Utility

Billing Cycle

Meters are read monthly around the middle of the month.

New Bills are sent out at end of each month.

Bills are due by 13th of each month.

We accept cash, checks, credit and debit cards and money orders.

To make Water/Sewer Utility Payments please click on the Customer Portal button above.

To make online payments for all other services with your credit or debit card.

New Accounts:

New accounts need to be set up as soon as possible when you move into a new residence.

You need to complete a form that we provide at the City Administration Offices.

Information needed for the form: previous address, address moving into, Name, Phone

Number, as well as the name of the person you are renting from and their contact information.

$150 deposit and an ID are required in order to sign up for services.

ID's allowed are Driver's License, and State or Tribal ID Cards.

Fees:

On September 5, 2023 Resolution No. 2347 was passed by the City Council increasing

rates and raising water and sewer fees.

Residential home with a ¾ inch meter are charged at the base rate for water/sewer.

Minimum bills are; $20.33 per 3,000 gallons water and $44.67 for sewer which total

$66.00.

You may have a larger meter and those rates can be found HERE

There is a 1.5% penalty plus $10 flat rate for sending a delinquent notice sent by the City

for those late in paying their bills.

Anytime a service needs to be reconnected, there will be a $50.00 fee.

Water facts and stats

Why is my water bill high so high?

If bills seem outrageously high it would be a good idea to check for water leaks or contact the City Utility Billing Department immediately.

How to Keep Pipes from Freezing

Taking these steps before freezing temperatures arrive can help you avoid frozen pipes.

HOWEVER

The City is not responsible for plumbing problems.

Should you have any issues, contact your plumber right away!

If you have any questions - Contact the City Water Department

at 406-665-9260.

Some Interesting Facts and Statistics

The typical family uses about 70% of their water in the bathroom. This is partly because water is used at a faster “flow rate” in the bathroom than in any other area of the home. Toilets and showers have a flow rate of 5-7 gallons per minute; dishwashers and clothes washers use less than three gallons per minute.

Toilet

5 to 7 gallons per flush (Non low-flow toilet)

Shower

5 to 7 gallons per minute (Non low-flow shower)

Bathtub

36 to 60 gallons per bath

Dishwasher

10 to 25 gallons per cycle

Washing machine

20 to 45 gallons per load

Total Home Water Usage:

Outdoor Use

60%

Indoor Use

40%

Indoor Water Usage:

Bathroom

70%

Laundry

15%

Kitchen 10%

Other 5%

Why is my water bill high so high?

A high water bill may indicate you have a leak. Even a small leak can waste enough water for you to notice an increase on your bill. If there is a leak anywhere within your plumbing system, the person named on the utility bill must pay for the water used. Fix your leaks promptly to avoid paying for them each month. Did you know:

•

a 1/4" leak wastes 393,833 gallons* in one month.

•

a 3/16" leak wastes 222,000 gallons* in one month.

•

a 1/8" leak wastes 98,666 gallons* in one month.

•

a 1/16" leak wastes 24,666 gallons* in one month.

*at 60 pounds of pressure

Ideas to help you find water leaks:

Most leaks are easy to find, but some can go undetected. Here are some ideas to help find a water leak in your home.

Toilets

•

Listen and look for running water.

•

Put a few drops of food coloring into the tank. If color shows up in the bowl within ten minutes, the valve or

support assembly may need to be replaced.

•

See if the ball valve drops squarely into the drain opening. If not, clean it out or replace the ball valve if

it is worn.

•

Check the flush handle to see if it is stuck in the flush position.

•

Bend the float arm to lower the water level to at least one-half inch below the top of the overflow tube.

•

Replace the overflow tube if it has holes below the water level.

Faucets, Bathtubs and Showers

•

Replace worn gaskets and washers.

•

Replace washer-less faucets.

•

Tighten waterline connections and valves.

Swamp Coolers/Air Conditioner/Humidifier

•

Check for water leaks.

Water Heater

•

Replace the pressure and temperature valve, if leaking.

•

Tighten the drain valve.

Water Softener

•

Look for water drips or wet areas underneath or in back of the machine.

•

Listen for running water.

•

Contact your water softener representative for service and repair information.

Dishwasher/Clothes Washer

•

Look for water drips or stains underneath or in back of the machine.

Water Service Connection

•

Look for drips or wet areas in the crawl space.

•

Place a screwdriver on the service line and listen. No noise means water is not running.

Outside Faucets

•

Replace worn gaskets and washers.

Sprinkler System

•

Disconnect hoses from outside faucets to protect against freeze damage.

•

Winterize your sprinkler system according to the system's instructions.

•

Check for any damage to sprinkler heads.

•

Make sure that all drain plugs are closed.

Need help?

•

Call Hardin’s Utility Billing at 665-9291. If the meter is found to be faulty it will be replaced at no charge but a service fee will be charged if there are no problems with the meter. If the fault is not the meter, you may need to call a plumber.

If you do not have a water leak and your bill seems high, consider these questions:

•

Did you use more water keeping the grass green?

•

Did you go on vacation and leave someone else in charge of your lawn watering?

•

Do you have an automatic sprinkler system with a broken head?

•

Have you put in a new lawn, sprinkler system or pool recently?

•

Were your children playing with the water?

•

Did you do extra loads of laundry before or after a vacation?

•

Did you have friends or relatives staying with you?

How to Keep Pipes from Freezing

Taking the steps below before freezing temperatures arrive can help you avoid frozen pipes.

Seal cracks: Caulk around door frames and windows and around pipes where they enter the house to reduce incoming cold.

Wrap all pipes in unheated areas: Pipes in unheated areas such as the crawl space, under the house, attic, garage and unheated basement should be wrapped to prevent freezing. Use insulating tape and wrap it over the entire length of exposed pipe. You can also use flexible molded pipe sleeves. Cover all valves, pipe fittings, etc. with insulating tape or fiberglass. We do not recommend electric heat tape for insulating water lines.

Protect outdoor pipes and faucets: In some homes, the outside faucet has its own shut-off in the basement in addition to the shut-off valve for the entire house. If you have a separate valve for outside faucets, close the valve, remove hoses and drain the faucet. If you don't have a separate valve, wrap the outside faucets (hose bibs) in newspapers or rags covered with plastic.

Drain in-ground sprinklers: Check the manufacturer's instructions for the best way to do this.

Open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathrooms: Water lines supplying these rooms are frequently on outside walls. Any air leaks in siding or insulation can cause these pipes to freeze. Leaving the doors open when the temperature is below freezing allows them to get more heat.

Let faucets farthest from the street or at the end of the system drip in below-freezing weather: This will add to your bill, but the amount will be nothing compared to the inconvenience and cost if the meter or pipes freeze.

Turn off all your water and drain your system if you are leaving for a long time: Turn off the main shut-off valve, then turn on all faucets, sinks, tubs, showers, etc. and flush the toilets. Turn off the water heater. Then go back to the main shut-off valve and remove the plug so it can drain completely. Leaving your furnace on a low setting while you are gone helps, but it may not prevent freezing.