Show All Answers

1. What will it cost me to connect to water and/or sewer?

Whether you are inquiring about a new plat, for single family/multi family residence or for commercial/industrial business, please contact the Permit Center at 360-403-3551.

2. What are surcharges?

In 1995, Arlington's City Council enacted a New Customer Capital Surcharge for new connections with occupancy between June 15, 1995 and February 15, 1999. This means if your home was built during this period of time you will see the surcharges on your bill. The surcharges were given an expiration date of ten years from the time the home was first occupied. Surcharges are as followed:

• Water Surcharge: $5.44
• Sewer Surcharge: $5.76
• Surcharge Total: $11.20

3. Can you shut off my water?

• If you are moving out of your residence or your business call Utility Billing at the Finance Department 360-403-3421 to stop an account.
• If you are doing repair work please call the Public Works Utilities Division at 360-403-3526.
• If you notice a broken water line during business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. please call the Public Works Utilities Division at 360-403-3526. If after hours call the emergency pager for water at 360-913-3862 please leave detailed message.
• For sewer emergencies during business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. call 360-403-3526. After hours call the emergency phone at 360-913-1398.

Sewer Emergencies

• Sewer emergencies can be any of the following:
  • Plugged or backed up
  • Sewer coming from a manhole
  • Sewer station alarm is going off or the red light on

4. How much are your water and sewer connection fees?

There are a number of different factors involved such as: the location the property, inside/outside city limits, recovery fees, sidewalk or road cuts, type of use, etc.

5. What do I have to do to connect to city water and sewer utilities?

For residential property, commercial or industrial property, please contact the Permit Center at 360-403-3551.

6. Can you turn on my water?

• If you are moving into a residence or a business, please call Utility Billing at the Finance Department at 360-403-3421 to start an account.
• If you have finished doing repair work, please call the Public Works Department at 360-403-3526.

7. Can I pay half of my bill now and half next month?

You can take additional time to pay your bill as long as it is paid in full prior to the Shut-Off date on any reminders we send. Please keep in mind however, the penalties that will show up on your next bill for any late payment and do not disregard any reminders we send you or your service may be discontinued.

8. Why is my first bill so high?

We pro-rate your first bill for only the days you actually lived in your new home. Usually this means the Water portion of the bill is fairly small but many people are thrown off by the size of the Sewer charges. While water is billed for the previous two months, Sewer is actually billed ahead of time. This first bill catches you up into your cycle and your next bill will reflect a normal two-month period. What this means is that many people when moving out have a very small, or even non-existent, closing bill.

9. How can I figure out how many gallons I used, since my bill is in cubic feet?

To convert cubic feet into gallons multiply by 7.48.

Example: 600 cubic feet x 7.48 = 4,488 gallons.

10. I am leaving town for a few months, do I have to keep paying the minimum?

When you leave on an extended vacation, we can turn your water off for you until you return. This keeps you from having to pay the minimum charges while you are gone. It is always wise to call us a few days before you return so we can have it on for you by the time you get back. One week of Water & Sewer service costs you $15.28. The charge for turning on your water when you return is $18.00. Keep these figures in mind when deciding if it makes the most sense to disconnect your service for the duration of your trip.

11. Who do I call if I discover a problem with my water or sewer service?

If you discover a problem with your water or sewer service, please let us know! During regular business hours, please call 360-403-3421. If an emergency, such as a water or sewer line break, is discovered after hours please call the water department at 425-258-0919 or the sewer department at 360-913-1398.