Public Utilities

If you suspect a water leak, your water meter is an ideal checking device. To test for leaks, turn off all the faucets and other water outlets and watch the scale on your meter. Regardless of the rate of water loss, search for the cause. It could be as simple as a steady drip from a faucet that needs a new washer. Toilet leaks are by far the biggest cause of higher-than-normal water bills.

Interruptions in service can be caused by a variety of different reasons. We make every effort to avoid inconveniencing our customers with unscheduled water shutoffs, but sometimes these circumstances are out of our control. Most water outages are the result of water main breaks that we cannot predict. It is impossible for us to give advanced notice of these interruptions.

The City of Walhalla has either upgraded the infrastructure used to deliver water safely to your home, or will upgrade the infrastructure in your area. Occasionally construction projects required to replace old, deteriorating infrastructure may cause disruptions in service. In these instances, you will be notified in advance of the hours planned for interruption. Follow the City’s website and Facebook page for up-to-date information.

There are several ways to pay your water and sanitation bill.

Online at Water Bill Pay.
Over the phone at 864-638-4343, extension 1 or 1-864-778-2418.
In person at 206 N Church St. Please bring your bill with you.
Automatic Bank Draft – sign up at 206 N Church St. Please bring a voided check.
Mail using the included return envelope. Please include the payment slip with your payment.
Night Deposit at 206 N Church St (corner of building). Please include the payment slip with your payment.

All customers on metered service pay a monthly water service charge or base rate. The charge is based upon location of service (inside or outside City limits) and the covers costs associated with meter reading and billing, meter replacement/repair, line maintenance/repair, fire protection (hydrants), and a portion of general administrative overhead.

The water usage charge is based per 1,000 gallons used and covers costs associated with the operation of the water plant.

Visit here to view the current water service charges.

The Walhalla City Council approved a $3 base rate increase in the water rate charges, beginning July 1, 2024. This will provide the funding necessary to add a three-person water crew that will assist in the maintenance and operation of the City’s water system, repairing main breaks and ensuring residents have access to the safe, clean water they rely on.

When your water bill is unusually high, you can check for a leak by answering the following questions.

• Do you have a dripping faucet?
• Is a toilet leaking or running for long periods of time?
  • A toilet can leak without making a sound.  To test for a silent leak, place several drops of food coloring in the tank and let it set undisturbed for 20 to 30 minutes.  If it is leaking the colored water from the tank will appear in the bowl.
• Has a garden hose been left running?
• Have you checked the basement or crawl space for any leaks?
• Have you filled or added water to your swimming pool?
• Have you watered your lawn or garden?
• Is the hot water heater leaking?

When investigating the reasons for an abnormally high water bill keep in mind the water charged for on your current bill was used in the prior month.

• Did you have houseguests or any extra water-consuming activities at that time?
• Is it summer time?  Water consumption just seems to be higher during the summer months with more bathing, watering the garden and lawn, washing the car, etc.

One final check for leaks is to turn off all water sources in the house, then check the meter.  Wait a couple of hours without using the water, then compare the meter with the first reading.  If the meter has advanced, there is a leak.

If none of the above apply, you may call the Walhalla Water Department and request a reread of your meter.

View your account online and print a bill or visit the Walhalla Water Department at 206 N Church St to request a duplicate bill.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has modified its Lead and Copper Rule to require all Water System Operators to maintain an inventory of service line materials for each service in their water system by October 2024. The Walhalla Water Department is requesting your assistance in obtaining the information necessary to comply with the new rules. You may complete the paper survey included in your September bill or complete the survey online at www.cityofwalhalla.com/water-survey.

The form will ask for some basic information about your service line where it enters your property and ask for contact information to ensure our records are updated.

Water system customers are responsible for the water service line from the water meter to the house. Walhalla Water is responsible for the water service line from the mainline in the street up to and including the water meter. If a pressure regulator is installed to adjust the water pressure on the property, the customer is responsible to perform periodic maintenance on this device. If you suspect a break on the Walhalla Water side of the meter, please call the Walhalla Water Department at 864-638-4343, extension 2.

Water lines are flushed through fire hydrants at least once a month at designated dead-end mains within our distribution system or when necessary to ensure the water quality is within appropriate standards.

The Walhalla Fire Department also tests fire hydrants by flushing, ensuring each hydrant is operating properly. This also helps monitor the City’s water system by identifying weak areas in the system, removing sediments that have settled in the hydrants and cleaning out the lines. During testing, residents may experience temporary low water pressure and/or discolored water. The Fire Department tests hydrants each October.

This project involves the changing of over 6,000 meters. Many of the older meters are well past their useful life and new technology allows for better leak detection and notification of system problems before they adversely affect your water bill. The water crews have made over 2,000 changes to date.

Discolored water may have various causes.

White or cloudy water:
The cloudiness in your water is typically caused by tiny air bubbles in the water. This occurs when air is entrapped in the water, similar to carbon dioxide in a soft drink. When you turn on your tap, the pressure is released, allowing the bubbles to appear. The rate and degree to which this occurs is directly related to water temperature and more so to temperature changes. This cloudiness occurs more often in winter when the drinking water is cold and the home, along with its plumbing is heated. If you allow a glass of water to stand for a few moments, the air bubbles will rise to the surface and will usually clear from the bottom of the container up to the top. This phenomenon is called entrained air and does not affect the quality of your water.

Brown or yellow water from either tap on the first draw:
The internal plumbing of your house might be the culprit if discolored water appears for only a minute or two after your tap is turned on. When the coating on the inside of galvanized iron pipe begins to wear thin, water becomes discolored as it comes in contact with bare iron. The longer the water sits in the pipes, the worse the discoloration will be. This is most likely when you notice the problem first thing in the morning or when you have just returned from school or work. After running your tap for a few minutes, clean water from your water heater or water main will replace the discolored water. Since iron is an essential nutrient, this condition poses no health hazard. If the discoloration bothers you, please flush the tap until the water becomes clear, saving the water for iron-loving plants.

Brown or yellow water from either tap, constantly:

The Walhalla Water system has been in operation for more than 100 years, and some of our water mains are made of cast iron. Whenever the water velocity or flow direction changes from normal, iron sediment from these old mains is picked up by the water and shows up as discoloration. Incidents that can cause this include:

• Fire hydrant testing – causes a temporary increase in water velocity as fire crews check hydrant operability.
• Water main breaks – cause a temporary increase in flow velocity and in some cases also cause a reversal in the normal flow direction of the water.

Sediments in water mains sometimes get stirred up when the flow of water in mains is increased. These sediments might cause your water to turn brown or yellow. Wait 30 to 40 minutes after you notice the discolored water and try turning on the cold water in your bathtub for a minute or two. You’ll probably notice that it clears right up, since sediments settle quickly back to the bottom of water mains. Discolored water due to sediments such as these poses no health threat, but for aesthetic reasons you should avoid doing laundry until the water clears. If this is on-going, please report the issue online at Report an Issue – City of Walhalla or by calling the Water Department at 864-638-4343, extension 2.

This can also be caused by increased levels of iron and/or manganese. The water plant operators monitor this and alter treatment when discovered. Higher levels of iron and/or manganese do not pose a health threat, but you should avoid doing laundry until the water clears.

Brown or yellow water from hot tap only:
If the discoloration is detected only in your hot water supply, it is likely an indication of an issue with your hot water heater. It is recommended that you turn off your hot water heater and allow it to cool. Once cool, safely drain and flush your unit. Then fill and turn your unit on to determine if the problem persists. You should consult your owner’s manual for instructions and warnings regarding this task or contact a licensed plumber.

It is a personal choice on whether you wish to add a filter. If you choose to install a filter, there are some issues to keep in mind. A water filter is like any other piece of equipment – it must be maintained. If a filter is not properly maintained, it can break down and degrade your water quality. You should also be aware that if you put a filter in place, it will accumulate iron particles. There are some iron mains in our water system and the water may pick up iron sediment from these mains. Most of the time, the particles cannot be seen because they are very small and are not harmful. If you put in a filter, the iron will accumulate on your filter and will become visible.

Maintenance and upgrades have continued to be a focus over the years.  We are nearing completion of a $2.47 million line upgrade on Highway 11, and we are seeking bids on $10 million in projects that will fix problematic areas in our sewer system, replace city water mains and replace a booster station to increase water pressure; however, there is more to be done.

On August 20, 2024 Walhalla City Council adopted A Way Forward: Water Strategy for the Walhalla Water & Sewer System. The strategy includes four key components: addressing immediate and urgent concerns, getting the facts, containing the problem and planning long-term. More information may be found in the below document.
A Way Forward: Water Strategy