FAQ

To serve you better, we've assembled a list of our customers' most frequently asked questions. If you don't find your answer here, feel free to contact us.

How could I have used this much water?

You may not have - the numbers on your meter may have been transposed or hard to read. You could possibly have a leaky toilet or faucet that's difficult to detect. Just call the office and we'll work with you to solve the problem.

What do I do if I am experiencing low pressure?

Check your meter and the surrounding area for possible leaks. Next, call our office and report low pressure for your area.

Why is my water discolored?

A repair could have been completed recently allowing air to enter the line, causing the milky look.

What chemicals does our utility district add to the water?

Only chemicals that are approved by the National Safety Foundation for treatment of drinking water.

My water tastes, looks, and smells funny. Is it safe to drink?

All public water systems are required to maintain a minimum chlorine level of 0.2 mg/L (tested at the end of each line) by state law. Systems that use chloramine as a disinfectant must maintain a level of 0.5 mg/L by state law. Our disinfectant levels are tested daily to ensure safety.

Why does debris come out of the faucet when running hot water?

Most likely your water heater needs to be flushed. CAUTION: Most manufacturers recommend hiring a professional to flush your water heater. If you plan on doing this yourself, read the owner's manual to keep from being hurt and or damaging the water heater.

Why do I have a previous balance when I know I sent in my payment?

We may have received it after the due date or we may not have received it at all. Call our office and we will help you solve the problem.

What is your physical address?

The 911 address for Washington Water Authority is 3685 E Heritage PKWY; Farmington, Arkansas 72730.

What is your fax number?

The fax number for Washington Water Authority is 479-267-5945.

What are your business hours?

Business hours for Washington Water Authority are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Do customers have to come in to have water turned on?

Yes. All customers requesting water service by Washington Water Authority must come into the office and provide a valid state or federal issued photo i.d.

Do you provide my trash service or do you know who does?

Washington Water Authority does not provide trash service. If customers live in the city limits, they should contact the city in which they reside. If they do not live in the city limits, they can go to the Boston Mountain Solid Waste website to find a list of trash providers for their area. That website is: www.bostonmountain.org.

How much is my deposit going to be?

The deposit for a homeowner is $75. The deposit for a renter/leaser is $200. Both renters/leasers and owners must also pay a $25 connection fee. All homeowners will be required to show proof of ownership.

I am renting/leasing to own the property. How much is my deposit?

The deposit for anyone renting or leasing to own property is the same as a renter, $200.

The water is already connected; do I still need to pay a connection fee?

Yes. All customers must pay a connection fee. A trip still must be made to the property to do a final read on the meter for the old customer, and a begin read for the new. The fee also covers all paperwork done in the office.

Does my deposit have to be paid up front, or can I pay it out or add it to my first bill?

The deposit must be paid in full at which time you want the water service connected. No partial payments on deposits will be accepted. Deposits cannot be added to customer bills.

Can a representative of mine turn the water on for me?

No. Only the person requesting water service may come in to turn water on. Only customers who can provide a valid copy of a Power of Attorney may turn water on for someone other than themselves.

My spouse/parent passed away and his/her name was the only one on the account and I want it in my name. What do I need to do and must I pay a deposit?

The customer must come into the office and bring a copy of the death certificate. Customer will also need to fill out new paperwork and provide a valid photo i.d. In most situations if only one name was on the account, depending on who owns the property, a new deposit will not need to be paid, but each case will need to be looked at on an individual basis.

What should I do if I think I have a leak?

If you think you have a water leak, make sure everything in your house is turned off and go to the water meter and open the lid. If the red leak indicator on the meter turns, you have a leak. If you are unable to find the leak yourself, you may want to contact a plumber.

What methods of payment do you accept?

Washington Water Authority currently accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Bank Draft payments are also offered from checking and savings accounts. Washington Water Authority uses a third party, Official Payments, to process credit card transactions. The number to pay by credit card is 1-800-272-9829. This information is also printed on the monthly billing statement. Official Payments also accepts online payments at www.OfficialPayments.com.

Is there a location other than your office where I can pay my bill?

No. Washington Water Authority payments are only accepted at our office.

I signed up for automatic draft, when is it taken out of my account?

All bills are drafted out of the customer's account on the due date.

I just received my bill; can I have it drafted out of my checking/savings account?

No. Bank draft payments have to be set up a few weeks in advance, before the bills are calculated, in order to be added to the bank draft packet. If it is set up at this point, the next bill will be drafted from the checking/savings account.

Can I pay my bill over the phone with a check?

No. Washington Water Authority does not accept check payments over the telephone. To pay over the phone, customers must contact Official Payments and pay by credit or debit card.

I have compared my bill to my neighbor’s; why is mine higher when we have the same size house?

Water bills are based upon consumption. The national average per person per month is 2000-2500 gallons. Families’ consumption can vary greatly based on individual habits.

When is my bill due?

All water bills are currently due on the 10th day of each month by 4:30 p.m. Payments not received in the office of Washington Water Authority by 4:30 p.m., are assessed a late penalty and mailed a shut off notice.

Can I change my due date?

No. Currently, Washington Water Authority only utilizes one billing cycle and all bills are due on the 10th of every month.

How do I have the lines located?

To have the main line located, call Arkansas One Call at 1-800-482-8998. This is for the main water line only. Neither Arkansas One Call nor Washington Water Authority is able to locate your service line from the meter to the house.

How do I get a new water tap?

The property owner requesting the water tap will need to come into the office and pick up a water tap request form and submit it back to the office with the required information.

I do not have a 911 address; can you tell me how to obtain one?

911 addresses are issued by the Washington County Department of Emergency Management. They can be reached at (479) 444-1721.

Can I do my plumbing myself?

If you own and occupy the home as your primary residence, you can do the plumbing yourself but you will still need to obtain a plumbing permit from our office.

Can I get a plumbing permit for my plumber?

No. Your plumber will need to come into our office and provide his current plumber’s license in order to obtain a plumbing permit. He must also pay for the permit himself.