|
MEDINA COUNTY WATER SERVICE |
|
Frequently Asked Questions |
|
Q. |
Where does Medina County get their water? |
|
A. |
Water from Lake Erie is treated by the City of Avon Lake and delivered into Medina County through three (3) separate transmission lines. |
|
|
|
|
Q. |
What does the County charge for the water? |
|
A. |
The current rate is $3.90 per 1,000 gallons of water. A typical family of four uses about 7,000 gallons of water per month. That equates to a water bill of about $27.30 per month. |
|
|
|
|
Q. |
What does it cost to connect? |
|
A. |
Medina County charges a construction charge in lieu of an assessment to help pay for a portion of the cost of new waterlines, this cost is $3500 for water supplied from Avon Lake or $4600 for water supplied by the Cleveland Water Department. The County also charges a $50 permit fee, a $590 connection fee, and $265 to pay for a 3/4" meter. Should an outside meter be required, the meter cost will be $550. |
|
|
|
|
Q. |
When do I need an outside meter and vault? |
|
A. |
Outside meters are required when a house is set more than 200 feet back from the street. |
|
|
|
|
Q. |
Do I have to pay these costs if I don't connect? Will the price go up in the future? |
|
A. |
No, homeowners do not have to pay the charges if they do not connect. The price charged for construction is set by the County Board of Commissioners and is based on actual construction costs. Although the current charge has not been changed since 1993, the charge will be increased as construction costs increase. Costs for meters and connections will increase as the cost of materials increase. |
|
|
|
|
Q. |
Is there a penalty if we do not hook up? |
|
A. |
No, there are no penalties for not connecting. There is a delayed tap-in charge of $4 per month that accumulates until the time of connection. The charge was established to assist in paying for the water towers, pump stations, over-sized lines and hydrants installed for fire protection that is available to every home whether connected to the waterline or not. The fee is only collected when a home connects to the waterline. Otherwise these charges are included in the $3.90 per 1,000 gallons collected in the monthly water bill. |
|
|
|
|
Q. |
Does the County offer financing? |
|
A. |
Yes, the County will finance the construction fee for a period of five (5) years at the same interest rate that the County receives. Financing is for existing homes only and is made available for just one year after construction. |
|
|
|
|
Q. |
Who pays for the connection from the street to my home? |
|
A. |
The homeowner will need to hire a contractor registered with the County to install the connection. |
|
|
|
|
Q. |
What type and size of pipe will I need to run to my house? |
|
A. |
Our water department personnel will size your line for you based on the water pressure in your location and your distance from the street. The typical service connection is 1" diameter. Service connections must be type K copper when the meter is installed in the house. Type K copper is required to an outside meter but 200 psi plastic pipe is acceptable after the meter vault. |
|
|
|
|
Q. |
Who bores under the street if the waterline is on the opposite side of the road? |
|
A. |
Your contractor will need to dig access pits for the County's bore machine to bore under the road. The cost of the bore is included in your connection fee. |
|
|
|
|
Q. |
Can I keep my well or cistern? |
|
A. |
A well or cistern can be kept in service as long as it is not physically connected to any plumbing that is connected to Medina County's water system. |
|
|
|
|
Q. |
Will the central water bring more development to our area? |
|
A. |
In areas not served with public sewers, lot sizes must remain large to accommodate septic systems. Central water will make an area more desirable but will not increase the density of development. |
|
|
Revised 03/16/04 |
|
Medina County Engineering Center |
|
