furniture must be taken to collection dumpsters at the Tybee Island Public Works Complex on Polk Street. Please do not put construction debris in carts. Do not put any Hazardous material in carts. Used motor oil/batteries can be disposed of at Tybee Public Works on Polk Street which is open 7:30 to 3:30 Monday thru Friday and 12:00 to 2:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

Who do I contact with questions or problems with my garbage/recycling?

You can call extension 131. This is will put you directly to Waste Management to report your missed pickup.

What do senior citizens discounts cover and how can I apply?

Senior Citizens who file for homestead exemptions for their primary residence at Tybee are given ½ off discounts on the base rates for water & sewer and are not required to pay for recycling. If you are a senior citizen (62 or over) and do not file homestead, you qualify for the discount on the recycling. This will allow you to continue to recycle at no charge.

What is the source of our water?

The City of Tybee Island pumps its water directly from the Upper Floridian Aquifer from 3 wells here on island.

How do I get information about water quality?
Water quality standards for safe drinking water are set by the USEPA and GDNR. The water we serve you meets or exceeds all of these requirements.

Our Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) provides the results of our water testing for the past year and will be released in July, 2007.

If you have questions about your water quality, please call our Dept. at (916) 786-4573 ext. 122 or 124. Billing questions must be directed to ext. 110.

Why is there chlorine in the water?
City of Tybee Island adds chlorine to the water to ensure the water is free from harmful bacteria. The department has installed several chlorine pump stations throughout our service area. On average there are about 0.6 parts per million of chlorine in our water.

How do I decrease the amount of chlorine in my water (for fish tanks, plant watering, etc.)?
Fill a clean container. Leaving it slightly uncovered, allow it to stand overnight. The chlorine will evaporate. To speed up the process, warm the water. Be sure to store the dechlorinated water in the refrigerator.

Is there is lead in my water?
City of Tybee Island follows EPA regulations and guidelines for water system lead testing. Our tests indicate that, system-wide, the lead levels in City of Tybee Island water are below the EPA limits.

However, lead and/or copper from your home's plumbing can leach into your water. Lead /copper pipes are easily scratched with a house key, leaving a shiny streak. A private laboratory can test a sample of your water to test for lead and/ or copper.

For more information, see:

EPA’s website

Is there mercury in my water?

City of Tybee Island follows EPA regulations and guidelines for water system mercury testing. Our tests indicate that, system-wide; the mercury levels in City of Tybee Island water are non-detectable at parts per billion range of detection.

Why is there fluoride in the water?
Fluoride prevents tooth decay and is essential for proper development of bones and teeth. On average there is 0.83 parts per million of fluoride in our drinking water. City of Tybee Island does not add fluoride to its water, what exists is naturally occurring and well within EPA regulation and guidelines.

What is the pH level of City of Tybee Island’s water?
The pH of our water remains in the neutral range averaging 7.23.

If my water has an odor, what should I do?
Often odors that appear to be coming from running water are coming from the drain. If it seems that your water has a “rotten egg” odor, fill a glass with water and take it to another room. If the water has no odor in the other room, then the odor is probably coming from the drain. Cleaning the drain will usually correct the problem.

Chlorine odors occur when the residual chlorine disinfectant gases (CL2) combine with gases given off by common household items. New carpets, paint, flowers, pine wreaths, upholstery, scented soaps and other household products produce gases called VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). When the chlorine gas and VOCs combine, you may get a smell that does not smell like either chlorine or the source of the VOC. Some of the most common descriptions of the odors are cat urine, fuel oil or chemicals.

To reduce these odors, try putting a fan in your window to air out your home to reduce the level of VOCs or use a carbon filter to reduce the level of CL2.

One interesting contributing factor is that your hot water heater builds up contaminants that cause odors when the hot water is used. Hot water heaters need to be flushed periodically to prevent these build ups. Flushing once a year is usually sufficient and amazingly effective.

Why is my water sometimes rusty?
Rusty, yellow water comes from mineral deposits stirred up during hydrant flushing, fire-fighting, line breaks or maintenance. The local fire department lists scheduled hydrant flushing in the newspaper. Try not to use water during these times to avoid pulling deposits into your home's plumbing.

Rusty water will generally clear up within 2-3 hours after the line is repaired or hydrant closed. You will need to run your cold water for several minutes to flush the rusty water from the lines in your house. Try not to run the hot water because that can deposit rust in your hot water tank.

If your laundry gets stained by rusty water, keep it moist. Buy a rust remover and follow the directions on the package.

Why does my water look cloudy?
Cloudy or milky-looking water is usually caused by dissolved air bubbles in the water. Air bubbles are harmless and are caused by pressure changes, temperature changes, water that is too hot (above 140° F) and faucet aerators. To check for air bubbles, fill a glass container with water: if the cloudiness is caused by air bubbles, it will clear from the bottom of the container toward the top.

Why are there particles floating in my water?
Black, brown or rusty particles can be caused by minerals breaking loose during hydrant flushing, line breaks or line maintenance. Flush your lines by running the cold water for several minutes. If the water does not clear, the particles could be coming from breakthroughs in your hot water heater or filter system. Call a licensed plumber to investigate the problem.

If white or tan particles are floating on the surface of the water, the problem may be coming from your hot water heater. The plastic dip tubes in water heaters often disintegrate with pieces going through the plumbing or being trapped in faucet aerators. Call a licensed plumber to investigate the problem.

Why is there a pink or black ring in my toilet?
Bacteria, fungus and mold spores normally found in the air can cause rings in your toilet bowl. Wet surfaces provide ideal conditions, and the organisms reproduce rapidly, growing together to form a ring. The color of the ring depends on the species of bacteria, mold or fungus.

You can easily remove the rings with a toilet bowl brush and household cleaners. Close the toilet lid to reduce the number of spores and reduce the light needed for growth.

What causes pinhole leaks?
Scientists have not yet discovered why pinhole leaks occur. National experts currently think that pitting in pipes can start from many factors, including:

substandard pipe manufacturing
improper installation
improper electrical grounding
excess plumbing flux

Tap Water	Bottled Water
Regulated by EPA	Regulated by FDA
Cannot have confirmed E. coli or fecal coliform bacteria	A certain amount of any bacteria is allowed
Filtered and/or disinfected	No federal disinfection requirements
Violation of drinking water standards is grounds for enforcement	Water in violation of standards can still be bottled and sold
Must be tested by certified labs	Testing by certified labs not required
Utilities must report test results to state and/or federal agencies	Bottlers have no reporting requirements
Water system operators must be certified	Bottled water plant operators do not have to be cert-ified
Water suppliers must issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report	Bottlers have no public right-to-know require-ments
Costs pennies a day—about $.0004 per gallon	Costs $.80 - $4.00 per gallon
Contains essential nutrients such as calcium and iron	Some bottlers filter out nutrient minerals
Residual chlorine prevents bacterial growth	No disinfectant to prevent bacterial growth as water ages

Is bottled water safer than tap water?

Not necessarily. Check the bottled water label or contact the bottled water supplier for test results on their product. Under special circumstances, such as an emergency, bottled water is a good choice.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates public water systems. As shown in our Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), City of Tybee Island’s water supply meets all federal and state EPA/GDNR drinking water standards. Bottled water must comply with Food and Drug Administration regulations, which must be equal to EPA standards for drinking water. Most required monitoring under the FDA regulations is not as frequent as the monitoring done on City of Tybee Island’s water.

Depending on the source of the water and the treatment process, some bottled waters may contain more or less amounts of substances than tap water. Some studies have shown that microbial growth may occur in bottled water during storage due to the lack of residual disinfectant. City of Tybee Island adds chlorine to its system to control microbial growth.

People with compromised immune systems should check the water quality test results for City of Tybee Island and the bottled water supplier, and consult their doctor before deciding which source is best for them.

Where can I find more information?
EPA publications contain more information about drinking water and your health
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwh/index.html