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Water & Sewer Billing

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1. Can I have a separate meter installed for my sprinkler system to avoid sewage charges?

Unfortunately this is not possible due to the fact that the City of Livonia is charged sewage fees by our supplier, Wayne County, for all water units consumed. This is regardless of whether or not they go through the sewer system.

2. How do I fill a pool?

Pools may be filled with a hose from the regular outdoor house tap, following guidelines about water use restrictions during hot days. There is no separate water fee or water without a sewage charge available. We do not offer hydrant usage for pool filling.

3. Why is my bill so high?

Several factors can impact the amount of water that goes through your meter. Learn about these factors and what you can do to resolve them by viewing the High Bills document.

4. Can I turn on or off my water service myself?

There is a stop box key you can borrow from the Water Department, located at:
City Hall, 2nd Floor
33000 Civic Center Drive
Livonia, MI 48154

It requires a $50 deposit that is returned when you return the key on the same day. If brought back on another day it will require us to generate a refund request and will take 2 to 3 weeks to receive your refund check. The stop box and meter will require an inspection by our Service Department after key is returned.

5. What is a turn-on / turn-off fee?

Turn-on/off fees are $26 each if the Service Department has to come out to turn-on/off your water.

After hours, for the Service Department to come out to turn-on/off water, it is considered an emergency. The fee is $171 each time.

6. Why is my bill late?

If your bill is late according to the billing schedule, your bill may be lost in the mail. Call (734) 466-2278 to find out your balance and due date (we can also mail you a copy of the bill).

Failure to receive your bill does not waive penalty. Unpaid bills are a lien on the property and are collectible on tax roll in accordance with City ordinances.

7. Why does somebody have to come into my home and read my meter?

Readers need to be inspected to:

• Document an accurate read in the event of a discrepancy
• Inspect the water meter to determine that it is in good condition and functioning properly
• Verify that inside meter reads agree with the outside reading device

8. How will I know if there is a problem with my water?

If the amount of a contaminant exceeds a predetermined safe level in your drinking water, the City of Livonia Department of Public Works will notify the public via newspapers, radio, TV, and other means as soon as possible with instructions and appropriate steps to take.

9. Is filtered water safer than tap water to drink?

Some people use home water filters to improve the taste, smell or appearance of their tap water, but it does not necessarily make the water safer or healthier to drink. Additionally, all home treatment devices require regular maintenance. If the maintenance is not performed properly, water quality problems may result.

10. Why is my tap water rusty or reddish and what do I do about it?

When the water in the lines is agitated (for example from a large water main flush, road work, or hydrant use) this can stir up sediment (primarily iron) from the bottom of the water lines. In the course of normal maintenance, the hydrant flushing and water gate exercising can stir up this sediment.

If your tap water does appear reddish or rusty in color, it is recommended not to use your water for one hour, and then run the cold water at the lowest point in the house for several minutes. If water is still not clear, wait for another half hour then run the water for several minutes again. Repeat waiting for a half hour then run water for several minutes until water runs clear.

The water is still potable but the discoloration may affect the washing of clothes.

11. Why is my water cloudy?

The cloudy water is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to the gas bubbles in carbonated soft drinks. After a while, the bubbles rise to the top and are gone. This not a problem of purity or quality and may be safely consumed.

12. Is bottle water safer than tap water to drink?

City delivered tap water must meet all federal and state drinking water standards and is routinely monitored. Studies have shown that microbes may grow in the bottle while on grocers’ shelves. Bottled water is valuable in emergencies or if you want water with a different taste, but it costs up to 1,000 times more than tap water.

13. When are appointments available for meter repairs and inspections, water turn on and turn off, final meter reads, etc.?

Appointments are scheduled through the Public Service office by calling at (734) 466-2650. Appointments are available Monday through Friday and are scheduled either as morning or afternoon appointments. Our representative will arrive either between 8:30 a.m. to noon or between 12:30 - 3 p.m. You may request morning or afternoon and you may also request to be the first appointment of the morning or afternoon.

14. Should I purchase protection/insurance for possible future repair of my water service line?

It is the homeowner's responsibility to pay for repairs of the water service line between your home and the City water main. Problems or repair needs with a service line are very unusual. The City of Livonia does not endorse the purchase of any insurance, protection or warranty for the water service line. Residents should use "buyer beware" common sense in determining the legitimacy of any insurance offer solicited by a private company.

For further questions, please contact Livonia Public Service at (734) 466-2655.

15. What do I do if my sewer drain is backing up?

Contact Public Service at (734) 466-2650 during regular business hours or call Livonia Police non-emergency after hours at (734) 466-2470.

See our Sewer Backups page.

16. How do I calculate my pool's water volume and how much will it cost me to fill it?

To determine how many gallons of water your pool holds, you need to know four different numbers: the length, width, and average depth of your pool, and a multiplier determined by the shape of your pool. The formula is as follows:

Length × Width × Average Depth × Multiplier = Gallons

Determine the Multiplier

• Rectangle, square, or free-form pool: multiplier = 7.5
• Round or oval pool: multiplier = 5.9

Cost Calculation

For how much it will cost to fill the pool using 2016 Livonia residential water rates, take the number of gallons you calculated and divide by 750 (which is the number of gallons per unit of water), then multiply that number by $4.43 (which is the residential price per unit).

Example

For a 12 feet x 24 feet x 52 inches, oval pool:

1. Make all the figures in the same unit of measure (take inches and convert it into feet)
   • 52  inches ÷ 12 inches = 4.3 feet (rounded up to 4.5 feet)
2. 12 feet × 24 feet × 4.5 feet × 5.9 (multiplier for oval pool) = 7,646.4 gallons
3. 7,646.4 gallons ÷ 750 (gallons in a unit) = 10.2 units of water
4. 10.2 units of water x $4.43 (residential price per unit) = $45.19

The pool would cost about $45.19 to fill.

17. I don't understand my water bill. How can I learn to read it?

For a tour of your water bill, please view the Understanding your Water Bill (PDF).

18. What components of my water delivery is the city responsible for maintaining and repairing?

The City is responsible for maintaining the water main trunk, the stop box (which is the on/off control at the property line), and the actual meter. All other hardware, connections, and costs to other items are the sole responsibility of the home owner. These items include, but are not limited to the service line and valves both before and after the meter.

19. Who do I contact if I need a meter repaired?

You can contact the Service Department at (734) 466-2655 for any repair needs you have.

20. What components of my sewer disposal system is the city responsible for maintaining and repairing?

The City is responsible for maintaining the main sanitary line. The individual sewer lead as well as the connection to the main line are the sole responsibility of the home owner.

21. Why is my balance so low?

You may have a malfunctioning meter. A malfunctioning meter only slows down and eventually stops; it never speeds up or increases your reads.

If we cannot obtain a read either from you or the meter readers or if you have a stopped meter, our system automatically generates an estimate for your bill based on past usage charges.

You can call (734) 466-2278 for help to address this issue.

22. Why is my balance in parenthesis?

Several previous reads being estimated high resulted in a credit on your account.

This means you overpaid your last water bill and now have a credit on your account. You do not owe the city any money for the current billing cycle.

23. Why do I need to make an appointment if I received a blue card for no consumption and no one lives at the address?

We need access to the meter inside the home. If you get a blue card, you need to make an appointment to either meet our representative or arrange access to your home.

24. Why is my meter read estimated?

We attempt to read each meter every cycle. Your bill is estimated if we have not obtained a reading.

Lack of an Outside Reading Device

If you do not have an outside reading device, your estimates may be due to:

• A malfunctioning meter - A malfunctioning meter only slows down and eventually stops; it never speeds up or increases your reads.
  • If we can not obtain a read from the meter readers or you have a stopped meter, our system automatically generates an estimate for your bill based on past usage charges. You can call (734) 466-2278 for help to address this issue.
• Our meter readers did not have access into your house to obtain a read.

Install an Outside Reading Device

If you would like to install an outside reading device, there is no charge at this time for the device and installation. However, based on City Ordinance 13.08.120, if you have more than four consecutive estimates on your account or we are unable to obtain a read from your meter, we hold the right to automatically install an outside reading device. View the City Ordinance (PDF).

25. What is a water quality report, and how do I get one?

The water quality report gives information about where Livonia water comes from, how it is treated and what you can expect. It also talks about the Water and Sewer Board, their meetings and how you can attend.

View the water quality report (PDF) online or obtain a copy from  the water billing department located at:
City Hall, 2nd Floor
33000 Civic Center Drive
Livonia, MI 48154

26. I am having trouble paying my bill. What are my options?

View the Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP). If you would like to request extra time to pay without additional penalties, please submit the water and sewer board form.