FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Water and sewer is billed quarterly (every three months). The quarter in which you receive your bill depends on your address. You will receive a bill indicating the amount and date due, as well as the number of gallons of water consumed. Feel free to contact our Utility Billing Clerk (815-786-9321) to determine when your water/sewer bills are du

Quarterly bills are mailed the first day of the month and are due by the last day of the month. We will assess a late penalty of 20% on any account where payment in full is not received by the due date. Please note that the city cannot accept responsibility for payments received after the due date which are due to circumstances beyond our control.

Pursuant to city ordinance Sec. 78-74, accounts not paid in full within 45 days after the quarterly billing shall have services disconnected.  Service shall not be reinstated until such time that the bill is paid in full, together with a payment made of $80 for discontinued (shut-off) and reinstating (turn-on) of the service.

The City of Sandwich offers customers the option of having a second meter on their outdoor water hookups. This involves one meter that measures indoor water consumption and one meter that measures outdoor use. On the second outside meter, water is billed once a year and there is no sewer billing.

During the summer months, consumers water lawns, gardens, wash cars, fill pools and use water for other outdoor activities. With a second meter, since this water does not enter into the wastewater treatment system, sewer costs are not applied. The cost for a second meter is $375 plus $75 for the plumbing inspection. Water meters may be picked up at City Hall and should be installed by a licensed plumber.

Consumers may want to research to determine if their costs for purchasing a second meter will beneficial. Current water and sewer rates are found on your water bill, or you may phone the City Clerk’s office at 815-786-9321 for rates or more information.

Persons who are absent from their residence for an extended period of time can notify us of this fact. That way, when a “red flag” alerts us that your water consumption has decreased dramatically, we will be aware that it is not due to a faulty meter read.
 

Snowbirds can also notify the Police Department (815-786- 7261) and allow them to check your home while you are gone.

Lead and Drinking Water
Lead is NOT present in the City of Sandwich’s source water (groundwater), nor is Lead in the City’s treated drinking water. However, if homes and buildings have water service lines made of Lead, Lead can enter the drinking water through the corrosion of those plumbing materials.

The water service line runs from the water main to the water meter. A valve, commonly referred to as the curb stop, controls the flow of water from the water main to the dwelling. In most cases this valve is located at, or near, the property boundary. The water main and the portion of the service line outside the property boundary is owned and maintained by the City of Sandwich. The service line located inside the property boundary is owned and maintained by the property owner.

Lead was used in our community until 1960
• If your home was built after 1960, your service line and household plumbing are most likely not made of lead.
• If your home was built before 1960, you may have a lead service line or service line containing lead solder.

Lead and Copper Rule
The City of Sandwich is in full compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR). This rule requires that a utility sample water from resident’s kitchen cold water tap that has been in contact with the internal plumbing for 6 hours. The City is on a reduced monitoring schedule which takes place every three years as a result of many consecutive years of compliance with this program.

Corrosion Control
The City of Sandwich has source water that is naturally hard (calcium carbonate), and has a neutral pH. The minerals that cause hardness coat the inside of your internal plumbing. This coating prevents lead from dissolving into drinking water.

The City of Sandwich understands that consumers may, from time to time, experience financial hardships that make it difficult to pay their water/sewer bill on time. In a spirit of cooperation, we offer customized payment agreements that enable residents to gradually pay delinquent charges while maintaining water service. Please contact the City Clerk’s office (815-786-9321) prior to your billing due date to inquire about a customized payment agreement.

Water and sewer payments may be mailed to the City Clerk’s office, 144 E. Railroad Street, or you may stop by Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The entrance to the clerk’s office faces Pearl Street. After office hours, payments may be dropped in our secure lock box located on Railroad Street. We now accept credit cards for payments being made at the front counter.

Water and sewer is billed every three months and based on consumption. The more water you use, the higher your bill. Please be aware of your water usage. If you have an unusually high bill, check your toilets, water softener or humidifier for problems. Perhaps you used water outside on your lawn, garden or flowers. Once you’ve exhausted all avenues of problems in your home, feel free to contact our water department (815-786-9321) and we will be happy to assist you.

• Check all faucets for drips. Replace worn and leaking washers, gaskets, pipes or defective fixtures. A leak just 1/32 inches in diameter consumes 264 gallons per day or 7920 gallons per month!

• Check toilets for leaks--they are the most common cause of high bills! Do you ever have to jiggle the toilet handle to stop it from running?

• Place a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank after it has filled. Do not flush the toilet for at least 15 minutes (or overnight if possible). If the food coloring shows up in the bowl without flushing, the toilet has a leak.