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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do
you supply my water or does one of the towns?
Where does our water come
from?
What is Reverse
Osmosis?
How much fluoride and/or sodium is in the
water?
Where can I have my water
tested?
What is the minimum bill and do I have to pay
it when my cottage is closed up for the winter?
I have a water leak. Do you give any kind of
adjustment or any kind of help?
May I pay my bill with my credit
card?
How soon is my water bill payment processed?
What is done when a hurricane
approaches the area?
Do you supply my water or
does one of the towns? The Dare County Public Water
Supply System consists of five separate distribution systems. They cover the
communities listed below:
Southern Shores,
Duck, Kitty Hawk and Colington
Unincorporated areas of Roanoke Island not serviced by
Manteo
Stumpy Point
Rodanthe, Waves
Salvo,
Avon, Buxton, Frisco,
Hatteras
Where does our water come
from? The Dare County Water Department
operates five water treatment facilities.
We operate four Reverse Osmosis water
treatment plants that desalt groundwater from wells drilled down to about 300 to
400 feet below the ground near the plant. This process could treat Atlantic
Ocean water, but the groundwater is much less salty and easier to treat. These
plants are located in Kill Devil Hills, Stumpy Point, Rodanthe, and Frisco.
Our fifth plant, located on Roanoke Island, softens
fresher well water (200 feet deep) by Ion/Anion Exchange. A form of water treatment
where water passes through a media bed to remove impurities from the
water. What is Reverse
Osmosis? Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a
form of water treatment where we pump water through membranes to remove
impurities from the water. Our computerized system removes over 97% of the total
dissolved minerals from the well water.
How much fluoride and/or sodium is in the
water? a. Fluoride - 1.0-1.2 parts per
million (ppm). The State of North Carolina maximum is 4.0 ppm, but the
recommended dosage is between 1.0-1.2 ppm to minimize dental decay. All of the
treatment chemicals are added and controlled by computers.
b. Sodium - The average amount of sodium in the
finished products at the Skyco Ion/Anion Exchange and Reverse Osmosis (KDH) water
plants varies between 100 and 120 ppm. At the RO Plant in Rodanthe - 40-60
ppm.
The maximum allowable level for sodium is 250 ppm. We
have been advised that our customers that are on a moderate sodium restricted
diet should consume no more than 270 milligrams of sodium per day, that equals
about a half of a gallon of water per day. Those customers on an extremely
restrictive diet (20 milligrams per day) should resort to bottled water for
consumption.
Where can I have my water
tested? Each of our five water
treatment facilities have a staffed laboratory. For no charge to our
customers, we will sample and test your water to assure you that you are
receiving the best and safest water possible. Please call us if you are
concerned and we will respond that day, if possible.
How much is the minimum bill and do I have to pay
it when my cottage is closed up for the winter?
The base quarterly water bill for unincorporated areas of Roanoke
Island not serviced by Manteo, Colington, Kitty Hawk, Duck, Southern Shores,
Stumpy Point, Rodanthe, Waves & Salvo for a typical residential 3/4 inch water service is
$10.07. After $10.07, summer rate (March - August) is $6.67 per thousand and
winter rate (September - February) is $5.13 per thousand.
Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras pay a base of
$14.96. After $14.96, summer rate (March - August) is $6.67 per thousand and
winter rate (September - February) is $5.13 per thousand.
The typical residence uses between 10-15,000 gallons
every three months. The minimum billing requirements ensures our ability to
supply peak water usage demands year round.
Yes, the base charge does have to be paid each billing
cycle.
I have a water leak. Do you give any kind of
adjustment or any kind of help?
Yes.
If you show proof of a water leak repair, we will adjust your bill down based on
your previous usage during that billing period.
Can I pay my bill with my credit
card?
Yes, we accept MasterCard,
Visa, or American Express. Online payments can also be made at the following
website:
http://www.darenc.com/public/OnlineServ/index.htm
How soon
is my water bill payment processed?
Utility bill payments must
be made not less than 24 hours prior to a due date or
disconnection date to allow sufficient time for processing.
Payments made less than 24 hours prior to 12:01 a.m. on the
due date or disconnection date may not be processed in time
to prevent late charges or disconnection of service for
nonpayment of the bill.
Example #1: If your due date is the 22nd of the month, you
should enter your payment no later than midnight on the
20th.
Example #2: If your disconnect notice states “Pay before
shutoff date of 08/08/2005,” you should enter your payment
no later than midnight on the 6th. You must pay at least the
minimum amount due as shown on the disconnect notice to
avoid disconnection.
Online payments are processed by 8:00 a.m. each business
day. If your payment does not appear on that morning’s
batch, your account may be subject to late penalties and/or
disconnection of service.
What is done when a hurricane
approaches the area?
Each of our five water
facilities will remain staffed with volunteers to ensure that all elevated and
ground storage tanks are filled with drinking water for clean up, cooking and
other essential uses after the storm passes, if necessary. All four plants have
auxiliary generator power and are built to withstand hurricane wind forces.
Minimal staff are on hand to ensure consistent water service to our customers,
yet keeping the safety of personnel of utmost importance.
Page last updated
April 11, 2007 |
