Dig Safe

Always call Kansas One Call before digging to verify all buried utilities.  Call Kansas One Call at 811 or click  HERE for their website. The water line from the meter to the house is the owners responsibility to locate.  Please DO NOT remove water line markers on posts and fences.

Electronic Meters

Meters are read the first business day of every month.  CAUTION!! DO NOT DRIVE OR MOW OVER THE METER PIT.  New electronic devices are installed in the meter lid so be careful when mowing your lawn.  Mow around the meter pit, you might want to put stakes or dirt around the pit to remind you not to mow over it.  The cost to repair damaged meter lid, pit, or electronic device, is the responsibility of the Benefit Unit owner.

Prevention of Frozen Meters

Insulation pillows have been installed in all meter pits to help protect the meters against freezing during the cold winter months.  If your pit does not have an insulation pillow, please call the office.  A plastic bag filled with Styrofoam popcorn placed in the meter pit can also aid in insulating the meter.  Frozen meters are the responsibility of the Benefit Unit owner.

Leaks and Low Water Pressure

Report all leaks and line washouts to the manager immediately.  We all share the responsibility to report problems.
If you experience low water pressure:
  • Check to see if your meter is running fast.  This would indicate that you have a leak in your system.
  • Call a neighbor first.  If their pressure is down also, notify the manager immediately.
The district is responsible for the water line up to the meter.  The homeowner is responsible for the line from the meter to your home and other connections.  You will be charged a service call if the trouble is on your side of the meter and someone is sent to determine or fix the problem.  The current rate is $40.00 per hour. 

Cross Connections

A cross connection is said to exist whenever a public water line is physically connected to, or is in physical contact with, a well or other source of water.  This can result in contamination of the public water supply.
Examples:
  • A check or gate valve is a safety feature, but not accepted as disconnect.  The law states there must be a physical separation of at least SIX inches between lines from a public water supply and another water source.
  • If a water hose is being used to fill a stock watering tank or chemical sprayer from a public water system and the end of the hose is below the level of liquid in the tank, a cross connection exists.
  • Anytime the water pressure on the public system falls below the water pressure on the private system, questionable water may be siphoned into the public water system.
  • If you have any questions about your connections to the Rural Water System, please call the manager.  Penalties will be assessed for illegal connections.

Chloramines Information

Our source of water, the City of Manhattan, uses chloramines as its drinking water disinfectant.  Chloramines are a combination of chlorine and ammonia.  They are proven safe and is a cost-effective way to maintain drinking water quality and compliance under new EPA and Kansas Department of Health and Environment regulations.
The following groups should take special precautions:
  1. Dialysis patients - Like chlorine, chloramines must be removed from water used in kidney dialysis machines.
  2. Fishpond and aquarium owners - Chloramines must be removed from the water before it is used in the fishponds or aquariums.  Local pet stores sell water conditioners for chloraminated water.  Chloramines cannot be removed by allowing water to "sit out".
  3. Businesses/Facilities using highly treated water - Water treatment needs to include steps to not only remove chlorine, but also chloramines.