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QUESTIONS

  1. Where is your customer service department?

  2. What does the " - " mean on my bill?

  3. Where can I pay my bill and to whom do I make the check out?

  4. How do I apply for water service?

  5. Where do I park?

  6. Do you accept credit cards?

  7. Is there a service charge to sign up for water?

  8. Why is my bill so high?

  9. What is a cubic foot of water?

  10. Is there a minimum monthly charge?

  11. Do you add fluoride to the water?

  12. I just purchased a new automatic dishwasher for my kitchen. It requires an initial water "hardness" setting. What is the range of hardness in our water?

  13. Is there lead in my water?

  14. I just came from the pet store. The folks at the store tested water from my fish tank and said it had ammonia in it and that it could harm my fish. Is there really enough ammonia in my water to kill small fish?

  15. Do you have auto draft?

  16. Why are property owners responsible to pay when their tenants do not?

  17. How do I remove downspouts?

 

ANSWERS

  1. Where is your customer service department?
    Our customer service department is located on the first floor of City Hall. The address is 1301 12th Street, Suite 103.

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  1. What does the " – " mean on my bill?
    The " – " before an amount means a credit charge. If the " – " appears before your total balance, YOU DON'T OWE ANYTHING for the current billing.

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  1. Where can I pay my bill and to whom do I make the check out?
    There are a number of places other than our customer service department where you can pay your bill. Please reference the billing information page for this information.

    All checks should be made out to ALTOONA CITY AUTHORITY
    and sent to PO Box 3150, Altoona, PA 16603-3150.

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  1. How do I apply for water service?
    All residential applications must be completed at our customer service department. You must have at least 2 forms of identification including a photo ID.

    Commercial applications may be forwarded upon request.

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  1. Where do I park?
    WOW! The universal question. City Hall provides for public parking on the 12th Street and outside the main entrance located opposite the Penn Alto.

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  1. Do you accept credit cards?
    We accept Master Card and Visa credit cards but these can only be processed if you visit our customer service department located in City Hall.

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  1. Is there a service charge to sign up for water?
    If water service is off there is a fee to have service restored. Also, you may be charged a security deposit.

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  1. Why is my bill so high?
    Check out our billing and education links for information on how to read your meter and how to check for leaks. It's good information to know. If you need any help call our customer service department and one of our representatives will assist you.

    We also have water conservation kits available, stop in and pick one up!

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  1. What is a cubic foot of water?
    A cubic foot of water is equal to 7.48 gallons of water. (100 cubic feet = 748 gallons).

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  1. Is there a minimum monthly charge?
    Yes. As long as service is on there is a minimum water and sewer charge. See our billing information page to check out the current rates.

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  1. Do you add fluoride to the water?
    No, but it has a natural trace presence in our water. The benefits of adding fluoride to public water systems has been a topic for debate since 1945.

    The optimal range for fluoride addition is a narrow band. Too little addition has no "cavity fighting" benefit, while too much can lead to irreversible mottling, staining, and pitting of teeth.

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  1. I just purchased a new automatic dishwasher for my kitchen. It requires an initial water "hardness" setting. What is the range of hardness in our water?
    Typically, Altoona system water has a hardness value in the range of 2 to 5 grains per gallon or 34 to 85 mg/L.

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  1. Is there lead in my water?
    Nearly all public water systems in Pennsylvania contain some type of leaded plumbing materials either in the distribution system or in homes or other buildings.

    Optimal corrosion control treatment minimizes the lead concentrations at users' taps. Tap water samples are collected from homes and buildings throughout the community.

    During 2001 there were no homes or other buildings where samples exceeded the EPA Action Level.

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  1. I just came from the pet store. The folks at the store tested water from my fish tank and said it had ammonia in it and that it could harm my fish. Is there really enough ammonia in my water to kill small fish?
    Trace amounts of ammonia are naturally present in public water systems. However, detection of ammonia in fish tanks is most-likely from waste products of the fish, and other organic matter.

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  1. Do you have auto draft?
    Yes. We now have the ability to draft your monthly water/sewer payment directly from your checking/savings account. See the authorization agreement page to download an authorization form and instructions.

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  1. Why are property owners responsible to pay when their tenants do not?
    Water/Sewer bills, like all municipal services, are liens against the property making the property owner responsible.

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  1. How do I remove downspouts?
    See the removal of downspouts page for information on this topic.

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