DEPARTMENT: Water Distribution & Wastewater Collection

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:

Superintendent: Mitch Reese 335-2830

Water & Sewer Shop 335-2800 then extension 3000

Meter Department 335-2831

Water or Sewer Emergencies 7:30-4:30 335-2830

Water or Sewer Emergencies (after hours) 334-1581

Utility Office 335-2774

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

   1.City Water Mains 
   2.City Water Services (lines entering a building
     or residence to the first shut off. Normally 
     in the tree lawn) 
   3.All Fire Hydrants within the city. 
   4.All City Sanitary Sewer Mains ( including 
     manholes and liftstations) 
   5.Water Lines in the City Parks. 
   6.Monitoring of the City’s Backflow Prevention 
     Program.

FUN FACTS:

WATER MAINS : 101 LINEAR MILES

FIRE HYDRANTS 1100

WATER SERVICES: 8,000+

WATER MAIN VALVES 2000+

SEWER MAINS 110 LINEAR MILES

SEWER MANHOLES 2000+

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Q: I want my water line replaced, does the city do
this?

A: The homeowner is responsible for the maintenance
and replacement of their water service out to the 
city’s connection. This connection is called the 
curb valve and is normally found in the tree lawn 
area of each building. It is recognizable by a black
round metal disc with the word water across the top.
The city will make repairs to the service on the 
"street side of this connection".

Q: I want to make repairs in my home and I need the
water shut off at the street, how do I contact 
someone for this?

A: This falls under the duties of the meter 
department, but since I receive a lot of these 
calls I will address this. Call the Utility office
at City Hall and tell them that you "need the water
off at the curb". They will take your information 
and set up a time for a technician to do this for you.

Q: Is there a charge for turning my water off and 
then on at the curb?

A: If scheduled during the week and during normal 
working hours (7:30-4:30) there is no charge. There
is a charge if needed after working hours or on 
weekends. ($30.00)

Q: I have a leak at my meter in my house, how do
I repair it?

A: Call the City Utility Office at City Hall and
they will schedule a technician to come out and 
repair the meter. There is no charge unless 
negligence is determined i.e. continued freezing
of the meter because it was not protected from 
freezing conditions, or if repair is needed after
normal working hours, then the $30.00 would apply.

Q: There is water coming out of the street or out
of the ground who should I call?

A: During the day call the Water Distribution 
Department, City Hall, or the Water Treatment Plant
and, after working hours call the Water Treatment 
Plant or the Police Dept. they will contact us and 
we will investigate. Watermain breaks can cause 
serious damage to roadways, please do not assume 
that someone has already called. We make repairs
to these main breaks as soon as possible.

Q: There was water coming up in my front yard and
it was investigated by the water department. They
told me it was on my line. What do I do?

A: The technician whom investigated it will make 
all attempts to notify you as soon as they know 
whose responsibility it is to repair. You will be
given a reasonable amount of time to make the 
repairs. If you fail to make such repairs in the
amount of time given, your water will probably be
shut off to your property until you make such 
repairs. 

Q: I smell what I think is sewer odor in the house
what should I do?

A: If it is ONLY SEWER SMELL it is usually caused 
by faulty plumbing. Your sewer pipes should have 
"traps" at each sink, tub, toilet, floor drain, etc.
if for some reason the "traps" are not working 
properly this could be a cause of sewer gas to enter
an immediate area. If smell is noticed in a particular
area, normally the basement, check out your floor 
drains. During the year occasionally pour about a quart
of water in each trap to insure that they are working
properly. Dried out traps will allow sewer gas to enter
your home. Another problem could be that your "sewer 
stack or vent" is plugged. This stack is what vents 
sewer gas out of your building, The sewer stacks are 
identified as the normally black pipes that extend out 
of the roof or your residence. Occasionally they can
become plugged by leaves, squirrel nests or contractors
who have done work on your roof. If these are plugged
they may prevent gases from venting thus entering your
building.

Q: I have water backing up in my basement, what 
should I do?

A: This is the number 1 question this department 
receives. The answer to this question is to call
us, but there are things that you can do to help
this from happening, and to help us diagnose where
the water is coming from.

   1.Check all down spouts, and if installed, sump
     pump discharge lines. Insure that storm water
     is being directed away from the foundation of
     the building. It is common during storms that 
     water will not be directed away from the 
     building and will follow the basement wall to
     the bottom then come out on the floor. 
   2.Periodically use drain cleaner to keep your 
     sewer lines clean and running. 
   3.If you are experiencing water coming into the
     basement call our department. If it is after 
     hours call the Water Treatment Plant. The 
     Plant Operator will then call one of our 
     technicians. We have personnel on 24-hour
     standby for Emergency Repair. Personnel on 
     standby will come out to inspect for 
     problems in the City’s Sanitary Main System.
     This person will make a determination if it
     is the City’s problem or the customers. If
     there is any doubt of the City’s Sewer Main
     being plugged we will bring our Sewer Cleaning
     Equipment to the site and resolve the problem.
     If it is determined that the problem lies 
     within the customers line, no further action
     will be taken and the technician will inform
     you that you need to contact a plumber.

Q: I’ve been told that the sewer is plugged on my
line what exactly does my line consist of?

A: In the City of Wadsworth the City is responsible
for the Sewer Main. The Customer is responsible for
the portion of the sewer that connects to the Sewer
main and goes into the customers building. This is
known as the customers’ sewer lateral. 

Q: The Sewer Main is located in the center of the 
road am I responsible for my line that is in the road?

A: Yes, in fact in some areas the Sewer Main my be
across the street from your building in the tree lawn.

Q: If I call the City about a sewer problem will I be 
charged for this call if it is after hours?

A: NO, the City will always come out free of charge 
to inspect a sewer problem, regardless of the time 
of day. Even if it turns out to be your
problem!