Frequently Asked Questions
Payment
Can I schedule a time to get my water turned on the same day I make a payment if it was disconnected or terminated for non-payment?
While we are committed to restoring your water service as soon as a payment is received, the Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department cannot schedule a specific time for same-day service orders but will get water restored before closing time.
Do you offer an option to have my payment deducted directly from my bank account monthly?
Yes, we offer the option to ACH from your account monthly. Fill out our ACH Direct Pay form to begin.
How can I pay my bill?
There are multiple options for paying your water bill:
Direct Pay
Fill out our ACH Direct Pay form to have your water bill taken out of your bank account.
Online Payment
Make an online payment.
By Phone
Pay by phone at (641) 673-8476 during business hours, 7 am – 3:30 pm.
By Mail
Mail your payment to Oskaloosa Municipal Water Dept, P.O. Box 708, Oskaloosa, IA 52577.
Payment Drop-box
Drop payment in the drop-box next to the drive-up window at our Office.
I’m moving next month; how much notice will be needed to turn off my water services?
Please contact our office at (641) 673-8476 two working days before the day you would like to end your services. You may also contact the office if you are transferring services to a different property in Oskaloosa.
I’m renting a new property. How do I start service?
You may fill out our application for service. Applications are also available at our office. The office is located at 1208 South 7th Street in Oskaloosa.
Why did I receive a shut-off final notice when I paid my bill?
Sometimes your payment and the shut-off final notice cross in the mail. If you feel this has happened, please contact our office at (641) 673-8476.
Why does someone have to be present to have the water turned on, but no one has to be present when you shut the water off?
Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department requires someone to be home or at the property when water service is restored to protect your property. Once the technician restores the water, we ask the tenant or homeowner to check to make sure faucets and toilets are not running or that the meter is not leaking to prevent damage. When water is disconnected or terminated these risks do not apply.
General
If I see water in the street, who should I call?
Please contact our office at (641) 673-8476 to report water in the street or fire hydrant leaking. Our Water Distribution team will then determine the cause and arrange for any necessary repairs.
My water bill has been significantly higher in the last couple of months. Could this indicate I have a leak somewhere?
Yes, a noticeable increase in water consumption could be an indication of a water leak in your home.
One of the most common culprits is the toilet. Toilet leaks can waste up to 200 gallons a day! Even though a toilet isn't running, it can still be leaking water. If you suspect a problem, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and let it sit for several hours. If the dye has colored the water in the bowl, there is a leak. Also, look inside the tank for water going into the overflow pipe. If a problem is identified, contact a plumber to make repairs.
You also may want to check for dripping faucets. A simple washer replacement is often an easy, inexpensive repair that can eliminate drips in faucets.
Another way to check for evidence of leaks is to read your water meter before going to bed at night. Write down the numbers, and repeat this process first thing in the morning. If the reading has increased and no water was used during the night, you may have a leak. Remember to account for icemakers, humidifiers, water softeners, or other appliances that operate during the night hours.
Lastly, never underestimate the amount of water that is consumed for everyday tasks around the home. Here are some average water consumption amounts for routine household tasks:
- Shower: 25-50 gallons (5-10 gallons/minute)
- Bath: 36 gallons (full tub)
- Toilet flush: 5-7 gallons (less with new low-flow toilets)
- Brushing teeth: 2 gallons (tap running)
- Hand washing: 2 gallons (tap running)
- Shaving: 3-5 gallons (tap running)
- Dishwashing: 20 gallons (tap running)
- Automatic dishwasher: 12 gallons (full cycle)
- Clothes washer: 30-60 gallons (full cycle)
- Outdoor watering: 5-10 gallons per minute
What do I do if something is wrong with my water meter?
If your water meter is leaking or does not seem to be working properly, please call Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department at (641) 673-8476 to report the issue. We may need to ask questions to clarify the issue and schedule a service call if needed.
What is a stop box? What is it used for? If it is broken, who's responsible for fixing it?
A stop box is a valve located between the water main and your home. Often, you can see a metal cap approximately 4-6 inches in diameter on your lawn near the street or in your sidewalk or driveway. Stop boxes allow the Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department employees to turn off the water to your home.
Most often, this is done at the homeowner's request so plumbing repairs can be made or when someone is moving out of the property and wants the water service terminated. On rare occasions, the Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department will turn off the water to a property due to a payment collection issue. To avoid having your water cut off, please contact our office to make payment arrangements if you are unable to pay your bill in a timely fashion.
If it is not operational (after many years, it can corrode and break), the homeowner is responsible for repairing the stop box as well as the service line from the home to the water main. Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department maintains and repairs the water main.
