UTILITIES

The City of Canfield Utility Department is responsible for meter reading, billing, collections and customer service for water, sewer and storm water.  Customers served are within the limits of the city.  However, some customers residing on the borders also receive water services and are considered extra-territorial users.

INFRASTRUCTURE

There are 3 separate systems for the flow of City utilities:  one for water, one for sanitary sewer, and one for storm water.

Quality of water is ensured by the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District (a.k.a. Meander Water) located in Mineral Ridge, Ohio.  Questions regarding taste, testing, hardness, etc. may be answered by contacting MVSD at 330-799-6315 or learn more about our supplier online at www.meanderwater.com.

Sanitary sewer/wastewater generated within the City of Canfield exits the city near the intersection of Herbert Road and Sawmill Creek.  Said wastewater is transported in a 36 inch concrete sanitary sewer that flows north following Sawmill Creek through Canfield Township, Austintown Township, and Mineral Ridge to the Meander Water Pollution Control Facility.  The wastewater is then treated; whereas the solids are removed and transported to a landfill and the liquid – upon further treatment – is returned to Meander Creek, the headwater of the Mahoning River.  The Meander Water Pollution Control Facility is owned and operated by the Mahoning County Sanitary Engineer.  The City of Canfield is billed by the Mahoning County Sanitary Engineer, based on the amount of metered water consumption, for treatment of the wastewater generated within the City.

Storm water is captured in downspouts, roadside storm inlets and street catch basins through-out the City.  Storm water captured and transported via the City’s storm water system, is directed to the nearest open ditch or creek.  Two-thirds of the storm water generated within the City of Canfield is discharged into Sawmill Creek (the headwater of Meander Creek, Meander Reservoir) and is within the Meander Watershed.  A smaller portion of the City’s storm water (approximately one-third) flows toward Indian Run Creek (the headwater of Mill Creek) and is within the Mill Creek Watershed.

UTILITY BILLING DEPARTMENT

The City Council establishes water, sewer, storm water, and sewer bond debt charges through corresponding ordinances. http://www.conwaygreene.com/Canfield/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&2.0  All rules and regulations for the City’s public utilities are equally governed through laws passed by City Council.  Employees of the municipal offices are charged with the task of adhering to these laws.

Water is billed at a rate determined by City Council and is billed in thousands of gallons. 

Sewer is billed according to water consumption in thousands of gallons and has its own ordinance.  In some homes, a separate water line has been installed that is only connected to lawn sprinkling systems and/or outside spigots.  A second meter is set on this line to determine the amount of water that will not incur a sewer charge.  This option is available to all consumers. 

Storm water is billed at a rate of $3/month/single-family residence and all other commercial, industrial and multiple family dwellings are measured as to their impervious surface area.  This area is billed at a rate of $.00177/square foot.

The Utility Billing Department is responsible for meter reading, billing, collections and customer service for over 3400 accounts for water, sewer and storm water.  Our office is located at 104 Lisbon Street (State Route 62), south of Main Street (State Route 224) and just west off the Green in the Municipal Building.  Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Our telephone number is 330-533-1101.

METER READING

The City of Canfield is divided into 3 sections: northwest quadrant (all consumers west of North Broad St to Palmyra Rd, north to Herbert Rd and on the north side of West Main Street); south quadrant (all consumers east of South Broad St to Fairground Blvd, west of South Broad St to Palmyra Rd on the south side of East and West Main St); and the northeast quadrant (east of North Broad St to Talsman Dr, locations north of Herbert Road and the north side of East Main St).

Billing Timetable - One section of the city is read while another section of the city is billed.  Following is the schedule of dates and sections for billing, due dates, and termination dates:

Remote Readers - Some meters are equipped with a remote reader that is connected by a wire to the actual meter inside the building and reads the inside meter reading in a rounded-off version.  If this reader is working properly in conjunction with the actual meter, the meter reader is able to rely on this reading 3 out of the 4 times/year.  It is necessary, by law, for the billing department to have the actual meter’s reading once a year.  This is to confirm whether or not the remote reader is working.

Wiring not contained in a conduit or stapled or exposed to the outdoors unprotected is subject to interruption in current, causing a false reading. 

Meter Reading – The meter reader walks through each area of the City in an effort to gain access to homes and businesses to record meter readings and inspect meters.  Actual access to meters for inspection is required at least once a year by law.  When the resident is not home or the business is not open, an orange door-hanger card is left.  On this card are 3 options for the respondent:  Read the meter inside the home/business and….

• fill out the card and drop in the mail (postage paid),
• e-mail the reading to water@ci.canfield.oh.us, or
  
• call (330-533-1101) the reading to the City offices.

Pets - It is the City’s policy not to employ the use of mace as a deterrent to pets in the neighborhoods.  For that reason, our meter reader carries dog biscuits with her as a treat to your companions.  If excitable or aggressive pets are not fenced or leashed and/or if an electric fence encloses areas of the yard that include the remote reader, it is impossible for the meter reader to get to the remote reader.  Please be aware of all your public utility meter locations when setting up fences with gates that lock or electrified fences.

Obstructed Meter & Remote Reader – The water meter located inside your home should be fully accessible at all times.  Remodeling that causes obstructions to fully accessing the water meter is prohibited.

Bushes, shrubs, trees and other foliage that have matured over the years around the outside remote reader should be inspected each spring and fall and trimmed to enable the meter reader to read the remote.  Before replacing siding or remodeling the outside of the home/office, contact Public Works to protect the Remote Reader.

UTILITY BILL

Utility bills are printed on a 4-1/2” x 6” card and mailed during the billing cycle in a first-class envelope.  Your bill will have the basic look as follows:

The right side of this invoice should be returned with payment.  The left side is for your records. 

The “informational” (left) side of the invoice indicates the date the meter was read (or date we received your reading), number of days since the last recorded reading, the current reading, prior reading and the amount (in thousands of gallons) consumed.  You will note that the amount consumed in the sample is 6,236 gallons.  Line items indicate the appropriate charges for each utility in accordance with the size of the meter on site.

Discrepancy? – Upon receiving your bill, compare the current reading stated on your bill with the current reading on your meter.  If the reading on your meter has surpassed the reading stated on your bill, it can be assumed that the bill is accurate.  If you feel this is unusually high, please read our section regarding Conservation or call our offices for counseling regarding possible leaks within your home/company.  We are only human: the meter reader or you could have misread the meter or the reading could have been entered in error.  Adjustments can be made due to an error in reading.  However, it is imperative that you call the offices as soon as possible.  A history printout is available to consumers upon request for comparison.

Moving in or moving out? – The Utility Department performs what is called a Final Reading on properties that have been sold or newly rented.  The person moving out or selling property arranges for a final reading whereby the meter reader comes into the home on the last day of occupancy and takes a reading off the actual meter inside the residence/company.  An appointment is made for a specific day and time – you do not have to wait around for hours for the meter reader to come.  If the property is a rental, the landlord must also contact us to confirm this move.  This reading must be done from the meter; a remote reading is not acceptable.

The new owner or renter is required to make application with our offices.  Failure to do so in a timely manner may result in termination of water service to protect the property. 

Payment – Payment by check or money order may be made by mail and sent to:  Canfield Utilities, 104 Lisbon St, Canfield, OH  44406.  Or, you may drop your payment off at the Municipal Building between the hours of 8-4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  If you are unable to bring your payment during business hours, the Police Department (open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week) will accept payments by check or money order only, enclosed in an envelope.

CONSERVATION

Water is a precious commodity and can be economical for every household.  Finding and fixing leaks can save homeowners more than 10% on water bills and thousands of gallons of water per year.  Below are some water-saving tips for all consumers:

-       Avoid running water for cold drinks, thawing foods, rinsing dishes, while brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your face, and while preparing fruits and vegetables.

-       Run appliances only when you have a full load – or – adjust the capacity to save energy and water.

-       A bathtub filled half full holds around 50 gallons of water.  Consider showering instead.

-       An unrestricted showerhead runs at five to ten gallons a minute!

-       Run yearly maintenance on the humidifier that is mounted on your furnace.  These may become calcified and stick – sending a continuous overflow of water directly down the drain.

-       Shut off all outside spigots when you are going to be away from your property.  Drain these lines to prevent freezing in winter.

-       Regular maintenance on toilets can prevent huge costs in water.  Test for toilet leaks by dropping dye or food coloring into the toilet tank.  Do not flush.  Lift the lid and seat and observe the bowl.  If any color comes into the toilet bowl within 5 to 15 minutes, that is a leaking toilet.  Toilet dye packets are free and available at the utility office.

-       Instructions for running an overnight audit of consumption are available at the utility office, also.  Through process of elimination, you will be able to determine exactly where a water leak is located, saving money on the leak as well as plumbing expenses. 

EMERGENCY

If you feel there is an emergency situation within your home or business regarding Canfield Utilities, call 330-533-1101 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).

After hours, please contact the Police Department at 330-533-4903.  They will assess the situation and provide the proper assistance.