Frequently Asked Questions
Billing Questions
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Late charges are assessed if your water bill is not paid by the due date. Read our Billing Policies for more information about how these charges are calculated.
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A sample bill and an description of all elements on your bill are explained in detail on this page in the VVWD Customer Center: Your Bill Explained.
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Meters are read monthly. Fire hydrant meters are tested annually.
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The customer is responsible for leaks on the "Customer" side of the meter. Installment payments can be arranged for six months without late fees until the balance is paid.
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If you receive a water bill, which is unusually high, you may have a water leak. If you suspect a water leak there are some things you can do to find out. Read your water meter – use your water meter to check for leaks in your home. Start by turning off all faucets and water-using appliances. Make sure no one uses water during the test period. Take a reading on your meter; wait about 30 minutes then take a second reading. If the dial has moved, you have a leak.
Is the leak inside or outside your home? Turn off your house valve (emergency shut-off valve, usually found below your hose spigot) and repeat the above process. If the dial has moved, the leak is between your meter and your home, otherwise, your leak is located inside your home, or in the pipes under your home.
- Check for toilets that run . . . the most common source of leaks is in the toilet. Check all toilets for leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If after one hour the dye shows up in the bowl, the toilet has a leak.
- Check for leaky faucets . . . the next place to check for leaks is your sink and bathtub faucets. One drop of water per second wastes 2,7000 gallons of water per year! Replacing the rubber O-ring or washer inside the valve can usually repair dripping faucets.
If you have taken the above steps to detect and correct the water leak and your consumption continues to increase, please contact the Virgin Valley Water District to speak to a customer service representative.
- Check for toilets that run . . . the most common source of leaks is in the toilet. Check all toilets for leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If after one hour the dye shows up in the bowl, the toilet has a leak.
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Most water meters are located at the front of your property at either the property line near the sidewalk or street. The District uses a "speedometer" type meter that works like the odometer in your car... except that it records cubic feet of water instead of miles traveled.
The series of numbers in the odometer reflect your water consumption in units of 100 cubic feet (=748 gallons of water). Read the numbers left to right, but don't include the last two numbers on the far right. For example, if last month's reading of 004500 units is subtracted from this month's reading of 006500, then 2000 cubic feet for water usage that has been logged. This in turn equates to 20 units of billable usage. This is what would be reflected on your bill.
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Customers with concerns or questions about their bill should contact the Virgin Valley Water District Office, and discuss it with a Customer Service Representative.
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The service charge covers the cost of reading, maintaining and replacing your water meter, conducting the consumer accounting, rendering the bill, and a small portion to cover the fixed costs.