FAQ

To serve you better, we've assembled a list of our customers' most frequently asked questions. If you don't find your answer here, feel free to contact us.

How could I have used this much water?

You may not have - the numbers on your meter may have been transposed or hard to read. You could possibly have a leaky toilet or faucet that's difficult to detect. Just call the office and we'll work with you to solve the problem.

What do I do if I am experiencing low pressure?

Check your meter and the surrounding area for possible leaks. Next, call our office and report low pressure for your area.

Why is my water discolored?

A repair could have been completed recently allowing air to enter the line, causing the milky look.

What chemicals does our utility district add to the water?

Only chemicals that are approved by the National Safety Foundation for treatment of drinking water.

My water tastes, looks, and smells funny. Is it safe to drink?

All public water systems are required to maintain a minimum chlorine level of 0.2 mg/L (tested at the end of each line) by state law. Systems that use chloramine as a disinfectant must maintain a level of 0.5 mg/L by state law. Our disinfectant levels are tested daily to ensure safety.

Why does debris come out of the faucet when running hot water?

Most likely your water heater needs to be flushed. CAUTION: Most manufacturers recommend hiring a professional to flush your water heater. If you plan on doing this yourself, read the owner's manual to keep from being hurt and or damaging the water heater.

Why do I have a previous balance when I know I sent in my payment?

We may have received it after the due date or we may not have received it at all. Call our office and we will help you solve the problem.

What is an AMR Project?

The AMR stands for Automatic Meter Reading (AMR). BCWSC will replace all meters with new, state of the art meters with radio frequency (RF) devices that will allow us to obtain meter readings without entering your property. The RF device will reduce the need for us to come into your property to read your water meter.

My meter works fine, does it have to be upgraded?

Yes. In order to take advantage of the new technology, efficiencies, and cost-savings that the AMR system will provide, all water meters in our service area will be changed out.

How does the new meter reading system work?

Most meter reading will be taken by a vehicle driving through your neighborhood. when the vehicle gets near your meter, the meter transmits its meter reading by radio.  the readings are collected by devices in the vehicle.

 

How do I know that you have my reading and not someone else's?

Each radio frequency device has a unique identification number, which is transmitted along with the meter reading. The unique identification number is compared to your account record to ensure that there is a match.

How do you know that my reading is accurate?

The new meters are tested before installation.  These state of the art water meters have electronic registers, which verifies the meter reading before it is sent to the transmitting unit.  This reading is deemed more accurate than visually reading the meter.

How long will the meter installation take?

Under normal circumstances, the installation will take 15 minutes. The water will have to be turned off for about 10-20 minutes until the meter is changed. Please be advised that there may be some trapped air or slight discoloration in the water line. This will clear up after running your water for a few moments. You may hear some noise as the air exits spigots and fixtures. This is normal.

How do I know if higher usage may be a result of a leak in my plumbing system?

A new, more accurate meter may detect small leaks that the older meter missed. Check faucets for small drips. Also check you toilet tank for small leaks in the toilet bowl. You may want to place a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If the water in the bowl changes to the color of dye used in the tank, you have a leak. Seek assistance from your local home improvement center or plumbing professional to fix all such leaks.

Will my water bill go up?

Older meters tend to run slower and therefore do not measure all the water going through them. The new water meter will accurately measure the water that you use. all new meters are tested at the factory to ensure that they register properly. If you see a higher bill, it is usually not because your new meter is reading too high; it is because the old meter was running slow and did not count all the water thru it.