Water and Sewer Utilities: How do they get read and do you accept auto pay?

Yes!  Billing, new service & change service requests can be requested by calling 952-873-4644 or by emailing  [email protected]. Please find the Residential Utility Billing Automatic Payment Program form on our website by going to Residents, Utility, click on Service Providers, and then click on ‘Residential Service – Auto Pay Form’.

The City of Belle Plaine electronically reads the water meters each month.  We collect the first four numbers off of your water meter register, which tells us how many thousands of gallons are used.  We only bill for the thousand gallons that are used (see example). It is common to see fluctuations from one to two thousand gallons because we read by the thousands and don’t bill for the gallons used until it rolls to the next thousand.

For example: a new meter starts with a reading of zero (0000,000.00).  A household uses 900 gallons in the first month (rdg = 0000,900.00).  The reading that we receive from the meter is the first four numbers – which is still zero (0000).  The next month the reading is 0002,300.00.  The reading we receive is now 0002 (the first four numbers). Our billing system calculates the current reading less the previous reading for a total of 2,000 gallons billed. Therefore, you have been billed for zero gallons for the previous month and 2,000 gallons in the current month, even though in reality you used 900 in the first month and 1400 in the second month.  This can also explain why some residents who may average 2,333 gallons per month will see a jump to 3,000 gallons every third month. 

You have access to your meter in your basement so we strongly recommend monitoring it for usage.  The national average for usage per person per month is 1,500 gallons each.  Multiply that by the number of people in your household to get an average of what you should be using.  Monitoring your usage on a daily basis might help identify some areas where usage can be reduced.  Also check the water level in the tanks of the toilets – make sure it is at least an inch below the overflow tube.  And please fix any toilet that is running.  If you can hear a toilet running it is similar to leaving a faucet run. The most common cause of elevated usage is a running toilet.


Show All Answers

1. My yard has been painted with different colors. What work is being done?
2. When is the water meter read?
3. Who is responsible for maintaining the wastewater line to my home?
4. What causes discolored water?
5. When and why are the fire hydrants flushed?
6. My water meter is leaking. Will the City repair it?
7. Where can I plant a tree?
8. What is a drainage and utility easement?
9. Why doesn't the City cut the grass around the stormwater ponds?
10. Who maintains the trees within the right-of-way?
11. My street light is burned out or doesn't work properly. Who takes care of it?
12. How do I report a pothole?
13. When does the City sweep the streets?
14. Water and Sewer Utilities: How do they get read and do you accept auto pay?
15. When I do get a bill? When is the payment due?
16. How Can I Reduce Water Usage?
17. Who Is Responsible For Frozen Water Service Lines?