Frequently Asked
Public Works FAQ's
Service and Deposits
Billing and Rates
Water
Water Reclamation Facility
Distribution and Collection
Sewer Problems at Home
Reading Your Water Meter
The City of Stuart is committed to providing the Citizens of Stuart with:
-
Cost effective and economically sound utility practices.
-
Safe, clean drinking water that meets all local, state and federal drinking water standards.
-
Water and sewer service that is environmentally responsible, operationally reliable and customer responsive.
-
Sewage treatment and disposal that meets and exceeds all state and federal environmental standards.
Service & Deposits
Q: What if I'm not new to the area and simply moving from one home to another?
A: Account setups may be completed via fax. However, all outstanding payments must be made before a new account is created.
Customer Security Deposits and Rates - effective October, 2012
Q: How do I get water and sewer service?
A: If you are new to the area and moving to a new or existing location you must visit our Customer Service Department where you will be asked to post the required deposit with documentation as to said property ownership or rental agreement.
Q: How do I get Sanitation & Recycling services?
A: $50 deposit
Q: Does the City of Stuart require a deposit?
A: A deposit for a typical residential account is: Inside the City
Deposit for RESIDENTIAL utility service:
|
|
Inside City |
Outside City |
||
|
Meter Size |
Water |
Water/Sewer |
Water |
Water/Sewer |
|
5/8" x 3/4" |
50.00 |
100.00 |
65.00 |
130.00 |
|
1" |
100.00 |
200.00 |
135.00 |
270.00 |
|
1 1/2 |
230.00 |
460.00 |
310.00 |
620.00 |
|
2" |
400.00 |
800.00 |
550.00 |
1100.00 |
Deposit for COMMERCIAL or MULTI-FAMILY utility service:
|
|
Inside City |
Outside City |
||
|
Meter Size |
Water |
Water/Sewer |
Water |
Water/Sewer |
|
5/8" x 3/4" |
65.00 |
130.00 |
85.00 |
170.00 |
|
1" |
105.00 |
210.00 |
135.00 |
270.00 |
|
1 1/2 |
230.00 |
460.00 |
310.00 |
620.00 |
|
2" |
400.00 |
800.00 |
550.00 |
1100.00 |
|
3" |
915.00 |
1830.00 |
1225.00 |
2450.00 |
|
4" |
1635.00 |
3270.00 |
2180.00 |
4360.00 |
|
6" |
3670.00 |
7340.00 |
4890.00 |
9780.00 |
|
8" |
4900.00 |
9800.00 |
6450.00 |
12900.00 |
|
10” |
6545.00 |
13090.00 |
8560.00 |
17120.00 |
Deposit for SEWER ONLY utility service:
|
Meter Size |
Inside City |
Outside City |
|
2" |
400.00 |
550.00 |
|
3" |
915.00 |
1225.00 |
|
4" |
1635.00 |
2180.00 |
|
6" |
3670.00 |
4890.00 |
|
Single-family |
76.88 |
102.50 |
|
Multifamily |
51.25 |
67.65 |
Deposits are returned to the residential property owner upon a satisfactory payment record. A satisfactory payment record is based on the following criteria:
- Customers account has not been disconnected for lack of payment
- A check returned by a bank for insufficient or uncollected funds
- Customer has not tampered with meter
- Customer has not used services in an illegal or unauthorized manner
- Customer has paid all utility bills for the preceding 23 months within 20 days of mailing
Q: How do I cancel my water, sewer or sanitation services?
A: Contact Customer Service at (772) 288-5317. You must verify that you are the account holder and provide a forwarding address. No fees to discontinue services.
TOP
Billing & Rates
Q. What are the rates for water and sewer service?
A. A typical residential account using 8,000 gallons of water would be billed the following - based on October, 2012 rates:
| Billing & Rates: | Inside City | Outside City |
| Monthly Base Charge for Water | $10.65 | $13.31 |
| Monthly Volume Charge for Water | $19.08 | $23.84 |
| Monthly Base Charge for Sewer | $ 5.65 | $ 7.06 |
| Monthly Volume Charge for Sewer | $44.16 | $55.20 |
| Utility Tax (Water Only) | $ 2.97 | $ 3.72 |
| Total | $82.51 | $103.31 |
 Adopted Water Sewer Rates |
To review the most current rates and fees for all types of water and sewer service please refer to Chapter 42 (PDF file) of the City of Stuart Code of Ordinances. If you have any questions on rates, please call (772) 288-5317 or email Nickolos Corey in Utility Billing.
Q: What is the sanitation rate?
A: $16.03 per month. Recycling free.
|
Billing & Rates |
Inside City |
Outside City |
|
Monthly Charge for Sanitation |
$16.03 |
n/a |
|
Monthly Charge for Recycling |
FREE |
n/a |
Q. I’ve been gone for several weeks, why is my bill this high?
A. The City of Stuart bills on a monthly basis, you time away may have overlapped the billing period. You may also have a water leak (for example: a leaking toilet, faucet leaks or a leak in your service line) Leak detection information is available from our Customer Service Department.
Q: Does the City estimate my bill?
A: On very infrequent occasions, water use may be estimated. When a meter is inaccessible to our meter reader a customer service representative may estimate your bill based on your historic water use.
Q: How do you calculate my sewer usage?
A: Sewer charges are based on water usage. The usage is multiplied by a volume rate and a base fee is added. Residential sewer caps at 12,000 gallons monthly.
Q: Why did you change my water meter?
A: Meters are factory tested and calibrated to be within regulatory standards for accuracy. A meter’s accuracy declines with age. Meters that are ten (10) years and older are changed out. If a customer feels that a meter is not accurate, they may request a field test in accordance with Chapter 42 of the City of Stuart Code of Ordinances.
Q: Why do I continue to receive a bill when I’m gone six (6) months a year?
A: The City of Stuart structures the rates so that all customers share in the cost fixed costs of providing utility service.
Q: Should I have my water shut off if I’m vacation?
A: The choice is yours, but we recommend having it turned off to avoid possible water loss. There is no charge to have the water turned off. There is a charge for reconnection.
Q: Can I shut off my own water?
A: Yes, but only at your house valve. Meters are the property of the City of Stuart. Any damages to meter or appurtenances are the responsibility of the customer.
Q: Can I have my water turned on or off today?
A: Routine requests will be handled within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. Emergencies are handled by our field personnel who provide 24 hour emergency response.
Q: I just received a notice that my service will be disconnected if I don’t pay my bill, what should I do?
A: Contact our Customer Service Department as soon as you receive the notice to arrange for payment.
TOP
Water
The City of Stuart treats water drawn from 24 wells from the Surficial Aquifer. The water plant is 6 million gallon lime softening and filtration plant with 2.25 gallons in storage capacity and an annual average flow of 3.3 million gallons per day. The plant is staffed 24 hours per day, 365 days per year by state certified operators.
Q: Is my water safe to drink?
A: The City of Stuart’s water plant meets and exceeds all local, state and federal drinking water standards. A Consumer Confidence Report is provided to all consumers on an annual basis.
Q: Can I get sick from my drinking water?
A: There has never been a confirmed case of illness connected with our quality of drinking water.
Q: Is my water disinfected?
A: Yes, the water is disinfected with both chlorine and ammonia, which is a widely used method and is approved by the local, state and federal regulatory agencies
Q: What do I do when I’m told to boil the water?
A: The City of Stuart issues Boil Water Advisories when an interruption or low water pressure is experienced in an area of our service area. The State Health Department requires the City to issue and rescind all Boil Water Advisories. It is recommended that you allow water to come to a rolling boil for 5 minutes when an advisory is issued.
Q: Where can I get more information about my drinking water?
A: Contact our Customer Service Department and we can make arrangements for you to receive drinking water information.
Q: Is there fluoride in my water?
A: Fluoride is naturally occurring in low levels in the City’s raw water. We are adding therapeutic levels of fluoride as of June 2008.
Q: Can the water harm my tropical fish?
A: Water used for fish tanks require additional treatment or aeration. For further information contact your local pet store.
Q: How can I conserve water?
A: Many helpful tips are available through our Customer Service Department at City Hall. You can find also visit the South Florida Water Management’s Web Page for specific ways in which you can help protect our water resource.
Q: Who do I call if my water looks dirty?
A: City Customer Service (772) 288-5318.
TOP
Water Reclamation Facility
The City of Stuart's Water Reclamation Facility is a conventional activated sludge plant in which raw wastewater entering the plant is settled in a primary tank with a retention period of 2 hours or less and then subjected to aeration for 6 to 8 hours. After aeration, the sludge drops out in a final clarifier with a 2 hour retention time. A portion of the sludge is returned to the entry point. The plant has a rated capacity of 4 million gallons per day with a 1.5 million gallon per day average. The plant is staffed 8 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Q: What is a Water Reclamation Facility?
A: It is a facility in which all domestic waste from residential, commercial and industrial customers is piped through a network of collection mains and pumped from lift stations to the wastewater plant where it goes through a series of biological treatment plant processes with the finished product called “effluent” is then safely returned to the environment.
Q: What is a lift station?
A: A lift station is a pumping station that pumps raw sewage to the plant through a series of force mains. The City of Stuart monitors the larger lift stations via telemetry and audible alarms.
Q: Why are there red lights on the lift station control box?
A: The light is there to alert the City when a lift station malfunctions. If you see the light on please call (772) 288-1292.
Q: What is sludge and what do you do with it?
A: Sludge is the term used for the solid matter that settles to the bottom of wastewater treatment plant sedimentation tanks. The City of Stuart stabilizes the sludge and then has a contractor haul it to agricultural land applications sites where is used as a soil amendment.
Distribution & Collection
The City owns and is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all water distribution mains and services, fire hydrants, meters, sewer collection systems and force mains within the City's road right of way.
Q: Where are my water and sewer lines connected to the City’s?
A: Utility lines are typically located in the road right of way and in some cases along rear lot lines. Please call the Customer Service Department for further details.
Q: Who is responsible for leaks in my service line?
A: The service line from the house to the meter is the responsibility of the owner, the service line from the meter to the water main is the responsibility of the City. If you notice a leak, please contact our Customer Service Department.
Q: If I suspect a leak, what can I do?
A: See Home Link Testing Form
Q: Who is responsible for the meter and meter box?
A: The City repairs or replaces meter boxes, lids and meters. Willful damage is the owner’s responsibility.
Q: Why are the fire hydrants silver instead of red?
A: The silver color is more visible at night and is less likely to fade in the Florida sun.
Sewer Problems at Home
Q: Who is responsible for a back up of sewage into my house?
A: Most back-ups are a result of a partially clogged fixture or service lateral. If you experience a back up the City suggests you contact a local plumbing company. Under extenuating circumstances the City’s sewer system may be experiencing a temporary back up.
If the back-up condition is beyond your service connection at your property line please call our (772)288-1292. Emergency response personnel are on standby for emergency response 24 hours per day. After 3:30pm call the Water Plant at (772)288-5343.
Q: If I fill my pool, can I get a credit on sewer service?
A: No, City does not offer credits for filling pools.
TOP
Reading Your Water Meter
Your water meter is typically located in the front of the house, near the property line. It is located within a meter box for protection and is considered the point of connection.
Each month, City meter readers enter the meter reading numbers on an electronic hand-held instrument. These units can withstand rain and humidity. The unit displays information such as, service address and meter serial number. To determine the quantity of water used, the meter reader punches in the number displayed on your meter. At the end of the day the meter reader takes the meter reading device to the Customer Service Department where this information is automatically downloaded into the City’s computerized billing system.
The computerized billing system processes meter readings, generates reports, which includes flagging accounts that have unusual usage.
The City of Stuart bills water and sewer usage in increments of 100 gallons, always rounding down to the nearest hundred.
TOP
