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How will the City's ability to provide water from the Mill Creek Watershed be impacted if it should become unavoidable that fire retardant is used within the Watershed?
If the USFS determines it is necessary that fire retardant be applied within the Mill Creek Watershed, an avoidance zone of 300' on either side of Mill Creek will be maintained. If determined necessary, the city can switch to groundwater as a precautionary measure whenever the use of fire retardant is anticipated. Fire retardant contains nitrogen which spurs algae growth if it enters a water body.
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What is the City's plan to provide water should there be fire in the Mill Creek Watershed?
If a fire should occur in the Mill Creek Watershed, water from the creek will continue to be used until it no longer can be treated to meet Federal and State Drinking Water Standards. Should a fire impact water quality in Mill Creek, the City can provide 100% of the city's needs with well water. The deep basalt aquifer from where the water is pumped has sufficient supply to meet the City of Walla Walla's demand for 10 years or longer when supplemented by the City's Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Program. The ASR program stores water in the aquifer with treated Mill Creek water that meets Federal and State Drinking Water Quality Standards.
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My street has different colored paint marks on it – what does this mean?
The different colored paint markings on your street or on your property represent underground utilities. A locate must be called in by law before all excavations deeper than one foot. A box painted in white stripes will indicate where the excavation is to take place. To learn more about Dig Safe Washington, visit the Dig Safe Washington website.
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Why was my water shut off?
The following reasons may be why you currently do not have any water.
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The Water Division shuts off water service for non-payment typically on Wednesdays. Contact the Finance Division at 509.527.4423 if you believe this might be the case.
- Water may be shut off due to an emergency or water main break. Contact the Water Distribution Division office at 509.527.4380 to learn more.
- Plumber, landlord or family member shut off water to perform plumbing repairs.
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How do I pay my water bill?
The City Finance Division receives all utility bill payments including the water bill. They are located in City Hall at 15 North Third Avenue. You may also pay your bill online.
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Why is there chlorine in my drinking water?
The addition of chlorine is required by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health for water systems such as Walla Walla’s which uses surface water as their water source. Chlorine is added to the water to maintain continued disinfection throughout the distribution and service piping that carries water to your home in order to assure that your water is safe to drink.
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Why does my water look cloudy or milky?
This can be a result of air in the line, seasonal flushing of fire hydrants or the spring to summer flow changes which can, due to increased flow velocities, stir up the water within the distribution piping. Generally it is temporary and can be remedied by running your water for a short time until it clears up. If possible, run the water outdoors on your lawn as opposed to running it to the drain.
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Why is the pressure relief valve (PRV) on my hot water heater dripping?
Water pressure in Walla Walla is controlled throughout four separate pressure zones; the pressure at each residence in that zone can vary depending upon your location. Depending upon your location and the fact that as water is heated it creates additional pressure which can cause the PRV to drip. Unfortunately we cannot lower each residence’s water pressure separately, but you can control the dripping by installing a small expansion tank ahead of your hot water heater which should solve the problem. If you already have an expansion tank and it is dripping, the tank may have failed and will need to be replaced. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Water Division at 509.527.4380.
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Why am I experiencing low water pressure and flow at my faucet?
It is not unusual for the screen on your faucet to plug up. Remove the screen from the end of the faucet, clean any scale or debris which have accumulated, and reinstall. This may take care of the problem, but if not, you may have a separate plumbing issue. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Water Division at 509.527.4380.
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Does our drinking water contain Fluoride?
The City does not fluoridate the water, although there can be trace amounts of fluoride in the water due to natural erosion as water travels through the ground water aquifer.
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How safe is our drinking water?
Walla Walla’s water meets and exceeds all drinking water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington State Department of Health.
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Where does our drinking water come from?
90% of our water is surface water from Mill Creek, the remainder is ground water taken from seven deep basalt wells.
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Where do I order a temporary hydrant meter?
Please contact the Finance Division at 509.527.4423 for your Temporary Hydrant Meter needs.
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Can I opt out of a smart meter upgrade?
There is no way of opting out other than having your water service removed. The only difference between the old system and the new system is the way the meters are read. The old system required a meter reader to visit your property every month, and the new system reads the meters wirelessly.
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How does the smart water meter system benefit customers?
In the past, the meter readers had to visit 11,000 homes and business to get readings each month. Smart meters have eliminated overcharging or undercharging customers during winter months. This occurred when snow prevented meter readers from physically accessing meters. This necessitated estimates. Estimates resulted in overcharges or undercharges for customers. When the meter readers could access the meters, these estimates were reconciled with refunds or additional charges the following billing period. The smart meters have functioned perfectly in all weather, even during power failures, resulting in $0 in overcharges. The system also detects water leaks quickly. We have seen water loss due to leaks reduced by 75%. Since we no longer use meter readers, vehicles no longer drive through all city streets each month, reducing the City's carbon footprint.
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How does the water meter system work?
The system works via wireless signals sent from a small radio unit inside the meter. The radio unit sends readings to a regional data collector unit. Six times a day, each unit sends a 56-millisecond usage report to one of two base stations located at the north and south ends of the city. These base stations collect all of the data then transmit it to a secure, web-based server.
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What are the parts of the Municipal Code dealing with water meters?
13.04.450 Meter assemblies ' Ownership and installation. The City will install all the necessary meter assemblies for measuring the water service used by the customer. However, the meter assemblies, even though the meter charge has been paid by the customer, will remain the property of the City. (Ord. 99-4 ' 8, 1999: Ord. A-3639 ' 1(part), 1990).
13.04.550 Meters ' Access for agents to install, read or repair authorized when. The City or its duly authorized agents or employees shall have the right to install meters on the customer's premises and shall at all reasonable times have the right to enter or leave the customer's premises for the purpose of installing, reading, repairing, testing, maintaining or reinstalling the meter and its related appurtenances. (Ord. A-3639 ' 1(part), 1990).
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What happened with the old water meters and equipment?
We recycled the old mechanical meters we replaced. Water meters and radio units are the property of the City of Walla Walla, and the City's Water Division performs the required maintenance on these units.
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What is a "smart" water meter?
The meter can digitally detect reverse flow and continuous flow (water leaks). It contains a battery-powered transmitter that is mounted through the meter box lid.
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When did smart water meter installation take place?
Installation of water meters and MTU's (radios) began early 2017 and was completed in 2018.
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Where can I get more information about water meters?
Call the City of Walla Walla Public Works Water Division at 509.527.4380 with questions or feedback.
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Why does my water bill look different?
Your new smart water meter will read water use in gallons instead of cubic feet.
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Will the smart water meters handle extreme weather?
The old, mechanical water meters that we replaced had a frost plate designed to break in order to protect the internal parts. In reality, the internal parts were still damaged about half of the time. The smart meters have no frost plate or internal parts. They handle being frozen much better than the old meters. Most of the time, they are thawed out and continue running as normal.
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Will wireless technology in water meters affect my health or privacy?
The new meters will not negatively affect health or privacy. The wireless portions of the system use one-quarter of the power of a cell phone. Exposure to radio waves from smart meters is miniscule compared to cell phones ' transmission time for each unit totals 0.336 seconds per day. The technology provides more privacy, because meter readers do not need to go on your property to take readings. Data protection methods meet or exceeds all state and federal standards.
